Highlights of Cairo & Aswan

About the destination: Cairo, one of the biggest cities in both Africa and the Middle East, serves as the capital of Egypt. Cairo has held significant importance to numerous civilizations, cultures, and religions. From Pharaonic and Greco-Roman to Ottoman and European, and including Jewish, Christian, and Islamic, each of these identities has left a profound mark on Cairo, making it one of the most intriguing cities globally. The Giza Plateau, home to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, is the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the country's most renowned tourist attraction. The sheer size of the pyramids is truly breathtaking. Islamic Cairo, the heart of historic Cairo, is best explored on foot. Situated east of downtown, it is filled with quaint little mosques and water fountains. The key sites to visit include the Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Khan el Khalili, the main bazaar, some historic mosques and examples of medieval architecture, as well as some of Cairo's Turkish baths or Hammams. A trip to Cairo is not complete without a visit to the Egyptian Museum. With its exotic ambiance, chaotic traffic, thousands of minarets, noise, and charming people, Cairo is a captivating city. Few cities in the world can match Cairo in terms of the number of monuments or architectural styles. Cairo is not just an ordinary city, it's a world unto itself.

About the destination: Aswan is a city located in the southern part of Egypt, approximately 680km south of Cairo, situated just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, and is home to about 275,000 people. Compared to Cairo and Luxor, Aswan is much more relaxed and smaller in size. Among the three major tourist cities on the Nile, Aswan is the smallest. It is known for its calming and relaxing atmosphere and its laid-back vibe. Aswan boasts some unique attractions. The rock-cut monument Abu Simbel, located to the south, is one of Egypt's most audacious symbols of power. The sanctuary temples of Philae and Kalabsha offer excursions that are reminiscent of Greece. Other notable places to visit in Aswan include: The dual temples of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo, and the well-preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu. Aswan is the ideal location to unwind and appreciate the beauty of the Nile.