Egypt Country Overview
Define Egypt from a
backpackers perspective
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Country Overview
In the burning sands of Egypt lie great marvels. Mystery surrounds its ancient pyramids; so incredible in design and structure that man hesitates to claim the building of them, thinking they must have come from a civilization beyond our stars. The Nile with its life giving water in an arid land carried a magnificent queen to her destiny. Greeks, Romans and Christians have written their history in the same sands that hear the call to prayer of faithful Islam's.
For the backpacker Egypt is a dream, with cheap accommodation, cheap food, and the chance to beat down the price of practically anything in a time honoured tradition of haggling.
Daily Budget
Egypt is made for backpackers and is wonderfully cheap. If you OK with staying in the cheapest lodgings, eating takeaways from local vendors, and only visiting one historic site a day, then it is possible to get by on roughly US$15 a day, with meals at around US$2-4 and lodging coming in the region of US$2-8.
When to Go!
With the size of Egypt it becomes a matter of location and climate. In the summer months of June to August destinations south of Cairo are blazing hot, especially Luxor and Aswan, so the winter months of December to February are better for travellers. The Mediterranean coast is packed out in summer with tourists and sun lovers, but the Cairo winter is a bit nippy, so either March to May or September to November would be the better options, with warm days and quiet beaches. The Abu Simbel Festival is held twice a year in Egypt, in February and October, and is one of the world's most spectacular sights.
For the backpacker Egypt is a dream, with cheap accommodation, cheap food, and the chance to beat down the price of practically anything in a time honoured tradition of haggling.
Daily Budget
Egypt is made for backpackers and is wonderfully cheap. If you OK with staying in the cheapest lodgings, eating takeaways from local vendors, and only visiting one historic site a day, then it is possible to get by on roughly US$15 a day, with meals at around US$2-4 and lodging coming in the region of US$2-8.
When to Go!
With the size of Egypt it becomes a matter of location and climate. In the summer months of June to August destinations south of Cairo are blazing hot, especially Luxor and Aswan, so the winter months of December to February are better for travellers. The Mediterranean coast is packed out in summer with tourists and sun lovers, but the Cairo winter is a bit nippy, so either March to May or September to November would be the better options, with warm days and quiet beaches. The Abu Simbel Festival is held twice a year in Egypt, in February and October, and is one of the world's most spectacular sights.