Egypt Useful Info

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.

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). This information is only intended as a guide and recommendations can change regularly so please consult with your local healthcare provider.

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.

Average Max Temp °C

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.

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.

Money

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.