Touring different locations within the largest hot desert in the world, across a country with the most in the way of ancient history was a real joy and privilege.
When you first mention the word ‘Sahara’, people generally do not automatically associate this with natural beauty.
And yet the Sahara in its vastness offers so much beauty that shines through its harshness and barren terrain.
Last month, I was fortunate enough to travel to North Africa and experience much of Egypt, a country completely dominated by the Sahara while offering other treasures such as the famous Nile, Lake Nassar, the Red Sea Riviera and the Mediterranean.
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It’s BIG!
The Sahara itself is 9,200,000 square kilometres (or 3,600,000 square miles) in size – roughly comparable to the size of China or the United States. The Sahara stretches well beyond Egypt to include large sections of Algeria, Chad, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan and Tunisia, making up 31% of the total continent of Africa.
It’s a rocky desert and does look very different from various locations which I wanted to share here. So many people often just think of a desert as just mounds of sand dunes, seemingly going on forever. Not the case with the Sahara as you will see.
It’s HOT!
No surprise there. As Wikipedia states: “The high position of the Sun, the extremely low relative humidity, and the lack of vegetation and rainfall make the Great Desert the hottest large region in the world and the hottest place on Earth during summer in some spots. The average high temperature exceeds 38 to 40 °C or 100.4 to 104.0 °F during the hottest month nearly everywhere in the desert except at very high altitudes.”
Venturing outdoors is definitely not to be taken lightly here. Travelling with my partner James, we both ensured we were as well protected from the elements as we could be. It goes without saying that sunscreen, hats etc are a must and the heat can be really stifling, feeling it both from the sun as well as reflecting off the ground. It can be pretty intense and for the most part, it is often best to venture out early in the mornings, so you are back out of the elements at the hottest part of the day.
Our Experience
Egypt is a country that James has wanted to visit for a while. I was keen to go also and to appreciate what the natural beauty of such an ancient land offered. As there was quite a lot to see across this country, we both chose to complete an itinerary that showed us most of this intriguing land.
Where it came to different areas of the Sahara, we did cover quite a bit of ground and I have included the main highlights of the various areas below. While the focus of my articles are not man-made attractions, I have made an exception in this case, simply because these are Egyptian icons located within/alongside the Sahara and are treasured by many around the world.
The Giza Plateau
The closest part of the Sahara to Egypt’s capital Cairo, the Giza Plateau was the first place we visited after landing in Egypt. Here is where the large city of Cairo ends and the Sahara begins.
Most identified as the location of the famous Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, the Giza Plateau is easily reached by road.
The first time you catch sight of these pyramids, I defy you not to be simply awestruck. They are as amazing as they are colossal.
The sheer size and majesty of such an awesome feat just takes your breath away. Sole existing survivor from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is the Great Pyramid. This amazing structure, together with the other pyramids, are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction!
The statistics quoted around building a single pyramid is just astounding. 100,000 workers laying 2.5 million blocks, each weighing in excess of 6 million tonnes were used to construct the Cheops Pyramid alone!
Aside from visiting these amazing structures, we also went a bit out into the Sahara (which is mostly sand at this location) to get our first feel of this gigantic desert, as well as take a couple of photos looking back toward the pyramids. It was a momentous first day on this fabulous adventure.
This location at night
The temperature certainly does drop dramatically at night in the Sahara. Not that it ever would get really cold at the Giza Plateau (compared to other parts of the desert), it was a really pleasant feel when we attended the Pyramids and Sphinx Sound and Light show.
The lighting and narrative which presented historical information of Egyptian history incorporating this location was both interesting and impressive. A ‘must do’ in addition to visiting this site during the day.
Saqqara
Another popular site, Seqqara is the place where you can see Zhoser’s Step Pyramid (the oldest pyramid of them all – dating back to 2,700BC) as well as the myriad tombs and temples surrounding the area.
Here we see a little greenery in this area of the Sahara, with a number of date palms and desert scrubs that skirt the edge of the desert.
The south
Heading from the city of Aswan (located on the Nile), and travelling by road to the ‘last stop’ of Abu Simbel and Lake Nassar (not far from the border with Sudan), we travelled through a fair bit of the Egyptian Sahara.
Here we see a number of more fascinating scenes of the Sahara.
Luxor
This 4,000-year-old ancient city is surrounded by the Sahara while sitting on the banks of the Nile.
The centre-piece of Luxor would have to be the Temple Complex of Karnak as well as the Luxor Temple, around which the rest of the city has been constructed and inhabited for thousands of years.
Karnak
The Karnak Temple complex is said to be the second-largest in the world, after Ankor Wat in Cambodia (although we were told at the time that Karnak is, in fact, the biggest). Karnak is also known to be the second most popular tourist site in Egypt after the Giza Pyramids.
