Egypt flexible adventures

GMT +2 hours

Arabic

Egyptian Pound

Pickpockets operate around tourist areas, so never carry money in your back pocket and leave valuables and jewellery in the hotel safe.

Some of Egypt's famous sights include:

Temples, Luxor
Visit East Bank's incredible temples, especially the spectacular Luxor Temple and the Temples of Karnak.

Pyramids and Sphinx, Cairo
Marvel at these awe-inspiring landmarks, guarded by a giant sphinx. Don't miss the evening Sound & Light Show.

Monastery of St Catherine
Dating back to the 6th century, this monastery sits at the foot of Mount Sinai.

Kitchener's Island, Aswan
Lord Kitchener turned this island into a flourishing garden. Hop on a boat to see it for yourself.

Sharm el Sheikh and Red Sea resorts line a beautiful coast edging the warm waters of the Red Sea, which shrouds fantastic coral reefs and sunken shipwrecks.

•   You’ll need a full valid EU passport, and the expiry date should be at least 6 months after your arrival back in the UK.
•   Brits also need a visa to enter Egypt, which you can get before you leave from: The Consulate General of The Arab Republic of Egypt (2 Lowndes Street, London, SW1X 9ET; 020 7493 5285).

January
Egyptian Marathon, Luxor
Nearly 2,000 runners from 36 nationalities race around Luxor, starting at Hatshepsut Temple and passing landmarks including Luxor Temple and the Valley of Queens.

February
International Fishing Competition, Hurghada
Anglers from across the globe spend three days fishing for the best catch.

July-August
Cairo International Fashion Show
Head to the International Conference Centre and peruse the creations of fashion designers, manufacturers, and fashion houses.

August
Arab Music Festival
Discover Arabic music as you watch instrumentalists, singers and ensembles perform.

Browse souks and bazaars for clothes, jewellery and handicrafts.

Cairo 4½ hours
Luxor 5½ hours
Sharm el Sheikh 5¾ hours

Watersports
If staying on the coast, try snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing and deep-sea fishing. You’ll also find several PADI centres where you can learn to dive among the multitude of tropical fish.

Food
•   Authentic Egyptian starters are called mezzeh, and are best eaten with traditional pitta-style bread.
•   Lamb is marinated in spices and grilled for juicy kebabs and shwarma is the Egyptian equivalent of the Turkish doner kebab.
•   Popular desserts include dates soaked in milk, honey-laced pastries and baked rice.

Drink
•   Stick to bottled water, and remember that it’s easy to get dehydrated here in the summer.

Religion
Islam

Dialling code
+20

•   Egypt is predominately a Muslim country, so make sure you’re properly dressed when out and about. Revealing outfits are a no-no, especially for women.
•   Pack lightweight cotton clothes in the summer and a jumper or jacket for cooler winter evenings.
•   Cover up when sightseeing or walking the streets – women shouldn’t go out scantily dressed.

Tipping or ‘baksheesh’ is a way of life in Egypt. It’s customary to tip about LE£1 for every little service, so keep a pocketful of small change!