People often think ancient Egypt is mysterious because so much is unknown. In reality, even after thousands of years (4,500 to be exact) of digging and discussion, there’s still a lot we haven’t figured out. How did they move stone weighing several tonnes across the desert with such astonishing precision? Why put so much effort into building for the afterlife? What was behind the careful alignment of temples with the sun? And even now, why do these places still make such an impression on us when we visit? With every discovery, the story of Ancient Egypt gets even more interesting. Some questions have been answered, but plenty are still up for debate. What we thought we knew as factual a generation ago has often changed as new finds come to light. Our specialist, Ian, admitted that when he first visited Egypt, he went expecting to be wowed by the big names: the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, Abu Simbel, etc. Which of course do impress him with every visit. But instead, he says, "I realised I didn't know anywhere near as much as I thought I did. The deeper and further you dig into Egypt and its history, the more fascinating it becomes." Below, we explore some of the ideas that shaped one of history's most extraordinary civilisations, and what it's really like to stand in these places today. The pyramids weren't built overnight When most people think of ancient Egypt, they picture the Great Pyramid of Giza. It's one of the world's most recognisable landmarks. “Back when I first visited Egypt, one of the biggest surprises for me was realising just how many pyramids there are. Most people think of Giza, but there are more than 100 pyramids across Egypt.” -Ian . Before the famous pyramids, Egyptian rulers were buried in simple mudbrick tombs called mastabas. Then, around 2670 BC, the architect Imhotep designed something completely new: the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, now considered the world's first monumental stone building. Far from being a failure, it's one of archaeology's greatest lessons in problem-solving. Over the following decades, the Egyptians refined their designs. The Bent Pyramid shows where they adapted their plans during construction, while the Red Pyramid became the first successful smooth-sided pyramid. Only after centuries of learning did they build the Great Pyramid at Giza. "Visiting Saqqara first completely changes your perspective. You suddenly understand how the pyramids evolved, so by the time you reach Giza, you appreciate it on a completely different level." HA expert Ian in front of the Step Pyramid, Saqqara Top tips for visiting the pyramids Ian always recommends visiting both Saqqara and Giza if your itinerary allows. Seeing where pyramid building began feels like a natural way to kick things off. We arrange a guide and buggy for all our clients, so there's no need to worry about navigating the sites or the logistics. Your guide handles all of that, and the buggy does make it easier to move between the monuments in the heat. Speaking of the heat, don't underestimate it. There is very little shade around the pyramids, so pack a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Thankfully, your buggy is stocked with refreshments throughout the visit, though, which is helpful. Pyramids and Ancient Egyptian beliefs To the Ancient Egyptians, death was simply the next stage of the journey. They believed different parts of the soul would continue into the afterlife, and that the pyramids were built for that purpose. "One thing that makes sense of this for me is the Grand Egyptian Museum . You expect to see Tutankhamun's famous gold mask, but the sheer scale of everything there is mind-blowing." A pyramid for each Egyptian pharaoh, or occasionally a royal queen, was built and filled with anything they may need in the afterlife. "You see jewellery (the gold and the jewels are like nothing I have ever seen!), furniture, statues and even enormous boats that were buried alongside the pharaohs. They absolutely intended to need and use all of this in the afterlife. The Egyptians took the planning of their eternity very seriously.” The solid gold funerary mask of Tutankhamun, Grand Egyptian Museum, taken by Egypt expert Ian Advice when visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum Ian recommends allowing more time than you think you'll need. The Grand Egyptian Museum is enormous, and it's impossible to see everything in one visit. Rather than rushing through every gallery, focus on a few highlights and give yourself the time to learn the stories behind them. The vast collection of beautiful artefacts gives such a fascinating glimpse into everyday life over 3,000 years ago. Grand Egyptian Museum The sun and the stars We see the sun come up in the east and set in the west every day, and most of us barely give it a second thought. For the Ancient Egyptians, though, this daily journey was at the heart of how they understood the world. They believed the sun god Ra travelled across the sky each day before journeying through the underworld each night, only to be reborn at dawn. It became a powerful symbol of renewal, helping shape their understanding of life, death and the afterlife. You can still see those beliefs reflected across Egypt today. Many temples