Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date.
Get travel insurance which is essential for medical emergencies.
Check any medications you need are LEGAL in Egypt. Bring copies of any prescriptions for medications.
Email to yourself or store on cloud scans or photographs of your important documents:
passport, including the stamped Visa page, travel insurance, Covid vaccination certificates or PCR test results if these are required for your travel (not currently required for Egypt), medical prescriptions (including eye glasses and contact lens specifications), and both sides of your debit and credit cards.
This makes it easier for you to have copies to arrange replacement, if the originals are lost or damaged. Also email yourself a list of your important phone numbers in case of phone loss or damage.
While you will be with our guide/s for much of the time, there will be times you are on your own. Don’t expect all Egyptians to understand your language. We suggest learning some useful phrases. Even if you have only a few basic phrases, people will appreciate this and make an effort to communicate or help you. Ask our guide to teach you some Arabic words and numbers.
EGYPT, THE COUNTRY
Egyptians call their country Misr. It is a Republic and has 27 administrative regions or governorates.
The Egyptian flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and black, with the national emblem centered in the white band (a Golden Eagle of Saladin with a shield on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic).
These band colors are derived from the Arab Liberation flag; black symbolizes the eras of oppression, underdevelopment and colonialism, red the bloody struggle to overcome this, or glory, and white is for purity or a bright future.
GEOGRAPHY
Egypt is in North Africa, but because of the Sinai Peninsula it is also part of Southwest Asia. Egypt covers approximately 1,001,500 square kilometers (386,660 square miles). Egypt is about the same size as all of Central America, twice the size of Spain, four times the size of the United Kingdom, and the combined size of the USA states of Texas and California.The population of Egypt is about 105 million. The two largest cities are Cairo, population of about 22 million and Alexandria about 5.5 million.
Egypt’s coastlines are the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, extending more than 2,900 kilometres (1.802 miles). To the West is Libya, to the East are the Gaza Strip and Israel, and to the South, Sudan.
Egypt is predominantly desert, with less than 4% of total land area cultivated and permanently settled. The major areas are the Nile River Valley and Delta, Western and Eastern Deserts, and Sinai Peninsula. The Nile Valley and Delta support most of the population. The deserts include many oases which contribute to agricultural production.
The Eastern desert is more mountainous. The Sinai Peninsula features a mountain range along the Red Sea coast that includes Egypt’s highest mountain, Gabal Katrinah or Gabal Katrine (Mount Catherine), 2,642 meters (8,668 feet) above sea-level. In both deserts, winds create
sand dunes that may reach heights of more than 30 meters (100 feet).
Egypt’s important role in geopolitics stems from its strategic position: as a transcontinental nation, it has a land bridge (the Isthmus of Suez) between Africa and Asia, traversed by a navigable waterway (the Suez Canal) that connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean by way of the Red Sea.
WEATHER
Egypt has a desert climate with hot, dry summers and moderate winters.
Summer temperatures average between 26.7 – 45° C in Upper Egypt, and up to 43° on the Red Sea coast. Winter temperatures average between 13 – 21° C. Wind lowers temperatures near the Mediterranean coast. In Spring the Khamaseen wind blows from the South, bringing sand and dust and sometimes raising the desert temperature to 38°C.
Most rain falls in the Winter months. South of Cairo, rainfall averages only around 2 to 5 mm per year. On the North Coast rainfall can reach 410 mm, with most rain between October and March. Snow sometimes falls in the Sinai mountains and in some of the North Coast cities such as Damietta, with rare falls in Alexandria. Desert nights are cold, dropping below zero in Winter.
Detailed weather forecasts to help plan your packing www.weather.com
PEOPLE, RELIGION, LANGUAGE and CULTURE
Egypt has been continuously inhabited since the 10th millennium BCE and its history of trade and political takeovers has ensured a rich mixture of genetics and cultural traditions.
Egyptian religious affiliations, approximately: 90% Sunni Muslims, 9% Coptic Orthodox Christian, 1% other Christian denominations.
All Egyptians speak Arabic. A small percentage speak other indigenous languages, such as the people of Siwa Oasis and Nubians.
