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The cradle of ancient civilisations, Egypt

has a wealth of archaeological vestiges,

many of which remain to be discovered, not

to mention the many resorts and activities

to be found on the Red Sea and along the

Mediterranean coast.

This guide is intended to be clear and

practical, though it is far from complete. It

is a tool you can use to create and package

your own travel offers. Egypt has such a

variety of attractions for tourists, that

there is something of interest for everyone.

The Egyptian Tourist Authority has created

this guide for professionals along with the

travel agents' trade and press website

awaiting you at www.trade.egypt.travel .

Egypt Still has a lot to offer.



BACKGROUND INFORMATION

CULTURE

BEACHES AND NIGHTLIFE

GOLF

DIVING

DESERT AND ADVENTURES

SPIRITUAL DESTINATIONS

SPA AND THALASSOTHERAPY

BUSINESS TOURISM

GASTRONOMY

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

BAZAARS AND SHOPPING MALLS

ACCOMMODATION

USEFUL INFORMATION

LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE ADDRESSES



Introduction

Egypt is the cradle of major civilisations: Pharaonic,

Greek, Roman, Christian and Islamic, with a very long

history. Traditionally tourists visiting Egypt have limited

their excursions to the Pharaonic sites of the Nile Valleyand Cairo. Today, Egypt caters for all types of visitors

with all types of expectations.

The Red Sea coast in Egypt is a great all-year-round

destination for family holidays and sports enthusiasts, as

temperatures are very pleasant in winter. The mythical

Sinai and the desert to the west of the Nile are perfect fortrekking, 4x4 adventures, hiking and desert safaris. As for

leisure activities, Egypt offers many theme vacations, for

instance, golf, diving and thalassotherapy, as well as

multi-activity holidays, combinations of culture, water

and sports attractions, not to mention unforgettable

cruises on the Nile.

Egypt’s many grand hotels and high-quality leisure facili-

ties make it a popular destination for business tourism

(meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions).

Felucca ballet on the Nile

Cairo, city of “a thousand minarets

and a hundred domes”

Edfu, bas-reliefs in the Temple of Horus



Concise information on Egypt as a destination:

• Political and socialThe Arab Republic of Egypt is a democratic state. Islam is the state religionbut there is also a sizable population of Coptic Christians. Egyptians enjoy

freedom of thought and religious freedom. Executive power lies with the

President of the Republic who is now elected by popular vote for a six-year

term. Legislative power lies with the People’s Assembly, whose members are

mostly elected, but some of whom are also appointed by the President.

• Economy“The GDP grew by nearly 5% in 2005… Moderate inflation, low unemploy-ment, an export surplus, and fairly equal distribution of income characterize

this solid economy". Half of the active population works in agriculture,

but only 4% of the land is arable. Industry is centred around textiles and

agro-foods. Tourism is an important source of foreign currency.

• PopulationThe largest ethnic group (80% of the population) descends directly from

Egyptians of the Pharaonic Era. Other groups are the Sinai Bedouinsoriginating from Arabia, Western desert Bedouins in oasis settlements,

between Alexandria and the Libyan border, the Siwa oasis Berbers and

the Nubians, south of Aswan. Ninety percent of Egyptians are Sunni

Muslims but Christian religions include the Coptic Church 9%), Catholic,

Maronite and other eastern religions (1%).

• GeographyEgypt stretches across the extreme north-east of Africa and includes

the Sinai Peninsula. It has 995 km of Mediterranean coastline and

1,942 km of Red Sea coastline. Egypt is divided naturally into fourregions: the Nile valley, the Sahara to the West of the Nile, the

Arabian desert to the East of the Nile and the Sinai Peninsula

beyond the Suez canal. Outside the tourist zones, Egypt displays an

amazing contrast between bustling towns (Cairo has a population of

more than 17 million) and the austere, peaceful country regions, set

in their ancient ways.

• The NileA mythical and life-giving river, the Nile crosses Egypt from South

to North, from Lake Nasser on the border with Sudan right to its

250 km wide delta on the Mediterranean coast. The Nile valley is

divided into three zones: Lower Egypt to the North, Middle Egypt

and Upper Egypt to the South. The river is navigable for much of its

length in periods when the water level is high.

A PORTRAIT OF EGYPT TODAY

Upper Egypt, horse-drawn carriage at Luxor



Worth seeing in CairoCity of contrasts, constructed in 969 A.D. by Gohar El-Siqqili ;

a Middle-Age citadel (1171 A.D.) on one side and very modern

buildings on the other (convention centre, big hotels, etc.). In

the middle is the Isle of Roda opposite the Coptic churches of

Old Cairo across the river. The great Khan el-Khalili bazaarwith its narrow streets, the grand mosques and the Egyptian

museum created in 1857. More than 100,000 objects are on

display, including busts of Nefertiti and Merytamon, the Golden

Mask of King Tutankhamun, statues of Ramses II as a child, of

King Djoser and of the goddess Taoueret (with the body of a

hippopotamus and the snout of a crocodile), reliefs from the

Mererouka mastaba (tombs) decorated with hieroglyphs…

Worth seeing in AlexandriaFounded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria is a varied and

cosmopolitan city with a pleasant sea front. Also worth visi-

ting are the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Alexandria Library),

many Greco-Roman museums and interesting bazaars.

