Egypt Adventure: Pyramids, King Tut’s Tomb, and Sailing the Nile

Part 1: Arrival in Cairo and the Alexandria Detour

After weeks of colour, chaos, and curry in India, we were ready for a new adventure—and Egypt did not disappoint. From the moment we landed in Cairo on January 17th, we were stepping back in time to a world of kings, temples, and the timeless flow of the Nile.

We arrived via Qatar Airways. Upon arrival, Achmed, the local representative from On The Go Tours, expertly guided us through the entire airport process. Getting our visa was surprisingly simple—just walk to the bank counter inside security, hand over $15 USD, and receive a visa sticker for your passport. Along the one-hour drive to Giza, we caught our first breathtaking glimpse of the Great Pyramid rising above the city haze.

We had arranged an add-on tour to visit Alexandria. The drive was long but fascinating as our guide, Mohammed (who cheerfully told us to call him Dino), filled us in on Egyptian, Greek, and Roman history. Our first stop was the Roman Catacombs—an underground maze carved into rock. From there, we visited Pompey’s Pillar. After lunch, we explored the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, once one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Our final stop was the modern Library of Alexandria, a stunning UNESCO-funded project built to honour the lost library.

Part 2: Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara and Ancient Wonders

The main On The Go Tour officially began. Our small group consisted of four Australians, one American, and us. Day one took us deep into Cairo’s archaeological wonders. We began at Saqqara, home of Egypt’s oldest pyramids. These early pyramids were built with the belief that the afterlife was underground.

After lunch, we headed to Giza to see the world-famous pyramids up close. We even ventured inside the second pyramid, crawling through narrow shafts and steep passages until we reached the burial chamber. Halfway through, the power suddenly went out, leaving us in complete darkness deep inside the pyramid. Thankfully, we managed to continue. Our day ended at a papyrus shop where we learned how papyrus paper is made.

Part 3: Aswan, Abu Simbel & Sailing the Nile

The following morning started early with a 4 a.m. wake-up call for a short flight to Aswan. Our hotel in Aswan was right on the Nile. Our first Aswan stop was the High Dam, which created Lake Nasser and required twelve ancient temples to be relocated. One of these was Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, accessible only by boat.

The next day began at 3 a.m. for our excursion to Abu Simbel. The journey took us through the desert. Abu Simbel’s two massive temples were carved by Ramses II, and the entire complex was relocated in the 1960s to save it from Lake Nasser. Twice a year, the rising sun aligns perfectly to illuminate the inner sanctum.

After returning to Aswan, we boarded our felucca—a traditional Egyptian sailboat—for a two-night cruise along the Nile. The felucca had a wide, flat deck covered in mattresses where we would all sleep under the stars. That evening, we walked to a nearby Nubian home. The next day was a full day on the felucca. We stopped for a swim (the Nile was freezing!) and taught the group how to play Bohnanza. The night was filled with laughter, music, and starlight reflecting off the calm Nile.

Part 4: Valley of the Kings and Queens

Our journey continued north toward Luxor. Along the way, we stopped at Kom Ombo, a temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god, and Edfu, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus.

The next morning, we went to the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial ground of the Pharaohs. Your ticket allows entry into three tombs, but extra tickets can be purchased for special ones like King Tut’s tomb or the combined tombs of King Ramses V and VI. We decided to do both extras to get the full experience.

We began with the tomb of Ramses III, known for its vivid artwork and the famous image of the blind harpist. As you descend, the walls are covered with hieroglyphics, and the ceilings feature the goddess Nut. Next, we explored the tomb of Merenptah, which includes an actual sarcophagus still in place. Finally, we visited the tomb of King Tutankhamen—simple but historically monumental. Though smaller than the others, it’s moving to see the resting place of the boy king whose mummy still lies within a glass case.

After the Valley of the Kings, we visited Deir El-Bahri, a temple complex built by Queen Hatshepsut. She was one of the few women to rule as Pharaoh. Her temple is impressive, with sweeping colonnades carved into the cliffs.

Part 5: Karnak, Luxor and the Red Sea

Our final stop on the sightseeing itinerary was the great Karnak Temple complex, one of the largest ancient religious sites in the world. Built and expanded over thousands of years, it features towering columns, statues of rams and sphinxes, and massive obelisks. Later that evening, Nicola and I returned to see the Luxor Temple illuminated at night. The warm lighting and shadows gave the ancient stone a mysterious beauty.

The next day, we drove to Hurghada, a resort town on the Red Sea. We spent four days here relaxing and enjoying the beach with our group, upgrading to all-inclusive for a few dollars more each day. One day, we hired a boat and went snorkelling and fishing. We stopped at an island where Nicola and I built a sand pyramid and sphinx—when in Egypt, it only felt right. Each night, the resort offered entertainment ranging from traditional dance shows to comedy skits.

Part 6: Final Days in Cairo and Departure to South America

After Hurghada, we drove back to Cairo and checked into a comfortable hotel in Giza for our final two nights. Our last full day was spent visiting the Cairo Museum and the famous market. The drive through the city was slow due to heavy traffic, and the museum sits right in Tahrir Square, the heart of Egypt’s recent political turmoil. The area felt surprisingly calm and secure.

The Cairo Museum was the perfect way to conclude our Egyptian adventure. Inside, we saw the treasures of King Tutankhamen, including his legendary golden mask and sarcophagi. We also visited the mummy room, where the preserved remains of great rulers such as Ramses II and Hatshepsut are displayed. We ended the day wandering through the market and bought a papyrus painting of the Eye of Horus.

That night, we went to bed early, as our flight was at 4 a.m. Our journey to South America took about 30 hours in total, with stops in Istanbul and São Paulo before finally arriving in Buenos Aires. It was one of our longest and most exhausting travel days yet, but also one of the most satisfying. We had just crossed from Africa to South America, our fifth continent on this journey.

Reflecting on our time in Egypt, it feels like we’ve lived several lifetimes in just a few days. The ancient grandeur of the temples, the quiet rhythm of the Nile, and the warmth of the people all left us spellbound. Now, as we turn the page to South America, we carry the dust of the desert with us—a reminder that adventure is as much about the journey as the places that shape us along the way.