Lonely Planet Egypt

Music and sheesha smoke wafting from the open doorway of a Cairo coffeehouse, the rippling dunes and blinding white sand of the Western Desert, and the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel and Karnak - our bestselling guide to the ancient land of the Pharaohs covers every corner of this inspiring country.

• TAKE A CRUISE with our dedicated Nile Cruises chapter - we'll give you the low-down on everything that floats, from local feluccas to luxurious cruise ships

• GET AROUND with our 128 detailed maps - including customized itineraries and a walking tour map to help you discover the medieval alleyways of Islamic Cairo

• GET THE BACKGROUND on everything from pyramids to papyrus with our special sections on Pharaonic Egypt and the Egyptian Museum

• DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS with our comprehensive coverage of Red Sea diving and desert safaris - we know every shipwreck and oasis!

• TALK THE TALK with the help of our Egyptian Arabic language chapter