Adventure in Egypt: 10 Outdoor Experiences Worth the Trip

Quad biking at the pyramids, camping in the White Desert, a Mount Sinai sunrise, Red Sea snorkelling and more: Egypt’s best outdoor adventures, with prices.

Temples and museums fill most Egypt itineraries, but the country is just as good for people who like to be outside. These are ten adventures we recommend, with what each costs on our trips.

Quad biking at the Giza pyramids – ride the sand behind the plateau, from $20 for 30 minutes.
Camping in the White Desert – a night among chalk towers in a Bedouin camp, from $170 including the 4x4 from Cairo.
Sandboarding in the Great Sand Sea – the dunes around Siwa are some of the tallest in Egypt.
Mount Sinai at sunrise – a night climb to the 2,285 m summit, then St Catherine’s Monastery, from $185 from Cairo.
Snorkelling in the Red Sea – a private boat from Hurghada from $120, or Dolphin House from $45.
A first scuba dive – no experience needed for a Discover Scuba dive in Hurghada, from $60.
A hot-air balloon over Luxor – sunrise over the Valley of the Kings, from $75.
A camel ride at the pyramids – the slow, classic way across the plateau, from $45.
Wadi El Gemal – desert, mangroves and Bedouin tea in a national park near Marsa Alam, from $60.
Fossils in the open desert – the whale skeletons of Wadi El Hitan in Fayoum, from $170 for the day.

How to combine them

From Cairo, quad biking, the White Desert, Mount Sinai, the camel ride and Wadi El Hitan all work as day trips or short breaks. From Hurghada or Marsa Alam, add snorkelling, diving and Wadi El Gemal. The balloon fits any Nile itinerary.