Egypt – the Land of Pharaohs. With a rich history spanning thousands of years and an area that bridges two continents, describing Egypt in just a few lines is a challenge. You can explore vibrant, historic, and modern cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan. And not forgetting Giza, home to the iconic Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx. Though not the official capital, for most visitors, you haven't truly experienced Egypt until you've stood in the shadow of these ancient wonders.You can visit areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as the stunning Red Sea coastline, the serene Nile River, lush oases, and expansive deserts. Witness the grandeur of Abu Simbel, one of Egypt's most revered ancient sites, known for its monumental statues and intricate carvings that come to life with the sun's rays. Discover a history that dates back millennia, from the time of the Pharaohs and their impressive monuments, to Greek and Roman influences, through to Islamic Cairo and the colonial era, leading to the modern, diverse nation Egypt is today.There's unique flora and fauna that thrive in Egypt's varied landscapes – from the resilient desert plants and date palms to the vibrant marine life in the coral reefs of the Red Sea. The culture and language of Egypt reflect a blend of ancient traditions and contemporary influences. Egypt is a mesmerizing mix of history and modernity, of vast deserts and bustling cities, of other cultures and its own rich heritage. It is not to be missed!
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
**Requirements due to COVID-19 are constantly changing. Please check your own country's international travel advice as well as the airline requirements before travel.**
UK guests please see the UK Government Foreign Office Travel website for latest entry and exit advice; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements
US guests please see Travel State website; https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Egypt.html
Visas:
British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa. Visa processing fees are non-refundable.
You can apply for a visa from the official Visa2Egypt portal or at your nearest Egyptian Consulate. Tourist visas granted using the e-visa system are valid for a maximum of 3 months.
Alternatively, if you wish to get a visa on arrival, you can do so at approved bank kiosks within airport arrival halls, before reaching immigration counters. The visa fee is 25 US dollars, payable in dollars as the preferred currency, although you may also be able to pay in pounds sterling or euros. Visas granted on arrival are valid for a maximum of 30 days. There’s no need to buy a visa from an agent. In many cases agents will charge more than US$25 for a visa. If you’re harassed by an agent, report the incident to the tourist police in the airport terminal.
U.S. citizens must have a visa to enter Egypt and can obtain a renewable single-entry 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for a 25 USD fee. A multiple entry visa is also obtainable for 60 USD.
Canadian citizens must obtain a visa from an Egyptian embassy or consulate near you before departure. Electronic visas issued before October 1, 2023, remain valid until their expiry date.
**All nationalities must check the visa entry requirements before your departure.
Passports:
Your passport must be valid for 6 months from date of arrival and should have at least 1 blank page. Please be sure to fill out the "Emergency Next of Kin" section in your passport.
N.B. Please note, visa and entry requirements, regulations and restrictions can vary on a regular basis. Please ensure you check in good time prior to travel the current requirements applicable to you.
HEALTH, INSURANCE AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Travel Insurance
It is company policy that all passengers must have valid travel insurance prior to travelling, to include but not limited to health insurance and cancellation insurance. It is vital that ALL members of the travelling party are fully insured for the dates of travel. All pre-existing medical conditions must be declared to the insurer and the correct cover must be taken in regard to the specific type of holiday you are taking.
The details of your insurance must be advised to The Big Journey Company at least 6 weeks before your departure date. Please make sure to write down important information from your insurance policy, such as the company’s 24hr emergency telephone number (including dial code from abroad) and your policy number and take these with you on tour.
• General Health
Please talk to your doctor or travel health clinic in person at least eight weeks before you travel, where a health professional can provide you with the necessary health information for your personal needs.
Wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, washing your hands properly before eating and avoiding insect bites should keep you healthy on tour.
We recommend you carry a simple travellers’ first-aid kit containing any basic items that you feel may be required, including remedies for minor stomach complaints.
If you do need to see a doctor during the tour, please speak to your Big Journey Company tour escort.
Temperatures in Egypt can get very high and it is advised to stay hydrated at all times. Sun hats and sunscreen are advisable.
• Passengers with Disabilities or Reduced Mobility
The Egypt Tour is an Activity Level 2 tour and will require moderate physical activity and include various forms of transport. Please check our Activity Levels description page to see if this level is suitable to you or contact us if you require further information on the activities involved in the tour.
If you or any member of your party has any medical problem or disability which may affect your holiday, please provide us with full details before we confirm your booking, or as soon as possible at the time they occur, so that we can try to advise on the suitability of your chosen arrangements. Please note, we may require you to produce a doctor’s certificate certifying that you are fit to participate in the tour.
• Medical Conditions and Personal Medication
Please advise us prior to travel if you have any medical conditions requiring special attention during your trip. If you have a specific medical condition, it is wise to carry the relevant doctor’s prescription with you.
Important:
Pack a sufficient supply of any medications you are taking, copies of the prescriptions and the telephone/fax numbers of your doctor.
Please note, some countries require that prescription drugs be carried in their original container, with the label clearly visible. In the event of you losing your medication, a qualified pharmacist should be able to source a replacement.
• Vaccinations
Please consult your doctor before travelling for the latest immunisation information as well as advice according to your unique medical needs.
• Travelling with CPAP or other Medical Machines
Please inform The Big Journey Company that you are travelling with such a device as early as possible, and well before you travel. This is especially important in places where there may be issues with power supply, such as on safari or smaller cruise ships. Also,
- Check that you have the correct electrical and voltage adapters for the country and accommodation you are visiting;
- Check with your airline that they allow your device to be carried as additional hand luggage and ensure that your device is easily accessible and properly labelled as medical machinery;
- Always carry a letter from your medical practitioner prescribing its use for you;
- Ensure you have details of your machine separately in case of the need to secure repairs/replacements whilst you are travelling;
- Check with your medical practitioner about the use of tap or bottled water in the event that distilled water cannot be sourced in the country you are travelling to.
Please note, if you require distilled or ionised water, you must inform The Big Journey Company of this at least two weeks ahead of travel, so we are able to make preparations with our ground agents. There will be an additional charge for this.
• Special Dietary Requirements
Please let us know in good time prior to travel if you have any special dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, gluten-free, etc.). We will make every effort to accommodate your request with the resources available to us.
LUGGAGE
• What to Pack and Wear
We would recommend comfortable clothes and shoes for this tour. Feel free to include a smart-casual outfit for dinner if you wish, however there is no pressure to follow a dress code.
The weather should largely be warm and sunny throughout the journey, however it is always good to be prepared for every eventuality, so make sure you pack a light jacket in case of rain and the fact that it may be cooler in the evening. Insect repellent, sunglasses, a sun hat and sun cream are also essential items. Don't forget your camera, with charger/spare batteries and memory cards and why not pack your swimming costume too.
• Luggage Allowances
International airlines are often strict about the size and weight of checked in baggage and carry-on luggage. Prior to your departure, please contact your airline or visit their website for specific luggage requirements, as size and weight limitations may vary according to the airline and destination.
• Laundry
Laundry services are available in some hotels on the tour.
LANGUAGE
The main language of Egypt Arabic.
TIME ZONE
Egypt is 3 hours ahead of London (GMT+3).
WEATHER
Egypt's climate is dry, hot, and dominated by desert. It has a mild winter season with rain falling along coastal areas, and a hot and dry summer season (May to September). Daytime temperatures vary by season and change with the prevailing winds.
ELECTRICITY
Egypt operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. You will need power plug travel adapter for sockets type C and F.
MONEY
• Currency
The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Credit cards are widely accepted, but it is advisable to carry money in cash with you as well. ATMs are widely available in cities, but not so in smaller villages.
