Before You Book

CAPITAL

Cairo.

LANGUAGE

Arabic is the official language of Egypt. English and other European languages are also spoken.

RELIGION

Islam (approx 85% of the population) & other – mainly Coptic Christians (approx 15% of the population).

EGYPTIAN LOCAL TIME

Eastern European Time (EET) is 2 hours ahead of GMT.

ELECTRICITY

220 volts. Sockets are of the European, two-pronged variety.

PASSPORT & VISA

A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access the Travel & Visa Requirements Section on the top of this page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

LOCAL CURRENCY

The monetary unit in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP).

Egyptian Pound or ginee (LE; symbol E£) = 100 piastres. Notes are in denominations of E£200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 50 piastres and 25 piastres. Coins are in denominations of 25, 20, 10 and 5 piastres.

Euros and the US Dollar are accepted everywhere although change may be given in Egyptian pounds.

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

MONEY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARD & ATM

Banks and ATMs can be found everywhere in Egypt. Credit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants, and hotels (except for American Express cards which are not widely accepted). We recommend that you take either $US or Euro currency.

CLOTHING

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In Egypt's hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon.  You should bear in mind that Egypt has conservative attitudes towards dress, particularly in remote areas. Women, and to a certain extent men, will find that the way they dress will often determine the degree of respect they receive from both men and women. The issue is not nearly of such importance in ‘touristy’ areas, such as the Pyramids and the Red Sea coast, where you can be just about as casual as you like. Make sure you bring lots of clothing that covers shoulders and knees and more than one outfit which covers your legs to ankles and your arms past the elbows. A sarong is an invaluable item to carry as it can be used to instantly cover any exposed areas (i.e. head, legs). Make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even in very hot countries, night-time and early morning temperatures can be extremely cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth.

We recommend for religious sites that modest attire is best.

COMMUNICATION

Email
Internet cafes can be found everywhere in Egypt (except for the Western Desert Oases). The cost for an hour is generally between USD 5 to USD 10.

Post
The postal service is good, and stamps are available everywhere. An overseas stamp will cost approx. $US 0.58

Phone
The Egyptian phone system is good. A 3 minute call (to the USA) will cost from $US 8 to $US 20 from a hotel and approx. $US 5 from a telephone centre or with a pre paid phone card which you can buy from any shop in the market.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

Temperatures in Egypt are generally high, with most of the country enjoying a dry, desert, climate. There are, however, noticeable differences in temperature between the north and the south. In Upper Egypt (Luxor & Aswan) and on the Red Sea coast, you should be able to count on reasonable daytime temperatures throughout the year. In Cairo and the Nile Delta, however, winter temperatures can be cool, even cold. If you are travelling between November and March on a tour that includes trekking in the Sinai, cruising on the Nile or camping in the desert you should expect temperatures to fall considerably at night. At this time of year temperatures can often fall below freezing near Mt Sinai.

Cairo: (approx)

Luxor: (approx)

MEALS

Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack: $US 6
• Light meal: $US 10
• Fancy restaurant: $US 30 – 60

DRINKS

All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinks are always at your own expense. The following is a rough guideline for drinks bought in a shop in the street. Prices in restaurants and hotels can sometimes be more than double the prices specified below:

• 1 large bottle of water: $US 1.00
• 1 small bottle of water: $USD 00.50
• 30cl bottle of soft drink: $US 1.50
• 1 bottle of beer: $US 2.00 – 8.00

It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Egypt however bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available.

FOOD
In Egypt the basic diet centers on pulses such as fava beans, chickpeas, and lentils. Meat dishes will usually be served with rice or pasta and a garnish of green salad. Bread (usually of the flat, Middle Eastern variety) is ideal for the great variety of dips featured in Egyptian cuisine. The Egyptians are great tea drinkers. If you do not normally take sugar, make sure you mention this to your host. Coffee is served Turkish style - very strong and sweet. There is also a wide selection of fruit juices, determined by the season, served in local kiosks. Although Egypt is a Muslim country, most of the hotels we use do serve alcoholic drinks (although during Ramadan, some hotels will close their bars). In more up-market hotels, imported beers and spirits are available, but can be expensive. Locally produced spirits and wine are not particularly good however the local beer “Stella" (not Artois!) is quite good.

Egyptian cuisine combines many of the best traditions of African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, and is both delicious and healthy. Vegetables, meats and aromatic herbs and spices are combined to create colourful and flavoursome dishes.

Typically, a meal starts with soup made from pulses or beans, onions, tomatoes, and leafy green vegetables. A large helping of garlic or spices give them a kick. A dish of meats slow roasted with herbs, or fish stew accompanied by couscous or rice may follow. Meals are almost always served with salad, dips, and flatbread.

Desserts, particularly pastries made using figs, nuts, and dates and smothered in honey are common, as is yogurt.

Specialities:

Aish merahrah: Pitta-like flatbreads made with fenugreek seeds and maize flour.
Slow-roast meats: Chicken, lamb, veal and rabbit are all popular meats for slow-roasting with herbs. Served with rice or couscous.
Ful medames: Fava beans topped with hard-boiled eggs and sliced vegetables.
Babaganoush: Pureed aubergine dip.
Samak Makli: Fried fish considered a speciality of Alexandria.
Ful: Fava beans with lemon and herbs.
Molokheyya: Wild okra soup flavoured with a garlic and coriander.
Mahshi/Dolma: Vine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, tomato and sometimes beef mince.
Temayya: Spicy deep-fried mashed bean or chickpea patties. Egypt’s take on falafel.
Shawarma: Pieces of meat, often lamb, skewered, barbequed and served in a flatbread.
Koshari: Rice or pasta mixed with lentils, tomato and fried onion.
Mahallabiyaa: Rice pudding traditionally served cold and flavoured with rose water and sprinkled with spices such as nutmeg.
Kahwa: Thick, strong Turkish-style coffee.
Shay bil na'na': Tea served with a large sprig of fresh mint and plenty of sugar.
Karkaday: Bright red drink made from hibiscus flowers.
Aswanli: Dark beer made in Aswan, southern Egypt.
Zibib: Alcoholic aniseed-flavoured drink.

You should avoid uncooked vegetables and peeled fruit that may have been washed in tap water, and make sure any poultry or egg-based dishes, and any seafood or shellfish, is thoroughly cooked. Hotels and restaurants are generally safe to eat and drink in, but it is advisable to avoid street vendors.

Use only bottled water for drinking and, to be on the safe side, when brushing teeth. When buying bottled water, check the seal of the bottle is intact. A popular scam is for unscrupulous individuals to collect used bottles from rubbish bins, refill them with tap water, attempt a reseal and sell them as genuine clean bottled water. Also, avoid unbottled beverages and ice except in top hotels and restaurants. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled.

SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE

Tipping, known as baksheesh, locally, is an accepted part of the culture in Egypt. It is a way of showing your appreciation and will be welcomed by the recipient.

Here are some guidelines that you may find helpful:

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance from your travel agent. Health plans only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Your travel agent can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased.