At LOOK AT EGYPT TOURS,
we take our global responsibilities seriously. After all, we are passionate
about the places we visit and want to help preserve them. We need your help to
do this - by traveling responsibly you will contribute towards the communities
and environments that you visit, as well as having a great holiday. Read on to
find out more about traveling responsibly.
What Is Responsible Tourism?
Responsible Tourism is about providing and having a more
rewarding and fulfilling holiday. It's about being culturally sensitive and
minimizing negative impacts on the environment. It's about getting involved
with the local people - ensuring that your tourist dollar benefits the
community and that the local people are involved in decisions that affect their
lives. It's about helping to conserve the world's wild places. It's about
sustainability and 'giving something back'.
Come to Egypt Tours is a tour operator, which has been
operating environmentally and culturally sensitive holidays around the Middle
East. We'll help you to 'get beneath the skin' of the countries you visit - to
meet the local people on their terms, to learn about the history and culture,
and to enjoy wilderness experiences that don't damage the environment. By
traveling 'responsibly', you'll be making a positive contribution to the host
communities and environments you visit, and ensuring that future travelers will
enjoy the same privilege.
Responsible Tourism is a key plank of our corporate
philosophy. You can read our Responsible Tourism Policy on our website. We do
our best to adhere to this policy (and we welcome any feedback on our
operations), but we need your help. Following are some suggestions on how to
minimize your impact and to facilitate interaction and understanding. By following
them, we believe you'll have a far richer and more rewarding holiday
experience.
Before you leave home
The more you know about your holiday destination before you
leave, the more you will be able to appreciate and understand it once you're
there.
* Try to read up on the history, wildlife and culture. Using
the internet, music, films and TV documentaries.
* Learn some of the local language - even if it's just
"hello", "good-bye" and "thank you". "Can I
take your photo?" will get you a long way with reluctant models.
Most developing countries don't have waste collection
services, so try to leave as much excess packaging (eg film boxes, plastic bags
etc) at home and when you're buying toiletries and other stocks, stick to
biodegradable products.
Consider the clothes you're packing. Many developing
countries - particularly in the Middle East - have very modest dress codes.
High cut shorts, sleeveless tops and revealing bathers, for women OR men, can
be offensive. By dressing inappropriately, you may be putting up a barrier
between yourself and the people you want to interact with. Loose clothing that
covers limbs not only protects you from the sun and insects, but also will
ensure you're more readily accepted by the local people.
Likewise, leave expensive jewellery at home - not only can
it attract thieves; it's a tactless reminder of the differing standards of
wealth between the west and the third world.
People, Customs and Etiquette
Meeting and interacting meaningfully with the local people
and experiencing foreign cultures are often the most memorable highlights of a
holiday. Your Egypt Highlight’s holiday will provide many opportunities for
both, however just as at home; respect, consideration and an open mind are
needed for these interactions to be mutually enjoyable. Don't be surprised if
the local people - especially in remote areas - treat you with an equal measure
of curiosity, and even suspicion!
Put yourself in their shoes. It's easy to judge another
culture by our own standards and assumptions, but it's worth keeping in mind:
* You are a guest in the community - please respect your
hosts and behave as you'd expect a guest to behave in your home.
* Other cultures have different concepts of 'time', among
other things - you'll find it a lot less stressful if you go with the flow and
you may even re-assess your own ideas!
* Keep an open mind and don't be too quick to judge: we do
things differently back home - not better, just differently.
* Don't be too quick to generalize. For example, one bad
experience with a taxi driver doesn't mean all cabbies are thieves.
* Please be respectful of local customs. Read up before you
go and ask your tour leader, or a local, if you're unsure. Observe, listen and
take your cue from the local people.
* Nudity, scanty or inappropriate dress often causes
offence, particularly in Moslem countries. Modest dress will help minimize the
risk of sexual harassment (locals won't readily assume you're 'available') and
you'll be treated with a lot more respect.
* Formalities such as greetings can be quite different to
what you're used to. It's often best to wait for the local person to make the
first move - be it a handshake or a nose rub! Public displays of affection are
taboo in many communities.
* Please respect private property and sites where access may
be limited, by asking permission. Please also abide by the laws of the country
and community you're visiting.
