"The tour was great value for money, I would definitely use you again and would have no hesitation in recommending your Company to others."
Ms. J. Casey (Cairo City Break)
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EGYPT GUIDE
Country Statistics
| Time: |
GMT+2 |
|
| Dialing code: |
00 20 |
| Area: |
1,001,450 sq km |
| Elevation: |
Lowest: Qattara Depression -133m
Highest: Mount Sinai 2,629m |
| Population: |
74,718,797 (July 2003 est.) |
| Capital: |
Cairo |
| Government: |
Republic |
| Language: |
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
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Jordan country guide |
Overview
 Bridging the trade route between Africa and the Middle East, Egypt has long played an important role in history. Birthplace of one of the greatest civilisations known to man, Pharonic Egypt has left an indelible mark on modern day Egypt. Subsequent occupations by Alexander the Great, The Romans, Byzantium, Muslim Dynasties and the Ottoman Empire have all added character to what is now one of the world's most visited countries.
For thousands of years travellers have been coming to Egypt to marvel at the Pyramids, the Sphinx, ancient Luxor and the River Nile. Steeped in history these monuments to a once great civilisation still capture the imagination of travellers today.
 However, Egypt is not just about monuments as it has much more to offer the modern traveller. The Red Sea with its warm blue waters, golden sandy beaches, and colourful marine life, boasts some of the best snorkelling and diving in the World. The desert oases of Baharya and Farafra are beautiful, verdant green islands surrounded by some of the most stunning desert scenery to be found anywhere. Add to this the bustling, modern City of Cairo, with its mazy bazaars, fantastic restaurants and lively nightlife, and you have in Egypt the perfect tourist destination.
Brief History
Archaeological evidence suggests that over 250,000 years ago roaming hunter-gatherers inhabited Egypt, which at the time was rolling grassland. During the Palaeolithic period, around 25,000 BC, climatic changes turned Egypt into a desert. During this period a shift to primitive forms of cultivation occurred as communities began to settle in Middle Egypt and the Nile Delta. Soon these farmers were growing wheat, flax and weaving linen fabrics, as well as tending flocks. Gradually the primitive settlements became small tribal kingdoms, which eventually evolved into two loosely aligned kingdoms - one in the Nile valley (worshiping the god Horus) and the other in the Nile Delta (worshiping the god Seth). The two kingdoms vied for control over all the lands of Egypt, and in 3100 BC unification of Egypt, under the command of Menes, marked the beginning of the dynastic period of the Pharaohs. Read more...Highlights
 Geography
The River Nile, considered the life blood of Egypt, divides the country in two. From Lake Nasser in the south to the Nile Delta in the north the River Nile gives life to an otherwise barren landscape.
West of the Nile lies the Libyan Desert, a plateau scattered with huge, bizarre rock formations, sandy desert and fertile oasis. East of the Nile lies another barren plateau rising to a ridge of mountains in the east.
The Sinai peninsula rises from coastal plains in the north to the high mountains around mounts Sinai and Catherine (2,642m) in the south.
Climate
One of the sunniest countries in the world, Egypt averages 11 hours of sunshine a day in the summer (April to October - average temp. 21-28C [70-83°F]) and 8 hours a day in the winter (November to March - average temp. 13-20C [55-67°F]). An exception to this is the Mediterranean coast, which, although still warm, can experience periods of cloud and rain during the winter months. On the coast and in the Nile Delta during the spring months the Khamsin desert winds blow strong. The winters in Egypt remain warm allowing pleasant travel all year round.
Bring light clothes for the daytime when temperatures are high and warm clothes for the night-time when temperature can plummet.
 |
|
Cairo |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Rain (mm) |
4 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
|
Sun (hrs) |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
|
Temp (Max) |
19 |
21 |
24 |
28 |
32 |
35 |
35 |
35 |
33 |
30 |
26 |
21 |
|
Temp (Min) |
9 |
9 |
12 |
14 |
18 |
20 |
22 |
22 |
20 |
18 |
14 |
10 |
|
Days of Rain* |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Hum (%) |
43 |
39 |
33 |
28 |
25 |
27 |
31 |
35 |
37 |
36 |
42 |
46 |
|
 |
|
Luxor |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Rain (mm) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Sun (hrs) |
10 |
11 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
|
Temp (Max) |
23 |
25 |
29 |
35 |
39 |
41 |
41 |
41 |
39 |
35 |
30 |
25 |
|
Temp (Min) |
6 |
7 |
11 |
16 |
20 |
23 |
23 |
24 |
22 |
18 |
12 |
7 |
|
Days of Rain* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hum (%) |
38 |
32 |
23 |
18 |
15 |
15 |
17 |
17 |
21 |
28 |
32 |
39 |
* denotes number of days with at least 1.0 mm of rainfall
Currency
Egyptian Pound (E£)
1 E£ = 100 Piastres
1 US$ = 6.2 E£
1 UK£ = 11.3 E£
Common coins
- 2 Piastres
- 10 Piastres
- 20 Piastres
- 25 Piastres
Common notes
- 5 Piastres
- 10 Piastres
- 1 E£
- 5 E£
- 10 E£
- 20 E£
- 50 E£
- 100 E£
NB There is always a shortage of small change, which is useful for tipping, so try to keep hold of it if you can
Money can be changed at any bank, exchange offices, Amex or Thomas Cook offices, or most hotels. Banks are open from 8-8.30am until 2pm from Sunday to Thursday, and in Cairo and other cities from 5-6pm for 2 or 3 hours - usually for foreign exchange purposes. Foreign exchange offices are usually open throughout the day. Main brand traveller’s cheques are widely accepted but may entail a small service charge, usually per cheque. ATM’s are common and accept all major credit/debit cards. Credit cards are also widely accepted, with Visa and MasterCard being the most popular. Cash advances are also available at banks and exchange kiosks. No black market exists in Egypt.