Also worth seeingRosetta, where the famous stone was found. It was later

deciphered by Champollion. Damietta, the ‘furniture capital’

of Egypt, Ismailia on the bank of lake Timsah, the Suez

canal, 162 km from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.

Discovering sites of natural beautyEgypt has 21 national parks where wildlife and plant life are protected.

O R

I G I N A L

• The Ras Muhammed National Park, a coastline

with very beautiful sea-beds. Along the mangroves,

there are exotic fish, manta rays and turtles. On land,

there are foxes, gazelles and many birds of prey.

• The White Desert: sand, springs and oases, from the

Nile to the Libyan border, large expanses of black or

white sand, dotted with rocky landscapes and oases:

Cleopatra-Siwa (baths), Bahariya with its hot water

springs, Farafra, the gateway to the White Desert,

Dakhla and the medieval village of El-Qasr, etc.

• Lake Nasser, take a peaceful cruise and discover

the islands.

The main areas of popular cultural interestMusic, literature and cinema are very much alive in Egypt and there is a full programme of events (see festivals and events).

GETTING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Egyptian antiquities museum

in Cairo, sarcophagus lid Alexandria bay, Fortress at Qait Bey in the background

Mykerinos, Chephren and Cheops pyramids at Giza

CULTURE



- 3150-2925 B.C.: Thinite period, 1st and 2nddynasties. Upper and Lower Egypt reunited. Capital:Memphis.

- 2700-2200 B.C.:Old Kingdom, from the 3rd tothe 6th dynasty, construction of the Saqqara andGiza pyramids.

- 2200-2040 B.C.: first intermediate period,from the 7th to the 10th dynasty, not well known.

- 2040-1785 B.C.: Middle Kingdom, 11th and12th dynasties. Prosperity in art and civilisation.Capital: Thebes.

- 1785-1552 B.C.: second intermediate period,13th dynasty. Invasion of the Hyksos.

- 1552-945 B.C.: the New Kingdom, from the 18thto the 21st dynasty. Conquests and construction ofgrand temples. The most important Pharaohs:Amenophis, Akhenaton, Tutankhamen, Seti I, Ramses II.

- 945-656 B.C.: third intermediate period, fromthe 22nd to the 25th dynasty.

- 672-332 B.C.: the late Period. 26th dynasty,

conquest of Egypt by the Persians.

- 332-27 B.C.: Greek or Ptolemaic Era. Conquestof Alexander the Great, creation of Alexandria.

- 27 B.C.-395 A.D.: Roman Era. Death of Cleopa-tra and the spread of Christianity.

- 395-641: Byzantine Era.

- 640: beginning of the Muslim Era. Old Cairo (Fostat)becomes the capital.

- 661-1171: Ommeyyade, Abbasside, Toulounide,Fatimide governments.

- 1240-1517: the Mamelouks come to power.

- 1798: Bonaparte expedition.

- 1805: Modern era. Muhammad Ali founds the lastdynasty.

- 1952-53: constitution of the republic.

IMPORTANT DATESIN EGYPTIAN HISTORY

Road to Bahariya, the white Desert and its chalk monoliths



Discoverthe Magic Undersea

World andthe Exhilarating Nights

On the Red Sea, the beaches are well planned and completely equipped to fully develop a ‘seaside

vacation’ offer which fully matches tourists’ demands.

There are innumerable large hotels, restaurants, entertainments and activities in attractive seaside resorts

stretching the length of the Sinai Peninsula coastline.

• Sharm El-Sheikh, at the southern point of Sinai, has a very complete infrastructure: hotels, holiday residences,restaurants, diving clubs and many water sports activities.

• Further North, Dahab backing onto the mountains is a peaceful resort, very much shaped by its Bedouin origins.

It has long beaches, beautiful diving and sailing locations and the opportunity for interesting excursions in Sinai.

• Nuweiba, is a peaceful resort, a few kilometres from the old town and port and is one of the largest on the Red Sea.

• Taba, is growing fast with beautiful beaches and large international hotels.

On the continental coastline between Hurghada and Mersa Alam in

the South, the large number of seaside resorts offer a wide choice

for tourists:

• Hurghada: protected by a beautiful range of mountains, this

large seaside resort is well equipped with tourism infrastructure,

accommodation and leisure facilities: windsurfing, fun board,

yachting (marina), children’s and teenagers’ clubs, aquarium and

marine museum, as well as golf, hiking and some very beautiful

diving locations. Hurghada is very lively and sporty and is an ideal

destination for holidaying with the kids.• El Gouna: new rapidly-growing resort, luxurious and calm. Near

Hurghada.