It's often painfully hard to resist the pleadings of
beggars, be they children calling for 'bonbons' or adults with terrible
disabilities. In most cases, we strongly recommend you do not give money or
other 'gifts' (such as pens or lollies) to beggars. In many countries, such
actions have actually helped create a begging fraternity that undermines
traditional culture and social structures, and almost inevitably eliminates any
chance for equitable interaction between locals and foreigners. In some cases
children skip school or are forced out by their parents, and are even
deliberately maimed or drugged to increase their earning capacity as beggars.
An alternative is to give of your 'self', rather than your
'wealth' - share a joke or a meal, start a conversation, take a photo or play a
game.
If you would like to make a contribution, ask your leader
about local community projects where your money will be used to the best
advantage or where you can perhaps physically involved Egypt Highlight’s
supports and has initiated such schemes in some of the areas in which it
operates (refer to the end of this booklet).
Sex Tourism
Prostitution is illegal in most of the countries in which we
operate, including Thailand and many parts of South East Asia. It goes without
saying that we vehemently discourage your participation in this industry, and
if you are found to be breaking the law you may be asked to leave your tour.
Photography
Please always ask before taking someone's photo, and respect
his or her wishes. Usually just lifting your camera with a questioning look
will suffice as a request, although asking in the person's own language is even
better. A smile goes a long way!
We suggest that you don't pay for taking photos of people -
it becomes another form of begging, with similar consequences. Usually, if you
take a little time to talk to your subject, they will agree to be photographed
- you end up with a far more relaxed subject, and you each have a more
enjoyable and memorable experience.
If you promise to send someone a photo, please try to follow
through. Our leaders can sometimes help out, delivering the prints the next
time they're passing through. A small Polaroid camera that can produce
'instant' prints is always a huge hit! These days, a digital camera can also be
a great asset, enabling you to immediately show your subjects their photos.
Bargaining
Bargaining is a fundamental part of the shopping experience
in many countries, but what many westerners don't realize is that it's not
about securing the lowest possible price. It's about fair trade and reaching a
tactical agreement that suits both parties. The social interaction is as much a
part of the process as the financial outcome. Keep this in mind, and perhaps
consider that low prices often mean low wages. Have fun with it and keep things
in perspective, but don't be mean-spirited. Does haggling over that last dollar
really make a difference to you, compared to the vendor?
Religious and Historic Sites
* Please respect the physical and cultural integrity of
religious and historic sites.
* Ensure you are appropriately dressed and aware of
particular actions that may cause offence. For example, in many countries, it
is considered disrespectful to point the soles of your feet at a religious
shrine; others have rituals of ablution, or clothing regulations, that must be
observed before entering.
* If you're exploring archaeological ruins, be mindful of
where you're putting your feet - those 1000-year-old stones may be under threat
from being explored to death!
* Don't succumb to the temptation to souvenir a piece of
stone or pottery or other artifact.
Food
Many of the countries we visit have a distinctive and
exciting cuisine - sampled local delicacies and shared meals with the local
people are invariably the stuff of rich memories. We encourage you to support
local restaurants, often family-run, by trying out their food. If you're eating
on the street or in markets, stick to hot food cooked in front of you, and eat
from establishments where there is a high turnover, where freshness is more
likely to be assured. Avoid raw foods or any that may have been washed in
un-purified water or drinks containing un-purified ice. If in doubt, ask your
leader - he or she can also provide restaurant recommendations.
On safaris, many of your meals will be prepared by Egypt
Highlight's cooks. You can be assured of the freshness of the ingredients, the
purity of the water and hygienic preparation.
A fundamental principle of our approach to Responsible
Tourism is our commitment to employ local people as leaders and staff wherever
possible, at all levels of the organization. We operate comprehensive training
courses for all our local leaders and each year we try to help them improve
their skills. Not only does this policy mean the best possible holiday
experience for our clients, it provides a career path for our leaders and staff
and ensures the benefits remain in the local community.
Our leaders are a great source of information about the
country and its people and can be invaluable in helping you understand and
interact with them. They can help you avoid cultural blunders, and their knowledge
gives you a great insight into all aspects of the country, including local
customs and traditions. Not only can they speak the language, they're
passionate about their homeland. On tour, they'll introduce you to friends and
family, and help you to get to know the local people on their own terms.
