EGYPT – THE
GIFT OF THE NILE
Egypt is a
country that is extremely mysterious and an architect’s delight. To this day it
draws visitors who come here to see the awe inspiring pyramids which to this
day remain a mystery. This country is not like the other “Foreign countries”
and hence cannot expect to find the same trappings here.
VISA
: The visa is to be obtained prior to arrival
in the country.
HOW
TO GET THERE:
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:
Cairo is the only International Airport
here.
FLIGHTS
INTO CAIRO:
Direct Flight is Egypt Air (MS) ex BOM flying thrice a week – Tues, Thurs, Sun - 6hrs 45
mins
Sectors
|
Timings
|
BOM CAI
Tues Thurs Sun
|
Dep 0410
Arr
0745
|
CAI BOM
Mon Wed Sat
|
Dep 0430
Arr 1140
|
Emirates(EK) flies
into Cairo via Dubai
ex Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad,
Ahmedabad, Bangalore
Imp
Note:
Please
note that a client can spend a maximum of 2 hours in Abu Simbel as per the Law
passed by the Govt. of Egypt.
Hence,
please make sure any connecting flight from Abu Simbel to Aswan is booked
within 2 hours. If a later flight is booked Egyptian Air will automatically
cancel the booking.
CURRENCY:
The basic unit of money is the Egyptian pound (L.E), which
is divided into 100 Piasters. You can bring to Egypt any reasonable amount of
traveler’s checks and cash. The exchange rates are subject to change. You will
have no need to use Egyptian money before your arrival at the hotel. You can
exchange currency in the hotel during 24 hours a day. When you exchange money
keep your receipts and keep your customs declaration (Form D) in order to
change Egyptian currency back into dollars when leaving the country.
GETTING
AROUND:
Egypt has two
national carriers for internal flights, Egyptair (MS) and Air Sinai (4D)
Public
Transport
By
Air: Egypt air
flies daily from Cairo to Alexandria,
Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Hurghada and twice a week to Kharga Oasis.
Air Sinai flies from Cairo
to Hurghada, Al Arish, Taba, Sharm el Shaikh.
Tram: Cairo also has tram systems and Heliopolis is served by six tram lines
Metro: Both Alexandria and Cairo have metro systems that run through at least part of the city. Trains run every few minutes from early morning (5:30 a.m.) to midnight and fares are inexpensive, usually under a pound to the farthest destination.
Taxis:
Metered taxis are available. All taxis have orange license plates and are
identified by a number on the driver's license and identify number attached to
the dashboard. Sharing a taxi is not unusual. For the tourist, it is more
expensive but easier to get a taxi from a hotel where they line up and where
you can fix the price beforehand.
Trains:
First-class train services connect Cairo
with Alexandria, Luxor
and Aswan
You
can travel between Cairo, Luxor
and Aswan on 4
different types of train:
- Overnight deluxe sleeper train (1-
& 2-bed sleepers & lounge car, recommended)
- Overnight air-conditioned express trains
(with seats)
- Daytime air-conditioned express trains (recommended)
Sleeper
Train: [Cairo/Aswan Or
Luxor/Cairo On Half Board]
Per
Person in a Double Cabin per way - 68 USD
For
Single per way – 91 USD
It has
many cars and each car has 10 cabins i.e. 20 beds in total.
There
are 2 bathrooms outside the cabins.
Each
cabin has central a/c and music.
In the
middle of the train there is a club car (bar wagon) where one can enjoy drinks
- alcoholic or non alcoholic.
Breakfast
and hot dinner is included.
