Egypt

Egypt: Contrasts and Civilization
Imagine, landscapes of a fabulous variety, the treasures of the Pharaohs and the history of civilization all under the umbrella of the same land... And, everywhere, a smiling and warm welcome! How can you resist?
Vast countries landed between Africa and Asia, mainly desert (90% of its territory), Egypt offers striking contrasts.  On the East, the desert of the Sinai Peninsula, a land of history inhabited by Bedouins, opens its sumptuous décor of colorful rocks.  On the West, the "Libyque" desert, an extension of the Western Sahara, contains hidden jewels not yet discovered; the White Desert, which mixes sand and chalk formations, the Great Sand Sea and the Gilf Kébir plateau. And, as if crossing a dream, these barren spaces, the Nile valley displays its green life with its traditional villages surrounded by gardens and palm groves, and its Pharaonic sites. In this magical and varied universe, come to browse the history of civilizations, from antiquity to the biblical story. Trip after trip, one never becomes weary of this myth-like mysterious country....

• A wide range of trips to discover, as you wish, the various aspects of Egypt, including the least accessible areas.
• The passion and effectiveness of our team of native Egyptians.
• Precursors in the Gilf Kébir region and in the heart of the Great Sand Sea.
• An excellent value: entrance to all sites described in the program is included in the price; a small number of people per vehicle or felucca (boat) for comfort.

We travel to Egypt from October to April, when temperatures are most favorable for trekking and discovery.
- The White Desert: a dry climate with significant temperature differences between day and night (comfortable temperature during the day, cool nights, sometimes very cold in the middle of winter).
- Sinai: Catherine monastery Region: from November to March, temperatures are very pleasant during the day time, but it can freeze at night (plan on bringing warm clothing and a sleeping bag). Milder nights in October and April.
- Oriental Sinai: a dry climate with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Temperatures are ideal for trekking.
- Nile Valley: very mild climate from November to April. There's often a "gentle breeze from the river" ; very pleasant. At night, it is sometimes chilly on the banks of the Nile.

 

 

Average temperatures in main cities (day maximum/night minimum) in Fahrenheit degrees.

	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	March	April
White Desert	82/54	75/48	70/39	68/37	70/39	79/43	86/55
Nile Valley	88/59	82/54	73/45	73/43	79/48	82/54	86/55

Population	80 millions habitants
Surface	386,660 square miles
Capital	Cairo (around 20 millions habitants)
Main Cities	Suez, Alexandrie
Peaks	Mount Moïse (7,497 feet) and Mount Sainte-Catherine (8,652 feet) in Sinaï
Official Language	Arabic classic (official language), English, sometimes French in tourist regions
Religion	Islam,  Coptic Christianity
Political Status	Semi-Presidential Republic
Time Shift	http://www.worldtimezone.com/utc/utc.html

The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP).
What currencies to bring?
Take dollars in cash. In large cities, ATMs available to withdraw money.

As an organizer of worldwide trips, Mountain World Travel is concerned for our guest's safety and security. We always keep ourselves up to date with current travel warnings and always consider the government safety advices, while organizing and preparing our different trips. Please double check on the official government website regarding each country's warnings.
US citizens, please check with: US department of State

Pascal Quint, a French native guide, adopted Egypt two decades ago while traveling in the smallest hideaway of Sinai. He settled in right there on the spot where he teamed up with Mahmoud Nour el-Din,  Egyptian guide, also passionate about the desert and who is now married with an American lady.  Together they formed a local agency.
Both have become internationally recognized experts in the Gilf el Kebir, Great Sand Sea and other remote regions of the country. Each year, they lead several scientific expeditions (Natural History Museum, British Museum, TV station groups, etc) up in the furthest lands of the Libyque Desert.
They have since become organizers and guides of all Mountain World Travel trips to Egypt and they have been accommodating our passengers for several years now. As we develop, the team has grown, welcoming new, very well cultured guides, all trained by our duet.  Our guides, above all, are truly passionate by the desert.  Pascal and Mahmoud continue to oversee a portion of our travels for your enjoyment!
They are divided between the office and the terrain, constantly looking for new spaces and ideas to improve our direction. Their attention for detail, their training of our guides and their hiker's satisfaction are their engine.

