omegaimagery

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Final video from my 8 month backpacking travels around the world. This is 5 months of Africa, Middle East and Europe crammed into 12 minutes. Watch with audio.

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Diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea is also a major bonus when traveling to Egypt. From Dahab to Sharm El Sheik, there are many sites to chose from. If you’re an advanced diver, the Blue Hole in Dahab should definitely be on your list. In Dahab I finally got my PADI open water certification.

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St Catherine’s monastery in the Mt Sinai area has some very interesting history to Christians. It was built at the base of the mountain where Moses climbed to receive the 10 commandments. The burning bush in which God spoke to him has been moved to the inside of the monastery and people stick prayers into the nearby wall.

As you can see from the black and white picture...they take security seriously!

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The Temple at Abu Simbel is amazing for multiple reasons. One of which is the whole site was cut into blocks and relocated further uphill to avoid the flooding Nile River after plans were developed to dam it. From what I can tell everything is exactly how it was 2000k years ago except a little higher up. The new nile area adds a nice backdrop as well. 

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Luxor is NOT TO BE MISSED. Make sure to get an awesome tour guide as there are a ton of sites to see in around this town. Queen Hatshepsut temple, Karnak temple, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens and more. They can be done in one day as long as you start early

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Cairo is a pretty awesome city that must be seen. Faluka rides on the nile, fresh baked bread and pastries, historic mosque’s and squares, old city Cairo, Khan El Kalili market are a list of sights to see while there. Theres an old world charm here that is hard to see anywhere else. Just be careful crossing the street. Not many streetlights so people just do dodgeball type moves when trying to get from one side to the other.

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The Pyramids in Cairo at Giza are nothing short of amazing. Definitely a history book staple that must be visited to really appreciate.

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Egypt Travel Itinerary

What is there not to say about this place. Culturally it is ground zero for half the things you learned in school when it came to history. From the egyptian empire to the greeks and everything in and around North Africa and the Middle East. There is a wealth of things to see here and do, from Alexandria all the way down the Nile into the other cities.

Day 1-3: Cairo 

Amazingly overcrowded and bustling metropolis which is considered the center city of the middle east(in Africa lol). Make sure you visit the Pyramids at Giza and Spinx. You could take a taxi there and get around on your own, cuz its really that small of a site or do a guided(and expensive) tour that includes a camel ride. From here head over to the the Cairo Museum, which is very poorly organized and little to no literature in the place but a wealth of artifacts. If you care about all the details, hire a guide as you walk in. Make sure to pay the little extra to see the mummy room. They don’t allow pictures inside the whole place. 

To do the typical tourist market, Khan El-Kalili market is it. Cheap unimpressive chinese made souvenirs that over aggressive sales people try to stick you with…which is the standard throughout the country apparently. The market is also near Al Azhar University, which is the oldest continuously running university in the world. It is also a mosque, so dress appropriately. Not much to see here other than the courtyard and people around studying. Get your pics in and leave. Check out Zamalek island, which is where the upscale nightlife, hotels and restaurants are. Beautiful place. 

Day 3-5: Luxor 

There is a wealth of history to see in Luxor. Its a nice little town but the first thing you want to square away if you haven’t already is a tour including Valley of the kings, Karnak temple and Queen Hatshepsuit temple. Memnon Collossi and Valley of the queens are somewhat a waste of time. The latter being because the main tomb is currently closed and has been for some time. The tour I went with and found exceptionally good was with Khaled at Nile Holiday, which can be reached at info@nileholiday.com / www.nileholiday.com. Oasis Hotel is a nice and cheap place to stay, which is a 5 minute walk from all restaurants, Luxor Temple(a waste after you see the others) and the train station. To get to Aswan walk to the train station and upon arrival get in the first car(first class). You may have to stand for 2-2.5hours but its 10000% better than being in the other cars with the locals. Trust me! 

Day 5-7: Aswan 

Really chill and relaxed city to visit. This is a launching place for day trips to Abu Simbel so be sure to check it out. I paid 110pp to join in with a group so I’m sure others can get less. Its a 3hr ride each way, requiring a convoy to go down there as I believe there is some conflict around the Sudanese border. No more than 1-1.5hrs is needed for a complete visit. Also be sure to catch a boat to Elephantine island and visit the other Nubian villages in the area. From here fly back north to Cairo. 

