Egypt Travel Guide

Every step of planning an Egypt trip with a Nile cruise, in order: from choosing dates and checking passports six months out to the final checks the week before you fly.

What the overnight climb up Mount Sinai is really like, how hard it is, when to go, what to bring, and how to plan it with St Catherine’s Monastery from Sharm or Dahab.

A planning guide to Egypt’s Western Desert: Fayoum and the Valley of the Whales, Bahariya and the White Desert, and remote Siwa, with how many days each needs.

The excursions from Hurghada worth leaving the pool for: Giftun Island and Orange Bay, Dolphin House, a semi-submarine, a desert safari, and day trips to Luxor and Cairo.

The Luxor extras that are worth your free time: the sunrise balloon, the quieter West Bank, Dendera and Abydos, Karnak by night, a felucca and the Corniche museums.

The day trips from Cairo that are worth your time, from Saqqara and Alexandria to Fayoum, El Alamein and the White Desert, and how to fit them around a Nile cruise.

A practical guide for solo and female travelers planning a Nile cruise: single supplements, safety basics, and choosing the right cruise style.

A family planning guide to Nile cruises: choosing itinerary length, keeping kids engaged at temples, cabin considerations, and age-appropriate options.

Flying versus the overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan: journey times, what to expect, and how to choose for your Nile cruise.

What dining is really like on a Nile cruise: buffet meals, must-try Egyptian dishes, vegetarian and dietary options, and water safety onboard.