Question And Answer Page

Yes, I provide support through my team, and you can call , email and twitter.

When you visit Egypt, you'll want to visit so many sites that your trip will never seem long enough! We often meet people during our tours who have been to Egypt more than 15 times, and they keep returning to see something new! They ask about this newly discovered site, or some tomb that has been recently uncovered, or even places that they have heard other people talk about! Here in Egypt, you will always find new sites to visit and enjoy. Egyptian tourist places are really amazing to see with exciting sightseeing adventures at beautiful monuments.

For anyone interested in visiting Egypt, know that the best time to come is from October to May. Though this is when most travelers arrive, the temperatures are much more palpable for those unaccustomed to the heat. Within these 8 months, there are 2 periods known as “High Season” (the Christmas / New Year period and the Easter Period) when hotels and cruises hike their prices, though you will find that special events like Gala Dinners are also available for customers. This means that some hotels become really expensive and so making your reservations very early, even for the budget hotels, is strongly advised.

Most tourists and visitors to Egypt can obtain an entry visa at any ports of entry. All foreigners arriving in Egypt should have a valid passport (with at least 6 months left before expiration) to get your entry visa. However, the entry visa can also be obtained from Egyptian Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad, or when in Egypt ( for extension or renewal) from the visa department at the Travel Documents, Immigration and Nationality Administration (TDINA) at Mogamma building located at Tahrir squire in Cairo city center.
Egypt visa There are 2 types of Egyptian Visa: Residence Visa: is required for any foreigner arriving in Egypt for purposes other than tourism, e.g. work, study, etc. The possession of a valid entry visa is needed to complete the residence procedure in Egypt. Tourist Visa: is usually valid for a period not exceeding one month granted on either single or multiple entry bases. Egypt Entry Visa is valid only for travel within three months from the date of issue and is valid only for One- month stay in Egypt, beginning on the date of arrival. If you have a reason to extend your stay, you can do that from the Ministry of Interior Affairs in Egypt after declaring the reasons for that and their acceptance for that reasons.

The Egyptian visa is simply a stamp (like a mail or postage stamp ) that you can buy from the visa office located in the arrival hall, at the port of entry, just before the immigration booth; you can't really miss it! The visa stamp costs $25 USD only. You just stick in an empty page on your passport. Don't worry; it's so easy! Once you have bought your visa you then stand in line to get your passport stamped by the immigration officer.

Entry into Egypt requires a passport valid for at least six months from the issue date for Australians, British, Canadians, EU residents and USA travelers. Nationals of these countries can get a tourist visa on arrival, which is valid for three months. Also, visas can be obtained from Egyptian consulates located in different countries. For business visa applications, a request from the company stating the reason for the visit is required. Travel visa on arrival can be obtained from the following airports in Egypt: Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, and the port at Alexandria.

The Egyptian summer is hot and dry in most of the country, and humid in the Delta and along the Mediterranean Coast. In recent years the humidity has spread to Cairo, and the city swelters in August! Winter is mild with some rain, but usually, it is bright, sunny days with cold nights. During the summertime, sun protection is the most important single consideration for an Egypt trip, especially for the fair-skinned. Wearing a sunhat is essential. Cheap, and pure cotton, sunhats are made locally and available everywhere. Travel clothing should be light and comfortable, 100% cotton clothing is the best and dependable shoes are a must! The climate of Egypt is characterized by a hot season from May to October and a cool season from October to May. Extreme temperatures during both seasons are moderated by the prevailing northern winds.
In the coastal region average annual temperatures range from a maximum of 37° C (99° F) to a minimum of 14° C (57° F). Wide variations of temperature occur in the deserts, ranging from a maximum of 46° C (114° F), during daylight hours, to a minimum of 6° C (42° F) after sunset. During the winter season, desert temperatures often drop to 0° C (32° F).

