All things dread Time: but Time dreads the Pyramids.
Anonymous, quoted by Harriet Martineau, Eastern Life, Past and Present
Egypt holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Egypt holiday, personal to you.
Egypt’s ancient monuments – the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings – may be the first few things to pop into your head when thinking about the country but there is much more to discover on a holiday here than just these.
While the vast majority of the country is arid desert, the waters of the Nile have created a green triangle at the Delta and lush foliage clings to the riverbanks along the Nile Valley. Taking a steamer or felucca upriver, you’ll pass by a rich tapestry of greens, yellows and reds, cultivated by generations stretching back more than 5,000 years. Along the way you’ll spot various structures that have irrigated the land over millennia, from pharaonic ’nilometers’ to the 20th century’s Lake Nasser reservoir, as well as numerous ancient relics.
The Western Desert is made up of large sand seas and open plains, though certain, watered sections have formed welcoming oases, such as those at Siwa, an eccentric town near the border with Libya. Over in Sinai, the land bridge that links Africa to the Middle East, the desert is characterised by a more rugged landscape of hills and narrow valleys. The Red Sea, between these two landmasses has fast become one of the destinations for diving thanks to the warm climate and prolific aquatic and coral life, as well as some ancient underwater cities at Alexandria.
And then, of course, there is the teeming metropolis of Cairo still to explore. Home to Tutankhamun’s treasures, it boasts one of the best museums in the world, while wandering the streets and alleys visitors are confronted with a vast wealth of interesting Islamic buildings, including mosques, tombs, schools and minarets.
Contact an Egypt expert to prepare a personal itinerary and a no-obligation quote.
Egypt facts
Capital: Cairo
Language: Arabic.
People: Egyptian, Berber, Nubian, Bedouin, Beja.
Religion: Sunni Islam, small Coptic Christian minority.
Size (sq km): 1,002,000.
Population: 80,335,036.
Population density/sq km: 80.1.
Etiquette
As a Muslim country, dress should be conservative. Visitors to ancient sites may have to pay fees to take photos.
Shopping
In Cairo go to Khan-el-Khalili where reproduction antiques, jewellery, spices, copper items and Coptic cloth can be found.
Food & drink
Foul (bean) based dishes, kebabs and seasoned chickpeas are popular. As are stuffed vine leaves, roast pigeon, grilled aubergines and humus (chickpeas)
International Airports
Cairo International (CAI) 22 km from the city, Alexandria-El Nouzha (ALY) 7 km from the city, Luxor (LXR) 5.5 km from the city, Sharm El-Shiekh-Ophira (SSH) 18 km from town.
Internal travel
Daily flights between main centres. A steamer service links Hurghada with Sharm el-Sheik in Sinai. Feluccas can be hired for sailing on the River Nile and regular cruises operate between Luxor and Aswan. Buses are common. There are good quality paved roads along the Nile Valley and on the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts. Motoring in the desert without suitable vehicles and a guide is not recommended. Taxis and car hire also available.
Red tape
Visas
(UK/US) Required.
Vaccinations
Hep. A, Hep. B, Malaria, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2.
Driving requirements
Insurance and an International Driving Permit required. A carnet de passage or deposit is needed if bringing own vehicle in. All vehicles, including motorbikes, must carry a fire extinguisher and red triangle.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 2 Lowndes Street, London SW1X 9ET, tel (020) 7235 9719, fax (020) 7235 5684, email info@egyptianconsulate.co.uk. US: 3521 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel (202) 895 5400, fax (202) 244 4319, email embassy@egyptembassy.net.
UK/US reps in Egypt
UK: 7 Ahmad Ragheb, Garden City, Cairo, tel (2) 794 0852, fax (2) 794 3065, email information.cairo@fco.gov.uk. US: 5 Tawfik Diab Street, Garden City, Cairo, tel (2) 797 3300, fax (2) 797 3200, email cairoircref@state.gov.
Currency
Egyptian pound (E£) = 100 piastres.
Finance
Credit cards and traveller's cheques widely accepted.
Business hours
Between 0900-1200 and 1600-2000. During Ramadan hours vary and shops often close on Sunday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Threat of terrorism in tourist areas, particularly the Sinai peninsular. Observe Islamic customs carefully.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 69.04, F 74.22.
Useful websites for travel
www.egyptianconsulate.co.uk, www.egypttourism.org, www.egyptembassy.net/ http://cairo.usembassy.gov/ www.egyptvoyager.com, www.touregypt.net/alex.htm, www.cairotourist.com.
Local media
Egyptian Gazette (daily) and the Daily News Egypt (daily) are English-language papers.
Tourist boards
UK: Egyptian House, 3rd Floor, 170 Piccadilly, London W1V 9EJ, tel (020) 7493 5283. US: 630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2305, New York, NY 10111, tel (212) 332 2570.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to Egypt. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific Egypt itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6562.
This popular Nile cruise allows you to explore the treasures of ancient Egypt in the company of local experts, with enough time to admire the views and soak up the atmosphere aboard the elegant MS Nile Premium....
The Sanctuary MS Nile Adventurer brings 5-star luxury to the timeless River Nile - a floating paradise with just 32 beautifully designed cabins, each with a Nile view. Three- and four-night itineraries are designed to show the best of Upper Egypt, cruising bet...
This 14-day holiday encompasses all that this ancient country has to offer; explore clamorous Cairo, gaze at the Great Pyramids and sail in luxury down the lifeblood of Egypt from Aswan to Luxor, finishing up with 5 days relaxing on the beach at the Red Sea re...
Fly to Egypt and transfer to embark the 5-star Oberoi Zahra river Nile ship... Price from £2549
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Enjoy a seven-night Egypt explorer holiday including three nights in Cairo and a four-night Nile river cruise on the new MS Farah, including all sightseeing ashore.... Price from £1299
More information »Enjoy a seven night Nile cruise on the new MS Farah, including all sightseeing ashore.... Price from £1065
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Warm all year. Hottest June-September. Nights cold in winter. Negligible rainfall, except on the coast. In April the hot, dusty Khamsin wind blows from the Sahara.
GMT +2.
Egyptian pound (E£) = 100 piastres.
Get foreign currency online