Extensions to Southern Egypt and the Red Sea!
Extend your experience of Egypt with a sightseeing trip to Luxor, Aswan and points in between while you cruise the Nile River on a beautiful 5 star ship...or relax on the beaches of Sharm El Sheikh at the spectacular Red Sea, take a diving course or snorkle till your heart's content!
PASSPORTS
You will need an official passport, valid AT LEAST 6 months past the END of your travel dates to qualify for an entrance stamp into Egypt. You must also have at least one blank page available in your passport, for which the visa stamp will be asfixed.
VISA STAMP
Many countries (including the USA and Canada) may purchase the Visa Stamp upon arrival at the airport. The cost is around $15 USD (must be paid in dollars). You can also apply and receive your visa stamp before arriving by sending your passport plus application for visa to the nearest Egyptian Consulate or Embassy in your country. You need one available page in your passport.
CHECK ALL VISA/PASSPORT/ENTRANCE information on your own before making travel arrangements to be sure there have been no changes.
MEDICAL & TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is highly recommended that you carry full medical coverage insurance to cover hospital and any other medical expenses (check to see if coverage you may already carry in your country is valid in Egypt, and if so, at which locations). There are many types of travel insurance to cover flight cancellation, trip cancellation, lost luggage, etc. One source is www.travelguard.com.
HEALTH & FOOD CHOICES IN EGYPT
Be prepared for a change from your regular diet. It often takes your body a little time to adjust to the different food, water and weather. Therefore, bring some Imodium to stop possible diarrhea and stomach pain, and a general anti-biotic (Cipro). I recommend visiting your general practitioner and letting them know you will be traveling to Egypt. They may suggest certain vaccinations and/or prescriptions based on the most recent reports form the World Health Organization. Most things you could need are available here but please bring any necessary medicines/prescriptions you are already taking with you. Regarding the water in Egypt: please do not drink tap water or use it for brushing teeth (though it is chlorinated it can still cause stomach upset). Bottled water is very inexpensive and available everywhere. Play it safe. Bring vitamins & electrolyte supplements as I don’t recommend eating fresh salads in Egypt, or any uncooked or unpeeled veggies/fruits. Steamed veggies & cooked meats are fine and usually bacteria-free. Egypt is suitable for vegetarians, though you may find fewer choices at mealtime.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARDS & ATMS
Egypt is quite reasonable in terms of daily expenses, though luxuries can become rather expensive depending upon the degree to which you chose to luxuriate. Recently the US Dollar has fallen against all currencies, including the Egyptian Pound or "guinea" (LE), though it is still considered one of the desireable currencies in the country. You can check the up-to-the-minute exchange rate at www.xe.com. Credit cards are widely accepted in restaurants, clubs and at some shops - however keep in mind that many of the costume designers DO NOT accept credit cards. ATM's are widespread, and there is one located directly across from your hotel. However, you can only withdraw up to 2000 LE per day in most cases. I recommend, in addition to your ATM debit bankcard and one or two credit cards, bringing your dollars with you which you can place in the hotel safe for good-keeping. I DO NOT recommend bringing Travelers Checks to Egypt. Relatively few places cash them and they can be quite a hassle.
NOTE: BE SURE to tell your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling in Egypt and they should expect to see charges from there on your account, otherwise they could freeze your account if they see activity from the Middle East. I also recommend brining more than one credit/bank card in case one does get frozen or lost.
WEATHER
The northern half of Egypt tends to be cool in the early part of the year, until March...warming up in April, warmer still in May, with a very hot and humid summer June through September. Please check weather predictions and pack/plan accordingly. One source is www.weather.com.
CULTURE
The “work” week is generally Sunday through Thursday. The weekend is Friday (this is the Muslim holy day) and Saturday (though many places are open Saturday that may not be open Friday). Coptic Christians hold Saturday and Sunday as their weekend generally. Etiquette: Please - when visiting places of religious significance, dress appropriately. You should have your legs and shoulders covered and be prepared to leave your shoes at the entrance of any mosque (you may want to bring socks). In general, it is acceptable to be congenial but not overly, for a woman to a man (stranger) situation, and do beware of the touts that will offer you assistance at sometimes the most inopportune moments. It is fine to tell them you are not interested and ask them to go away. If you find someone following you offering you guide services, perfume, papyrus, this-or-that, you should tell them you’re not interested (unless you are, in which case, good luck – these folks can be real clingers!) and that you are with a friend who lives in Egypt and you have everything you need.
Tipping is a way of life in Egypt. Everyone tips everyone, and Egyptians also tip each other. It is normal to tip our drivers and archeological guide at the end of the tour a token amount as recognition for their great service. However, also, on a day-to-day basis, there are situations you may find someone waiting for a tip for a service provided (for instance, when you use the toilet in an establishment or marketplace, an attendant might offer you toilet paper – take it - use it - and tip her LE 1). “Porters” are everywhere offering to help you carry your bags from shopping, etc – if you use their service, tip them. This is a cultural “duty” in Egypt - please carry appropriate change for these services.
CLOTHING
What to wear? During the day, casual clothing is fine. Comfy pants, shirts and shoes are perfect (short sleeve shirts are fine – but definitely bring long sleeve light sweaters/shirts too). Smart casual goes for evening and some nighttime events, but be prepared with “dressy” clothing for nightclubs and the like. So, bring your casual conservative clothes, your dressy clothes and heels and bring some things in-between. Don’t bother bringing shorts for Cairo unless you want to wear them inside your hotel room, or like being stared at (but DO bring them if you’re going on the Nile cruise or to the beach i.e. Sharm el Sheikh), and do bring that go-anywhere black dress as well as make-up and toiletries you like from the states (as you may not be able to get them in Cairo). Also bring sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Yes, bring your bikini/swimsuit – especially if you want to go to the beach! (There are pools we can visit also).
ELECTRICITY
Electrical current in Egypt is 220 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin round plugs are standard. Buy an electrical adaptor for your camera and other electrical equipment you may be bringing before you leave home.
CONTACTING HOME
E-mail is the easiest way to stay in contact with family and friends, and an Internet Café can be found across the street from your hotel; there is also wireless internet in our hotel. International phone cards are readily available for use from a public phone. The best option for telephone calls is to have your loved ones call you at the hotel (morning is best before 9 am) – this will be the easiest way to stay in contact with your family. On my website is my contact number in Egypt: 010 558 2273 - this can be used as an emergency contact number for you while you are here. This is a mobile number and I can be reached here any day between 10am and 1am Cairo time before, during or after the tour. Cairo time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from last Friday in April to last Friday in September). Please be sure your contact(s) in the states have this as an emergency contact number for you while you’re here. Once you are settled in your hotel room you will be able to give them your direct line here as well.
Dialing Egypt from USA: 011 2 (plus the phone number).
Example, to dial my phone: 011 2 010 558 2273
SHIPPING ITEMS HOME
If you buy more than you can carry home in your luggage, you can easily send packages from DHL which is locted just around the corner from your Hotel in Cairo. There is also Fed-Ex and UPS options if you prefer, though not as conveniently located. I recommend bringing two large suitcases on the tour, no matter how much stuff you bring here, you will want as much space as possible on the way home...as you will probably be toting lots of souveneirs, costumes, etc.