Climate and weather
Egypt has a desert climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. The best times to go to Egypt are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November).
Clothing and dress code
Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, and compliance with the dress code is important. Women should wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees, and men should avoid short shorts. In tourist areas, the rules are more relaxed, but respect for the local culture is essential. In addition, the sun being very strong, it is preferable to wear light-colored clothes, made of linen or airy materials. I opted for dresses with sleeves and closed necks to protect myself from the sun, especially when I went on day trips.
Health in Egypt
It is good to get insurance in the country to benefit from their medical services in case you happen to feel unwell. Avoid drinking tap water and ice cubes, use only bottled water. At the hotel you will find water in refrigerators.
Currency exchange
The official currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). It is recommended to have cash, as not all places accept credit cards. You can exchange money at the airport, hotels or banks. It is also ok to buy a phone card at the airport, to use the internet and to talk in Egypt.
Transport
Egypt has an extensive transport network including buses, trains and the metro in Cairo. Taxis and Uber are also popular options. Traffic can be chaotic, with traffic rules often ignored. Road conditions may be poor in some areas.
Harassment and Scams
Tourists can be the target of common scams, such as fake guides or overcharging in markets and restaurants. Harassment of tourists by street vendors is also the order of the day. Avoid talking to them, and don't give them too many explanations because you will hardly get rid of their insistence.
Security in Egypt
Political instability and protests can occasionally occur, especially in large cities such as Cairo. There is a risk of terrorist attacks in certain regions of the country, especially in North Sinai. Avoid areas known for instability.
Egypt, a few words
Egypt is located in northeastern Africa and is largely dominated by the Sahara desert. About 94% of Egypt's territory is covered by the Sahara desert, one of the driest and largest deserts in the world. The official language is Arabic, and most Egyptians are Sunni Muslims. The capital of Egypt, Cairo, is located near the Nile Valley and is the largest city in the country. The Nile Valley and the Nile Delta are the two main areas of human settlement and development.
Egyptian Museum in Cairo
Egypt attracts through the history and treasures inherited from the time of the pharaohs, through the relics and art objects exhibited in the Museum of Egyptology in Cairo. With a remarkable history, with writings dating back to 3100 BC, the vast culture of Egypt is dedicated to its own museum. The Egyptology Museum is simply unmatched, with over 136,000 items on display, not to mention the several hundred thousand pieces in the basement. The museum is famous for the best collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world.
The Egyptian Museum houses the largest collection of Tutankhamun's treasures and relics in the entire world! Tutankhamun's 11 kg death mask and 110 kg sarcophagus - both solid gold and precious stones - are stored in the only room in the entire museum where neither photography nor filming is allowed. There are employees who stay in this room specifically to prevent tourists from taking any sneaky pictures. The collection includes the mummies of some of Egypt's most famous pharaohs, including Ramses II, Seti I and Egypt's only queen, Hatshepsut. In 2008, the Cairo Museum was moved to a new, huge location.
The pyramids of Egypt
The long-awaited day has arrived, that of the trip to the pyramids. Departure was at 3 o'clock in the morning, the bus picked us up from the hotel. At 9 o'clock in the morning I arrived in Cairo. I visited the Egyptology Museum and then the pyramids. The pyramids continue to amaze with their grandeur today. Located only 12 kilometers from the capital Cairo, they rise imposingly dominating the entire landscape.
The three great pyramids were named after the pharaohs: Cheops, Kefren and Mikerinos. The pyramid of Cheops is the largest, it impresses with its overwhelming size. When I got to the pyramid and looked at its top, it seemed incredible. It's colossal, and we can't help but wonder how people managed to build such an edifice.
The Great Sphinx of Giza
The Great Sphinx of Giza is a gigantic limestone statue depicting a lion with the head of a man, another wonder of the world. It is the largest sculpture of Antiquity, which has survived to this day, despite strong erosion. Facing the sun, the Great Sphinx stands patiently on the Giza Plateau, 10 km west of Cairo, on the west bank of the Nile, not far from the three pyramids. The monument is 20 m high and 73.5 m long.
One of the theories of the Sphinx is that the monument was built by King Khafra (2558 – 2532 BC), king of the 4th dynasty. The Sphinx lines up with the pharaoh's pyramid, believed to have been built to guard his tomb.
Luxor
Luxor or Thebes is the former capital of Ancient Egypt. The 4 main attractions of the Luxor site are: the Temple of Seti I at Gurnah, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahri and the Temple of Ramses II.
Once past the entrance to the temples, the huge statues representing Ramses II are revealed, majestically announcing the entrance to the great hall of the 124 columns. The tour of the temple continues through other alleys guarded by a host of other columns, statues, obelisks and pillars. An obelisk was given to France, it is in Paris in Place de la Concorde.
Valley of the Kings
It is a valley in Egypt where over a period of almost 500 years tombs were excavated for the pharaohs and nobles of the Egyptian New Kingdom. The valley is located on the west bank of the Nile, near the city of Luxor. A very interesting and captivating place. The ticket price for entering the Valley of the Kings costs 600EGP (€12). The ticket price includes visiting 3 tombs. After the pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings is certainly the most sought after and visited place in Egypt dating back to Antiquity.
Temple of Hatshepsut in Egypt
Hatshepsut is known as the first queen with absolute power in Egyptian history - the first woman to receive the title of pharaoh. Hatshepsut is regarded by contemporary Egyptologists as the most successful queen of the female pharaohs – she ruled the country longer than any other queen before and after her, 21 years.
Specialists believe that she reigned between 1503 AD and 1482 AD. Queen Hatshepsut had a peaceful and prosperous reign. She is considered "one of the most famous pharaohs" of the 18th dynasty. She built sumptuous temples and protected the borders of Egypt. The Temple of Hatshepsut – is actually the tomb of the most powerful female pharaoh in Egyptian history.
The imposing monument is located opposite the city of Luxor. It is considered a masterpiece of ancient architecture, with its three terraces emerging from the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
The long stone staircase leads up to the entrance to the temple. To get to the temple, you pass through three courtyards closed into each other. These three patios are surrounded by carved figures – guardian eagles, pharaohs, geometric patterns. Most of the sculptures depicting the queen were destroyed by her stepson and her successor to the throne.
Desert safari
As a rule, safari tours in Egypt can be found at most local operators, including at the reception of the hotel where you are staying. Such a trip includes either an ATV ride, a jeep ride (jeep safari), or a buggy ride. A safari trip can last between 2-8 hours, depending on the program you choose. We chose 2 hours just for fun, without visiting the Bedouin village, camel ride or oriental show. How do you dress for a Hurghada safari? First of all, with clothes that you can get dirty without too much regret or that you don't want to wear again on the holiday in question.
The best time for a safari in Egypt can be in the spring (March-May) or in the fall (October-November), because the temperatures are still pleasant, and during the day you will not experience the heat specific to the summer months.