• Port Safaga, 55 km to the South of Hurghada, is a lively fishing

port and a peaceful family resort known for its sailing sports. Along

the beautiful beach are magnificent diving sites and an important

windsurfing location. Port Safaga hosted the World Windsurfing

Championships in 1993.

• El Quseir: 85 km to the South of Port Safaga, is a peaceful port

and resort, overlooked by an ancient fort.

• Mersa Alam: 250 km to the South of Hurghada, growing fast, but

still very natural and little frequented, the resort is in a large bay

backing onto the mountainous desert, at the gateway to Nubia.Beautiful beaches and magnificent diving locations on the coral reef.

Hurghada, with Djebel Shayib

in the background

Nuweiba, not far from the Ain Hudra oasis Red Sea, enjoy the water all year round




G O O D

T O K N O W

Worth a look at Naama Bay at

Sharm El-Sheikh, Egyptian highfashion, esplanade lined with chic

boutiques, grand hotels, bars and

discotheques…

Family destination par

excellence, Hurghada and its tailor-

made tourism infrastructure.

Hurghada, an exceptional diving destination Alone in the middle of the Red Sea

Sharm el-Sheikh, lagoon swimming pool at the hotel Sharm el-Sheikh, boat trip on the Red Sea



The Mediterranean coast, from the North of Sinai

to the Eastern Libyan border, has kept the charm of the

ancient Egyptian seaside towns: El Arish, Damietta,

Rosetta, Alexandria… Modern, well-equipped seaside

resorts like Mersa Matruh complete the holiday offer, with

the advantage of mild temperatures in summer.

Having fun at night: the night time entertainment

in seaside resorts responds to the influx of tourists:

restaurants, discos, music bars… often in the beach hotels

and bars whose night clubs are open all year round.

Hurghada, many kitesurfing clubs

Sharm el-Sheikh, oasis bar

Hurghada

Sharm el-Sheikh, with the Sinai in the background




Taba, at the bottom of the Aqaba Gulf



Golf toyour Heart's Content

in the Shadowof the Pyramids

You can play golf on Egypt’s courses all year round, in the centre of

Cairo, in the shade of the Pyramids and right up to the edge of the Red Sea. Golf

is a growing sport in Egypt and both beginners and experienced golfers have

access to courses close to the large hotels and to sumptuous greens and fully

equipped clubhouses.

Some clubs and courses:• in Cairo: Mena House Oberoi (built in 1902), Gezira Club in the town centre: 9 holes,

Katameya Heights: 27 holes, Mirage City, Pyramid Golf Soleimania, Dreamland Golf.

• in Luxor, the Royal Valley.

• in Alexandria, the Sporting Club.

• on the Red Sea: in Hurghada, the 18 holes The Cascades Golf course at Soma Bay

designed by Gary Player, at El Gouna Steigenberger Golf Resort 18 holes, in Sharm

El-Sheikh: Jolie Ville Golf Resort 18 holes and Taba.

The biggest: Pyramid Golf Soleimania golf course, 36 holes (840 ha), to the

North of Cairo, on Desert Road.

Special features: the large hotels organise vacations on a golfing theme

and offer daily services with shuttle buses, even to non-residents.Soma Bay, golf beside the sea

Mena House Hotel golf course

Cairo, golf course at the foot of the pyramids

GOLF



G

O O D P L A N

Combined activity

vacations:golf and getting back into shape or

thalassotherapy, golf and diving,

golf and yachting or golf and

desert raid…

Soma Bay, golf course overlooking the sea

DIVING



Diving in the Red Sea is an amazing experience contrasting the arid desert

landscape with the diversity of the sea-beds of the Red Sea, 2,300 km long and

350 km wide, on the African coast and the Southern point of Sinai.

The Red Sea is easily accessible to experienced divers and beginners, with calm,

clear, warm water (21 to 30°C), well-preserved coral reefs and many fish. It boasts

some exceptional diving sites such as the Tiran islands, the underwater walls at Ras

Mohammed and Samadai, Elphinstone, the Dahab canyons, Safaga, Mersa Alam…

The sport and supervision:all year round, professional diving clubs led

by instructors with PADI or CMAS certification offer dives in search of parrot,

angel and clown fish, sharks, barracudas and also lead dives to wrecks. Underwater

trails with mask and snorkel on coral reefs, initiation or sport diving (limited to

30 m deep), from a boat or from the beach, at numerous points along the coast.

A medical certificate might be required.

