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Egypt — Timeless Tales of the Nile

From ancient pyramids to vibrant bazaars and desert adventures, Egypt blends history, culture, and wonder along the legendary Nile and beyond.

 

General Info

Egypt is a simple country to visit, with most of the key places of interest lying along the line of the Nile, easily connected by logical itineraries.
Travel across larger distances is by scheduled flights, whilst local travel and sightseeing is easiest with a private driver and guide. At certain sights, local guides are employed for their specialised knowledge of a particular monument.
 

Nile cruises

Nile cruises are the most popular way to visit Egypt’s greatest archaeological treasures around Luxor and Aswan, and include guided excursions throughout their routes. These are in groups of around 20, with professional English-speaking guides.
 

Desert excursions

For the more adventurous, desert excursions with 4×4 vehicles on a private or small group basis can discover lesser-known sites and attractions.
 

Best Time to Visit

Certain dates, such as the holy month of Ramadan when most of the country fasts during daylight hours, may affect your travel plans, and we will ensure such factors are taken into account.
 

Language

Arabic is the official language of Egypt, however, all of the guides and representatives who deal with you will speak reasonable or good English. In Upper Egypt, away from the sites, souqs and hotels, it is quite possible that you will encounter locals who speak no English.
 

Food & Drink

Most of the food you eat will be in hotels, bigger restaurants and on the cruise vessels and this tends to be an international version of local cuisine: slightly sanitised Lebanese and Turkish cuisine such as homous, kofta (mince patties), kebab, and plenty of traditional flat bread. Nubian food in the south is more spicy and cooked in earthenware pots, almost Moroccan style. If you take excursions into the desert in the Sinai, you may encounter traditional Bedouin cooking: flat bread baked on the inside wall of a kiln-like oven and normally some sort of mutton-based stew. The Egyptians have a tradition of brewing that is long, if not all that distinguished. Stella (absolutely nothing to do with the Belgian beer of the same name!) is the longest-established brewery, founded by a German and brewed to the famous German purity laws. Another brew worth investigating is Saqqara Gold, a more recent addition to the Egyptian bar which perhaps has a slight edge over Stella.
 

Tipping

Tipping, known as baksheesh locally, is endemic and will be variously requested or demanded for every service rendered, no matter how small. You will even find that some people request baksheesh without offering any service — these requests are the easiest to turn down! Other areas where you might be expected to tip include on the cruises. Guides are tipped separately — you can use the above guidelines. At airports, there will be a local representative to help you with check-in and arrival as well as someone to assist you with obtaining your visa who can also be tipped a small amount. Tipping is discretionary: it is an accepted part of culture and you should tip the smaller services no matter how perfunctory they seem.
 

Money & Expense

Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian pound (LE). Credit cards can be used in hotels, major restaurants and shops, but not in many other places. There are ATMs now in most of the major towns, and money and traveler’s cheques can be changed at the main bank branches and the Forex private money exchangers.
 

Social

Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, although government is secular. It is very important to respect Muslim social customs. This involves dressing in a way that will not offend: men should never be in public without a shirt of some sort on, and both sexes should remove shoes before entering a mosque or religious site. The conventions for women are harder to prescribe, but put simply the more you cover up, the less unwelcome hassle and attention you can expect. Women should also cover their heads in mosques and religious sites. Public displays of affection should be avoided.
Do not photograph anything to do with the military or government buildings — also avoid photographing bridges and canals, or anything that could be construed as having strategic significance. Ask people if they mind before photographing them.
During Ramadan do not eat, drink or smoke in public.
Our guide to Egyptian culture and customs helps you with traveling the underrated travel destinations in the world. Egypt balances delicately on the crux of ancient and modern life. Visitors may be lured in by the fascinating sights and history, but there’s much to discover of modern Egyptian culture. The country is a melting pot, ranging from the Pharaonic culture long ago to the Islamic customs of today.
Although you won’t be expected to get everything right, brushing up on Egyptian cultural etiquette will enhance your experience. To help, we’ve created a cultural guide to Egypt that explains the ins and outs of this complex country. From dining manners to tipping, here’s a rundown on culture in the land of wonders.
 

