Upper Egypt's destinations are some of the most appealing in the Northeastern African territory. Boasting a good balance between fascinating sites celebrating the country’s immense natural beauty and landmarks which speak of ancient Egypt’s interesting history, the country has a great deal on offer for tourists of every inclination.
Whether it’s an ancient temple, a well-established historical pharaonic obelisk, fertile valleys, or a breathtaking sandy hills range, there is something for everyone.
After visiting the pharaonic obelisks of Luxor and Temples's columns of Qena, it's time to head into Western Sahara to sample the raw, empty beauty of the desert. The sun-soaked beaches of the Qaroun lagoon and Rayan valley, fringed by palms and lapped by gentle waves, will still be waiting for you when you get back.
Discover more places to visit in this perse land with Sada Elbalad English (SEE) list of the top tourist attractions in Upper Egypt.
Qena
After Egypt became a Roman possession, the city of Qena was part of the Late Roman province of Thebais Secunda. Its bishopric was a suffragan of Ptolemais Hermiou, the capital and metropolitan see of the province.
Literally, Qena has no shortage of Pharaohs and Roman ruins, but the iconic Dandarah Temple near the Nile river is upper Egypt's most interesting and intriguing site.
Here, the Roman inhabitants coped with the harsh summer climate by ingeniously building their monuments alongside Ancient Egyptians antiques on the Nile banks. This has left the city houses incredibly well preserved today.
For history lovers, this is a unique opportunity to walk through magnificent ancient columns, with their walls still intact, and with some of the expansive Pharaohs inscriptions still in situ. It's a glimpse of the residential life of the ancient world that you often don't see.
Faiyum Oasis
One of the largest valleys on the continent, covering a grand total of over 1759 square miles, Wadi El Rayan is Egypt’s pride and joy. Perfect for adventure activities like hunting, hiking, and wildlife safaris, the valley is a nature lover’s heaven. Home to such wild animals as foxes, slender-horned gazelle, ducks, and migratory birds, as well as myriad different bird species (Flamingos, grey herons, spoonbills), the valley seems like something out of a beloved wildlife book.
Travelers can book trips for as long as they are comfortable with, including facilities inside the natural reserve for those who would like to stay overnight.
For many visitors, this fascinating site which lies at the north of southwest of Faiyum city and 80 km west of the Nile River, is an adventure playground for riding dune buggies and camel treks, but nothing tops the simple pleasure of sitting atop one of these mammoth sand mountains and watching the sunset over Western Sahara.
As if that’s not enough, any visitor can also head into Wadi El Rayan cascading lakes that make up the Faiyum Waterfalls are an extraordinary sight. What makes these waterfalls actually special though are the distinct shades of blues and greens – from aquamarine to emerald and turquoise – that can be seen in the natural water as it flows over limestone and sandy rocks.
All of this is surrounded by a fertile green landscape that just makes for a visually stunning tableau. Social media picture-perfect, this site attracts more than one million visitors a year.
No trip to Faiyum would be complete without a visit to Lake Qarun that hosts one of the world’s most complete fossil records of terrestrial primates and marshland mammals, critical to our understanding of human evolution.
Luxor
Once Hyksos' major rival, Luxor, also known as Thebes was the city of the brave Pharaohs forever memorialized in Egypt's Wars. It's UNESCO World-Heritage-listed remnants are hugely important historically, and any tourist interested in Egypt's ancient past shouldn't miss a visit here.
If you only have one day in Luxor, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and Tombs of the Nobles should be high up on your to-do list.
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