Egypt

Looking to uncover the mysteries and triumphs of one of the world's most intriguing civilizations, or in need of inspiration for your upcoming trip to Egypt? Look no further than this section!

Egypt, the land of the Pharaohs, is a place where history is alive. With iconic landmarks like the towering pyramids of Giza and the stunning temples of Luxor, Egypt offers visitors a glimpse into the grandeur of one of the oldest and most successful civilizations in human history. From the days of the first pharaohs over 5,000 years ago, to the rise and fall of dynasties, the growth of thriving cities, and the creation of awe-inspiring works of art and architecture, the story of Egypt is an epic tale (as you may notice, I really enjoyed my visit to Egypt).
In February 2021, I had the opportunity to visit Egypt for two weeks. Our itinerary began in Cairo, and then we gradually made our way south to Luxor and Aswan, before finally crossing deserted landscapes to spend some time by the sea in Hurghada. I highly recommend this route as it follows the Nile, which allows you to experience the rich history and main attractions of Egypt.

However, it is important to note that certain areas of Egypt, including the Libyan desert and Sinai Peninsula, are not very safe for non-guided travel. Not only does the Libyan desert have one of the harshest environments on the planet with extreme temperatures, but it also has ongoing clashes between Egyptian security forces and terrorist groups from Libya. For instance, in 2015, Egyptian security forces mistakenly killed Mexican tourists who were thought to be part of a terrorist group (read more here).

Picture this: you're strolling through the ancient wonders of Egypt, gazing upon the majestic pyramids and breathtaking temples, but you can't quite grasp the full weight of their historical significance. If only you had a crash course in ancient Egyptian history beforehand, you could fully appreciate the magic of what you're seeing! Luckily for you, I've got you covered. In this section, I've put together all the need-to-know information so that you won't miss a thing on your trip to Egypt.Furthermore, I share with you bellow some valuable tips to prepare you for your adventure, as well as the detailed itinerary of each of the main sites in Egypt.

Must-see places in Egypt

• The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza and the great sphinx

• The Egyptian Museum, 

• Khan El Khalili, 

• Valley of the Kings

• Karnak and Hatshepsut temple 

• Abu Simbel temples

• Philea temple

• Unfinished obelisk 

Practical information before visiting Egypt

• Egypt is currently a Muslim country. Keep in mind that praying times are at 4am, 12pm, 5pm and 7pm. 

• Keep small currency change to give the repeatedly requested tips

• If you want to have a good experience, check reviews and prices before making a decision. There are tours and trips that may not be legit. 

• Be ready to bargain. Know the price of things or what you want to pay for them. 

• Vendors can be stressful but do not feel pressured to buy and if you don't want it, decline in a friendly manner. In the worst case, be ready to get some sort of passive aggression (being followed or getting yelled at).

• Important - Arrival: When you arrive to the airport, there is not much outside apart from a few companies that offer transportation services, tourist information and ATM. Therefore, be prepared already with some money and options to reach your first destination.

If not, don't worry, you have several options to reach Cairo. You can either use Careem or Uber (if you have data) or bargain outside the airport with transportation companies. The cost of the Taxi to centre of Cairo is 50-150LE depending on your bargaining skills. We paid 200LE due to inexperience but it’s OK (1EUR=18LE; 1CHF=17LE; 1USD=15.7LE on Feb 2021). 

• In general, getting a taxi is kind of a hassle, not only because of bargaining but also because if you are unlucky, the driver drives you around without a  particular destination (which happened to us in Luxor). Therefore, for moving around long distances we recommend Careem or Uber, with fair and upfront prices, as this avoids you from any potential confrontation. 

• Get a SIM card, you'll need it for Careem/Uber. We opted for a Vodafone SIM card, 60LE for 2GB of data. It's preferable if you could do it with a trustworthy local, as sometimes they ask for an address in Egypt or they might just charge you more. We once added data on my phone near Giza pyramids and we paid but did not get the data that we paid for (as it takes several minutes).

Other tips

• The sign of ordering the bill, is placing your closed hand flat perpendicular to your other's hand palm - kind of like asking for a half time but with your other hand horizontal instead of vertically forming a T. 

Religion in Egypt

Egypt has a rich history of religion, with ancient Egyptian religion being one of the earliest recorded belief systems in the world. It was a polytheistic faith with a complex mythology, and the deities were often associated with natural phenomena such as the sun, the Nile River, and the sky.

With the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire, Egypt became one of the first Christian nations, and the Coptic Orthodox Church has been the predominant Christian denomination in Egypt since the fourth century. Today, Islam is the main religion in Egypt, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslims. Keep in mind when visiting that the prayer times are 4am, 12pm, 5pm and 7pm. There is also a significant Coptic Christian minority, as well as smaller communities of Jews and Bahá'ís.