Clubs on the Red Sea: Aquarius Diving Centre at Hurghada. Canyon Dive

Club at Dahab. Divers' Lodge, Sinai Divers, the Camel Dive Club (accessible to

disabled divers)… Equipment for rent on site.Many of the Red Sea coastal resort hotels offer diving vacations.

Rub Shoulderswith the

most GorgeousSea Creatures

Coral and

Sea-Fan garden

A group of divers sets off

for the fabulous undersea world

Clown Fish and Fire Coral

Coral cliffs in shallow water

DIVING



Diving cruisefrom 8 to 15 days in the Red Sea accompanied by

dive guides. Several dives per day at the most beautiful locations;

programme and level of difficulty adapted to participants’ abilities…

Levels of comfort in the cabins varies with the different boats.

The best time to go: April to June and mid-September to

mid-November, light winds and pleasant temperatures. Vast number

of fish to see from mid-July to the end of August in the 28°C waters

of Ras Mohammed.

Combined activity vacations: diving and getting back

into shape or thalassotherapy, diving and golf, diving and yachting,

diving and desert raid…

The most beautiful areas:

in Sinai, Dahab and the surroun-ding areas: Blue Hole, the Canyon

and the Islands. In and around

Sharm El-Sheikh: End of the Road

Reef. Ras Mohammed: Ras Ghoz-

lani. On the coast, near Hurghada:

Shaab Abu Ramada, the island of

Giftun: Carless Reef.

In and around El Quseir: Green

Hole, Beit Goha, Sirena Beach

Home Reef, Mangrove Bay, Mersa

Shagra eco-lodge…

Hawksbill turtle Sea-diving initiation

Z O O M




Egypt is a narrow strip of fertile land on the banks of the river

Nile in the middle of an enormous desert. It is thus a vast

playing field for those who love wide-open spaces, shifting

sands and mountains. Egyptian tourism offers numerous more

or less developed possibilities for discovery and sports activity

vacations in the Sinai Peninsula, in the Eastern desert and in

the Western desert right up to the Libyan border.

Feel the PowerfulAttraction

of the Desert

Desert trails in 4x4• Complete circuit of Sinai by car following tracks: Sharm El-Sheikh - Dahab – St

Katherine (1 night) - Feiran - Al-Tor and return to Sharm El-Sheikh (490 km / 2 days).

• Discovering the oases of the Western desert: circuit of the oases in a 4x4 with

a guide and bivouac. Siwa oasis, isolated and preserved (visit to the traditional

Siwa house). Baharia oasis, Roman wells. Farafra oasis, the most isolated, near the

White Desert, Badr museum. Dakhla oasis, hot springs, museum, Roman temple,

medieval city of Al-Qasr…

Exploring SinaiHiking to St Katherine (maintained footpaths, information from the Monastery

office). Night-time climb of Mount Moses, djebbel Moussa, by the camel path and

watching the sunrise. Excursions to the Coloured Canyon near Nuweiba, in the Ras

Muhammed natural park.

Other activities• Camel rides or hiking with camels.

• Horse riding and hiking on horseback: from Sinai coastal resorts or at the foot of

the pyramids at Giza, Louxor (MG, Haras Al-Zahraa, Cairo. Saqqara Country Club…).

• Balloon flights over the Valley of Kings (at Luxor).

• Trekking in the Sinai mountains.

•Cycling in the region of the Thebes necropolis (at Luxor). (cycle rent from hotels or in town).Sinai, canyon

Sinai, desert taxis

Giza Plateau, Kheops, the seventh wonder of the world




GuidesMany tour operators in Cairo, Nuweiba and Sharm El-Sheikh

offer excursions and guided treks into the desert. Most of the

coastal resort hotels offer excursions by the day or longer, with

guides.

Combined activity vacationsSeaside vacation with excursions into the desert, cultural cruise

and oasis discovery circuit…

For enthusiasts:

Pharaoh rally, 4x4 race and trials inOctober.

Libyan Desert, continuation of the Sahara

Sinai, rocky outcrops in a desert of sand

A Bedouin’s best friend

Ruins beside Lake Nasser

T O D O



Fixed dates

• 1st January: New year’s day

• 7th January: Coptic Christmas

• 19th January: Coptic Epiphany

Variable dates

• Aid el-Fitr: marks the end of Ramadan, 3 days of

colourful festivals

• Aid el-Adha: commemoration of Abraham’s sacrifice(70 days after the end of Ramadan)

• Ras as-Sana el Hejria: Muslim New Year

• Mouled en-Nabi: anniversary of the birth of the Prophet

• Coptic Easter

THE MAIN RELIGIOUS

FESTIVALS

Cairo, Al Azhar Mosque

Cairo, Blue Mosque

G tti b k i t h b d d th l th E t h lSPA AND



R evitalise

your Entire Body

• Getting back into shape, body care and thalassotherapy: Egypt has a longtradition of giving great importance to body care treatments: belief in the rebirth ofthe Pharaonic era, baths and hot springs from the Roman Era, Turkish baths fromIslamic culture… The exceptional natural environment, the dry climate and Egyptianknow-how have helped with the rapid development of this tourist offer whichresponds well to current demands.

