What to Wear and do to travel comfortably – how to avoid dehydration, heat stroke and heat rash, and maintain your energy to really enjoy your travel
Choose clothing made of natural fibers – cotton, silk, hemp. linen or mix of these. White or light colours reflect the heat, darker colours will make you feel it more. For women especially, if you want to respect local traditions of modest dressing keeping cool is not as difficult as it may initially seem; long, loose layers can be just as comfortable as shorts and a tank top, and you won’t need sunscreen for all that extra skin you are covering. Women should carry a large scarf, to cover head and shoulders when entering mosques or in more conservative areas. Especially in the height of summer, an opaque, loose shirt is better than a tank top or singlet under a sheer cotton shirt; you will find the tank top sticks to you, while a looser, solid fabric shirt lets air circulate. A wide brimmed hat is always useful in Egypt whether Summer or Winter.
In some places Egyptians are used to seeing women travellers not wearing much clothing, in other places it is best even to swim covered, as locals are conservative and you should keep in mind that these are also their regular swimming and bathing places.
Wear a hat, it protects you from heat and your hair and scalp especially from burning. Again a light colour is best, with a broad brim and adjustable string to keep it on your head (there is often a breeze that does not feel strong, until you put a hat on and find it won’t stay on.) Comfortable shoes are essential. Socks are also advised even in summer as they protect against mosquito in the early evenings. You must take shoes off before entering a mosque, and in many homes and some restaurants where you eat seated on cushions at ground level.
Always take an extra layer of clothing, even though Egypt is somewhere you think of as having a hot climate. Early morning tours in Winter anywhere in the country can be a little nippy. Nights in the desert can be very cold, and temperatures in some places can drop 20 degrees from the peak daytime temperature to the nighttime minimum.
Choose sunglasses that protect from UV radiation. Don’t look directly at the sun.
If you are outdoors and feeling the heat, soak in water a cotton scarf and tie it around your neck.
Schedule activities so you are in shade or in air-conditioning at the hottest times. In many countries, business hours and eating are set to avoid the heat, so follow the locals and their living patterns.
Drink more water than you would usually, especially because when you are on holiday you may be more active than when at work – walking, swimming and climbing are obviously more strenuous than sitting at a desk. Alcoholic drinks and caffeine (tea and colas as well as coffee) dehydrate you, so avoid them. Also avoid heavy meals and stick to cooler foods such as salads, cold soups, and fruit with high water content. This does not mean you shouldn’t try the local coffees, teas and delicious foods, just don’t overdo it. Rehydration sachets are always an asset in Egypt.
Take cool showers, not hot showers.
Aloe Vera will relieve sunburn, heat rash or other skin irritations. Cold tea also soothes sunburn.
A natural cornstarch powder (without the chemical of talcum powder) will ease some skin problems.
Peppermint oil is wonderful for aching feet and legs – a few drops in water or mixed into a natural moisturizer base and massaged in will instantly cool and relax, and you will be ready for a night out when you thought your day was over.
If the heat gets too much for you, ask your guide to stop for 10 minutes for a cool lemon or mango juice ( Bottled water). Then reflect that people “back home” may be complaining about the cold and grey skies, while here in Egypt you are enjoying blue skies and sunshine, viewing some of the most amazing sights and meeting some of the best people in the world.
Medication and prescription glasses / lenses
Bring your prescription medicine but always check with the egyptian embassy first to see what medicines you can legally bring into Egypt as laws are different here and what may be legal in your country may not be legal here. It will help you to have a doctors note from your country listing your meds. Bring Imodium or other anti-diarrheic with you and keep in your bag. Most people do not get sick, but even a change in water from what you are used to can cause diarrhea and you do not want this to impact on your travel.
Email to yourself a copy of each prescription, and prescription for glasses or contact lenses if you use these, in case you need to replace them.
Other things to pack: Torch- small, useful in many of the ancient monuments (also in the case of electricity failures)
sunscreen ( high factor)– you will be out exploring for many hours and even in winter fair skins may burn here
mosquito net, if you know that you have bad reactions to mosquito bites – a mosquito net is light and compact, and if you are travelling for more than a week, it is preferable to spraying yourself with chemicals every night. Once you are here, you can buy lemons to rub on bites to ease the itch, or rub the bites with a piece of dry soap, both effective and safer than chemical sprays or lotions.
A lightweight extra bag that can be folded into your main bag, for the things you may want to buy and bring home.
Pens. Sounds strange, but many children will ask for money or – pens. Most countries have inexpensive souvenirs
Depending on your interests eg bird watching, fossil hunting( you may want to bring:
binoculars
magnifying glass
constellation map for stargazing
Camera charges
At some monuments there is an additional charge to use a camera. At some sites, photography is completely forbidden as is the use of a flash. Your guide will advise you on this and tickets to use camera can be bought at these sites.
Electrical appliances – converters and adaptors
Voltage is 220-240 Volts, with a 2 pin plug. You will need to bring a converter for any appliances that do not match this. Electrical sockets (outlets) are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: “Type C” Europlug and “Type E” and “Type F” Schuko. If your appliance plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you need a travel plug adapter. These can be bought at most electronics stores or airports in your country. Don’t wait until you get to Egypt, because you do not want to waste your holiday time finding a supplier.
Bargaining
Bargaining is also part of life here, and it takes great practice and patience to get “local” prices. Decide what you are really willing to pay for an item, and enter the bargaining in the spirit of a game, not as a challenge to beat the seller down to his absolute minimum. Think about the labour and skills involved in producing an item, and don’t expect something for nothing. If you do go too low, the seller will rightly refuse; there is no point getting angry with them; they have to make a living and pay rent and other business overheads, just as sellers in your own country do. That said, you can really find some great bargains in Egypt, wonderful crafts by highly skilled artisans, to take home with your memories and as gifts. Shopping will often include having tea or a cold drink with the seller, and negotiations take some time. Carry small change as many shops may not have change and have to go to get it for you, when you want to move on to the next place.
Our tour guide is ready to help you and give suggestions about this.
Things not to do in Egypt
Photograph restricted sites, for example military sites, or anywhere that an official indicates you should put that camera away. Be aware that in some places, women and children should not be photographed, your guide can advise you on this.
- Don’t go anywhere without your passport or other identification.
- Drink and dive. You can increase your risk of decompression sickness.
- Don’t take anything from national parks or antiquity sites.
- Kissing and/or fondling your partner in public.
- Discussing Egyptian Politics with people you don’t fully trust.
