Egypt is a rustic with 1000’s of years of historical past and most well-known for its Pharaohs and pyramids at Giza. It’s a part of the Middle East however lies on the African continent. It’s a type of nations I wished to go to for a very long time however by no means had the prospect to go and everyone knows there was a yr or two of some turmoil which didn’t enable simple journey. Today, vacationers nonetheless keep away however when the Intercontinental Cairo City Stars was on the IHG Pointbreaks record I didn’t hesitate to ebook 10 nights in Cairo. It was a cut price (simply 5000 factors which I calculate at about 25 euro per evening) and there was no precise security menace anymore, so no purpose to not go. To effectively see Cairo, I employed an Egyptian Sidekick for a lot of the days. They are college students and attempt to change the best way tourism works in Egypt: honest costs no hidden charges or extraordinary suggestions. I had a good time with them and I’ll present you the Egypt itinerary I made along with them. All day journeys are primarily based out of Cairo and canopy all of the necessary locations in northern Egypt. One day I have to return for southern Egypt.
Things to remember when planning an Egypt itinerary
Let me begin with a number of issues to remember if you’re planning an Egypt itinerary plus a number of basic suggestions when visiting Egypt.
- When I first visited Egypt, I needed to queue for a visa on arrival however for 45+ nations that’s not wanted anymore. You can now get your Egypt visa on-line! I used E-Visums for my second and third go to to Egypt. They dealt with my request fast, skilled and with none errors. Perfect service and that’s why I take advantage of E-Visums now for extra e-visa world wide and I’m certain once more for Egypt too. As you may know, it’s low cost to start out enterprise class flights in Cairo and even with the price of an e-visa I’ll first fly to Cairo.
- Egypt is completely secure however use frequent sense for some areas on the borders with neighboring nations. I walked via again alleys in Cairo at evening with out downside.
- Respect the Muslim guidelines, though Egypt is a reasonably free nation take into accout guidelines are a bit totally different. Don’t {photograph}, particularly girls, with out permission. Dress average in mosques and different spiritual buildings.
- Traffic is chaotic which may make journey occasions longer as you’ll count on. Leave some house for delays in an Egypt itinerary.
- I used to be suggested to be rigorously with meals and water to keep away from the Pharaohs curse. That’s simply heavy abdomen issues and bathroom go to all through the day. It is determined by what you might be used to however I brushed enamel with faucet water, had dinner in again alleys and didn’t get sick. It could be luck however maintain it in thoughts and purchase medication domestically because the Western tablets don’t work.
- See my prime 6 hotspots to go for lunch and dinner to learn how to keep away from the Pharaohs curse! All these locations are clear!
I believe that’s a very powerful issues to remember; for the remainder simply benefit from the nation! I’ll share with you the 7 day journeys I did in and round Cairo which cowl principally all locations of curiosity. The different 2-3 days I stayed on the resort to benefit from the pool and the others had been principally journey days.
Egypt Itinerary day journey #1: Coptic Cairo
In Cairo the largest half is Muslim however there’s a stunning Coptic space too. All locations of curiosity are concentrated round one avenue and it takes virtually a full day to see all the pieces. I counsel to start out on the Coptic Museum to be taught in regards to the historical past of the world. From there you may stroll up and down the road to see the totally different church buildings and a cemetery. There are additionally numerous stays of a lot older constructions partly built-in into the newer buildings. In the road there are eating places the place you may take a snack for lunch. For dinner see the 6 hotspots to go for dinner and lunch in Cairo which I wrote earlier.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – A day in Coptic Cairo, the Cairo Tower and Tahrir Square with the Egyptian Museum
Egypt Itinerary day journey #2: Wadi Al-Hitan
Wadi Al-Hitan is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site about 3 hours south of Cairo. It’s principally a dry ocean flooring the place numerous prehistoric fossils and skeletons are completely preserved. It’s a protracted drive however effectively price it as you may see right here tens of millions of years of historical past. There is a well-marked observe which guides you thru the desert and at a number of factors skeletons and different fossils are on show on the spot the place they had been discovered. Go early in order that on the best way again you’ve got time to cease at some close by waterfalls and drive via some rural areas to see the native life in Egypt. Depending on the day you go, you may be capable to go to an area farmers market which is one thing you could have seen as soon as in your life. It’s a protracted day journey and there aren’t many choices for lunch so take some snacks and drinks with you.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – A stroll via million years of historical past at Wadi Al-Hitan Whale Valley
Egypt Itinerary day journey #3: Garbage City, Cave Church & Dahab’s Nile Island
