Egypt is renowned for its ancient civilization and some of the world's most recognisable monuments, including the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza near Cairo. South of Cairo is Egypt’s other ancient capital – Luxor. In Luxor there are a number of enormous temples and the burial tombs of some of Egypt’s greatest rulers in the mysterious Valley of the Kings. One of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East, the great majority of Egypt’s 80 million population live near the banks of the Nile River. This is where fertile agricultural land is found; while the rest of the country is predominantly desert. The birthplace of one of the most enduring civilisations the world has ever known, Egypt is a country that has charmed travellers for centuries. From bustling Cairo and cosmopolitan Alexandria to cruising the mighty Nile, Egypt offers an intriguing blend of the ancient and modern world. Key Highlights Egypt is best known for the monuments left by the ancient Egyptian civilization. The highlights of which include the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza ; the Royal Library of Alexandria which was once the largest library in the world; the temple of Luxor and the two massive temples of Abu Simbel carved into the cliffs; and the Valley of the Kings which contains the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo contains the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world, including the funerary objects of the famed boy king Tutankhamen. Egypt also has a significant history from the medieval period, particularly in Cairo. Attractions include churches, monasteries and mosques and incredible bazaars. The Red Sea in Egypt’s east is a haven for diving enthusiasts. Resorts at Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh offer some of the best diving locations in the world. In Depth Cairo is a modern bustling city, set against the backdrop of the pyramids of Giza. A tour of Cairo’s sprawling Khan El- Khalili bazaar, the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza and a trip to the remarkable Egyptian Museum are just some of the highlights. Founded in 332 BC, Alexandria is now Egypt’s second largest city. Sites of interest include Pompey’s Pillar, the National Museum, Catacomb of Kom El Shuqafa and the Montazah Palace. In nearby El Alamein, embark on a moving tour to World War II battlefields and the Commonwealth War Cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of British and ANZAC soldiers. The city of Luxor was built on the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes. Within the modern city of Luxor lie the ruins of the temples of Karnak and Luxor, while across the river Nile, lie historical monuments, temples and tombs including the Valley of the Kings and Queens. The complex at Abu Simbel comprises two temples, a smaller one and a larger one; it was originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC. As the first project of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the complex was relocated in its entirety in the 1960s, to save it from the flooding of the valley caused by the building of the Aswan dam reservoir.
Egypt is renowned for its ancient civilization and some of the world's most recognisable monuments, including the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza near Cairo. South of Cairo is Egypt’s other ancient capital – Luxor. In Luxor there are a number of enormous temples and the burial tombs of some of Egypt’s greatest rulers in the mysterious Valley of the Kings. One of the most populous countries in Africa and the Middle East, the great majority of Egypt’s 80 million population live near the banks of the Nile River. This is where fertile agricultural land is found; while the rest of the country is predominantly desert.
The birthplace of one of the most enduring civilisations the world has ever known, Egypt is a country that has charmed travellers for centuries. From bustling Cairo and cosmopolitan Alexandria to cruising the mighty Nile, Egypt offers an intriguing blend of the ancient and modern world.
Key Highlights
Egypt is best known for the monuments left by the ancient Egyptian civilization. The highlights of which include the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza ; the Royal Library of Alexandria which was once the largest library in the world; the temple of Luxor and the two massive temples of Abu Simbel carved into the cliffs; and the Valley of the Kings which contains the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. The Egyptian Museum in Cairo contains the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world, including the funerary objects of the famed boy king Tutankhamen.
Egypt also has a significant history from the medieval period, particularly in Cairo. Attractions include churches, monasteries and mosques and incredible bazaars.
The Red Sea in Egypt’s east is a haven for diving enthusiasts. Resorts at Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh offer some of the best diving locations in the world.
In Depth
Cairo is a modern bustling city, set against the backdrop of the pyramids of Giza. A tour of Cairo’s sprawling Khan El- Khalili bazaar, the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza and a trip to the remarkable Egyptian Museum are just some of the highlights.
Founded in 332 BC, Alexandria is now Egypt’s second largest city. Sites of interest include Pompey’s Pillar, the National Museum, Catacomb of Kom El Shuqafa and the Montazah Palace. In nearby El Alamein, embark on a moving tour to World War II battlefields and the Commonwealth War Cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of British and ANZAC soldiers.
The city of Luxor was built on the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes. Within the modern city of Luxor lie the ruins of the temples of Karnak and Luxor, while across the river Nile, lie historical monuments, temples and tombs including the Valley of the Kings and Queens.
The complex at Abu Simbel comprises two temples, a smaller one and a larger one; it was originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC. As the first project of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the complex was relocated in its entirety in the 1960s, to save it from the flooding of the valley caused by the building of the Aswan dam reservoir.