Visa Requirement

All visitors to Egypt require visas. Contrary to popular belief, the Embassy of Egypt advises all travelers to procure their visa prior to entry into Egypt. It still remains possible for nationals of some countries to procure their tourist visa upon arrival at Cairo International Airport. Please contact your local Egyptian Embassy for more information. In the event of visa refusal at port of entry, Tamry Tours will not be held responsible for passengers not holding current or correct visas.

Money

You will need to bring sufficient funds to cover meals that aren't included, entrance fees (if not included in your package) and souvenirs. It is difficult to recommend a level of personal spending money, which will suit everyone, as this can differ so wildly.

As a guideline, we would suggest somewhere in the vicinity of $USD15-$USD25.00 per day Take more if you plan on doing a spot of shopping! During your stay in Egypt, you will notice a general lack of small change. We recommend maintaining a small supply of coins and small denomination notes (e.g. 1 & 5 LE notes) always handy for those all-important toilets stops.

Exchange rate can always fluctuate.The Egyptian Pound (consisting of 100 piastres-abbreviated to pt.) comes in the following denominations:10, 25 and 50pt and 1LE, 5LE, 10LE, 20LE, 50LE, 100LE and 200LE (the latter is new and rarely seen in circulation).

Voltage

220 Volts. Sockets are of the European, 2 pronged variety. If taking a hairdryer or camcorder, be sure to pack a power adaptor.

Time

Daylight savings is from April to September (2004 this varies from year to year) where the clocks go forward 1 hour in summer time.

Health Requirements

It is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio, If you haven't had a booster in the last ten years, Food and waterborne diseases are more common, we also recommend vaccinations for typhoid (valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity varies). Additionally, we recommend you be vaccinated for Meningitis due to recent a report that has indicated its presence. Finally, pack some aspirin for digestion prior to your flight. This may help to ward off DVT. Please seek up to date medical advise from a health care provider for information on vaccinations.

Customs

You may bring in modest amounts of anything for personal use, except, obviously, illicit drugs, weapons and items of an obscene or subversive nature. Up to one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes and a reasonable quantity of perfume is permitted. In addition, you may purchase another three liters of alcohol upon arrival at Cairo International Airport or within the first 24 hours from any of the duty free shops in Cairo. Duty Free upon departure offers shoppers a reasonable range of spirits, cigarettes, perfumes and gifts. Alcohol and cigarettes are cheaper than all European Duty Free prices.

What to Pack

There is very little that you might need that you won't be able to find In Egypt, though the choice may be more limited. Participants on tours that Include a 2 - night Nile felucca cruise require a sleeping bag.

Cost of Living

By international standards, Egypt represents good value for money, particularly for travelers carrying Pound Sterling and US Dollars. Eating and drinking is considerably cheaper and you are able to eat well for less than USD$ 15 a day . Bottled mineral water is widely available at around 60 cents a bottle. See 'alcohol' for details regarding alcoholic beverages.

Food, Glorious food

Egyptian cuisine is similar to some of the cuisines found in Turkey, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. The basic staple diet centers on pulses - fuul medames (fava beans) and ta'amiyya (chickpea patties). These tend to be the centerpiece of a meal that will normally include salads, seasoned vegetables and meats. Homous and other yoghurt based dips, coupled with fresh pita, schwarma (similar to a Turkish doner kebab), kofta (a skewered spiced meat dish) and fteer (a kind of pizza) are other popular dishes. The lunchtime bargain has to be koshari, though, a curious mix of noodles, rice, lentils, fried onion and spicy sauce. It's very tasty and exceedingly cheap at less than 50 pence! Exotic-Juices freshly squeezed from the fruits of Mango, Guava and other seasonal varieties are also widely available, as is fresh fruit.

Shopping

Khan al-Khalilli bazaar in Cairo is full of unusual and everyday objects. Souks and bazaars abound in other towns, too. Top buys include Perfumes, carpets and rugs in innumerable hand-loomed designs, backgammon boards, hand-crafted sheesha pipes, pharonic objects fashioned in marble and alabaster, Egyptian cotton sheets, clothing and of course, authentic papyrus.

Guide Books

Guide books: Lonely planet and  Globetrotter.

For more information and variety, please visit a good bookshop with a large travel section for the best range.

Travel Writing

• Beyond the pyramids - Douglas Kennedy

• The Complete pyramids - Mark Lehner

• The Keys of Egypt - Lesley & Roy Adkins .

• Ancient Egypt: An illustrated reference to the myths, religions, pyramids and temples of the land of the pharaohs - Lorna Oakes, Lucia Gahlin

Novels

• Death on the Nile - Agatha Christie

• The English Patient - Michael Ondaatjie

• Ramses: The Son of light - Christiaan Jacq .

Films

• "The mummy" and its sequel "The mummy returns" set in Egypt.

• "Death on the Nile" - an Agatha Christie thriller set in key Egyptian location.

• "The spy who loved me" A James Bond classic set against a glamorous backup of pyramids, Islamic Cairo and Karnak

These movies will put you truly in the mood for exotic Egypt.