Traveling to Egypt

Climate

Egypt essentially has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh). The climate is generally extremely dry all over the country except on the northern Mediterranean coast which receives rainfall in winter. In addition to rarity of rain, extreme heat during summer months is also a general climate feature of Egypt although daytime temperatures are more moderated along the northern coast.

Prevailing wind

The prevailing northwesterly wind from the Mediterranean Sea continuously blows over the northern coast without the interposition of an eventual mountain range and thus, greatly moderates temperatures throughout the year. Because of the effect, average low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) in wintertime to 23 °C (73.4 °F) in summertime and average high temperatures vary from 17 °C (62.6 °F) in wintertime to 32 °C (89.6 °F) in summertime. Though temperatures are moderated along the coasts, the situation changes in the interior, which are away from the moderating northerly winds. Thus, in the central and the southern parts, nighttime temperatures are very hot, especially in summers where average high temperatures can exceed 40 °C (104 °F) like in Aswan, Luxor, Asyut or Sohag which are located in the deserts of Egypt.

Sand Storms

Every year, sometime from March to May, an extremely hot, dry and dusty wind blows from the south or the southwest. This wind is called khamasīn. When the flow of dry air continuously blows over vast desert regions, it picks up fine sand and dust particles and finally results in a dusty wind which is generally felt in the periphery of the desert. When this wind blows over Egypt, it causes high temperatures to soar temporarily at dangerous levels, usually over 45 °C (113 °F), the relative humidity levels to drop under 5%. The khamasīn causes sudden, early heat waves and the absolute highest temperature records in Egypt.

Rainfall

Egypt receives between 20 mm (0.79 in) and 200 mm (7.87 in) of annual average precipitation along the narrow Mediterranean coast, but south from Cairo, the average drops to nearly 0 millimetres (0.00 inches) in the central and the southern part of the country. The cloudiest, rainiest places are in and around Alexandria and Rafah. The sunshine duration is high all over Egypt, ranging from a low of 3,300 hours along the northernmost part in places such as Alexandria to reach a high of over 4,000 hours farther in the interior, in most of the country.

Mountainous areas

Some mountainous locations in Sinai, such as Saint Catherine, have cooler night temperatures, due to their high elevations. It usually snows on the Sinai mountains, but it almost never snows in the cities of Giza, Cairo, and Alexandria. For example, in December 2013, Cairo received a single overnight snowfall for the first time since 1901.

Geography

The geography of Egypt relates to two regions: North Africa and Southwest Asia.

Egypt has coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea, the River Nile, and the Red Sea. Egypt borders Libya to the west, the Gaza Strip to the northeast, Israel to the east and Sudan to the south. Egypt has an area of 1,002,450 km2 (387,050 sq mi) which makes it the 29th largest country in the world.

The longest straight-line distance in Egypt from north to south is 1,420 km (880 mi), while that from east to west measures 1,275 km (792 mi). Egypt has more than 2,900 km (1,800 mi) of coastline on the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Suez, and the Gulf of Aqaba. It has an Exclusive Economic Zone of 263,451 km2 (101,719 sq mi).

Egypt is divided into 28 governorates, which include two city-governorates: Alexandria (Alexandria Governorate) and Cairo (Cairo Governorate). There are nine governorates of Lower Egypt in the Nile Delta region, ten of Upper Egypt along the Nile river south from Cairo to Aswan and five frontier governorates covering Sinai and the deserts that lie west and east of the Nile river.

Egypt is predominantly desert. 35,000 km2 - 3.5% - of the total land area is cultivated and permanently settled. Most of the country lies within the wide band of desert that stretches eastwards from Africa's Atlantic Coast across the continent and into southwest Asia.

Egypt's geological history has produced four major physical regions:

Nile Valley and Nile Delta

Western Desert (from the Nile west to the Libyan border)

Eastern Desert (extends from the Nile Valley all the way to the Red Sea coast)

Sinai Peninsula

Despite covering only about 5% of the total area of Egypt; the Nile Valley and Nile Delta are the most important regions, being the country's only cultivable regions and supporting about 99% of the population. The Nile valley extends approximately 800  km from Aswan to the outskirts of Cairo. The Nile Valley is known as Upper Egypt, while the Nile Delta region is known as Lower Egypt. Steep rocky cliffs rise along the banks of the Nile in some stretches, while other areas along the Nile are flat, with space for agricultural production. In the past, flooding of the Nile during the summer provided silt and water to make agriculture possible on land that is otherwise very dry. Since the construction of the Aswan Dam, agriculture in the Nile valley depends on irrigation. The Nile delta consists of flat, low-lying areas. Some parts of the delta are marshy and water-logged, and thus not suitable for agriculture. Other areas of the delta are used for agriculture.

