Tour Egypt: The Ultimate Guide

1. Characteristics Egypt

To make sure you are well prepared for your holiday and to plan your trip in advance, we have gathered all the information for a tour through Egypt for you. Discover the best time to travel and the special places you shouldn't miss.

2. Round trip Egypt: useful to know in advance

If you go on a tour through Egypt, you will be confronted with a different culture and customs than you might be used to. We like to list some things that are good to know in advance.

• You can't drink the water from the tap in Egypt. Therefore, use bottled mineral water.
• Prevent intestinal problems and, for example, do not eat raw vegetables.
• It is customary to tip restaurants, hotels and local guides.

3. Well prepared for trip to Egypt

If you are going on a tour of Egypt, it is important to be well prepared to go on holiday. Therefore, it is important to take a number of things into account.

3.1. Visa

You still have a visa for a holiday in Egypt. You can apply for this easily online. The visa is valid for 90 days and during this period you can stay in Egypt for a maximum of 30 consecutive days. Apply for your visa on time, the processing time is about one week. The costs for the visa are around €35. By the way, you have to be able to stay at least one night in Egypt when applying for your visa. And your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Egypt.

3.2. Vaccinations

If you are going on a tour of Egypt, vaccinations against DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) are recommended. Furthermore, a vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory if you come from a country at risk for yellow fever or if you have had a transit. Personalized vaccinations may also be recommended. It is recommended to make an appointment with a vaccination agency at least 4 to 6 weeks before your tour through Egypt to get information.

During a consultation you can go through your itinerary. If your vaccinations are recommended, they can often be fixed. The costs for the consultation and vaccinations depend on the location of the vaccination office. In general, you can expect to pay around €24 for the consultation, €29 for DTP and an average of €55 for a Hepatitis A vaccination. Also check your insurance policy, because in many cases these costs will be covered by your health insurance.

4. Security risks Egypt

If you are going on a tour of Egypt, it is good to know in advance that there is a risk of political unrest throughout the country. And that there is a risk of terrorist attacks. However, the security situation has improved in recent years. And the government is taking extra security measures.

Safety risks are reported in certain areas of Egypt. For the latest update, please check the travel advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is important to keep abreast of the latest developments on the ground. Hotel resorts are generally well secured. If you want to visit Luxor from Hurghada, the road is only open during the day. In the evening the web is closed to tourists because of security risks. Travel agencies have to ask permission from the tourist police in advance to use the road. We also like to share some tips to make a safe trip through Egypt.

• There may be protests against the government that can become violent. Avoid demonstrations and gatherings. Should you unexpectedly end up in a demonstration, it is advisable to leave the place immediately.
• There may be attacks in Egypt. Targets are often government buildings or churches. Be alert in the vicinity of these buildings and follow instructions from the authorities.
• It is punishable to make critical remarks about Egypt, the president, religion and security services. Also on social media.
• Women are in danger of becoming victims of sexual violence or love fraud (bezness). In this case, a man enters into a relationship with a foreign woman to take her money or for a visa. So beware of this.
• The rules for safety during activities such as water sports may differ from those in the Netherlands. It is a good idea to first check whether the organisation is recognised and known to be reliable.

5. Climate in Egypt

What is the best time to travel around Egypt? In principle, you can make a year-round round trip through this country. However, if you want to avoid the hot and dry summer months, the best time to travel to Egypt is during the Dutch winter season. Then you can enjoy temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees. There is little difference between the temperatures in the different places in the country. Egypt has a climate that can be described as desert climate. There is very little precipitation, the summers are hot and the winters mild. Within the same 24 hours there can all be large temperature differences. So it can cool down considerably in the evening. April to October are the hotter months in Egypt in which temperatures of 40 degrees in the shade are not strange.

If you are visiting a coastal town, you can enjoy a sea breeze which makes the high temperature more pleasant and bearable. Normally around the month of April in Egypt you have to deal with the khamsin every year - a very warm wind from the desert. This is often accompanied by a lot of desert sand in the air. If you suffer from sensitive airways or wear contact lenses, this hot wind can cause a nuisance.

6. Transport for an Egypt tour

If you go from the Netherlands to Egypt, the plane is the way to get there. You can fly to different places in Egypt. Frequently used are the airports of Sharm-El-Sheikh, Luxor, Cairo and Hurghada. The flight time for a direct flight will be between 4.5 and 5.5 hours. From the airport there will be a transfer to accommodations with large and small buses. If you have booked a package holiday, the transfer will be arranged in most cases. If you haven't booked an organized trip and would like to arrange your own transport on the spot, a taxi is in most cases the easiest way to get around. Make good price agreements in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises afterwards. You'll find that most taxi drivers speak quite good English.