Camping
We try to keep our impact on a campsite to an absolute
minimum - leaving the site in the same, or preferably better, condition than we
found it.
We aim to locate tents at least 30 meters away from streams
and lakes and, to prevent erosion; we ask that you do not dig drainage ditches
around your tent.
While that patch of lush green grass looks like the ideal
spot to pitch your tent, mountain meadows and tundra contain important - and
very fragile - plants, which can easily be damaged, so we try to select a sandy
or hard surface for our campsites (that's where roll mats and thermarests come
in!).
When we break camp, please help us by doing a quick check of
the site, removing any scraps left by your group, or by others.
Toilet Hygiene
* While on the Nile please place all toilet paper and
sanitary items in the bags provides and we will dispose of them.
* Make sure you're at least 100 meters away from any
watercourse
* If we are building a group latrine, we find an area with
good ground cover and try to remove the top layer of soil intact. When in camp,
always use the latrine in the toilet tent if one is provided - your leader will
explain the details of 'latrine etiquette' to you. Before leaving, we fill the
hole, replace the top layer of soil and scatter soil or leaf litter over the
top.
* Don't forget to thoroughly wash your hands - for your own
health as well as that of other group members.
Rubbish
Disposing of rubbish properly in the developing world is a
little more complex than back home. Most of the countries we visit don't have
'organized' waste disposal systems. In many places, almost all the waste
generated was biodegradable or recyclable until the very recent introduction of
plastics and other consumables. The local infrastructure cannot cope with the
changed situation, and often the local people don't have a clear understanding
of the impact of unfettered littering.
We encourage you to go the extra step and remove any rubbish
left by others. Carry a plastic bag for collecting your rubbish during the day.
If you can take your non-biodegradable waste, such as batteries and plastic
film canisters, back home with you, you'll be making a positive impact on an
enormous problem.
Washing and Water Pollution
* Protecting water resources is vital. Where practical, we
camp well away from water sources.
* We urge you to use only biodegradable soaps and shampoos
that don't contain phosphates, and please don't use them directly in fresh
waterways as even biodegradable soaps can be harmful.
* If bathing or swimming, consider the sensibilities of
local people - both regarding what you wear and using 'their' water. Bathe
downstream from water collection points or villages and, if you're using
shampoos and soaps, lather up and rinse well away from the water's edge - your
leader can give you a basin.
Do you need for travel to Egypt & searching on tips?
Then our travel expert helps you for Egypt travel advice with beautiful trip
details at all sections.
Currency in Egypt:
Please note: Throughout this page, the currencies referred
to are as follows: $US, £UK (sterling), Euros and £E (Egyptian Pound).
The Currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound ( referred by LE
- Livre Egyptienne) and it is divided into 100 piaster. In Arabic it is called
Genaeh. Here you will find 25 and 50 piaster notes and various sized coins down
to the 5 piaster. At present $1 dollar is equivalent to 5.5 Egyptian pounds
Currency conversion:
$1 (US) is 5.77 Egyptian pounds
£1 (UK) is 9.01 Egyptian pounds
1 Euro is 7.30 Egyptian pounds
In Egypt, most of the banks are open from Sunday to
Thursday; working hours being 0830 to 1400, though banks at the airports and
the major entry ports are open 24 hours daily.
Note: Most of the major credit/debit cards, such as American
Express, MasterCard, Visa, all Euro cards and JCB, are widely accepted in
various hotels and shops. If you want to use an ATM machine, they mostly accept
Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus cards. If you can't find an ATM machine in your
vicinity, you can still obtain cash if you go to any of the Misr Bank branches.
Banks are unwillingly to accept $100 notes issued before 1992. If you wish to
convert your currency, you can use $US, £UK or Euros, as they are accepted in
many banks and other places. TIP: Don't change your $, £ or Euro until you
arrive in Egypt – the conversion rate is much better here!
Please don't bring Scottish pounds, Irish punts, and New
Zealand dollars etc. as they are not accepted in Egypt! You will find plenty of
banks at the airport and several foreign currency exchange offices. Your duty
free goods must be purchased within 48 hours after arrival.