• Springs, sand and plants: the oases of the Egyptian desert are rich in health-giving springs whose reputation goes back thousands of years. The beneficialeffects of the mud from the Nile, the ionic sand from the dunes (sand baths) and thesalinity of the waters in the Red Sea are well known. The quality of preparationsbased on plant oils and natural essences (hibiscus, mint, ambrosia, gourd, alfa andpomegranate skin), have proven their worth over the years.

• Traditional sites: Helwan Hammam (Turkish bath), Bahariya oasis (Halfa springs, Bichmo,

Roman wells and springs), the oases of Siwa, Farafra and Mena Ville, the Pharaoh Hammam nearSuez and the Moussa Hammam near Sharm El-Sheikh…• Modern centres: courses of health treatment or vacations with programmes of specific treat-ments: lymphatic drainage, slimming, special treatment for backs, legs, rheumatism, anti-stressand sport-related… More and more ultra-modern equipment, luxury facilities, with well trainedfacilitators, are opening along the Red Sea coastline: at Sharm El-Sheikh, Thalasso/Spa centre:sauna, Turkish bath, seaweed wraps, hydro-massage baths, massage showers, massages… atHurghada and Soma Bay.

• In the big hotels you will find aqua-tonic, health and fitness facilities (sauna, massage, Turkishbath and spa bath…) and well-equipped Fitness centres.

The health benefits of plants,

an ancient Egyptian heritage

Flower arrangement in the desert Balneotherapy in a hotel

Essential oils extracted from plants from the Nile

SPA ANDTHALASSOTHERAPY



Combined activity

vacations:diving and thalassotherapy, golfand thalassotherapy, desert raid orhiking and thalassotherapy…

Massage session

Bahariya, oasis of the North

T R E N D Y

BUSINESS TOURISM



Business tourism is growing around well-equipped conventioncentres with a good accommodation infrastructure offering

excellent service. Cairo and the major cities often play host tonumerous conventions, seminars and conferences, meetings,trade fairs and incentive trips. Egypt and its partners offerwell-adapted facilities for convention visitors, participants inprofessional shows and also their entourages.

Discover IntenseBusiness Trips

Cairo International Conference Centre -CICC-, is only 15 minutesfrom the international airport, 20 minutes from the city centre and Cairo’s bestfive-star hotels. There are three main auditoria, each equipped with projectionroom and simultaneous translation studios for eight languages. The main auditoriumcan take up to 2,500 people.

Major hotelsMany five-star hotels can host conferences and banquets for largegroups:• in Cairo: Semiramis Inter Continental, Cairo Conrad, Cairo Marriott,Oberoi Mena House, Meridien Heliopolis, Grand Hyatt, Nile Hilton,Four Seasons Hotel Cairo… and also the Inter Continental HeliopolisHotel…• in Alexandria: Hilton Green Plaza, Hilton Borg El Arab Resort andSpa El Alamein…

• in Sharm El-Sheikh: Jolie Ville Movenpick Golf Resort, Marriott-Hilton Four Seasons, all major chains.There are also major hotels in Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada…

Leisure activitiesWhichever city you choose to host your business event, it is easy toorganise interesting distractions for business travellers: diving tripsin the Red Sea, rounds of golf, cruises on the Nile, tours of Cairo…

Feluccas on the Nile,

between Aswan and Luxor

Soma Bay, Golf course

Cairo International Convention & Exhibition Centre

(CICC)

M

Four Seasons Hotel



Hurgada: sailing, diving, sailing…

Aswan, bar in the Old Cataract Hotel

GASTRONOMY



Egyptian cuisine is rich and varied, influenced by the Mediterra-nean and the Middle East. From street vendors to the restaurants

in the luxury hotels, Egypt offers a vast range of restaurant styles,for all tastes and all budgets. The cuisine in the major hotels isoften ‘international’. To eat ‘Egyptian style’, choose the localrestaurants and typical recipes based on meat and vegetables.On the seafront, there are excellent fish restaurants.

Taste the Blendsand Contrasts of

Traditional Cooking

Typical dishes• Starters known as mezzeh are very varied: falafel, based on fava (beans), foul (beans),hoummous (chickpeas), baba ghanouj (aubergine puree), Gebna domiati (salty cheese)with tomatoes…

• Lamb and veal are often grilled (kebabs), minced then grilled (koftas), roasted oraccompanied by tomato and onion salad. Poultry such as pigeon, duck and chicken areoften stuffed.• Vegetables may be macerated in oil, stuffed or cooked in ragout (beans, lentils…).• Wet, salted fish (fasikh), beside the Red Sea or on the Mediterranean coast.• Desserts: many fruits and pastries filled with dried fruits and doused with honey syrup.

