Egypt—the land of the Pharaohs, architectural marvels, and culture dating back to nearly 3000 B.C. is a travel destination like no other. The heart of the country lies along the Nile river. Ancient Egyptians separated their country into two regions known as Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. Visitors may suspect that Upper Egypt comprised the northern section of Egypt and Lower Egypt the southern, but you would, in fact, be wrong. Because the Nile river flows south to north, unlike most rivers on earth, it changed what the Egyptians viewed as the Upper and Lower regions of the country.
Visiting both Upper and Lower Egypt on your next solo trip or tour is a great way to get a sense of life along the Nile. Most trips begin in Cairo, in Lower Egypt. Here you will be able to visit Giza, where you will find the Great Pyramids. Roam the desert, ride a camel, and trek through the final resting places of several of the most famous Pharaohs. Cairo, like many capital cities, offers excellent options for cultural activities. Spend the day mingling with the locals in Old Cairo, pay a visit to the Cairo Citadel, or be amazed at the Al-Azhar Mosque. See the burial dresses and ancient artifacts at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization before heading to your next stop along your journey.
Before departing from Lower Egypt, Alexandria is an excellent location to see a more modern Egypt. This bustling town lies along the Mediterranean Sea and brings travelers from all over the world together. A great beach location that offers stunning views around every corner.
When you are ready to head to Upper Egypt some must-visit locations include Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, as well as Aswan, where you can view the Aswan Dam. Upper Egypt gives travelers a look into both the past and the future of this 5000-year-old country. With modern architectural wonders like the Aswan Dam, to the Valley of the Kings, where ancient secrets are still yet to be discovered, Lower Egypt is not to be missed.
As an exotic destination, Egypt provides visitors with a unique travel destination like they’ve never experienced before. With a mixture of Middle Eastern and Northern African cultures, Egypt may be one of the oldest inhabited countries on earth, but there is a reason that travelers, culture lovers, and history buffs still flock there today.