Karnak was built over a number of generations of Pharaohs, each progressively building more to create a massive complex of temples.
The great temple at the heart of Karnak is so big that St Peter’s, Milan, and Notre Dame Cathedrals would fit within its walls. The Hypostyle hall, at 54,000 square feet (16,459 meters) and featuring 134 columns, is still the largest room of any religious building in the world (Source: Discovering Egypt).
Luxor Temple
While not to the scale of Karnak, Luxor Temple is non-the-less extremely impressive. As we had visited Karnak Temple Complex early in the morning, we visited Luxor Temple in the late afternoon to early evening to avoid the worst of the desert sun.
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This was another fascinating site steeped in history with so much being relayed to us, it becomes extremely hard to recall all the detail, especially as similar information was provided at every major Egyptian site we visited.
As we stayed at the complex for some time, the sun set and the lights came on, giving this special place a completely different look altogether.
Colossi of Memnon
On the other (West Bank) of the Nile from Luxor are the first monuments you come across as you head toward the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the famous Valley of the Kings.
These are imposing 18m-high statues known as the Colossi of Memnon, which represent the remains of the Temple of the hedonistic Amenophis III.
Delr al-Bahri
Otherwise and more commonly known as the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, this is an amazing stone structure rising out of the desert plain, in a series of terraces.
It is simply one of Egypt’s finest and most photographed sites. The detail is amazing and the work to create something like this, similar to many other Egyptian landmarks, would be just about impossible to replicate today.
Valley of the Kings
Without a doubt, the most famous cemetery in the world, the Valley of the Kings is where the tombs of the ancient Pharaohs and noblemen and their families are located. Not that all of these tombs have been found. Not by a long shot, and there are still excavations occurring and planned for the future.
Today, however, here is where you will find some 63 tombs, many of which you can enter and view.
Everyone who visits this particular site in the Sahara Egypt will need to purchase an entry ticket, which includes entry to up to three tombs of your choice. Photography within the site and inside the tombs is unfortunately not permitted due to less than ideal light and strictly no flash can be used.
The majority of tombs were cut into the rock and some of the entranceways leading down into certain tombs are in perfect condition and clearly show the hieroglyphics so well (and in many cases, in full colour).
A few interesting sights travelling between Luxor and Hurghada
Here are a couple of images from this road trip that I thought were worth including:
Quad Biking on the Sahara, Egypt
In another part of the country, near the Red Sea city of Hurghada, we signed up for a day tour to visit a Bedouin camp in the Sahara that you could reach by quad bike. The entire trip was around 50 kilometres crossing a stretch of desert which mostly was sandy, but also covered some rocky areas which made the trip a bit hairy in some places.
Our group all had to wear glasses or goggles together with a traditional face covering and helmet in order to provide sufficient protection for our faces as we drove through the sand of the Sahara.
Once we arrived at our destination, the camp offered us some Bedouin Tea and a bit of an insight into their lifestyle as a nomadic people. Some tourists that were with us also opted to try smoking Shisha from a traditional Hookah, while others accepted to take a short camel ride.
We all arrived back a little worse for wear from the trip, many with blisters on their hands from the Quad Bikes and most having got sand just about everywhere possible in their clothes and everywhere else you could imagine. Nevertheless, it was a very different experience that we were glad to have done.
The Sahara Egypt along the Red Sea Coast and back to Cairo
Travelling back by coach from Hurghada along the Red Sea Riviera and eventually back inland to Cairo was yet another opportunity to see some stunning views of the Sahara.
The yellows of the desert that went right up to the beautiful aqua hues of the Red Sea, followed by the more mountainous terrain we experienced as we turned inland really showed how such a harsh and dry area still does project immense natural beauty.
The edge of the Sahara in the north
The final part of the Sahara, Egypt we experienced was in the extreme north of the country, as we headed toward the country’s second-largest city, Alexandria.
Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, the Sahara almost touches the end of the African continent here. The last actual historical site we visited where you can still see has the desert as its foundations, was ‘Pompey’s Pillar’ – a site that is virtually streets away from the sea.
Here is a site where you see a single pillar that remains from 400 that made up the Temple of Serapeum, a magnificent structure that stood here in ancient times.
Conclusion
Exploring the Sahara, Egypt from Abu Simbel and Lake Nassar in the south to Alexandria in the north and out to Hurghada and the Red Sea in the east made for a very fulfilling trip.
It is just impossible to cram everything we were able to experience into a single article here. Instead, I have tried to share what I think were the highlights that most people would be interested in and to provide a feel for the Sahara, the desert life of today and ancient treasures of bygone eras.
