Egypt

HOW TO GET THERE

This trip originates in Cairo, Egypt. You can search routes to Cairo from your departure city here: https://www.flightsfrom.com/.

CURRENCY

It’s always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit and debit/ATM cards. You can change money at the airport and in hotels. ATMs are everywhere, but it’s best to use those found in hotels, HSBC banks and Banque Masr or go to your bankcard’s website to find ATM locations at your destination to avoid excessive fees. The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound (£E). It’s best to build up a supply of the small bills because you’ll need them for baksheesh (a request for a tip for services rendered) and small purchases, and many shopkeepers and cabbies will not have—or claim they don’t have —change.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

U.S. citizens must have a passport with 6 months months validity and at least one blank page.
A tourist visa is required. U.S. citizens can obtain a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports paid on arrival.

The Government of Egypt has created a website for the issuance of e-visas-  https:// visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/Home. There are other websites purporting to offer electronic visas, some of which reportedly charge double the official price, but this is the only official Government of Egypt portal for this service. U.S. citizens and the citizens of 44 other countries are eligible to apply through this means in advance of their travel.

Always check the Department of State website for the most up-to-date entry requirements https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel CountryInformation-Pages.html 

ELECTRICAL PLUGS

Egypt has a 220V / 50Hz electrical system, with two plug types: Plug type C and plug type F. Plug type C has two round pins, while plug type F has two round pins and two earth clips on the side.
Click here to purchase an adapter/converter for your trip and see other travel accessories.

TIPPING

Tips for your guides and bus driver are included. Bring small bills to tip porters, wait staff, etc.

WEATHER & WHAT TO WEAR

There are basically two seasons in Egypt: a relatively cool season that lasts November-March (by far the better touring season) and a hot season of April-October. The Red Sea coast has fewer extremes and is nice year-round.

Clothes should be lightweight, loose fitting and full length. Short sleeves are appropriate for men in summer. Women can wear short sleeves, even short pants, without getting hassled in the high-traffic tourist areas such as the Giza pyramids, especially if they’re traveling on tour buses and are escorted by a guide.
For both sexes: Do not wear shorts in a mosque. Dress conservatively. Women should dress very modestly. Although Egypt is not as strict as some Islamic countries with regard to covering the head and legs, outfits should be loose and should conceal as much of the body as possible. Most Egyptian women wear head scarves, but tourists aren’t expected to.
Your shoes and feet will get dirty while touring. Bring comfortable walking shoes for all activities.

ACCOMMODATIONS

You will be staying in four star accommodations throughout the tour

DINING

The nation’s history includes occupations by the French, British and Turks, and its cuisine was influenced by all of them, as well as by regional neighbors such as Lebanon and Greece (though Egyptians tend to use more cumin and coriander). Local meat is usually grilled beef, poultry or mutton. The coarse foul bean and spicy vegetables are often served on the side. Pita bread (also known as Arab or Syrian bread) is common, but differs in taste from that in nearby countries.

Shwarma, a sandwich similar to a gyro, is good fast food, but make sure the meat hasn’t been sitting out for too long. Also try fateer, an oven-baked pancake with either sweet or savory combinations; mulokhaya, a soup with chard and lots of garlic; and koshari, a blend of rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas, accompanied by a spicy tomato sauce and fried onions. Egyptian wines have improved dramatically since the privatization of the state vineyards in 1998. Local beers have been available for 100 years, and they, too, have improved in both quality and variety. Brands to try include Stella and Sakara.
Alcohol is forbidden to strict Muslims, but some restaurants serve wine and beer. Some Muslim owners, however, have forbidden alcohol on their properties, so don’t be surprised if a restaurant is alcohol-free. If it matters to you, ask before being seated.

TRANSPORTATION

Once you arrive in Cairo, all of your transportation is included in your tour. In Cairo, traffic moves slowly so be prepared to leave early for scheduled flights and tours.

SECURITY

The Egyptian government has attempted to address security concerns and has visibly augmented its security presence at tourist locations. You will see armed guards at most locations.

INTRO, HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY

Travelers have been marveling at Egypt’s wondrous antiquities for thousands of years—even the ancient Greeks and Romans were awed by them. But today, a visit to Egypt is more than an immersion into past glories—mud-brick villages sprout TV antennae, stone and glass highrises tower over ancient monuments, and pop music blaring from radios counterpoints the call to prayer.

Although modern life coexists with the legacies of the past, it has also opened up possibilities for exploring a wider area of Egypt. In addition to the great monuments of the Nile Valley, an Egyptian itinerary could also include diving along the Red Sea coast, a desert trek to remote oases or a visit to the Sinai Peninsula. The hub of transportation—and most likely your first and last stop in the country—remains Cairo, a city that never fails to make a strong impression.

Although nearly all of Egypt is desert, the small part that isn’t—the valley of the Nile River—is vital to the nation (95% of the population lives within a few miles/kilometers of the Nile’s banks). Most tours of Egypt—except to desert oases—whether by cruise, train, bus or a private car, never stray too far from the river’s shores.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, be aware that Upper Egypt actually refers to the southern part of the country, and Lower Egypt is in the north. This is in relation to the Nile River, which flows through the country from south to north, where it empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world, and among African nations, is second in population only to Nigeria. (Cairo, the continent’s most populous city, has 20 million people.) Egypt has been a nation for much longer than most. Menes, the first pharaoh, united Upper and Lower Egypt in 3050 BC, creating a country whose legacy is unmatched in recorded history. Elaborate tombs were designed, magnificent pyramids constructed, and a vast and impressive pantheon of deities was honored in huge temples. Hieroglyphs were etched in stone, detailing everything from the lives of the gods to the lives of the lowest slaves. The Nile was harnessed for irrigation. By any standard, this dynastic society was very successful.
Eventually, however, it fell to outside influences. Conquest of the country by Alexander the Great in 332 BC led to three centuries of Greek rule, followed by a brief but significant period of Roman rule. Arab invaders, who conquered Egypt and introduced Islam around AD 640, have had the most lasting influence. Others who left their mark include the Ottoman Turks, the French and the British.

Egypt won nominal independence from Britain in 1922. The subsequent monarchy came to an end in 1953 with the overthrow of King Farouk. The following year, Gamel Abdel Nasser came to power and ruled with tremendous popular support for 14 years. He was succeeded by Anwar Sadat, who, through both war and diplomacy, established peace with neighboring Israel. His efforts came with a high price: Sadat was assassinated in 1981. Hosni Mubarak assumed the presidency following Sadat’s death and maintained power for five more six-year terms.
The Egyptian revolution that began in January 2011, sparked by the Tunisian uprising, ultimately led to Mubarak stepping down in February 2011. Millions of Egyptians demonstrated over issues including corruption and high unemployment rates.
After a period of military rule and continued protests, Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was elected president in 2012, making him the first democratically elected president in the country’s history.
Now, after three years that saw Egypt at times violently cycle through Morsi and interim president Adly Mansour, it appears that the crippling tourism drought could finally be over.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was elected into office in May 2014, and the country finally appears to be backing its president.
Legal and economic reforms during the 1990s led to increased foreign investment and economic expansion. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world) continues to be a major factor in the Egyptian economy.