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 Egypt
is much more than Pyramids and monuments. It is also Red Sea scuba diving,
hot night spots, luxury hotels and five star restaurants. It is romantic
cruises down the Nile on festive river boats, a night at the grand opera, a
round of golf and a cultural experience like no other you have ever
experienced.
The sheer scale of Egypt is awe-inspiring. In terms of size, its river,
deserts, monuments and modern cities are all without serious rival in the
Middle East and Africa.
 The
historic record represented in major buildings like the pyramids, the
written word in hieroglyphic forms and the intricate religious philosophies
of the ancient past are nowhere so well developed as in Egypt. Egypt is a
desert except for the cultivated triangle of the Delta and narrow strip of
the Nile Valley. The Nile waters thus dominate the country as a single giant
river in what is otherwise an arid landscape. The river has a million moods
depending on the time of year, the time of day and place from which it is
seen - each reflected in a gorgeous range of colours and lights.
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Entry requirements
A visa is required and may be obtained from the Egyptian Consulate. A
visa may also be obtained upon arrival in Egypt.
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Travel Tips
Food:
All over Egypt, and especially in Cairo, you will find an enormous range
of high-class restaurants serving International cuisine including Italian,
Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Indian, French and Lebanese. There are also
branches of international chains such as TGI Fridays, or J.W. Steakhouse.
Fruits, vegetables and seafood are all excellent.
Egyptian food is generally similar to many other Middle Eastern and
Mediterranean cuisines, including stuffed vine leaves, grilled meats, and
numerous "dips" traditionally eaten with pitta-style bread. Rice
with vegetables in tomato sauce, and pasta dishes baked in a similar way to
lasagne, are both common. Specialties include stuffed or spit broiled
pigeons, shish kebabs made of marinated chunks of lamb and spices, then
grilled over hot charcoal and small ground lamb kebabs called kofta.
Seafood is a good choice with prawns from the Red Sea, sea bass from the
Mediterranean and a wonderful fish dish, tilapia, from the Nile.
The national dish of Egypt may be considered to be Foul Mudhammas.
Ful or Fava beans are cooked in olive oil and garlic,
flavoured with lemon, cumin and parsley and often served with an egg for
breakfast. Egyptian food is often flavoured with mint, dill, parsley, garlic
and cumin. A nice way to sample different recipes is to have a mezze,
or selection of little dishes washed down with the local Zibib or
aniseed flavoured aperitif (the equivalent of the Greek Ouzo, or the French
Pernod). Dishes might include Babaghanoug (baked mashed eggplant
flavoured with Taheena - sesame seed paste), Falafal or Taameyya
(small round patties made of ground ful beans, seasoned and deep
fried), Waraq Anab (vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat), Bickley
or Turshi (spicy mixed pickled vegetables), Leban Zabadi
(thick creamy yoghurt and very good for the digestion) and Mish, a
mature cheese made into a paste and flavoured with spices. Desserts range
from regional specialties such as honey-soaked pastries like Kunafa,
which looks like shredded wheat, made with rose water, nuts and sugar, and Basbousa
made from fine semolina and flavoured with almonds, lemon and vanilla to the
famous and uniquely Egyptian Om Ali, a baked dish of layered pastry
cooked with milk, nuts, raisins and spices. Most visitors to Egypt will have
at least one chance to try traditional local cuisine as part of their Nile
cruise, when one night is usually themed as an Egyptian night including a
buffet of local delicacies.
Egypt has a wealth of fresh fruits such as mangoes, pomegranates, dates,
figs, apricots, melons and citrus.
Drink:
Tap water should never be drunk in Egypt. We recommend that you use
bottled water, ensuring that the seal has not been broken on the bottle. Use
it for cleaning teeth and remember not to have ice in your drinks.
Non-Alcoholic
Traditional drinks abound, ranging from chilled carob juice or hot licorice
infusion, to thick milky concoctions filled with nuts and spices (sahleb).
Some of the tastiest for visitors to try would include karkady - a
rich, sweet infusion of the dark red hibiscus flower, usually drunk cold but
also sometimes served hot - and - limoon - a fresh lemonade made from
the small local yellow limes, tangy and sweet.
Alcoholic
Alcohol is available in all hotels in Egypt, and most restaurants are
licensed. Bars and other drinking establishments are commonplace, and are
popular with many locals as well as foreigners. In addition to the usual
range of international brands, visitors can try Egyptian-made wine and beer,
both of which are pleasantly drinkable.
Wine
The Obélisque range is made in Egypt but with imported Italian
grapes. The range comes in a tannin-rich red (Rouge des Pharaons), a light
rosé (Rosetta) and a fresh, dry white (Blanc d'Alexandrie).
