Egypt Express 08 days and 07 nights

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Essentials: 

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Passport:

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Weather:

Egypt’s weather is quite varied with temperatures and climates differing from north to south. The climate is also largely influenced by the nearby Sahara Desert, which means that travelers can generally expect hot and dry conditions. The Mediterranean Sea tends to bring cooler temperatures in the north, while the heat of the south can become debilitating.

Summer spans June to August and is not always pleasant, especially in the south. Hot and dry, temperatures on the Mediterranean coast peak at 88°F and get all the way up to 122°F in Aswan in the south. Tourists who are in Egypt at this time should be particularly careful to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Winters provide some respite and are not particularly chilly. November to February conditions are overcast and mild with little rain, except on the coast. Temperatures drop no lower than 40°F country-wide, with the exception of the desert regions which can become bitterly cold at night.

March and April bring with them the khamsin wind. This hot and dusty gale can be unpleasant at its mildest and makes seeing Egypt’s ancient sites rather difficult. Coming straight from the Sahara Desert, winds can reach speeds of up to 93 mph, turning the sky dark and the houses orange.

Peak season in Egypt is in winter between November and February, which is reflected in both the crowds and the prices. Low season is in summer between June and August when

temperatures become completely unbearable. The best time to visit would be on the fringe months, February to March and October to November. During these periods, the weather is milder, the crowds have dissipated and the khamsin winds have not yet obscured everyone’s view.

Currency:

The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound. Each pound is divided into 100 piastre.When you’re buying currency for Egypt, look out for the currency code EGP. And once you’re in Egypt, you’ll see the symbol £ used to show prices.

You’ll find Egyptian banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 pounds and 5, 10, 25 and 40 piastre. Egyptian coins come in 1 pound and 1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 40 piastre.
Rate
1 Euro = 53.28
1 USD = 48.35

Most major credit cards are accepted by large hotels, restaurants and shops, including Diners Club and American Express. Currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change, hotels and banks (which tend to offer the best rates).
ATMs are found everywhere, even in small towns.

Tipping in Egypt is still standard practice, especially in the service industry. Tips, or baksheesh, can range from 5 EGP (<$0.50) to 100 EGP ($5.50), depending on who you are paying and where.

Egypt is largely cash-oriented, so pick up both large and small bills when you’re exchanging currency to make payments and tipping easier.

Restaurants and cafes are easier to figure out, with 10% to 15% of the bill being customary, and loose change is the norm for food purchases from street vendors. Higher tips are usually reserved for people who provide you with long-term services, such as drivers and tour guides. While you’re not required to tip delivery services, taxis, and ride-hailing apps, given the poor wages of gig-economy workers, many people do tip generously.

Tourists will quite literally be able to find everything under the sun. Egypt’s rustic markets have everything from authentic carpets and backgammon sets to leather goods and water pipes. Whatever you need, be it practical or novelty, it’s sure to be met in one market or another. Just remember that antiquities can’t be brought out of the country.

In Cairo, the best place to go shopping is by far Khan-el-Khalili. Located in the Islamic district, Khan-el-Khalili is the city’s famous medieval market. This labyrinth of a bazaar is filled with everything from cheap souvenirs and antique jewelry to aromatic spices. When in Alexandria, the best shopping is in the Attareen neighborhood where there are several small clusters of antique and handicraft stalls which offer a good bargain.

When shopping at local stores and the markets it is expected and encouraged to barter, but vendors are known for driving a hard bargain. Remember to be firm but polite, and a friendly smile doesn’t hurt either.

Vaccination:

While the standard of medical care in the larger cites is good, tourists are still advised to take out health or travel insurance. This is especially necessary for those headed to more remote areas in Egypt, where facilities are few and far between. Immunizations for the following are recommended: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus and rabies.

It’s recommended to steer clear of tap water throughout Egypt. To dodge any stomach bugs that might ruin your Egyptian adventure, avoid drinking tap water unless it’s filtered, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Pack a good water-filtering system or do like the locals and use bottled water.

While Egyptian cuisine is one of the country’s best assets, and the temptation to sample it every chance you get is understandable, some carts improperly store their food. It can be difficult to tell as a visitor, so it may be wise to opt for local shops instead. They often offer similar food but are generally safer to indulge to your heart’s content.

Trip Highlights:

The Nile River
The White Desert
The Black Desert
Pyramids of Giza, the only original remaining Wonder of the World
Tombs of Pharaohs in the Valley of Kings
Shop at one of Cairo’s many bustling street bazaars
Luxor Temples
Abu Simbel
Cairo
Aswan
Egyptian Museum
The Hanging Church
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali