Egypt conjures images of golden deserts, mighty pharaohs and mysterious hieroglyphs. Travelling there today is more than a history lesson—it’s a sensory journey through bustling cities, temple‑lined riverbanks and sun‑drenched coasts. At TPT Tours (Tailored Personal Travel), we design journeys that let you experience Egypt’s wonders while enjoying the flexibility of a customised trip tpt.tours. Whether you dream of watching the sunrise over the pyramids or sipping tea with locals along the Nile tpt.tours, our Egypt itineraries blend iconic sights with authentic encounters.
Pyramids of Giza & the Great Sphinx: No trip to Egypt is complete without standing before the pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Khufu (c. 2584–2561 BC) originally rose 481 ft (147 m) and was built with thousands of limestone blocks britannica.com. Nearby are the slightly smaller pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure britannica.com. While Greek historian Herodotus claimed that 100,000 workers built the Great Pyramid in 20 years, modern archaeologists suggest about 20,000 workers could have achieved the feat britannica.com. Guardians of the plateau include the Great Sphinx, a 240‑ft long limestone monument with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh britannica.com. Climbing the pyramids is prohibited and punishable by law, so admire them from designated areas britannica.com.
Egyptian Museum & the Grand Egyptian Museum: Cairo’s historic Egyptian Museum still houses a vast collection of artefacts, but Egypt is preparing for the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on the Giza Plateau. In late 2025, the GEM will fully open with thematic galleries and a 36‑ft statue of Ramses II in the Grand Atrium afar.com. Visitors can already explore some galleries in its soft‑opening phase; the King Tutankhamun halls remain closed until the official opening afar.com.
Thebes and Luxor: Ancient Thebes (modern Luxor) was the capital during Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdoms and lies on both banks of the Nile. The east bank hosts the temples of Karnak and Luxor, while the west bank contains the Valley of the Kings and Queens smarthistory.org. Wandering through Karnak’s forest of columns or descending into tombs carved deep into the cliffs reveals Egypt’s artistic and engineering brilliance.
Nile Cruises: Many travellers opt for a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. The Nile, flowing more than 6,800 km (4,000 miles) from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea education.nationalgeographic.org, has sustained Egyptian civilisation for millennia by turning desert into fertile farmland education.nationalgeographic.org. Cruises allow you to visit lesser‑known temples at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo while watching modern life unfold along the riverbanks.
Aswan & Abu Simbel: In Aswan, you’ll see the High Dam and the serene islands of the Nile. From here, many travellers continue to Abu Simbel, where Ramses II built two rock‑cut temples dedicated to Amon‑Re, Re‑Horakhte and the goddess Hathor. When construction of the Aswan High Dam threatened to submerge the complex, UNESCO oversaw a massive relocation project (1963‑1968), moving over 16,000 blocks to higher ground britannica.com.
South of Cairo lies the ancient capital of Memphis, founded around 3000 BC. Its necropolis at Saqqara includes the Step Pyramid of Djoser and numerous decorated tombs and mastabas, forming part of the UNESCO‑listed “Memphis and its Necropolis—Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur” whc.unesco.org. Memphis served as Egypt’s administrative capital for centuries, housing temples and palaces whc.unesco.org.
Nile River: Besides being the world’s longest rivereducation.nationalgeographic.org, the Nile’s annual flooding deposited nutrient‑rich silt that allowed ancient farmers to cultivate beans, flax, cotton and wheateducation.nationalgeographic.org. Today, about 95 % of Egyptians live within a few miles of the rivereducation.nationalgeographic.org.
Red Sea: For a relaxing finale, add Hurghada or Sharm el‑Sheikh to your itinerary. The Red Sea lies between Africa and Asia and is about 1,400 mi long. It is up to 221 mi wide and has extensive shallow shelves teeming with more than 1,000 species of invertebrates and 200 types of coralen.wikipedia.org. Its warm, clear waters make it the world’s northernmost tropical sea and one of the best places for snorkeling and scuba diving.
en.wikipedia.org
TPT’s Egypt programmes range from short city breaks to multi‑country expeditions. Each itinerary can be personalised and includes knowledgeable guides, comfortable transportation and thoughtful extras. Here are a few examples from our current portfolio:
| Tour | Duration & Highlights | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Nile Splendor | 10‑day journey covering Cairo, Alexandria, a Nile cruise, Luxor, Esna and Edfutpt.tours. | TPT Tours |
| Pharaoh’s Bargain Adventure | 7‑day trip visiting Cairo, Aswan and a Nile cruise with stops at Kom Embo, Edfu and Esnatpt.tours. | TPT Tours |
| Explore Egypt | 7‑day tour of Cairo and Aswan combined with a Nile cruise that includes Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esnatpt.tours. | TPT Tours |
| Nile Valley & Red Sea Tour | 10‑day itinerary linking Cairo and Aswan with a Nile cruise (Kom Embo, Edfu, Luxor) and ending at the Red Seatpt.tours. | TPT Tours |
| Explore Cairo | 4‑day city break focusing on Cairo’s museums, markets and ancient sitestpt.tours. | TPT Tours |
| Siwa Safari Adventure | 4‑day desert escape to Cairo, El‑Alamein, Marsa Matruh and the remote Siwa Oasistpt.tours. | TPT Tours |
TPT also offers multi‑country adventures, such as Egypt, Kenya and Ghana (15 daystpt.tours) and theme‑based pilgrimages like In the Footsteps of the Holy Family in Egypttpt.tours. Prefer something different? Use the “Build your tour!” option to create a bespoke itinerary blending Egypt with Greece, Turkey or Jordan.
Best time to visit: The cooler months of October to April offer pleasant sightseeing weather in Egypt, with temperatures between 66 and 86 °F (18–30 °C)globalhighlights.com. March–April and October–November are particularly comfortableglobalhighlights.com. Summer (May–August) can be extremely hot but is also less crowded and may offer cheaper ratesglobalhighlights.com.
Currency & Payments: Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP). One pound equals 100 piastres, while the former subdivision into 1,000 milliemes is now obsoletekids.kiddle.co. Banknotes commonly used include 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 poundskids.kiddle.co; coins come in 25‑piastre, 50‑piastre and 1‑pound denominationskids.kiddle.co. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted in many hotels and larger shops, but carry cash for markets and smaller establishments.
Culture & Etiquette: Dress modestly when visiting mosques or rural areas. Tipping (baksheesh) is customary; small notes for guides, drivers and service staff are appreciated. Photography is allowed in most sites, but some tombs and museums charge additional fees.
Safety & Regulations: Egypt remains generally safe in tourist areas, but always follow local advisories and avoid restricted zones. Climbing on pyramids and monuments is illegalbritannica.com. Respect local customs, especially during religious events.
TPT Tours was founded by travellers who believe every journey should be unique. Our team of “travel obsessives” has scoured the globe to build meaningful connections and curate experiences that transcend cookie‑cutter itinerariestpt.tours. We focus on Tailored Personal Travel, meaning we listen to your interests—whether that’s history, food, adventure or relaxation—and craft an itinerary that suits youtpt.tours. You aren’t just booking a tour; you’re co‑creating a story with people who share your passion for discoverytpt.tours.
Ready to explore the land of pharaohs? Reach out to TPT Tours and let’s turn your Egyptian dreams into a journey you’ll never forget.