Timings:
Daily
train Cairo
- Luxor 0800 pm – 0505 am
Luxor
- Aswan 0515 am
– 0815 am
Daly
train Aswan
- Luxor 0630 pm – 0930 pm
Luxor
- Cairo 0940 pm - 0645 am
Distances
between Egyptian cities:
Cities
|
Kms
|
By Air
|
By Train
|
By Bus
|
By
Private
Car
|
Cairo - Alexandria
|
210
|
45 mins
|
2.30 hrs
|
3hrs
|
3hrs
|
Cairo – Luxor
|
680
|
1 hr
|
09 hrs
|
NA
|
NA
|
Cairo – Aswan
|
930
|
1.25hrs
|
12 hrs
|
NA
|
NA
|
Luxor -Aswan
|
240
|
45 mins
|
3.5 hrs
|
NA
|
NA
|
Cairo - Baharia Oasis
|
400
|
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
4hrs
|
Cairo – Hurghada
|
480
|
1 hr
|
NA
|
6hrs
|
6hrs
|
Luxor -Hurghada
|
230
|
NA
|
NA
|
3hrs
|
3hrs
|
Cairo-SharmEl Shaikh
|
460
|
1hr
|
NA
|
6hrs
|
6hrs
|
BUSINESS:
Friday is the weekly holiday; most business is closed at
least in the morning. The official hours for banks and commerce are from 10: 00
am to 6: 00 pm. Many stores, especially in the tourist areas and hotels, are
open all day and during evenings.
CLIMATE:
Egypt's climate is hot and dry
most of the year. During the winter months - December, January and February -
average daily temperatures stay up around 20°C on the Mediterranean coast and a
pleasant 26°C in Aswan.
Maximum temperatures get to 31°C and 50°C respectively. Winter nights only get
down to 8°C. Alexandria
receives the most rain. While Aswan
is almost bone-dry with just 2 mm annually. Between March and April the khamsin blows in from the Western Desert.
The best months to visit this country are starting Oct until April. The
hottest month is Aug and it is rather hot starting from June onwards.
CLOTHING:
The word is cotton, and not even heavy blends with
synthetics will do. Regular jeans are also worn. Wear closed, comfortable shoes
for tours (sneakers, tennis shoes), but you might wear any kind of sandals, etc
around the hotel area and in town. A very light hat and sunglasses are
necessary for protection against the hot sun. Sun Block and Sun tan lotion is
also a must.
It Is important to remember that Egypt is an Islamic country, leave
your shorts at home. Ladies should also choose dresses and blouses with some
kind of sleeves and no “generous” openings around the neck. Improper clothing
is perceived as a cultural insult. However,
bring your swimsuit and cover – up to get to the swimming pool, as you will
have to pass through the hotel. For the dinner hour it’s usually a little more
dressy than on the road, so, do not dress in tee-shirts and jogging outfits for
dinner. The “galabeya” is the traditional Egyptian dress and is akin to a loose
kaftan. It’s easy to wear and is used during one of the themed evenings that
you may have a chance of attending.
TIME:
Egypt is 2
hrs 30 mins behind us.
ELECTRICITY:
For your personal appliances you need an electrical
converter and the European round – pronged plugs. The voltage is 220 v.
DAILING
CODE:
00 20
TIPS:
“Baksheesh”
(tips) is the first Arabic word you have to learn. As salaries
are very low in Egypt,
“Baksheesh” is a way of life. For your stay in a hotel room,
leave one pound minimum a day. Tips must be given to the guides and the driver
too. The little Egyptian children love stationary. Hence it would be handy for
you to carry from here some pencils and ball point pens that you could give
away at the various monuments during your sightseeing tours. However giving
money to the little children is a complete NO.
LANGUAGE:
Arabic is the
national language, though in the hotels and your guides are well versed in English.
INFORMATIVE
WEBSITES:
www.egypt.travel or www.lonelyplanet.com under Egypt.
IMPORTANT
POINTS REGARDING THE HOTELS:
In Egypt
there is no governing body that rates the Hotels. The 3 and the 4 star hotels
are not worth recommending as they are very small and are of generally very
poor standards. The 5* hotels that are part of a chain e.g. the Hyatt / Hilton
/ Four seasons etc are recommended as one can expect the standard here. The
price difference between the 4 and the 5 star hotels is not that great, hence
can be easily opted for.
REGISTRATION
IN HOTELS:
When arriving in the hotels your passports may be requested
for 24 hours. They will be returned promptly to you later. This registration is
for your security only. The Egyptians treat their tourists as most precious,
the hotels are well guarded (discretely), you will find Egypt one of the safest countries
to travel to. Before the arrival at a new destination keep your passport handy,
at least in your carry – on luggage, never in the suitcase or check – in
luggage.
