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 kind of nations 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 yr or two of some turmoil which didn’t enable straightforward journey. At this time, vacationers nonetheless keep away however when the Intercontinental Cairo Metropolis Stars was on the IHG Pointbreaks checklist 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 night time) and there was no precise security risk anymore, so no purpose to not go. To effectively see Cairo, I employed an Egyptian Sidekick for many of the days. They’re college students and attempt to change the way in which tourism works in Egypt: honest 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 based mostly out of Cairo and canopy all of the vital locations in northern Egypt. Sooner or later I have to return for southern Egypt.
Issues to remember when planning an Egypt itinerary
Let me begin with a couple of issues to remember if you’re planning an Egypt itinerary plus a couple of basic ideas when visiting Egypt.
- After 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 take advantage of E-Visums now for extra e-visa world wide and I’m certain once more for Egypt too. As you may 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 frequent sense for some areas on the borders with neighboring nations. I walked via again alleys in Cairo at night time with out downside.
- Respect the Muslim guidelines, though Egypt is a fairly free nation bear in mind guidelines are a bit totally different. Don’t {photograph}, particularly girls, with out permission. Gown average 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 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 relies on what you’re used to however I brushed enamel with faucet water, had dinner in again alleys and didn’t get sick. It may be luck however preserve it in thoughts and purchase medication regionally because the Western tablets don’t work.
- See my high 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 mainly all locations of curiosity. The opposite 2-3 days I stayed on the resort to benefit from the pool and the others have been mainly journey days.
Egypt Itinerary day journey #1: Coptic Cairo
In Cairo the largest 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 the whole lot. I recommend to begin on the Coptic Museum to be taught in regards to the historical past of the realm. From there you possibly can stroll up and down the road to see the totally different church buildings and a cemetery. There are additionally numerous stays of a lot older buildings partly built-in into the newer buildings. On the street there are eating places the place you possibly can 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 Website about 3 hours south of Cairo. It’s mainly a dry ocean ground the place a number of prehistoric fossils and skeletons are completely preserved. It’s a protracted drive however effectively price it as you possibly can 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 have been discovered. Go early in order that on the way in which again you will have time to cease at some close by waterfalls and drive via some rural areas to see the native life in Egypt. Relying on the day you go, you may be capable 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 a protracted 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 via 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. This present day journey might be not on everybody’s precedence checklist 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 today. Rubbish Metropolis is a neighborhood in Cairo the place, because the identify says, many of the rubbish goes for recycling. You will note a number of individuals sorting rubbish by hand, taking electronics aside and bundling all for transport. It’s fascinating to see how the individuals reside there because it’s a giant distinction to Western European nations. Numerous 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’ll be able to witness right here farmers working the land and kids play. I all the time prefer to see how the native’s reside after I journey and the realm’s I visited today match completely this objective.
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 sooner or later so I did it in two. Sooner or later I recommend to go to the previous citadel to see the mosques, museums and historic 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 calm down within the sunshine. In case the climate isn’t in your favor for the park then you would 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 via the Muizz Avenue and discover all of the protected buildings that are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Website of previous Cairo. There are fairly some buildings which give understanding how individuals 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 to don’t pay the vacationer costs however the native costs. There are a number of souks within the space to purchase souvenirs. Make certain to cut price! It’s best to be capable to get the value down by 50-65% simply. Throughout today 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 Website a couple of kilometers exterior of Alexandria. As I wish to see all the UNESCO Websites I merely needed to drive up there. There’s a new Abu Mena and an previous archeological website which is the UNESCO Website. 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. Every year hundreds come to Abu Mena the place Menas of Alexandria was burried centuries in the past. The archeological website is a couple of a whole lot meters away and a bit tough to seek out. Simply put the location 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 payment and never that a lot data. A guard watched me whereas I explored the location. It relies on your curiosity should you ought to go there to be sincere. Alexandria was my second cease today the place I explored the fort and the palace. In case Abu Mena just 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 constructive factor of getting much less vacationers in Egypt is that you could make footage of the Giza Pyramids with out individuals. A singular alternative. This present day journey will take you first to the southern pyramids: the Dahshur Pyramid discipline, 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 totally different so I extremely suggest to not simply go to these at Giza but in addition 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 shall 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 probably the most well-known day journey in Cairo and one to not skip. All the pieces you will notice right now 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 have been constructed hundreds of years in the past.
For an in depth day journey report please see:
EGYPT – The traditional pyramids day tour from Cairo
The above day journeys collectively move by all the most important locations in northern Egypt and depart sufficient time to calm down. I hope these ideas provide help to 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 high 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.
Keep tuned for extra tales and subscribe to the publication or comply with CTB on social media (Fb, Twitter, Instagram together with Instagram tales; on all social media you’ll find CTB @christravelblog) to get up to date data.
Did you go to Egypt too or do you will have questions? Please depart a remark on the backside of the web page. Love to listen to from you!