To see Egypt it is recommended to book excursions. This is a wise choice, because it prevents you from having to manoeuvre yourself in the chaotic traffic. This entails some safety risks. There are many traffic victims every year. One of the reasons for this is the poor lighting on the roads. It is therefore not recommended to rent a car yourself, for example. If you do want to rent a car, please do so including the driver. He or she knows the road and is used to the local driving style.

To get from A to B, you can also choose the superjet bus. These are the best and fastest bus services in Egypt. These are usually equipped with airo. The extensive bus network brings you comfortably to the various major cities and seaside resorts. The disadvantage is that the timetable is normally only in Arabic. For example, ask a driver for help. They often speak reasonable English. Contrary to the bus network, the train network is not well maintained. Travelling by train is not pleasant and is therefore not recommended.

7. Sightseeing tour Egypt

If you go to Egypt, you probably want to see pyramids. Of course you'll find tips on how to do that in this top 16 with places of interest. But Egypt offers more. Discover the special places that you should not miss when you go on a tour of Egypt.

7.1. Egyptian museum

If you want to know everything about the history of the pharaoh's in Egypt, you should definitely visit the Egypt museum. The museum contains a collection of over 120.000 art treasures from Ancient Egypt of which a large part is exhibited. The museum is officially called the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and is located in the capital Cairo. You will find some of the greatest treasures from Egyptian antiquity in the museum. What about the contents of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and the mummy of Ramses II. Give your eyes a look and plan your visit so that you don't run out of time to see everything you want to see.

Since the current building of the museum no longer meets the requirements to preserve the various objects in the right way, a new building is being constructed. This promises to be an architectural masterpiece to offer visitors an unforgettable experience. The opening is expected media 2020

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7.2. Giza Plateau

7.3. Pyramids of Gizah

Not only are the Pyramids of Giza the most famous Egyptian pyramids, they are also the oldest structures of mankind. And as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, they are the only ones you can still see with your own eyes. The pyramids are named after the pharaoh who is buried in them. You'll be amazed at their grandeur. Around the royal graves you will find cemeteries of relatives of the pharaoh's and for example priests.

7.4. Pyramid of Cheops

The Great Pyramid of the Pyramids of Giza is that of Cheops. It offers an overwhelming spectacle. It is estimated that this pyramid has been under construction for about 20 years. It contains millions of stones, each weighing between 2000 and 3000 kilos. It's still not clear how the Egyptians were able to make these huge structures without modern tools. The pyramid has been the tallest building in the world for years. The other great pyramids of Chefren and Mykerinos are a bit smaller, but still enormous. You can view this pyramid from the inside, only visitor numbers are strictly regulated.

7.5. Sphinx of Giza

On the Giza plateau you will also find the Sphinx of Giza. This is the largest image of a sphinx in the world. The structure of the mythological creature with a human head and the body of a lion, stands with its back to the pyramid of Chefren. The sphinx is seen as the guardian of the kingdom of the dead. The Sphinx, carved out of rock, lies in a trench, where only the head rises above ground level. It has been excavated and restored several times.

7.6. Pyramids of Saqqara

Saqqara is a large cemetery (necropolis) from Ancient Egypt, located south of Cairo. Here you will find the Piramide of Djoser. Besides this pyramid 16 other kings of Egypt had a period built in Saqqara. Monuments for high civil servants were also built there. The stair pyramid of Djoser dates from the 27th century BC and was built for the Pharaoh Djoser. The pyramid was given the name stair pyramid because the design consists as it were of stairs. When the weather is clear you can see it from Cairo.

7.7. Mount Sinai

The Sinaiberg is known for its deep religious significance. It is the place where many believe God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. The mountain, including the monastery at its foot, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The St. Catherine Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai is known for its architecture. And the special location in the otherwise rugged landscape. You can climb the mountain from here. The climb can be experienced as difficult by some, but the view makes it definitely worth it.

7.8. Coral Reefs

There are several places in Egypt where you can discover the underwater world and the coral reefs. One of the most beautiful places is the Coral Reefs in Dahab. You will discover many coloured fish and the advanced divers can discover hidden caves. You will find many diving schools and providers of excursions along the beach that will take you to see the Coral Reefs. For example, you can ask your hotel or tour operator for advice to book a tour with a reliable party.

7.9. Ras Mohamed National Park

Flat near Sharm-el-Sheikh, a famous coastal town in Egypt, you will find the national park Ras Mohammed. It is located on the Sinai peninsula and also covers a large part of the sea. The area is the habitat for many important birds and animals, such as the nubian ibex. Ras Mohammed is considered one of the most beautiful diving spots in the Red Sea.

