Egypt
Welcome to a majestic place of ancient monuments, rich historical tapestries of cultural & archaeological treasures.
In Northeast Africa, on the Mediterranean Sea lies the stunning country of Egypt. The colossal monuments of Ancient Egypt will never fail to astonish and the wonder of the desert is an invigorating experience not to be missed. The cool, turquoise waters rejuvenate the body and mind. A romantic cruise along the world's longest river will dazzle the senses and a first class getaway resort in the Red Sea Riviera is pure escapism. No place has the magic, mystery and pleasures of Egypt.
Located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe, Egypt is built around the Nile Valley, a very fertile land bordering the river and bounded by 2 seas: the Mediterranean Sea (to the north) and the Red Sea (to the east). The thin area on either side of the Nile was historically where 90% of the population settled To the east of the valley is the Arabian Desert, bounded by a high ridge of mountains. To the west is the Libyan Desert which stretches across the top of Egypt.
Sample Itineraries:
Key Facts
Geography
Egypt is 386,662 square miles all together with distances from east to west at 770 miles and from north to south at 675 miles. It is bordered by Mediterranean Sea on the North and the Red Sea on the East. The longest river in the world, the Nile River, goes right through the country and is the only river in Egypt including its two branches – The Rosetta and the Damietta Rivers. About 95 percent of Egypt is desert land that is divided into 4 main parts - The Nile Valley, The Arabian Desert, The Libyan Desert, and The Sinai. The Sahara Desert is the largest of the 4 deserts, covering more than two thirds of the country. The other deserts are the Libyan Desert, the Arabian Desert, and the Nubian Desert.
Electricity
Electricity in Egypt is 220 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Egypt with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.
Entry Requirments
A passport and visa are required. Tourists can obtain a renewable 30-day tourist visa on arrival at an Egyptian airport for a $15 fee, payable in U.S. dollars. Visitors arriving overland, holders of official or diplomatic passports, and/or those who previously experienced difficulty with their visa status in Egypt should obtain a visa prior to arrival. The Egyptian Embassy in Washington is currently requiring 7-10 working days to process official visa requests, an expedite letter from the Department of State notwithstanding, so it is incumbent upon all official travelers to submit their visa requests and passports to the Egyptian Embassy well in advance of travel. Proof of yellow fever immunization is required if arriving from an infected area.
Currency
The Egyptian Pound (EGP). It is divided into 100 qirsh or 1,000 Milliemes. Coins are also divided into Para or Piastre. 1 Para is equal to 1/40th of a Piastre. Banknotes are measured by 50 Piastre or in regular Pounds.
Climate & Best Time to Travel
The climate in Egypt is hot and dry and there are only two seasons which are winter (December through March), and summer (the rest of the year). The average temperature in the winter is between 55 and 70 degrees F. The average temperature in the summer is between 80 and 90 degrees F. In the summer the temperature can be as high as 110 degrees F.
Health
Medical care in Egypt falls short of U.S. standards. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo can provide a list of local hospitals and English-speaking physicians. Emergency and intensive care facilities are limited. The Egyptian ambulance service hotline is 123, but Egyptian ambulance service is not reliable. Avoid uncooked meat and vegetables especially poultry due to recent issues with “Bird Flu” and drink bottled water to avoid any bacterial or parasitic illnesses.