Egypt

Egypt Flag

Why visit Egypt?

The destination for immersion into past times while enjoying ancient temples, bazaars, birdwatching, churches, culture, desert, history, monastery, monuments, museums, monastery, mummies, nightlife, pyramids, river cruises, shopping, scuba diving, tombs, and water sports.

Great Sphinx of Giza (

Giza Plateau)

, 

Giza, Egypt. Photo Credit: Cesar Salazar/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Brassware, carpets, clothing, copper ware, leather goods, mother-of-pearl inlaid wood, paintings, rag rugs, soapstone carvings, stationery, and water pipes.
  
• Local Cuisine to Try: Duqqa (condiment). Eish Baladi (pita bread). Falafel (deep fried breakfast ball). Fateer (oven-baked pancake). Feteer Meshaltet (pastry dessert). Kofta (meatball). Kushari (street meal). Mulokhaya (soup). Offal (organ meat). Rumi Cheese. Shwarma (sandwich).
  
• Local Drink to Try: Janzabil (spicy ginger). Sobia (sweet coconut milk). Tamr Hindi (chilled tamarind).
  

Kom Ombo (Ombos), Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. Photo Credit: DEZALB/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• During 2700–2200 BCE, many pyramids were constructed.
• During 1st Century (1 AD-100AD), Saint Mark, Evangelist brought Christianity.
• In 1517, conquered by the Ottoman Turks.
  
• In 1798, invaded by the French forces of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821).
  
• In 1854, sent their first telegram from Cairo to Alexandria. 
  
• Since 1865, Egypt Post is the country's oldest government institution.
• In 1869, the Suez Canal was completed after 10 years of building.
  
• In 1923, became independent from Britain.
  
• Largest  Arab country.
  
• Nearly 95% of the population lives within a few miles of the Nile's River.
• In ancient Egyptian, the country's name means black land suggestive to the fertile black soils of the Nile flood plains.
  
• Considered the driest and sunniest country in the world.
• Rise in sea levels due to Global Warming threaten Egypt's future coastal strip.
  
• Has the oldest continuous parliament tradition in the Arab world.
  
• United States provides them military assistance costing around  $1.3 Billion USD annually.
  
• Popular attraction, Giza Necropolis (Cairo) is only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.
• Russia is financing ($25 billion) their first nuclear power plant (El Dabaa). 
  
• Cairo Metro was the first of the metro systems in Africa and Arab world costing $12 billion EGP.
  
• EgyptAir is owned by the Egyptian government.
  
• Languages taught in school are English, French, German and Italian.
  
• Largest Christian population in the Middle East and North Africa.
  
• Considered the home of belly dancing.
• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world.
  
• For thousands of years natives have celebrated the ancient Spring Festival, Sham en Nisim.
• Their teas are exclusively imported from Kenya and Sri Lanka.
• Wines are made from grapes sourced from vineyards in Alexandria and Middle Egypt.
  

Mosque Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, Cairo Governorate, Egypt. Photo Credit: Pixabay

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (February) Abu Simbel Sun Festival, Aswan International Women's Film Festival, (March) Cairo Jazz Festival, (April) Sham al-Naseem, (June) Leylet en Nuktah, Sandbox Music Festival,
  (August) Arab Music Festival, (October) Siyaha Festival, Wafaa Al Nil, (November) Alexandria International Film Festival, (December) Cairo International Film Festival, and Sphinx Festival.
• Holidays: Christmas Day, Islamic New Year, Revolution Day, National Police Day, Sinai Liberation Day, Sham El Nessim, Labour Day, 30 June Day, Revolution Day, Armed Forces Day, Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
   

Valley of the Queens, Luxor Governorate, Egypt. Photo Credit: DEZALB/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• U.S. citizens should maintain a high level of vigilance throughout the country due to the threat of terrorism.
  
• Do not travel to Sinai Peninsula.
• High concentrations of World War II-era unexploded landmines still exist (Eastern Desert between Cairo and the Suez Canal, West of Alexandria, and Sinai Peninsula).
  
• Harassment of women with gestures to inappropriate physical contact, indecent exposure, and lewd comments are known to occur.
  
• A tourist scam is being offered a“free gift", however once accepted they demand money. 
  
• Local police or security forces do not require probable cause to detain, stop or question individuals.
• On days of worship (Friday and Sunday) business may have restricted hours or be closed.
• Public affection is not welcomed.
• Shopkeepers often reject faded, torn or wrinkled currency bills.
  
• Alcohol-free restaurants are common amongst strict Muslims.
  
• Local customs, one's left hand should never accept goods.
  
• Beyond tourist areas women should not wear short sleeve shirts. Dress modestly in loose fitting clothing. 
• "Upper Egypt" refers to the southern and "Lower Egypt" to the north of the country.
  
• Homosexuality is illegal, up to 10 years in prison.
  
• Drones are strictly prohibited.
• Local law prohibits the unauthorized removal of archaeological property sites and antiquities.
  
• Due to parasitic disease Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) do not stand or swim in the Nile River or its canals.
• Do not drink tap water.
• Sanitation is often considered below our standards.
• Ambulance services are not widely available. Emergency and intensive care facilities are limited. 
  
• Driving is extremely hazardous with disabled vehicles, impatient drivers, lack of working traffic lights, and respect to driving rules. 
  

Aga Khan Mausoleum, Aswan Governorate, Egypt. Photo Credit: Klaus Dieter vom Wangenheim/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000USD.

Sharm El-Sheikh (Beachfront Resort Town Area), Egypt. Photo Credit: koko sdcsdc/Pixabay 

Prone to sand and dust storms (March - April).

• Best Time to Visit: October - April
• Coolest Months: November - March
• Hottest Months: April - October
• Peak Season: December - February

Sinai Desert, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Photo Credit: Sabine Kulau/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Abu Mena, Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, Historic Cairo, Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, Saint Catherine Area, and Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley).

Nile River, Egypt. Photo Credit: Tamás Juhász/Pixabay 

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Medinet Habu Temple, Luxor, Egypt. Photo Credit: DEZALB/Pixabay 

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

Bazaar (Street Market), Egypt. Photo Credit: Ron Porter/Pixabay 

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.