About Egypt
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
The area of the Arab Republic of Egypt is more than 1,000,000 km. Its borders stretch from the Mediterranean in the north, where the Nile meets the sea, to the borders of Sudan, Libya and over the Sinai Peninsula to the borders of Israel and, by sea, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Nile (the world's longest river with its 6,600 km) has created, through tens of thousands of years, a fantastic fertile landscape on its banks where approximately 95 % of Egypt's population lives.
HISTORY:
Remains dating from the Egyptian Paleolithic period are some of the oldest in the world but it is of course the pharaonic era that made Egypt famous and unique. Egypt, or Kemet as it was called in pharaonic time, was unified around 3000 B.C. Old Kingdom, or the Pyramid Age, lasted from 2650 - 2200 B.C and during this period most of the country's 90 pyramids were built.
During the Middle Kingdom, 2000-1700 B.C. an emporium was started being built stretching from south Sudan to Iraq and further. This colonization caused an invasion from the east by the Hyksos which ruled Egypt from 1700 - 1550 B.C leaving behind the introduced horse and carriage that Egyptians learned to master.
The pharaohs of the New Kingdom, 1550-1000 B.C ruled from Luxor in the south where you can find their exquisite tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the "Pharaonic" Vatican, The Temple of Karnak. In 332 B.C Alexander the Great came to Egypt starting the Greek-Ptolemaic Era.
The Romans and later Byzantium took over after winning the battle of Actium in 30 B.C. Later on, Cleopatra VII committed suicide using a snakebite, which lead the holy family to flee to Egypt. St Marc came to Christianize the Egyptians, leaving behind him one of the first Christian communities in the world; the Coptic Church. 642 A.D the Arabs overruled Egypt. During the coming hundreds of years Cairo and Egypt was alternately controlled from Damascus, Baghdad and from different clans like the Tulun family, the Fatimides, the Ayoub family and the Mamelouks.
By 1517, Egypt became a part of the Ottoman Empire until the invasion of Napoleon in 1798. From 1805 begins modern Egyptian history under the reign of the Mohamed Ali family. Cotton was starting to be cultivated; railroads and the Suez Canal were built, modernization had struck Egypt.
In 1952, Farouk the last king of Egypt was overthrown in the revolution led by Gamal Abd El Nasser. By coming to Egypt, you will hear more about Cheops, Ramses, Saladin, Nefertiti, Sadat and Amon personalities!
CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURES:
Egypt has a long summer, from mid-march until the beginning of December with temperatures during daytime between 25C and 40C. Day time temperatures during winter vary between 15C and 28 degrees. At nights, temperatures sink very fast, in the winter sometimes under 10C. Temperatures in Upper Egypt (south) are usually 5C higher than Cairo and the rest of the north of Egypt. The table below shows lowest night and highest day temperatures under normal circumstances during each month.
|
Month/Town
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
|
Cairo
|
9-19
|
9-24
|
11-28
|
14-32
|
17-35
|
20-35
|
22-38
|
22-28
|
20-35
|
18-28
|
14-25
|
10-21
|
|
Alexandria
|
9-18
|
10-21
|
11-24
|
13-26
|
17-28
|
20-29
|
23-30
|
23-34
|
21-28
|
18-24
|
15-20
|
11-20
|
|
Hurghada
|
10-21
|
10-23
|
12-26
|
16-30
|
21-31
|
23-33
|
25-35
|
25-35
|
23-29
|
20-26
|
15-22
|
12-22
|
|
Luxor
|
5-23
|
7-29
|
11-35
|
16-35
|
21-38
|
23-41
|
24-43
|
23-42
|
22-35
|
18-33
|
12-25
|
8-25
|
|
Aswan
|
8-24
|
9-27
|
13-30
|
17-37
|
21-42
|
24-41
|
24-42
|
25-40
|
22-36
|
9-30
|
14-25
|
10-25
|
|
St. Catherine
|
3-15
|
4-16
|
5-20
|
5-22
|
6-25
|
10-21
|
11-28
|
11-28
|
11-25
|
8-20
|
3-18
|
3-16
|
|
Sharm el Sheikh
|
16-23
|
17-26
|
18-29
|
21-33
|
24-36
|
26-34
|
27-38
|
27-38
|
26-35
|
23-28
|
20-23
|
16-23
|
CLOTHING:
During summer you need light clothes. In winter, a coat or jacket will be needed in the evening. Comfortable shoes are a must. In the city centers, in mosques and churches clothes that are more conservative should be worn.
CRUISING AND CRUISERS:
Boat cabins: Normally cabins are situated on three or four decks. Guides try to distribute cabins in the fairest possible way. Esna Lock: The Egyptian Authority of Irrigation and Hydraulic Energy closes the Esna lock twice a year in order to maintain it, usually from the 1st to 15th of December and June . Faraon Travel can give the exact timing three months in advance. During these periods, the Nile cruisers modify their itinerary, and the cruises start or begin at the Esna lock. The transport between Luxor and Esna is then carried out by bus and also in case Esna lock is very crowded in order not to lose any of the program or having too much delay.