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards, however many places do not accept cards such as Diners Club or American Express. If you intend to use any of your debit or credit cards whilst away, please make sure that you contact your bank before you leave to inform them that you will be travelling in order not to cause any problems using your cards or whilst on the trip
Important Note - Egypt use chip-and-pin credit cards, so cards with magnetic strips on the back (commonly used in North America) may not work with certain automated machines. You might want to carry some extra cash in your wallet to use in these situations just in case. You may be asked to provide ID if you cannot pay by chip and PIN.
• Tipping
After feedback from previous guests, we offer a group tipping package for this tour. Look out for more information in your pre-tour emails.
FOOD
Egyptian cuisine is notably conducive to vegetarian diets, as it relies heavily on legume and vegetable dishes. Though food in Alexandria and the coast of Egypt tends to use a great deal of fish and other seafood, for the most part Egyptian cuisine is based on foods that grow out of the ground. Egyptian cuisine is characterized by dishes such as ful medames, mashed fava beans; koshary, a mixture of lentils, rice, pasta, and other ingredients; molokhiya, chopped and cooked jute leaf with garlic and coriander sauce; and feteer meshaltet.
WATER
In Egypt, drinking water from the tap is not recommended. Water treatment plants in and around Cairo heavily chlorinate the supply, so the water in the capital is relatively safe to drink. However, it is advisable everywhere else in Egypt to purchase bottled water or drink treated or purified water.
• Opening Hours
In the cities and towns, most retail shops are open from 10am – 8pm Sunday - Thursday.
• VAT/Tax Refund:
Numerous shops in Egypt offer a VAT refund when leaving the country. Please ask the salesperson whether tax-free shopping applies to the shop in question.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Egypt is generally safe for tourists, with millions visiting annually to experience its rich history and vibrant culture. Popular tourist destinations like Cairo, Luxor, and Sharm El Sheikh are well-secured and have a strong police presence. It’s advisable for tour groups to follow local advice, avoid large gatherings or protests, and remain vigilant in crowded areas. Staying with reputable tour operators and respecting local customs can further enhance safety. Travel advisories can vary, so it’s prudent to check the latest updates from official sources before your trip.
SMOKING
Smoking is banned in most indoor public places, but there are usually designated outdoor areas where people can smoke.
RELIGION
Egypt offical religion is Islam with 90% of the population practicing, while the other 10% practice Christianity.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Egypt offers photo opportunities one after another. You will return with many photos that can never be repeated. Remember to pack your camera, along with the charger, spare batteries and a spare memory card!
ARRIVAL IN EGYPT
Please note, standard hotel check-in is around 3pm, so should you arrive earlier than this, your room may not be available upon arrival. For those arriving early morning, we will do everything we can to work with the hotel to get you an earlier check-in subject to availability.
TOUR HOTEL INFORMATION
Please check your tour paperwork for hotel information attaining to your tour departure.
FLYING & TRAVEL HINTS
• Photocopy the personal information pages of your passport; leave one copy at home with a friend or family member, and take a copy with you, but pack it separately from the passport itself.
• It is advisable to carry all your travel documentation as well as valuables and essential items in your hand luggage, such as camera, toiletries, reading material etc.
• Duty-Free shopping is always tempting, but please check the current Duty-Free limits applicable in the country of your destination.
• Longer flights can be made a little more enjoyable by wearing loose clothing and good, comfortable shoes. Walking in the aisles regularly, eating sensibly and drinking plenty of fluids (not alcohol) is also advised.
• Where possible, try to get some sleep during the flight and upon arrival at your destination, most people adjust better to the local time if they wait until the evening before sleeping – this should relieve some of the effects of jet lag.
If you have any other questions that we have not covered here; then please send us an e-mail to: info@thebigjourneycompany.com
Please note, the above information is provided as a guideline only. Although every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information, The Big Journey Company makes no warranties, express or implied, or representations as to the accuracy of content on this website. The Big Journey Company assumes no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions in the information contained in the website.
Updated June 2024