Car Rental Egypt - Exploring Egypt

Despite its size, much of Egypt’s attractions are drivable because they are clustered along the Nile or Red sea coast. These areas are built up and it’s safe to cross the desert landscape, while driving through the stark mountainous Sinai is a unique experience. Tourist police are numerous and offer convoys if you’re nervous.

Starting out from Luxor, several of Egypt’s most famous attractions are across the river on the Westbank, including the eerie Valley of the Kings where Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in 1922 among many more impressive tombs of greater Pharaohs. Queen Hatshiput’s three tiered Romanesque-like mausoleum, set against a backdrop of towering cliffs is spectacular, and nearby are the massive, curious guardian statues of the Colossi of Memnon.

If you’re all ‘templed out’ a lazy cruise down the Nile is relaxing, alternatively you can rough it on a traditional felucca for a real experience.

Aswan is quite a drive south but a fascinating frontier trading town with a pretty location on the Nile and interesting Nubian culture. Elephantine Island has the biggest concentration of ruins. Nearby is the massive Aswan High Dam (the world’s largest) and smaller, older, Lake Nasser. To avoid flooding, the incredible temple ruins of Abul Simbel were relocated to an island on the new dam and are an absolute must-see. Regular 30 minute flights depart daily from Aswan.

If you really want to be brave and head out into the desert, Dakhla Oasis is a remote, unique Bedouin town that time has forgotten.

If you’re into diving head over to the great beaches and sunshine of the Gulf of Aquaba. Sharm el Sheik is the most developed and modern of the resort towns, with many good dive operations and excursions to marine national parks. Dahab, to the north is a popular hippie hangout, less luxurious but laid-back and charming. It is closest to Mount Sinai.