• Drinks: tea, Turkish coffee and fruit juices, particularly mango juice, lamoun

(sweet lime juice), tinnechoke (Barbary fig juice), apricot juice, juice from sugarcane or karkade (extract of hibiscus petals), sahlab (mixture of warm milk, coconut,cinnamon and spices). Alcohol and wine is mainly served in the hotel bars and in therestaurant. The locally brewed beer, Stella, is worth a taste.

Fast foodEgypt has a long tradition for food on the move. Street vendors offer mixtures ofnoodles, rice, onions and spicy tomato sauce as well as bean fritters (Tamiya).The oriental sandwich based on soft Baladi bread comes with all types of filling.

The major international fast-food chains can be found in the big cities. T O S A V O U R

The dessert fit for a king:

Oum Ali (feuille de brick, coconut,raisins, hazelnut, milk). Forget thediet!

Aswan, citrus fruit sellers

Hummus, chick pea dip Cairo, selling freshly squeezed orange juice



Ramadan: During Ramadan, most restaurants remain

open all day, only serving tourists and offering a limited

choice. In the evening, big banquets are organised

around long tables in a convivial atmosphere. The

cuisine is very varied.

Health: mineral water in sealed bottles is to be prefer-

red. People with delicate stomachs should beware of

raw vegetables.Opening times: fruit juice bars: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm –

local sandwich and fast food from 10:00 am into the

night - restaurants from 12:00 am to 11:00 pm or 1 o’clock

in the morning.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Mezze, selection of hot and cold appetizers

Dates

Aswan, souk and dates

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS



There are many cultural, sports, popular or religious eventsduring the year. Some ancient and traditional celebrations date

from the Pharonic era, while other colourful and popular onescelebrate the seasons and accompany rural activities. Mostreligious festivals are the occasion for massive get-togethers,gastronomic meals and parades. The cultural and sports eventsreflect the modern Egyptians’ eclectic interests.

R elive Eventsfrom another Era

International windsurfing Championships in Hurghada in January.Cairo book fair at the end of January.Sham el-Nessim in March: popular outdoor festival dating from the Pharonic era.International camel race in April in Sharm El-Sheikh.

Arab horse festival in Sharkeya in May.International Al-Ahram squash competition in Giza in June.Music festival on the 21st of June.National cinema festival at the end of June and beginning of July.Ismailia festival at the end of August: folkloric dance festival.The Nile Festival in September in Cairo.

Alexandria international Festival mid-September: cinema festival.

Verdi’s Aida in Giza, staged at the pyramids, usually in October .The Egyptian rally in October: 4x4 qualifying rally for the world Championships.Ramses festival at Abu Simbel on the 22nd of February and the 22nd of October.The cotton festival in Tanta in October: a week of festivities at the end of the harvest.Al-Zahraa horse festival festival in October.Arab music festival at the beginning of November.International fishing competition at Sharm El-Sheikh in November.International cinema festival in Cairo in December.

International Nile Luxor and Cairo Regattas in December.

Hurghada, international

windsurfing championships

Bedouin woman, traditional hairstyle Cairo, belly dance, Raqs Sharqi



Fixed dates

1st January: New year’s day

7th January: Coptic Christmas

25th April: Sinai Liberation Day

April (variable date): Sham en-Nessim (Spring festival)

1st May: Labour day

23rd July: Anniversary of the 1952 revolution

6th October: Armed forces day

Variable dates

depending on the Muslim calendar

• Aid el-Fitr: marks the end of Ramadan.

• Aid el-Adha: commemoration of Abraham's sacrifice

(70 days after the end of Ramadan).

• Ras as-Sana el Hejria: Muslim new year.

• Mouled en-Nabi: anniversary of the birth of theProphet.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Cairo, Sufi dancers

Sharm el-Sheikh, international dromedary race

BAZAARS ANDSHOPPING MALLS



Bring HomeTreasures from

down the Ages

Souvenirs ‘made in Egypt’The range of Egyptian craftwork is vast. From jewellery made of gold, silver and semi-precious stones to blown glass or Sinai Bedouin embroidery, cotton household linen,papyrus, carpets, backgammon and chess boards incrusted with mother-of-pearl,copper items and basketwork, oriental spices and perfumes sold in little glass tubes…A complete range of goods sold in the bazaars, in boutiques or in galleries.

Opening timesBazaars and boutiques normally open around 9:00 am or 10:00 am and close at9:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the evening, with no break. In Cairo, boutiques stay open allday. On Friday, shops close in the afternoon at prayer time.

PaymentCredit cards are more and more widely accepted; travellers cheques less frequently.Payment in cash can be usually done in main foreign currencies in hotels andbazaars, but for small shops, during visits and in supermarkets, payment in cash hasto be done by Egyptian pound.

