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 type of international locations I wished to go to for a very long time however by no means had the prospect to go and everyone knows there was a 12 months or two of some turmoil which didn’t permit simple journey. At present, 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 evening) and there was no precise security menace 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: truthful 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. At some point I have to return for southern Egypt.
Issues to bear in mind when planning an Egypt itinerary
Let me begin with a number of issues to bear in mind if you’re planning an Egypt itinerary plus a number of basic ideas when visiting Egypt.
- After I first visited Egypt, I needed to queue for a visa on arrival however for 45+ international locations 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 exploit E-Visums now for extra e-visa all over the world and I’m certain once more for Egypt too. As you would possibly know, it’s low cost to start out 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 widespread sense for some areas on the borders with neighboring international locations. I walked by way of again alleys in Cairo at evening with out drawback.
- Respect the Muslim guidelines, though Egypt is a reasonably free nation consider guidelines are a bit totally different. Don’t {photograph}, particularly ladies, with out permission. Gown average in mosques and different non secular buildings.
- Site visitors is chaotic which might make journey occasions longer as you’ll count on. Depart some area for delays in an Egypt itinerary.
- I used to be suggested to be fastidiously 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 is determined by what you’re used to however I brushed enamel with faucet water, had dinner in again alleys and didn’t get sick. It is likely to be luck however maintain it in thoughts and purchase drugs domestically because the Western drugs don’t work.
- See my prime 6 hotspots to go for lunch and dinner to learn how to keep away from the Pharaohs curse! All these locations are clear!
I believe that’s a very powerful issues to bear in mind; for the remaining 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 most important half is Muslim however there’s a lovely Coptic space too. All locations of curiosity are concentrated round one avenue and it takes nearly a full day to see every thing. I recommend to start out on the Coptic Museum to be taught in regards to the historical past of the realm. From there you’ll be able to 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 constructions partly built-in into the newer buildings. On the street there are eating places the place you’ll be able to 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 flooring the place numerous prehistoric fossils and skeletons are completely preserved. It’s an extended drive however properly value it as you’ll be able to see right here thousands and thousands of years of historical past. There’s a well-marked observe 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 by way of some rural areas to see the native life in Egypt. Relying on the day you go, you would possibly have the ability to go to an area farmers market which is one thing you need to have seen as soon as in your life. It’s an extended 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 by way of 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 wished 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 truly went there on the day of arrival as I arrived early morning however it may be completely mixed on at the present time. Rubbish Metropolis is a neighborhood in Cairo the place, because the title says, many of the rubbish goes for recycling. You will notice numerous folks sorting rubbish by hand, taking electronics aside and bundling all for transport. It’s attention-grabbing to see how the folks dwell there because it’s an enormous distinction to Western European international locations. A number of poverty there. Close by is a cave church which can be properly value a go to. The Dahab’s Nile Island is a big island in the course of the Nile which isn’t developed. You may witness right here farmers working the land and kids play. I at all times prefer to see how the native’s dwell once I journey and the realm’s I visited at the present time 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. At some point 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’s 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 possibly can 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 Road 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 Road. Go to the 2 mosques first, then go to the Muizz Road. Stroll by way of the Muizz Road 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 folks 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 you don’t pay the vacationer costs however the native costs. There are a number of souks within the space to purchase souvenirs. Make sure that to cut price! It is best to have the ability to get the worth down by 50-65% simply. Throughout at the present time 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 Road and Al-Rifai & Sultan Hassan Mosque
Egypt Itinerary day journey #6: Abu Mena & Alexandria
Abu Mena is a UNESCO World Heritage Website a number of kilometers outdoors 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 web site which is the UNESCO Website. I visited each as the brand new church is a bit of artwork. Abu Mena has been for hundreds of years a Christian pilgrims place. Annually hundreds come to Abu Mena the place Menas of Alexandria was burried centuries in the past. The archeological web site is a number of a whole bunch meters away and a bit tough to seek out. Simply put the positioning into Google Maps and you’ll get there in some way as a number of roads go there. It’s not a vacationer web site and there was no entrance payment and never that a lot info. A guard watched me whereas I explored the positioning. It is determined by your curiosity in case you ought to go there to be trustworthy. Alexandria was my second cease at the present time the place I explored the fort and the palace. In case Abu Mena isn’t your attraction I recommend to spend a full day in Alexandria. It’s simply crammed 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 which you could make footage of the Giza Pyramids with out folks. 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 may enter the pyramids at Giza however I like to recommend to try this on the ones at Dahshur because it’s much less crowded and cheaper. Particularly at Giza there can 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 essentially the most well-known day journey in Cairo and one to not skip. The whole lot you will note right this moment is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage. I used to be actually impressed by the dimensions 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 basic pyramids day tour from Cairo
The above day journeys collectively cross by all the foremost locations in northern Egypt and depart sufficient time to calm down. I hope these recommendations assist you 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 be sure that to take a look at my prime 6 restaurant hotspots for lunch and dinner in Cairo. I had for instance cow eyes, sheep balls and many different avenue meals and well-known Egyptian dishes. Quickly I hope to go to Egypt once more, however then the southern half as there’s a lot extra to see and to do there.
Keep tuned for extra tales and subscribe to the e-newsletter or observe CTB on social media (Fb, Twitter, Instagram together with Instagram tales; on all social media yow will discover CTB @christravelblog) to get up to date info.
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!