Environmentally Friendly Tips

The following are a few simple tips that require very little effort on your part but which will help ensure that any effect you have on the countries you visit is positive rather than negative.

Don’t prejudge: Things overseas will almost certainly be different. That doesn’t make them worse or inferior, just different. Communicat

e: Don’t expect locals to speak your language. Take the trouble to learn a few words or phrases of the local language. Don’t worry about sounding silly. Most locals are patient and accommodating and appreciate you making the effort to communicate in their language. Conserve energy: Be careful not to waste valuable resources. Use local resources sparingly. Switch off lights, air-conditioning when you leave the hotel room and don’t waste water. Remove superfluous packaging: Remove packaging from newly acquired items before leaving home. Don’t litter: No matter how untidy or dirty the country you’re traveling in may look to you, avoid littering, as there is no need to make it even worse than it already is. Choose environmentally friendly products: By using environmentally friendly (bio degradable) sun creams, shampoos and detergents you can help keep the rivers and seas (and therefore the water supply) free from pollution.

Respect local cultures and traditions: You may find that what is acceptable at home may be offensive overseas. Local people tend to be extremely welcoming, especially if visitors display respect for their values and traditions. It’s important to follow dress and behaviors guidelines (your tour leader will help). Don’t attempt to bring back materials, plants or animals:

Don’t buy animal skins or coral; they look much better where they belong – on the animal or in the sea. Be careful not to damage wild plants or disturb wildlife. Dispose of toilet paper properly: Many countries lack modern plumbing systems so when a rubbish bin is situated by the toilet, please deposit all used paper into that bucket rather than the toilet bowl! When going to the toilet ‘in the wild’ please burn or bury all toilet paper.

Electrical Adaptors

Buy an electrical adaptor for your mobile phone, camera and other electrical equipment before you leave home, as adaptors can be difficult to find in Egypt.

All appliances require a double round pin type plug for 220 volts AC, 50-hertz.

Please bear in mind that star ratings utilized in Egypt are not directly comparable with the European standards

Language

Egyptian language is Arabic.

Below you will find some important phrases that will make your travel easier:

English                                                                    Arabic

Hello                                                                      Marhaba

Good morning                                                     Sabah al khaer

Good evening                                                      Masa al khaer

Goodnight                                                           Tesbah ala care

Thank you                                                            Shukran

Please                                                                   Men fadlak

No thank you                                                      La Shokran

How are you?                                                     Ezzayak

How much?                                                         Beekam?

My name is ----                                                   Ismy ----

What is your name?                                          Esmak ay?

Accommodations

Please bear in mind that star ratings utilized in Egypt are not directly comparable with the European standards. The hotel selection is 5, 4 and 3 star locally rated and the main criterion in the hotel selection process is Cleanliness, private bath-room facilities, usually but not always air-conditioning and central location. Your Tour Leader will organize the rooming arrangements when checking into the hotels.

Nile Cruise Ship

On the Nile Cruise Ship there is ample deck space, a large sundeck with a swimming pool

and a spacious shaded seating area with its own bar. It is here you will witness the most

fabulous views of the majestic River Nile. Open Buffet meals are served in the air-conditioned

restaurant and there is a lounge bar where you can enjoy your evening listening to music or

playing cards. The air-conditioned twin-bedded cabins each have a private en-suite bathtub,

shower, toilet and sink. The rooms offer a large panoramic view of the river.

Nile Felucca

Feluccas are a traditional Egyptian sailboat that have sailed the Nile for thousands of years. They are simple sailboats with no engines and no onboard washroom facilities. There is a single deck on which you can stretch out during the day under a shade awning. Each felucca sleeps 6-8 people and is crewed by a Captain and a Deckhand,

Both of whom have grown up along the banks of the Nile. As well as being experienced sailors, they cook up some of the finest in simple vegetarian cuisine. You may be served a lunch of Egyptian style bread, white cheese, hummus and tomatoes or a dinner of pasta with fresh vegetables and tomato sauce. The deck is covered with mattresses and cushions where you will sleep side by side across the boat. Blankets will be provided if you are not traveling with your sleeping bag. Towels and toilet paper are not provided so be sure to pack as if you were camping.

FELUCCA SIGHTS

Itinerary:

Board the Felucca in Aswan. Enjoy the Nile scenery while sailing down the Nile. The Captain will dock for washroom breaks, meals and overnight. There will be a campfire along the banks of the Nile where you can relax and enjoy some traditional Bedouin music in the evening. Spend the night on the Felucca.

