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Egypt Snapshot
Egypt is blessed with lots of sunshine and very little rain. Generally, the hottest months are June to August, and the coolest month is January. Rainfall is negligible, except on the coast, with rain usually occurring during the winter months (December to March).
During the summer months (from June to August), daily temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius - perfect for snorkelling and soaking up the sun on the beaches of Sinai, but can prove challenging for some in the crowded streets and souqs of Cairo.
Choose to escape the crowds by travelling from March to May or September to November when the weather is milder, and there's the opportunity to experience Egypt during Ramadan and the celebrations of Eid (which marks the breaking of the fast). If you are planning to travel during Ramadan, it's important to consider that many restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating on reduced hours.
During the summer months (from June to August), daily temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius - perfect for snorkelling and soaking up the sun on the beaches of Sinai, but can prove challenging for some in the crowded streets and souqs of Cairo.
Choose to escape the crowds by travelling from March to May or September to November when the weather is milder, and there's the opportunity to experience Egypt during Ramadan and the celebrations of Eid (which marks the breaking of the fast). If you are planning to travel during Ramadan, it's important to consider that many restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating on reduced hours.
Eating and Drinking in Egypt
- Seafood: Take the opportunity to tuck into fresh seafood, especially when in coastal regions and cities such as the Red Sea and Alexandria.
- Fruit: Exotic fruits are cheap and plentiful throughout Egypt - why not try guava, mango or melon from a market or street vendor.
- Ful Medames: Don't leave Egypt without trying the classic dish of ful medames, which can be traced back to pharaonic times. Consisting of slow-cooked fava beans, served with olive oil, parsley, garlic and lemon juice - add some spice by seasoning with chilli paste and eat with bread.
- Falafel: A favourite with vegetarians, falafel (fried chickpea balls) are available at markets and from street vendors, and are generally served as a snack.
- Tea (also known as shai): An important part of daily life in Egypt, tea is sipped throughout the day and with meals.
- Coffee: Turkish or Arabic coffee can be found in Egypt, so sit back in a cafe and drink your coffee short, black and sweet like the locals do.
- Pastries: Delicious, sweet pastries are found in restaurants, markets and cafes in Egypt. Never was there a better time to live by the adage "Life is short, eat dessert first".
Intrepid believes that one of the best ways to experience a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savouring a cheap eat or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world. Egyptian food is no exception, and with fragrant spices, fresh fruit and vegetables and delicious sweets on offer, culinary adventures are guaranteed. On many Intrepid trips you'll be given the opportunity to dine with a local family - this offers a great chance to see how meals are prepared and learn more about the ingredients.
Shopping in Egypt
- Chunky silver jewellery
- Hand made leather bags, boots and belts
- Cotton scarves in a kaleidoscope of colours
- Authentic papyrus (watch out for fakes made from banana leaves)
- Boho-style embroidered bedding & cushion covers
- Handcrafted backgammon boards and jewellery boxes
- Exquisite perfume bottles made from hand-blown glass (pack carefully)
- Artisan-made alabaster pots and homewares
Exploring the labyrinthine markets of Egypt is a must-do for travellers. Be prepared to be overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and smells! Look beyond the shops selling cheap, mass-produced tourist trinkets, and delve deeper to discover quality wares.
Most importantly, have fun and don’t forget to haggle for a good price. It's also a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.
Supporting Grassroots Business
Supporting grassroots projects is something Intrepid encourages. While shopping in Egypt, keep an eye out for these organisations that support local artisans:
Fair Trade Egypt
Apartment 8, 27 Yehia Ibrahim St, Zamalek, Cairo Fair Trade Egypt supports artisans from all over Egypt including women's groups, refugees and small community organisations. Stocking handmade bags, baskets, carpets and ceramics, shopping here helps to empower displaced and disadvantaged people by providing a steady income, skills, education and training.Accommodation
Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.
Depending on your choice of trip, when in Egypt you may find yourself staying in a:
Depending on your choice of trip, when in Egypt you may find yourself staying in a:
Beach Hut
- Enjoy the simple things in life - ocean views, sea breezes and being away from the crowds - while staying in a basic straw beach hut right near the Red Sea.
Felucca
- Glide down the Nile on a traditional Egyptian felucca; sleep on deck under the stars as the sun slides away for the day - a must-do experience while in Egypt.
Desert Camp
- Travel deep into the White Desert to camp under the stars amid surreal scenery. This is a rare chance to experience the remote wonder and isolation of the Egyptian desert.
Homestay
- Be welcomed into the home of a local family and experience the cuisine, culture and customs of Egypt firsthand during your stay. A truly authentic travel experience like no other.
Transport
Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.
Depending on which trip you're on while in Egypt, you may find yourself travelling by:
Depending on which trip you're on while in Egypt, you may find yourself travelling by:
Donkey
- Step back in time and imagine living in Ancient Egypt as your donkey's hooves clippity-clop over the rocky terrain, just as they did carrying pyramid labourers centuries ago.
4x4
- Escape the city and power on through towering desert dunes in a 4x4. It's an exhilarating way to get around and guaranteed to excite.
Camel
- A mode of transport that's been used for centuries, riding a camel is a definite must when visiting Egypt. Swaying through the desert sands on a 'ship of the desert' is unforgettable.
Shortlist
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Egypt at a glance
- 32
- Cairo (population 7 million)
- 82 million
- Arabic
- EGP
- (GMT+02:00) Cairo
- Type C (European 2-pin)
- +20
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