I wished to see additionally the opposite aspect of Cairo: Garbage City and Dahab’s Island within the Nile. This day journey might be not on everybody’s precedence record however if you wish to see native life I do counsel to do that journey. It’s solely half a day so the remainder of the day I counsel to go see the Cairo Museum, Tahir Square and the Cairo Tower. I truly went there on the day of arrival as I arrived early morning however it may be completely mixed on today. Garbage City is a neighborhood in Cairo the place, because the title says, a lot of the rubbish goes for recycling. You will see numerous individuals sorting rubbish by hand, taking electronics aside and bundling all for transport. It’s attention-grabbing to see how the individuals reside there because it’s a giant distinction to Western European nations. Lots of poverty there. Nearby is a cave church which can also be effectively price a go to. The Dahab’s Nile Island is a big island in the midst of the Nile which isn’t developed. You can witness right here farmers working the land and kids play. I all the time wish to see how the native’s reside once I journey and the world’s I visited today match completely this purpose.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – The different aspect: Cairo Garbage City, Cave Church, Dahab’s Nile Island
Egypt Itinerary day journey #4: Islamic Cairo half 1
Islamic Cairo has too many locations of to see in in the future so I did it in two. One day I counsel to go to the previous citadel to see the mosques, museums and historical fortifications. It doesn’t take a full day to discover the Cairo Citadel so after lunch there may be time to go to the Al-Azhar Park to chill out within the sunshine. In case the climate isn’t in your favor for the park then you might additionally go to Garbage City this afternoon. In the afternoon make a cease on the Bab Zuweila Gate which is on the far finish of Muizz Street however to far to stroll all the best way the opposite day.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – Islamic Cairo: the Citadel, Al-Azhar Park and Bab Zuweila Gate
Egypt Itinerary day journey #5: Islamic Cairo half 2
The second a part of Islamic Cairo encompass the Al-Rifai and Sultan Hassan mosques and all types of buildings round Muizz Street. Visit the 2 mosques first, then go to the Muizz Street. Walk via the Muizz Street and discover all of the protected buildings that are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of previous Cairo. There are fairly some buildings which give a very good understanding how individuals lived in previous time; it’s not simply mosques. Once you end, stroll again to have a tea on the Om Kalthoum Cafe. It’s a well-known place so be sure to don’t pay the vacationer costs however the native costs. There are a number of souks within the space to purchase souvenirs. Make certain to cut price! You ought to be capable to get the worth down by 50-65% simply. During today you’ll go to a number of mosques so costume average though clothes can also be offered for vacationer at most of them.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – Islamic Cairo: The historic Muizz Street and Al-Rifai & Sultan Hassan Mosque
Egypt Itinerary day journey #6: Abu Mena & Alexandria
Abu Mena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site a number of kilometers exterior of Alexandria. As I wish to see all the UNESCO Sites I merely needed to drive up there. There is a brand new Abu Mena and an previous archeological web site which is the UNESCO Site. I visited each as the brand new church is a chunk of artwork. Abu Mena has been for hundreds of years a Christian pilgrims place. Each yr 1000’s come to Abu Mena the place Menas of Alexandria was burried centuries in the past. The archeological web site is a number of tons of meters away and a bit tough to search out. Just put the positioning into Google Maps and you’re going to get there in some way as a number of roads go there. It’s not a vacationer web site and there was no entrance price and never that a lot info. A guard watched me whereas I explored the positioning. It is determined by your curiosity when you ought to go there to be sincere. Alexandria was my second cease today the place I explored the fort and the palace. In case Abu Mena isn’t your attraction I counsel to spend a full day in Alexandria. It’s simply stuffed with actions.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – An Alexandria day journey from Cairo with a go to to Abu Mena
Egypt Itinerary day journey #7: Pyramids & Pharaohs
One constructive factor of getting much less vacationers in Egypt is you could make footage of the Giza Pyramids with out individuals. A singular alternative. This day journey will take you first to the southern pyramids: the Dahshur Pyramid discipline, the step pyramid at Saqqara, previous royal metropolis of Memphis and finish on the three pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx. Each of the pyramids is totally different so I extremely advocate to not simply go to these at Giza but additionally the opposite ones. You can enter the pyramids at Giza however I like to recommend to try this on the ones at Dahshur because it’s much less crowded and cheaper. Especially at Giza there can be touts providing excursions and extra. If this annoys you then give them a agency no and usually they need to cease bothering you. This day journey is probably the most well-known day journey in Cairo and one to not skip. Everything you will notice right this moment is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage. I used to be actually impressed by the dimensions of the pyramids and the very fact these had been constructed 1000’s of years in the past.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – The basic pyramids day tour from Cairo
The above day journeys collectively move by all the most important locations in northern Egypt and depart sufficient time to chill out. I hope these strategies enable you to to plan an Egypt itinerary and that you’ll benefit from the journey as a lot as I did. If you wish to know the place to eat native specialties, then ensure to take a look at my prime 6 restaurant hotspots for lunch and dinner in Cairo. I had for instance cow eyes, sheep balls and plenty of different avenue meals and well-known Egyptian dishes. Soon I hope to go to Egypt once more, however then the southern half as there may be a lot extra to see and to do there.
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