Aswan,

one of Egypt’s largest souks

Aswan, spice market

Cairo, pedestrian street

SHOPPING MALLS



Good addresses

Craftwork and clothing in all the bazaars and in specialised boutiques:• in Cairo: Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Kerdasa bazaar, Marketing Link Programme(organisation that supports ancient craftwork traditions) and shops like Nomad,Egypt Craft Centre, Al-Khatoun, Dr Ragab Papyrus Institute, Safari and Senouhi…Take a look too, at the shopping malls in the town centre: World Trade Centre, FirstResidence Mall at Giza, Horreyya Mall at Heliopolis, Ramses Hilton Mall, City Stars…• Luxor Bazaar: spices and fabric.• Aswan Bazaar: Nubian baskets, embroidered shawls…

• in El Arish: Bedouin craftwork, jewellery…• in Alexandria: El-Attarine bazaar, specialist in old objects and bric-a-brac (Realantiquities may not be exported). L

O C A

L C U S T O M S

Bargaining

This is a ritual in Egypt. The idea isfor the buyer to reach a mutualagreement with the seller byarguing over the price. It is quitecommon for the seller to invite thebuyer for a tea or a coffee insidehis boutique.

Merchant wearing finely embroidered outfit

Cairo, Khan el-Khalili souk

Narghile and good shisha ! Traditional dress

ACCOMMODATION



Dream in a Palacemade of Stone

or a Temple of Sand

HotelsThroughout Egypt, there are numerous hotels offering a wide range of prices and variousquality services. At the top of the range:Old style palaces: Mena House Oberoi in Giza (constructed in 1860), l'Auberge du lac inthe Fayoum oasis (ancient hunting pavilion of King Farouk), the Cataract in Aswan (openedin 1899), the Winter Palace at Luxor (a wing built in the 19th century), As-Salamlek inAlexandria, a palace constructed in 1822…The major international hotel chains (Hilton, Sheraton, Marriott, Sofitel, Meridien,Mövenpick, Swissotel, Four Seasons, Conrad) and the 4/5-star r hotel complexes in thetourist zones.

There are cheaper middle range hotels and lower range ‘budget’ hotels whose

services, staff and general condition vary from one establishment to another. Theyare independently managed. 2 and 3 star hotels often have a café or a little restau-rant. Rooms are air-conditioned and have bathrooms and hotels may have a smallswimming pool.

CampingSeveral basic camp sites near towns and in the oases. Avoid camping in the wild.

Aswan, Old Cataract Hotel

Sharm el-Sheikh, floral garden

Sharm el-Sheikh, fresh or salt water?



N E W

Accommodation ‘closer to nature’:

• Shark's Bay Camp in Sharm El-Sheikh, beach camp managed byBedouins with a dive centre.• Bishbishi Camp in Dahab, on the beach.• Jasmine Village in Hurghada, a few bungalows with a dive centre

and children games.• Red Sea Diving Safari at Mersa Alam, tents, cabins and chalets in the

bay.• Basata at Nuweiba, ecological complex of bamboo and unfired-brick

cabins on a private beach (no diving).

• Dakhla Bedouin Camp (Western desert).• Adrere Amellal in Siwa: first eco-lodge, organic cooking and swim-

ming pool created from a Roman bath and its source.

Facilities: five-star hotels always have many restau-

rants, bar, nightclub or discotheques, swimming pool,

Fitness or workout centre… In the tourist resorts, most

hotels can organise various activities: trips, guided

tours, excursions in traditional boats or sports (golf,

diving, horse riding, cycle rent…).

USEFUL INFORMATION

Oberoi Hotel Four Seasons Hotel

USEFUL INFORMATION



UsefulInformation

GENERAL INFORMATION

GeographyThe surface area of Egypt is about one million km2, 97% of which is desert. Consequently,95% of the inhabitants live on only 4% of the land. The Nile crosses Egypt from South toNorth. The country is divided into 26 administrative provinces. Cairo is the capital andsome of the main cities are Alexandria, Port Said and Aswan.

Climate

There are four climatic regions in Egypt: Mediterranean on the Alexandria coast, semi-desertin the Cairo region, temperate along the Nile valley and desert in the South of the country.

Temperatures (Celsius average daily)

Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May June July August Sept Oct

Luxor 20° 16° 14° 16° 19° 21° 38° 40° 40° 39° 37° 34°Cairo 19° 15° 11° 13° 14° 22° 28° 32° 34° 33° 32° 29°Red Sea 24° 22° 20° 21° 24° 28° 30° 32° 33° 34° 32° 29°

From the end of September to the end of November: pleasantly hot (25 to 35°C fromNorth to South). Mid-December to mid-March: cold in the North of the country, pleasanton the Red Sea. From June to September: hot and dry season 25 to 40°.

