Egypt is considered one of the oldest civilizations known on Earth ,and considered now as one of the most dynamic countries in the middle east and north Africa .

The Egyptian population is approximately 70 million people constantly increasing. The area is 1 001 449 km ² or 1.8 times the France. The capital is Cairo with more than 20 million inhabitants is one of the largest cities in the Arab world. The Nile River stretches over 6 700 km is one of the longest rivers in the world.

The system is presidential, with the Head of State Hosni Mubarak, president since October 6, 1981. Reelected in 2005 for a term of 6 years. Arabic is the official language in Egypt, many are bilingual and speak English in the tourism community.

The national currency is the Egyptian pound (abbreviated LE), known or guineh pound (Arabic), divided into 100 piastres (IRSH in Arabic). One euro is worth around 7 Egyptian pounds. Almost all machines accept Visa cards for cash withdrawals in Egyptian pounds but it is imperative to always have self small change because the distributors do not always work. Traveler's checks are exchanged only in banks and some little luxury hotel, you must provide all necessary evidence that they are well when you change which one you are accredited to the change.

Egyptian cuisine is a melting pot of many specialties Mediterranean (Turkish, Greek and especially the Syrian-Lebanese). All dishes are placed on the table and pull from the guests at will.

The Egyptian climate is Mediterranean coast of Alexandria, semi-desert at the height of Cairo, and completely deserted in the south. Winter (mid-December to mid-February), may disappoint those who love the sun, with an average of 8 to 15 ° C. In spring, temperatures range between 25 and 35 ° C from north to south. And summer is scorching heat beyond 40 ° C. Your days will be scheduled beginning early in the morning and making a break at midday. In Aswan and Nubia, he can make up to 50 ° C in summer.

1.d. Good to Know

Hotels:
In Egypt, the classification is determined by the Government but the number of stars does not correspondand with European standards.
The uses in the hotel International has assumed that the facility in your room is from a 13/14h00 (depending on hotel) and must be vacated at 12h00.
The hotels will biensur everything possible to enable you to install as soon as possible depending on availability.
All overnights are based on "Bed & breakfast (bed and breakfast), all other meals and drinks are not included (except on your request).

Cruise ships:
In Egypt, the classification is determined by the Government but the number of stars does not correspondand with European standards. The criteria chosen are the engine of the boat, the cabin area, the size of common areas, the crew, etc. ... In any case, the decoration, service and quality meals are taken into account when awarding stars. The boats, however, are not comparable to the cruise boats marine and noise and vibration of engines and generators are much more sensitive, even when stopped, to ensure cooling and electricity.
Navigation is not continuous and is restricted to term defined in our programs. During times of calls and visits to completion, the ship is a floating hotel and rest platform.
We also remind you that due to the increasing number of boat cruise on the Nile, the boats are berthed alongside each other in several rows, which requires a pass through other ships to embark and disembark, and even sometimes was that the crew improvised a landing on a wharf feeder. Note: the cabins are due to the influx.
Navigating the Nile is conditioned by the opening hours of the lock at Esna and the congestion they may delay your boat.
Production practices of cruise ship has assumed that the facility in your room is from a 13/14h00 (by boat) and must be vacated at 12h00.
The boats will biensur everything possible to enable you to install as soon as possible depending on availability.

Visits:
programs are programs types. The order of visits may be modified on site according to the local requirements, we would not be held responsible but all scheduled visits will be satisfied.
The visit to Abu Simbel is rapid (2 hours maximum) because of convoys required. The visit may be longer if you stay overnight in a hotel in Abu Simbel. You'll enjoy the spectacle of sound and light if you wish.
Certain places or rooms (eg solar boat, hall of mummies in the Cairo Museum, ...) located within a site is subject to an additional input (paid locally).
finally able to heritage conservation, the Egyptian authorities decide for certain sites (including some tombs in the valley of the kings and queens) to limit the number of visitors daily. Once the quota has been reached, the place is a farm visit whatever time of day.

The entrances to sites and events:
Marvelous Egypt does not include the price of entries to the sites and shows in its rates to add flexibility to your program and can choose not to visit one or more sites depending upon your interests or add visits if you time. And also for you to pay the cost price.

Journeys by train and public bus:
Trains and public buses that you may have to use during your stay, can in no way compete with the comfort of their fellow Europeans.

Tips:
Tipping is not mandatory but is a tradition in Egypt (almost a national institution) we did not include it in our rates for all gratuities FOR your personal guide and remain at your discretion. If you are satisfied with the service, it is customary to tip.
In the street, the "bribe" is the service. For example, if you take a carriage ride, a tip will be asked by the driver. Other "bribe" you will very often applications throughout your stay for a yes or a no, take this practice with humor, this is part of folklore!

Telephone calls:
To telephone from Egypt to your country, dial 00 followed by your country code followed by the phone number without the 0.
If you call the hotel or boat, call prices are usually displayed in your room, if this is not the case do not hesitate to ask at the reception.
You can call from a phone booth with a card which costs an average of 20 pounds (about 3 euros) for about 3 minutes of international communication.

There is about 700 letters in the ancient Egyptian writing system. The ancient Egyptians considered this type of writing as sacred and religious writings and most were placed and carved on tombs or wall of temples. The Egyptian writings were considered the "words of the Gods". The ibis-headed god Thoth was considered to be the patron deity of writing and scribes.
Hieroglyphs developed from pictorial representations of flora, fauna, buildings, people and objects of daily use that were familiar to the people. This is a picture of hieroglyphics on a wall of a tomb.