Egypt
Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs. Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza’s colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor’s hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs.
The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities. Its capital city is Cairo. Its official currency is the Egyptian pound and its official language is Modern Standard Arabic.
Why Egypt?
History, mysticism, monuments, surreal waters, golden sand beaches, remarkable architecture and natural therapies.
THINGS TO SEE & DO IN EGYPT
Pyramids of Giza
Nile Cruise in Aswan
White Desert
Tomb of Ramses VI
Temple of Karnak
Abu Simbel Temple Complex
Dendera Temple Complex
Abydos
Egyptian Antiquities (Museum)
The Heavenly Cathedral
Luxor Temple
Typical Costs When Travelling
Accommodation – The main tourist centres offer a broad spectrum of accommodation, with everything from luxury palaces to homely pensions and flea-ridden dives. Even in high season, in Cairo, Sinai or the Nile Valley, you should be able to find something in your preferred range. Elsewhere, the choice is generally more limited, with only basic lodgings available in some towns and cities. Cairo is generally more expensive for accommodation of all types.
Food – There is no chance that you will go hungry when holidaying in Egypt. In fact, quite the opposite when the local cuisine is centered around beans, stews, bread and cheese. Many of the dishes are vegetable-based given that it is difficult and expensive to raise livestock in Egypt. This is also attributed to the fact that majority of the population follow the Muslim faith and pork is not included in any traditional fare either.
Kushari is one of the specialties of Egypt and it can be found in the streets of Egypt. It is made with rice, macaroni, onions, chickpeas and tomato sauce. Some restaurants also put together half with rice and half with macaroni.
Transportation – If you prefer to go it alone and explore the sights at your own pace, taxis are the most comfortable, reliable and quickest option, especially in areas where public transport doesn’t reach. Caleches are the horse-drawn carriages that you’ll see in cities like Luxor and Aswan. Feluccas are traditional wooden sailboats that cruise the Nile. They are a lovely, relaxing way to experience this important waterway and take in the views of the impressive sites that line its banks.
Suggested daily budget – Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).
Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 751 EGP (24.31 USD) to 921 EGP (29.8 USD). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 1877 EGP (60.74 USD) to 2340 EGP (75.74 USD). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.
Money Saving Tips
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Accomodations
The price of accommodation depends on the facilities inside the room, generally varying between EGP 200 and EGP 500. The room usually has two beds, and many hotels are equipped with TV, available for general and payment TV programs, and the phone plug can be connected to a laptop. Slippers and toothbrushes are not provided in budget hotels. Hot water will be charged for room service. Tip is expected by the bellman, usually USD1 per piece of luggage or per room.
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Language
The official language of Egypt is Arabic. Due to historical reasons, English and French are also widely used in Egypt. Most tourism operators, drivers and petty dealers can speak simple English. It is important to note that almost all Egyptian signs are in Arabic and that you are advised to learn some simple native languages ahead of time, especially the Egyptian Arabic numbers, which will help a lot when you are shopping.
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Food
The Egyptian diet is as diverse as the country's social and historical structure. Almost each dish is deeply influenced by Greek, Lebanese and French cuisine. There are three main types of restaurants in Egypt: Western restaurants mainly provide French food; Middle Eastern restaurants serve everything from Egyptian to Levant (mix cuisine of Egyptian, Turkish, French and other countries); a few specialty restaurants serves Greek, or Chinese dishes. Although Egyptian food is rich in variety, most food is related to sweet and meat products. Moreover, beer and wine are only allowed in bars and restaurants.
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Shopping
Shopping in Egypt is one of the best ways to learn well about the country. Most of Egypt's department stores have fixed prices for goods, while one needs to bargain at fair trades.</p>
<p>Local specialties: various spices, silk scarves, glassworks, Koshari, coffee, soft sweets, scented tea, nuts, dried fruit, carpets, glass ware…Recommended markets: Egypt Market, Cairo Khan EL-Khalili, Luxor souks
My Must Have Guides For Traveling
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What can I expect from Egypt?
Egypt contains some of the oldest, grandest sites in the world. Sure, everyone is familiar with the great pyramids on the Giza Plateau, but there is a lot more to Egypt than just the pyramids. The lesser known and more fun to visit pyramids in Saqqara and Dahshur are well worth the day trip from Cairo. You can also spend a day or two visiting the churches and mosques in Cairo, walking through Old Cairo, and getting a history lesson at the Egyptian Museum.
Alexandria, with its location on the Mediterranean Sea, makes a nice day trip from Cairo.
In Luxor, not only can you visit the exquisitely decorated tombs of the ancient kings and queens of Egypt, but there is also the enormous Karnak Temple and the Temple of Luxor. The West Bank contains so many tombs and temples that it takes days, yes days, to see all of them. It is one of the largest open air museums in the world.
Another important thing to remember is that the accommodations will deny any currency other than Egyptian pounds because it is illegal. Few of the higher-end hotels might insist on it, but be careful to involve yourself in anything that smells trouble.
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