Although not everyone’s idea of the ideal vacation, experiencing the Sahara in a country steeped with so much history that is hard to compare with anywhere else, is something I would thoroughly recommend.
Did you enjoy this piece on the natural beauty of the Sahara, Egypt?
Do let me know your impressions or if you have any questions via the comments below.
Also: do stay tuned for more upcoming articles similar to the Sahara Egypt, covering our journey on the Nile, time spent exploring the Rea Sed, Lake Nassar, Alexandria and a train journey with views from Cairo to Aswan…
Outdoor adventure enthusiast that loves nature having travelled locations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
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WOW – as I was reading through this post, each location seemed more amazing and fantastic than the last. How wonderful to be able to experience such an ancient culture, while at the same time it looked so much fun from the buggy ride to the quad bikes! When I make it to Egypt, I will definitely be sure to include this type of Sahara trip!
That is such a lovely comment, Mireille, thank you. There’s no doubt that there are so many things to see, do and appreciate around the mighty Sahara in Egypt. I’m so pleased you are planning a trip to include the many things shown here. Do also have a look at the other posts in a total of 7 on this amazing country for more ideas of what you might like to enjoy while you are there.
When we were in Dubai, we did a desert “adventure” and it was quite frankly a big disappointment. We did not get the vast desert experience we were looking for. I really would have liked to spend time out there. But I do understand the cautions you have raised. Quad biking looks like it would be a lot of fun. It was great that you went out into the desert by the pyramids to get a view of them from that angle. We loved our visit to Luxor even if we did not really get to experience the desert. The temples and sites were simply stunning. You caught some good shots of the wall colours that still miraculously can be seen. A good journey through the Sahara.
Thank you so much for such a great comment Linda. We were lucky in that we saw quite a bit of the Sahara from many different vantage points and took a lot of photos of the various aspects and colors that you can see. From what you have said, you also did see bits and pieces of the Sahara and no doubt got a feel for the vastness that it is. I certainly hope you enjoyed your trip to Egypt as much as James and I did.
Oh that would be amazing to see in person. I have never been to that part of the world. It’s def on my bucket list.
Thanks very much Katrina. I’m sure you would enjoy it just as much as I did.
From the Philippines to Egypt, it will be a luxury to fly and visit this country though I admit I really want to visit it (still saving for this trip). It was so huge and so hot and glad you like the place. So much old history there and I bet all worth it.
I definitely think so Blair and I hope you are able to visit and experience it for yourself. Thank you for reading and commenting.
How is it I have never heard of the Luxor Temple?!!?! I mean, geez – I have heard of the Luxor in Vegas, for crying out loud! OMG!!! How incredible! I really love your photos and story. Egypt has just moved to the top of my list!
Sonya, I guess that’s because the Luxor in Vegas is more commercially promoted than the actual Luxor city and temple it is named after! Thank you so much for your kind comments on the story and photos – I really hope you plan your trip soon. Let me know if I can be of any help as I know you would love it just as much.
I knew the Sarah was big but 3,600,000 square miles is huge! I hadn’t seen a close up of the Great Pyramid before, it truly is incredible. I would love to visit this area and see the Giza Pryamids Light and Sound show. Luxor is also high on my list. Those statues and hieroglyphics are a must see.
There is no doubting that the pyramids are just epic, as much as the Sahara itself Sherianne. I would agree you should see the fabulous ancient attractions around Luxor, including the Nile of course. If you have an interest in history, you will completely love Egypt.
Seeing the Sahara Dessert sounds like a phenomenal experience! I honestly had no idea how huge the Sahara was. Of course, I would love to see the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx. And, seeing the Luxor Temple at sunset and at night seems really magical. I’ve really enjoyed reading about your travel journeys!
Thank you so much Kristy. The Sahara and the fabulous monuments, temples and other attractions are certainly a massive reason to visit, quite aside from the natural beauty to be enjoyed there.
Wow! I’d never thought about adding the Sahara to my bucket list, but your post and photos have convinced me that I’d love to see it someday. The history and artwork of the pyramids alone is worth the trip! It’s gorgeous both in the daylight and at night.
That’s wonderful you would add this to your bucket list Tracy. There is no doubting that the pyramids by themselves are a huge drawcard for tourists the world over. However, the word is definitely getting out of so many other fabulous attractions (natural and man-made) that make Egypt a compelling choice for a holiday. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
I have mixed feelings about whether I want to visit Egypt or not. I would love to visit the pyramids of Giza, or Luxor Temple and even the Valley of Kings and the main reason I wish to go is because of the number of historical associations you can find there. It is, after all, one of the oldest civilisations that existed! But visiting the Sahara and any middle eastern or north African country is almost like going to a place very similar to where I live (Dubai) and I like going to places completely opposite of where I live!