were carefully aligned with the rising or setting sun, while royal tombs were often built on the west bank of the Nile, where the sun disappeared each evening. The more you learn, the more you notice these connections. “One beautiful evening on my latest trip, just as the sun was beginning to set, I took the time to do a bit of a deeper dive into Ancient Egyptian beliefs. And as I watched the sunset, it struck me how much this daily ritual shaped their ideas about life and the afterlife. It’s easy to see why the journey of the sun meant so much to them.” The sunset on the Nile cruise taken by HA Egypt expert Ian A must-do experience in Egypt: A Nile cruise For Ian, travelling by boat is one of the best ways to experience Egypt. Not only is it a relaxing way to travel between sites, but it also gives you time to absorb everything you've seen during the day. Some of the most memorable moments aren't in the temples themselves, but watching life along the Nile from the deck of the boat. "One of my favourite things to do was sit on the balcony of my Nile cruise, watching the sunset". A bit of advice: We know it can seem a little overwhelming when booking your Nile cruise, with so many options and ways to do it. But between Cat and Ian, they have done enough of them to know exactly what direction to point you in, centring it around exactly what you like and how you like to travel. They also recommend jumping on your Nile cruise arrangements as soon as possible, as they can get booked up very quickly, even quite far in advance. November is peak season for Nile cruises; this is touched on a little more in this article . Colourful Egyptian tombs It's something that catches almost everyone by surprise. After thousands of years, many of Egypt's tombs still contain vivid blues, reds, yellows and greens that look remarkably fresh. Many of the tombs have remained sealed for centuries, protecting the artwork from sunlight, wind and rain. "Walking into some of the tombs, you won't believe how vibrant the colours still are. You expect everything to be faded, but in places it looks like it was painted yesterday." The paintings tell stories, depicting scenes of everyday life, religious ceremonies, or journeys into the afterlife. Colours were chosen carefully, too (in classic ancient Egyptian style, each colour has meaning), with different shades representing ideas such as rebirth, fertility, or divine power. "Having a guide explain what you're actually looking at makes such a difference. This way you can really understand the stories, instead of simply enjoying the pictures covering the wall." The vivid interior of the tomb of Ramesses IV, Valley of the Kings, taken by Egypt expert Ian Visiting the tombs Photography rules vary by site, so it's worth checking before you visit. More importantly, take your time. It's easy to focus on the incredible architecture, but some of Egypt's greatest masterpieces are found on the walls inside the tombs. You don’t want to miss them! Why is the Valley of the Kings hidden? The pyramids were designed to be seen, and the Valley of the Kings was designed to disappear. After centuries of building enormous pyramids, pharaohs realised that the bigger the monument, the more attention it attracted from tomb robbers. So, instead of building upwards, they began carving elaborate tombs deep into the desert cliffs near Luxor. "I absolutely love the Valley of the Kings. From the outside it looks almost barren, then you walk underground and discover these incredible chambers covered in artwork." The entrances were deliberately hidden, while the surrounding mountains provided natural protection. It was a completely different approach, but the goal remained the same: to protect the pharaoh and everything they would need for eternity. Today, more than 60 royal tombs have been discovered here, including Tutankhamun's. "It's another place where having a guide completely changes the experience. Without someone explaining what you're seeing, it's easy to miss just how significant it all is." Hidden tombs, Valley of the Queens, taken by HA Egypt expert Ian Advice when visiting the Valley of the Kings Temperatures rise quickly here, too, so early morning visits are ideal. Your guide will also help you choose which tombs to visit, as not all are open at the same time and some require separate tickets. Every year, archaeologists uncover new tombs, inscriptions and artefacts that add another piece to the puzzle. Some discoveries answer long-standing questions, while others create entirely new ones. "Every time I come home from Egypt, I feel like I've only scratched the surface." The monuments are extraordinary, the temples are breathtaking, and the history is unlike anywhere else on Earth. As Ian has discovered, the deeper you go into Egypt, the more compelling it becomes. "That's what keeps drawing people back. Egypt isn't somewhere you visit once and feel you've done. There's always another story or something new to learn." If you’re ready for your deep dive into ancient Egypt, chat to our experts Ian or Cat today to design your tailor-made Egypt itinerary. Fascinated by ancient Egypt? Chat to our expert, Ian, today to learn about the mysteries of ancient Egypt for yourself. ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS