Passports and visas
Individual visas are required for most foreign nationals and obtainable on arrival in Egypt, there is no need to arrange one in advance for visitors from Europe, North America, Australia or New Zealand.
If you are taking our group flights we arrange for visas to be issued on arrival in Egypt. The cost is included in the tour price.
If you are not taking our group flights you need to obtain your own visa. The current charge for a visa on arrival at the airport is around US$20 or the equivalent in Egyptian Pounds.
Visa information can be obtained from the Egyptian Consulate in the UK on 020 7235 9777.
The telephone number of the Egyptian Consulate in Australia is (02) 9281 4844.
Participants on tours to the Western Desert, Sinai and middle Egypt need to submit a copy of the photo page of their passport in order for us to obtain permission to pass through desert check points. Please send us a clear photocopy by post or a scanned image by email no later than one month prior to departure.
We advise that your passport should be valid for at least six months from the start of the tour as this is now becoming a standard requirement, even if this information is not supplied by consulates.
We recommend that you take photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport and any visa in case of loss of the original documents. A set of passport photographs may also be useful.
The UK Identity & Passport Service advice line is 0870 521 0410, the e-mail is info@passport.gov.uk, and the website is www.ips.gov.uk 
Language
English is not widely spoken outside the major tourist areas, though is generally enthusiastically attempted along with any other European language.
Egypt is an Arabic-speaking country, and its Egyptian dialect is the most widely understood variant of Arabic in the Middle East, largely due to its successful film industry and influential media.
Arabic is divided into a spoken dialect and the Modern Standard Arabic used for writing. This written, more official version is based on the language of the Quran with rigorous grammar and one of the largest vocabularies of any language. The Arab world has a rich literary tradition, with Egypt playing a significant role in modern literary output.
Weather and clothing
Climate. Egypt has a hot, dry climate, though does have colder evenings, particularly in the desert areas. Alexandria and the north coast have a Mediterranean climate and suffer from cold and rain in winter months. Cairo is generally hot and smoggy – it is currently the most polluted city in the world. Upper Egypt and the desert are hot and experience very little precipitation. Please see the ‘Further Information’ specific to the tour you have booked for average temperatures.
Clothing. As our tours spend much of their time outdoors, it is best to wear loose, light clothing which covers the body to protect against sunburn. A sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential. As temperatures are cooler in the evenings and at night you are advised to bring a jumper and light jacket.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the excursions; closed shoes or trainers are best for the sand.
As many of the hotels we use have a swimming pool or mineral spring, you may wish to bring swimwear.
For the evening casual clothes are quite suitable, as dress is informal.
Egypt is an Islamic society and women should dress modestly.
Eating and drinking
Traditional Egyptian food is simple and wholesome, but some hotels and restaurants still tend to favour international cuisine, with varying degrees of success. We do make efforts to include as much authentic local food on our tours as possible.
Egypt’s national cuisine is largely based around salads, poultry, fish, lamb and beef. Despite having little understanding of vegetarianism, vegetarians fare well in Egypt due to the prevalence of salads and fresh vegetables. Meat is considered a wealthy person’s food so does not always feature on the menus of simpler cafes and restaurants. Pastries and desserts are much loved and generally excelled at, especially during Ramadan when sweet treats are an essential part of breaking the daily fast.
Egyptian meals are sociable events and the tendency is to overprovide as a sign of generosity. Serving multiple plates on the table of salads, breads and hot and cold dishes encourages a sort of dining camaraderie – everybody has to offer and accept dishes from one another, making a meal a shared group experience.
As a muslim country, alcohol is not to be found everywhere and tends to carry a slight stigma (and therefore higher price) where it is served. Egypt does produce its own wine and beer, however, and these are usually found at the top of the drinks lists in establishments serving alcohol.
Society
Women. Despite recent Islamisation, Egyptian women are usually spirited and many are well-educated. However, there can be no doubt that they are to a great extent defined by their sex, so tend to dress and behave in a more ‘feminine’ fashion than their European counterparts. Women are queens of the domestic sphere, and there can be no doubt who is in charge at home. However, in a courtroom a woman’s testimony still counts for half a man’s.