I can completely understand what you mean Medha, but if you decide to have just one trip within the Middle East – North Africa region, then I would strongly recommend you consider Egypt for the very reasons you mentioned. Egypt, after all, does have so much that the rest of the region doesn’t and this would be worth a trip at some point. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your comment.
Wow, you totally convinced me that the natural beauty in the Sahara in Egypt is worth visiting. Looks like the trip of a lifetime. I can’t get over those ancient tombs, pyramids, the temples in Luxor, and rich culture. It looks stunning at night the way the pyramids are lit up. It must have been so special to see the history that we grow up reading about in school.
I completely agree Susanna. For me, it was very special indeed and felt quite surreal at times. Thank you so much for such a nice comment and I hope you also make the trip to experience all Egypt has to offer.
Egypt looks absolutely incredible, and despite the recent problems I think it is one of the best destinations for 2019. I have been to the Sahara desert in Morocco (managed to get stung by a scorpion) and it has nothing quite like Egypt. How incredible are these Pyramids, I love your close up photo. It really shows how big they are. It almost seems impossible they were built by humans more than 4000 years ago…
That’s for sure Jenny. There are many that say we couldn’t even properly replicate these monuments with everything we have at our disposal today. That is fabulous that you experienced the Sahara in Morocco although that was rotten luck with the scorpion. There is no doubt that tourism in Egypt is also on the way up again now since recent events that drove tourists away and I hope you make the journey there as well.
I must admit that Egypt has never been high on my travel bucket list, especially because of the heat. But your photos and virtual tour may have changed my mind. It really is a breathtaking place! I’m also really excited to read your upcoming post about The Nile. Please let me know when you publish that one. I think going into the tombs would be a must for me when visiting. They are certainly a marvel, and it makes you wonder how it was done.
I agree there is so much beauty to photograph in Egypt, Erica. The heat can be minimized somewhat if you travel in their winter but that is also (understandably) peak season as well. The tombs are indeed so fascinating – both in the Valley of the Kings as well as within the pyramids. The post on the Nile is the next in the Egypt series and this will be published 2 days from now, so I do hope you enjoy that one as well. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
I have always been interested in Egypt, historically and geographically. I would love to visit there by myself and experience the pyramids, along with the light and sound show in the evening. You also managed to visit Abu Simbel in the south – that is another interesting location along with Saqqara, Aswan, and more. That is a detailed itinerary you have shared.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this article and are interested in visiting Egypt, Shreya. One of the upcoming posts that will be published in this series is on the topic: Solo Women Travel Egypt. Apparently, the numbers of solo women travellers are on the rise there so I thought I would share some views, including interviews with a solo woman traveller I met there as well as an experienced tour leader. You might find the information in that upcoming post quite interesting if planning a visit. Thanks again.
I am mesmerised by the photos ? everything looks so beautiful! I always wanted to see Egypt. But I am not sure if i can handle that much heat ?
Thank you Snehal. The main thing to remember is to do as much travel and sightseeing as early in the morning as possible before the hottest parts of the day. You also have another good time in the late afternoon before sunset. That way you still get to see everything without completely melting!
This looks like an amazing trip! I love that you and your partner completed a trip that he had been looking forward to for awhile; it is always wonderful to visit a place you have dreamed about. I did not realize how extensive the Sahara desert was. Thank you for sharing your incredible photos and experience.
You’re really welcome Jennifer and thank you for reading and lovely comment. There are more posts coming up shortly on different aspects of Egypt’s natural beauty including the Nile, sites from a rail journey, Lake Nasser, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea Riviera – so I hope you will stay tuned for those as well.
How cool you got to experience the pyramids at night too! I never knew there were light and sound shows and would for sure love to see it myself someday. The tomb entrance at Valley of the Kings is absolutely stunning too and reading through this simply makes me wanna hop on a plane and finally cross Egypt off my bucket list!
Thanks so much Jas. I am so happy that you enjoyed this post and that it has gone some way to inspiring you to create your own Egyptian adventure.
Amazing article! I had no idea the Sahara was that big! I would love to see Egypt one day, it looks absolutely stunning. The pyramids are breathtaking and you’ve provided so much interesting info to go with your great pics, I feel like I could have been there myself. Hopefully one day I will get to experience a trip like this first hand!
Thanks for sharing your travels with us!
Thank you for such a wonderful comment Lindsay. There is so much to see and love about Egypt and I hope you will also check out more posts that will soon be coming on this amazing country. There is much more to come in the way of information regarding all there is to experience and I hope this helps you decide on a future trip.
That looks like such an amazing experience! I would love to see Egypt someday.
It sure was amazing Shannon and I hope you do visit also, whenever you can. Thanks for reading and your comment.