IMPORTANT
POINTS REGARDING THE CRUISES:
The moment one talks about a cruise here, it is very
important that one does not equate it to one of the luxury cruises like the
Star or the Royal Caribbean etc that one is so used to selling or sailing on.
Pls note that the cruise here is akin to a barge and is used to ferry a person
from point A to point B. Cruises operate between Luxor and Aswan or vice versa.
Here too, like the hotels it is recommended to opt only for
the 5 star cruises. The best cruise operating is the Sonesta Moon Goddess. Other
5 star cruises are Anni,
Aton, Carnival, Florence, Nile
Delta, Solaris I, Domina, Crocodile.
One can opt for either a 4 night cruise plying every Sat / Mon or Thu Ex Luxor or the
4 night cruise plying every
Sat or Tue Ex Aswan.
Or the 3 nights cruise plying every Mon / Wed or Friday Ex Aswan.
There is no provision of pre blocking cabins on board in
advance. The same are allotted on a first come first serve basis.
There is also no concept of inside cabins here. All the
cabins have windows facing the river. The check in time is normally before
lunch at 1200 hrs.
During lunch and dinner time, all tables are numbered and
each family/cabin is allotted one particular table number that is yours till
the end of the cruise. Indian Food is not available on board, however
vegetarian food can be made available.
The pool on the deck is small and varies from cruise to
cruise. Invariably one of the evenings hosts a themed night called the
“galabeya” night where all the guests must come
dressed in the traditional galabeya.
The cruise sets sail during the nights and docks during the
day and hence all the sightseeing is done during the day post breakfast so that
you are back by lunchtime and can relax for the rest of the day on board.
·
Ex Luxor - 04 Nights Cruise - Sat/ Mon/ Thu
·
Ex Aswan - 04 Nights Cruise - Sat/ Tue
·
Ex Aswan - 03 Nights Cruise - Mon/ Wed/ Fri
Kindly
note that embarkation time usually be before lunch which is around noon time .
Once
clients arrive Luxor [if the cruise will start from Luxor] they will make the
tour then embark the cruise if the cabins not ready & once they arrive
Aswan [if the cruise will start from Aswan] they will make the tour first
on there way to the cruise as the sight places close to the airport & it's
better to do it first in order not to drive back again for about 30 KM
CITIES:
CAIRO
This is the capital city and abounds with action. The
main gateway city and is also the city that houses the great Pyramids and the
Egyptian Museum. The
city has 2 distinct areas, the downtown area and the Giza area. The
Downtown area has several hotels that overlook the Nile
River and the Giza area is where the pyramids are.
Cairo is a
city that does not sleep. One can expect to find traffic jams normally at 3 am
in the mornings!!
Hotels
in Cairo:
It’s best to stay in the Giza area upon arrival so that you are closer
to the pyramids. The only hotel that is bang opposite the pyramids is the Mena Oberoi and
this hotel has 2 wings – the Pyramid facing and the Garden facing rooms. Others
that are highly recommended are the Le Meridien Pyramids that also has a side
view of the pyramids, the
Movenpick Pyramids ( more resort style and is a 4*), the Sheraton Pyramids (this
is the farthest on the strip leading up to the pyramids). There is a Four Seasons here
too which is a little far from the pyramids though.
After the first stay in Cairo
one normally would go off for the cruise and upon return would spend another
night or two in Cairo
again. On the return stay, it is recommended to stay in the Downtown area. One
can opt for the Nile
Hilton or the
Hyatt etc and if required can also ask for the Nile
view room which comes at a supplement charge.
MUST
SEES:
Great
Pyramids:
Located in the Giza area, this
is truly awe inspiring experience as how these structures were built is still a
mystery! Before you stop at the main pyramids you are taken to the 1st
pyramid that was built – the Step Pyramid. Following this the next stop is the 3
pyramids which are located next to each other. One can opt to visit the inside
of the great pyramid (this is not included in the cost, since it could get very
suffocating once inside, moreover one needs to crawl on all fours to get
through the thin passage). There are no mummies here, since they have all been
moved to the Egyptian
Museum.
Just next to the pyramids is the great Sphinx. This
visit terminates around lunch time. There is a Pizza Hut near the pyramids
where you can ask the guide to take you for a bite.
Open daily 08h00-16h00.
