Egypt is the great bucket-list trip: the last of the ancient wonders still standing, a river that has carried travellers for five thousand years, and tomb walls whose colour survives to this day. Most trips pair Cairo and the Pyramids with a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, where the temples come one after another.
It is more comfortable and better-organised than many first-timers expect. Here's our short brief on timing and what to build around.
Best time to go
October – AprilThe main season — warm days, cool nights, ideal for Cairo, Luxor and the Nile. December–January is peak.
May – SeptemberVery hot in the south, but the Red Sea resorts (Hurghada, Sharm) stay pleasant and prices soften.
Year-roundThe Red Sea coast works almost any month for diving and snorkelling.
What not to miss
Pyramids of Giza & the SphinxThe only surviving ancient wonder — closer to Cairo than most imagine.
Nile cruiseThree or four nights between Luxor and Aswan, temples by day, the river sliding past your cabin.
LuxorKarnak, the Valley of the Kings and Tutankhamun's tomb — the world's greatest open-air museum.
Abu SimbelRamses II's colossal rock temples, moved stone by stone above Lake Nasser.
The Red SeaWarm, clear water and reefs off Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh to end the trip.
Visas & entry
Entry rules for Egypt depend on your passport — many travellers use an e-visa or visa on arrival. Tell us who's going and we'll confirm the current requirement and arrange it.
Visa & OCI servicesPractical tips
- Dress modestly at mosques and temples, and carry a scarf and a hat — shade is scarce at the sites.
- Start temple visits early to beat the heat and the coaches.
- Carry small notes for tips (baksheesh) — it oils the whole trip.
- A good private guide transforms the ancient sites; we always include one.
