If you are planning a trip to Egypt, you probably won’t want to miss out on some of the most famous and fascinating sites in this history rich destination. Each year, hundreds of travelers visit this historical country, including archeologists, photographers, spiritualists, and everyday vacationers. Egyptian history is vast, spanning about 5,000 years and including ancient, medieval, and modern times. In addition to its oldest and most legendary museums, temples, towers, and tourist attractions, Egypt also offers Red Sea scuba diving and snorkeling, Cairo night life, restaurants, theater, Nile dinner cruises, and more.

As a tourist destination, Egypt trips invariably include visiting the famous Egyptian pyramids. While Egypt is home to over 100 pyramids, none offer the grandeur of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza – the last of the original Seven Wonders of the World still standing. Made over 4,000 years ago by the Pharaoh Khufu – in approximately 2560 BC – this classic monument is 136 meters high, with each pyramid side measuring 229 meters. The Khafra Pyramid, also located in Giza, is the next largest pyramid in size, while the Red Pyramid, located in Dahshur, is Egypt’s third largest man-made structure.

If you are exploring Egypt on your own and are not visiting the pyramids as part of a tour group, I suggest you follow these instructions:

• Arrive early to purchase tickets for the major pyramids; entrance to the Great Pyramid of Khufu is limited to 150 visitors in the morning and 150 visitors in the afternoon
• At any point during the year you will find one of the three major pyramids in Egypt closed to the public to assist in its preservation
• To avoid the heat and the crowds who flock to the pyramids, the best time to visit Egypt is between October and May

Egypt’s capital city, Cairo, is bursting with tourist favorites such as the Cairo Tower. Go to the top of this 187-meter edifice for a breathtaking, panoramic view. To see the beauty of Cairo at its best, visit the Cairo Tower at night when the city skyline is illuminated by the city lights. Another Cairo landmark frequented by travelers is the Egyptian Museum, home of the famous Tutankhamen’s Treasures and other historic artifacts.

Whether you are exploring Egypt on your own or with an experienced Egypt tour guide,  here are some more attractions to put on your Egypt trip itinerary:

• Take a cruise down the “heart of Egypt,” the Nile River
• View Egypt’s underwater wonders as you go diving on the Red Sea Coast
• Visit the rock temples at Abu Simbel, monuments of Pharaoh Ramses II and his Queen Nefertari.
• Don’t miss the massive chalk rock formations of the White Desert, located 45 km (30 miles) north of Farafra
• Visit the Valley of the Kings, the said burial place of more than 63 Pharaohs or Great Kings of Egypt, located on the West Bank of the Nile River

Next to Cairo, Luxor is considered Egypt’s second-most popular city. Located on the NileRiver, many cruises depart and arrive here daily.

Luxor tours typically include the Luxor Museum, the Luxor Temple, and the Temple of Karnak, where visitors enjoy an interactive Sound and Light Show that describes life in Luxor, the capital of ancient Egypt. The best tours in Luxor also offer activities such as bike riding around Ancient Thebes, a hot air balloon ride, or driving through the streets of Luxor in a horse-drawn carriage.

Of course, you won’t want to miss out on the classic experience of a Nile Cruise Tour in which you sail around the waters of Cairo and take in some of the most treasured and well-known sights. You can also find day tours to Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and additional Egypt destinations, or you can design your own personal Egypt tour.

If you’re up for an adventure, consider a trip to the Saharan Desert. Amongst the five famous oases found in the Saharan Desert is the famed White Desert, best known for its creamy white color and massive chalk rock formations. The White Desert is frequented by children on school trips and by campers.

There are endless things to do and see in Egypt. Even if you have limited means, contact your travel agent for low-cost options that allow you to still experience and enjoy the array of sights, sounds, tastes, and culture that Egypt has to offer.