Thank you for sharing! I would love to take my daughters to Egypt!
Thanks Brandy. Depending on how old they are, that would be a great idea. It will definitely be a trip they will always remember.
Egypt and the Sahara look such fascinating places. I read you can do river cruises along the Nile too, which would be a great way to see things as well. Wonderful monuments – beautiful photos.
Nile cruises are definitely popular Trish and I’m happy to say that the next post in this series on Egypt does feature a cruise I enjoyed for a number of days on the Nile. A beautiful river overlooking some lovely natural views. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
I would absolutely love to go Egypt to experience the sheer history. It’s amazing to wonder how all those pyramids and temples were built so long ago with no tools like we have today. It doesn’t even seem possible. They must be breathtaking at night as well. This is a definite bucket list item for my wife and I.
I totally agree Scott – it really is hard to imagine how some of these structures were built back then. Many in fact doubt that we could replicate this with the technology we have today and thus many other theories have emerged about how such things were achieved.
This is such a helpful post! We are wanting to go here but aren’t sure of what to see, this will def help! Thank you!
Most welcome Brianna and I hope you have a fabulous trip. Let me know if there is anything else you might want to know as you do your planning.
Giza Plateau has been one of the places that I really want to visit in Egypt. I’m really fascinated by the culture and rich history that it has. I always see Sphinx in the internet but I would like to see it in person. Maybe the pyramids in the Giza area too.
Thanks Emman. If the Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx are what interests you the most, you’re in luck because they are really close – almost right next to each other. And if you make the trip to the Giza Plateau, you will no doubt want to explore so much more of Egypt while you are there.
Oh my goodness, Egypt looks like an absolute paradise! I would love to have the chance to visit here myself one day, and experience this beauty first-hand. I’m glad you had an amazing time!
Thank you so much Emily. I hope you visit also as it is such a fantastic and different destination compared to almost anywhere else.
Your pictures are stunning. I’ve never been but would love to go.
Thank you Heather. Let me know if I can help with any information to plan your trip.
What an amazing experience of a lifetime. I have never stepped foot on the Sahara and I would absolutely be blown away just based on your post alone. Looking forward to more of your adventures!
Thank you so much Deb. It won’t be long and the next instalment on Egypt (this time focusing on the Nile) will be published.
Glad you put a close up picture of the pyramid, so I know how it really looks like. Those columns at Karnak Temple, they are so massive! I can’t imagine how they carved the hieroglyphs around them. Your pictures and stories are descriptive as always. Thanks for bringing me to Egypt with you!
Your are most welcome Umiko and thank you for your kind comment. I so appreciate you reading and following the posts here. It is indeed hard not to be impressed with a place as special as Egypt that has so much to hold us in sheer amazement.
I was fascinated by the walls. I had no idea they would be that rough. From all the pictures, the walls look smooth!
I guess the smoothness or roughness does vary depending on which site you are at as all have survived to varying levels through the ages. Up close, anything is always going to show more imperfection than further away and when you feel the wall in person, that can be pretty rough as well. Still, these are in amazing condition considering some of these walls are now thousands of years old.
I’ve never been to Egypt. A good friend of mind was jut there this past week and I enjoyed seeing the photos he shared on social media of some of the sites you mentioned like Luxor. There’s certainly a lot to see but I don’t know if I could handle that heat!
I know what you mean Valerie but there are better times of the year to visit than now and even the month of June when I visited. If you go in their wintertime, it is considerably less hot and of course, that is a more popular time in terms of most tourists choosing those times also. If you really can’t stand the heat, the winter would be your best bet to see these amazing places.
Ancient Egypt was my favorite unit of study to teach in third grade. The kids and I were fascinated with everything about its history and culture. I’ll be bookmarking this post to refer back to.
Your trip sounds amazing and memorable. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us!
Thank you so much Christine, I am so happy you enjoyed this. It really was so wonderful to go there and see it for real after having studied this in school also. It made it all the more special and ‘real’, like coming alive out of the textbooks. You also appreciate just how enormous and impressive these famous places are.
I must admit reading your post brought back loads of memories. I visited Egypt and did the Nile cruise on my honeymoon. The history and the architecture is just out of this world. It is absolutely magical when you first set your eyes in the the pyramids and sphinx. It can get very hot so you need to protect yourself from the sun. Thanks for sharing a great post once again and look forward to the series.
You’re most welcome Amar and thank you so much for sharing your experience also. How wonderful it would have been to have had your honeymoon cruising down the Nile. My next post to be published in the Egypt series is in fact focused on the Nile and no doubt this would bring back some fabulous memories also. Egypt is indeed quite special and it is lovely to connect with someone that has enjoyed this as well.