Men do regard themselves as occupying a higher role than a woman and are brought up more indulged than their sisters. Close interaction of men and women is frowned upon so men band together, forming close friendships and often hold hands in public. Due to rife unemployment, many men while away their days in coffee shops chatting, smoking and playing backgammon.
Foreigners should be aware of their behaviour towards members of the opposite sex in public; if in doubt, modesty is the best policy. Foreign women may find themselves the object of blatant advances from excited men hoping to find a westerner who lives up (or down) to his expectations.
Egypt displays a wide class spectrum from the super-rich, often from business in construction or oil, to the desperately poor. Of late the country has witnessed a growing percentage of middle class families. However, a more archaic attitude to class generally prevails – servants are fairly usual.
North-south divide. As in so many countries, Egypt’s stereotypical character is split into generalisations for the north of the country and the south (Upper Egypt). Life is more basic and less rigid in the south, Sa’idis (Nubians) are famous for their friendliness but find themselves the butt of many jokes (much in the Englishman, Irishman, Scotsman vein), while those from the north consider themselves more cosmopolitan and astute.
Attitudes and (in)action
Ma’alish. Egypt is the land of ma’alish – a phrase that loosely translates as “never mind”, employed whenever something does not go to plan or disappoints. The fact that it is surprisingly useful is as indicative of the frustrating nature of daily life as of the general good humour of Egyptians.
Bokra, inshallah, fi’l mishmish. Tomorrow, God willing (fi’l mishmish is very hard to translate, it means “in the apricot”). A tongue-in-cheek phrase used to procrastinate. Egyptians know themselves and their own nature well, and are happy to poke fun at their national character while living up to it.
As mentioned earlier, favours and rewards are very important to Egyptian culture, and following on from this, general procedures, bureaucracy and logistics work on a much more personal level than in Europe. Official protocol is never as important a factor in getting something done as who you know or how you ask. This freedom from the mechanics of a procedure is a mixed blessing bringing both frustration and a sense of liberty of the individual.
Egyptians are emotional and are not afraid of bombastic displays of friendship or gratitude. Long, warm greetings are exchanged between the most tenuous of aquaintances and showing good hospitality is paramount to the national character.
Money
The currency is the Egyptian pound, known locally as the guinea (pronounced guin-neih). Egyptian pounds are available at most larger Post Offices or bureaux de change, alternatively we recommend you take sterling, US dollars or Euros in cash to be changed locally. The maximum amount of Egyptian Pounds you are permitted to bring into or out of Egypt is 5,000 (approximately £440 but check www.xe.com for latest exchange rates).
Once in Egypt you can change money at the larger hotels.We advise against travellers cheques as they are no longer widely accepted. The lecturer and guide can give further advice about where to exchange money. There are a number of cash points (ATMs) in the major cities and some hotels. However, we recommend you bring sufficient currency to more remote areas. You should aim to change money early on in the tour and will find that small denominations of Egyptian pounds are very useful.
Credit cards are only accepted in a limited number of places but it is usually possible to use them in major souvenir shops and hotels.
Alcohol in hotels is expensive so you may like to buy some duty free on your way into Egypt.
Shopping in Egypt. Outside the fixed-price shops, haggling is the norm. One generally tries to pay a third or a half of the original price offered, and the local guide will always be happy to advise and assist. Some shops in main sites are tourist traps and should be avoided, such as the Luxor Museum bookshop. In more upmarket boutiques you may find yourself being closely followed by an attendant, this is in case you need any help or wish them to carry your intended buys while you shop.
Tipping (baksheesh). Egypt functions largely on a basis of favours and rewards; when considering whether, or how much, to tip, the key is to think about what help or service you have received. Many visitors are annoyed by blatant pleas for baksheesh for very little or no service and it is fine to ignore or rebuff these ruder demands. However, many are also impressed by the eagerness to assist that some Egyptians demonstrate. Do not be afraid to ask for help or favours, and do reward any good service done for you. Tips range from a 1 guinea note for a toilet attendant, 5–10 guineas for waiters at cafes and beyond that to roughly 10% of the main charge paid. It is considered good manners to make a show of refusing tips – a Middle Eastern habit, it is typically done up to three times or until pressed to accept by the grateful party.