You can discover underwater life full of, for example, sea turtles and clownfish while snorkeling or diving. You can also find more than 200 species of coral in the sea off the coast. Ras Mohamed is surrounded by coral reefs from all sides of the sea. There is also a shipwreck in the park, which is considered one of the most beautiful wreck diving spots in the world.

7.10. White desert

Egypt also consists of desert landscape. And a special place to visit is the so-called White desert (Sahara el Beyda). The desert owes its name to the special white chalk cliff formations you find there. These were caused by erosion and sandstorms in the area. The desert was formed by the remains of microscopic marine animals. After the disappearance of the sea, the wind had free rein to form today's rock formations. You discover all kinds of creations in strange shapes that stand as pillars in the desert.

7.11. Ramesseum

The Ramesseum is a commemorative temple on the west bank of the Nile, above Luxor. Ramses II commissioned this large structure which is not only a death temple, but also a memorial that glorifies the king. In Ancient Egypt, the temple was used to make sacrifices to the good. After the death of Ramses, the temple was also given the role of a memorial.

The temple is decorated with several successful scenes of the king in the battlefield. It shows the most important events of the reign. There are also images of the family of Ramses II in the building. Over the years, several buildings of the Ramesseum have been demolished. Stones, for example, were reused in other buildings and several statues were destroyed or beheaded.

7.12. Temple of Amon

In Luxor you will find the largest temple complex in Egypt: the temple of Karnak. The main temple here is dedicated to the god Amon, the King of the Gods. The first constructions of the temple date from the period known as the Middle Kingdom. This is the period from 2040 to 1783 B.C. After that almost every pharaoh contributed to the complex. In fact, there was always additional construction. The temple of Amon stands on the spot where according to the Egyptian belief Amon created the world with his thoughts. Amon is a good that is associated with everything that exists. He is often depicted sitting on a king's throne.

The temple has been severely damaged over the centuries. Not only weather conditions have been to blame. People have also damaged the temple by, for example, using stones from the temple to build houses. Also treasure hunters and tourists have carved out pieces of relief or written their name on walls.

7.13. Luxury temple

Luxort Temple. This complex is situated on the east bank of the Nile and was built around 1400 BC. Unlike other temples in this region, the Luxor temple is not dedicated to any special god or pharaoh. The temple is dedicated to the rejuvenation of the kingship. Several pharaohs of Egypt were crowned here. To get to the temple, walk through an avenue of sphinxes with human heads. The entrance was once graced by two obelisks and 4 colossal royal statues. You can visit the Luxury Temple from early morning until evening. The complex rises as early as 6 am.

 

7.14. Sharm El Luli

Egypt doesn't just consist of pyramids to look at, of course. If you are looking for a secluded sandy beach and lagoon, you should go to Sharm El Luli. This beach and its coastline belong to the national park Wadi El Gemal. Here you can enjoy a special underwater world with an exotic marine life. The beach of Sharm El Luli contains some rocks and is flanked by coral reefs. The mostly calm lagoon contains crystal clear water. You can snorkel or dive very well here. Just keep in mind that on busy days visibility may not be perfect. This is because the sandy bottom can be stirred up by the many visitors.

7.15. Temple of Philae

On an island in the Nile, in the South of Egypt you will find the Temple of Philae. This temple complex is dedicated to Isis, the goddess of fertility. You can reach the island by boat. You have a view on the large temple. The temple contains several sanctuaries and tombs. Originally the Temple of Philae was not on the island of Agilkia, but on the island of Philae. However, in the sixties the Aswandam was built where Lake Nasser would arise. The temple would disappear under water. So a rescue plan was drawn up in which the temple as a whole was moved to the higher island. The landscape here was adapted so that it resembles the original site where the temple stood.

7.16. Aboe Simbel

In the south of Egypt, on the shore of Lake Nasser, you will find Aboe Simbel. This is an archaeological complex with two enormous Egyptian temples carved out of rock walls. It was commissioned by Ramses II in the 13th century BC to honour himself and his queen Nefertari. Remarkable features of the temple are the eight columns, each almost 10 meters high, of Ramses II. In front of the facade four high seated statues of Ramses were made of no less than 22 meters high. Between the legs of these statues are smaller statues. They represent Ramses' mother, his queen and several of his children.

The place where the temples are now is not where they were discovered. Like the Temple of Philae, these temples were moved in the sixties. This to prevent them from disappearing under water. The temples were rebuilt a few hundred meters away from the river. . .

8. Book a round trip to Egypt: compare accommodations and providers

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