I’m wholly intrigued by the mystique that is Egypt! If I were to ever get there, I’d have to stay a while, to become immersed in its beauty and enchantment.
This is certainly a destination you wouldn’t want to rush Brianne. The longer you can stay, the better as there really is so much to experience and take in. Thank you for reading and your comment.
I’ve had a huge obsession with Egyptian history for as long as I can remember. I love how advanced the civilization was and how their building techniques and form of communication are still marveled at to this day. I’m most excited to visit the Valley of the Kings so I can see the hieroglyphics up close and truly admire the architecture novelty that these structures offer. Furthermore, the construction of the pyramids is an outstanding feat. I definitely would want to marvel at them for hours, but probably can’t due to the heat! I’ll have to brush up on my history before I go it seems! Great photos of you and James!
It is so wonderful to read comments like yours Martha, thank you. It really does add so much joy to the process of writing and sharing our experiences. In a place like Egypt you just take in so much fascinating information and take so many photos – the challenge then comes to limit what can be included in any one post. I’m so happy you enjoyed it and I hope you will also share your experience when you visit.
What an amazing place to visit! It looks like there are so many cool things to see there. I remember studying the Sahara back in Elementary School and I was fascinated.
I remember those days at school as well Marysa. It is a surreal experience to then see it all in real life. The fascination increases tenfold. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
The Sahara desert has a kind of wild beauty which is so enthralling. Egypt, of course, is like a shining oasis on the desert. The ancient history and heritage of Egypt is indeed fascinating. I can see you had a wonderful experience in Egypt. The magnificence and sheer scale of the temples of Luxor are indeed awesome. Hope to get to Egypt sooner than later.
Thank you so much Sandy N Vijay. I really did love my time and experience there and I hope you get there soon as well.
Wow! It looks like you had an amazing trip. I would love to visit Egypt and take a tour of the Sahara desert.
Thanks so much Autumn. While there is no single tour of the Sahara in Egypt to my knowledge, if you choose a comprehensive tour of the country’s sites, you will still end up visiting so many areas of this massive desert.
Egypt is one of my bucket list travel locations and your trip looks amazing. You were able to see so much! The temperatures are definitely extreme — was it a dry heat? I didn’t know the magnitude of everything there. Obviously the pyramids are extremely impressive and huge, but I had no idea the temple of Karnak was so monumental. Thank you for adding so much detail, it makes it much easier to picture these great wonders.
You’re really welcome Summer and thank you for such a lovely comment. The heat is certainly a dry one given the desert conditions and the fact that it hardly rains at all. The sun can be really fierce and you do need to be careful while out and about exploring.
OK, so we (my hubby who’s sitting next to me) and I are guessing you did not CAMP in the Sahara? I have been to three places whose desert desolateness reminds me of the images here – the Grand Canyon, Big Bend National Park in Texas, and the more desert-like/arid parts of Israel. They are a far cry from the more lush, humid environments in which I’ve lived most of my life – and they ARE indeed all beautiful in their own way, and far more alive than one would expect (even with greenery and plant life!), once you get over the initial shock of the RELATIVE lack of lushness (for me, compared to what I’m used to).
Hi Flossie. You are correct in assuming that our itinerary and time did not allow for camping on this trip. Perhaps another time if/when we return. Hence the focus here is on experiencing nature here rather than camping as such and it’s great to hear your appreciation of the beauty of such environments also. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks for sharing the highlights of the Sahara desert; I’d admit I’m one of those that think that it’s just sand mounds and dunes. The temples are magnificent and so different from the ones I usually see in Asia and I would definitely want to experience them for myself. The night shows seen pretty interesting too! 🙂
Thanks so much Eunice. I know that the temples found in Asia are particularly beautiful, as is the nature across numerous regions there. Hope that you also make it to Egypt one day to see how different it is there.
Egypt is interesting as it has lovely deserts though hot and many ancient ruins of great civilization. Taking that horse cart on the Giza Plateau to get a good view of the pyramids must be a fun thing to do here. It is really wonderful to see ancient hieroglyphics still preserved as it is and how huge those pillars are.
Definitely Yukti! There is so much to see and love about Egypt and it’s amazing ancient history that surrounds key locations of natural beauty. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
I have to say Nicole, that I felt so hot just by looking at your photos! I don’t even know how they built those pyramids in that sweltering heat! No matter many times I’ve seen photos of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, I never tire of looking at them. We did enter a tiny part of the Sahara via Merzouga, and that alone was spectacular! I’m glad James managed to visit Egypt!
Thank you so much Lisa. The construction of the pyramids is definitely a huge mystery. Images of Egypt are something I have loved for a long time as well and it was really a privilege to have the opportunity to visit and see it up close. James definitely loved the whole trip as did I. Your experience of the Sahara in Morrocco sounds like it was really great and would be something I would love to see as well.