Additional tickets required for the Great Pyramid,
Chephren's Pyramid and the Third Pyramid. The newly opened Tomb of Mend Skegr
Ka (the daughter of King Cheops), and the Tomb of Ayassen (noted for its
reliefs of daily life in ancient Egypt) are both free to enter. Note
that only 300 tickets per day are issued for the Great Pyramid on a first come,
first served basis.
Egyptian Museum:
This is the most famous icon in Cairo next to the Pyramids. Considering the
number of artifacts it holds, one would need a week or more to ensure that all
the exhibits have been looked at. However in half a day, your guide will tell
you where to go and which are the ones you should definitely take a look at.
There are 2 areas in the Museum – The Mummies chamber and the Tutankhamun’s treasures that
are stored separately and in order to visit the same, there is an extra charge
payable directly inside. This is not included in the entry ticket.
Open: daily 09h00-16h45 (Ramadan 09h00-15h00)
Cairo city tour with Pharonic Village:
Visit the Cairo Tower the highest building in all over
Egypt (187 meters high) and it gives the visitor a chance to see the whole of
Cairo and has a revolving restaurant, then continue to the Pharaonic village which
covers 32 acres, located in Jacop's Island in Giza, view of all activities practised
by ancient egyptians with the style of the life in the ancient time. With some
museums like: Islamic, Coptic, mummification museum and a copy of the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
Cairo Tower:
Opened in 1962 and an impressive
87m high, the Cairo Tower is one of the highest buildings in Africa. Once the tallest concrete structure in the world
the tower .
The tower is now one of Cairo's major tourist draws. The first of the top two storeys is a pricey revolving café and restaurant but the main attraction lies above. At the top of the building is an observation platform where visitors can enjoy one of the most spectacular views in Egypt, out over the city all the way to the Pyramids and the Nile Delta. The view is particularly inspiring at sunset when the buildings of the city are thrown into shadow below.
Situated at Zamalek (Gezira) Island. Open: daily 10h00-19h30.
The tower is now one of Cairo's major tourist draws. The first of the top two storeys is a pricey revolving café and restaurant but the main attraction lies above. At the top of the building is an observation platform where visitors can enjoy one of the most spectacular views in Egypt, out over the city all the way to the Pyramids and the Nile Delta. The view is particularly inspiring at sunset when the buildings of the city are thrown into shadow below.
Situated at Zamalek (Gezira) Island. Open: daily 10h00-19h30.
Papyrus
and the Perfume / Jewellery Shops:
Egypt is ever
famous for the handmade
paper that was made here. It’s called Papyrus and
what is now a must buy here are the intricate paintings that one makes on these
hand made papers. One can actually see the entire process of making paper.
A visit to the perfume house gives us insight into how the
famous Calvin Klein, Poison, Issey Miyaki, Davidoff Cool Water etc are made.
The seed comes from here. One can buy small bottles of the concentrate at 1/4th
the price of the branded bottles! These are all original.
Finally the jewellery shops sell a variety of precious and
semi precious stones which are worth buying.
Dinner
Nile Cruise:
An Ideal way to spend the evening. Cruise On The River Nile For 02 Hours with open buffet dinner, belly dancing,
eastern band, western band, folkloric performers on an open air deck
Nile & Golden Pharaohs
It’s
Trip at 07.45 PM & 08.15 PM
It
Costs 40 $ pp
Nile Crystal
It’s
Trip at 08.00 PM & 08.30 PM
It
Costs 35 $ pp
Sound
and Light Show at the Pyramids:
The show happens at the pyramids area and lasts around 40
mins. It commences around 1900 hours.
It’s a historical show, just in front of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx together;
it shows you how they had built the pyramids & the life of every king on these
pyramids.
Sound & Light Show is Every Day except
Sunday
** First Show On: Every
Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
First Show Time: - 18.30 - 19.15 (Winter Timing)
& 20.30 - 21.15 (Summer Timing)
** Second Show On: Every
Thursday
Second Show
Time: - 19.30 - 20.15 (Winter Timing) & 21.30 - 22.15 (Summer Timing)
Saqqara:
Saqqara was the necropolis of Egyptian
nobility, and covers some seven square km of desert. Among the highlights are
the Tomb of Maya, only discovered in 1986, and
the Step
Pyramid,
the funerary complex of King Zhoser, dating from the 27th century BC and the
inspiration of the great pyramids that were to follow.
