Egypt Destination Guide Contents Contents 2 Quick Facts 3 About 4 Events & Nightlife 5 Top Destinations 7 Tours & Activities 9 Food & Dining Out 11 Shopping 13 Best Time To Visit 14 Travel Tips 15 Quick Facts

Flying Time: 4 hours 45 minutes Currency: Egyptian Pound Language: Arabic - English widely spoken Time Zone: GMT+2 Visit For: Great Beaches, Scuba Diving, Culture, Arts, Architecture, Trekking, Spa, Beautiful Scenery, Festivals

3 About Egypt

From iconic pyramids that rise from ancient sands and bustling medieval bazaars full of colour, to the endless desert dotted with oases of palm trees, busy cities and modern coastal holiday resorts offering some of the best diving in the world, Egypt is a living museum and a land packed with amazing attractions. Egypt is famously the land of the pharaohs. There’s Tutankhamun, the young boy who became a pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, and whose solid gold death mask is one of the most famous ancient artefacts ever found. Or Nefertiti, the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaton, who is believed to have ruled in her own right and whose beauty is the stuff of legend. Both have given unparalleled romance to the country’s history. Most of the country’s astonishing monuments that can be visited today were built during the time of the pharaohs. The Pyramids of Giza (the sole survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World), the mighty Sphinx with its body of a lion and a human head, the lotus- columned temples of and Karnak, the nearby Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, and Hatshepsut’s temple, the Deir el Bahri, have thrilled visitors to Egypt for centuries. Further south along the , past , are the temples of . Built to honour the pharaoh Ramses II and his wife Nefertari, the temples are adorned with statues some 20m (66ft) high carved with unbelievable detail into the sheer rock face and gaze out over a huge stretch of water, the Nasser Lake. The temples are an incredible sight. Here, visitors can enjoy one of the spectacular sound-and-light shows that are staged at many of Egypt’s treasures nightly. Egypt’s natural assets are equally as potent. The Nile Delta, with its intricate network of rivers that fan out just north of to reach its rocky Mediterranean coastline around , is lush and green. In stark contrast is the sparsely populated desert with wind-polished rock formations and oases. Splitting the desert in two from the Nile Delta to Egypt’s southernmost border is the spine-like Nile River, which has provided water for the country’s population and its agriculture for millennia. The iron-clad mountains of the Sinai and the gleaming underwater landscapes of the , complete the country’s diverse landscape. Egypt is a land of contrasts, ancient and modern, green and barren. Beneath the surface throbs a pulsing Arab state that celebrates its heritage while embracing contemporary life, but recent turmoils, namely the Arab Spring, and another military coup have galvanised a spirit of revolution throughout the nation. Whether the country will ultimately flourish or fade under this ongoing struggle for power remains to be seen. The country is best understood not so much for its great monuments, splendid though they are, but through its people. Observing the call to prayer at sunset or bartering for a bargain in Cairo’s ancient Khan al-Khalili bazaar, taking tea and talking with one of its garrulous residents in a random coffeehouse or simply stopping awhile in a rural village, silent but for the chatter of hooves on tarmac, will give a glimpse of a country full of character, colour and fortitude.

4 Events & Nightlife

See the list of exciting Events taking place in Egypt, as well as the varied Nightlife on offer Events Abu Simbel Sun Festival From: 22-02-2015 To: 22-02-2015 Ticket prices vary. One of the most spectacular events in Egypt, the Abu Simbel Festival celebrates the precision with which Ramses II designed the largest temple so that the sun's rays light up the inner sanctum of the temple on the anniversary of his birthday and the day he took the throne. It happens just twice a year in February and October Venue Name: Abu Simbel Temples Sinai Liberation Day From: 25-04-2015 To: 25-04-2015 Free. Special events are organised throughout the Sinai Peninsula in celebration of the day when Israeli forces withdrew from the region in 1982. Venue Name: Throughout Sinai peninsula. International Women Tennis Tournament From: 11-09-2015 To: 17-10-2015 Free to spectate. Bringing together 150 international women tennis players from 25 countries, including Japan, , Russia and the Ukraine, this tournament promises a series of top games. Venue Name: Sports Stadium, Sharm El Sheikh. The Pharaons International Cross Country Rally From: 27-09-2015 To: 17-10-2015 Free to spectate. A week-long endurance race that starts at the Pyramids of Giza and takes a circular route on the sands around Cairo, this event attracts motorcyclists and drivers from around the world. For visitors it is a spectacular sight. Venue Name: Pyramids of Giza

