Sailing the Nile along the lush Nile Valley, surrounded by golden dunes and ancient monuments such as Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel, is among the country’s most popular tourist activities.
Nile cruises allow visitors to explore and unravel the mysteries surrounding Ancient Egypt, leaving even the most demanding of travellers satisfied with the various cruises types and diving activities available.
Ras Mohammed – a cape formed by ancient corals – gives visitors the chance to capture underwater photography masterpieces, with different species of fish and sharks arriving from the open seas in search of food and shelter “We offer Nile Cruises to guests who visit Hurghada. It is a unique chance to get acquainted with the history of Egypt, with all it is amazing temples and unbelievable nature,” enthused Kozyreva.
Scuba diving in the Red Sea initially started in the 1950s when Greek and Italian workers began spear fishing in the area. Today, divers can explore almost every aspect of the sea with the variety of diving spots available.
The Fjord provides yet another popular spot for diving with dazzling coral reefs and unforgettable scenery. Experienced divers can dive into the Fjord hole which reaches a 16 m depth and follows a hole that goes down to a depth of 24 m, home to a various marine life.
For less experienced divers there is Fjord Banana, a shallow reef getting its name from its shape, with a depth of 12 m.
The Island of the Pharaoh was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by coral reefs. The island includes the Picasso Reef, an underwater mountain that leads down 24 m to huge table corals. At a depth of 12 m divers are surrounded by a wide variety of colourful fish, including the famous Picasso Trigger Fish.
Luxury seeking travellers can try out the Red Sea dinner yacht cruise. Departing from Sharm el-Sheikh’s marina, the cruises have been initiated by some of Sharm’s upscale hotels, creating a new trend which attracts more and more people through the years.
UNRAVEL THE MYSTERY
Egypt is one of the few countries that combines education with adventure for its leisure visitors. Its longstanding history amazes those who get lost in time when exploring the ancient temples, tombs, artefacts and mummies, to name a few.
Activities can range from shopping along the ancient bazaars, to visiting monuments, to exploring the endless range of desert landscapes.
“Cultural tourism is a main driver to Cairo, where history is blended with culture and site-seeing to give an unprecedented experience [...],” outlined Naboulsi. “However, apart from gems such as the Pyramids, Luxor, and Aswan, Egypt has a lot of pristine locations such as El Gouna, the North Coast, Sahl Hashesh, Soma Bay, [and more], with their gold sand beaches that can easily compete with any of the world’s best beaches.”
Shopping is another of the most accessible options for travellers. Egypt provides shoppers with traditional souks, modern shopping malls and exclusive boutiques.
Abu Tig Marina, El Gouna is known as a classier shopping venue housing a multitude of boats and yachts, offering a selection of fashionable boutiques.
Visitors can also sit and enjoy a coffee, or dine at quality restaurants, cafés and bars, located across the Marina. Every Friday there is also a festival held along the seafront, including live performances, food and a children’s festival, ideal for families.
NATURAL ADVENTURES
With the majority of its landscape being desert, many visitors choose to go on desert safaris to enjoy the seemingly never ending golden landscape.
Walking among mud houses and ancient ruins scattered across the desert oases, shopping for locally made crafts and rubbing shoulders with Bedouins, is among the best ways to connect with Egyptian culture and traditions.
Safaris go through a series of natural landmarks, giving guests the opportunity to sand board the Great Sand Sea, quad bike the Western Desert or dune camp under the desert’s starry sky. Hotels and restaurants also offer brief camel rides through the desert.
Among the Sinai’s natural wonders, the Coloured Canyon has been a main attraction for adventurers. The canyon is a maze of sandstone rocks in hues of yellow, purple, red and gold, reaching a height of 40 m.
Finally, sports tourists can explore a longstanding tradition of golf, with Egypt having one of the oldest golf courses in Africa and the Middle East.
The Gezira Sporting Club and Mena House golf course, near the Giza pyramids, opened in the late 1800’s.
In the last decade, golf tourism has seen an increase with 20 top-scale operational golf courses located across Egypt’s major cities, with top golf competitions including the country among its world-class golf destinations.