Religion

As a Muslim majority country, Islam is practiced by about 90% of Egyptians. Because of this, it also plays a large role in every aspect of society. Also, it sets the tone for other cultural practices including honor, family values, and marriage. Traditionally, Muslims are obligated to pray five times a day, with many heading to their local mosque to partake. The times are marked by a call to prayer which echoes throughout every city and town in Egypt. It adds to the majesty of our ancient Cairo tour. The calls create a powerful ambience and remain one of the most sacred and fascinating experiences in Egypt. One major thing to note is that shops and businesses often close for prayer, so plan around these times.
In Islam, Friday is the designated holy day. As the day of the main congregational prayer, most shops remain closed. The regular work week begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday, so make sure to plan ahead for Friday!
 

Egyptian Clothing Customs

As an Islamic country, the clothing in Egypt is generally conservative and traditional, depending on where you are. The dress code is not enforced in Egypt, but public modesty is still valued very highly. Many women wear clothing that covers most of their bodies, but in places like Cairo, Alexandria, or the Red Sea Coast, standards are a little more relaxed and modern. It’s also very common for women to wear a hijab (head and neck covering) or a niqab (covering the face and head), especially in more traditional regions like Upper Nile.
Many men wear loose trousers and long sleeves. Traditionally, men dress in gallibayas – a loose-fitting, long dress or shirt. This type of wear is worn in the traditional areas of Egypt, but it’s also very common in Cairo and other urbanized areas. You’ll have to wear it at least once on our 7 day Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor tour package.
While there are no specific laws or rules about dressing conservatively on your trip to Egypt, you’re bound to feel more comfortable covered up, especially women. It’s also a great way to show your respect for the Egyptian people and their way of life.
 

Egyptian Dining Culture

Food is a huge part of Egyptian culture and daily life. With a focus on fresh, wholesome fare, the cuisine depends on legumes, carbs, and oil. Arguably the heart and soul of daily Egyptian food is the freshly baked bread loaves, found on every street corner in Egypt. Baked by women in mud ovens at their homes in rural areas, or bakeries in the city, bread is the center of every meal and is a cherished part of the food culture. You can enjoy some of these dishes on our Sinai desert overnight trip with a homemade Bedouin meal.
Another beloved traditional food is ful, a slow-cooked fava bean stew seasoned with salt, lemon, cumin and oil, typically eaten for breakfast alongside falafel, fried eggplant, and bread. Breakfast is a quintessential part of Egyptian life, with ful stalls filled to the brim from early morning to mid-afternoon.
 

Eating at Egyptian Home

If you are invited to an Egyptian’s house for a meal, there are a few pieces of etiquette you should know. When you arrive, wait for the host to let you know where to sit, and don’t pass or eat anything with your left hand (the right hand is reserved for everyday tasks, while left is for ‘unclean’ tasks). Be sure to show appreciation for your meal and don’t be afraid to take a second helping – there’s nothing an Egyptian loves more than a guest who feels welcome!
When visiting a home, make sure you dress well and in a conservative manner. Appearances mean a lot to Egyptians, so making an effort to dress well if you’re a guest is a symbol of respect. Also, remember to remove your shoes when entering someone’s house.
Dining also differs depending on where you are in Egypt. In rural, traditional areas, people eat from a large, shared dish. If you get the chance to dine in an Egyptian village, don’t be afraid to dig in!
 

Egyptian Culture of Time

Egyptians have a very relaxed attitude towards time and punctuality. While this doesn’t always ring true for tourism and business, don’t be alarmed if things take a little longer than you expected. Those who adopt a “go with the flow” attitude are far more likely to enjoy a trip to Egypt.
 

Relationships Egypt

If visiting Egypt with a partner, it’s important to note that public displays of affection are not common in Egyptian culture. Hugging, kissing, and even holding hands is not appropriate in public areas, and following these guidelines shows respect to the locals.
 

Egyptian Money Culture

In Egypt, the lingo you’ll need to know to partake in the tipping culture is ‘baksheesh’. Baksheesh is expected and most commonly in hotels, for tour guides, and in washrooms and restaurants. Tips are used to show appreciation for good service and are a living, breathing part of Egyptian culture. It’s always best to tip in the local currency. If you only have foreign notes like USD or Euros, that’s fine too (don’t tip with foreign coins).
In hotels, it’s common to tip your porter and housekeeper. If you’re visiting one of the spots on our guide to spas and wellness in Egypt, make sure to tip your service provider. Also, it’s kind to tip your waiter 10% of the meal if you’ve received good service at an eatery. For being provided a small service like shisha, you’re expected to give a small tip to say thanks.

 

Activities and Attractions

When we talk about exuberant journeys full of history, Egypt always comes to mind, doesn’t it? That is because the destination is fantastic in every way.

Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx

 

Of course, it is unthinkable to go to Egypt and not visit the Pyramids of Giza. So already put this tour in your planning and take the opportunity to also go to the Great Sphinx which is nearby and is considered one of the most incredible statues in the world. The pyramids of Giza are in Cairo and were built more than 4,500 years ago as the tombs of the famous pharaohs Cheops, Chephren and Miquerinos. It is worth the walk.

Temple of Karnak

 

Karnak temples is a multi-temple complex located in Luxor; the city known for being the largest open-air museum ever seen in the world. The constructions of this complex have an area of ​​2 km² and were erected within a period of 1,500 years. The largest of the temples is the Amon-Rá and certainly deserves your visit.

Valley of the Kings

 

Valley of the Kings located in the city of Luxor, on the banks of the River Nile, the Valley of the Kings was the main burial place for the pharaohs of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt and for other nobles of that time. Several of the treasures found in the tombs are now exposed to all tourists and in addition to the exuberance you can also delight in the magnitude of the buildings.
 

Temple of Horus

 

The Temple of Horus, also known as the Temple of Edfu, is one of the most preserved of all temples in Egypt and is located on the banks of the River Nile. It is 137 meters high, and it took 200 years before it was completely ready. It is the perfect place for contemplation and for that photo with the typical decorations of Pharaoh Ptolemy VIII subduing his enemies in front of Horus.

Abu Simbel

 

Abu Simbel temple in the south of the country, close to the border with Sudan, you can find the times of Abu Simbel. They are on the UNESCO World Heritage List and were built to honor Pharaoh Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. A curiosity is that about 50 years ago, when the Aswan dam was built, the temples had to be moved so as not to disappear by submersion.

Al-Azhar

 

This is undoubtedly one of the most charming places in the country. Located on the Islamic side of Cairo, Al-Azhar is a complex comprising a mosque, the second oldest university in the world. The building is from the 10th century and is one of the most beautiful mosques. Without a doubt, the tour is very worthwhile. As we mentioned earlier, these are just some of the main attractions present in Egypt. So, if you intend to visit the country be sure to go through our directions and delight yourself with everything wonderful that Egypt offers to all tourists. Do not miss the opportunity to discover the magnificent country of the open air museum.

Nile Excursions

 

Steer away from the negative news and busy yourself planning what to do after these difficult times. See much of this beautiful world has to offer. Watch how the years passed by on one of the greatest and oldest civilizations to have ever existed by taking one of the many cruises in the Nile. BOOK NOW and BOARD LATER!

Places to visit in Egypt

A land of ancient intrigue and popular legend, Egypt offers visitors an extensive choice of attractions, activities and experiences. The Pyramids of Giza, which have long enthralled travellers with their scale and grandeur, are top of the list for many and we can show you how to experience this area away from the crowds.
Nearby, Cairo is best explored on a walking tour, its ancient and modern streets offering contrasting insights into North African culture. A wonderful antidote to the hustle and bustle, a Nile cruise or a trip to the Red Sea to snorkel and dive makes a relaxing end to your holiday.

Abu Simbel

The great Sun Temple of Abu Simbel epitomizes the monumentalism of the New Kingdom during its imperial heyday, when Ramses II waged colonial wars from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon to the Fourth Cataract.

Alexandria Tour

Visit some of the key sights in Alexandria, including Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom es-Shoqafa, Alexandria National Museum and Alexandria Library.

Giza, Saqqara & Dahshur

As the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the pyramids at Giza occupy a unique place in world history, and are a perennial favorite with travelers. The piece de resistance however is a boat cruise to the spectacular falls themselves where the thundering Nile is squeezed through a 7-metre cleft in the Rift Valley Escarpment.

El Alamein Tour

El Alamein is an apt name for a place that witnessed the turning point of the North Africa campaign, determining the fate of Egypt and Britain’s empire.

Churches & Synagogues of Old Cairo

Old Cairo is contained within the boundaries of the Roman fortress of Babylon, where the Copts built their churches for protection.

Museum, Citadel, Mosque & Souqs

Situated on a spur of the Muqattam Hills, the citadel dominates Cairo’s skyline and was the nerve center of the city and wider Egypt for almost 700 years.

Explore the West Bank

The West Bank at Luxor is known as the Theban Necropolis. This full day excursion will typically include the Tombs of the Theban rulers and the Temple of Hatshepsut.

Philae Temple Sound & Light Show

The highlight of this excursion is crossing the Nile in a boat and being greeted by sights of the floodlit Philae Temple silhouetted against the rocks and surrounding water.

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