Population: 102,079,636 (July 2011 est.) Country comparison to the world: 15
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.7% (male 13,725,282/female 13,112,157) 15-64 years: 62.8% (male 26,187,921/female 25,353,947) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 1,669,313/female 2,031,016) (2011 est.)
Median age: Total: 24.3 years Male: 24 years Female: 24.6 years (2011 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.96% (2011 est.) Country comparison to the world: 57
Birth rate: 24.63 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) Country comparison to the world: 64
Death rate: 4.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) Country comparison to the world: 193
Net migration rate: -0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) Country comparison to the world: 124
Urbanization: Urban population: 43.4% of total population (2010) Rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major cities - population: Cairo (capital) 10.902 million; Alexandria 4.387 million (2009)
Sex ratio: At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female Under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female Total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Infant mortality rate: Total: 25.2 deaths/1,000 live births Country comparison to the world: 81 Male: 26.8 deaths/1,000 live births Female: 23.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: Total population: 72.66 years Country comparison to the world: 123 Male: 70.07 years Female: 75.38 years (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.97 children born/woman (2011 est.) Country comparison to the world: 65
HIV/aids - adult prevalence rate: Less than 0.1% (2009 est.) Country comparison to the world: 126
HIV/aids - people living with HIV/Aids: 11,000 (2009 est.) Country comparison to the world: 95
HIV/Aids - deaths: Fewer than 500 (2009 est.) Country comparison to the world: 94
Major infectious diseases: The degree of risk: intermediate Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis a, and typhoid fever Vector-borne disease: rift valley fever Water contact disease: Schistosomiasis Note: highly pathogenic h5n1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality: Noun: Egyptian(s) Adjective: Egyptian
Ethnic groups: Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census)
Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1%
Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
Literacy: Definition: age 15 and over who can read and write Total population: 71.4% Male: 83% Female: 59.4% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): Total: 11 years Male: 11 years Female: 11 years (2004)
Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2008) Country comparison to the world: 110
Government: Country name: Egypt Conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt Conventional short form: Egypt Local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr Al-Arabiya Local short form: Misr Former: United Arab Republic (with Syria)
Government type: Republic
Capital: Name: Cairo Geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E Time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during standard time)
Administrative divisions: 29 governorates (Muhafazat, singular - Muhafazat); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr Al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah (El Beheira), Al Fayyum (El Fayoum), Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah (El Monofia), Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Uqsur (Luxor), Al Wadi Al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf (Beni Suef), Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Helwan, Janub Sina' (South Sinai), Kafr Ash Shaykh, Matruh (Western Desert), Qina (Qena), Shamal Sina' (North Sinai), Sittah Uktubar, Suhaj (Sohag)
Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK protectorate status; the revolution that began on 23 July 1952 led to a republic being declared on 18 June 1953 and all British troops withdrawn on 18 June 1956); note - it was ca. 3200 BCE that the two lands of Upper (southern) and Lower (northern) Egypt was first united politically
National holiday: Revolution day, 23 July (1952)
Constitution: 11 September 1971; amended 22 may 1980, 25 may 2005, and 26 march 2007; note - constitution dissolved by the military caretaker government 13 February 2011
Legal system: Based on the Islamic and civil law (particularly Napoleonic codes); judicial review by Supreme Court and council of state (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: Chief of state: President (vacant); Vice President (vacant); note - following the resignation of President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak in February 2011, the supreme council of the armed forces, headed by defense minister Muhammad Hussein Tantawi, assumed control of the government Head of government: Prime Minister Essam Abdel Aziz Sharaf (since 4 March 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Yehia El-Gamal (since 24 February 2011) Cabinet: a new cabinet was sworn in on 7 March 2011
Elections: President elected by popular vote for a six-year term (no term limits) Election results: Hosni Mubarak re-elected President; percent of vote - Hosni Mubarak 88.6%, Ayman Nour 7.6%, Noman Gomaa 2.9%
Legislative branch: Bicameral system consists of the advisory council or Majlis Al-Shura (Shura Council) that traditionally functions mostly in a consultative role (264 seats; 176 members elected by popular vote, 88 appointed by the President; members serve six-year terms; mid-term elections for half of the elected members) and the people's assembly or Majlis Al-Sha'b (518 seats; 508 members elected by popular vote, 64 seats reserved for women, 10 appointed by the President; members serve five-year terms) Elections: advisory council - last held in June 2010 (next to be held in 2013); people's assembly - last held in November-December 2010 in one round of voting and one run-off election (next to be held in 2015); note - on 13 February 2011 the ruling military council dissolved the parliament Election results: advisory council - percent of vote by party - Na; seats by party - NDP 80, Al-Geel 1, Nasserist 1, NWP 1, Tagammu 1, Tomorrow Party 1, Independents 3; People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - Na; seats by party - NDP 419, NWP 6, Tagammu 5, Democratic Peace Party 1, Social Justice Party 1, Tomorrow Party 1, Independents 71, seats undecided 4, seats appointed by President 10
Judicial branch: Supreme constitutional court
Political parties and leaders: Al-Geel; Democratic Peace Party; Nasserist Party ; National Democratic Party or NDP (governing party) ; National Progressive Unionist Grouping or Tagammu ; New WAFD Party or NWP ; Social Justice Party ; Tomorrow Party
Note: formation of political parties must be approved by the government; only parties with representation in elected bodies are listed
Political pressure groups and leaders: Muslim Brotherhood (technically illegal) Note: despite a constitutional ban on religious-based parties and political activity, the technically illegal Muslim Brotherhood constitutes Egypt's most potentially significant political opposition. President Mubarak has alternated between tolerating limited political activity by the Brotherhood and blocking its influence (its members compete as independents in elections but do not currently hold any seats in the legislature); civic society groups are sanctioned, but constrained in practical terms; only trade unions and professional associations affiliated with the government are officially sanctioned; internet social networking groups and bloggers
International organization participation: ABEDA, AFDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CICA, COMESA, D-8, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Flag description: Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centred in the white band; the band colours derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white) Note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band, Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band
National anthem: Name: "Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" (my homeland, my homeland, my homeland) Lyrics/music: Younis-Al Gadi/Sayed Darwish Note: adopted 1979; after the signing of the 1979 peace with Israel, Egypt sought to create an anthem less militaristic than its previous one; Sayed Darwish, commonly considered the father of modern Egyptian music, composed the anthem.

Are you willing to give up the "glitz" of higher star rated hotels to ensure you get your dream holiday?? Then you have come to the right place. You can rest assured we will NEVER book you into just any old cheap hotel.
We will ensure that even budget hotels meet our standards so you can enjoy a safe and pleasant vacation.
This is why we will never Never book a cruise that is below 5 stars: the health of your family is paramount to us and would never risk it by using low-class boats.
If you do have a specific budget, hurry to give us a call, and we will find you the best possible deal enabling you to spend a little, but experience a lo

Have you ever had a question about Egypt, ancient or modern, that you really want to know the answer for but have no idea where to look? Do you feel that your question is too trivial to bother sending it to sites or forums in case you are laughed at, or get a horrible reply?
Ask the Expert is for you! We will answer any question, no matter how deep or trivial it is and will treat every question with the same respect. We will reply to you with any help we can offer to provide you with all the helpful information to make your trip to Egypt very successful and hassle free