5 Cross Egypt Challenge From: 01-10-2015 To: 30-10-2015 Free to spectate. A nine-day endurance scooter event will follow a 2400 km (1500 miles) route from Cairo to Alexandria, and then south to the Western Desert oases of Siwa, Bahareya, Farafra, Dekhla and Kharga before arriving in Luxor. Venue Name: Tahrir Square, Cairo Eid El Adha From: 15-10-2015 To: 19-10-2015 Free. A four-day festival, Eid El Adha is known as the 'Great Festival' and is one of the most important religious events in the Muslim calendar. Marked by the end of pilgrimage to Mecca, it is a time when families gather to pray and feast. Towns throughout Egypt hold festivals. Venue Name: Throughout Egypt. Nightlife As the sun sets, people start spilling onto the streets, congregating in coffee shops and restaurants. Go to any waterfront - along the Nile in Cairo and Luxor, or the seafronts in Alexandria and Sharm el Sheikh - and you'll find the corniche humming with the chatter of friends cruising arm in arm to catch the breeze. Street vendors selling kebabs, chai-sellers shouldering giant urns and trinket merchants with the latest colourful imports vie for the attentions of passers-by. This is the place to meet the locals, gauge the national mood and share in the jubilations of a local football success. A huge draw for visitors – both domestic and foreign – are the sound and light shows held in spectacular fashion in many of the country's archaeological sites. Here, you can come face- to-face with the spot-lit Sphinx at Giza or watching the entire Temple of Karnak unfold to music at Luxor. The best of these shows is held at the Temple of Ramses II in Abu Simbel. Commentary is often in different languages every evening so check it’s the right one for you. Sophisticated nightclubs, bars and restaurants can be found in Cairo, Alexandria and most large towns. The nightlife in Luxor and Aswan often includes barbecues along the Nile or dinner cruises. A new rule requires discos, bars and restaurants to close by midnight at the latest. Only those establishments with a tourism licence may open after that time.

6 Top Destinations

Abu Simbel temples Dedicated to the Pharaoh Ramses II (1304-1237 BC), and his beloved queen Nefertari, the two temples at Abu Simbel stand on the shores looking out over Lake Nasser. They were discovered covered in sand by the Swiss explorer Burckhardt in 1813, and later moved as part of an UNESCO- funded project when the Aswan Dam was built and the waters of the lake rose significantly. Opening Times: Daily 0600-1700 (dependent on season). Admission Fees: Adult tickets from E£70. Disabled Access: No Karnak Temple (Ipet-Isut) Karnak Temple is a vast complex consisting of three main temples, several smaller enclosed temples, and a number of outer temples. The most spectacular of these is the Temple of Amun (Amun’s Precinct). This is entered via the Avenue of the Sphinxes that once connected Karnak and Luxor Temples, and led through the ancient city of Thebes, the capital of Egypt during the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. The whole complex was built over a period of 1300 years and includes several of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian design and architecture. Among them are the Hypostyle Hall, considered one of the world’s great architectural achievements with around 130 enormous carved columns covering an area of 6000 sq metres (64,586 sq ft), and the Obelisk of Thutmose I, a 22m (71ft) monument, the only one of four original obelisks that is still standing. Disabled Access: No Deir el Bahri Hatshepsut's Temple is the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Located on the West Bank in Luxor, this spectacular temple was built by the Queen's architect, Senenmut, in honour of the only woman ever to reign over Egypt as Pharaoh. Set against towering cliffs in the Theban Hills, this unique temple attracts bus loads of tourists every day to see one of the most impressive sites in the Necropolis. The temple, with its many monumental ramps, fine terraces, elegant columns and hieroglyphic paintings, also tells the story of Hatshepsut's journey to the Land of Punt (which is believed to be modern-day Somalia) to bring back treasures such as ebony, ivory, gold, perfumes and myrrh trees. Disabled Access: No Valley of the Kings The Valley of the Kings is a limestone valley situated in the Theban Hills where the mummified bodies of many Egyptian pharaohs were interred. The area marks a period in ancient Egyptian history in which the pharaohs abandoned the pyramid style and chose instead tombs dug within limestone in order to preserve the mummies for eternity and prevent grave robbing. The tombs, although stripped of their contents centuries ago, still display fantastic wall paintings depicting the lives of the pharaohs in ancient Egypt, down to the minutest detail. The most famous tomb is that of Tutankhamun, discovered in pristine condition by Howard Carter in 1922. The many treasures found in the tomb are now exhibited in the Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Cairo. Opening Times: Daily 0600-1700 (varies according to season).