The Gianaclis range is made with grapes from Egyptian vineyards,
and has a fruity red Cabernet Sauvignon (Omar Khayyam), a delicate rosé (Rubis
d'Egypte), and a fresh white Pinot Blanc (Cru des Ptolemées).
The Chateau Grand Marquis is Egypt's premium range of wines, made
out of the best Egyptian grapes and produced in association with French
experts. The range contains a crisp, light white, an aromatic rosé, and a
rich red.
Beer
Even more so than wine, the Egyptian brewing industry has recently
transformed itself into an overnight success story, with many new local
brands as well as big foreign names brewed under license in Egypt. Beer is
mainly lager-style - try asking for some of these:
- Stella Local (regular lager), Stella Export (stronger lager), Stella
Premium (dark Belgian-style lager)
- Meister (regular lager), Meister Max (stronger lager)
- Sakara Gold (regular lager), Sakara Premium (stronger lager)
- Löwenbräu - the famous German beer, locally brewed under license
- Heineken
Clothing:
As in all foreign countries with customs different to your own, it is
polite to adhere to and show respect for local customs, particularly in
religious places and to be discreet when a service is in progress. Women
should not wear strappy dresses, miniskirts, shorts, or low necked dresses
in public places (e.g. Offices, markets and shopping areas).
Modest dress is particularly important when visiting mosques, synagogues
and churches. Ladies should wear loose-fitting non see-through clothes and
shoulders should be covered. When visiting mosques, ideally, ankle-length
skirts or loose trousers should be worn. Men should wear short or long
sleeved shirts and long trousers. Shoes are not permitted inside, therefore
a thick pair of socks is useful for protection from sun baked floors. Cloth
shoe coverings are often available for which a small tip is payable. Shorts
and beachwear should be worn only at the beach or hotel pool area. Egypt's
climate is dry all year round, so you won't require rainwear unless you are
going to Alexandria between December and February. In winter you will need
light woollen clothes with sweaters, although a light sweater may be useful
all year-round in the evenings throughout the country. Cairo can sometimes
be surprisingly cool during the mid-winter months so layers of clothing are
recommended. From December to February travellers to the interior of the
Sinai can experience extreme cold, so thick winter clothing is essential. In
spring and autumn a combination of both is advisable for the warm days and
cool nights, so pack accordingly. From May to November, light cotton clothes
are recommended.
What To Pack:
In addition to your clothing, following the guidelines above, we
recommend to pack the following:
- Very good, comfortable walking shoes: You will be doing a
considerable amount of walking, and shoes should not be just
comfortable, but comfortable to walk long distances.
- Hats and other covering: Large brimmed hats that provide not
only a head covering but also a certain amount of shade will come in
very handy in the hot Egyptian sun during summer. In addition, scarves
or other apparel should be taken along to cover shoulders and arms,
and again, or not only important for visiting religious sites, but also
to keep the sun off during treks. In very hot weather, a cloth hat or
scarf that can be soaked will also help keep your head cool.
- Sun block: While sun blocks may be purchased in Egypt, you
might prefer to bring your own favorite brand.
- Sunglasses: Another item that may be necessary to avoid the
direct sun rays coming direct into your eyes. If you wear prescription
glasses, bring an extra pair or at least a copy of the prescription. If
you wear contact lenses you may wish to bring a pair of glasses along,
as the fine sand dust in the air in Egypt may irritate your lenses.
- Also useful are cool wipes and moisturizing creams to protect
your face from the hot, dry climate.
- Medication: Of course, bring your prescription medicine. There
is no problem with bringing prescription medication into Egypt. It is
also more convenient to bring your favorite non-prescription medications
along.
- Camera: Refer to the section on Photography
- Binoculars: Bringing your own binoculars might be a nice idea
for those who like to use them.
- Flashlight: To view artworks inside dimly lit tombs and
temples. Pack a few extra batteries, too.
- Power Adapters: Power Adapters come in two different varieties.
Some electronic equipment have switches to allow you to change the power
input type. For these, a simple wall adapter is all that is required.
However, other electronic devices do not have such switches and in this
case, you not only need a wall adapter, but also a power converter.
Egypt uses 220 volt and plugs are two prong rounded.
- An Extra Bag: A bag, preferably soft, which can be crunched up
and carried into Egypt in another bag will be handy for most people. The
bag will then be used to carry back souvenirs.