WOW! When the pyramids are illuminated, they look very modern and interesting, completely different from the impressions in the daylight. Traveling to Egypt is a real adventure!
There’s no doubt about that Mijia. Totally recommend this experience and the pyramids, while extremely impressive, are just scratching the surface of so much to see there.
Reading this is such perfect timing. We are planning our visit to Egypt for 2020. Seeing your photos have made me so excited and the destinations that we are looking at are so similar to yours. The entrance to the tomb is spectacular. I also want to add in the Light Show – thanks for sharing that.
You’re most welcome Jane and aside from thanking you for your comment, I really hope you have a wonderful trip next year. If I can be of any help with information on booking and/or tour options, do let me know and I would be happy to help. I am sure you will have just as wonderful time as we did.
I have never been to Egypt before but would like to visit once to get a glance of those huge pyramids. The beauty and history behind Egyptian culture is quite fascinating and intriguing. Egypt is know for it pyramids and this beautiful desert.
Totally agree Pooja. There is so much about Egyptian history, culture and heritage to learn about and be fascinated by. Thanks for commenting and I hope you visit one day as well.
Wow this trip looked so fascinating as well as lots of fun! Id love to go myself one day!
Fascinating and fun is right Hoang! Two great reasons to get over there and check it out for yourself. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
As someone who is fascinated by civilizations of the world, Egypt has been high up in my wish list since long. I really need to plan. I’ve always though only about the historical and art side of Egypt. Just as you mention, its natural beauty didn’t strike my mind! Glad to read about the natural beauty of the place.
The hieroglyphics of Karnak temple and the humongous statues and paintings in Luxor and just so so so fascinating. It has fascinated me since about a decade now. I really should plan to get my visa!
Btw, I didn’t even see the goat, until I read the caption! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a goat standing on a donkey!!!
Thank you so much for such a considered comment Bhushavali. Much if what you have mentioned were also contributing factors for my visit as well as wanting to see the natural geography of Egypt. If I can ever be of assistance to you with information to help plan your visit, just let me know. I’m pleased you did see the goat! You’re right in that it is not immediately obvious! All the best.
WOW! Sahara desert looks so beautiful at night. You must have enjoyed your visit there. And the pictures are beautiful!
I have also heard its very hot in day time and very cold at night, is that true? That must be difficult to handle by the folks there.
Thank you very much for reading and commenting Haroon. There is certainly a big drop in temperature at night in the Sahara – some places more dramatically than others. There is much to be said for the effectiveness of the traditional clothing of the Bedouin people, who have lived in the desert for countless generations.
Absolutely beautiful. Definitely on my bucket list.
Beautiful memories you have.
Definitely Simone. Thank you and I hope you get to tick this off your bucket list soon.
WOW!!! I’m embarrassed to admit that while Egypt has always been on my bucket list, it hasn’t been near the top. Most of the pictures I’ve seen are overly touristy, but your photos make it seem so real. It sounds like you had an amazing trip- we might have to duplicate this! My husband really wants to go soon, so I might just have to give in now!
That is a lovely compliment Cloe, thank you so much. I am so happy you liked it and I would be happy to provide any further information if your husband and you decide to go.
What an incredible place to visit! There is so much history here, and breathtaking architecture. That light show looks amazing!
Thanks very much Misty, I completely agree and am happy you enjoyed reading and that you decided to share your thoughts here.
What an amazing experience! The location at night picture is simply spectacular. I can imagine all the fun.
It was both a fun and fascinating experience at the same time Stella. There is quite a bit in Egypt that you could describe as spectacular and thank you for reading and leaving your comment.
I knew that Sahara is big, but after seeing the area you mentioned I could actually fathom how big it is. It is always my great wish to visit the Sahara desert. I loved reading through this post. I literally travelled the place with you. The night in Sahara looks awesome. Hope to visit the place soon!
Thank you Amrita. I truly enjoyed putting this post together and am so pleased that you enjoyed it. I really hope you visit soon as well and would love to hear how it goes.
I woud love to visit here one day, the night lights look amazing and something i bet you will remember forever x
Thanks so much Samantha. It’s true that seeing things at night under lights and special effects are completely different to the day and stimulates your imagination as you also take in the history there.
I’m glad to hear you made it to Sahara, one of the most fascinating places on our planet. I still haven’t visited but I really enjoyed this virtual tour. The pyramids look gorgeous and that night photo is absolutely spectacular! I would love to visit someday
Thank you so much Daniel. I agree the Sahara is fascinating, as are the pyramids and many other things in this ancient land.