Egypt is a cultural leader in the Arabic-speaking world, and heavily influences literature, music, film and television with its cultural production.
Egypt offers travel opportunities that can include your interests in culture, history, adventure, relaxation, family experiences, spirituality, and to celebrate significant events in your life.
ALCOHOL
Drinks are available at many hotels, on regular Nile cruises and at some restaurants and pubs. You are free to order your drinks wherever they are served but do not drink outside these places as this could offend conservative local people. You can also drink in the privacy of your accommodation.
Drinking alcohol is part of Western culture, and though about 10% of the Egyptian population are Orthodox Christian Copts and other Christian denominations whose religion permits alcohol, the Egyptian society is mainly a conservative one and does not approve of drinking in public. As Muslims constitute the majority of the Egyptian population, drinking, drugs and other intoxicants that affect the mind are not permissible according to Islamic teachings that encourage sobriety, alert minds and proper social behavior. For Muslims it is not permitted by their religion to carry, serve and trade in alcohol, wine, beer and spirits. Although these regulations are not observed by all Muslims in Egypt, please show your understanding and patience in cases where serving drinks is not welcomed.
You can buy alcohol at the Duty Free Shop on arrival at Cairo International Airport or any of the other international airports in Egypt. You are allowed to purchase from Duty Free shops using your passport for 48 hours after arriving. You are per, and permitted to bring only 2 liters of alcohol into Egypt.
There are also liquor shops in Egypt including the “Drinkies” chain. You can locate them using Google Maps. Such liquor shops are mainly present in major cities.
If you need to replenish your supply of drinks, especially on board a Dahabiya, ask the guide to arrange for a driver to take you to a local liquor store (for a charge) where you can buy what you would like.
Some of the Dahabiya Nile Sailing staff are from local communities that are conservative and they may not be comfortable to serve alcohol, but you can bring your own alcohol on board and use the dahabiya facilities to store your drinks.
FINANCIAL SYSTEM / EXCHANGE
Egypt’s diverse economy includes tourism, agriculture, industry, and services.
Units of currency are the Egyptian Pound (EGP) which you usually see written as LE, and the piaster. The Pound is made up of 100 piasters. Coins are 25 piaster, 50 piaster and 1 pound, notes are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 pounds. The value of each note is written in English on one side and Arabic numbers on the other side.
Almost all foreign currencies are traded at banks, exchange offices, airports, and major hotels in Egypt at the official currency rates (Scotland and Northern Ireland banknotes are not accepted). ATMs are widely available. Most banks open 9am to 2pm Sunday to Thursday, with some branches open until 5pm. Hotel branches in some cities operate 24 hours but are not common.
USD and Euro and credit cards are usually accepted in tourist restaurants, cafes and shops but for smaller local places you need to use Egyptian Pounds.
You can change money at the airport bank when you arrive, the rate is fixed all over the country. Don’t change much, because it is difficult to change EGP back to USD or Euro.
In every city you visit there are exchange offices, and your guide will help with that.
For updates or information about the exchange rate, see Egypt National Bank.
Credit and Debit Cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa, are accepted in touristic places and shopping malls, but cash is more commonly used in Egypt.
Travelers Cheques: International travelers’ cheques in Sterling Pounds, Euro, US Dollars are accepted in a few places in the major cities. About 3% commission is charged for use of travelers cheques. Note that in some smaller towns there is only one bank and one ATM, credit cards are not accepted in all places, and bank opening hours are more limited than in many other countries. It is advisable to always carry enough cash and small change for
small purchases including food and water. You are advised to carry cash when shopping in the many street markets (souks), however the larger malls and street shops accept cards.
Many shopping malls have stand-alone ATMs and you can also find them located along busy pavements (sidewalks, footpaths). Airports and railway stations also have ATMs. In Egypt ATMs also act as money exchanges for US$, Euro and GBP.
Tipping explained and suggestions
Tipping is considered to be part of the income of the person serving you, and is expected in this culture. However, it should only be given if the service is excellent. Tipping encourages the guides, drivers, hotel staff, waiters to always do their best.
To ensure your tour goes smoothly and as part of our services, we are happy to cover some of the tipping on your behalf (such as restaurants, guards, short boat ride, horse carriages, local guardians, luggage handling in the hotels we book, etc.