The Serapeum is also located here, a vast subterranean passage, which held the mummified corpses of the sacred Apis bulls, regarded as manifestations of, father of the Gods, Ptah's soul. Among the private tombs, those of the nobles of the 5th and 6th dynasties are noteworthy for their well-preserved painted scenes of daily life.
Open: daily 08h00-16h00. The Step Pyramid is only viewable from the exterior and attractions are periodically closed to the public.
The Serapeum is also located here, a vast subterranean passage, which held the mummified corpses of the sacred Apis bulls, regarded as manifestations of, father of the Gods, Ptah's soul. Among the private tombs, those of the nobles of the 5th and 6th dynasties are noteworthy for their well-preserved painted scenes of daily life.
Open: daily 08h00-16h00. The Step Pyramid is only viewable from the exterior and attractions are periodically closed to the public.
LUXOR
A preferred point to start the Nile Cruise and also the
only point for the start of the 4 night cruise.
One visits the Valley of the Kings here –
this is the area where there are several hillocks that hide the tombs of the
bygone pharos. They are all well
camouflaged so that they remained hidden from the eyes of the prying dacoits.
Inspite of that, all the tombs have been raided and all the wealth gone. Since
the place is naturally well protected by the hills on all sides, any mobile
network is not available here.
Next stop is the Tomb of Hatshepsut. She was the only queen
to rule Egypt, and the only
lady to have a tomb dedicated to her in the Valley of the Kings. This
denotes how powerful she was. It’s a very huge grand structure.
Luxor is also
famous for the Karnak Temple. This
is a magnificent structure and the entrance is grand. There are several
demigods adorning the same. One can also opt for and enjoy the Sound and Light show here
like the one at the Giza Pyramids.
Enter from the corniche or Sharia el-Karnak. Open:
06h00-17h30 (October-April); 06h00-18h30 (May-September).
Light and Sound Show: English
tours take place on Monday, Thursday, Friday at 20h00; Saturday, Sunday,
Tuesday, Wednesday at 21h15
Lastly one can also find the Colossi of Memon statues
here. These are the only remains of the once grand Temple that stood here.
The other places that one passes during the cruise are: Kom Ombo where again one gets to see
some great architectural wonders.
Edfu where
you can see the Temple of Horus and Esna where
you cross the lock.
ASWAN
Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city has long been the
country's gateway to Africa. The Nile is
glorious here as it makes its way down from the massive High Dam and Lake Nasser
- watching the feluccas (traditional
sail boats) glide by as the sun sets over the Nile
is an experience you're unlikely to forget. A visit to the Tombs of the Nobles is worthwhile, a highlight being the Nubian Museum.
It’s recommended for one to take the felucca and
sail to the Temple of Philae which
is located on an island
ABU SIMBEL
Abu Simbel lies near
the Egyptian border with Sudan.
The closest major town is Aswan.
You can get to Abu Simbel by air (45mins flight) from either Cairo or Aswan. There are also daily
buses and tours from Aswan to Abu
Simbel (3.5hrs drive).
The largest and most spectacular temples, built by King
Ramses II dedicated to the sun god, Ra, the second one built in honour of his
favourite wife, Nefertari. The main temple is 33 meters high and 35 meters wide
and guarded by four colossal statues of the king, each some 20 meters high.
The mammoth temples
built for the Pharaoh Ramesses II, had to be dismantled and physically moved 60
meters up a cliff where they were reassembled in the exact same relation to
each other and the sun so that they don’t get submerged under the Lake Nasser. Natural sunlight and architectural brilliance
combine to make the inner sanctum of the temple light up.
HURGHADA
Egypt's top
destinations for those looking to simply relax on the beach or enjoy some of
the world's clearest waters and spectacular coral reefs. Hurghada offers
more than 10 miles of beach and plenty of accommodation, restaurants and
nightclubs for all budgets. Diving is the most popular attraction here and
there are numerous diving centers and schools around town. You can expect to
see hundreds of spectacular fish both along the shore and around the nearby
islands. For a dash of
color there's: the blue-spotted stingray, lionfish, Hurghada Star and the
Spanish Dancer Nudibranch
The
easiest way to reach here is to take the cruise from Aswan to Luxor and hook up with the convoy that leaves daily from Luxor to Hurghada. The drive is by road along the sandy dunes and
desert and takes approx 3 hours.