Begin sailing in the early morning. The boat will sail all day stopping for breaks along the way. Spend the night on the Felucca.

In the morning you will check off the Felucca and meet your local guide to visit Kom Ombo temple. Next you will be transferred by van to Edfu temple with your guide.

MOUNT SINAI SAFARI

Itinerary:

*Be sure you have taken a nap before this excursion as you will not be sleeping on the mountain this night. Bring easy walking shoos and torch (falsh light) food and drinks for the hike because you will need energy along the way.

Depart from Dahab by bus around 10pm for the 2.5 hour trip to the base of Mount Sinai. Begin climbing the mountain at night by the light of your flashlight and the moon. There are no washroom facilities along the route so bring toilet paper with you. You will reach the peak before sunrise (2285 m high) and witness the spectacular view from the top.

Descend the mountain until you reach St. Catherine's Monastery, (opens at 9am), and spend 1 hour there. Return by bus back to Cairo.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SITES

Cairo

The heart of Egypt for more than 1000 years, Cairo embodies all things Egyptian. It's in Cairo where the medieval world and the contemporary western world come together in a confusion of brick houses and towering modern office buildings, of expensive cars and donkey-drawn carts. Nobody really knows how many people live in Cairo, but estimates put it at about 16 million and the city's many squatter camps and slums accommodate around 5 million people. Housing shortages are common and the traffic is chaotic, but the government has begun a campaign to ease these pressures by opening an underground metro system and constructing satellite suburbs.

Islamic Cairo (which is no more Islamic than the rest of the city) is the old medieval quarter, and stepping into its neighbourhoods is like moving back six or seven centuries. This is the most densely populated area of Egypt, and probably the whole Middle East. Districts like Darb al-Ahmar are full of tiny alleyways, mud-brick houses, food hawkers, goats, camels and donkeys. The streets are lined with mosques and temples, and the air is filled with the pungent smells of tumeric and cumin, animals and exhaust. Some of Islamic Cairo's highlights include the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, dating from the 9th century and the city's oldest intact and fully functioning Islamic monument; the 15th century Mosque of Qaitbay, considered the jewel of Mamluk architecture; Al-Ashar Mosque, the keystone of Islam in Egypt; and the Citadel, an awesome medieval fortress that was the seat of Egyptian power for 700 years. The Citadel has three major mosques and several museums.

Coptic Cairo was originally built as a Roman fortress town. Pre-dating the founding of Islamic Cairo by several hundred years, it was home to one of the worlds first Christian communities and is also a holy place for Jews and Muslims. The sole remaining section of the Fortress of Babylon includes two towers which were built in 98 AD. They originally overlooked an important port on the Nile before the river changed course. The Coptic Museum at the foot of the towers explores Egypt's Christian era from the years 300 to 1000. The stunning collection includes religious and secular art, stonework, manuscripts, woodwork, glass and ceramics.

Giza is located on the west bank of the Nile and takes in an 18 km radius that includes the

Great Pyramids. The pyramids are one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and are still

a truly overwhelming sight. They have survived the rise and fall of great dynasties and

conquerors, and share the flat desert surrounds with the Sphinx and a number of smaller

pyramids and temples.

Pyramids

Great Pyramid

How it was built is a question that may never be answered. Herodotus said that it would have taken 30 years and 100,000 slaves to have built it. Another theory is that it was built by peasants who were unable to work the land while the Nile flooded between July and November. They may have been paid with food for their labour.

The flooded waters would have also aided in the moving of the casing stones. These stones

were brought from Aswan and Tura and the water would have brought the stones right to the

pyramid. This pyramid is thought to have been built between 2589-2566 BC. It would have

taken over 2,300,000 blocks of stone with an average weight of 2.5 tonnes each. The total

weight would have been 6,000,000 tonnes with a height of 140 m. It is the largest and the

oldest of the Pyramids of Giza.

Cheops

Not much is known about Cheops because the tomb was robbed long before archaeologists came upon it. Any information about him was taken with the objects inside the tomb. He is thought to have been the ruler of a highly structured society and he must have been very

wealthy. He was buried alone in this massive tomb. His wives may have been buried nearby in smaller mastabas.

Chephren

On Cheops' southwest diagonal is the Chephren (Khafre). Although it is smaller, a steeper angle results in the illusion that they are the same size. The notion that this was done on purpose to out-do his father is without question. As it occupies the central point, (it has the illusion of greater size), and still has some of its casing stones intact, it is frequently misreferred to as the Great Pyramid. This is something that would no doubt please Chephren were he to know about it.

