Taking you into the heart and soul of this captivating destination, our Egypt culture tours take you on an immersive journey of discovery. Our trips are designed to showcase the best this amazing country has to offer, and many of our leaders are locals with expert knowledge that you just couldn’t get from a guidebook.
We have experts who are naturalists, historians, geologists and even chefs, and they’ll encourage mixing with the locals, which means you can really immerse yourself on our Egypt culture tours.
Imagine cruising along the Nile, exploring ancient sites such as the world-famous temples and the Pyramids of Giza. You’ll be in awe of the number of ancient monuments and hidden treasures that give you a deep insight into the country’s past. Egypt is most renowned for its archaeological sites, including the Valley of the Kings where pharaohs and nobility lay in tombs.
As well as discovering ancient sites on Egypt cultural trips, you can also experience the vibrant bazaars of Cairo, the country’s bustling capital, and sample the local cuisine. Or perhaps you’d prefer to take a trip to the Red Sea, known for its colourful marine life and corals. Travelling as a family? Our Egyptian family adventures await.
Cairo: Egypt’s sprawling capital is a dizzying mix of antiquities, bazaars and cultural performances. Our Egypt cultural trips ensure you’re directed to the best sites so you can get to grips with the city and its people. The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities houses ancient artefacts that date back to 4,000 BCE and is also home to the treasures of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Alternatively, visit the Al Azhar Mosque or stroll through the meandering alleyways of the vibrant bazaar.
Pyramids of Giza: Arguably the most astounding site to explore on Egypt culture holidays, the Pyramids of Giza can be found on the edge of the desert. They’re one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World at more than 4,000 years old. Made up of three pyramids, the site still perplexes historians and they’re considered one of Egypt’s greatest mysteries.
Valley of the Kings: Want to uncover the extravagant world of pharaohs and ancient Egyptian royalty? The Valley of the Kings is a famous burial ground, where 63 pharaohs were buried inside exquisite tombs, including that of Tutankhamun. The burial site lies on the west bank of the Nile and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Luxor: A curious city on the eastern banks of the Nile, Luxor, also known as Thebes, has become reputed as one of the finest open-air museums in the world and is a must for your cultural holiday to Egypt. You’ll find the magnificent Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Karnak Temple Complex here, with the latter hosting a spectacular evening light and sound show.
Red Sea: Spanning the inlet of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea was believed to be where Moses parted the waves in the Bible. However, it is now more famously known for its colourful sea life and unusual coral formations. You can go beneath the surface either by snorkelling or in a submarine to explore this kaleidoscopic world. But if you prefer to kick back and soak up the sun, the beach is a great place to enjoy the views on terra firma.
This trip was unforgettable! Many people choose to do the Annapurna Circuit on their own and they mainly follow the Jeep track, which didn’t appeal to us. We were so happy and grateful that we decided to go with Exodus – we had the best guides! Sukman and his assistant guides Dipendra and Lakpa Sherpa were fantastic.
We had knock knock tea in the mornings – loved that part, and followed a mix of alternate trails (that weren’t well known) with certain sections along the main Jeep track. On those quieter trails, we rarely encountered other trekkers and definitely no other tour groups. We did pass herds of goats and met local people. We only saw other people along the main jeep track.
Two days before reaching Thorong La Pass, we had heavy snow. Thanks to Sukman’s expertise, he made the difficult decision to backtrack immediately. Many trekkers without guides, or those who chose to wait out the storm, ended up stranded at high camp and had to be rescued. We were fortunate to make it safely off the mountain in time, though it meant rerouting the second half of our trip. Even with the detour – we thoroughly this trip thanks to the amazing team. The porters were also incredible companions. Without them, carrying all of our belongings for three weeks would have been tough!!
This was an amazing trip. We packed a lot in to 2wks. Cities, mosques, kasbahs, medinas, countryside, desert camping (including camels!), mountain villages, hikes, a fishing port. Oh, and some shopping! There were some long travel days, but they didn’t feel long… the bus was comfortable (and our driver Hassan was excellent!), with frequent stops for sights / loo breaks. Also, the scenery was interesting. Our guide Mohamed was superb, one of the best we’ve ever had (and we’ve been lucky with Exodus to always have excellent guides, so the standard is high). One example… We had an unexpected issue with the bus on about day 3 which wasn’t fixable locally, and we all assumed the itinerary for that day might need to change, or at least that we’d be delayed for a while. But thanks to Mohamed’s organisational skills, enough taxis turned up within 20mins to take us all on to our next scheduled stop, with Mohamed following once he’d sorted a replacement bus.
You can fly into three different airports across Egypt, which means the flight duration will vary slightly.
London to Cairo: around 4 hours and 40 minutes
London to Hurghada: around 5 hours and 20 minutes
London to Sharm el-Sheikh: around 5 hours and 10 minutes
What is the weather like in Egypt?
The climate in Egypt is hot and dry as the vast majority of the country sits on desert. The hot, dry summer season runs from May to September. Outside of this, the winter season is milder. Most tourists visit Egypt between October and April as the daytime temperatures are more comfortable for sightseeing, ranging between 19°C and 28°C. However, temperatures can drop to as low as 0°C at night, so be sure to check the weather and pack layers accordingly for your Egypt culture trip.
What should I wear in Egypt?
Clothing for a culture holiday in Egypt might include a combination of shorts, skirts, dresses and long, breezy trousers made from breathable materials like linen or cotton. As the dress code is relatively conservative, it’s recommended that you choose outfits that reflect that.
Sunglasses and sun hats are also highly recommended to help protect against sunburn or sunstroke. If you plan to visit any mosques, it’s recommended that women bring a shawl or scarf to cover their hair.
Depending on the sightseeing involved, you may want to bring shoes or trainers that are comfortable for being up on your feet all day.
Depending on the time of year, the evenings can feel chilly despite the heat during the daytime. Be sure to pack additional layers, such as a jumper, fleece or cardigan, as well as trousers to keep your legs warm.
Can I visit Egypt during Ramadan?
Egypt is a predominantly Islamic country, which means Ramadan is an important event. Due to fasting, which happens between sunrise and sunset, some restaurants and markets could reduce their opening hours.
While those who aren’t Muslim aren’t expected to fast, it is courteous to restrict drinking and snacking out in public. Despite this, it’s a remarkable cultural experience to witness during your holiday to Egypt, giving you plenty of opportunities to learn about Ramadan celebrations.
What are the best places to visit during a culture trip to Egypt?
This depends entirely on what you are seeking from your culture trip to Egypt.
Some of the country’s most famous landmarks can be found just over 10 miles from Cairo. The Pyramids of Giza are one of Egypt’s most visited tourist attractions. Here, you can also see the Great Sphinx. The city of Cairo is home to the Egyptian Museum and the ever-lively Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
Luxor is another great destination for your culture holiday in Egypt. Visit the vast Karnak and nearby Luxor temple complexes for insight into their religious significance during ancient Egyptian civilisation. The Valley of the Kings is another must-visit. It’s home to Tutankhamun’s famous tomb and while much of its contents sit in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, you can still see the spectacular wall engravings and the mummy wrapped in linen cloth.
Meanwhile, the ancient cities of Aswan and Alexandria offer a wealth of breathtaking sites and plenty of stories to hand, from the spectacular Aswan High Dam to the Qaitbay Fortress and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
To box off multiple destinations in one awe-inspiring trip culture trip to Egypt, a Nile cruise could be the best choice.
What are some of the best cultural activities during a trip to Egypt?