Hurghada
is renowned for having the best
nightlife
on the Red
Sea coast. It’s recommended to spend a
min of at least 2 nights here and one can then fly back to Cairo.
There
are several hotels available here and again the 5 star chains are the ones that
are recommended.
Clothes
are abundant here and quite affordable.
Recommended Hotels
in Hurghada:
Hilton Hurghada
Plaza
Holiday Inn
Hurghada
Marriott Hurghada
Swiss Inn Royal
Azur Resort
SHARM EL SHEIKH
Located
in the Sinai Peninsula this is a place that is truly
located by the Red Sea. It is jocularly referred to as the rich cousin of Hurghada. One can
reach here by flight from any of the cities (Cairo / Luxor / Aswan / Hurghada). There
are some exotic Resorts here and this place is often referred to as the Mecca for divers.
One of the most beautiful and famous deep-sea diving
paradises in the world. Your dreams of crystal clear water, magnificent corals,
exotic under water flora and rare tropical fish all come true when you visit Sharm El Sheikh on
the Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. It is
also noted for its sulphur springs, which are considered cures for those
suffering from rheumatic and skin diseases.
Sharm
is very cosmopolitan with an array of exceptional
bays, a concentration of luxurious hotels, restaurants, golf courses,
conference facilities, banks, nightlife, shopping facilities, and above all,
unprecedented coral reefs and marine life.
Extremely popular are the national marine parks along the
coastline. Just 25 kilometres southwest of Sharm, Ras Mohammed is Egypt’s
most frequented protected national park,
especially noted for being an underwater
paradise. Established in 1983 and spanning across 480 square kilometres, it
is the country’s first and largest
national Marine Park.
Ras
Mohammed is also known for its Tiran and Sanafir islands, salt marshes,
sea-grass beds, mountain peaks and mangrove trees. Winter season brings in a
variety of migrating birds including the white stork Ciconia. Many endangered underwater species live in the deep waters
including the Hawksbill Turtle and Green Turtle; while terrestrial wildlife
animals such as the Dorcas Gazelle and Nubian Ibex can also be found in Ras
Mohammed.
Sinai Desert which provides a wonderful opportunity to ride a camel
and see the dunes, climb up Mount Sinai and
visit St Catherine's Monastery.
Located
at the foot of Mount Sinai and St. Catherine Mountain, St Catherine’s Monastery is
probably the first and smallest Christian monastery in the world. St.
Catherine’s Monastery has been declared as one of the most important sights in
the world.
Hotels in Sharm El
Sheikh:
ALEXANDRIA
The
second largest city in Egypt,
Alexandria, known as "The Pearl of the
Mediterranean", has
an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and
cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is
actually only 225 km. from Cairo.
So one can stay for night or even a day trip is possible.
A
city that is completely overpowered by Greco Roman architecture, it is a mere 3 hrs drive from Cairo.
One
can visit here either as a Full day trip or even decide to spend a night here.
One can see the influence of complete Roman Architecture here in the Pompeii’s pillar – a
colossal granite pillar. The Catacombs of kom el – shokafa are awe inspiring.
Visit the Montazah Palace – the summer residence of egypt’s former royal family, it was built on an
elevator that overlooks one of the most attractive beaches of Alexandria. The palace comprises a number of
buildings, the most important is the “salamlek” whose 1st floor was
converted into an international casino & its 2nd and 3rd
floor into a museum that display private belongings of the former royal family.
Being
so close to the Mediterranean Sea the climate
is quite salubrious and warm.
Alexandria is a great place to just relax and soak in the
Egyptian atmosphere. It doesn't have quite the bustle of Cairo and there aren't too many major sights
you feel you have to see. The
cafes by the waterfront are excellent places to just relax, enjoy a traditional
coffee and watch the world go by.
