EGYPT

General Information

Passport & Visas

Egyptian immigration requires the tourist to possess a passport with a minimum of 6 month’s validity. A tourist visa is required for Singapore and Malaysia passports. Please ensure that you have a valid visa.

It is advisable to keep separately a photocopy of your travel document.

At all times do not keep your passport in the luggage.

In Egypt, it is necessary to submit your passports to the tourist police for inspection upon demand.

Telephone services

There is GSM network coverage in Egypt, therefore mobile phones can work when roaming with a dual band or tri band handset. IDD service is also available at all hotels and post offices. Egypt country code is 201 and outgoing international code is 00.

Baggage

Ensure your baggage is properly labelled and tagged at all times. As you will be staying in several hotels and travelling a fair bit, big and bulky suitcases would be burdensome.

Travel light and pack only items that you will need. An overnight is recommended for your trip on board the train.

Clothing

General Egypt’s weather is mild in winter, hot in summer. Summers and winters are dry. Rain is rare even in winter, and sandstorms are common in spring.

Travel light dress comfortably and pack easy care items.

Light cotton clothing for the day and a light jacket/sweater for the evening.

An evening wear is recommended for dinners on board the cruise.

Visitors are advised to dress modestly. Women are required to cover their hair before entering mosques.

Sunglass, hats and sun block lotion are useful.

There will be lots of walking around. Comfortable and casual shoes are recommended.

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
21	23	21	26	33	35	36	35	34	30	24	20

Cameras and Batteries

Ensure that you have enough films and batteries.

Although they are easily available, they are generally more expensive overseas.

Although most airport authorities assure that the X-ray machines are film safe, it is still advisable to hand carry your camera and films.

Passengers with video camera are required to register their video cameras at the airport.

Some places of visit require visitors to purchase a ticket for photography and videography.

Jewellery

Avoid carrying excessive jewellery unless you have a very good reason to.

Remember to insure your jewellery.

Medication/Water

Pharmacies are scattered around the city and many are open 24hours a day. If you have health problems and on medication, we would recommend that you bring along your own medicine. During the tour it may be inconvenient to look for your prescription or it may not be available. It is recommended to consume bottled water when in the restaurant and on tour. Average price per 1.5 litre LE 2-5

Custom Restrictions

On arrival, each visitor over the age of 21 years may bring into Egypt, free of duty:

1 litre of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars.

Currency

Egyptian currency is the Egyptian pounds (LE) which are divided into 100 piaster.

Bank notes LE100 / LE50 / LE20 / LE10 / LE5 /LE1 / (0.50 / 0.25 piaster)

Coin denomination 0.25 / 0.10 / 0.05 piaster

It is better to change US Dollars into Egyptian pounds, which is easily available from the Bank in the hotel. Before departing Singapore, it is advisable to change sufficient amount in US currency, as Singapore dollars is not accepted. Credit Cards are NOT widely accepted.

Electric Current

The electric current voltage is 220 Volts, with European-style plugs. (Tow pins round are normally used). Bring along an adapter if necessary.

During the Flight

Do not arrive at the airport exhausted. Try to rest as much as possible during the flight. Drink lots of fluid but not alcoholic beverages. Dress comfortably, as swelling occurs during flight. When there is opportunity, do walk about as this will help blood circulation and reduce swelling.

Time Difference

Egypt is 6 hours behind Singapore.

There is not time difference between Luxor, Aswan and Cairo.

Arrival

Immigration and custom procedures vary in different countries. The process may at times be slow.

Always be polite and try to put on a smiling face. It will definitely help the situation.

Punctuality

One key success factor for an enjoyable tour is punctuality. Waiting for late comers is both frustrating to fellow tour members and disruptive to the smooth running of the entire tour.

Coach

All coaches are fully air-conditioned.

To ensure everybody has a fair share of the seating arrangement, a seat rotation system will be implemented.

No smoking or drinking of alcoholic beverages is allowed on board.

All belongings should not be left in the coach overnight. This is to prevent break-ins.

Tipping and Service Charges

Tipping is a way of life in Egypt. Anybody and everybody in the industry and outside, expect to be tipped. Generally practised in USA Tips are often given to those who rendered special service. As a GUIDELINE:

Restaurants : 20% of the bill as most restaurants do not include service charge.

Coach Driver : USD2.00 per day per person.

Tour Guide : USD2.00 per day per person.

Nile Cruise : USD5.00 per person per day to your discretion (for all the staff to share).

Porters : USD1.00 per bag for Hotels and Nile Cruise.

Tour Leader : Recommended $2 per day.

Programs	Driver	Porter	Guide	Nile Cruise	Tour Leader	USD
10D Egypt	5 x 2 = 10	2 x 3 = 6	8 x 2 = 16	3 x 4 = 15	10 x 2 = 20	67

In Egypt, tipping is the most efficient method to get things done and conveniently.

From our experience, excluding the tour leaders, the total amount tips required for this program is:

USD$67. Please note that this is a guideline only.

Please note that the above is a guideline of the general practice for touring in Egypt. Passengers can use their own discretion when giving tips.

** HAVE A PLEASANT TRIP **