The country’s ancient past is still alive in its majestic monuments and relics, while the complexity of modern Egypt entrances any visitor.
From the majestic Pyramids still standing proudly - to the mighty Nile flowing through the heart of Egypt, the stark Sahara desert and the pristine beaches of the Red Sea, this is a destination not to be missed.
In ancient times, the country was known as Kemet, or the black land, due to the alluvial soil which was deposited during the annual inundation of the River Nile.
This yearly event gave Egypt its fertile land that enabled it to expand along the length of the river, especially in the Delta where many various crops were, and still are, harvested.
Egypt covers an area of approximately 1,001,450km2 (386,662 miles²) and is bordered by Israel and the Gaza Strip in the north-east; the Red Sea in the east; Sudan in the south; Libya in the west; and the Mediterranean Sea in the north.
It is the 3rd most populous country in Africa and the most populous in the Middle-East with the majority of its estimated 80 million people living on, or near, the banks of the River Nile.
Only 5.5% of the total land area is actually used by the population, the area that borders the River Nile as well as a few oases, the other 94.5% being uninhabitable desert.
For thousands of years, the Nile has been Egypt’s lifeline — a ribbon of life cutting through the desert, nourishing its people and shaping one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known.
Along its banks, time seems to stand still. Ancient temples rise from the river’s edge, colossal statues watch in silence, and weathered tombs whisper stories of kings and gods.
Flowing northward from Sudan, the Nile journeys roughly 1,545 kilometers (960 miles) through Egypt before spilling into the Mediterranean Sea. From the Sudanese border to Cairo, it winds through a narrow valley hemmed by cliffs — at points near Edfu, scarcely three kilometers (two miles) across. Beyond Edfu, the valley broadens to about 7.5 kilometers (4.6 miles), its fertile soil spreading mostly along the western bank, where life has flourished for millennia. Just north of Cairo, the river fans out into the lush Delta before meeting the Mediterranean — a meeting of river and sea that has sustained Egypt since antiquity.
About 420 miles south of Cairo lies Luxor, once the great city of Thebes, capital of the New Kingdom pharaohs. Often called the world’s greatest open-air museum, Luxor holds more than half of Egypt’s ancient monuments — a breathtaking tapestry of temples, tombs, and treasures that bring history vividly to life.
Further south, the Nile reaches Aswan — the “Jewel of the Nile.” Here, pink and gray granite cliffs rise from the desert, framing the river’s deep blue waters. The air is still, the light golden, and the landscape seems almost untouched by time. The Nile runs clear and cool, and golden dunes roll endlessly toward the horizon — Egypt at its most poetic and serene.
Please note this is a guide only – please check with your nearest Egyptian Embassy for up to date information.
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival.
Visas are normally obtainable at the airport upon arrival, but some nationalities may need a pre-arrival visa.
Please note that passport holders are responsible for obtaining the required documentation applicable for entry.
No vaccinations are currently needed for visitors to Egypt, unless arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic. Drink plenty of water when staying outside during the day. Take care from the sun, which can often feels cooler than it really is due to the cool coastal breezes and lack of humidity. Short-term dehydration can cause various unpleasant symptoms including fever, headache and nausea. Fortunately these disappear rather quickly after a long drink. We recommend that you drink as much water as possible while on tour. You should not drink tap water and avoid ice in your drink unless it is made from mineral water.
Please advise Sanctuary Retreats of any special dietary requirements/allergies at least 6 weeks prior to the beginning of your journey. Every effort will be made to comply with your request. Travellers with physical disabilities and those who require frequent or on-going medical attention should advise us of their health situation at the time of booking (or at the time such a situation occurs should this be after the reservation is made.) We recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in the event of a medical emergency.
Taxis: Taxi drivers don’t expect tips, but it’s polite to round up the fare.
Restaurants: A service charge is often added to the bill. If not, a typical gratuity would be equal to 10% of the total bill.
Banks: Banking hours are normally 9am till 2pm, Sunday through Thursday, closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Currency exchange houses can be found in most major cities. Most major hotels will exchange major foreign currencies at the same rate as banks.
Currency: Currency is the Egyptian Pound (L.E.) but US dollars are often accepted at tourist sites.
Credit Cards: Major credit cards such as MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted at major restaurants, almost all hotels, and many shops. American Express is less common but is still normally accepted at major hotels. Diners Club Cards are hardly known in Egypt.
The national language in Egypt is Arabic. However, tourists will rarely find a problem communicating as English is widely spoken in hotels and shops, with French a close second, and most staff members in tourist areas also speak German and/or Italian.