OASES
Egypt's
oases are just refuges from the modern world, in the dramatic setting of the
desert surrounded by sand and sky, the oases have a sense of timelessness
The
Western Desert
has six main oases, one close to Libya,
four in a curved row from Cairo to Luxor and the last south of Cairo.
Fayoum Oasis
Its
possible (and highly recommended)
to visit Fayoum Oasis on a full day tour from Cairo.
Kharga Oasis
Kharga
is the administrative centre for the oases in Wadi Gedid (Baharia, Farafra,
Dakhla and Kharga)
and hasancient Egyptian temples, important early Christian history and a small
but important museum with a collection from Pharaonic times, Christian and
Islamic area.
Dakhla Oasis
Dakhla
is the largest agriculture oasis and lies furthest off
the main settlements of Egypt.
Unlike many other oases, it is situated above sea level, as high as 122 meters.
Still it is fed by more than 520 springs and ponds. The main towns are Mut and
Al-Qasr,
the latter the main attraction in the entire oasis. The Muzawaka
tombs and Deir al-Hagar
temple are the main attractions.
Farafra Oasis
Farafra
is a smaller oasis, and the most important here is the unbelievable White Desert.
It is a
vast stretch of land in the Western
Desert that borders
Bahariya Oasis to the north and Al-Farafra to the south.The snow-white desert
is actually made of chalk that has been exposed for years to what geologists
call "differential weathering," the erosion of soft particles that
results in eerie protrusions of hard rock. This explains the very beautiful
forms that now fill the White
Desert including shapes
like domes, minarets, castles, towers and so forth.
The
destination has proved a great attraction to all travelers who camp in the few
oases, watch the fauna and flora and enjoy the mild winter weather. Shallow
water levels allow for modest vegetation and wildlife.
Baharia Oasis
Baharia
is the northern oasis of these four, and here you will find one of the hot springs - inside the
small hotel. Siwa Oasis got its own history unlike the four mentioned, and here
one the two important oracles of the antique world was located.
Bahariya Oasis is
easy to reach from Cairo, about 365 kilometres
south-west of Cairo
and it is the best starting point for the Black and White Desert. Set in a
depression covering over 2000 sq. km. Bahariya Oasis is surrounded by black
hills made up of ferruginous quartzite and dolorite. The oasis is provided with
water by many springs. The most famous of these, a thermal spring with
medicinal and restorative properties, comes out in the Bedouin village of Bawiti.
Wildlife is plentiful; especially birds such as wheatears, Bahariya Oasis might
also appeal rock hounds. Golden Mummies were discovered - 'Valley of the Mummies' is
the biggest of its kind. The mummies are covered with a thin layer of gold and
wearing gypsum masks. Sumptuous gilded death masks depict lifelike faces of
real people, rather than stereotypical images. They were found in four
tombs in the town of Bawiti
in Bahariya Oasis.
Siwa Oasis
Siwa appears at
first as a sweet and innocent place deep in the desert which has just opened its
eyes to the modern world and still let's itself be amazed. Which is not wrong,
the asphalted road opened first in 1984. is also one
of the most fascinating, lying some 60 feed below sea level. On the edge of the
Great Sand Sea,
its rich history includes a visit from Alexander the Great to consult the
Oracle of Amun in 331 BC. The area has a nice climate, chilly in winter,
hot in the summer and moderate in the spring and autumn. Lake Siwa
to the west of the town of is a large, saltwater lake.The area is also famous for its springs, of which there are approximately 1,000. The water is sweet, and is said to have medical properties.
An
itinerary with the Egyptian Oases can be of ideally 10 days including of about 2nts in Cairo, 4nts in the different Oases, 2nts in Luxor
and 2nts in Hurghada. It is usually an all inclusive package with
all meals included. All the Transfers
are arranged from Cairo on private Jeep 4x4 Toyota Land
cruiser.
FOOD:
In Egypt,
dining out can range from stand-up sandwich bars to luxurious five-course meals
The food is usually very good in the hotels; however, stick
with fruit and vegetables which can be peeled, if they were not cooked. Bring
some crackers, nuts, and other snacks for the long tours. Soft drinks &
water are no problem on the tours because there is always somewhere some
“Coca-Cola temple” tea bags and some instant coffee, together with your water
boiler are also very helpful in your hotel room. The typical
tea available is called the “karkade” and is made from the karkade flower. It
is pink in color and the dried petals are used to make the tea. The same has
medicinal value and is drunk either hot or cold. Its great for balancing the
blood pressure. One can buy the petals at the local markets by the kilo.