Sphinx

In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a human head and a lion's body. The name "sphinx", (which means "strangler"), was first given by the Greeks to a fabulous creature which had the head of a woman, body of a lion and wings of a bird. The Sphinx appears to have started in Egypt in the form of a sun god. The Egyptian sphinx is usually a head of a king wearing his headdress and the body of a lion. There are however sphinxes with ram heads that are associated with the god Amun.

Step Pyramid

Across the great court of the pyramids complex of Zoser, (2667-2648 BC) the second king of the 3rd Dynasty, stands the Step Pyramid, It is located at Sakkara close to modern day Cairo and is believed to have been created by one man, Imhotep. He has been called Doctor, Sage, Architect, Astronomer and High Priest. During an excavation in 1924-26, a pedestal of a statue of Zoser was found. This complex represents the first major work in stone. On the Pyramid, most of the outer casing is gone. In some places the core masonry has disappeared as well. It is obvious there were different stages of construction.

Citadel of Saladin

One of Cairo's most popular tourist attractions is the Citadel, located on a spur of limestone that had been detached from its parent Moquattum Hills by quarrying. The Citadel is one of the world's greatest monuments to medieval warfare as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo's eastern skyline. Particularly when viewed from the back side (from north) as it reveals a very medieval character.

Mohamed Ali (Alabaster) Mosque

Designed by the Greek architect Yussuf Bushnaq, the Mohamed Ali Mosque in the Citadel was begun in 1830 (finished in 1857) in the Ottoman style by Mohamed Ali Pasha (ruler of Egypt and founder of the country's last dynasty of Khedives and Kings). The mosque is the Tomb of Mohamed Ali and is also known as the Alabaster Mosque because of the extensive use of this fine material from Beni Suef. Its two slender 270 foot minaret are unusual for Cairo. From the arcaded courtyard, visitors have a magnificent view of the Sultan Hassan, Ibn Tulun Mosques as well as Cairo itself. Perhaps because of its location, it is one of the most frequented mosques by tourists.

The Hanging Church

The hanging church (El Muallaqa, St. Mary) derives its name from its location on top of the southern tower gate of the old Babylon Fortress with its nave suspended above the passage (Muallaqa translates to "suspended"). It is the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo as well as the first building in Basilican style. It was probably built during the patriarchate of Isaac (690-92), though an earlier church building may have existed elsewhere dating as early as the 3rd or 4th century. By the 11th century AD, it became the official residence of the Coptic patriarchs of Alexandria. The church, which measures 23.5 meters long x18.5 meters wide x 9.5 meters high, can be reached by 29 steps. It became known to travelers during the 14th and 15th centuries as the "staircase church" because of these steps, which in turn lead to an open court.

UAswan

Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city, has long been the country's gateway to Africa. The prosperous market city straddles the crossroads of the ancient caravan routes, not far above the Tropic of Cancer. In ancient times it was a garrison town known as Swenet,

(meaning "trade"), and was also important to the early Coptic Christians. The main town and temple area of Swenet were located on Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile, (the

island known then known as Yebu, and later renamed by the Greeks). The temples and ruins here are not nearly as well preserved and impressive as those elsewhere in the country but there are other good reasons to visit. If you're not "tombed out", a visit to the history, art and Nubian culture from the Tombs of the Nobles is worthwhile, and a highlight is the Nubian Museum, showcasing history, art and Nubian culture from the prehistoric to the present. The Nile is glorious here as it makes its way down from massive High Dam and Lake Nasser. Enjoy watching the feluccas glide by as the sun sets over the Nile. It is an experience you are unlikely to forget.

The world famous High Dam was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960's. It contains 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The Dam is 3,600 m long x 980 m thick at the base x 111 m tall. Today it provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt and together with the old Aswan Dam, built by the British between 1898 and 1902. From the top of the 3.2 km long High Dam you can gaze across Lake Nasser, the huge reservoir created when it was built, to Kalabsha temple in the south and the huge power station in the north.

The Island of Philae, measuring 457 m from north to south and 146 m from east to west, was the center of the cult of Goddess Isis and her connection with Osiris, Horus and the Kingship during the Ptolemaic period of Egyptian history. It is covered with temples, courts and ancient structures of one kind or another. The banks of the river are largely built up with quay walls and high terraces.

Before the High Dam was built, the temples and structures on Philae were flooded each year from December to April and had to be visited during this time by boat through the passage of Kiosk of Trjan and into the court of the Temple of Isis. In the 1970's, the architectural structures of the original island were moved to their present position on the Island of Agilkia, to the northwest. When Philae was going to be flooded by the construction of the High Dam, the new location was carefully landscaped to make it resemble Philae as closely as possible.

