Destination: Egypt

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Travelling at a steady pace

ONE MONTH / CAIRO TO SINAI

In a month you could comfortably familiarise yourself with sites and attractions as diverse as city and oasis.



In a month you could cover most of Egypt’s main sights, but you’d still have to travel at a steady pace.

Spend four or five days in and around Cairo doing all the things described in the Whistle-Stop Nile Tour and Fortnight Jaunt itineraries, but also spend some time in Coptic Cairo, the oldest part of modern-day Cairo and the Christian heartland of the city. You could also explore the narrow and history-rich streets of Islamic Cairo by taking in a fascinating walking tour.

Next on your journey, take an early train north to Alexandria’s Sidi Gaber station and transfer directly to a bus for Siwa Oasis, one of Egypt’s most idyllic spots. After a couple of days hanging out in this tranquil haven, backtrack along the Mediterranean coast to Alexandria and spend a couple of days in its wonderful cafés and museums.

Take the sleeping train to Aswan, where you should spend a few days, including a full day devoted to making the trip to Abu Simbel and back. Then on to Luxor, where you’ll need at least five days before heading east to Hurghada on the coast. After an overnight stop, catch the ferry across the Red Sea. You’ll have another six or so days to explore Sinai, home to Mt Sinai, the Coloured Canyon, and the laid-back beachside town of Dahab.