If you at any point during your tour, run out of money, and
your credit cards are not accepted, you still can get money wired to you from
abroad. In Egypt, there are plenty of Western Union branches; it takes just a
few minutes to get any sum of money sent to you from abroad.
Egypt Bus Services:
There are three main operators, based in Cairo, that mostly
form a network that covers all of Egypt. They are as follows:
-The Upper Egypt Bus Company. It covers all points along the
Nile valley, as well as the Fayoum and Inner Oasis and the Red Sea coast e.g.
Hurghada, Safaga and Marsa Alam
-The East Delta Bus Company covers the Sinai Peninsula and
the Canal Zone.
-The West Delta Bus Company serves Alexandria, north coast,
Siwa Oasis and the Nile Delta towns.
-The El-Gouna Bus Company. Their buses cover Hurghada,
Safaga and Marsa Alam
-If you want to check Egypt bus service schedule, click here
-The Super Jet Bus Companies: they cover most of egypt and
their stations are located in Almaza (Heliopolis), Turguman Square (Tahrir),
Giza, and Cairo Airport. if you need to call them Tel: (002)-(02)266 0212
Electricity:
The electricity current is 220 volts, 50 Hz, and uses
round-pronged plugs. North American and other non 220-volt users are advised to
bring a converter!
If you are coming from the UK, you will need only an adaptor
for your plugs (these are available from most high street shops... etc.)
Cairo Airport:airport
Cairo airport is located 22Km to the south east of the
centre of Cairo. The trip to, or from, the airport should take around 30 - 45
Minutes. So dear traveller, make sure to leave your hotel at least three hours
before your departure time!
There are threeTerminals at Cairo airport. All Egypt-Air and
domestic flights depart from Terminal one, while all other airlines depart from
Terminal two.
There is no departure tax levied - at the moment! However,
starting from next October, a new tax will be implemented. You will not pay it
directly as it will be included in the price of the ticket.
If you fly with Egypt Air, or have connection flights, it is
recommended that you confirm your flight, at least 48 hours before departure,
it is very important to do that. If you are staying in a good hotel, the guest
relation, or reception, should be able to do this for you if you wish.
If you are an individual traveller and wish to confirm your
flight, you can call Egypt Air directly. Use one of these numbers:
Egypt-Air at Cairo International Airport: Tel: 634 1460 /
418 3690 / 265 7222 /265 7244/ 265 7257/ 256 7255 Fax: 267 4555 / 418 2818
- Terminal 2 has been closed down for renovation. Airlines
now operating from T1
- Terminal 2 has been closed to undergo a complete
renovation and upgrade of its capacity. During that time the airlines will be
operating from T1.
-Please check with your Airline which Terminal you will
depart from / arrive to.
-Free WiFi in Terminal 1
-Cairo airport provides WiFi services in its Terminal
without any charge to passengers.
For flight inquiries please dial 090077777 from any Landline
or 2777 from any Mobile.
Cairo Airport Exclusive Service reservation: exclusive@cairo-airport.com
or call +202 2265 5647 / 3160 for Terminal 1 or +202 2269 6300 / 301 ext. 7424
for Terminal 3. cairo airport
Customs at Cairo Airport:
You are allowed to bring only 250 grams of tobacco, two
cartons of cigarettes, one litre of alcohol and personal stuff. If you are
planning to bring your own pet, make sure you have a veterinary health
certificate, which should include a valid rabies certificate.
Making a phone call:
To call any country outside Egypt, dial your country code,
then city code then number.To call Egypt from abroad, the country code is 002.
If you have friends calling you from North America or
Australia while you are in Egypt, tell them to dial 011 before dialling country
code.
List of some of the local dialling codes:
Cairo Luxor Alexandria Aswan Sharm Elshiek Hurghada Ismalia
02 095 03 097 069 065 064
The best and the cheapest time to place your call is after
2000 (8:00PM). If you wish to make an international call simply buy a Mena-Tel
card, (will cost you about 20 LE) and it should give you around 3 minutes of
calling time to any place in the world. You may make the call from the many
yellow phone boxes in the streets around your hotel.
If you wish to purchase a mobile phone Sim Card for your
visit, Both Mobinil and Egypt Vodafone offer a Tourist line for only 60 LE, it
will give you an Egyptian number so that you can make phone calls, your friends
and family can reach you, and it will save the roaming charges.
