Egypt is the crossroads between Africa and Asia. Its 5000 years of history has no rival and its great monuments, as found in the pyramids, have no peer. As ancient that the country is, however, modern Egypt can be found with new schools, hotels and many enjoyable recreational amenities. There are many tour organizations which can assist the traveler in visiting Egypt.

Capital: Cairo

Population: 58, 770,000

Area: 997,745 square miles

Language: Arabic. English and French are widely spoken in the cities.

Time: + 7 hours from New York

Electricity: Most of Egypt has 220 Volts AC, 50 Hz. In some rural areas, voltage becomes a problem with currents ranging from 110 to 380 volts AC.

Geography: Egypt is bounded on the west by Libya, the north by the mediterranean, the east by the Red Sea and Israel and to the south by Sudan. 90% of the population is locked into the fertile Nile Valley and the Nile Delta. The remainder of the country is relatively flat desert with an oasis here and there.

International Airport

Cairo - (CAI): 14 Miles from the city and takes about 30 minutes. Busses leave about every 10 minutes. Taxis are available. Be very mindful that check-in is about 3.5 hours prior to departure. This is very strict.

Tipping: Restaurants add 10-12% for service but it is customary to add another 5% at the table. Porters should be tipped small change. Taxi drivers 10% of the fare.

Shopping: Hours vary but are usually 9:00 am to 7:00 pm daily in the winter and one hour later on Monday and Thursdays. In the summer, shops open at 9:00 am and close at 12:30 noon reopening at 4:00 pm and closing at 8:00 pm every say except Sunday when shops are closed. During Ramadan hours will vary by shop. Khan-el Khalili, the old bazaar, is a fascinating place to explore. Here you can find reproduction of antiquities, jewelry, spices and Coptic cloth.

Food and Drink: Egyptian cooking is quite good taking traditions from the entire Middle East and much from its own culture. American style snack bars are very popular. Alcohol is available in hotels and large restaurants but nowhere else.

Social: Islam is the pervasive influence in this country. Perspective and outlook on things are very much connected to religion. Women must dress modestly and should never wear revealing clothing in religious sites and in smaller towns. Revealing dress is not very smart under the harsh Egyptian sun. Handshaking as a greeting is the norm. Egyptians are very good hosts seeking to make the visitor feel like a very welcome guest. Smart or more formal attire is suggested for evening wear.

Business: Business suits and cards are essential. Appointments must be firmed up in advance and punctuality is a plus.

Gertrude Bell, one of the most famous travelers to the Middle East, said, "Few such moments of exhilaration can come as that which stands at the threshold of wild travel." Egypt is, without a doubt, adventure country par excellence. Wide expanses of desert dotted with lush green oases, colorful underwater seascapes, and labyrinthian tombs inspire exploration in the grand tradition of Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones. Egypt brings many images to mind: colossal pyramids and gilded tombs, opulent pharaohs and omnipotent gods, the mighty Nile River and its dams. It is a country with an astoundingly rich past, so much so that most visitors probably know more about what Egypt was like 3000 years ago than about the modern-day state. But it is the Egypt hidden behind these national treasures and universal wonders that travelers come to know and love: the urban sprawl of Cairo and Alexandria, the unspoiled culture of the Bedouin, the unparalleled relaxation of a felucca ride down the Nile, and, above all, the astounding hospitality of Egyptians everywhere—from the oasis villages to the heart of Cairo. Egypt is a budget traveler’s paradise. The sights are stunning, the culture fascinating, and bargains a way of life. However, travel here requires plenty of time, stamina, and patience. Most find that with a relaxed attitude, the hassles of traveling are surpassed by the intensity and beauty of the Egyptian experience.

Facts and Figures

Number of Beauty Products Invented by Ancient Egyptians: 75: anti-wrinkle creams, depilatories, exfoliants, breath fresheners, and hair growth stimulators for balding men.

Percentage of Surviving Wonders of the Ancient World: 100.

Number of Mummified Cats Found in Egypt and Sold to England to be Used as Fertilizer: 300,000.

Largest Burial Ground in the World: Valley of the Mummies, spanning six miles and holding about 10,000 corpses.

When To Go

Take into account holidays when arranging your itinerary. As in all Muslim countries, businesses close on Fridays. They may close during the afternoon on holidays, but are generally open in the morning. The most important event and the one most likely to complicate travel is Ramadan (Nov. 6-Dec. 5 in 2002), the annual month-long fast during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. During this time, most restaurants are closed until sundown; shops may be open for a few hours in the morning and a short time after iftar, the breaking of the fast. Government services are either closed entirely or open only in the morning. It would be rude to smoke or eat in public at this time.

Also think about when everyone else is vacationing. Egypt's high and low seasons depend partly on the region: Cairo is a year-round mob scene, while summertime is partytime in Alexandria and on the Mediterranean and Red Sea beaches. In the Sinai, Oases, and Upper Egypt, reasonable temperatures make winter the high season, but younger travelers revel in summertime bargains despite the extreme heat. In southern Egypt, summer temperatures often reach 49°C (120°F) and can push 55°C (131°F). Fortunately, it’s dry—your body's cooling system should know what to do. Winter brings perfect weather across the country. In arid Cairo, pollution makes summer afternoons hellish. Alexandria is temperate year-round, though quite humid. The Red Sea coast is comfortably warm in winter and hot but dry in summer; higher elevations in the Sinai can be freezing in winter and on summer nights.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Cairo: Egyptian Museum: the Pharaohs’ mummies and ancient treasures.
• Khan el Khalili: bustling bazaar.
• Coptic Museum and Churches: the Christian view.
• Saqqara: the Step Pyramid.
• Giza: Kheopp's Great Wonder and the Sphinx.
• Alexandria: Greco-Roman Museum: memories of Cleopatra.
• Montazah: Palace and beaches.
• Mediterranean:
• El Alamein: Rommel and Montgomery's WWII tank battle in the desert.
• Luxor and Karnak: Awesome temples.
• Valley of the Kings: Pharaoh's tombs in the desert.
• Aswan: Mighty dam and the romantic island sanctuary of Isis.
• Mount Sinai: Moses' mountain and St Catherine's monastery.
• Suez Canal,
• Red Sea,
• River Nile.

CURRENCY:

Egyptian pound. Bring enough cash for 24-72 hours to save time at the airport, or if you arrive on a holiday or a weekend. US dollars and German marks are the most acceptable foreign currencies. Travellers cheques are easily exchanged at banks or money changing bureaux.

EXCHANGE RATE:

£1 = 4.73 Egyptian pounds

LANGUAGE:

Arabic is the official language, but English and French are widely spoken.

CLUBS IN CAIRO:

Atlas or Tamango, Atlas Zamalek Hotel, 9th floor. Atlantis, Shepherd Hotel, Corniche en-Nil. Jackie's, Nile Hilton, Tahrir Square. Casanova Disco, El Burg Hotel, Club Med Disco, Manial Palace, Rhoda Is.

GETTING AROUND:

Railways system is highly developed. Student discounts up to 50%. Long distance buses (cheaper than trains) are slow, hot and crowded. Minibuses are cheap and good for a communal experience. If you’re driving remember to get a permit. Outside tourist areas, roadsigns are in Arabic.