Thursday, December 6, 2007

Egypt


Egypt is the cradle of civilization, the beacon of religion and the gateway to the continent of Africa. For over 70 centuries, Egypt has accomplished the development of culture, civilization and contributed to the history of the world. A journey through Egypt represents traveling through time, from one period to another, exhilarated by the history of those who remained immortal revealed by many of its secrets beneath the desert sands.

Around 7,000 years ago, a river and a desert have played a significant part in forming the landscape and character of the oldest civilization on our planet - Egypt - one of the mystical paradises.

Take a tour through Phoraonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic Egypt to help you understand and appreciate the treasures that unfolded civilizations of man kind. The tour will provide you with information on the earliest evidence of Egyptian writing- Hieroglyphics, the rise and fall of legendary kingdoms and dynasties, migration, the great pyramids and temple building periods, triumphs and defeats of historical wars, and much, much more.

Travel Time to Egypt

Travel Time to Egypt

Peak travel season in Egypt runs from mid October to May, and this is the best time to visit. As you will notice, the tourist season is during winter and spring, but this is also the high season, and prices go up at this time of year. Some hotels can be really expensive, and because of this, I would advise prior reservations for all hotels before you come, even the budget hotels.

From May until October, the temperatures are fairly high, especially in Luxor and the southern parts of the country, yet summer offers a time to see Egypt in relative peace and quite. It is a huge advantage being able to see the tourist sites without hassle from school children, or from the crowds of tourists. Imagine, piece and quiet to take photographs, without strangers obscuring the view!

Although certain Cairo hotels will fill up with many Arab visitors in the summer, who would rather be here than having to endure even hotter weather in their own countries, advanced bookings are rarely required, and a variety of discounts are even offered, as incentives to them who would brave the heat.

Another very good time to visit Egypt is during the springtime. During spring the weather is fairly moderate, but try and avoid the “The Khamsin wind1” season that runs between March and April, though it only takes a few days and you can handle that so easily ... it is quite an adventure! !


The Khamsin wind is a warm wind that blows in from the desert, carrying sand and dust!

Some travellers will avoid travelling to Egypt during Ramadan. This is mainly due to the fact that alcohol is not allowed during the month, especially during the daytime! But another reason could be that many of the restaurants are closed during Ramadan, and all tourist sites close one or two hours earlier than usual, causing a shorter time for visiting.But on the other hand Ramadan is a lovely month in Egypt, as it resembles a month-long festival. At night all coffee shops are full of people who will stay up till the early morning hours. It is the time when Cairo (and the rest of Egypt) never sleeps, the time when all people go out to have fun.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Car Rental in Egypt

Exploring Egypt is a great experience through Egypt Nile Cruises. But this does not mean that those wanting to go on sightseeing tours of Egypt by road have no option. Tourists can very easily avail Car Rental in Egypt. Driving along the Nile or Red Sea coast has its own charm. Offering you to choose cars with or without drivers is the superb Car Rental in Egypt. Moreover, English-speaking guide can also be hired along with Car Rental in Egypt. Feel free to negotiate for the best bargains while hiring a car in Egypt.
Below is a list of Companies offering Car Rental in Egypt: -
Hertz
195 Sharia 26th of July, Mohandiseen Cairo, Egypt
Thrifty
1 Al-Entesar, HeliopolisCairo, Egypt
J Car
33 Sharia Missaha, DoqqiCairo, Egypt
Avis
16 Mamal as-Sukkar, Garden CityCairo, Egypt
Budget Rent-A-Car
5 Makrizy, ZamalekCairo, Egypt
* Car Rental Service of all the above-mentioned Companies is also available at Cairo International Airport in Egypt

