Soar to new heights sandboarding in Cairo. (Photo: Getty Images)

Cairo

From Dune Surfing to Laser Dueling, Channel Your Inner Adventurer in Cairo

Cairo offers far more to an adventure junkie than staid rides down the Nile. Channel your inner adrenaline junkie with escapades from sandboarding down the dunes to driving a quad bike to the pyramids and an epic laser duel, swashbuckler style.

Sandboarding

At the edge of Cairo, you can go sandboarding down the El Qattaniya sand dunes with guides from Go Beyond Tours, who will supply all the equipment and expertise necessary. For avid snowboarders, it’s a chance to turn your winter hobby into Instagram-worthy fun in the sun. Be sure you’ve packed long sleeves and sunscreen to protect you from windburn as you surf the sands.

Rock Climbing

Sacred pyramid climbing is off the approved Egyptian adventure list, but Finger Lock climbing school offers a day of rock climbing at all levels of expertise. The first indoor rock climbing wall in Cairo gives you a great rainy-day option for keeping your adrenaline flowing.

Pack stretchy clothes and shoes with a good grip to help ease your climb. You’ll find Finger Lock inside Concorde Plaza’s Gold’s Gym, in case you’re up for an additional workout post-climb.

Like Uber, but for Jetting Down the Nile

You could take a languid cruise down the Nile, a la Cleopatra, but why not ride on a zippy Nile Taxi and satisfy your need for speed? You’ll also avoid Cairo traffic jams with one of the many bright-yellow water taxis jetting down the river for a win-win.

The boats are canopied, so you’re shielded from the sun, but the sides are open for a refreshing splash. With a 21st-century twist, you can download their app to book a water taxi to wherever you need to go.

Quad Biking at the Pyramids of Giza

quad bike on a desert landscape.
Zip along the dunes in Giza. (Photo: Getty Images)

Camel rides are one way to go, but pick up the speed a few notches by zooming a quad bike across the dunes on the way to the pyramids of Giza when you sign up for a four-wheeler jaunt with Memphis Tours.

An English-speaking desert safari guide is included in the cost of the rental, so you’ll also learn more about the ancient monuments you’re riding around. The cost of hotel pickup and drop-off from the conveniently located Marriott Mena House, Cairo (a luxury hotel complete with a view of the pyramids) is included with your quad biking package. Pick up a traditional Egyptian scarf for when the sand whips up along the dunes.

Adrenaline Paintball and Laser Fighting

If you’re up for an epic battle, try the modern-day version of sword fighting (with far fewer nicks) with a game of paintball at Adrenalin Egypt. Fire brightly colored gelatin splatters in a battle with friends and foes. All the equipment you’ll need, including protective suit and gloves, is included in the cost of the game.

You can also opt for an epic laser duel in the Adrenalin Egypt adventure arena, where your team is given a tactical mission to defeat villains. It’s like a video game come to life, but with far more adrenaline supplied.