A bucket list trip with unforgettable highs and a few honest truths
“There’s something surreal about standing in front of the pyramids you’ve only ever seen in textbooks. And yet, there I was—dodging camel proposals and sweating through linen in 110-degree heat.”
The Adventure Begins
Egypt had been sitting near the top of my travel bucket list for years. So when a friend invited me to join her on a trip to Cairo in May of 2022—with a 3-day cruise up the Nile that included stops in Luxor and Aswan—I didn’t hesitate. Bags packed. Passport ready. Off I went for my very first adventure in the Middle East, and a check mark on the African continent as I inch closer to the seven-continent club.
Cairo: Chaos & Camels
Cairo is intense. The energy is high, the traffic is wild, and the heat is no joke. Of course, the Great Pyramids of Giza are everything you dream they’ll be—massive, awe-inspiring, and impossible to wrap your head around. You look at them and think: How? How did anyone build this without modern machinery?
But here’s the thing they don’t tell you in the travel brochures: you will get harassed. The vendors are some of the pushiest I’ve encountered in all my travels. I was offered ten camels in exchange for marriage—a hard pass, but thanks for the compliment?
Pro tip: skip the horse-drawn carriages (they’re not well-maintained), and opt for a camel ride with a tour guide instead. And please—do not walk out to the pyramids alone. The distance is deceiving, and you’ll thank yourself later for choosing a guided option.
Outside of the pyramids, I’d recommend keeping your time in Cairo short—a day or two, max. As much as I appreciated seeing the iconic landmarks, I didn’t feel completely safe there, and the city itself didn’t leave me wanting more.
Luxor: The Real Star
Now Luxor—that’s where Egypt truly shined for me. From the Luxor Temple to the Valley of the Kings, I was completely enchanted. I couldn’t get enough. Every turn revealed another jaw-dropping monument or piece of ancient history. The Avenue of the Sphinx was a personal favorite. I felt like I had been dropped into a movie set—or maybe a past life?
We barely had enough time to take it all in before setting sail toward our next destination, but Luxor left a big impression.
Edfu: Horse Carriages & Ancient Magic
Our next stop was Edfu, where you hop in a horse-drawn carriage (yes, really) to get to the Temple of Horus. And despite the bumpy ride, this temple was another highlight. I loved photographing its intricate carvings and learning about its ancient stories. It’s incredibly well-preserved and easy to imagine what it once looked like in its prime.
Cruising the Nile
Between destinations, we spent hours on the Nile River, taking in the scenery from the boat’s deck. It was peaceful, slow-moving, and full of moments that made me smile—like the local vendors who paddled up beside our boat, tossing towels and souvenirs up to the deck in hopes we’d buy something.
Every afternoon, we had “happy hour,” which hilariously consisted of hot tea and coffee—even as the temperature hovered around 110°F. (It’s tradition, okay?) Our final evening on the cruise ended with a traditional Egyptian dinner and dancing with the staff, and it was the perfect close to the trip.
“Travel teaches you just as much about yourself as it does the place you’re visiting. Egypt was beautiful and brutal, enlightening and exhausting.”
I’m incredibly grateful I had the chance to experience Egypt. The history is unmatched, the landscapes are stunning, and it’s unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. But would I go back? Probably not.
The heat was overwhelming, the food didn’t leave a lasting impression, and I didn’t find the locals to be particularly warm. That said, travel is personal, and this was just my experience. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from visiting—it’s a place you should see with your own eyes at least once.
Have you been to Egypt?
I’d love to hear your experience—drop it in the comments or message me on Instagram. Everyone’s story is different, and that’s the beauty of travel.
xoxo
Travel. Beach. Love.
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