Egypt Route: 21 Places from Alexandria to Abu Simbel

This 7,887 km route across Egypt connects 21 major attractions spanning from Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast to Abu Simbel in the south. The itinerary includes iconic sites like the Pyramids at Giza and Luxor's temples, Red Sea resort towns like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, and remote destinations such as Siwa Oasis and Mount Sinai.

Mode
Places
Start
Red Sea coast and Sahara
End
Nabeq
Stops
21
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Red Sea coast and Sahara — Pristine coral reefs and desert landscape converge where azure waters meet golden dunes, offering world-class diving and remote Bedouin experiences.
  2. Mount Sinai and Sinai Peninsula — Sacred biblical mountain where pilgrims ascend to witness sunrise over granite peaks and vast desert valleys stretching toward three continents.
  3. Monastery of Saint Catherine — Located on Mount Sinai, an important Christian pilgrimage site.
  4. Siwa Oasis — Located near Egypt's western border, remained culturally isolated from the rest of the country.
  5. Sharm el-Sheikh — A well-known beach resort at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula.
  6. الوادي الجديد, مصر — Three accessible adventures featuring turquoise lagoons, multicolored rock formations, and a 6th-century monastery nestled in mountain terrain.
  7. Cairo, Nile River, and Dahshur — Egypt's vibrant capital sits at the Nile delta with nearby Dahshur pyramids showcasing ancient pharaonic monuments amid sprawling urban life.
  8. Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid — Two uniquely preserved 4th-Dynasty pyramids at Dahshur display distinctive angled and smooth geometric forms marking evolution of pyramid construction.
  9. Aswan and Lake Nasser — Southern city on the Nile overlooks an immense reservoir created by the Aswan High Dam, surrounded by Nubian culture and granite quarries.
  10. Temples: Philae, Abu Simbel — Philae's island sanctuary and Abu Simbel's colossal rock temples represent masterpieces of Ptolemaic and Ramessid architecture relocated to escape Nile flooding.
  11. Kom Ombo and Edfu — Twin Ptolemaic temples honor crocodile and falcon gods, featuring remarkable dual sanctuaries and intricate hieroglyphic inscriptions along the Nile corridor.
  12. Nile journey between temples — Cruising Egypt's eternal river between ancient temples reveals lush banks, traditional felucca boats, and timeless landscapes that shaped pharaonic civilization.
  13. Cairo at Nile delta
  14. Memphis and Pyramids at Giza
  15. Luxor: East Bank and West Bank, Thebes — Thebes' sprawling ruins occupy both banks: East holds Karnak temples while West contains royal tombs, mortuary temples, and Colossi of Memnon.
  16. Karnak, Valleys of Kings and Queens — Karnak's vast temple complex rivals entire cities, while secluded royal valleys harbor elaborately decorated pharaonic and royal family tombs hidden in desert cliffs.
  17. Red Sea Coast — Known for its coral reefs and beach resorts.
  18. Hurghada — Once a small fishing village, now a Red Sea resort destination.
  19. Alexandria — Located on the Mediterranean coast, Egypt's leading port and transportation hub.
  20. Mount Sinai — Located in the middle of the Sinai Peninsula, said to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
  21. Nabeq — Popular destination for snorkeling day excursions.

Useful for your trip

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Hurghada is especially popular for its diving opportunities and has grown to host more than 100 different hotels, many lining the shoreline.
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Alexandria is Egypt's leading port and transportation hub on the Mediterranean coast, founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great.
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Mount Sinai is home to the Monastery of Saint Catherine, a Greek Orthodox monastery founded in the 6th century, one of the longest-running monasteries in the world.
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Siwa Oasis features freshwater springs, acres of palm groves, ancient mud-built fortresses and remnants of Siwa's Greco-Roman past.
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Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the finest diving spots in the world. Hotels and travel agencies can arrange jeep, camel or quad bike tours.
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Popular day excursions from Sharm el-Sheikh include snorkeling at Nabeq, jeep trips to Coloured Canyon, and overnight trips to Saint Catherine's Monastery.
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Dahshur offers a more tranquil and isolated location to view large pyramids compared to Giza, with much smaller visitor numbers, shorter queues and far less hassle.
Transport
Aswan is the base for excursions to temples of Philae and Kabasha, the Sun Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, and the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu between Aswan and Luxor.
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Cairo is a popular starting point for cruises up the Nile and explorations of the Pyramids at Giza just outside the city. Visit the Egyptian Museum of Tahrir Square for Tutankhamun's treasures.
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Luxor's modern city sits on the East Bank with famous temples of Karnak and Luxor, while the ancient capital of Thebes on the West Bank has the Valleys of Kings and Queens.
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The Giza necropolis pyramids were built over three generations by Khufu, his son Khafre, and his grandson Menkaure, along with satellite structures including queen pyramids and causeways.
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The Red Sea coast is known for coral reefs and beach resorts while a trek through the Sahara can lead visitors to a refreshing oasis.

Video on this route

10 Best Places to Visit in Egypt - Travel Video

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