Egypt:

Egypt is the cradle of a deep-rooted civilization whose history goes back to more than
Five thousand years. It is the museum of history and the milting pot of the greatest civilizations through out the ages. On its land the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Christian and Islamic civilizations flourished. Every inch on its land tells a tale or a legend and leaves a riddle that perplexes scientists and thinkers throughout time .On its land there lie treasures which reveal everyday one letter of the alphabet of civilization and mysteries of human miracles in all fields such as mummification and astronomy. In its land arts grew, sciences flourished and holly religions found a save haven away from Persecution, and received a warm embrace of the monotheism until they took root and passed the world with the light of faith. Tourist attraction that Egypt possesses have placed it in the vanguard of world countries and the most attractive to tourists by virtue of the plenitude the tourist longs for , where he finds a vast tourism varity.

Including:

Cultural tourism:
Represented in its deep-rooted heritage of monuments uncontested by any other country as it enjoys one third of the world monuments

Religious tourism:
Egypt abounds in religious sites frequented by thousands of the three holy religions, there are Jewish synagogues, Christian monuments, monasteries and Islamic monuments like mosques and citadel.

Recreational tourism:
Recreation on the golden beaches with their soft sands extending along the coasts of the Mediterranean sea and the red sea with its crystal clear waters and unique colored coral reefs and rare fishes. Water sports such as diving skiing, windsurfing and fishing can be practiced there.
Safari and adventure tourism
Available in the oases and Sinai where practicing mountain climbing is possible especially the mountains around Sharm el sheikh, saint Catherine and mosses mountain. These areas are considered the most suitable places for camping.
Ecotourism
For lovers of bird watching in the national parks and of contemplating natural scenery especially in Sinai and the red sea area.
Therapeutic tourism
Egypt is considered one of the richest environments of therapeutic value by virtue of its natural resources represented in the dry, warm weather, besides many sulphurous and mineral springs and black sands of special therapeutic qualities especially in Safaga on the red sea, Aswan, the oases and the Sinai Peninsula.

Sports tourism:

Where the tourist can practice his favorite sport in the clubs widespread all over the country like golf, horseriding, water, sports and rowing.
Egypt with its nature, sunshine and generous hospitable people welcomes its visitors and invites them to spend vacations full of joy, rich in culture and knowledge together with unforgettable memories on the banks of the Nile.

What do you know about Egypt?
The area of Egypt amounts to one million square kilometers. Hits population amounts to 65 million, most of whom live in the cities and villages bordering the banks of the Nile. It is bounded in the north by the Mediterranean Sea, in the east by the red sea, in the west by Libya and in the south by Sudan.

A historical background:
The history of Egypt goes back to about five thousand years B.C. the history of the pharaohs falls into three main eras:

The Old kingdom:
The capital was Memphis established by king mina, the first king of the first dynasty who unified upper and Lower Egypt. Of the most famous kings of that epoch was king Zoser who built the Sakkara pyramid, which is known to be the first stone structure in history. Pharaonic Egypt reached the apex of its civilization in the era of the pyramid builders.

The Middle kingdom:
The capital was Thebes. That epoch was noted for the flowering of arts, agricultural projects and commercial exchange with neighboring countries.

The New Kingdom:
It began with the eighteenth dynasty established by king Ahmos. The capital was transferred for a short period during the reign of Akhenaton and his wife from Thebes to Tal Al -Amarna. Of the most famous kings of the new kingdom was Ramses11. He left great monuments the most famous of which are the two Abu Simbel temples. Ages followed until the Persian rule then the Greek and the Roman Empire.

The Arab Islamic Fat'h (conquest):
It started in Egypt in 641 A.D.under the leadership of Amr Ibn Al-Aas. Egypt became a great Islamic center. This was succeeded by different eras and rulers of whom the most prominent was Salah Al-Din Ayubi.
In 1798 Napoleon Bonaparte conducted his famous expedition to Egypt and Egypt's contact with western civilization began. In 1805 Mohammed Aly set up his dynasty which ruled Egypt for more than a century.

In July 1952 the Revolution broke out and put an end to the monarchy. With this started a new era in Egypt's history, the republican regime.