7 Admission Fees: From E£85 for an adult ticket. Disabled Access: No Pyramids of Giza Egypt's main tourist attraction has long been the Giza Necropolis on the edge of Cairo. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid is the oldest here, dating back to around 2550BC and the reign of Khufu. It is also the largest pyramid, originally standing 146m (479ft) high. Nearby are the pyramids of Khafre (Khufu's son) and the considerably smaller Menkaure's (his grandson). Meanwhile, the Great Sphinx watches over all. Once crowded with tourists, the site has been eerily quiet since the first revolution. A visit now brings with it the unusual privilege of having the pyramids practically to yourself. Opening Times: Daily 0700-1700. Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: No Telephone: (02) 2391 3454.

8 Tours & Activities

Snorkelling in Sharm el-Sheik Although diving is the best way to see the dazzling marine life and coral, Egypt's spectacular coastline is accessible without a wetsuit. Simply wade out with a mask or snorkel or take a glass-bottomed boat from the shores of Sharm el-Sheik and the fish will come to you. River Nile cruise Plying the river between Luxor and Aswan, boats provide the quintessential Nile experience. They generally last between three and five days. Egrets flock to the water's edge and Egypt's ancient archaeological wonders including Kom Ombo unfold like a storybook along the bank. White-sailed feluccas ply the river, or splash out for a trip on a dahabiya, a luxury furnished wooden boat. Luxor temples Straddling the Nile, Luxor is the site of the ancient city of Thebes. On the east bank lies the spectacular Temple of Karnak featuring epic statues, obelisks and lotus-columned halls. In the city centre is Luxor Temple, spectacular when lit up at night. Rise above the land of the Pharaohs in a hot- air balloon and take a god's-eye view of the colossal works of ancient mortals. Mount Sinai For centuries, pilgrims of different denominations have been making the journey up historic Mount Sinai to witness the sunrise across the desert landscape. The three-hour trek is breathtaking, but if it sounds too ambitious, stay overnight at St Catherine Monastery, hire a camel and walk down in leisure. Khan-el Khalili bazaar Take a trip to Cairo's famous labyrinthine, medieval Khan-el Khalili bazaar, where haggling for spices, copper, perfume and trinkets has been refined into an art form. Don't miss Fishawi's tea house; in business for over 200 years, it is the ultimate place to people-watch. Go golfing While it's not a sport readily associated with Egypt, the country is now making quite a golfing name for itself and offers around 20 courses. They range from locations within sight of Cairo's Pyramids – the most famous being the Mena House Oberoi 18-hole course - to settings alongside the Nile and the Red Sea. One of six oases in the vast Western Desert, Siwa is a peaceful haven with palm-fringed salt-water lakes, and the famous Oracle of the Temple of Amun once visited by Alexander the Great. The town is dramatically crowned by 13th-century fortress ruins of Shali, best climbed at sunrise or sunset mainly due to the fierce sun. Siwa is also a good base to make excursions into the desert by jeep. Diving in the Red Sea The Red Sea justly deserves its worldwide reputation for underwater adventure. Teeming with a colourful marine life, the crystal waters are landscaped with coral and dramatic drop-offs. The Ras Mohamed National Park, a headland 20km west of Sharm el-Sheikh, shows off the underwater world at its best.

