Egypt travel information

Egypt travel information

• The local currency is the Egyptian pound (LE). 1 LE = 100 piasters. Banks are opened in major hotels for 24 hrs- credit cards are widely used in major Hotels & restaurants. Charges will be in Egyptian pounds. Current rate of exchange is $1.00 = LE 5.60 in average.

• The best season is from October thru May when the temperature is Cairo is comfortable in the daytime, and cool or even cold at night. Weather in Upper Egypt, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel is comfortably warm. During the summer months Cairo is hot and dry, upper Egypt is extremely hot, sightseeing is done early in the morning.

• Winter months: Bring sweaters, a light coat or jacket for the cool CairoLuxorAswan if taking a Nile cruise. Summer months: light weight clothing. A sweater for cool Cairo evenings. AT ALL TIMES: modesty in clothing should be observed-women should cover their arms when visiting mosques. Bring comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing and walking on desert sand. Sneakers are needed and no open sandals as it is sandy.

• Sunglasses as well as hats and scarves are recommended as protection against the strong sun. On the Nile cruise dress is strictly informal, jackets and ties are out of place.

• shopping...Cairo is a shopping adventure. Buy brass, copper, and inlaid wooden articles, silver and gold jewelry. Leather shoes, bags and belts, cotton goods and oils. Shop at theKhan El Khalili bazaar for better variety, interesting and artistic goods. You should be able to bargain up to two thirds off the price originally quoted to you.

• Take plenty of film with you and all the necessary photographic equipment, as these are very expensive in Egypt. You will need flash to photograph inside monuments. The sun is very bright, for outdoor pictures take a light meter and low ASA film for indoor shots.

• When visiting somewhere such as Luxor, winter is easily the most comfortable time. Cairo isn't quite as pleasant, with often overcast skies and chilly evenings, while up on the Mediterranean coast Alexandria is subject to frequent downpours resulting in flooded, muddy streets. Even Sinai's beaches are a little too chilly for sunbathing in January. March to May or September to November is the best time to enjoy the warm days without the crush of bodies on the beaches.

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