Tips for the Guide, Driver, Dahabiya / Cruise, airport assistant, tips can be included on request in your itinerary quote, or paid directly to them by you, the guest.
Tipping is not compulsory
IMPORTANT If you are not accustomed to tipping or don’t know when and where to give, ask us to include all tips in your tour package and to pay tips on your behalf where appropriate. Please confirm before your tour whether you prefer to manage tips or would like us to manage this for you.
Tipping guidelines per person per service in USD (suggestions – not compulsory). These suggestions applied to individual and small groups (1 to ?? people) for a larger group, please ask for suggestions or to be included in the quote.
TIPPING SUGGESTION TABLE
| Tour Type | Per Person | Minimum Per Group | |
| Airports Assists | Each trip | USD 3 | USD 10 |
| Guide | Half Day (3-4 Hrs) | USD 5 | USD 15 |
| Guide | Full Day (7-8 Hrs) | USD 7 | USD 20 |
| Driver | Half Day (3-4 Hrs) Airport, Train, Restaurant Transfer .. etc | USD 3 | USD 10 |
| Driver | Full Day (7-8 Hrs) | USD 5 | USD 15 |
| Camel Operator | USD 2 | USD 7 |
Dahabiya Tipping Suggestions
| No of travellers on board | 1 – 4 People | 5 – 9 People | 10+ |
| Per Person Per Night on board | USD 20 | USD 15 | USD 10 |
| The above tipping covers the following: All Staff (10-12 people) on board the Dahabiya (Captain, Chef, Waiter, Housekeeping, Sailors, Tug Boat Driver) Except for your Tour Guide on board. The mentioned staff are available 24 hours during your sailing journey. Tips are better to be given in an envelope to the boat captain after the last dinner (the night before the check out). Please Note: Private Dahabiya tipping is at a minimum rate of USD 120 per night for up to 8 people. More than 8 use the above suggestions. | |||
Nile Cruises Tipping Suggestions
| Per Person Per Night on board | USD 10 | ||
| The above tips cover the following: All Staff on board the Cruise (Captain, Chef, Waiter, Housekeeping, Sailors, Tug Boat Driver) Except for your Private Tour Guide. The mentioned staff are available 24 hours during your sailing journey. Tips are better to be given in an envelope to the boat captain after the last dinner (the night before the check out). | |||
Felluca Tipping Suggestions
| No of travelers on board | 1- 2 People | 3 – 4 People | 5+ People |
| Per Person Per Night on board | USD 10 (minimum USD 20 per night) | USD 7 | USD 5 |
| The above tips cover the following: The Sailor and the Cook. Except for your Tour Guide on board (if there’s a guide). The mentioned staff are available 24 hours during your sailing journey. Tips are better to be given to the boat captain. | |||
PHONES and INTERNET
You can roam with your international number by registering on any of the three mobile phone operator networks in Egypt: Vodafone, Orange or Etisalat. However it is highly advisable to buy an inexpensive local SIM card when you arrive in the airport, if your phone is on an unlocked network. These can easily be topped up with a scratch card which can be bought at many stores aside from the mobile supplier stores. We recommend installing the app of your chosen phone company so you can add credit to your phone when needed and to check that you are renewing your bundle, otherwise the credit will not give you economical use of the internet.
Landlines are available in all hotels.
Wireless internet is available in many hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops. Sometimes it is free, some places may charge you for it.
Internet connection through cell phones is available throughout most of Egypt, unless you are in isolated places like the mountains or desert. On the dahabiya there is limited wifi internet, we don’t advise using this for media only for messages and emails. Make sure your phone and laptop system auto updates are off.
You can get connected using a local Sim card with a data plan and use your smartphone as a hotspot. It is not expensive to have a data plan.
On request we can rent a mobile router and charge it with an internet package suitable for you. This will be for your exclusive use throughout your tour.
CUSTOMS RULES
You are not allowed to import more than 200 cigarettes (or 25 cigars, or 200 grams of tobacco) and 1 litre of alcohol.