Economy in words:
Egyptian economy depended mainly on agriculture. After the revolution the states focus its efforts on industrialization. In accordance with cultural developments and offers in this sphere various facilities to Arab and foreign investors of the most important beneficiary sectors of this economic open door policy and investment stimulation is the tourism sector.

Religion:
The official religion is Islam and the spirit of tolerance and amity prevails among the Egyptian people, Muslims and Christians.

The Climate:
Egypt enjoys an ideally moderate climate, for the sun shines most of the year on average of eight hours daily. Rainy days are few, even in summer (June/august), for the north wind blowing from Europe cools off the weather. Although the climate of the desert areas of the country is hot, the Nile valley retains its well-balanced moderate climate throughout the year. Old sources mention that many of the Egyptian cities have been noted, since the Pharaonic reigns, for their great importance from the wholesome and therapeutics has referred in their works to the importance of Egypt in this respect.
Many of them recommended enjoying Egyptian cities, their nature. Herodotus mentioned that the reason for the sound health and well-being of the Egyptians is due to the ever-shining sun of Egypt.

Airports:

First: International Airports

Cairo Airport, Alexandria Airport, Luxor Airport, Aswan Airport, Hurghada Airport,
Sharm el sheikh Airport, Saint Catherine Airport.

Second: local airports

Imbaba Airport, port said Airport , Al Arish Airport , Marsa Matrouh Airport , Abu Simbel Airport , Dakhla Airport , Kharga Airport , East Oweinat Airport , the new valley Airport , Tor Sinai Airport , Borg al Arab Airport , Assuiot Airport .

Cruise ships:
Major sea ports (Alexandria, Port Said. Suez, Nuweiba, Safaga) receive ships coming from Europe. There is a cruise service with Jordan and Saudi Arabia connected to the following cities:

*Suez-Aqaba
*Safaga-Aqaba
*Sharm el sheikh – Aqaba-Eilat
*Safaga-Saudi - Dabbaa
*Nuweiba-Jeddah-Aqaba
*Suez-Aqaba-Jeddah
*Safaga-Aqaba-Jeddah

EXPRESS SERVICE ROADS

An international network of air-conditioned buses connects Egypt with Arab countries, and local roads connect the governorates through transport companies. Border check points are:
Sallum, Taba and Rafah
.

RAILWAYS
Cairo is connected with other Egyptian cities by a network of railways. Most trains are air-conditioned and provide food service and wagon-lits. In all train there are super, first and second class carriages. The railways organization offers passengers of the first and the second classes
Tickets including fare hotel residence at a suitable discount. These tickets usually cover the tour between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, through our agency. These tickets are available throughout the year. The railway organization grants to groups belonging to acknowledged
Organizations or coming from abroad discounts for the ordinary second and third classes. The organization also grants a 50% discount to foreign student I.D. card

TAXI

The easiest means of transport between the main cities. Most cabs working in the main cities are equipped with taximeters showing the required fare.

VEHICLES

Tourists can bring along with them their vehicles or motorcycles which provide easy access for touring the country. The main roads connecting the main cities have been well paved and maintained. Along the roads are gas stations and rest areas.

LIMOSINE

Limo service is available at airports and hotels

POST AND TELACOMMUNICATION SERVICE

The post, telegraph and telephone offices are open for the public daily. The central post office in Attaba Square renders its service night and day. The cable service work 24 hours. Post, telegraph and phone rates are fixed according to the decree of the international Post union.

WHAT TO PACK

We suggest dear visitor, to bring cotton clothes in summer and woolen clothes in winter.
Also in Cairo and the main cities there are shops well stocked with super quality clothes and gear required by the visitors exhibited at reasonable prices. Egypt is well known for its superb cotton Products sold at bargain prices.

PASSPORT PROCEDURES AND ENTRY VISAS

All the consulates of Egypt abroad are authorized to grant entry visas for fees, transit or entry visas may also be granted by immigration authorities at ports of arrival directly without the provision of previous entry visas for fees except the subjects of some states. it is also possible to grant group visas on group passports for tourists coning to the country .is organized by travel agencies provided that the tourist does not lag behind his group . Some foreign tourists should register within seven days of their arrival in the country. Registration can be done at the nearest immigration department or police station requests of residence renewal should be submitted to the department of passports and immigration in Tahrir square.