- Beware: Egypt Air has been strictly enforcing excess baggage
charges. To avoid these charges, you should travel on domestic flights
with less than 20 kilos of checked baggage. You can deposit some of your
excess luggage at the hotel for your second stay. Our representative
will be happy to organize that for you.
Health Precautions:
Full details of the latest health requirements should be obtained from an
authorized medical source, such as your doctor. At the time of updating this
information, there are no mandatory health requirements for Egypt, however:
- Ensure Tetanus and Polio boosters are up to date.
- Yellow Fever. You will need a valid yellow fever inoculation
certificate if arriving from or via an infected or endemic area (if you
are unsure whether you come into this category, please contact either
your local Travel clinic or doctor).
To prevent sickness while staying in Egypt you are advised to follow the
golden rules, which are:
- Only drink bottled water, never tap water
- Avoid ice in your drinks
- Eat only vegetables that have been cooked
- Avoid salads and all fruit that cannot be peeled
- Avoid food that looks as if it has been around for some time,
especially meats or salad dressings containing mayonnaise
Helpful Hints:
If you are
planning to ride camels at the Pyramids, wear slacks or jeans. Do not be
tempted to have pictures taken with borrowed headdress.
Shopping:
Cairo is a
shopping adventure. Buy brass, copper, and inlaid wooden articles, silver
and gold jewellery, leather shoes, bags and belts, cotton goods and
perfumes. Have a gold cartouche made with your name written in
hieroglyphics. Be sure that the letters are soldered and not glued on. Have
a caftan of pure Egyptian cotton tailor made in two days. Shop at the famous
Khan El Khalili Bazaar in Cairo for better variety, interesting and artistic
goods. You should be able to bargain prices that were originally quoted to
you.
Photography:
Camera
Photography or camera fees are applicable at most sights and museums; your
guide can give you details of the latest charges. We recommend that you
bring all your own equipment and plenty of film with you into the country.
We would recommend that high speed films (ISO 400) for night time
photography such as the Sound and Light Shows, temple interiors and tombs
where you are not allowed to use a flash. For outdoor light conditions,
lower speeds are more suitable. The best time for photography is either
early morning or late afternoon.
At midday, there is an enormous amount of reflective light so a light
meter and filter is useful as well as a telephoto lens, minimum size of
120mm is recommended. Remember to take a spare set of batteries for your
camera and a dust cover or polythene bag to help protect your camera and
lenses from Egypt's fine dust. A flash is useful, although you will find
restrictions in certain places. If you are taking photographs of local
people, always ask their permission beforehand. Your guide can assist you in
this.
Photographic Restrictions
All video equipment must be registered with customs upon arrival at Cairo
International Airport. There are a variety of rules governing photography of
different sites and monuments in Egypt. At all open, outdoor historic areas,
photography is unrestricted, such as outside the Pyramids and the temples at
Luxor and Aswan. In some areas a ticket must be purchased to use cameras and
video equipment (E£10-100 approx), and tripods and flashes are seldom
allowed in those museums that do permit photography.
At some museums and tombs you will be asked to leave your equipment in
the care of the door custodian - your guide will advise you. These
restrictions are truly in the interest of preservation of these fragile
sites, and we request your co-operation. Postcards and slides are available
at most sites. Signs are usually posted in restricted areas but if in doubt,
ask your guide rather than risk confiscation of your film.
You are strongly advised not to photograph airports, military
installations, strategic sites, docks, dams, bridges, police or soldiers.
Tipping:
Tipping or bakseesh is a subject that even the most experienced
traveller finds difficult. It is a very personal and individual matter and
the decision of how much to give is strictly yours. Hotel service charges
and taxes are usually included in your holiday cost together with all
portage of 2 pieces of baggage per person and service in bars and
restaurants. Tips to your drivers, guides, staff on board Nile cruise
vessels and to your Egyptologist are usually not included in your tour
price. We hope that the following guidelines will be helpful to you:
- Drivers: You will generally have the same driver throughout
your initial stay in Cairo. A tip is usually given on your last day in
Cairo of approximately £E 10 per day per person. For drivers in Upper
Egypt a tip of about £E 5 per day per person is appropriate.
- Staff on board river vessels: Approximately £E 25/30 per day
per person is suggested as a total tip to be divided amongst all the
staff on Nile Cruise vessels.
- Egyptologist/Guide: Approximately £E 25/30 per day per person
is suggested.
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General Information
Documentation:
Travellers to Egypt must carry a valid passport, with validity no less
than six months beyond the period of their stay. The passport must contain
at least two blank pages.
Travellers should refer to their closest Egyptian Embassy or consulate to
check on exact visa requirements at their time of travel. However, it is
worth noting that for most North America and Western European nationalities,
tourist visa may be purchased upon arrival at any Egyptian international
airport. Egypt & Beyond can arrange for pre-purchase of such visa stamps
upon request.
