Egypt has a lot to offer, from the pyramids and ancient statues to snorkeling above the corals reefs in the red sea. The only way to see everything in Egypt is by backpacking.
Cairo
Obviously the first thing that you would want to visit is the pyramids of Egypt. The great pyramid of Giza and the great Sphinx of Giza are the most iconic places to see. Since you probably will be landing in Cairo, it’s a good idea to stay in Cairo and visit the pyramids in the morning. They are located just outside the city and are easy to reach. In Cairo is also where the great Egyptian museum can be found. Here you’ll find all antiquities and they can be viewed here. The Khan el-Khalili is a major bazaar where you can buy souvenirs and handmade crafts. Camel riding is extremely popular here and can be done in most of the cities in Egypt.
Luxor
Another great city to visit is Luxor. To get to Luxor from Cairo can be done with an overnight train. What more can you want as a backpacker? The train drives next to the Nile river. A day train or bus can also be used to travel to Luxor. In Luxor you will find the largest open-air museums in the world. Luxor is home to a lot of ancient temples and tombs that can be visited.
Dahab
If you want to go snorkeling or diving, it can be done in Luxor as well as Dahab, but Dahab is more popular among divers. No matter which location you choose, you will have a great experience. With the beautiful coral reefs and clear waters is easy to see why it’s so popular. In Dahab you can also visit the St Catherine monastery and if you don’t like camel riding, you can go on a horse riding expedition in Dahab.
Train, bus and metros
The public transport system works well and they have buses, trains and metros. There are also taxi’s, but are not needed that much. The roads are not very safe and people drive very recklessly. Egypt has the highest number of incidents per mile driven in the world. Therefore you should be careful when walking in the streets and also try to find a good taxi driver if you might need one.
Don’t underestimate the heat
Do not forget that Egypt is a desert. Therefore it is extremely hot. During the summer times temperatures can rise to 45 degrees Celsius. In the winter months it’s colder, but still fairly hot. In the evenings the temperature drops significantly and in the winter it can even get 0 degrees.
How much does it cost to sleep ?
If you are just looking for a dorm room that might have AC, you’d be paying $6 at most per night. For a decent hotel you would be paying about $20 per night. Either way, it is not too expensive.
The Egyptian diet
Their diet consists of a lot of legumes, vegetables and sometimes fruit, but a lot of spices. Kushari is a dish that simply must be tried when visiting Egypt. It is a mixture of rice and pasta filled with a variety of vegetables and topped with thick tomato paste. Alexandrian liver and sausage is a classic street food that can be bought here. It is a bit spicy as they are both the liver and sausage are topped with spicy pepper and both are served with a pickle. But a great serving of kebab can be found everywhere for the meat lovers.
Egypt offers a lot more than just the pyramids and should therefore be visited. This is the ideal country for an unforgettable backpacking experience.
Looking for more backpacking trips? Be sure to visit the Fijian Islands. If you want to visit more in Africa, be sure to visit Cape Town, South Africa.