Travelling alone advice:
Egypt as a tourist cannot be compared with other countries.
Things are cheaper here. Even entry fees to the sites are cheaper than many
other countries. Flying to Egypt is cheaper from many tourist destinations
around the world. Nowadays you can even get an organized package trip for $500
with accommodation!
Often I will advice travellers to avoid getting taxis to
tour the sites. What do you expect from a local taxi driver, who cares nothing
but how much you will pay him at the end of your trip? This is the job of a
travel agency, or a local licensed guide to do.
Today there are so many travel agencies in Australia and the
UK that offer very cheap trip they are very well organized. You picked up the
choice to do it on your own! Then you must be prepared.
You must be aware of the following points:
hints and tips
If you must take a taxi, then it would be best if you asked
the reception/ concierge of your hotel to get you one. They have certain
assigned taxis that they know very well, and deal with on a daily basis If you
want to tour a site on your own, you have to be aware of where you are going,
how much you are going to pay for the ticket, and what is included with the
ticket! This is the reason I built my information site:
To help first time travellers to Egypt. If you want to dine
out, then you must know where the recommend restaurants are, and where you will
find the clean healthy food. Don't consider the price, even if you dine in a 5
star hotel, it is still cheaper than in your own country!Independent travel,
for your 1st experience, is not advised. I have explained elsewhere about how
"Lonely Planet" gives the wrong impression. I have spoken to many
people who have tried it this way, and wish they had gone as part of a group (I
do not mean a package holiday – groups can be arranged when you get there!).
First and foremost, prepare yourself for a culture shock!
Many seasoned travellers are amazed when they first visit Egypt, and find that
it is unlike any other country that they have previously visited!
Egypt is a Muslim country, so please respect their faith.
Many things that you take as the norm, such as kissing and/or fondling your
partner in public, wearing revealing clothing etc., are frowned upon here, so
try and be more conservative in your attitude. Homosexuality is actually illegal
in Muslim countries!
Have a look at the ask-aladdin forum to get more hints and
tips from other travelers. If you have any questions before your trip, ask on
the forum, no matter how trivial you may feel the question is.
Do not rely, solely, on travel books such as Lonely Planet
and Rough Guide. Though they do give a lot of good information, they do not
explain everything, or how to help if you get into problems. Too many people
have come to Egypt armed with one of these books, and have left, totally disappointed
with their trip, vowing never to return again!
If you are travelling alone, or in a couple, and wish to
organise everything yourself, please let the hotel know your plans before you
leave. If you should get lost, the hotel will be able to act on your behalf!
Also, take a note of the hotel's name and telephone number, in case you do get
lost, or change your plans.
If you wish to organise everything yourself, be prepared for
the occasional "rip-off". Like many other tourist destinations, Egypt
has its "wolves", those who prey on unsuspecting travellers. Often
the total cost of an excursion can be a lot more than if you had arranged it
through your hotel, or a travel agent, and a lot less enjoyable.
Never drink the tap water! It is okay to wash, shower and
clean your teeth with it, but not advised to drink. Bottled water is cheap and
plentiful; use it instead!
In Egypt they drive on the right, be careful when crossing
roads. Take special care in Cairo, where the traffic is a lot busier than in
other Egyptian cities – especially outside the Egyptian museum! UK and Japanese
travelers should be extra careful, as you will be used to traffic driving on
the left.
Get your entry visa at your destination airport; it often
works out cheaper than getting it at home. Also you can exchange your $, £ or
Euro at the same time – the conversion rate is far better in Egypt!
If you are going to be using the Abela Sleeper Train
service, please try and make your reservation in advance. For help with this,
try here.
Internal flights by Egypt Air must be booked in advance as
well.
Get to know the other guests in your hotel, many of them
will give you advise about what and whatnot to do. They should also be able to
tell you where the best restaurants and bargain centers are; no one will
knowingly recommend a bad place!
Ask your hotel's reception desk for help and/or advise. They
will know the best taxis, tour companies etc. and will let you know. Some
hotels can also take bookings for excursions.
Do not be scared of being part of a group for excursions.