1- As for arrivals through the two entry points of Rafah and Taba in Sinai, they should obtain a previous entry visa as they cannot be granted an entry visa on their arrival.

2- As for Israelis coming through entry points in Sinai to visit the specific area (the gulf of Aqaba and saint Catherine only), they are allowed to stay free of charge for 14 days to visit this area, these entry points are: the land entry point of Taba, saint Catherine Airport, Sharm el sheikh Airport, Taba international airport, Nuweiba port, A twelve month tourist visa is available.


CUSTOMS PROCEDURES FOR PASSENGERS:

ON ARRIVAL

Passengers belongings are exempted from customs duties: typewriters, calculators, radios, cassettes, binoculars, CDs, videos, cameras and jewellery etc., regardless of value. Mentioned items should be listed in their passport or in the custom declaration from and the passenger keeps the original. Food items, one liter of alcohol beverages tobacco and medicine for personal use and new personal belongings are exempted. Duties will be collected on extras.
Purchases from the duty free shops in the customs area are exempted for two hundred dollars and that is within 24 hours of arrival.


On Departure
On departure tourists and transit visitors are allowed to take all belongings that they brought with them which are registered in their customs declaration, and also the gifts they bought in Egypt, provided that they are for personal use and not for trade.

On departure it is allowed to carry Egyptian currency not exceeding one thousand pounds.

Accessing cars:
- Tourists arriving with their private cars should carry an international carnet de passage en Douane (Triptic) issued by an automobile club and an international driving license.
- If the tourist has no customs traffic card he should pay insurance equivalent to the value of the car, which he retrieves on his departure with his vehicle from the country.
- Cars arriving with transit visitors to spend their vacations are released for a maximum of 6 months per year.
- At the end of this period it is possible to park the car at the customs area or take it out of the country.
- Parking fees for every three months are fixed.
- You get the discount on cars arriving with tourist groups for one month only. fuel cars using diesel accompanied by tourists is permitted for the period of their visit to the country. Also four –wheeled drive cars accompanied by tourists are permitted after clearance by the military intelligence bureau.
- Private cars are temporarily released excluding payment of customs and other duties in return for one of the following guarantees:
- Insurance or a letter of credit for the total duties in return for obtaining format 93K.M
- An international traffic book (carnet de passage en Douane) from one of the automobile clubs certified by the customs and travel agencies.
Procedures for yachts cruise:

1-Passport procedures

Passengers list will be presented on arrival. Visas will be procured from egyption embassies and consulates abroad or on arrival.
Yacht reaches. The holder of yacht permit keeps it until his departure in return for fees according to the cruise length.

2-customs procedures

Submitting to marine inspection the documents of the yacht (registration and validity certificates) and that is through the maritime agency to which the yacht belongs.
In case of using the yacht for cruising in Egyptian regional waters the following should be observed:
1- The owner must be a foreign resident in Egypt.
2- It is necessary to submit the documents to be registered in the pertinent register for marine inspection.
3- Security clearance certificate of the port Authority
4- Checking the owner's passport and length of stay
5- Checking the validity of the unit for rent and determine passenger's maximum capacity.
6- Issuing a cruise permit according to the format drawn up for this purpose, not exceeding the period of the owner's residence in the country.
7- Foreign cruise ships are not allowed to raise the Egyptian flag, should carry the flag of the country of registration.
8- Cruise license will be cancelled if it is used for purposes other than excursion.
9- Docking fees will be valued according to length of stay.
Boast are limited for cruising only, disposal by sale, waiving or donation is prohibited except after the approval of the customs department.

3- Procedures of the yacht club.

On arrival, yacht owner has to meet the yacht club representative to finalize the registration procedures. On arrival or departure from the port of Alexandria the person in charge of the Egyptian yacht club will check with the following authorities:
1-Intelligence
2- Passports and nationality administration.
3-Customs
4-Quarantion.
5-on departure yacht owner will check with the yacht club representative to get the exit visa.

If the yacht is cruising through the Suez Canal, the red see ports authority should be notified. The following documents should be submitted:

*A photocopy of the yacht's registration certificate and the crew list insurance police .

