If there is one destination that many tourists dream of, it is Egypt. Pyramids, mummies, the sphinx, hieroglyphics are a constant source of curiosity for most travelers. From Champollion to Napoleon until today, Egypt has a history of its own and which is out of the ordinary.
In addition, apart from the monuments, Egypt offers a breathtaking environment: the seabed of the Red Sea for scuba diving, the Sinai mountains for the dromedary desert, or the Nile for go back in history.
Traveling in the land of the pharaohs means not only discovering the remains of the most mysterious civilization of all time, but also going to meet a culture, a cuisine and a language different from our own.
To prepare for your Egypt tours and avoid surprises, it is important to know the following things:
The climate
In order not to die from the heat, it is strongly recommended to plan your trip to Egypt between mid-October and the end of April. Many tourist guides suggest leaving in March because the period is favorable to the winds of the sand. Egypt, like the rest of the planet, is suffering from climate change, and the Khamsin, this hot wind that comes from the Sahara, can also be rife in December.
Visa
You can get a visa for Egypt directly when you arrive at the airport for 25 dollars, or about 21 euros. French tourists can travel with their valid identity card or passport. Note that if you use your identity card, plan 2 photos because at customs they will affix the visa stamp on a loose sheet.
Culture
Although Egyptians are rather tolerant, the fact remains that we must not forget that we are in a Muslim country, and some inhabitants may be shocked when tourists wear clothes that are a little too bare, see suggestive.
What to pack in your suitcase?
For the hot season between mid-October and the end of December, and from April onwards, provide T-shirts, Bermuda shorts and light clothing. For cool nights, such as at the end of December when the temperature can drop to 4 degrees, bring warm clothes for the night.
Some places not to miss
Finally, once we’re ready to go, it’s good to know which places you shouldn’t miss:
- Cairo: obviously the capital is a must, but you can also go a little further towards Marsa-Matrouh, on the coast, not too frequented by tourists. The sea and the beaches are of rare beauty!
- South Sinai: like Sharm el Sheikh, Taba and Nuweiba offers a dream landscape with a turquoise sea suitable for beautiful dives or swimming with mask and snorkel.
- The Red Sea: with Hurghada and Safaga and further south Marsa Alam which is not yet invaded by tourists, there are still wild areas including mangroves.
- The Nile Valley: with Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and its wonders where you have to plan at least a week to be able to admire the ancient temples, the tombs of the pharaohs and exceptional archaeological sites.
- A Nile River Cruise: or on Lake Nasser between Luxor and Aswan, by felucca, these ancestral sailboats, or Nile cruises, or aboard floating hotels.
- The Libyan Desert: adventure seekers can spend the nights under the stars in the oases or for more comfort in eco lodges. Several archaeological sites are worth visiting in the Libyan desert such as the Museum of the Golden Mummies, the Hibis temple in Kharga or the necropolis of Kharga, to name a few.
Read More: ATTRACTIVE THINGS TO DO IN EGYPT