These groups have leaders (a tour guide and/or Egyptologist) who will help with
problems, explain about the site you are visiting, arrange transport (if
necessary!) etc., things you would find difficult if you tried it alone. You
will also find that you will get less hassle if you are part of a group! Many
traders will not approach a group of people, but they will approach a lone
traveller or a couple.
When you pay for a group excursion, the price includes
everything except for tips (sometimes admission prices are not included). This
includes transport, a driver, a tour guide, tolls etc. Some longer excursions
may even include a stop for lunch (often included in the price too). Many will
take you to places where Ancient crafts are still practised, giving you the
chance to buy good quality merchandise at low prices.
Buy (and drink) plenty of water. You will find it a lot
cheaper to buy in the various shops, than buying at your hotel or cruise boat.
You may not drink a lot of water at home, but make sure you do in Egypt. It is
very easy to become dehydrated if you don't.
Remember that Egypt is a 3rd world country, and has many
poor people who think that all tourists are rich, no matter where they come
from in the world! Learn the phrase "La Shukran" (No thank you!) and
don't be afraid to say it to anyone who tries to sell you anything, or asks for
"baksheesh". Believe it or not, it does work. Please do not say
"Emshi" (as many tour books advise), this can be taken as an insult.
If you forget the expression "La Shukran" just
politely say "No thank you" and walk away. Don't get abusive to the
trader; he is only trying to feed his family.
If you feel that someone is being too pushy, let a member of
the Tourist Police know. You will see them everywhere in Egypt and their job is
to protect you.
Admission to all sites is payable in LE, so make sure that
you carry enough with you. Try and plan each day in advance, work out how much
you will need for admissions, and keep this money separate from your spending
money.
If you want to go on a felucca trip, be careful! Again, ask
for advise from your hotel first, to find out the best captain to approach.
Unfortunately there have been reports of some captains demanding extra money
for the return leg of a journey, or demanding to take you somewhere else first!
While this is not the norm, it does occasionally happen.
You will find that many tours (especially to the desert
sites) are done either early morning or late afternoon. The reason for this is
because of the heat in the middle of the day. If you do want to visit sites
independently, please try and follow the example of the experienced tour
organisers and avoid the midday sun!
Be prepared for delays when entering some sites. Because of
the threat of terrorism, you will have your personal belongings (camera bags,
carrier bags etc.) searched before gaining admittance. Though this is annoying,
it is for your safety! Also, on some sites, they may find video equipment,
which they will take from you. Don't worry you will get it back! It is just
that certain sites do not allow video's to be used.
Take a small, pocket, flashlight with you when visiting the
sites. Many tombs, temples etc. use the natural light for illumination
(including a local with a large mirror, reflecting the light!) and a small
flashlight can be very handy. A small mirror, such as the one in a ladies
make-up, can also be used to highlight a relief. Please Note: Do not take one
of the really bright halogen torches, you could cause damage to the monuments!
Once developed for cleaning the parts underneath a babies
nappy / diaper, "Wet Wipes" (the small, damp, tissue usually bought
in a plastic tub) are becoming more and more popular with adults. They are also
very useful when travelling in Egypt. When you have felt the relief's in a
Temple, touched the hieroglyphs in a Tomb, caressed the stones on the Pyramids
etc., you only have to take one of these wipes out to instantly clean your
hands. No more looking for a washroom!
Make up a small "medical-kit" before you go!
Include things like safety pins, plasters (different sizes), antiseptic cream,
diarrhoea tablets, headache tablets and sun cream (high factor advised).
Take a box of cheap ballpoint pens. The children (and many
adults) are very happy when you hand them out, handy for baksheesh.
When shopping for bargains, keep your own currency and
credit cards out of sight, and separate from your LE. It is easier to haggle
over a price if you can show that you have only a few Egyptian pounds in your possession!
Plus, some traders may try and insist that they meant $ or £, instead of LE, if
they see that you are carrying them.
Wear sensible footwear when visiting the various sites. High
heels and open toe shoes are not advisable. The floors of most sites are either
sand www.lookategypt.com
Many monuments have signs that say " No Flash
Photography", please obey these signs (you can be ejected from the site if
you ignore the sign!). The very bright flash can cause serious damage to some
of the ancient paintwork!
Some reliefs have depictions that show male genitalia – this
is not pornography, so there is no reason to be offended! If you are part of a
group (of any size) the leader/guide will explain the reason for the depiction.
