If you’ve ever dreamed of witnessing the magnificence of the Great Pyramids, standing in awe before the Great Sphinx, or reveling in the treasures found in King Tut’s tomb, the magic of Egypt awaits you. You can tour Egypt for an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
Whether you want to cruise the Nile in the style of Cleopatra or visit the Valley of the Kings, a Cairo program tour may be just the thing to fulfill your dreams. If your tastes lean toward adventure travel, a Cairo tour may mark the beginning of a journey that will include, for example, a diving excursion in the Ras Mohammed underwater nature reserve or a trek to a desert Bedouin Camp.
A Cairo museum tour will enchant you with the breathtaking antiquities of ancient Egypt, while retaining the services of a Cairo travel guide will allow you to experience the beauties and mysteries of a city from a local perspective.
If you have an interest in Egypt’s ancient Holy Lands, you can travel Cairo and see the Red Sea and visit Old Cairo, where early Judaism and Christianity flourished.
While you’re in Cairo, photo travel adventures await. You’ll want to bring plenty of film – or extra storage cards for your digital camera – when you visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Saint Serguis Church, the Great Citadel begun by Saladdin, and the Mohamed Ali Mosque, also known as the “Alabaster Mosque.”
In Cairo, Egypt, travel can mean entering a time machine and visiting the sites of a wondrous and mysterious civilization, or enjoying very modern activities and amenities such as golf, cruises, and even bowling. You’d be doing yourself a disservice, though, if you didn’t learn at least a bit about ancient Egypt before booking a Cairo, Egypt tour.
VISA: A Visa is required. Contact Egyptian Consulate or a Visa Service. Jewelry, electrical gadgets, cameras, must be listed with your cash/travel checks on your CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORM D {given to you on the plane). KEEP THIS FORM. It will be collected upon departure.
CURRENCY: The Egyptian Pound (LE)…IO0 Piasters (PT} to the Pound. Money can be confusing – some bills are identified only in Arabic. Pound Bills are 20,10,5,1/2, 1/4. Piaster coins are 10(1.), 5(0), 1(10), 1/2(5). There are also PIASTER BILLS. You’re not supposed to take Pounds out of Egypt. It’s chaotic to try to re-exchange it. SPENT IT! Most shops accept US $.
TEMPERATURE: Cairo Mar 75, Apr 83 Luxor/Aswan Mar-Apr 86-97 but, a dry heat.
Spring is best time to visit (Mar and April). Hot in summer. Expect lots of flies and mosquitoes.
CLO’I’HING: Light colors {beiges) are best to reflect the sun. Arabs do not like to see shorts but they’re OK on the Nile cruise. Sandals are not recommended in the desert. Sunglasses, a brimmed hat, sunscreen are essential. Carry a bottle of water.
BANK HOURS: 9-1, except Fri/Sat. SHOP HOURS: Hours vary. Check.
FOOD: MASHI is a delicious vegetable dish. FOOL is the staple – a dish of Fava Beans in a thin sauce. SHAKSHOUKA is a fine chopped lamb mixed with tomato sauce. KUSHERI is noodles,lentils,chickpeas,with a thin gravy. DO NOT BUY FROM VENDORS. DO NOT EAT ANYTHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN COOKED. Food is quite GOOD and tasty!
DRINK: DO NOT DRINK WATER ANYWHERE EXCEPT CAIRO, WHERE IT IS CHLORINATED. Beer and Coke are OK. Wine is very good. “Tut’s revenge” or “mummy tummy” is quite prevalent. Better take along Lomitil or Imodium AD .
TIPPING: Everyone expects a tip. Tip according to the service – 25-50 PT. Add 10% in restaurants to the INCLUDED service charge. Agree on a price before getting into a taxi. That price includes the tip. OK to add more. Porters 25-50 PT bag. Plus everyone else…
INOCULATIONS: None required BUT, do check with your doctor for his recommendations.
MISCELLANEIOUS: Cairo has power failures. There will be candles in your room. Respect Muslim customs. Remove your shoes before entering a mosque. Bargain and be firm with street vendors. Be on guard for the overly friendly Egyptian who approaches you on the street. He will have something to sell. If you see a companion cornered, go over and take their arm, “We must get back to the group”. Flying time from LAX-CAIRO is 15 1/2 hrs…from JFK 10 1/2, from London 4 1/2, from Paris 3 1/2. Recommend arriving in late afternoon and going to bed.
FREE MAPS and INFORMATION: Contact the Egyptian Tourist Authority, 8383 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 215. Beverly Hills, Ca. 90211. {213) 653-8815.
Some other things to know before you go:
According to the U.S. State Department, a passport and visa are required to visit Egypt. Although renewable, 30-day tourist visas are available for US$15 upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, if you’re arriving overland, you should obtain your visa prior to your arrival in Egypt.
Egypt has close to 79 million residents, and Egypt’s size is approximately three times the size of New Mexico.
The official language of Egypt is Arabic, although French and English are widely spoken and understood.
Egypt is bisected by the fertile Nile Valley, which spurs Egypt’s economy.
The currency is the Egyptian pound, and the exchange rate in 2005 was 5.78 Egyptian pounds per U.S. dollar.
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, with the right tour, Egypt will enchant and engage you, drawing you in to its ancient mysteries.