Monday, November 5, 2007

Egypt Airports

Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Location: The airport is situated 14 miles (22km) from Cairo.
Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between last Friday in April and last Friday in September).
Contacts: Tel: +20 (0)2 265 3308 or (0)2 268 4248.
Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are two miles (3km) apart and are linked by a free shuttle, which departs about every half an hour.
Transfer to the city: There are taxis outside the main arrivals hall; the journey to central Cairo takes around 45 minutes.
An Airport Shuttle bus is a convenient way to get from the airport to downtown Cairo and along the Pyramids Road in Giza.
Public buses and air-conditioned coaches also leave regularly from Terminal 1. Car rental: Car hire companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz.
However, driving in Cairo is best avoided, otherwise visitors can hire a driver with their car for a small additional charge.
Facilities: Facilities include a restaurant and several cafeterias, banks and ATMs, bureau de change, pharmacies, an Internet café in Terminal 1, five-star lounges for business and first class passengers, smoking rooms (Terminal 1), tourist information desks and travel agencies. Duty-free is also available.
Facilities for disabled passengers are good, but those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: Long and short-term parking is available.
Departure tax: None.
Website: http://www.cairo-airport.com/

Luxor Airport (LXR)
Location: The airport is situated four miles (6km) east of the city.
Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from last Friday in April to last Friday in September). Contacts: Tel: +20 (0)95 379 655.
Transfer to the city: The best way to the city is by taxi (journey time 15min), but there is also a regular bus service available, but it is generally very crowded.
Car rental: There are car rental agencies at the airport.
Facilities: Airport facilities include bureaux de change, restaurants, shops, a tourist information desk, post office and left luggage.
Wheelchairs are available for disabled passengers; airlines should be notified in advance. Departure tax: None.

Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport
an international airport located in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Opened on May 14, 1968, the airport was originally an Israeli Air Force base and also served the small settlement of Ofira.
On May 23rd 2007, the airport's second terminal was inaugurated with a capacity for 8 million passengers per year. The two-level 43,000 m2 terminal features 40 check-in counters and is designed to cater to a large number of international and chartered flights. It has one domestic and six international gates, all of which exit to remote stands. The terminal comprises three building components: two circular-shaped halls fused together by a wedge-shaped intermediate space dubbed 'the boat'. 'The boat' serves as a passenger transit hub housing passport control, duty free, and VIP areas as well as cafes/restaurants. The halls, in stark textural contrast to the solid mass of 'the boat', feature airy, billowing tent-like roofs inspired by the indigenous Beduin culture.
In 2006, the airport served 5,059,456 passengers. It is the second busiest airport in Egypt after Cairo International Airport.

Marsa Alam International Airport
is a growing airport in Marsa Alam, Egypt. In response to the increasing needs of European travelers to this southern Red Sea destination, along with many other airports in the Red Sea such as Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport in Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam is recently home to this new international airport.
The Marsa Alam International Airport is privately owned and operated by EMAK Marsa Alam for Management & Operation Airports SAE, a subsidiary of the M.A. Al-Kharafi Group of Kuwait. Marsa Alam International Airport is managed by Aéroports de Paris.
According to General Manager, Jacquy Pain, "the airport is now receiving 11 flights per week from Italy and 2 flights per week from Germany".[citation needed] Currently, the airport can accommodate 600 passengers per hour. In the future, the airport will able to process up to 2500 passengers per hour.[citation needed] In 2006, the airport served 500,155 passengers.

Egypt Contacts

Egyptian Tourist Authority, Cairo: +20 (0)2 684 1970 or www.egypt.travel
Egyptian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 895 5400.
Egyptian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 3304.
Egyptian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 234 4931.
Egyptian Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6273 4437.
Egyptian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 343 1590.
Egyptian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 6566.
United States Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 797 3300.
British Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 794 0852.
Canadian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 791 8700.
Australian Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 575 0444.
South African Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 359 4365.
Irish Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 735 8264.
New Zealand Embassy, Cairo: +20 (0)2 461 9178.
Emergencies: 122 (Police); 123 (Ambulance),

Egypt Passport & Visa Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans:
US citizens must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for US$15, provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers entering Egypt via South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai resort area, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.
Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK citizens must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for US$15 or the equivalent, provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers entering Egypt via South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai resort area, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.
Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadians must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for US$15 or the equivalent, provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers entering Egypt via South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai resort area, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.
Entry requirements for Australians:
Australians must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for US$15 or the equivalent, provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers entering Egypt via South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai resort area, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.
Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African nationals require a valid passport, and a visa for travel to Egypt. For travellers entering Egypt via South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai resort area, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for US$15 or the equivalent, provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers entering Egypt via South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai resort area, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals must have a valid passport, and a visa is required. A 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for US$15 or the equivalent, provided the purpose of travel is for tourism. For travellers entering Egypt via South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai resort area, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival. Passport/Visa Note: Passports must be valid for at least two months beyond the period of visit. Visa requirements change at short notice.