Luxor

Built on the site of the ancient city of Thebes, Luxor is one of Egypt's prime tourist destinations. People have been visiting the magnificent monuments of Luxor, Karnak, Hatchepsut and Ramses II for thousands of years.

Luxor Temple

Luxor temple was built by Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1390-1352 BC) on the site of an older temple built by Hatchepsut and added to by Tutankhamun, Ramses II, Nectanebo, Alexander the Great and various Romans. Excavation work has been under way since 1885.

Karnak Temple

Karnak describes a vast conglomerate of ruined temples, chapels and other buildings of

various dates.They are a spectacular series of monuments that were the main place of

worship in Theban times. They can be divided into three categories; the Amun Temple

Enclosure, which is the largest; the Mut Temple Enclosure on the south side; and the Montu

Temple Enclosure. Theban Kings and the god Amun came to prominence at the beginning of

the Middle Kingdom. From that time, the temples of Karnak were built, enlarged, torn down,

added to and restored for more than 2000 years. The Open Air museum is located to the

north of the first courtyard across from the sacred lake and houses hundreds of artifacts that

were discovered in the floor of Karnak temple.

Temple of Hatchepsut

The mortuary temple of Queen Hatchepsut is one of the most dramatically situated in the world. The Queen's architect, Senenmut, designed it and set it at the head of a valley overshadowed by the Peak of the Thebes, (the "lover of silence" where the goddess presiding over necropolis lived). A tree lined Avenue of Sphinxes led up to the temple and ramps led from terrace to terrace. The porticoes on the lowest terrace are out of proportion and colouring with the rest of the building. They were restored in 1906 to protect the celebrated reliefs depicting the transport of obelisks by barge to Karnak and the miraculous birth of Queen Hatchepsut.

Valley of the Kings

The lonely statues of the Colossi of Memnon are the first things most people see when they arrive on the West bank, through the Valley of the Kings. The West bank includes the spectacular tombs of Nefertari and Tutankhamun, the main attractions. From Thutmose I (18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom period) all the kings and occassionally high officials were buried in the secluded wadi (dry gully), which is today called the Valley of the Kings. The Valley is actually composed of two separate branches. The main eastern branch is where most of the royal tombs are located. In the larger, westernly branch, only a few tombs were cut. The Valley is hidden from sight, behind cliffs which form the backdrop to the temple complex. Through the most direct route to the valley is a rather steep climb over the cliffs. There is a much longer, shallower route existing along the bottom of the valley. This was quite possibly used by funeral processions, pulling equipment by sledges to the rock-cut tombs in the Valley.

Hurghada

Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century and until a few years ago remained a small fishing village. Today it has become the foremost tourist resort of the Coast and an international center for aquatic sports. If it takes place in or on the water you can do it here; windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming and above all diving or snorkelling. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous among divers. The warm waters here are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which can also be observed through glass bottom boats. Hurghada is one of the biggest resort destinations on the Red Sea. It has a beautiful crescent shaped bay, rugged mountains and excellent beaches. The main attraction is a nearby coral reef-one of the finest in the world. Local dive centers accommodate both snorkelers and scuba divers. Just 5 km north of town is the Marine Museum. It has excellent marine life displayed so expect to spend at least 2 hours discovering the museum.

Dahab

Dahab is located 85 km north of Sharm el Sheikh which is on the Gulf of Aqaba near the southern tip of Sinai. It is a small Bedouin village with some of the top dive spots in the world. Dahab means "Golden" in arabic and it truly manages to surpass its name. It boasts excellent accommodations and beachfront restaurants, turquoise sea, swaying palms and golden sand. About 10 km from the town is the famous Blue Hole for scuba diving and snorkelling. Towards the Israeli border is the Island of Coral where the Crusaders built a fort and the remains can still be seen today.

St. Catherine's Monastery

Located at the foot of Mount Moses, St. Catherine's Monastery was constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian between 527-565. It is a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art, including Arab mosaics, Greek and Russian icons, Western oil paintings, wax paintings, fine sacerdotal ornaments, marbles, enamels and chalices.

Mt. Sinai

After 8,000 years at the heart of history, experience the continuing contrasts. Sinai is where rock meets coral reef and the desert stops at the sea. It is the grandeur of granite meeting golden beaches. Here you will discover rare birds, spectacular sunsets and starry nights. There is still speculation about which mountain exactly is Mount Sinai. Mount Moses, with ancient St. Catherine's Monastery at it's foot, is traditionally considered to be the peak that Moses climbed.

Thank you! Thank you for choosing to travel with Timeless Egypt. We wish you a fantastic trip.