If you are travelling by road to Abu Simbel, ask your hotel
or cruise boat if they supply a "breakfast box". Some hotels do this,
as they cannot supply you with a breakfast before you depart. If they do not do
this service, take some food with you, as hunger will set in before you reach
Abu Simbel (a 3 ½ - 4 hour trip, each way!) Also, make sure you take plenty of
water with you; it tends to be hot here and you can dehydrate very quickly.
When visiting the West Bank sites at Luxor, again take
plenty of water with you! You will be there for either ½ day or a whole day
(with a break for lunch) and it can become very hot, drink a lot of water to
avoid dehydration!
Ladies, if you intend visiting the inside of one of the
pyramids, please wear trousers (or jeans). You may have to ascend/descend
ladders and/or crawl through narrow passages. For the same reasons, I would
advise men to avoid wearing short trousers.
Public transport (town bus services, and in Cairo, the
Metro!) in Egypt is very cheap, but try and avoid it if you can. You will only
put yourself into an awkward position having many locals staring and talking
about you. Taxis are not expensive so use these for travelling about town. Your
hotel will let you know the best companies to use.
If you on a "multi-centre" holiday, and you will
be returning to your first hotel before your departure, arrange to leave some
of your luggage, and items you have bought, with the hotel. Most hotels offer
this service free of charge (or for a very low cost) and it saves you having to
carry too much to your next destinations.
When you have paid your entry into the Egyptian Museum and
received your ticket (s), a "guide", offering his services, will
approach you. These "guides" are not employed by the museum, they are
freelance. Most of the museums exhibits are not labeled, so the chances are,
you will not know one from another. A guidebook is available from the museum,
but it is up to you if you want to employ one of these "guides". If
you decide to do so, make sure you haggle for a good, low price, so that if he
is useless, you have not wasted much money. You could even try and form a group
of visitors to share the cost! To avoid this problem in the first place, ask at
your hotel for advise on getting a proper guide!
At most sites, especially if you are alone, or in a couple,
a "guide", offering to show you around, may approach you. To these
people you should say "La Shukran" or "no thank you"! The
Egyptian Government does not employ any guides at any of the sites and
monuments! Again, ask at your hotel, for help, before you visit the site.
Do not buy anything from the traders inside the Giza
Plateau! The items they are trying to sell you can be bought a lot cheaper at
places like the Khan El-Khalili. Also beware the many people offering you camel
rides, as they are not all genuine! Head for the main stables if you want a
camel ride, or better still, arrange one at your hotel.
If you go to the Citadel, try and ignore the traders selling
"papyrus" pictures, as the "papyrus" is made from banana
leafs, they are not genuine papyrus! Also, if you buy some from one trader,
another will approach selling you "pictures that the other man did not
have"! To get mementos here, there are some stalls between the bus park
and the old bank, where the traders are better to deal with, and not so pushy.
Many people, to save money, use the express train service,
Cairo - Luxor/Aswan - Cairo. This is a long journey, though it is comfortable
(and the scenery is breathtaking!). Before boarding the train, make sure you
take some food with you, as the supplies "on-board" run out very
quickly and are not replenished. A book is often advised, to help pass the
time. Make sure you get the 1st Class, air-conditioned express train (normally,
tourists have no option – the lower class carriages are for locals only!). They
are non-smoking, but you can smoke in the entrance/exit area!
Do not feel that 5 star hotels are always the best! There
are many 3 star hotels, that are Egyptian owned and run, that offer the same
facilities as the big multi-national ones, sometimes they offer a better
service and in most cases, a lot friendlier!
We, at look at Egypt, advise against the idea of a felucca
trip between Aswan and Luxor (Esna), unless you are really intent on sleeping
under the stars, and eating food that is not of the best standard. Many of
these little felucca tip over due to the strong wind and you will end up losing
all your luggage in the bottom of the Nile. We recommend using big Cruise
boats, they can do the same trip, with better sleeping accommodation and first
class food!
And finally: Please do not let this list put you off going
to Egypt. It has been compiled from questions that people regularly ask, and
complaints that travelers have experienced. This list is to help make your
visit as enjoyable as possiblewww.lookategypt.com
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