Other Tips
Tourist visas for Egypt can often be obtained upon arrival in Egypt, for citizens of most countries (It is highly recommended to confirm visa particulars with the appropriate consulate, however).
However, citizens of the following countries are required to be in possession of a pre-arrival visa: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chechnya, Croatia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Lebanon, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldavia, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, The Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Sri-Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and all African countries.
Egyptian consulates do not issue student visas; application for a student visa (if required) is made after entering Egypt with a tourist or entry visa.
Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa:
a) nationals of Kuwait, who are allocated a six months' residence permit upon arrival;
b) Palestinians holding an Egyptian residence card, provided the stay outside Egypt does not exceed six months;
c) nationals of Bahrain, Djibouti, Guinea, Jordan (only with a passport with at least five years' validity), Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen for stays of up to three months;
d) nationals of Malaysia for stays of up to 15 days;
e) those continuing their journey to a third country within 24 hours, provided holding confirmed tickets.
f) Cruise ship passengers entering Egypt at any port for a maximum stay of 3 days.For current visa information, please contact the nearest consulate.
What documents will be required?
Passport (passport must have at least 6 months validity remaining)
Completed application form1 recent passport-type photograph (2in. X 2in.)
Copy of airline tickets or itinerary
Please contact the nearest Egyptian Consulate for furtherinformation on what documentation may be required for you to enter Egypt.
Time required to issue visa:
Although tourist visas are issued on-arrival in Egypt in many cases, Egyptian authorities strongly recommend inquiry at the local Consulate for specific information.
What is the cost of a visa?
aprox. US$15-$91, depending on nationality.
Business visas are cheaper for Canadian nationals. Nationals of the USA pay a standard rate of £12 for visas of any type. South African nationals obtain visas free of charge.
Payment of fees is in cash or by postal order only; cheques will not be accepted. Processing fees for other nationals vary considerably; check with the appropriate Consulate (or Consular section of Embassy) for costs of visas. Visa fees are per passport, not per person.
How long is the visa valid for?
Tourist visas: 30-180 daysStudent visas: Varies Other information: Extensions to a tourist visa are possible; enquire at your local consulate for details.
Visitors from all countries except Canada, the EU and the USA must register with the police within a week of arrival in Egypt, although this service is usually undertaken by the hotel.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Sites of Egyptian Missions

Egyptian Consulate General in San Francisco
Egyptian Embassy in Washington
Egyptian Consulate General in Riyadh
Egyptian Consulate General in Jeddah
Egyptian Consulate General in Marsellia
Egyptian Consulate General in New York
Egyptian Embassy in Abu Dhabi
Egyptian Embassy in Riyadh
Egyptian Consulate General in London
Egyptian Embassy in Ottawa
Egyptian Consulate General in Montreal
Egyptian Consulate in Paris
Egyptian Consulate in Chicago
Egyptian Consulate in Dubai
Egyptian Consulate General in Melbourne
Egyptian Embassy in Canberra
Egyptian Consulate General in Sydney
Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi
Egyptian Embassy in Jakarta
Egyptian Embassy in Paris
Egyptian Consulate General in Benghazi
Egyptian Embassy in Singapore
Egyptian Embassy in Rome
Egyptian Embassy in Athens
Egyptian Embassy in Amman
Egyptian Embassy in Tripoli
Egyptian Embassy in Rabat
Egyptian Embassy in Tunis
Egyptian Embassy in Budapest
Egyptian Embassy in Brasilia
Egyptian Embassy in Kiev
Egyptian Consulate General in Hamburg
Egyptian Embassy in Doha
Egyptian Embassy in Bucharest
Egyptian Embassy in Hague
Egyptian Embassy in Muscat
Egyptian Consulate General in Houston
Egyptian Embassy in London
Egyptian Embassy in Prague
Egyptian Embassy in Nairobi
Egyptian Embassy in Valletta
Egyptian Embassy in Bern
Egyptian Embassy in Ankara
Egyptian Consulate General in Frankfurt
Egyptian Embassy in Dublin
Egyptian Embassy in Seoul
Egyptian Embassy in Caracas