Security:
You should keep all travel documents, travellers' cheques, cash,
passports and other valuables in your hotel or cruise boats 'safety deposit
boxes. Although street crime is at a minimum, as in any other country,
travellers are encouraged to use common sense and not wear ostentatious
jewellery. It is also advisable to carry only small amounts of money. In
general you will find people hospitable and friendly. Personal security in
Egypt is rarely an issue at all, and Cairo is considered one of the safest
cities in the world. Visitors can comfortably walk at night along main city
streets. However, it is recommended that a tighter hold on purses and
wallets is kept when wandering round bazaars; and it is advisable for women
in particular to dress more conservatively out of respect for local customs
when in more traditional areas or small towns.
Transport:
In Egypt, not all travel hitches are man-made; desert sandstorms
(including the Khamsin in March to May), which can play havoc with
the local air schedules and tour itineraries, as well as the water level of
the Nile, are two natural phenomenon. In this latter connection, some cruise
vessels cannot pass through the Esna Lock for a period, and cruise /
sightseeing schedules have to be amended. When travelling in Egypt, be
prepared for early starts, often designed to avoid travelling during the
hotter hours of the day, and to enjoy the monuments in the most favourable
conditions. Inevitably some degree of mental and physical fatigue can result
at times. The length of visits to Abu Simbel largely depends on flight
punctuality (and delays may curtail sightseeing).
Domestic Flights
Egyptair is the primary airline operating. It has a modern fleet of Boeing
and Airbus aircraft. Overbooking by the airline does occur and for this
reason, punctual check-in is important. At busy times of year,
particularly local festivals, holidays and pilgrimage to Mecca, domestic
flights are subject to change - often at short notice. Our local office
works very closely with Egyptair to ensure minimum disruption to itineraries
and every effort will be made to retain the original itinerary content.
Changes can occur even after confirmation.
It is also prudent to take the first flights of the day whenever possible
when flying to Upper Egypt from Cairo, Although this will necessitate an
early departure from the hotel. There are however advantages to an early
start in the day:
- If you miss the first flight for any reason, for example because of
re-scheduling, delays to incoming flights, or overbooking, on most days
there is a later flight, whereas if you take an afternoon flight, you
may not have alternative means of reaching your destination.
- The early morning is a cooler time in which to travel.
Esna Lock
At peak times, congestion caused by the number of vessels waiting to pass
through the lock at Esna, can mean delays which may affect the timing, and
on rare occasions the duration of cruising and sightseeing programs. We will
endeavor to advise you of any changes prior to your departure.
Nile Cruising
Cruising the Nile is not like conventional ocean cruising, and the actual
distance covered on cruises between Aswan and Luxor is a mere 150 miles.
Your cruise boat provides, primarily, a comfortable base from which to
explore the famous sites. Nor is cruising for late risers! At peak times or
during the hot summer months you may need to get up with the dawn to visit
the monuments. Often a morning's sightseeing is completed by 10am. A lack of
proper docking facilities en route may require disembarkation on planks over
rocks and up steep inclines. Sightseeing can also mean some strenuous
walking across sands or walls. Sometimes boats dock against one another,
several abreast, and so a view of the Nile cannot always be guaranteed.
Taxis
Taxis are a relatively cheap method of travel, but you should ensure you
take a licensed taxi. Always agree the price before your journey and do not
pay until you reach your destination. Drivers normally expect a 10% tip.
Currency:
The unit of currency is the Egyptian Pound (£E), which is divided into
100 piasters. Pounds are issued in notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. Coins
are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 piasters. It is useful
to have local currency for tipping or for shopping in smaller souks or local
restaurants, and it is easy to change money at any hotel bank. US dollars
are widely accepted in major tourist establishments, hotels, and souvenir
shops. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or
travellers cheques, which may be brought into the country. However,
passengers entering Egypt with Egyptian currency exceeding 1000 USD must
declare this on arrival. We suggest that you only use travelers cheques and
change small amounts of money as you go to avoid having large amounts of
Egyptian currency left over at the end of your trip.
Currency Exchange
There is one rate of exchange controlled by the government, established
daily and available from all banks. Currency may be exchanged through banks
or currency exchange houses which can be found in most major cities, and are
usually open from 10am till 9pm every day of the week. All major hotels will
exchange major foreign currencies at the same rate as banks. You will be
issued a receipt which must be retained to permit currency to be
re-exchanged when leaving the country and as evidence that exchange of
currency has been through official channels. Egyptian pounds may be
converted back to foreign currency at the airport if you have kept all
documentation relating to any currency exchange transactions, such as hotel
and bar bills, shopping and foreign exchange receipts.