Indian Restaurants in Cairo:
Biryani
Add:
Mohamed Kamal Morsi St.,
Off El-Battal Ahmed Adel Aziz St.,
Mohandeseen, Cairo
Tel:
002 02 760 94 30 / 760 63 53
Bukhara
Add:
43 Misr Helwan Road,
Maadi, Cairo
Tel
: 002 02 380 5 999
Kandahar
Add:
3, Gameat Al-Dowal Al-Arabia St.,
Sphinx. Sq
Te:
002 02 30 30 615
Tandory
Add:
11 Shehab St.,
Mohandeseen, Cairo
Tel:
002 02 748 63 01
Indian Restaurant In Luxor:
Agra at
Sheraton Luxor Hotel
Tel
: 002 095 2 374 597 / 374 544
Fax:
002 095 2 371 941
Indian Restaurant In Aswan:
At Elephantine Hotel Aswan
Tel:
002 097 2 314 667 / 666
Fax: 002 097 2 31 35
38
Indian restaurants in Sharm El Shaikh:
Rangoli
Sofitel Hotel, Na'ama Bay
Tel: +20 (0)69-360-0081
Sofitel Hotel, Na'ama Bay
Tel: +20 (0)69-360-0081
Tandoori
Camel Dive Club & Hotel, Centre of Na'ama Bay
Tel: +20 (0)69-360-0700
Camel Dive Club & Hotel, Centre of Na'ama Bay
Tel: +20 (0)69-360-0700
SHOPPING
and MUST BUYS:
The
most famous
market here in Cairo
is the Khan El
Khalili Market and is open normally from 1000 hrs until 2100 hrs
daily. The market is extremely crowded and hence it is recommended that one
gets dropped here and later make your own way back to the hotel. One can find
just about everything here, from the quaint antiques to camel leather seats, to
precious stones and to the more popular spices, dry fruits and the karkade
petals. This is also a good place to get the best rate for your Dollar, though
of course they are unauthorized dealers selling the same to you. Pls remember
that there is no guarantee for the authenticity of the currency being given to
you. It’s a chance.
One also must bring back Papyrus paintings of Nefretti or the Scarab (the
bug, which is a lucky charm). Semi precious stones of onyx, etc and Attar are
very typical. Silver is quite famous here too and pendants signifying the key
of life are quite nice to present and keep.
Vases
of Alabaster are typically found in Luxor but can be found in the Khalili market
as well.
There are several shops in Cairo that sell Leather goods. The shoes and
boots particularly are very affordable and sturdy.
Surprisingly the Egyptian cotton garments that are so
famous worldwide are not readily available in Egypt itself!
Coppersmiths'
Bazaar (Souk el-Nahhasin) within the Khan complex for finely crafted brass and copperware. A thousand years of
craftsmanship goes into items as diverse as candlesticks, coffee sets, trays,
gongs and water pipes. Head for the Khan's Goldsmiths' Bazaar area (Souk es-Sagha) for
gold and silver jewellery.
All gold work is stamped with Arabic numerals indicating its purity. Popular purchases include gold cartouches with the person's name in hieroglyphics. Ceramics and glass items are also good buys.
All gold work is stamped with Arabic numerals indicating its purity. Popular purchases include gold cartouches with the person's name in hieroglyphics. Ceramics and glass items are also good buys.
Travelers are free to buy and export Egyptian goods. There
are restrictions on certain items that are not permitted to leave the country.
Under no circumstances are antiquities, either ancient Egyptian or Islamic,
permitted to be exported. Nor are precious jewels, carpets, paintings or other
works older than 100 years
Khan el-Khalili
is the biggest and the best example, with several different areas all selling
various produce, but literally dozens of smaller markets crowd Cairo's streets. Try some
of the other famous street markets, like Wekala al-Balaq, for fabrics, including woven
Egyptian cotton, the Tentmakers' Bazaar
for appliqué work, and Mohammed
Ali Street for musical instruments.
No comments:
Post a Comment