Extra Days: 

Sharm El Sheik 

I found sharm to be way over commercialized and hyped. Nothing special here. Simple beach town with tons of super expensive restaurants and hotels. I hear the nightlife is cool but thats if you’re 25 and into  trance/techno. I hear the diving is good and the island trips are ok too. Beaches are decent. 

Dahab

Real sleepy seaside tourist town. Has the infrastructure for a major tourist destination but not the people, so hotels and restaurants are extra aggressive and can be expensive. The diving there is great though. I recommend Big Blue Dahab if you decide to dive…especially if you have your advanced certification and want to do the blue hole. 

Jordan/Israel

If you decide to head to Eliat/Aqaba, a bus can be taken from any of these towns or from Cairo. You can also take a ferry from Nuweiba for $80usd to Aqaba. Just buy a ticket at the AB Maritime office to the right of the port. 

  Things to remember: 

- Egypt is an islamic country so women should dress appropriately. 

- Men outside of a woman’s family cannot physically touch them. Not even to shake hands. 

- Taking pictures inside the valley of the kings and some museums are forbidden, but if you happen to get caught taking a few, have a few small bills for bribe money…they will let it be known they want a payoff. Its best to use a camera with no playback screen, like a go pro. 

- Bring a bottle into the country with you from duty free as most places that serve(if you can find them) are expensive. You cannot bring this bottle onto another domestic flight in the country…without a bribe, of course. The baggage scan dude will let it be known, lol. 

- Saturday is their Sunday and our Sunday is their Monday. Dont try to schedule anything important or any transport for Saturdays. 

- Research tours before you buy. Dont book through your hotel. Most times this will be more expensive than going directly through a tour company. - Uber works in Cairo. Use it! 

- Egyptians don’t favor people with dark skin and also don’t consider themselves African. If you are of color, people will often refer to you as Obama or as a rasta 

- People who are engaged wear the ring on their right hand and move it to the left after marriage. 

 - Tourism has been down since the revolution in 2011 so those still holding on in the tourism industry are extra aggressive 

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XDD Travel Tip #36

When you're going on a tour and food isn't included, get a heads up on the place you're going, the menu prices and whether there is an option to switch restaurants. Tours will take you to the most expensive place...where a ton of other tour buses are and hit you hard on price then claim there isnt time to go anywhere else. The tour company often gets a kickback from your expensive bill.

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XDD Travel Tip #36

The more time u have the more money u will save. Accommodations...tours...etc. Being on the ground benefits you alot more than making purchases online. Advice is plan a bonus day in any city to walk around an gauge prices for tours or even accommodation if you’re able. Book a single night and figure out the best place after that. The more you book ahead online the more you will spend.

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XDD Travel Tip #35

When deciding on accommodation make sure you factor in transport to your accommodation in the overall price. Sometimes it may be cheaper to just stay closer to the mix of things than having to get a taxi constantly.

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XDD Travel Tip #34

Merchants and street vendors in most countries do not like large bills. They hate breaking change for them even if they can. Use hotels and bigger ticket places or even banks to break big notes. Also its pretty difficult to negotiate price then pull out a large note, lol.

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XDD Travel Tip #35

When leaving your home country, bring large notes. You get better exchange rates on those than smaller ones. Also with some banks you can order the notes for your visiting country ahead of time.

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XDD Travel Tip #34

Research before u buy any tours. Chances are you can do them on your own via public buses. Also keep in mind most tours do not include admission into the attraction, only transport.

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XDD Travel Tip #33

If moving around a country via bus, when arriving in town, get your bus ticket for departure if you know ahead. It will avoid an unnecessary trip to the bus station.

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XDD Travel Tip #32

Make sure none of your bank or credit cards  expire while you’re traveling. Order new ones ahead of time and also have multiple accounts. Also never carry all your cards on you at once.

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XDD Travel Tip #31

When arriving into town via airport, have the hotel send a taxi for you. Cabbies around the airport will hit you with the overcharged rate for sure. Also look to see if there is a Uber in the country, which normally would be your best bet for transport