Banking Hours
Are normally 9am till 2pm, Sunday through Thursday, closed on Fridays and
Saturdays. Cairo Airport and the majority of major hotels in Cairo offer
24-hrs banking services. Please remember to have your passport on you as
this will be required to effect any transaction.
Major credit cards
Such as MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted at major restaurants,
almost all hotels, and many shops.
Climate:
Egypt has year-round sun, and almost no rain except in Alexandria, which
has a more Mediterranean climate than the rest of the country. Daytime
temperatures range from pleasantly warm in the winter to very hot in the
summer. Northerly cities such as Cairo and Alexandria are generally about
5ºC cooler than southerly areas such as Aswan and Abu Simbel. Nights in the
desert can be extremely cold.
Holidays & Festivals
- Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, lasts for 28 days each year
with the dates moving forward compared to the western calendar by around
11 days per year. Nightlife blossoms during this period, despite it
being "dry" time for Egyptians, and special temporary
entertainment tents spring up all around Cairo serving huge quantities
of oriental food, aromatic water pipes or "Sheesha", and loud
Arabic music in equal abundance from sunset till 4am. Tourists welcome!
- Between March and May each year, depending on the Coptic Easter, a
national holiday called Sham El-Nessim - "Smelling the
Blossoms Day" - celebrates the fragrant blossoms that grace Egypt's
many flowering trees at the beginning of spring. Families often spend
the day with a picnic in a local green area - sometimes simply on grassy
roadside verges - and traditionally enjoy a pickled fish dish called fesikh.
(Not recommended for the faint-hearted - fesikh is famously
pungent!)
- Most other festivals in Egypt are religious in nature and very
localized, generally celebrating the birth or death of a neighbourhood
saint. Most are not of great interest to tourists, being aimed at
pilgrims rather than the casual observer
- The weekly day of rest is Friday. Islam is the principal religion of
Egypt. Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar and change every
year.
Business Hours:
8:30am to 1:30pm and 4:30pm to 7:00pm everyday except Friday. Many
businesses also remain closed on Saturday.
Time Difference:
Time zone is GMT + 2 hours in winter; clocks move forward 1 hour in
summer.
Shops:
Shopping for souveniers:
Shopping in Egypt can be relaxed and leisurely, at high-class souvenir
stores and hotel outlets, or part of an authentic - but sometimes hectic! -
Middle Eastern experience at the local bazaars and souks. Particularly in
the local bazaars, a healthy amount of bargaining is expected - which means
that the "best", or "correct" price is simply the one
that both parties agree on during that sale. Enjoy the game!
Some of the loveliest and best value souvenirs available from Egypt
include:
- Gold and silver jewellery, or Cartouches inscribed with your
name in hieroglyphics.
- Wooden boxes inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
- Hand-engraved brass and copper-work.
- Carved alabaster from the quarries of Upper Egypt.
- Hand-sewn appliqué work - with Arabic, Pharaonic, or
"naïf" folk designs.
- Cotton Galabeyyas - traditional robes and kaftans, often
beautifully embroidered.
- Papyrus - still made by traditional methods, and hand-painted with
intricate designs.
Shopping hours:
9:00am to 1:00pm and 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Most shops in the Khan El Khalili
Bazaar remain open until 9:00pm. Most shops are closed on Sundays.
Language:
The national language in Egypt is Arabic. However, tourists will rarely
find a problem communicating as English is widely spoken in hotels and
shops, with French a close second, and many staff in tourist areas also
speaking German or Italian.
Language Trivia
Arabic is written from right to left, and the language itself has many
different spoken dialects, some so far apart from each other that native
Arabic speakers from different countries may actually have difficulty
understanding each other. The Arabic used in Egypt is the most widely
understood dialect, due in large part to the fact that most of the Arabic
movies are produced in Egypt. However, written or "classical"
Arabic is the same across the Arab world, and is basically an older, purer
form of the language. Modern-day spoken Arabic in Egypt is vastly different
in both vocabulary and grammar from the written classical Arabic that is
used in newspapers, magazines and books - to the extent that if the same
difference were expressed in English, it would be as if all printed material
were written in Chaucerian! This enormous variety of vocabulary in daily use
in the Arab world is part of the reason that Arabic is considered such an
expressive language. Native Arabic speakers also tend to have a great
appreciation for the beauty of their own language, and poetry, or songs
using poetic expressions, are greatly valued.
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