Traveling to Egypt has been a dream of mine for the longest time. When I was a kid, I read lots and lots of books about the pyramids and about Egyptian history. It is so nice to read about your experience. Hopefully, some day, my dream will come true and I will be able to explore this wonderful country!
I certainly hope your dream comes true as well Kristine. Like you, I can also remember learning about Egyptian history in school and imagining what it was like. It is surreal to see it for real after all that you have read and documentaries that have been made. Thanks so much for commenting.
Egypt has always fascinated me, especially for its great pyramids and the intriguing history. I loved reading detailed information about my bucket list destination. Sahara is indeed so vast and carries a unique beauty. Apart from the Pyramids, I would love to visit the grand Karnak Temple Complex. The size of its walls and statues tell interesting tales of the bygone era. Colossi of Memnon is another majestic place – the 18m-high statues are just outstanding. And what a lovely piece of art is the Valley of Kings!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment Shaily. I absolutely share your enthusiasm for Egypt in so many ways. Its natural beauty, its ancient monuments, its compelling mysteries, the history, myths and culture. I do hope you get to visit also and I would love to hear your experience when you do. Thank you again.
Egypt is so beautiful. It’s amazing how they’ve been able to preserve all these even after thousands of years. The stone works! My goodness! This is legendary.
I agree that there is really nothing else in the world that compares to this Viano. It really does take your breath away to see these up close and appreciate how special they are. Thanks so much for your comment.
I loved this post. I have always wanted to visit Egypt for the amount of history that the country possesses. Today, as I was reading through your post I felt like I was taking a virtual tour of all these exotic locations. It was amazing to see the Pyramids of Giza, Luxor, and the Valley of Kings through your pictures. And experience the natural beauty of the Sahara in Egypt. The place is truly beautiful.
Thank you so much Soumya. It was quite an epic trip and I was so happy to be able to experience it.
So many things to love about Egypt! It’s really beautiful out there. Truly bucket list material.
Couldn’t agree more Alexandra. I am so happy to have made it there and shared this experience. Thank you for reading and commenting.
How exciting that must have been! Egypt is a gold mine when it comes to ancient history. It is really mind boggling how the people of early times were able to build such massive structures! Thank you for sharing your photos. Now I am filled with wanderlust of the place.
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment Annemarie. I agree it is so hard to imagine how such enormous projects were completed. It all just adds to the mystery and wonder.
So amazing ! I have always wanted to visit and now just want to more.
Thanks so much, Aditi. Please let me know if I can be of any help in planning your trip and I wish you a wonderful time there.
It was always a dream of mine to go to Egypt and visit the pyramids. Unfortunately I was never able because of all the problems there. Loving your photos, I had no idea that you can go so close to these amazing monuments !
I completely understand what you mean when you refer to recent problems in Egypt Elena. However I must say that during the trip I have just made, I never felt unsafe and there is a fair amount of security around tourist areas. Having made the trip, you can definitely get very close to these amazing monuments that are still there from ancient times. Fascinating indeed.
I love your optimism, you found natural beauty where others find everything barren. You gave a short virtual trip to the Sahara. Thank you
You’re most welcome Pia, I’m so pleased you enjoyed this piece and left a comment. It’s true many might not regard the Sahara as having beauty but I beg to differ, especially if you get to see it across various different locations.
I bet it was cool to see the pyramids from so many perspectives. The light show at night looks fun. I think I would enjoy the quad biking as well. It’s good they gave you protection from the sand, I could imagine there would be a lot of sand flying around!
Pyramids were certainly amazing Elizabeth – both during the day and night. The protection for quad biking was definitely needed due to the sand flying up everywhere. It was still a lot of fun though.
I so want to visit the Pyramids and experience a night on the Sahara! Alas, desertification is creeping into the northern parts of West Africa because of climate change and is causing lots of natural and geo-political problems.
I must admit I hadn’t heard of the term ‘desertification’ Kemi. Climate change is certainly impacting various parts of the world, some more so than others. Having just visited Egypt last month, I can say that it is very doable at the moment and something I would recommend. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have always wanted to see the pyramids! And that light show looks AWESOME! One of these years, I really need to start my travelling.
There are so many fabulous places to see around the world Rachelle and Egypt is certainly one of the more popular ‘bucket list’ locations. I hope you start out on your travel adventures soon and thanks so much for reading and commenting.
What’s another of your favorite places!? I hope we can start travelling as well. It’s hard with young kids!
Oh goodness, Rachelle, I honestly have so many favourites and often it is so hard to choose. I certainly appreciate that Egypt might not be the best choice for young children but before recommending some alternatives, I should know a bit more about your preferences. There are so many variables starting with your preferred continent or ocean area, your budget, your interests etc. If you would like, drop me some feedback on my direct email [email protected] and I would be very happy to help.