9 Camel market (Souq al-Gamaal), Birqash Not the place to buy your souvenirs, but this frenetic (and certainly fragrant) trading takes place most mornings (0700-1400) and is an entertaining assault on the senses. Camels are transported from Sudan, and prodded and poked by potential purchasers. The market is located around 35km (21 miles) from Cairo on the Western Desert fringe. Canal The best way to see this great feat of modern engineering is by boat; the view from the Peace Bridge that crosses the canal near Isma'iliya, is a good second best. The sight of giant tankers plying the narrow channel between the Red Sea with the Mediterranean is simply surreal. City of gold Kom Ombo ('city of gold'), 30km (18 miles) north of Aswan is a largely Nubian settlement, known for its Temple of Haroeris and Sobek. Another common destination on Nile cruises is Edfu, famed for the largest and best-preserved Pharaonic Temple in Egypt, the Temple of Horus. Saqqara Few visitors know before arriving in Egypt that the country's Old Kingdom precedes the building of the pyramids by many centuries. Saqqara was the ancient capital's necropolis, crowned by the Step Pyramid. Nearby Dahshur is famous for the Bent Pyramid and a huge field of royal tombs. Islamic Cairo It's bustling and busy in ancient Islamic Cairo, but the crowds thin out along the serene street of Al- Muezz Al-Din, with spot-lit mosques and mausoleums lining the pedestrianised cobbled street. A local will, doubtless, offer to take you up a minaret; ascend the one at Al-Azhar Mosque – home to the world's oldest university – for panoramic views. Aswan The former frontier town of Aswan is a popular stopping-point for cruise liners, and the feluccas (wooden boats) drifting along the river at sunset is one of Egypt’s enduring sights. Attractions include Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile, and the nearby Island of Plants upon which Lord Horatio Kitchener built a beautiful botanical garden in the 1890s. Alexandria Nestling the Mediterranean, Egypt's "second city" has a French colonial atmosphere and a relaxed Greek influence, a mix of continental patisseries, art deco architecture and crowded sandy beaches in summer. Don't miss the mosaics in the Roman Amphitheatre, the hi-tech Bibliotecha, and the new underwater museum filled with Cleopatra's sunken relics. A walk along the corniche is a good way to work up an appetite for a freshly-caught fish for dinner.