Politics and economy
The recent demonstrations and unrest in Egypt that culminated in the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak marked one of the most remarkable and dramatic passages in the country’s modern history. Mubarak, in power since the assassination of Sadat in 1981, was deposed after 18 days of mass demonstrations amid growing food prices, stagnant wages, high unemployment, widespread corruption and human rights concerns. Despite a series of concessions and the appointment of a Vice-President, Omar Suliman, the anti-government demonstrations achieved their objective of deposing the President on Friday 11th February, exactly four weeks after the fall of Tunisia’s ruler Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
Following the President’s decision, the Egyptian parliament has been dissolved with the Egyptian Higher Military Council, led by Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, currently in charge of the country. Widespread calls for there to be a lift on emergency law, in place since 1981, and for a date to be set for open and fair elections continue, both nationally and internationally.
Egypt used to typify the Middle Eastern presidential republic, where the people vote yes or no for an individual rather than a party. This often led to landslides in favour of the ruling candidate, with victories of less than 80% rare. In 2005 Egypt brought in multi-party elections, which represents a step towards a more Western style of democracy. However, the only party other than the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) with popular support is the extremist group the Muslim Brotherhood who were banned from political activity, ensuring all elections effectively remained a one horse race. With neither Hosni Mubarak nor his son Gamal to run for candidacy, the future of Egyptian politics remains highly unpredictable.
Egypt continues to enjoy an influential position in Middle Eastern politics and harbours good international relations aided by its idiosyncratic mix of rich history, importance as a tourist destination, Islamic institutions, relations with the West, media industry and geographic location. Its economy is the second largest in the region after Saudi Arabia, and has strong resources in petroleum, cotton and, of course, tourism.
Health
Stomach upsets. Visitors to Egypt are often afflicted with stomach trouble. You may wish to bring sufficient supplies of your preferred remedy; rehydration salts such as Dioralyte are particularly recommended. Tapwater in Egypt is fine for washing and brushing teeth, but is generally highly chlorinated and treated, so is not for drinking. Outside Cairo it is best to be wary of ice in drinks and food that may have come into contact with tapwater. The most effective combattant of stomach trouble is to keep cool and properly hydrated.
Pharmacies and doctors are readily available in larger cities and are generally efficient and well-equipped. Caution is recommended, however, as medicines tend to be stronger than their EU-regulated equivalents.
At times participants will be far from modern medical facilities – please consider whether this is an issue for any existing medical conditions.
There are mosquitoes in places so it is essential that you bring good repellent.
For more information about medical treatment abroad and staying healthy while travelling we refer you to www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or a document entitled Live Well: travel health online at www.nhs.uk/healthcareabroad. There is also country specific advice on this webpage. The Department of Health no longer produces hard copies of these documents.
Vaccinations. None is mandatory but you may wish to discuss these requirements with your doctor or practice nurse. Advice can change.
Courses or boosters usually advised for Egypt: diphtheria; tetanus; poliomyelitis; hepatitis A; typhoid.
Vaccinations sometimes advised for Egypt: tuberculosis; rabies; hepatitis B.
Source: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
We refer you also to:
• www.nathnac.org National Travel Health Network and Centre
• www.masta-travel-health.com (There is no central number, so details of your nearest clinic would have to be obtained locally or from the website.)
• The London Hospital for Tropical Diseases Travel Health Information line, telephone 020 7950 7799. You will be asked to enter a two-digit code for information specific to Egypt, which is 22. To make an appointment at the Travel Clinic call 020 7388 9600.
First Aid. Our tour leaders do not have first aid training. However, they do carry a basic first aid kit. They are not permitted by law to administer medication.
Safety and security
Although the crime rate in Egypt is low, valuables not actually required, documents of no use during the tour (driving licence, library tickets) and items of sentimental value should be left at home. Do not leave passports, money or other valuables in your hotel room except in the safe. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: spread your money and cards around.
