Egypt is a rustic with hundreds of years of historical past and most well-known for its Pharaohs and pyramids at Giza. It’s a part of the Center East however lies on the African continent. It’s a kind 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 straightforward journey. In the present day, vacationers nonetheless keep away however when the Intercontinental Cairo Metropolis Stars was on the IHG Pointbreaks record I didn’t hesitate to ebook 10 nights in Cairo. It was a discount (simply 5000 factors which I calculate at about 25 euro per evening) and there was no precise security risk anymore, so no purpose to not go. To effectively see Cairo, I employed an Egyptian Sidekick for many of the days. They’re college students and attempt to change the way in which 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 based mostly out of Cairo and canopy all of the necessary locations in northern Egypt. In the future I must return for southern Egypt.
Issues to remember when planning an Egypt itinerary
Let me begin with just a few issues to remember if you’re planning an Egypt itinerary plus just a few normal suggestions when visiting Egypt.
- After I first visited Egypt, I needed to queue for a visa on arrival however for 45+ nations that’s not wanted anymore. Now you can 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. Good service and that’s why I exploit E-Visums now for extra e-visa world wide and I’m positive 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 widespread sense for some areas on the borders with neighboring nations. I walked by way of again alleys in Cairo at evening with out downside.
- Respect the Muslim guidelines, though Egypt is a reasonably free nation consider guidelines are a bit totally different. Don’t {photograph}, particularly ladies, with out permission. Costume reasonable in mosques and different non secular buildings.
- Visitors is chaotic which might make journey occasions longer as you’d anticipate. Go away some area 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 tooth with faucet water, had dinner in again alleys and didn’t get sick. It may be luck however hold 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 the way 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 opposite 2-3 days I stayed on the resort to benefit from the pool and the others have 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 road and it takes nearly a full day to see every part. I counsel to start out on the Coptic Museum to study in regards to the historical past of the world. From there you possibly can stroll up and down the road to see the totally different church buildings and a cemetery. There are additionally varied stays of a lot older buildings partly built-in into the newer buildings. On the street there are eating places the place you possibly can 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 Sq. with the Egyptian Museum
Egypt Itinerary day journey #2: Wadi Al-Hitan
Wadi Al-Hitan is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Website about 3 hours south of Cairo. It’s principally a dry ocean flooring the place a number of prehistoric fossils and skeletons are completely preserved. It’s an extended drive however effectively price it as you possibly can see right here thousands and thousands of years of historical past. There’s 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 have been discovered. Go early in order that on the way in which again you may have time to cease at some close by waterfalls and drive by way of some rural areas to see the native life in Egypt. Relying on the day you go, you may be capable of go to a neighborhood farmers market which is one thing you should have seen as soon as in your life. It’s an extended 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 by way of million years of historical past at Wadi Al-Hitan Whale Valley
Egypt Itinerary day journey #3: Rubbish Metropolis, Cave Church & Dahab’s Nile Island
I wished to see additionally the opposite facet of Cairo: Rubbish Metropolis and Dahab’s Island within the Nile. This present 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 Sq. 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 this present day. Rubbish Metropolis is a neighborhood in Cairo the place, because the title says, many of the rubbish goes for recycling. You will notice a number of individuals sorting rubbish by hand, taking electronics aside and bundling all for transport. It’s attention-grabbing to see how the individuals dwell there because it’s a giant distinction to Western European nations. A number of poverty there. Close by is a cave church which can be effectively price a go to. The Dahab’s Nile Island is a big island in the course of the Nile which isn’t developed. You’ll be able to witness right here farmers working the land and kids play. I at all times wish to see how the native’s dwell once I journey and the world’s I visited this present day match completely this objective.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – The opposite facet: Cairo Rubbish Metropolis, 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 sooner or later so I did it in two. In the future I counsel to go to the previous citadel to see the mosques, museums and historic 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 calm down within the sunshine. In case the climate isn’t in your favor for the park then you might additionally go to Rubbish Metropolis this afternoon. Within the afternoon make a cease on the Bab Zuweila Gate which is on the far finish of Muizz Road however to far to stroll all the way in which 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 include the Al-Rifai and Sultan Hassan mosques and all types of buildings round Muizz Road. Go to the 2 mosques first, then go to the Muizz Road. Stroll by way of the Muizz Road and discover all of the protected buildings that are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Website of previous Cairo. There are fairly some buildings which give an excellent understanding how individuals lived in previous time; it’s not simply mosques. When 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 discount! You need to be capable of get the worth down by 50-65% simply. Throughout this present day you’ll go to a number of mosques so costume reasonable though clothes can be offered for vacationer at most of them.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – Islamic Cairo: The historic Muizz Road and Al-Rifai & Sultan Hassan Mosque
Egypt Itinerary day journey #6: Abu Mena & Alexandria
Abu Mena is a UNESCO World Heritage Website just a few kilometers exterior of Alexandria. As I need to see the entire UNESCO Websites I merely needed to drive up there. There’s a new Abu Mena and an previous archeological website which is the UNESCO Website. I visited each as the brand new church is a bit of artwork. Abu Mena has been for hundreds of years a Christian pilgrims place. Annually hundreds come to Abu Mena the place Menas of Alexandria was burried centuries in the past. The archeological website is just a few lots of meters away and a bit tough to seek out. Simply put the location into Google Maps and you’ll get there someway as just a few roads go there. It’s not a vacationer website and there was no entrance charge and never that a lot data. A guard watched me whereas I explored the location. It is determined by your curiosity when you ought to go there to be trustworthy. Alexandria was my second cease this present day the place I explored the fort and the palace. In case Abu Mena is just not 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 optimistic factor of getting much less vacationers in Egypt is that you may make footage of the Giza Pyramids with out individuals. A singular alternative. This present 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. Every of the pyramids is totally different so I extremely advocate to not simply go to these at Giza but in addition the opposite ones. You’ll be able to 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. Particularly at Giza there shall 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 present day journey is probably the most well-known day journey in Cairo and one to not skip. Every thing you will note right this moment is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage. I used to be actually impressed by the scale of the pyramids and the very fact these have been constructed hundreds of years in the past.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – The traditional pyramids day tour from Cairo
The above day journeys collectively move by all the main locations in northern Egypt and go away sufficient time to calm down. I hope these strategies make it easier 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 make certain 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 many different road meals and well-known Egyptian dishes. Quickly 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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