10 Food & Dining Out

Egyptian cuisine combines many of the best traditions of African, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, and is both delicious and healthy. Fruit, such as dates and olives, picked from the trees combine with vegetables, meats and fresh fish, aromatic herbs and spices to create colourful and flavoursome dishes. Typically, a meal will start with soup made from pulses or beans, onions, tomatoes and leafy green vegetables with a large helping of garlic or spices to give them a kick. Soup is served with flatbreads like pitta or aish (flatbread made with fenugreek seeds and maize flour). A dish of chicken, lamb or veal that has been slow-roasted with herbs or a fish stew accompanied by couscous or rice may follow. Two of Egypt’s most popular dishes are ful medames and koshari, which are likely to appear on all menus whether in a top gourmet restaurant or a fast food eateries. It is made from spaghetti or macaroni, or sometimes rice, which is cooked together with pulses, garlic and tomatoes and topped with fried onions and herbs. Falafel, the spicy mashed bean or chickpea and herb patty delicacy that is found throughout the Middle East can be found everywhere and makes a tasty snack. Meals in Egypt are almost always served with salad and dips, such as babaganoush made from pureed aubergine or fuul, which is a combination of fava beans, lemon and herbs. Desert is usually pastries filled with figs, dates and nuts, and drenched in honey, or a mahallabiyaa (rice pudding) made with rosewater and sprinkled with spice. Yoghurt and fruit, especially oranges, dates and figs, are often eaten as a dessert too. Throughout Egypt there are both large hotel restaurants and smaller specialist ones in the main towns. If you prefer international cuisine, head to the larger hotels in Cairo and its environs, which boast kitchens serving top-quality dishes. In the centre of Cairo there are cheap ‘fast food’ cafes selling traditional food in simple surroundings. Although Egypt is a Muslim country, alcohol is available in cafe-style bars, hotels and many restaurants in larger towns, cities and resorts. Regional Specialities • Ful medames (fava beans topped with eggs) • Babaganoush (pureed aubergines) • Fuul (fava beans with lemon and herbs) • Stuffed vine leaves. • Temayya (falafel). • Kebabs (meat on skewers). • Koshari (rice, lentil, pasta and tomato dish). • Mahallabiyaa (rice desert) Things To Know If you are invited to dine with a family in their home and you are served meat such as poultry, lamb or veal, then consider this an honour. Egyptians regard a meat dish as a luxury. Pigeon is a delicacy and cooked on special occasions. It will be prepared and cooked with great care, although is likely to be served complete with its head. Tipping 11 10-12% is added to hotel and restaurant bills but an extra tip of 5% is normal. Taxi drivers don't need to be tipped on one-off shorter journeys (although of course it's always appreciated), but it's generally good to give a little extra if they've been with you for a while. Regional Drinks The most popular drinks in Egypt are tea, which is usually flavoured with mint or a delicate blend of herbs, and strong coffee. Fruit drinks are widely available, as are local delicacies like karkaday. Wine, spirits and beer is available in most restaurants and hotels.

• Kahwa (thick, strong coffee). • Shay bil na'na' (mint tea). • Karkaday (clear, bright red drink made from hibiscus flowers). • Aswanli (dark beer made in Aswan). • Zibib (alcoholic aniseed-flavoured drink). Drinking Age 21.

12 Shopping

Shopping One of Egypt’s best shopping experiences is Cairo’s medieval market Khan-el-Khalili. Everything from cheap souvenirs to household goods, reproduction ‘antique’ jewellery, brass plaques and jugs, copper utensils and cotton goods fill the narrow noisy alleyways. Be sure to visit the Spice Baazar, where the aroma of cloves, coriander and cinnamon will leave you intoxicated. Nearby is the Perfume Baazar. Cairo also has its share of modern shopping centres, department stores and small fashionable shops, particularly near its central intersection, Tahrir Square. In Alexandria, antique stalls cluster the area around Sharia el Attareen, while in Luxor the souk is mainly geared for the tourist market but is a fun place to wander around in the evenings. The vendor is likely to charge what he feels happy with charging, usually a hugely inflated price for foreigners. Bargain hard! Check the price of everything before purchasing (and consuming), even food and drink. Best buys include alabaster vases, old books, brass and copperwear, papyrus prints, leatherwork and ceramics. Muski glass is a popular souvenir; this colourful glass is identified by its air bubbles and has been hand-blown in Cairo for centuries. Carpets make good buys too. Opening Hours: Shopping hours vary widely according to season and location. In most cities, shops are generally open daily 1000-2000, taking a lengthy lunch break in summer, and some will close on Fridays. Markets tend to stay open later in the evening. Shops are now required to close by 2200; those with a tourism licence may open later. During Ramadan, especially when it falls in summer, shops may well close at sunset and reopen several hours later, after eating. Some shops may close during Friday midday prayers, for a couple of hours. Christian-owned shops might close on Sundays. Note: Haggling is expected, and usually encouraged in bazaars, but prices are fixed in new department stores.