FOOD & BEVERAGE:
In most hotels food tends to be more international, may be only appetizers and sauces are oriental. If your stay in Egypt does not include full board or half board, do not worries there will be a variety of restaurants and food that you will enjoy. When you or your clients arrive in Egypt, the tour guide will recommend good restaurants.
Some examples:
- Felfela restaurant, a typical Egyptian fare.
- Fish Market Restaurant, serves fish and seafood.
- Swissair, a luxurious restaurant that serves international food.
- Arabesque Restaurant, a luxurious Egyptian fare, plus international food.
- Christo Restaurant, typical Egyptian food, as well as seafood.
Drinks are not included in the price of any meal. Prices differ between local and imported drinks. Local wine and beer are of good quality and prices vary between LE 45-95 for a bottle of wine and LE 10-18 for a bottle of beer. Water in Egypt is potable, nevertheless, we advise you to use only bottled mineral water.
LANGUAGE:
Arabic is the official language of Egypt. English is widely spoken and understood as well as French and German. Italian and Spanish are starting to be widely used in the tourist areas, especially at the Red Sea.
MONEY:
The Egyptian pound (LE) is the official currency. One LE consists of 100 piaster. Bills of the Egyptian pounds are of 1-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100- pounds value and 25- and 50- piaster One US dollar equals approximately LE 5.7 (May 2009). There are banks in all 5 stars hotels, as well as in the city centers (many of which are open 24-hours a day). ATM- machines can be found all over the country. We, at Faraon Travel, advise our clients to change little by little in order not to have too much Egyptian currency left in the end of the tour, since it is sometimes difficult to change back into hard currencies in the airport. L.E cannot be used in the tax-free shops. Client should also always keep their exchange receipts. Credit cards can be used in all large establishments.
PASSPORTS:
You usually have to deliver your passport at the hotel reception upon check in. Please do not forget your passport when leaving the hotel.
POPULATION:
The population of approximately 71 million people is concentrated along the Nile, on 5% of Egypt's total area. 18 million people live in Cairo and its suburbs. Other large cities are Alexandria, Mansoura, Tanta, Zagazig, Ismailia, Suez, Port Said, Aswan and Luxor.
RELIGION:
Around 85% are Muslims and approximately 15% are Coptic Christians.
SECURITY:
Something you will find in Egypt, it is safe to go for a walk at any time, with no problem. If you face any problem, the Egyptians will help you in a very gentle and gallant way. Most hotels and boats have safety boxes, free of charge, where you can keep your valuable things. Most hotels and boats do not accept any responsibility if you lose anything that is not in their safety box.
SHOPPING:
A variety of things are specialties of Egypt, like cotton, gold, silver, alabaster, copper, papyrus, leisure wear, shoes and leather. In many shops especially in the bazaar area, you are advised to bargain, aim at almost around 50-60 percent of the first price asked. There are also a lot of shops of international fame like Benetton, Stefanel, New Man, Venti, Mexx and Mobaco. Designs are mostly Italian and prices are much lower than in Europe.
TAXIS & CAR RENTAL:
In most hotels, there is a car rental office, usually an international company. An international driver's license is required to hire a car in Egypt. Some of these companies also rent out their cars like with drivers against fixed prices. Outside every hotel, there are black and white taxis. These will take you where you want to go, but negotiate the price before you get inside the car. Check with the reception to get an idea about the price.
TICKETS:
Our system in Faraon Tours, for the convenience of our clients, is to collect all air tickets for reconfirmation of departure from Egypt. We will retain the departure coupon and you will receive back only the cover of the ticket, plus any coupons for further journeys.
VOLTAGE:
The voltage is always 220 in all tourist establishments.
TELE COMMUNICATIONS:
Most hotels have international lines. Be warned that hotel room telephones are connected with a computer system that operates automatically. After the third (fourth) ring, you will be charged the minimum charge even if no one is answering. Hotel telephone prices are on international level and rather expensive. If you want to save money, you can buy a telephone card from shops and call from the street automats. Most of the mobile phones operation with GSM system can be used in Egypt - please check with your local GSM operator before departure.
TIPS:
As in all other oriental countries, tips are considered a part of the salary for services rendered. Your local guide will tell you and your clients when it is customary to give and how much.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE NILE CRUISES:
The Actual cruising time between Aswan and Luxor is 16 hours and between Luxor and Aswan is 18 hours. All cruisers try to sail only during daytime but because of the lock and other circumstances they have to continue during dark hours as well. The Esna Lock: every year Esna Lock is closed for maintenance from the 1st and 15th of December and June. During this period the cruises are made from Esna to Aswan and vice versa and the visits of Luxor are done by bus from Esna. The Nile harbors at times get very crowded and the ships have to park beside each other, sometimes 5-6 in a row. As earlier stated, official and real rating of ships is not always compatible therefore please use our classifications.
