TRAVEL & PHOTO CONDITIONS

TRIP ESSENTIAL BOOKINGS

THE 10-DAY PHOTOGRAPHY JOURNEY ACROSS EGYPT

Days 1–4: Hurghada – Red Sea Escape

Day 1: Arrival in Hurghada

Arrival: We landed at Hurghada International Airport and took an Uber to our resort. We spent the remainder of the day settling in and enjoying the Red Sea atmosphere.

Day 2: Relaxing Resort Day

All Day

Resort & Red Sea (📍MAP)

We spent the day relaxing by the swimming pool, enjoying the private beach, and swimming and snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea.

Day 3: Orange Bay Boat Trip

Orange Bay was a stunning island paradise with white sand, shallow turquoise lagoons, beach swings, and calm waters. We found it to be one of the Red Sea's most photogenic beaches.

Morning

Snorkelling Boat Trip (📍MAP)

We joined a full-day boat excursion with several snorkelling stops over vibrant coral reefs.

Mid-Day / Afternoon

Orange Bay (📍MAP)

We relaxed on the famous white sandy beaches of Orange Bay, swam in the turquoise waters, and enjoyed lunch before returning to Hurghada.

Day 4: Resort & Beach Day

All Day: We enjoyed another relaxing day by the pool and on the beach before travelling inland to Luxor the following day.

Days 5–7: Luxor – Ancient Egypt

Day 5: Hurghada → Luxor

Morning

Bus Journey to Luxor (📍MAP)

We travelled from Hurghada to Luxor by bus, a journey of approximately 5–6 hours.

Afternoon

East Bank Walk (📍MAP)

We explored the Nile Corniche and the surrounding streets near our hotel on Luxor's East Bank.

Day 6: Temples of the East Bank

Morning

Luxor Temple (📍MAP)

Built over 3,000 years ago, Luxor Temple was dedicated to the rejuvenation of kings and is beautifully illuminated after sunset along the Nile.

Afternoon

Karnak Temple Complex (📍MAP)

We spent the afternoon exploring one of Egypt's largest temple complexes, famous for its monumental columns and ancient sanctuaries, and took in more than 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history.

Day 7: West Bank Highlights

4:00 AM

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight (📍MAP)

We watched the sunrise over the Nile as dozens of balloons floated above temples, villages, and desert landscapes. It was one of our most unforgettable experiences in Egypt. I booked this tour online and would recommend it, although the flight can sometimes be cancelled because of the weather.

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Our sunrise flight looked like this!

Morning – Mid-Day

West Bank Tour by Taxi

We visited:

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut - A striking cliffside temple that we explored, built for Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh, with elegant terraces and dramatic desert scenery. (📍MAP)

Valley of the Kings - We explored the burial place of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, with richly decorated underground tombs carved into the desert cliffs. (📍MAP)

Medinet Habu - We visited one of Luxor’s best-preserved temples, known for its towering gateways, colourful reliefs, and remarkably quiet surroundings. (📍MAP)

The Ramesseum - We explored the grand memorial temple of Ramesses II, with colossal fallen statues, massive columns, and impressive ancient carvings. (📍MAP)

Tombs of the Nobles - We explored the decorated tombs of high-ranking officials, which showcased vivid scenes of everyday Egyptian life rather than royal ceremonies. (📍MAP)

Days 8–10: Cairo & Giza

Day 8: Luxor → Cairo

Morning: We flew from Luxor to Cairo and checked into our hotel. We spent the remainder of the day relaxing and exploring the nearby neighbourhoods.

Day 9: Pyramids & Cairo

Morning

Giza, Saqqara & Dahshur (📍MAP)

We explored the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, and the Bent & Red Pyramids at Dahshur.

Giza Pyramids - The site was home to the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx, and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which had stood for more than 4,500 years.

Saqqara - Egypt's oldest royal necropolis, where we saw the Step Pyramid of Djoser, regarded as the world's first monumental stone pyramid.

Dahshur - A quieter pyramid site where we explored the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid and saw how pyramid design evolved.

Afternoon

Cairo City (📍MAP)

We explored central Cairo, enjoyed local cafés, and visited the Nile Corniche.