13 Best Time To Visit

Best Time To Visit Egypt is a huge country with plenty of variety in its climate; when it’s chilly and wet in Alexandria, it can be ravishingly hot in Aswan. The best time to visit most sights, including the pyramids and the Valley of the Kings, or diving in the Red Sea, is from February to April and October to November. During these months the heat reminds you that it's the ‘Land of the Sun', but not too hot to be enjoyable. At this time, the skies and sea are a perfect blue. The downside is that these are the most popular times of the year for visitors. In April, the hot, dusty khamsin wind blows from the , making touring of sights potentially troublesome; during an intense sand storm, vision may be reduced to a few meters. During the hot, dry summers (June-August) there’s always the risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion, which might confine visitors indoors during the early afternoon. Winters (November-February) are usually mild and often overcast, leaving the desert and its ancient monuments looking lacklustre. Rainfall is negligible except on the coast. Required Clothing Loose, lightweight, modest cottons and linens, with warmer clothes for winter and cooler evenings, are culturally and climatically suitable.

14 Travel Tips

Air: The safest, and quickest, way to get around Egypt is by air, especially as travel by road can be hazardous. EgyptAir operates daily flights between the international airports at Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Sharm El Sheikh, Assiut, Mersa Matrouh, Sohag and , with flight times scheduled for convenient morning and evening departures. Flight times are short; between Cairo and Luxor, for example, the flight is just 45 minutes duration. It is advisable to book well ahead of your trip. Flight Times The Star Alliance Middle East Airpass allows travellers up to ten flights around the Middle East region. Road: The road network in Egypt serves the Nile Delta to Sinai and Cairo, and then follows a course along the banks of the Nile to Abu Simbel via Luxor and Aswan. Desert roads link the oases of the Western Desert and the Red Sea resorts via the Eastern Desert. Road Quality There are motorways in and around Cairo but the standard of driving is notoriously chaotic. Motorways are generally in good condition. Roads along the Mediterranean and African Red Sea coasts, and the route looping through the Western Desert oases from to Giza are fully paved. Private motoring in the desert regions is not recommended without suitable vehicles and a guide. Car Hire Car hire is available through international and local car hire companies. The driver must be at least 25 years of age. Taxi Taxis are available in all the larger cities and are metered. In Cairo, taxis are white and black, in Alexandria they are orange and black. Long-distance group taxis for all destinations are relatively cheap. It's important to agree fares in advance. Be prepared to haggle if necessary. Bike You would have to have a death wish to cycle in Cairo. That said, in Luxor it's a pleasant way to get around town, and there are many places for bicycle hire especially on the west bank. Coach

15 Long distance buses and coaches connect the country’s major towns and can be fast and inexpensive. Tickets can be booked for all routes at the Cairo Gateway bus terminal. The East Delta Bus company serves the Sinai Peninsula. It is affiliated to the West Delta Company which covers the Western Desert, and the Upper Egypt Company which runs services around the delta to Cairo, the Nile Valley and the Red Sea coastal region. Regulations The speed limit is usually 90kph (56mph) on motorways and 100kph (62mph) on the desert motorway from Cairo to Alexandria. Seatbelts must be worn when travelling in the front of the vehicle. All vehicles (including motorcycles) are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher and a red hazard triangle. Breakdown Services Major car hire companies offer breakdown services. Documentation Third party insurance is compulsory and should be included in your car hire agreement. An International Driving Permit is required to drive any motor vehicle. Carnet de Passage or a suitable deposit is necessary for the temporary import of visitor's own vehicle. Road Note Desert roads get covered by sand in high winds, which can be disorientating and dangerous. Petrol stations are few. Be aware that you may be stopped for police checks and requested to travel in an escorted convoy in areas of unrest. Travel Urban The government-owned Cairo Transport Authority runs buses and tram services in Cairo and also operates cross-Nile ferries. There is a central area flat fare. In addition, there are other buses and fixed-route shared taxi and minibus services run by private operators. Vehicles normally wait at city terminals to obtain a full load, but there are frequent departures. Fares are three to four times higher than on the buses with the advantage of a little more comfort. Cairo's suburban railways have been upgraded to provide a rapid transit network, including Africa's first underground railway, the Metro. Alexandria has buses and tramways, with first- and second-class and distance-regulated fares. The trundling tram, although quaint, can be very slow to travel through the city. Luxor has minibuses with fixed routes. A more picturesque way to travel around the city is in a caleche (horse-drawn cart). Aswan and Luxor also have passenger boats criss-crossing the Nile. Rail: A comprehensive rail network run by Egyptian National Railways offers a high standard of service, with a range of fast and slow services. Routes operate from Salloum on the Libyan border to Alexandria and Cairo, and south down the Nile from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan. There are also links to Port Said and Suez and frequent trains between Cairo and Alexandria.

