Useful Information

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend Travel Insurance.

We strongly recommend Travel Insurance and suggest Travel Guard, who have a long history in this business and are set up to provide assistance, in the unlikely event it is needed.

Please click on the graphic below to explore coverage, options, price and to book.

Travel Guard can provide you with coverage for unexpected medical expenses while on a trip.

The United States State Department posts up to date information here for Egypt and for Jordan here.  Other countries post there own updates and advisories.

Weather

Egypt is known for mild winters and  typical desert temperatures:  chilly  nights and hot days.  Humidity tends to be very low, as does rainfall.

Head wear is needed to protect you from the sun.

Table : Cairo Average Climate

Table : Aswan Average Climate

Source : World Meteorological Authority

Temperatures given are in Fahrenheit degrees.  Large fluctuations are normal .

Rainfall is low everywhere and mostly its blue skies (wear a hat!) and sunny.  When it is hot it is a dry heat.

Baksheesh

In the West, we call it “tipping” or “service.” But   those words don’t fully express the breadth of flexibility and purpose of   the practice known as “baksheesh.”  Egypt appears to run on baksheesh   and the protocol of the practice becomes evident quite quickly once in the   country.

Basically, there are three kinds of baksheesh. The first is baksheesh as “alms giving.” One of the 5 tenants of Islam is the giving of alms to the poor. The giver is made more holy by the action.

The second type is baksheesh as “for services rendered.” This is the closest to the western tipping practices. Except it goes further. There are people at the airport whose only job appears to be opening doors. Of course, they require baksheesh. And many bathrooms have attendants, who expect a few LE  for keeping the place clean and distributing a tiny amount of toilet tissue.  One could be continuously passing out small change here and there.  Which is why our guides will collect a tiny amount of cash to take care of those essential services you’ll probably never see being rendered.

The third kind of baksheesh is “for the granting of favors.”  Want to see an excellent photo location?  I’ll be delighted to assist and of course will be just as delighted to accept your baksheesh.  How about having a light in that museum display case?  Don’t forget me when you leave.  The amazing thing is that you don’t even need to ask for the services. Upon identifying a mark, even the museum guards will follow you around and provide services and grant favors. Interestingly, after getting over the initial adverse reaction to the practice, it becomes expected and even pleasurable. In the Museum of Islamic Art, for instance, we really appreciated the guard who turned on lights and pointed out features in terribly broken English. Without him we never would have enjoyed some beautifully illuminated manuscripts.

Hoarding Money.  This is another practice we’ve run into in that past that we just didn’t understand. Although small change and bills are continually necessary for baksheeshing (yes, it can be verbed!), obtaining change is a skill all of it’s own. Small bills and coins did used to seem to be in limited supply.  We still recommend insisting on getting a supply of 10LE notes when you change money initially…and keep the supply in an easy to access pocket because you never know when a situation will call for a tiny baksheesh!

We’ll also note that changing money in Egypt is extraordinarily easy. There is but one government set exchange rate and currency exchanges at the airport and all the major hotels.   These days the ATM machines are more plentiful and will also give you a good rate.

Specific tipping guidelines, for Drivers/Guides etc will be available on request.

The Egyptian Pound (LE) is the local currency and it is useful to have currency for smaller purchases.

Dollar notes can be exchanged at Banks but do note that pristeen notes are mostly needed.  Ink marks, tears or writing on then will likely lead to a bank refusing to accept them.  Currently banks seemed to prefer $100 notes – although it seems not long ago that they preferred smaller values.  So a selection of options is good.

Credit Cards can often be used and your Guide can advise regarding ATM’s etc.