Day 10: Departure

Afternoon: We flew home from Cairo International Airport.

THE EGYPT SURVIVAL & LOGISTICS GUIDE

Essential Ground Data for Travel & Photography Planning

Egypt is one of the world's most rewarding travel destinations, combining ancient archaeological wonders with modern cities and beautiful Red Sea resorts. With a little preparation, navigating the country is straightforward and allows you to focus on exploring temples, photographing iconic monuments, and experiencing Egyptian hospitality.

1. Money, Payments & Tipping

Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound (EGP). While card payments are becoming increasingly common, carrying cash remains essential.

• The Reality for Foreigners: Hotels, airports, shopping malls and larger restaurants usually accept international credit cards. However, taxis, local cafés, markets and small souvenir shops often prefer cash.
• The Solution: Withdraw Egyptian Pounds from ATMs upon arrival or exchange a small amount of currency before travelling. Keep plenty of smaller notes for tips and everyday purchases.
• Tipping Practices: "Baksheesh" is part of Egyptian culture. Small tips are expected for hotel staff, drivers, guides and even attendants at many tourist sites. Keeping EGP 10–50 or $US 1 notes readily available makes life much easier.

2. Getting Around Egypt

Egypt is a large country, so combining domestic flights with taxis and organised tours is the most efficient way to travel.

• Domestic Flights: Flying between Cairo and Luxor saves valuable sightseeing time compared with overnight buses or trains.
• City Transport: Uber is inexpensive, reliable and widely available in Cairo. In Luxor and Hurghada, taxis are plentiful, although agreeing on the fare beforehand is recommended if ride-hailing apps are unavailable.
• Guided Tours: Booking guided excursions for sites such as Giza, Saqqara, Orange Bay and Luxor's West Bank simplifies transport and provides valuable historical context.

3. Connectivity & Mobile Setup

The easiest option is purchasing an eSIM before departure using providers such as Airalo.

Having reliable mobile data is mandatory for booking rides, translating signs, and verifying monument opening hours dynamically.

The most frictionless route is purchasing an eSIM (such as Airalo) prior to arrival. Download Airalo app. Get GBP £2.50 off your first eSIM purchase with Airalo. Use code KAMIL9100 when you sign up or at checkout. https://airalo.go.link/6HJXX

4. Ancient Sites & Cultural Etiquette

Egypt's archaeological sites are among the most important in the world and deserve respectful behaviour.

Tickets & Entry

Many major attractions now offer online ticket booking. Purchasing tickets in advance helps avoid queues during peak tourist season, especially at the Giza Plateau and Luxor temples.

Photography Rules

Photography is generally permitted at most outdoor monuments. Some tombs and museums charge additional camera fees or restrict photography completely. Drones are prohibited in Egypt without official government permission and can be confiscated at customs.

Cultural Etiquette

Egypt is generally welcoming and tourist-friendly. Dress modestly when visiting mosques and traditional neighbourhoods by covering shoulders and knees. Always ask permission before photographing local people, particularly in villages and markets.

5. Drinking Water & Food Safety

Tap water in Egypt is not recommended for tourists. Although treated locally, differences in water quality and mineral content can easily cause stomach upset for visitors.

• Drink Bottled Water: Stick to sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Check that the bottle seal is intact before purchasing.
• Ice & Drinks: Ice served in reputable hotels and restaurants is generally safe, but when eating at small local cafés or street vendors, it's best to order drinks without ice if you're unsure of the water source.
• Food Safety: Freshly cooked food is usually very safe. Choose busy restaurants with high customer turnover and wash or peel fresh fruit before eating whenever possible.

6. Gear Protection & Packing Essentials

Egypt's dry climate, desert dust and strong sunshine require a little extra preparation for photographers.

• Dust Protection: Carry a blower, microfibre cloths and avoid changing lenses outdoors whenever possible, especially around desert sites such as Giza and Saqqara.
• Sun Protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a reusable water bottle are essential, particularly during long days exploring archaeological sites with very little shade.
• Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. Expect uneven stone paths, sandy ground and several kilometres of walking at sites including Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Giza Plateau.

Quick Reference Travel Checklist