1. Marsa Alam: Marsa Alam does host a lot of Italian, Spanish, and Russian tourists by charter flight who come to sit at the resorts. But there is so much more to Marsa Alam – beautiful tent camps, opportunities to swim with dolphins, live-aboard diving opportunities, desert treks and jeep safaris to visit the indigenous people of the area.
Photo Courtesy of flickr: Youssef Abdelaal
2. Lake Nasser: Most people only see Lake Nasser from a bus window on a 3-hour ride from Aswan to Abu Simbel. Why not spend a few nights on the lake itself on a specially designed boat that can fit into every inlet. A full staff accompanies each boat, including a guide and chef. Visiting secluded temples, trekking through the dunes, and fishing are all part of the experience.
Photo Courtesy of Backpacker Concierge
3. Gilf Kebir: To think people used to live out here. Gilf Kebir is home to endless expanses of untouched desert, cave drawings, and rocky outcroppings – perfect for the desert adventurer. It’s a multi-day journey from Dakhla and requires a convoy of jeeps to carry supplies and GPS equipment. Sitting on the border of Libya and Sudan, it has seen some ‘incidents’ in recent years, which all adds to the excitement. The picture you see is a old World War II vehicle – there are a few scattered in the area, adding another perspective to the experience. Prices start at about US$ 1500/person for a 10-night journey.
Photo Courtesy of Backpacker Concierge
4. Kalabsha Temple – Aswan: Wow wow wow! Imagine having a temple on the edge of Lake Nasser completely to yourself. This is a rarity in a country that hosts about 10 million visitors per year. Kalabsha was one of 24 monuments moved by Unesco as a result of Lake Nasser and the High Dam. Visit it by boat for the full experience. Ticket price: 30LE.
Photo Courtesy of Backpacker Concierge
5. Mosques of Muizz al-Deen Street – Cairo: Why visit the Mohammed Ali Mosque and Citadel, when the newly renovated al Muizz al Deen Street in the heart of Cairo features so many stunning examples of Islamic architecture and opportunities to visit functioning mosques? The street goes from Bab al Fetouh to Bab al Zuweila and passes through part of Khan al Khalili and over al Azhar Street. Many of the mosques don’t charge admission and sometimes you’ll be able to climb to the minaret for a birds-eye-view of the city. Don’t forget to tip for this service!! Beit al Suheiymi – a wonderfully restored Ottoman-style house – is also on the street and worth a visit. Guides are recommended.
Photo courtesy of Backpacker Concierge
6. Opera House – Cairo: The Opera House is the centerpiece of culture in Cairo, yet is rarely visited. Every week the Opera House hosts at least one performance – whether it be homegrown or imported. Ballets, symphonies, musicals, modern dance recitals – it’s all there and often for just a few dollars. A jacket and tie are required for men to gain access to the orchestra/symphony floor; however, those that don’t travel with full formal wear will be admitted to the upper balconies once the show starts.
Photo Courtesy of Backpacker Concierge
7. Medinat Havu – Luxor: Located on the West Bank of Luxor, this temple receives hardly an visitors when compared to the more famous Vally of the Kings and Karnak Temple. The mortuary temple of Ramses III features some of the best preserved colors on offer in Egypt and is easily reachable by bicycle or private car. Best when visited with an Egyptologist. Ticket price: 30LE.
Photo courtesy of flickr: pyjama
8. Red Pyramid – Cairo: The Red Pyramid is just one 1km away from the Bent Pyramid – both are located just outside of Cairo in Dahshur. Unlike the Giza Pyramids, your entrance ticket to this site includes a visit INSIDE the pyramid itself. Don’t forget that there are over 100 pyramids in Egypt and that the Red Pyramid is one of the best preserved, yet receives a low number of visitors each day. Ticket price: 50LE . There’s really no need for an Egyptologist to accompany you to the site, rather it’s best done with a private car.
Photo courtesy of Backpacker Concierge
View original, read more guides, and create your own travel guides on www.ruba.com
Erin Kiskis is the Community Manager at Ruba, a new online travel site that lets users share their favorite places and travel experiences in a highly visual guide format. She’d rather spend all her time actually traveling if she could.
Her favorite places to travel are Kenya and Australia and her favorite things to do on vacation are take photos and eat bizarre and delicious foods.
