Egypt Holidays
Overview
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Egypt holidays are a firm favourite for anyone looking for awe-inspiring wonders of the ancient world. Palaces, temples and tombs are just a few of the reasons to set your sights on exploring the mystical land of the Pharaohs. Plus the fabulous beaches and world-class dive sites on the Red Sea Riviera, guarantee that holidays to Egypt will offer something for everyone.
Egypt Highlights
Steeped in History: No trip to the region is complete without seeing the awe inspiring architectural wonders of the pyramids and the Sphinx. Go to Luxor and marvel at the Valley of the Kings, built over 2,000 years ago where Tutankhamen's tomb rests. It is now wonder Luxor is known as "the world's greatest open air museum".
Cruising: Gliding sedately along the longest river in the world, watching the sights of Egypt pass you by, a River Nile Cruise still holds the glamour, comfort and effortless way to visit Egypt.
Souks & Haggling: The bustling markets or souks of Egypt are the perfect place to pick up your memories of this fabulous country. The spices and African artefacts are readily available in Aswan. Head to Cairo and visit Khan el-Khalili, one of the largest souks or El-Sagha for Cairo's famous gold and silver. Whilst your there why not haggle for the best bargains. It is a way of life in Egypt. It might be overwhelming to begin with but it's the perfect way to build the rapport with locals and be welcomed into century old traditions.
Beautiful Beaches: The year round sunshine on the Red Sea's Riviera will draw you to Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada. Paddle your toes in the crystal clear waters and feel the zebra fish swim around you. Bask in the warm sunshine and feel the African sun warming your bones.
Diving: The Red Sea holds a treasure trove of fish and marine life. Ideal for snorkelling and diving, most resorts have PADI certified dive centres, making it easy for your to get up close to the under water world that awaits. Undoubtedly one of the best dive spots in the world.
Egypt Factfile
When to go
Temperature Range: 10°C - 40°C
Most popular: October - April
Best value: July, August
Best weather: Year round
Travel Information
Direct flights: BMI, British Airways, EgyptAir, Several low cost carriers
Indirect flights: KLM
Visa information: Purchased on arrival
Health information: Hepatitus A, Polio and Typhoid are recommended
Time Difference: GMT +2 hours
When To Go
Best Value
To avoid the highest prices visit Egypt from June to September and perfect if you don't mind the very hot weather. Tours and hotel stays can be considerably cheaper.
Best Time to Go
If you are looking for year round sunshine, Egypt is the best time to visit. Temperatures are cooler between October and April but can still reach 30ºC. It does make it more bearable to visit the ancient tombs and pyramids.
Most Popular
The months of September, October, March and April tend to be the most popular, the temperatures are high but generally more comfortable than the hot summers.
Hottest
The hottest months are certainly July and August with temperatures that can reach 40ºC.
Climate
The average annual temperature is 22ºC, but varies through the cooler months of October to April from 20 to 30ºC with July and August temperatures rising above 35ºC. On average Egypt experiences approximately 1 inch of rainfall a year, and the majority falls in December. Due to its desert like conditions, the evenings in the winter months can drop quite quickly. Generally you are guaranteed sunshine for the whole year round.
Egypt Travel Information
Flight information
There are a number of carriers offering services to Egypt.
Direct Carriers: BMI, British Airways and Egyptair all offer direct services from London Heathrow to Cairo and Luxor. Regional departures are available in conjunction with these carriers. Sharm El Sheikh can be reached on Egyptair or on charter or low costcarriers.
Indirect Carriers: KLM offer indirect services via Amsterdam.
Departure Taxes: There is no departure tax when leaving Egypt.
Visa information
British Citizens are required to have a visa to enter Egypt. This is purchased upon arrival using US Dollars of Sterling. The cost is approx USD15 per person. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Egypt. Please contact the Egyptian Embassy for up to date country and visa information on 0207 499 3304.
How to obtain a visa
If you need a travel visa for your upcoming trip, Hayes & Jarvis are pleased to offer our customers the expertise and experience of CIBT, the Global Visa and Passport Professionals. CIBT UK Ltd specializes in fast, dependable visa application services. Don't wait until the last minute, for an application form and discounted pricing. Call 0844 800 4650 or visit www.uk.cibt.com/hayesandjarvis