16 To serve the Nile Valley tourist trade, several luxury air-conditioned day and night trains with sleeping and restaurant cars run from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan. For the overnight train, make bookings through a travel agent, or through Abela Egypt (in front of Ramses Station, Cairo. On Egyptian State Railways, children under four years travel free, and children aged four to nine years pay half fare. Holders of Youth Hostel cards are entitled to reductions. Book sleeper trains well in advance. Water: There are slow and fast ferry services linking Hurghada with Sharm el-Sheikh in Sinai (journey times - 1 hour 30 minutes (fast ferry) or 6 hours (slow ferry). The traditional Nile sailing boats, feluccas, can be hired by the hour for relaxed sailing on the Nile. Regular Nile cruises operate between Luxor and Aswan, and sometimes between Cairo and Aswan. Vessels' safety standards are often poor. Telephone: Public telephones take cards available from pharmacies, tobacconists and newspaper shops, and are a convenient way to call home. Telephones in hotels can be expensive. Mobile Telephone: Roaming exists with many international mobile phone companies, although coverage is limited to Cairo, Alexandria and major towns along the north coastline of the Red Sea and the Nile. If you're in Egypt for some time, it is much cheaper to buy a local SIM card, either Vodafone or MobiNil, if your mobile phone is unlocked. Internet: There are internet cafés in the main cities, including Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor. Even small, more remote towns including Siwa will have at least one venue, usually in the market area. Connection is usually reliable. Tourists can also access the Internet in hotels, with in- room Wi-Fi available, though often at a hefty price. Currency Information: Egyptian Pound or ginee (LE; symbol E£) = 100 piastres. Notes are in denominations of E£200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 50 piastres and 25 piastres. Coins are in denominations of 25, 20, 10 and 5 piastres. British pounds sterling, Euros and the US Dollar are accepted everywhere although change may be given in Egyptian pounds. Currency Exchange The Egyptian pound is available outside Egypt and you can change money before you leave for your trip. Alternatively, 24-hour currency exchange is available at Cairo airport. It is worth exchanging at least a small amount for incidentals during your first day or two in Egypt. Keep small denomination notes for taxis fares as drivers rarely seem to have any change, and for tips, known as baksheesh, which are a way of life in Egypt.

17 Currency exchange is also available at banks, official bureaux de change outlets and most hotels. Banks often have better exchange rates than bureaux de change or hotels. All common international currencies are accepted. It is wise to divide your currency between you if there is more than one person in your party and keep it secure to guard against theft. It is advisable to take only what you will need for a day’s excursion and keep the remainder of your money in your hotel safe. Language: Arabic is the official language. English and French are widely spoken.

Capital: Cairo (El Qahira). Dialing Code: +20 Area: 1001450 Population: 85294388 Population Density: 85 Population Year: 2013 EU Member: No Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Sockets take the continental European-style two-pin plugs.

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