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 nations I wished 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. As we speak, vacationers nonetheless keep away however when the Intercontinental Cairo Metropolis Stars was on the IHG Pointbreaks listing I didn’t hesitate to guide 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 risk anymore, so no cause 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 way in which tourism works in Egypt: truthful 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. In the future I have to return for southern Egypt.
Issues to remember when planning an Egypt itinerary
Let me begin with just a few issues to remember in case you are planning an Egypt itinerary plus just a few normal suggestions when visiting Egypt.
- Once 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. Excellent service and that’s why I exploit E-Visums now for extra e-visa all over the world 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 by way of again alleys in Cairo at evening with out drawback.
- Respect the Muslim guidelines, though Egypt is a fairly free nation remember guidelines are a bit completely different. Don’t {photograph}, particularly ladies, with out permission. Gown average in mosques and different spiritual buildings.
- Visitors is chaotic which might make journey instances longer as you’d count on. Depart 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’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 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 lodge 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 lovely Coptic space too. All locations of curiosity are concentrated round one avenue and it takes nearly a full day to see every thing. I recommend to start out on the Coptic Museum to study in regards to the historical past of the world. 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 buildings 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 principally a dry ocean ground the place plenty of prehistoric fossils and skeletons are completely preserved. It’s an extended drive however nicely value it as you may see right here thousands and thousands 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 way in which again you’ve gotten 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 have 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 wished to see additionally the opposite aspect of Cairo: Rubbish Metropolis and Dahab’s Island within the Nile. This present day 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 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 identify says, a lot of the rubbish goes for recycling. You will note plenty of folks sorting rubbish by hand, taking electronics aside and bundling all for transport. It’s fascinating to see how the folks dwell there because it’s an enormous distinction to Western European nations. A number of poverty there. Close by is a cave church which can be nicely value 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 aim.
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 in the future so I did it in two. In the future 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 may be time to go to the Al-Azhar Park to loosen up within the sunshine. In case the climate isn’t in your favor for the park then you 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 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 every kind 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 a very good 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 ensure 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’s best to be capable of get the value down by 50-65% simply. Throughout this present day you’ll go to a number of mosques so costume average 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 Avenue and Al-Rifai & Sultan Hassan Mosque
Egypt Itinerary day journey #6: Abu Mena & Alexandria
Abu Mena is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site just a few kilometers outdoors 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 web site 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 web site 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 one way or the other as just a few roads go there. It’s not a vacationer web site and there was no entrance charge and never that a lot info. A guard watched me whereas I explored the location. It is determined by your curiosity should 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 shouldn’t be 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 constructive factor of getting much less vacationers in Egypt is which you can make photos of the Giza Pyramids with out folks. A novel alternative. This present day 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 suggest to not simply go to these at Giza but additionally the opposite ones. You’ll be able to 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. This present day journey is essentially the most well-known day journey in Cairo and one to not skip. All the pieces you will notice at this time 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 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 go by all the main locations in northern Egypt and go away sufficient time to loosen up. I hope these ideas enable 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 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 plenty of different avenue 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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