Local Costs

	UK	Egypt
Tea/Coffee	£1.50	£0.70
Soft Drink	£1.50	£1.00
Bottled Water	£1.50	£0.75
Bottle of Beer	£3.50	£2.00
2 Course Meal*	£15.00	£6.00
3 Course Meal**	£20.00	£8.00
Bottle of Wine	£14.50	£12.00
Breakfast	£5.00

*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.

Important Information

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.

If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.

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Visa Requirements

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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A single entry tourist visa for Egypt is required by all nationalities. For British passport holders with British citizenship, Egyptian visas can be obtained conveniently and inexpensively on arrival at the airport. You must purchase a visa stamp before proceeding to the immigration desk, at one of the banks located before immigration.  Alternatively, visas can be obtained through your travel agent or through Explore’s visa service. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.

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Vaccinations & Protection

The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.

Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

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Nothing compulsory but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Though malaria does exist in Egypt it is not normally found in the areas in which we travel. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic.

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Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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Preparing for your tour

Walking Grades and Fitness

Grading is a somewhat difficult topic as much depends on the individual’s own perception of his or her abilities. The following is intended as a general guide to our walking grades. This tour is rated Moderate.

Moderate: Involves some longer walks at low altitudes. (4-6 hrs/day, below 3000m). Some previous hillwalking experience is beneficial, but walks should be within the capabilities of those who lead a normal active life. Tours may contain optional strenuous days, and we would advise that you tone up your fitness before you travel.

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This is rated moderate mainly due to the hike up Mount Sinai as the other walks are less strenuous. Please also be aware that the trek up Mount Sinai exceeds some 2280m in altitude.

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Altitude: On Trek

Gradient Chart

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Climate

Winter in Egypt is cool and dry, with average daytime temperatures between November and March reaching 18°C. During the summer, from April to October, these temperatures can reach around 32°C, even rising to 40°C. Rainfall is negligible, except in the Delta region, but be aware nights in the desert can get cold though, so be prepared for a serious drop in temperature as the sun goes down, especially during the winter months.

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Additional information and climate charts can be accessed at http://www.explore.co.uk/ weather. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Up-to-date information on the weather worldwide can be found by following the BBC weather link on this page.

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Packing for your tour

To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you. 

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Luggage

Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company

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One main piece and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage – so don’t overload yourself.

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Trek Kit Bag

For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore

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Clothing

From November to March night temperatures drop dramatically in the Sinai, warm clothing will be needed (particularly in December). We recommend a fleece, windproof jacket, woollen gloves and a hat at this time. Don’t forget swimming costumes.

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Egypt is a Muslim country and it is important to dress with respect for local customs. Brief shorts/skirts should be avoided in towns and you should cover your head when entering a mosque. In more traditional towns and market areas we advise women to wear long loose fitting trousers or skirts and have shoulders covered to avoid unwanted attention. Men should also be aware that shorts are not generally worn by Egyptians.

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Footwear

Lightweight trail boots are essential. Trainers, shoes or sandals will also be useful for relaxing.

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Equipment

A 2-season sleeping bag is necessary between April and October, 4 season for colder nights between December and February and a 3 season for November and March. A torch, water bottle, insect repellent, suncream (at least factor 15), good quality sunglasses and a lip salve with sun protection are also useful.  You may also wish to bring snorkelling equipment for the Red Sea although these are available locally to rent.  Anyone wishing to dive should bring their Diving Certification and log book with them.  Matches or a lighter for disposing of toiler paper in the desert.

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Personal First Aid Kit

For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore

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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?

Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.

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General Information

Trip Summary

Our trip starts at Cairo, with a visit to the 4,500 year-old Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, before flying to The Sinai Peninsula. Sandwiched between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba, the Sinai Peninsular covers an area of almost 24,000 miles; encompassing barren desert wastes, vast ranges of crystalline mountains and the clear turquoise waters of the Red Sea. For millennia it has been the gateway between Asia and Africa, prized for its mineral wealth and strategic position. Invaders from the Hittites to the Greeks swept across this land and in 639 the Arabs, fired with Islamic zeal, invaded, bringing Islam to the African continent. Following in the footsteps of the ancient Bedouin we journey into the heart of this Biblical landscape, along ancient wadis and through intricately coloured canyons, travelling in the company of modern day nomads and camping beneath the desert skies in Bedouin encampments, soaking up the timeless wonder of this magical setting. Recreating the camel caravans of old we visit ancient tombs and prehistoric carvings, ascend the slopes of Mount Sinai to witness the sunset across the desert landscapes and visit the fortress like Monastery of St. Catherine, the holy refuge of the ‘Burning Bush’ and the smallest working diocese anywhere on earth. Our journey then takes us to the shores of the Red Sea, where we have a chance to explore a world far removed from the desert landscape above. In Dahab we have an opportunity to immerse ourselves in a marine wonderland of quite staggering diversity, where over 400 varieties of coral and 1500 species of fish present us with one of the most complex marine environments on the planet. We will be taking full advantage of the cooler early mornings, taking care to avoid the heat of the day, so please be prepared for some early starts. This is a true desert adventure in every sense of the word, so please come prepared for some basic conditions whilst camping. The experience of sleeping out under the stars in spectacular locations, and the ambience of camp life will more than compensate for the simple, limited facilities.

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Please note:

For departures during Easter and Christmas St. Catherine’s Monastery may be closed but the Mt Sinai climb will be unaffected.

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RAMADAN 2010 11th August – 9th September

Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some restrictions to services and minor amendments to the itinerary. Restaurants may have limited supplies of fresh food available during this period.

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Electric Supply & Plugs

For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/

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