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 type of international locations I needed to go to for a very long time however by no means had the possibility to go and everyone knows there was a 12 months or two of some turmoil which didn’t permit straightforward journey. At this time, vacationers nonetheless keep away however when the Intercontinental Cairo Metropolis Stars was on the IHG Pointbreaks listing I didn’t hesitate to e-book 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 motive to not go. To effectively see Cairo, I employed an Egyptian Sidekick for a lot of the days. They’re college students and attempt to change the best way tourism works in Egypt: truthful costs no hidden charges or extraordinary ideas. 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. At some point I must return for southern Egypt.
Issues to bear in mind when planning an Egypt itinerary
Let me begin with a couple of issues to bear in mind if you’re planning an Egypt itinerary plus a couple of normal ideas when visiting Egypt.
- After I first visited Egypt, I needed to queue for a visa on arrival however for 45+ international locations 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. Excellent service and that’s why I take advantage of E-Visums now for extra e-visa all over the world and I’m certain once more for Egypt too. As you would possibly know, it’s low cost to begin enterprise class flights in Cairo and even with the price of an e-visa I’ll first fly to Cairo.
- Egypt is completely protected however use widespread sense for some areas on the borders with neighboring international locations. I walked by way of again alleys in Cairo at evening with out downside.
- Respect the Muslim guidelines, though Egypt is a fairly free nation consider guidelines are a bit completely different. Don’t {photograph}, particularly girls, with out permission. Gown reasonable in mosques and different non secular buildings.
- Visitors is chaotic which may make journey occasions longer as you’ll anticipate. Go away some house for delays in an Egypt itinerary.
- I used to be suggested to be fastidiously 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 relies on what you’re used to however I brushed tooth with faucet water, had dinner in again alleys and didn’t get sick. It is perhaps luck however maintain it in thoughts and purchase drugs domestically because the Western capsules 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 feel that’s an important issues to bear in mind; 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 mainly all locations of curiosity. The opposite 2-3 days I stayed on the resort to benefit from the pool and the others had been mainly journey days.
Egypt Itinerary day journey #1: Coptic Cairo
In Cairo the most important half is Muslim however there’s a stunning Coptic space too. All locations of curiosity are concentrated round one avenue and it takes nearly a full day to see every part. I recommend to begin on the Coptic Museum to study concerning the historical past of the realm. From there you may stroll up and down the road to see the completely different church buildings and a cemetery. There are additionally varied stays of a lot older constructions partly built-in into the newer buildings. On the street 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 Sq. with the Egyptian Museum
Egypt Itinerary day journey #2: Wadi Al-Hitan
Wadi Al-Hitan is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Web site about 3 hours south of Cairo. It’s mainly a dry ocean flooring the place numerous prehistoric fossils and skeletons are completely preserved. It’s an extended drive however effectively price it as you may see right here tens of millions of years of historical past. There’s a well-marked monitor 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 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 would possibly have the ability to go to a neighborhood farmers market which is one thing it’s essential to 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 needed to see additionally the opposite aspect of Cairo: Rubbish Metropolis and Dahab’s Island within the Nile. At the present time journey might be not on everybody’s precedence listing however if you wish to see native life I do recommend to do that journey. It’s solely half a day so the remainder of the day I recommend to go see the Cairo Museum, Tahir Sq. and the Cairo Tower. I really 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 identify says, a lot of the rubbish goes for recycling. You will notice numerous folks sorting rubbish by hand, taking electronics aside and bundling all for transport. It’s fascinating to see how the folks stay there because it’s an enormous distinction to Western European international locations. 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 midst of the Nile which isn’t developed. You may witness right here farmers working the land and youngsters play. I all the time wish to see how the native’s stay after I journey and the realm’s I visited this present day match completely this purpose.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – The opposite aspect: 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 at some point so I did it in two. At some point I recommend 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’s 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 possibly can 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 Avenue 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 Avenue. Go to the 2 mosques first, then go to the Muizz Avenue. Stroll by way of the Muizz Avenue and discover all of the protected buildings that are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Web site of previous Cairo. There are fairly some buildings which give an excellent understanding how folks 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 you don’t pay the vacationer costs however the native costs. There are a number of souks within the space to purchase souvenirs. Make sure that to cut price! It is best to have the ability to get the value down by 50-65% simply. Throughout this present day you’ll go to a number of mosques so costume reasonable though clothes can be supplied for vacationer at most of them.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – Islamic Cairo: The historic Muizz Avenue and Al-Rifai & Sultan Hassan Mosque
Egypt Itinerary day journey #6: Abu Mena & Alexandria
Abu Mena is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site a couple of kilometers exterior of Alexandria. As I wish 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 Web 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. Annually hundreds come to Abu Mena the place Menas of Alexandria was burried centuries in the past. The archeological website is a couple of lots of meters away and a bit tough to seek out. Simply put the positioning into Google Maps and you’re going to get there by some means as a couple of 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 positioning. It relies on your curiosity should you ought to go there to be sincere. Alexandria was my second cease this present day the place I explored the fort and the palace. In case Abu Mena isn’t your attraction I recommend 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 you could make footage of the Giza Pyramids with out folks. A singular alternative. At the present time journey will take you first to the southern pyramids: the Dahshur Pyramid subject, 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 completely different so I extremely advocate to not simply go to these at Giza but in addition the opposite ones. You may enter the pyramids at Giza however I like to recommend to do this on the ones at Dahshur because it’s much less crowded and cheaper. Particularly at Giza there will probably be touts providing excursions and extra. If this annoys you then give them a agency no and usually they need to cease bothering you. At the present time journey is essentially the most well-known day journey in Cairo and one to not skip. Every thing you will note right now is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage. I used to be actually impressed by the dimensions of the pyramids and the actual fact these had been constructed hundreds 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 main locations in northern Egypt and go away sufficient time to calm down. I hope these strategies aid you 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 many different avenue meals and well-known Egyptian dishes. Quickly I hope to go to Egypt once more, however then the southern half as there’s a lot extra to see and to do there.
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