Lonely Planet Egypt: Perfect for exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled (Travel Guide)

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Buses are the best public transport option for reaching towns that aren't on the Nile, and they run between the main destinations for travelers with several departures daily on major routes. If you’re heading to the Western Desert oases, West & Mid Delta Bus Company is the only operator, so expect only a couple of departures daily and plan accordingly.

Far removed from the mayhem of Egypt's big cities, this little gem of an oasis is home to Siwan Bedouin people who follow a largely traditional way of life, and the town has thus far been only lightly touched by tourism. The locals are Amazigh tribespeople, who have managed to preserve much of their linguistic and cultural heritage thanks to the isolated location of their oasis home.Siwa is a prime destination for tourists looking to escape the winter chill and it's a leaping off point for the Great Sand Sea (the world’s third-largest dune field), swimmable hot and cold springs and crystal clear salt lakes where you can float effortlessly, supported by the saline waters. Planning tip: And for an overnight stay, head to Dayra Camp, a collection of wildly decorated straw huts and wooden bungalows located in the coastal town of Nuweiba – just 23km (14mi) away. Don’t attempt to haggle in bigger shops in or outside tourist attractions, and if there’s an official price posted on the product, it’s usually non-negotiable. Cairo and Giza are mostly accessible using the metro system, and if you’re a female traveler we recommend you seek out the carriages reserved for women. As a rule of thumb, try to avoid interactions with individuals in suspicious settings, like quiet alleyways, dark street corners, and empty spots, and look for crowds with women and children if you feel unsafe. Never get into a taxi or Uber with anyone but the driver. Ride in the carriages reserved for women on the metro in Cairo. And, as is sadly the case in most of the world, avoid walking alone late at night. 14. Tourist police can assist you in an emergency

Scout new ways to explore the planet's wildest places with our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. 1. Cross Sinai, from the mountains to the coast July is the hottest month, with temperatures ranging anywhere from 34.7°C (94.5°F) to a scorching 43.3°C (109.9°F). Yet, despite its year-round sunny skies, Egypt’s overall desert climate makes winters especially cold – the kind of cold that creeps beneath your clothes and gives you chills right down to your bones. Abydos is closely associated with Osiris, god of the afterlife, because ancient Egyptian myth says this spot is where the deity’s head landed after Osiris was chopped up and scattered across Egypt by his jealous brother Seth. It was a place of pilgrimage and burial, and some still believe that this area holds mysterious powers. Almost all travelers require a visa to enter Egypt, but fortunately, the process is pretty simple, and a little advance planning goes a long way.A few kilometers north of Dahab is Egypt’s Blue Hole, a submarine sinkhole that drops straight down to a depth of over 100m (328ft), and attracts experienced divers from all over the world. It’s a fascinating but risky dive that’s unfortunately claimed many lives, and it should be left to pro and advanced divers only. 15. Relax with the view from Castle Zaman What I liked in particular about Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary is that it includes two unusual stops that aren’t standard ports of call for most Nile cruises. About 50km north are two flat-topped mountains known as the Twin Peaks, a key navigation point for travellers. A favourite destination of local tour operators, the view from the top of the surrounding symmetrical hills, all shaped like giant ant-hills, is spectacular. Just beyond here, the road climbs a steep escarpment known as Naqb As Sillim (Pass of the Stairs); this is the main pass that leads into and out of the Farafra depression and marks the end of the White Desert. Tourism hit a record high in Egypt in 2019 and was expected to grow even more in 2020, but we all know what happened then. Like many places, tourism in Egypt has now entered recovery mode, making the coming months a great – and still relatively quiet – time to visit.

Egypt is generally considered safe to visit, but if you face any issues that you believe require law enforcement interference, look for police officers with a tourism police badge on their shoulders – it’s a navy blue half sleeve with a gold eagle in the middle, and “Tourism and Antiquities Police” written at the bottom. They are stationed at every tourist destination in Egypt and can also be reached by dialing 126 from any Egyptian mobile number.If you’d rather file a complaint later, you can dial 19654 and communicate directly with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. It's also a good idea to keep the number of your home embassy or consulate handy.