Travel to Egypt
I loved Egypt so much and am so excited to share my husband and I’s trip.
Our trip was 10 days long , it was crazy getting everything ready for COVID travel. We had a layover in Germany and they required Rapid PCR test of 48hrs so we had to get it the day before, where as Egypt required the full PCR test of 96 hrs. Two different requirements and different days getting the tests back in time at the States side was easier thanks to walgreens the Rapid test came back very quickly 24hrs or less, the full PCR (Diagnose lab) test took 48hrs to 72 hrs which timing it right for traveling was the hardest part. Each place required them printed which was the most annoying part. While abroad again it made it harder.
Our Itinerary was :
Denver to Cairo to Aswan (A lot for a travel day but doing Egypt from the bottom of Egypt to the top, made our experience very nice)
We went on Planes, buses, taxi’s, and a boat to get to our hotel- which was lovely- we were surrounded by mango groves around the hotel and oasis with a loveable dog.
Aswan Hotel: Mango Guesthouse
The Mango Guest House is set in Aswan, 2,300 feet from Aswan Christian Cathedral and 0.6 mi from El-Tabia Mosque. The guest house has a barbecue and sun terrace, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant.
All rooms include a TV with satellite channels. Some units have a seating area where you can relax. Enjoy a cup of coffee from your terrace or balcony. Every room has a private bathroom. Extras include bathrobes and slippers.
The Mango Guest House features free WiFi . There is a 24-hour front desk at the property.
Ferry Company is 0.9 mi from The Mango Guest House, while Tourist info (Pamphlets & convoy times) is 1.1 mi from the property. The nearest airport is Aswan International Airport, 9.9 mi from The Mango Guest House.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.1 for a two-person trip.
We enjoyed our time at the Mango Guesthouse, I asked to have a driver to take us to Abu Simbel and take us around Aswan. All those logistics that can be crazy and the GUESTHOUSE made it easy. They arranged for a driver to pick us up from the airport and a driver to take us all around Aswan and Abu Simbel. It allowed us to get our barings.
In Egypt, everyone knows someone or has a cousin who can do it for you. Be aware of this, its a good thing but it can also lead you to people who will take advantage of you. Guesthouses we found would work hard to make it nice and give you a good experience.
*Check out some of the artwork in the mango guesthouse, if you love art by local artists they have a very talented friend I suggest you take a moment to look and buy some of his art.
Aswan to Abu Simbel back to Aswan
Aswan to Luxor with stops at Kombo o and Edfu and Esna
Luxor Hotel: Luxor Guesthouse
Set 1.9 mi from Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Guest House offers a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and air-conditioned accommodations with a patio and free WiFi.
A fridge and kettle are also featured.
Guests at the apartment can enjoy a continental breakfast.
A terrace can be found at Luxor Guest House, along with a garden.
Medinet Habu Temple is 3.1 mi from the accommodations, while Deir el-Medina is 3.1 mi away. The nearest airport is Luxor International, 4.3 mi from Luxor Guest House, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.3 for a two-person trip.
Luxor food:
One place to defiantly take a moment and get food here** for authentic and the experience is well worth it!
Luxor to Qena , Abudos back to Luxor
Luxor West Bank
Luxor East Bank
Luxor Museum’s to Cairo (Night train)
Night train, Know that its Egypt time – meaning plus 30mins to an hour or two when the train arrives. But it is nice. Word of advice: Bathroom isn’t for the faint of heart, best to go potty before entering the train.
Cairo
Cairo Hotels: Pyramid Guesthouse
PYRAMIDS GUEST HOUSE is located at the valley of the local community while facing to the magnificent view of pyramids. This strategic location provide only 200 metres walking distance to the entrance of the Pyramids compound and at the same time have a local taste of Egyptian hospitality.
*This place is awesome and you need to be a little brave to find the hotel entrance. This place is so close to the pyramids, best sunsets with pyramids and sphinx. Its right by the KFC, yes you will need to go up the dirt road, take a right where a sign is painted on the wall. Then you will take the path and take a right, look for the directions on the walls. The front door is a nice glass iron door. and you arrived. This place is amazing, not what you expect by the location surround it. But this is well worth the adventure. Your right there at the pyramids, literally! Beds feel nice, nice shower, great rooms. I wish we stayed another night but had to move on. The owner is very sweet and makes a very yummy breakfast and yummy mint tea. Again, take the advenure- its great!
Cairo hotel: Ritz Carton
*located right next to the Egyptian museum (you will spend hours there) and its a short walk to the civilization museum. For covid times you can ask the front desk to have a doctor come to your room and do the covid pcr test so you can return home. It was convenient and helped greatly to have a place to just make the arrangements. They arranged taxi to the airport, and the souq.
Note we went during RAMADAN
WHERE DO I GET THE VISA ON ARRIVAL?
When landing at the airport in Egypt go to the visa (a MAKE SHIFT BANK) it doesn’t seem legit, hand them exactly $25 usd to get the sticker. Random Egyptians will point you to the spot, make sure you have exactly $25usd on arrival window BEFORE getting in the queue for immigration. Here you will give them $25 USD and they will give you a visa on arrival sticker.
Place the sticker on a blank page in your passport and get in the immigration queue. That’s it, get your stamp, collect your luggage, and head off exploring Egypt!
Citizens from the following countries can obtain a visa on arrival at Egyptian ports of entries:
- USA
- UK
- EU Nationals
- Australia
- Canada
- Georgia
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Macedonia
- Malaysia
- Republic of Korea
- Russian Federation
- Serbia
- South Korea
- Ukraine
- We connected to the domestic flight to ASWAN ( I suggest you go this way because that is how the Nile flows, can start with temples and go down the Nile.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE APPLYING FOR AN EGYPT VISA
- Egypt’s e-Visa’s are valid for 90 days after they are issued. If you go through iVisa they will make sure to submit your application so your travel dates fit within this window.
- 30 days is the amount you can stay in Egypt, both e-Visa or visa on arrival is valid for 30 days. If you overstay your visa you could be fined, deported, or even banned from Egypt for any future travel.
- Passport must be valid for 6 months from when arriving into Egypt.
- Minimum of one blank page in your passport.
- Printed e-Visa copy, if you obtained an e-Visa you must present a printed copy to the immigration officers.
More images and info to come
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