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useful info
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Visas
Visas are required by all visitors to Egypt. Contrary to popular belief, the Embassy of Egypt advises all travellers to procure their visa prior to entry into Egypt. It still remains possible for nationals of some countries to procure their tourist visa upon arrival at Cairo International Airport. However, in the event of visa refusal at port of entry, on the go will not be held responsible. If undertaking our Road to Jordan tour or our Jordan bolt-on, you will need to procure your Egyptian Multiple Entry tourist visa prior to departure. IMPORTANT: RSA PASSPORT HOLDERS MUST OBTAIN THEIR EGYPTIAN VISA PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
Please click here for further info. |
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Voltage
220 Volts. Sockets are of the European, 2 pronged variety. If taking a camera, mobile phone or hairdryer, be sure to pack a power adaptor. |
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Health
It is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio, if you haven’t had a booster in the last ten years. Food and waterborne diseases are more common, so we also recommend vaccinations for typhoid(valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity varies). Additionally, we recommend you be vaccinated for Meningitis due to recent reports that have indicated its presence.
You must speak to your doctor or a travel clinic for the latest advice and recommendations. Vaccinations are solely the responsibility of the traveller and not that of on the go.
Recommended Vaccinations
 Tetanus |
Polio |
Typhoid |
Hepatits A |
Meningitis | |
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Average max temp °C |
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Cairo |
Luxor |
| Jan |
19 |
23 |
| Feb |
20 |
24 |
| Mar |
22 |
28 |
| Apr |
27 |
34 |
| May |
32 |
39 |
| Jun |
34 |
40 |
| Jul |
34 |
41 |
| Aug |
34 |
40 |
| Sep |
33 |
39 |
| Oct |
29 |
34 |
| Nov |
24 |
28 |
| Dec |
20 |
23 | | |
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Climate
Summer: Temperatures in Egypt and Jordan are generally high, particularly during the summer months from May to September, when the sun can be fierce and temperatures are at industrial levels, so take plenty of sunscreen.
Winter: In Cairo and the Nile Delta region, winter (October to February) can be cooler - so take a jacket, long-sleeved tops and trousers for the cooler evenings. The south remains warm during this time but again, temperatures do drop in the evenings.
Rainfall is negligible, except on Egypt’s coast.
Note: Travellers embarking on a felucca cruise or camping in the desert oases in Egypt or Wadi Rum in Jordan, are advised to pack a sleeping bag for additional warmth as temperatures anytime of the year do fall at night.
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Time
Egypt and Jordan are 2 Hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. From April to September, Egypt is 3 hours ahead of British Summer Time. |
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Money
EGYPT - GBP£1 = 8.2LE USD$1 = 5.5LE EURO 1 = 7.5LE AUD$1 = 3.7LE
JORDAN - GBP£1 = JOD 1.05 USD $1 = JOD 0.71 EURO 1 = JOD 0.90 AUD$1 = JOD 0.48
Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and other major currencies can be exchanged in Egypt and Jordan. Exchange facilities are available at various bureau de changes and all major towns have ATMs. |
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Food, glorious food
Egyptian cuisine is not unlike the cuisine of Turkey, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries.The basic staple centres on pulses - fuul medames (fava beans) and ta'amiyya (chickpea patties). These tend to be the centrepiece of a meal that will normally include salads, seasoned vegetables and meats. Houmous and other yoghurt based dips, coupled with fresh pitta, schwarma (similar to a Turkish doner kebab), kofta (a skewered spiced meat dish) and fiteer (a kind of pizza) are other popular dishes. The lunchtime bargain has to be kushari, though. A curious mix of noodles, rice, lentils, fried onion and spicy sauce. It's very tasty and exceedingly cheap. Exotic juices freshly squeezed from the fruits of mango, guava and other seasonal varieties are also widely available, as is fresh fruit. |
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Shopping
Egypt is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. Khan al-Khalili bazaar in Cairo is cavernous and full of unusual and everyday objects. Souks and bazaars abound in other towns, too. Top buys include - perfume concentrate, carpets and rugs in innumerable hand-loomed designs, backgammon boards, hand-crafted sheesha pipes, Pharaonic objects fashioned in marble and alabaster, Egyptian cotton sheets, clothing and of course - authentic papyrus. See our Egypt A to Z guide, supplied on booking, for further information.
Jordan offers a range of quality souvenirs. Look out for high-quality artefacts produced by local Jordanian women under the auspices of the Queen Noor Foundation. Colourful platters depicting biblical fish and goblets in riotous colours are a popular buy, as are mosaics, expertly made carpets, Dead Sea products of all guises, olive oil and sweetmeats. |
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Oases hotels and Desert camps
On our Dunes & Tombs, Sandblaster, Siwa to Alexandria, Beyond the Pyramids, Nile Valley to Siwa Oasis tours Road to Jordan and Western desert bolt-on we travel to remote areas of the country where accomodation and facilites are limited. With plenty of research we can safely say we use the best, reasonably priced hotels within these regions. Additionally, sometimes we are able to camp freely under a blanket of the stars, such as in the White Desert.
On our Road to Jordan and Petra & Wadi Rum bolt-on we spend a night in the Wadi Rum desert where you can choose to camp under the stars or in tents at our remote Bedouin camp. Desert camping, although is fun and is the best way for us to experience the desertscape. Our desert camp offers basic facilities. Bedding and blankets are provided (though we recommend that you use your own sleeping bag).
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Festivals
Christmas
The Coptic Christmas celebrated on the 7th January. The Coptics believe this day to be birthday of Christ. People enjoy a mass gathering at midnight and enjoy a traditional cuisine of festival known as "fata".
Pharaonic Wedding
This festival is the symbol of ancient civilization of Egypt and is celebrated in the month of November. This festival is considered a lucky day for marriages so at this time couples visit Karnak Temple in Luxor and get married there.
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
This Festival of Egypt is associated with the ancient temple of Egypt-Abu Simbel and highlights the ancient traditional rituals of Egypt. This festival is held on 22nd February and 22nd October every year. We run special tours to coincide with this incredible event. Click here for details.
Ramadan
One most major events in Egypt is Ramadan. People fast when the sun in the sky, but as a westerner you will be able to eat and restaurants and shops will still sell food. Opening hours can be altered but you will still be able see everything. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over Egypt as well as in other Muslim countries also and you will see lots of decorations and lights in the street at this time. It lasts for about a month and the precise date varies from year to year but tends to be around the September/October time.
Forthcoming Ramadan dates are approximately -
21 Aug 2009 - 19 Sep 2009
10 Aug 2010 - 9 Sep 2010.
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