Passengers on flights are not allowed to carry any flammable liquids, mercury, liquid and dry batteries, electronic devices that contain lithium like (computers, cameras, car batteries, lighting system) except for private mobile phones.
Not permitted in baggage are frozen items and any liquid that exceeds 100 ml except for that bought from the duty free inside the airport (on the condition it is sealed and you have the receipt).
It is illegal to bring in drugs, firearms and other weapons (including Swiss Army knives), seeds or agricultural seedlings (to prevent the transfer of pests).
Drones can only be brought in with an official license which is difficult to obtain.
Please check before you travel that any medications you may use are LEGAL in Egypt. It is illegal to export drugs, firearms and cotton that is not for personal use. Locally purchased gold and silver can be exported if for personal use or in small quantities.
Egypt strictly controls the import and export of antiquities and artifacts that are more than 100 years old. You will need to apply for a licence to export any such item.
You can bring in up to US$10,000 or the equivalent in other foreign currencies for exchange, and local currency up to 5,000 Egyptian pounds.
Leaving Egypt, the maximum allowed for foreign exchange is US$10,000.
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 the camera can be bought at the sites when required. Any commercial photography or videos needs official permission in advance. Using tripods or camera stabilisers is often considered a sign of commercial use.
DRESS CODE and CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
Egyptian society is conservative, in some places more than in others. Exposed arms, legs, and more are accepted in big city nightclubs and in tourist hotels in places such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada. However, off the beaches and in the streets you will be mixing with Egyptians who mostly choose more modest dress, for religious and traditional reasons. You will be more
comfortable and have the chance for far deeper interactions with Egyptians if you dress modestly. This does not only apply to women, because many Egyptian men cover their arms and do not wear shorts or board shorts that expose above the knee.
The basis of your travel wardrobe:
men: long pants and shirts;
women: long pants and skirts combined with a longer shirt (covering upper thighs) which is loose and long sleeved and doesn’t show cleavage.
Choose clothing made of natural fibres – cotton, silk, hemp. linen or any 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 the skin you are covering.
Women should carry a large scarf to cover hair and shoulders when entering mosques.
Visiting some mosques you may be provided with an abaya, which is a loose, comfortable garment that will cover you from head to feet. Some Christian women cover their
hair in church, so if you are attending a service take your scarf.
The scarf can also make you feel more comfortable in areas that are more traditional, your guide will be able to advise on these. As a bonus, the scarf protects you from sun and sand dust.
You will see Egyptian women wearing different levels of cover, some dressing not so differently to you, others covered completely except for their eyes. You will be delighted to discover the women behind the covers have so much to offer, if you make conversation and look beyond any apprehensions or assumptions based on appearance. They are curious and maybe even a little
bewildered about you and your life, too. Bedouin women and the women of Siwa Oasis cover differently and more than most, again you will be more accepted in these places if you are modestly dressed.
Wear a hat, it protects you from heat and your hair and scalp from burning. Again a light color is best, with a broad brim and adjustable string to keep it on your head (there is often a breeze and you don’t want your hat flying into the Nile or across a busy street).
If you are in a conservative place and swimming, such as natural springs in the oases or local beaches, shorts or leggings and a shirt are best. You won’t be as uncomfortable in the water in clothes as you would be if you were more exposed.
Comfortable shoes are essential. Socks are also advised even in Summer as they protect against mosquitoes in the evenings.
Always take an extra layer of clothing, even though Egypt is somewhere you may think of as having a hot climate. Early morning tours in Winter anywhere in the country and nights in the desert can be very cold. 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.
Indoor and Eating Etiquette
Shoes must be removed before entering a mosque. People also go shoeless in many homes and eating places, especially where you will be seated on the floor; watch what others do and take your cue from this. If eating a traditional Egyptian meal that includes sharing food from the same bowls and eating with bread, it is worth noting that people eat with their
right hand, even left handed people. If eating with bread use small portions and make sure you eat that portion in one mouthful if possible.