Holidays
|
New Year's Day |
- |
1 st January |
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Coptic Christmas |
- |
7 th January |
| Islamic New Year* |
- |
20 th January (2007) |
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Easter |
- |
March/April |
| Sinai Liberation Day |
- |
25 th April |
| Milad un Nabi (The Prophet's Birthday)* |
- |
1 st May (2007) |
| Labour Day |
- |
1 st May |
|
Evacuation Day |
- |
15 th August |
|
Revolution Day |
- |
23 rd July |
|
National Day |
- |
6 th October |
| Suez Victory Day |
- |
24 th October |
| Eid ul Fitr (end of Ramadan)* |
- |
13 th October (2007) |
|
Eid ul Adha* |
|
20 th December (2007) |
| Victory Day |
- |
23 rd December |
For exact dates of holidays and festivals for the coming year please click here
*These Muslim festivals have no fixed dates and generally fall about 11 days earlier each year
NB Banks and government offices are usually closed during public holidays and opening times for shops, banks and government offices are restricted during Ramadan.
Religion
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), Coptic Christian and other 6% (official estimate).
For more detailed information on how Ramadan affects our tours in Egypt, please check the Ramadan page in our Travel Guide section. Vaccinations
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary and are subject to change. You must consult your GP on current vaccinations needed for your destination. You can also visit our travel health website at:
TravelHealthZone
This has links to up-to-date information on vaccination requirements as well as much more general travel health information and advice.
For direct, up-to-date information on vaccination requirements for Egypt please click here
Customs
-
Always dress conservatively, particularly women, and most importantly when visiting mosques (shorts are not allowed), churches, synagogues and bazaars. For more information on dress codes in the Muslim world read our Muslim country clothing guide.
-
Egyptian women are very conservative and should not be touched without their consent. Public shows of intimacy are considered inappropriate and, except on the beach, you should try to dress conservatively wherever possible.
-
Always use your right hand for communal eating and other social interaction as the left hand is reserved for toilet duties. If you have been invited into a local's house to dine, always remove your shoes before entering and wash your hands before eating.
-
Although alcohol is widely available, it is still regarded as forbidden in the eyes of many Muslims and you should refrain from drinking in public.
-
Tipping (baksheesh) is a way of life in Egypt and is often an essential way to supplement very low wages. Tipping is usually expected in restaurants and should be around 5-10% of the meal. Tipping for services is dependant on the service provided, and how well it is performed - 1 E£ or less is normally fine for chambermaids, porters and helpful site guards. Remember; if you are not happy with the service don't tip. A useful article with suggested amounts and information about tipping in Egypt is given on the TourEgypt website.
-
Haggling is an integral part of Egyptian life, and with so many 'rich' tourists visiting each year locals have learnt to vastly inflate prices. You should expect to haggle for just about everything, but for the best results do so with a smile and a light-hearted approach - even when it is not returned. Always be wary of street sellers, as what they sell may not always be what you think it is.
-
Be considerate when taking photographs. Always ask permission before taking pictures of people. It is against the law to photograph bridges, railway stations, anything military, airports and other public works. Signs are usually obvious. Try to avoid flash photography inside temples and around light-sensitive paintings or artwork. Flash photography is banned in most of the tombs.
Security
We advise you check your local consular advice for up to date security information before you travel. Egypt is a calm and generally trouble free country for travellers at the present time. Tensions there can rise suddenly however following changes in the whole Middle Eastern situation. There have been some terrorist attacks on some tourist sites in recent years but the Egyptian authorities have increased security precautions and asserted their intent to prevent any further incidents. You may be escorted by Egyptian police on some journeys and in some areas. Please bear with the authorities as these escorts are for your benefit.
For more specific, up-to-date security information and how this may affect your tour, please visit our regional security page.
Visas
Some nationalities (British and most Europeans) can usually obtain their visas on arrival in Cairo airport (our representative will arrange these for you on your arrival – cost approx. UK£11 – to be paid in hard currency – i.e. UK Pounds or US Dollars). This is also normally not a problem for other Europeans, American, Australian and New Zealand nationals, though the Egyptian authorities will not give us official confirmation of this. If you are in any doubt, or for peace of mind, we advise you to obtain your visa before leaving your home country.
All African nationals will need to obtain their visas in advance.
The visa is valid for a stay of up to 3 months and can be either single or multiple entry. The cost of visas issued in advance varies with nationality, for examples and other visa information visit Tour Egypt, the offical internet site for the Ministry of Tourism of Egypt. Flights (from the UK)
With some shopping around, and if you book early, you may be able to find a return flight to Cairo from the UK for around UK£220 - UK£250 inc. taxes.
If you are planning a longer Middle Eastern journey, you can now find flights into Cairo and out of Istanbul (or vice versa) from the UK for around UK£280 inc. taxes.
For more information on the tours we run in Egypt,
Uncover the World Ltd. (Egypt Uncovered) are members of
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