Although pickpocketing is rare, Egypt is becoming ever more renowned for street hassle. Visitors often find themselves the object of unwanted attention in touristic areas from pushy vendors, begging children or unnecessary offers of assistance. While there is not much one can do to avoid such irritations, a firm refusal or refusal to acknowledge are the best forms of defence.
Terrorism. Egypt has suffered several terrorist attacks in the past few years. These have generally targeted tourist and conference hotels around Sharm el-Sheikh or political objectives in Cairo. Bandits crossing from the Sudan are also becoming a problem in the far south-west, on one occasion graduating from theft to hostage-taking. It is normal practice in Egypt for a member of the tourist police to accompany visitors outside towns or cities. They can seem stern but respond well to friendliness, and always appreciate a free lunch (which we generally provide – more on the importance of hospitality later in this leaflet). Security checks at hotel entrances have become increasingly common in recent years and convoys are usual practice for some journeys outside towns or cities. These usually consist of a car or motorbike at the front and rear of coaches or cars. Sometimes it is simply an armed guard accompanying the group.
Up-to-date Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel Advice is available at www.fco.gov.uk, or by telephone at their travel Advice Unit on 0845 850 2829.
Seatbelts. If coaches or cars are fitted with seatbelts please wear them.
Insurance
We must stress that private travel insurance – with adequate cover for medical treatment, repatriation and cancellation – is a condition of booking with us. Please register any existing medical conditions with your insurance provider.
Miscellaneous information
Photography: camera restrictions vary from site to site and change constantly, even instantly with the production of some baksheesh. The guide asks every time the group enters a site.
Electricity: 220 volts AC (as in the UK). Plugs are standard Continental two-pin.
Shops and banks: shops are usually open daily from early morning to late evening in towns/sites frequented by visitors. Egyptian-owned banks usually open Monday-Thursday 8.30–14 & 17–20. Some also open on Saturdays at these times and on Sundays from 10–12. Foreign banks usually open Monday-Thursday 8.30–13 and sometimes on Sundays.
Hotel check-out. This can be a lengthy procedure in Egypt and may take longer than you expect. Where possible, please try to settle your account the night before you depart from each hotel.
Local Guides. In Egypt all visitor groups are usually accompanied by a qualified local guide. Usually guides are the only people allowed to talk on site and foreigners trying to do so can be reprimanded by the 'tourist police'. The lecturers on our Egyptian tours therefore give formal lectures in the hotels and talks on the coach. They contribute on site where this is appropriate and possible. In the interests of conservation, lecturing is sometimes forbidden inside certain sites.
Water shortage. Throughout the Middle East there is a growing and often critical shortage of water. Tourists are rarely exposed to the consequent discomforts, but please be sparing in your use of water.
...Qualification
The necessary brevity of these paragraphs has resulted in some crass stereotyping. There are of course exceptions to every rule. Meticulously planned and led by expert, companionable lecturers, our small-group tours to Egypt explore the many remarkable archaeological sites of this fascinating country. 
We visit places as renowned as Luxor, Abu Simbel, Denderah and Giza on our guided tours. Egypt’s lesser known sites are also on our itineraries, including St Catherine’s Monastery on Mt Sinai, the spectacular Roman ruins of Um el-Dabadib in Deserts & Oases, and not forgetting Cairo, with its unrivalled Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Our guided tours to Egypt include the outstanding royal tombs at Tell al-Amarna and the fossils site of Qasr Sagha in the Exploring Middle Egypt tour.

Deserts and Oases

• Traverse the vast deserts west of the Nile and visit verdant oases which are almost unchanged.
• There are many archaeological remains scattered through the desert; there is also time in Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor.
• Most travel is by modern-day caravan: new 4x4s with an accompanying desert chef. 

28 Feb–12 Mar 2012

14 days

£4,350

INFO. & BOOKING

Ancient Egypt

• A comprehensive introduction to Pharaonic Egypt visiting the principal sites from Giza to Abu Simbel.
• A full and busy tour but it avoids rush and allows time to contemplate and absorb.
• A well-planned land tour makes much better use of time than a Nile cruise.

24 Sep–5 Oct 2012

12 days

£3,840

INFO. & BOOKING

Sinai

• An exploration of Christianity and monasticism in Egypt.
• Talks on its long and varied history and a visit to St Catherine’s Monastery.
• A wilderness experience in sublime desert landscapes – only for those who are fit and have stamina.

13–21 Oct 2012

9 days

£3,400

INFO. & BOOKING