Egypt doesn't end with the pyramids. Tourists miss these gems

The mountain is considered a holy place for all Abrahamic religions – there is even an old church and a mosque on its top. In my opinion, it's not just a mountain hike – it's more like a beautiful spiritual journey.

After walking the Camel Trail, the last 750 steps lead to the top. If you plan your trip well and get there at dawn, the horizon will be illuminated with warm shades of amber and delicate yellow. This moment is absolutely worth the effort.

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I love floating on the salt lakes in the Siwa oasis

I have seen the Siwa oasis many times on Instagram and in my opinion no trip to Egypt would be complete without visiting the region's turquoise-blue salt lakes.

When I visited it for the first time, I didn't know how to swim, but thanks to the high salinity of the water, I could easily float on the surface.

In addition to their extraordinary beauty, the lakes are also reputed to have healing properties, which is why they are an ideal place for people interested in natural wellness.

A hot air balloon ride in Luxor is a magical way to admire ancient Egyptian temples

Like the Giza pyramids, the ancient Egyptian temples in Luxor are – in my opinion – a must-see for first-time visitors to Egypt.

One of my favorite ways to see these places, however, is by hot air balloon flight. I took this sunrise flight to celebrate my 29th birthday and it was absolutely worth every moment.

As we rose into the pink sky, we spent 45 minutes floating above lush green fields and numerous archaeological sites, including the famous Temple of Hatshepsut.

Surrounded by dozens of other colorful balloons, I truly felt like I was in seventh heaven.

One of my favorite memories is camping in the Black and White Desert

For the perfect weekend trip in Egypt, I recommend visiting the Black and White Deserts, which they are relatively close to each other.

Famous for their otherworldly landscapes and unusual rock formations, these deserts are some of my favorite places to sleep under the stars. For my 27th birthday, I went there with a group of close friends for a camping trip and together we fully immersed ourselves in nature.

In the White Desert we visited the Crystal Mountain, drove in off-road vehicles in the dunes of the Agabat Valley and bathed in a natural spring. My favorite activity in the Black Desert, however, was making “angels” in the sand.

Djara Cave is a place worth a long journey

Although located in a rather remote part of the Western Desert, Djara Cave is a hidden gem you won't regret visiting.

This prehistoric stalactite cave delights with beautiful rock formations and ancient Neolithic engravings. Additionally, warm candlelight flickers on the cave's uneven walls, creating an intimate and mysterious atmosphere.

Snorkeling and diving in the Red Sea is a great attraction all year round

People from all over the world come to dive in the Red Sea thanks to him stunning coral reefs, abundant marine life and perfect temperatures all year round.

Even if diving isn't for you, snorkeling will be a great experience.

The most popular diving and snorkeling destinations include Marsa Alam, Dahab, Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada. In my opinion, this is where the best beaches and diving spots in the country are located.

If you are an experienced diver and can only choose one place, I definitely recommend Marsa Alam. It's a less crowded destination with incredibly rich marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, dugongs and even sharks.

For beginners, I recommend snorkeling in Dahab, because there are many shallow places there, as well as great schools run by professional instructors where you can get a certificate.

The above text is a translation from American edition of Business Insider