Pascal and Mahmoud, our leaders, are founding members of the local Baharya N.G.O, an oasis located north of the White Desert. With its Farafra N.G.O sister, 8 years ago, they started organizing an annual spring cleaning in which our teams are participating. Over the past three years, with the creation of a national park, this initiative is also supported by the Ministry of Environment.
In the spring of 2007, this cleaning campaign, supported by Mountain World Travel and organized by the Egyptian team, calls for 140 volunteers, including many guides and drivers, to collect 40 cubic yards of debris which are all then transported to Farafra. This year, special attention was paid to the Aqabat area, known for its many bivouac/camping places, and the rehabilitation of water sources. The operation will, once again, be repeated in 2008.

Learning some key words will enable you to gain the respect of your interlocutors and to facilitate your exchanges with the Egyptian people.

Do not hesitate to use the following expressions:

Hello: as-salam'aleikoum-Answer: Wa'aleikoum as-salam
Please: Min fadlak (min fadlek to a woman)
How are you? : Keif hâlek
Thanks: choukrane
Goodbye: bisslama
Yes: na'am-not:
Please God: inch'Allah

You can ask your guide how to pronounce these key words; your voyage will only be richer by your attempting to speak the local language!
And smile, it is often the best means of having good contacts!

Your guide is most often an Egyptian native and knows perfectly well the customs and traditions To make your trip a full success, we recommend that you follow his advice. Adopting the right attitude facilitates exchanges with the local team and the people of the villages.
The Egyptians have a happy nature and are usually "bon-vivant" people. They are also extremely tolerant. You can witness this at the many tourist sites.  
However, Mountain World Travel will also lead you into traditional villages and oases where people are not accustomed to seeing tourists.
For this reason, we ask that you follow these few tips to better meet these people and their cultures:
- Wear appropriate clothing, preferably long and wide, covering knees and shoulders.
- Be discreet in all of your behavior, especially in your signs of affection regarding couples.
- When you eat with your hands, use the right one. The left is considered unclean.
- Photographing villagers must be based on an exchange. Before taking a photo, exchange a few friendly words with the people that you meet and make sure that they are willing to have their photo taken
- Do not give away pens, candy or other gifts to the children. This encourages them to beg.

What is some specific advice for walking in the desert?
We advise you to wear loose clothing which is both comfortable for you and a sign of respect towards the Egyptians. We remind you that the contacts with the local population are facilitated if your outfit is in accordance with local customs. Covering your arms and legs in the desert can also help to slow down the effects of dehydration and it helps to reduce the risk of sunstroke. In addition, you won't get dirty as quickly and you will be less pestered by insects.
To protect yourself from the sun, wind and dust, you can buy a "cheche" early in the trip (a garment worn by the Tuareg people). It replaces a hat and scarf. Also remember to stay well hydrated: stop regularly to drink even if you do not feel thirsty. Be sure to bring two water bottles during your trip, one for drinking and the other to give purifying tablets time for effectiveness.

Can the sand pose a problem in some cases?
Despite our best wishes and a rigorous care, you may encounter some problems with the zippers on your tents. Zippers are definitely incompatible with sand winds! Don't force them. The zippers can be brushed with an old tooth brush----just inform your guides. Thanks for your understanding here!

What souvenirs to bring back?
Kilims (woven carpets), jewelry, copper and papyrus objects are beautiful souvenirs! You will find the most interesting objects in Luxor, Cairo, but also in the Sinai.

Advice from John David Laurence, head of our trips in Egypt:
During your visit to Cairo, feel free to take a look in the bookstores, where you can find exciting books. Also remember to sample the pastries, which are excellent.

Is there an opportunity to recharge batteries while traveling in Egypt?
The presence of a 4x4 vehicle on most circuits will help facilitate with recharging batteries, as they can be recharged on the lighter plug. Remember to bring an adapter.
Be sure to bring all of your batteries back to the USA, even the old ones so that they may be recycled.

Electrical plugs
US electrical devices are not compatible with Egyptian electrical plugs.
We recommend that you carry an adapter, because the plugs are 220/230 volts.

We count on you to leave the natural areas that you pass through as clean as possible, including your camps. Always carry with you a small bag for your personal waste. As a rule, you are advised to save water and to avoid pollution of the water points; which also includes not using hygienic products in the water (soap, shower gel, etc...).