Greeting people, public interaction
Showing affection is different here. Do not kiss or embrace someone of the opposite sex in public. You will see Egyptian couples holding hands in the cities, but these will be married, engaged or courting. Children are freely embraced and kissed in most places, they are adored here, but as a foreigner you would not kiss or embrace a child unless you knew them and they
instigated this. Smiles and waving are fine. Many women do not like to be photographed and children in some places will also object to this (always best to ask first, and if a parent is present ask their permission also). However many will be happy to pose for photos, and children and even adult Egyptians may ask to have their photo taken with you if they see you with a camera, or want to take a photo with you on their own phone.
Handshakes are an accepted greeting for foreigners but be aware that some Muslim women do not shake hands, and some Muslim men will not shake hands with women. Please don’t feel you are being slighted if they don’t respond to an outstretched hand. Foreigners should not greet those of the opposite sex by kissing or embracing.
Men often walk arm in arm or with an arm around a friend’s shoulder, and this should not be read as it may be in other cultures – it is purely a gesture of friendship here, not indicative of sexual preference. Men embrace each other warmly and kiss lightly on meeting. Women may also greet each other by kissing, but you may be more used to seeing that in your own culture.
Egyptian body language is a whole other, complex world. Do not maintain eye contact for a long time, and women should avoid this especially as it can be misinterpreted not just as staring, rudeness, or a challenge, but as an invitation to intimacy that you did not intend to make.
In tourist resorts you will meet Egyptian men who use all the Western social body contact norms such as touching your arm, trying to hold your hand, and more, but you should politely decline this body contact as they only encourage inappropriate behavior, and make life more difficult for other women visitors and Egyptian women who do not welcome this level of intimacy.
HEALTH and WELLBEING
How to avoid dehydration, heat stroke and heat rash, and maintain your energy to really enjoy your travel.
When possible, schedule activities so you are in shade or in air-conditioning at the hottest times. In many countries, business hours and meal times are set to avoid the heat, so follow the locals and their living patterns.
Drink more water than you usually would, especially because when you are on holiday you may be more physically active than when at home or in your usual work environment.
Alcoholic drinks and caffeine (tea, coffee, and some soft drinks) dehydrate you, so avoid these. Also avoid heavy meals and stick to cooler foods such as fruit you can peel that have 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. If you are outdoors and feeling the heat, soak in water a cotton scarf and tie it around your neck.
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 moisturiser 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 juice made with bottled water, then reflect that people “back home” may be complaining about the cold and gray 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 preferred mosquito deterrent, whether a spray, cream or deterrent arm bands.
Bring your prescription medicine but always check with the Egyptian embassy or consulate to confirm what medicines you can legally bring into Egypt. Laws are different here and what may be legal in your country may not be legal here. It will help you to have a doctor’s note from your country listing your meds. Bring Imodium or other anti-diarrheic with you and keep it in your bag. Most people do not get sick, but even a change in water from what you are used to can cause diarrhoea and you do not want this to impact on your travel.
Email to yourself or upload online a copy of each prescription, including prescription for glasses or contact lenses if you use these.
Do not drink tap water, use bottled water for brushing teeth.
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 traveling for more than a week it is preferable to spraying yourself with chemicals every night, especially if you are travelling along the Nile Valley. 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.
- Many children will ask for money, bring instead some small gifts. Most countries have inexpensive, small souvenirs you could bring as gifts for children, something that represents your country.
- Depending on your interests, for example bird watching, fossil hunting or astronomy, you may want to bring: binoculars. magnifying glass, constellation map for stargazing.
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 labor 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 may take some time. Carry small bills as many shops may not have change for large bills and will have to go to change them 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. Don’t expect to bargain in malls or big stores.
IN EGYPT DO NOT:
carry any weapons with you, including Swiss knives, as these are banned in Egypt.
● Photograph restricted sites, for example military sites, or anywhere that an official indicates you should put that camera away.
● Photograph women and children, check with your guide who can advise you on when this is appropriate..
● Forget to carry your passport or other identification, always have them with you.
● Drink and dive. You can increase your risk of decompression sickness.
● Take anything from national parks or antiquity sites.
● Stand on, climb on, lean against, rest feet or bags on walls, or touch the artwork (including statues) at monuments or in the museums. Respect Egyptian and world heritage so it remains for future generations to visit and enjoy.
● Kiss or fondle your partner in public.
● Discuss Egyptian politics with people you don’t fully trust.
