Egypt: Know Before You Go
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EGYPT: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Dear Traveler, Our experienced staff of Egypt specialists takes pride in providing you with the very best in service and planning. We offer the best quality tours at the most affordable prices. We hope you will have a wonderful trip! PLEASE FIND ENCLOSED THE FOLLOWING TOUR DOCUMENTS: 1. International Airline tickets and US Domestic Tickets (if applicable) (Note: your Egypt domestic flight tickets may not be enclosed in this package. These may be issued locally and given to you by Ritz Tours representatives in Egypt) 2. Your Flight Schedule 3. Day-by-day Itinerary with Hotel Information and Emergency Contact Phone Numbers 4. Vouchers (if applicable) 5. Ritz Tours Badge 6. Luggage Tag 7. A copy of “Egypt: Know Before You Go” 8. Travel Insurance Policy (if applicable) 9. Questionnaire / Feedback Form Upon arrival in Egypt, please go through Customs and Immigration on your own. After exiting the Customs area, please look for a Ritz Tours representative who will be holding a Ritz Tours flag or a sign. Please make sure that you wear your Ritz Tours’ badge for easy identification. AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON TIPPING Please note that gratuities are not included in your tour cost. They are customary, and their purpose is to encourage and reward quality service. Our tour conductors, local guides, drivers, hotel porters and other service personnel do their utmost to make your trip smooth and pleasant. Gratuities are a way of showing your appreciation and also constitute a large part of their monthly income. However, tips are NEVER mandatory. Ritz Tours suggests tipping in the following manner (US dollars): • $10 per person per day to be distributed between the tour manager, local guides, drivers, cruise personnel, and hotel porters Again, thank you for choosing Ritz Tours as your partner in travel. We are confident that your trip will be happy and rewarding. If you need further information, please contact your travel agent or Ritz Tours. We wish you Bon Voyage! EGYPT: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Travel Documentation Geography A passport is required to enter Egypt. Passports Egypt lies at the crux of Africa and the Middle East, must be valid for at least 6 months from the return and is bordered by Sudan in the South, Libya in the date of your trip. West, and Israel in the East. The southern area by An entry visa is required for all tourists entering Egypt. Luxor and Aswan is known as “Upper Egypt”, as the Prior to departure, please ensure that you have obtained Nile flows from here “down” through the capital city, your Egypt entry visa. Cairo, to the Mediterranean Sea near Alexandria. To obtain a 30-day single entry tourist visa with validity of 6 months from the issuance date, you must have a valid passport, two color passport Egypt Customs Procedures photos size 2”x 2” and completed Egypt visa In addition to personal effects, foreign visitors are (available at www.ritztours.com) allowed to import 2 liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or Enclose a $45 check payable to “Ritz Tours” and 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco and any amount of mail your original passport, two color passport foreign currency. There is a limit of 1000 Egyptian photos size 2”x 2” and completed Egypt visa Pounds that you bring into or take out Egypt. It is application form to Ritz Tours at least 45 days necessary to fill out a declaration form if valuable prior to departure goods such as jewelry or electronic devices are Alternatively you may obtain a 30 day tourist visa imported. It is restricted to take Egyptian antiques out on your own prior to departure or upon arrival at of the country unless they are replicas. an Egyptian airport for a $15 fee, payable in US dollars Health & Medical Matters Money Matters No vaccinations are required for your trip with the The unit of Egyptian currency is Egyptian Pound (E£ exception of persons traveling from or via an infected or LE), called Guinay in Arabic. The Pound is divided area. Please consult with your health-care provider into 100 piasters. Banknotes come in denominations of for information about travel vaccinations and any 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. Exchange currency at existing medical/dental conditions. If you are taking authorized changers only. These are available in all prescription medication, please pack in your hand airports, most hotels and large shopping areas. luggage sufficient quantity for the duration of the trip Credit Cards: Most credit cards are accepted at a and make sure it is clearly labeled. Be cautious when growing number of shops, restaurants and hotels in the sun, which often feels cooler than it really is due in Egypt’s major cities. to the cool coastal breezes and lack of humidity. Be Banks & ATMs: All major banks have branches sure to drink plenty of water when staying