*Statements by the certified agent for the payment of passage fees.
*on the yacht's departure, the red sea ports authority should be notified to obtain a travel permit for fees
* All these procedures are carried out by the certified agent located in the port of Suez.

Diving Permits:
1- Tourist visas and boat permits are available at Egyptian consulates abroad.
2- Port commander will be notified when the boat docks at Egypt ports.
3- Marine intelligence will check the cruise voyage.
4- A return visa (single or multi) is available after paying fees.

Instructions for diving trips:

Only qualified and licensed divers are allowed to dive.
Tour operators got to submit a document that provides the responsibilities for any damages to coral reefs or accidents.
Diving fees are to be paid in advance.
These terms are liable to change.
N.B. Rules got to be observed, violators will be liable to Egyptian law.

Health procedures:
Tourists coming from an area of epidemics should obtain a valid international vaccination certificate before arrival. In case of absence of an international vaccination certificate some precautionary measures will be taken in Egypt. It should be observed that the vaccination certificates are issued on the international formula in English or French, completed and signed by the vaccination doctor and official stamp.

Procedures observed for accompanying pets:

Health certificates

1- Veterinary certificate issued by the veterinary authorities of the state origin and indorsed by the Egyptian embassy in this state to declare that the pets are free from contagious and epidemic diseases, in which all information pertaining to the pets, the vaccination and tests it underwent declare of origin are listed.
2- Certificate (sites) issued by the world organization for the preservation of wild life as regards the wild animals and birds state in the international agreement for the preservation of wild life.

Quarantine period:

Pets are subject to a system of quarantining for different periods to make sure that they are safe and free from diseases.

Egyptian currency

Egypt circulates the bound as a currency. One pound is equivalent to 100 piaster.
A visitor is only allowed to carry 1000 Egyptian pound on arrival or departure.

Foreign currency:

A tourist is allowed to carry any amount of foreign currency, weather bills, and travelers' cheques, money orders, bank transfer or credit cards.

Filling in the customs declaration is essential in case of carrying money that will wholly or partly go out again or for crediting current account.

Photography:

Egypt mild climate, clear sky and sunny weather offer photographers unique opportunities for taking superb pictures.
Rare antiquities of Egyptian temples, historic monuments and museums are available to take pictures for fees. But it should be observed that it is strictly prohibited to photograph military areas, telecommunications premises or public utilities such as water, power stations and dams.

Business Hours:

Government
Government offices are open daily from 8.30 a.m. till 2.30p.m.except on Fridays and
Public holidays.

Banks
Banks open daily from 8.30 a.m. till 2 p.m. weekend is Friday and Saturday.
Bank branches, in deluxe hotels and Cairo airport are open 24 hours.
Foreign currency exchange offices are available in Egypt.

Shopping

Egypt is known for its class handicrafts, carpets, leather ware and jewellery . Khan el Khalili is a must where tourists can pick excellent gifts of Egyptian perfumes, herbs, spices and craved wood. The souk of wekalet el balah trades mainly in cotton ware and textiles. El khayameia (tent makers) a traditional craft centre for producing colorful tents (similar to quilt making). The camel market in Imbaba and Mohamed Ali st. For musical instruments. Harranya and Kerdassa souks are famous for handicrafts specially hand woven carpets and galabiahs, most shops are open to the public from 9: 00 am

Till 10:00 p.m. tourism and shopping festival is held annually (july20- august 20).
A great selection of garments and appliances are offered during the great discount sales.
Prizes of cars and gold coins attract large crowds.

Pharmacies

Widespread all over Egypt are many pharmacies which sell medicine and cosmetics.
These pharmacies are subject to regular working hours except some pharmacies which
are open 24 hours .



Hospitals

Medical centers are available in Egypt through public and private hospitals are fitted
with sophisticated medical equipment, the reputable , medical staff covers major specializations .

Tour guides

Tourist's guides in Egypt receive advanced studies in Egyptian history. They lead
Tours in foreign languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese)
The ministry of tourism issues a license for qualified tour guides. They are available through travel agencies or hotels.

Tourist police

They help tourists to overcome any difficulties they may encounter during their
Visit to Egypt, tourist police are available at port of entry, tourist sites,
Hotels and Airports.