Useful phrases
Hello Ahlan
How are you? Ezayak
I am fine Ana Kowayes
I am not fine Ana msh kowayes
Thank you Shok-ran
Beautiful Gameel
Goodbye Maa salaama
Across Egypt, the days are usually warm or hot, while the nights tend to be cool. The country really only has two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. The main difference between them is simply how high the daytime temperatures climb and how the winds shift throughout the year. Along the coast, temperatures average about 57°F (14°C) in winter and rise to around 86°F (30°C) in summer.
In the inland desert regions, the range is much more extreme—especially during summer—when daytime temperatures can soar to 109°F (43°C) and then drop sharply to around 45°F (7°C) at night. In winter, the contrast is less dramatic, with daytime highs near 64°F (18°C) and nighttime lows that can reach freezing, about 32°F (0°C).
Farther north, in the Nile Delta and the upper Nile Valley, occasional winter cold spells can bring light frost and, on rare occasions, even snow. Egypt receives very little rain—less than three inches (80 millimetres) a year in most areas—and most of that falls along the Mediterranean coast.
One of Egypt’s most distinctive weather patterns is the khamsin, a hot, dry wind that sweeps across the country in spring. It usually arrives in April, though sometimes as early as March or as late as May. Blowing at speeds of up to 87 miles per hour (140 km/h), it carries sand and dust through the air and can cause temperatures to rise by as much as 36°F (20°C) within just a couple of hours.
Shopping in Egypt can be relaxed and leisurely, at high-class souvenir stores and hotel outlets, or part of an authentic and bargain wielding experience at local bazaars and souks. For the latter, the world famous Khan El Khalili bazaar is not to be missed, where gold and silver cartouches, carved alabaster, exquisite wooden pieces and intricately embroidered galabeyas can be brought for fabulous prices. A healthy amount of bargaining is expected and contributes to the fun of shopping in Egypt.
Egypt is a Middle Eastern country where both the Muslim majority and the Christian minority are fairly conservative. It’s a country most accustomed to tourists, and for sightseeing in popular areas such as the Pyramids or the main sights of Upper Egypt, shorts and T-shirts are fine. However, you should allow for a more conservative dress code when walking in central Cairo and other cities, and especially in rural areas. When visiting mosques, churches or synagogues, casual, comfortable clothing covering knees and elbows is best, in order to respect the local culture. Around the pool at your hotel or on a cruise, low necklines, sleeveless shirts, or shorts can be comfortably worn; and at the beach in the Red Sea resorts, feel free to dress in your usual beachwear.
An important part of the traveling experience is to savour the many culinary local delights. All over Egypt, and especially in Cairo, you will find an enormous range of high-class restaurants serving international cuisine.
For those who adore hearty fare, then look no further than Egyptian cuisine. With a plethora of spices and herbs, Egyptian food is a feast not just for the palette, but also for the eyes. From sauce laden stews, to succulent grills, to delicate salads, Egyptian food is a combination of Middle Eastern, Turkish and Mediterranean influences that feature much of the local ingredients on offer in the country.
For meat lovers, try tagjin lahma (meat casserole/tajin) or the wonderful Sharkasia Chicken (Circassian chicken on a bed of rice, covered in rich and creamy walnut sauce).
Egyptians also have a sweet tooth, so be sure to indulge in national favourites, like Om Ali (bread and butter pudding with nuts and cream), or Konafa (shredded filo dough cooked in butter and syrup).
No Egyptian meal is complete without a fragrant glass of mint tea – and drink it like an Egyptian, very hot and very sweet! Egyptian beverages are varied and cater to many different tastes. The fruit juices are rich and indulgent, with mango, lemon, sugarcane and guava being firm favourites. Traditional drinks have been around for hundreds of years and have become an art form. Amongst the most popular is Karkade, a rich, sweet infusion of the dark red hibiscus flow-er, usually enjoyed cold but which can also be served hot. In addition to juices and traditional drinks, Egypt’s wines have also improved dramatically over the past years and visitors should try the locally produced wines and beers during their stay.
When taking a photograph of locals, it is customary to ask for permission. If you plan to travel with digital photographic and/or video equipment, make certain to pack the specific charging apparatus for each piece of equipment (as well as the appropriate socket plug adaptor and voltage converter if required).
Egypt is generally a hot country, so light cotton clothing is advisable for the warmer months (April to September) and a light jacket for the evenings during the cooler months (October to March).