outside and ATMs in most towns and cities in Egypt. A during the day. In case of illness during your trip, list of these locations can be found on your bank’s please immediately notify your tour manager and official website. local guide for assistance. As of November 2010, the following exchange rates apply: US $1 = 5.76 EGP Food & Drinks Fine meals as are included in Egypt as specified in Language your itinerary. Egyptian cuisine differs from region to The official language is Arabic. Other foreign region. Consumption of uncooked food & vegetables languages, such as English, French, German, Italian is not advisable. It is recommended to drink only and Spanish are widely spoken as well. sealed bottled or distilled water and avoid eating from street vendors. EGYPT: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Baggage Clothing Baggage allowance for international flights may vary We suggest you bring comfortable, casual clothing by airline and is subject to change at any time. For up and good walking shoes for the trip. Check the local to date baggage allowance, please check the airlines’ weather conditions before you go, and pack websites at: www.emirates.com and accordingly. It is not necessary to bring formal www.egyptair.com. clothing. When visiting popular areas such as the Emirates: Economy Class customers can check in Pyramids or the main sights of Upper Egypt, shorts two pieces of luggage, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each. and T-shirts are suitable. However, it is Total dimensions (length + width + height) of recommended to wear modest attire when walking in each piece must not exceed 62 in (158 cm). For central Cairo and other cities, and especially in rural Economy passengers with two pieces of luggage, areas. When visiting mosques or other religious sites, the total combined dimensions of both pieces casual, comfortable clothing covering knees and must not exceed 107 in (273 cm). Carry-on elbows is recommended, in order to respect the local baggage is restricted to one piece of luggage, up culture. to 15 lbs (7 kg) and the dimensions of 22” x 15” x 8”. Time Differentials Egyptair: Economy Class customers can check in Egypt Standard Time (EET) is two hours ahead of two pieces of luggage, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each. GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) during winter. During Total dimensions (length + width + height) of summer, from May 1st till October 1st, the clocks each piece should not exceed 62 inches. Carry-on move one hour forward. Egypt is 10 hours ahead of luggage is restricted to one piece of luggage not Los Angeles and 7 hours ahead of New York. exceeding 17 lbs and the total dimensions should not exceed 45 in. The checked baggage allowance Shopping on all domestic flights is one piece of luggage, up Although Ritz Tours’ national guides will be happy to to 44 lbs (20 kg). assist you with any shopping requirements, Ritz It is recommended that all checked luggage has a Tours does not assume responsibility for any items lock (combination locks are recommended) and a purchased at shops while on tour. You are never luggage tag showing the name and contact required to purchase any items while on tour and information of the owner. (Please use Ritz Tours must be responsible for your own purchases. Any tags for easy identification by our airport staff.) after sales correspondence must be between the Consider packing one change of clothing and passenger and the shop in question. toiletries in your carry on bag to avoid inconvenience caused by delayed or lost luggage. DO NOT pack medicine, valuables and other Staying in Touch personal necessities in checked luggage. Keep them While it is possible to make international phone calls in your carry on bag. from your hotel room, the charge can be especially Important note: Ritz Tours representatives cannot high. It is always cheaper and safer to use the public enter the luggage claim area. Collect your payphones, purchase international calling cards or luggage and exit, our local representatives will be prepaid SIM cards (requires a SIM-unlocked GSM waiting for you outside. All luggage from the international cell phone). The International Dialing group will be collected for transport to your hotel Code for Egypt is +20. in a separate vehicle. Please consult www.tsa.gov for USA baggage and carry-on restrictions. EGYPT: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Electrical Requirements Public Holidays Egypt’s electrical system operates at 220 volts. You Fixed dates: will need a voltage converter if you are carrying a • Jan 7: Coptic Christmas Day device that does not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz. • Apr 25: Sinai Liberation Day Please bring you own voltage converter and adapter. • May 1: Labour Day • Jul 23: Revolution Day (commemorating the Photography abolition of the monarchy in 1952) • October 6: Armed Forces Day If you are taking photographs of local people, always ask their permission beforehand.