Kharga Oasis,

ancient 11th century fortified town

Cairo, Egyptian museum, Tutankhamen’s treasure Fruit from the fertile Nile Plain



PopulationEgypt has a population of 72 million, 45% of whom live in towns.Cairo: over 17 million inhabitants, Alexandria over 4 million.

LanguageThe official language is Arabic. English and French are fairlywidespread, particularly in tourist towns. German and Italian arespoken in many hotels on the Red Sea. Egyptian Arabic containsmany local dialects including Coptic.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

FormalitiesYou must buy a visa to be allowed entry into Egypt. Thiscan be obtained from the Consulate or at the airport (forsome nationalities only) on your arrival in the country. Thelist of countries for which this is true may be obtainedfrom Egyptian consulates. Your passport must be valid 6months after the end of your visit. Customs officers mayask to see your return ticket.

Time difference

Egypt is 2 hours ahead of GMT. Summer time begins theFriday before or after the 1st of May. Wintertime starts onthe Friday which follows the 30th of September.

VaccinationsNo vaccinations are required for travellers coming fromEurope.

Clothing

Light cotton clothing, a hat, sunscreen lotion and sun-glasses, but pack something warm for the cool evenings.

Aswan, Nile fishermen Some things haven’t changed in thousands of years Cairo, sculpted wooden mashrabiya screen

Giza, the Sphinx, enigmatic creature of stone

THE VACATIONUSEFUL INFORMATION



GuidesOnly Egyptian guides are allowed to operate in the tourist sites and in the Museums. They all have Institute ofEgyptology qualifications.

PhotographyCommon sizes of films (with speeds of 100 or 200 asa) are found easily in Egypt. It is better to have your filmsdeveloped when you get back home. Flash photography is not permitted in museums and tombs in order to protectthe treasures on display. It is forbidden to take pictures in most of museums and tombs. A tax has to be paid forpictures and video taken inside tourist sites. If you have a digital camera, be sure it is well protected against dust andsand. There is a tax on video photography and no filming is allowed at the Aswan Dam or in the Valley of Kings.

Families

Egypt’s tourism offer is well suited to families,with its large range of activities for childrenand teenagers: many visits to the historicalsites, exploring national parks to discover thevaried fauna and flora, various sports (inclu-ding diving, sailing, hiking, fun board, beachclubs, etc.).

Women

A woman can travel alone in Egypt. Take care todress appropriately (modestly especially whenvisiting mosques and churches).

Aswan, adobe houses

Luxor, left bank: contemporary frescos

Abydos, Temple of Seti 1st

Giza Plateau

CurrencyThe national c rrenc is the Eg ptian Po nd often

Postal serviceYo can b stamps at post offices and o r hotel recep



The national currency is the Egyptian Pound oftenindicated by the initials LE or EGP. In Arabic it is calledthe guineh. One pound is divided into 100 piasters orirsh in Arabic. You will find cash dispensers in largetowns and some hotels.

PaymentsCredit cards and travellers cheques are accepted in thelarge hotels and larger boutiques. Most tourist shopsaccept foreign currency, except small shops, during visitsand in supermarkets where you’ll need Egyptian pounds.

You can buy stamps at post offices and your hotel recep-tion desk. A stamp for a letter to Europe costs 1.3 EGP, itshould take about a week (but allow longer at Ramadan).Post offices are closed on Fridays.

InternetThere are many cybercafés in most of the towns throu-ghout Egypt. The rates for connection vary from 5 to 20EGP per hour.

Opening timesOffices are normally open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pmevery day, without interruption, except Friday and publicholidays. Banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Most shops are open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm everyday except Sunday.Note: during Ramadan, all opening times are modified.

Tipping‘Bakchich’ is not only widespread in Egypt, but it is averitable institution. Anyone offering a service, howeversmall, expects a tip in return. For example, it is normal ina restaurant, even when the service is included, to leave

a small tip.

TelephoneCash and card payphones are found throughout Egypt(cards are sold in small shops often close to the telephonekiosks).

Internal transportThe fastest way to get from one tourist area to another

is by air (airports at Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan,Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, Taba, Borg-el-Arab, Assiut).Intercity buses and train are more economical. In town,taxis and minibuses are an easy way of getting around.Cairo has an underground system

Edfu, Temple of Horus

Mersa Alam

Luxor, feluccas on the Nile



Egyptian Tourist Authority - Misr travel Tower - Abbassia Square - Cairo - EGYPT D

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r i s - © C h .

M u n d s - J .

S i e r p i n s k i – P i x t a l – G r a

p h i c O b s e s s i o n – C o r b i s – D i a p o r a m a – A . d e

B o i s t e s s e l i n – M a s t e r f i l e – A u t h o r ’ s I m a g e - I c o n o t e c .

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