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The hills of Jerusalem fade away as you journey south to Cairo. The land becomes an unbroken plain and the vegetation begins to
change. Soon you are driving through miles of desert sands, looking for camels and desert tents.
You'll find Egypt to be a mysterious, ancient and perhaps, confusing place. To many, Cairo is one of the most
exciting cities in the world. Catch the "spirit of Cairo" and you'll agree.
To make your extension more enjoyable, inspirational and memorable, we have a few helpful suggestions:
YOUR LUGGAGE
CARRY IN YOUR HAND LUGGAGE:
Your Passport
All Valuables and expensive Electronic Equipment
Medicines
Small Bottle of Water and some Hard Candy
Any Expensive Purchases for which you wish to receive the Value Added Tax refund.
You must show these sealed items (such as gold, diamonds or gems) to the customs agent at the Israeli border.
PUT IN YOUR SUITCASE:
As a precaution, you should pack all items which are of Jewish origin, such as a Star of David, etc. Do Not Openly Display Such Items While in Egypt!
ATTENTION PASSENGERS
WITH VIDEO CAMERA, EXPENSIVE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, DIAMONDS, GOLD, GEMS, ETC.:
You must hand-carry the following items for inspection by Israeli customs: video cameras, expensive electronic equipment, diamonds,
gems, or gold, and any item for which you desire a Value Added Tax Refund. Read carefully the Value Added Tax paragraph.
ON THE MORNING YOU DEPART ISRAEL:
Identify your luggage before you step onto the
bus. It is the passenger's responsibility to identify his/her luggage which the porters have brought to the bus. Warning: Bags which are left behind may not catch up with you. Be sure your bag has been brought to the
bus before you step into the vehicle.
PROCEDURES IN EGYPT
TRIP TO THE BORDER:
You will depart very early. On any given day, twenty or more buses cross the Israeli border at Rafah. Each bus takes about 30 minutes to process. Being
late to the border could mean hours of delay! Therefore, your bus will be at the Israel border before the gate is even open. This short wait is preferable to the
two hour wait which will be endured by the fifth bus in line. On the way to the border, you will fill out an Egypt Entry Card. Please PRINT CLEARLY !
Keep this card handy; you will need it on the Egyptian side of the border.
ISRAEL BORDER FORMALITIES:
First you must pass through the Israeli Border Control Building. Our
representative will lead you through the formalities. NOTE: If you have video cameras, electronic equipment, diamonds, etc., present them to the customs officer before you go through passport control.
EGYPTIAN BORDER FORMALITIES:
Your bus will now take you over the border into Egypt. When asked, please pick up your hand luggage and other belongings. Be sure you do not leave
anything on the bus as you will not be returning to it! Depart the bus and enter the building. Your belongings will be x-rayed as you enter. Inside, an ET
Representative will assist you through the border formalities. Please follow his/her instructions carefully. The representative will sometimes remain in
different offices for quite a while to care to various formalities. Please be patient. Formalities in Egypt take a bit of time.
Have your Passport and Egypt Entry Card Ready. Once inside the main hall, the representative will guide you to the Passport Control Window. Present your passport and Egypt Entry card. Your passport will be
stamped and returned to you; your entry will be kept by the Passport Officials. Keep your passport handy. Wait at the barrier in the middle of the hall. When your bus is called,
follow the ET representative. Your luggage will be brought into the room. Some passengers will be asked to open their luggage, others will not be asked.
Follow the representative out the rear door of the building. At this time, you will probably need to show your passport again. NOTE: The representative may remain in the building to handle the next group of ET
passengers. Proceed to your new bus. Look for the buses with an ET sign in the window. You'll find your bus number in the window. Identify your luggage. The porters will bring your bag to the bus. Do
Not Enter The Bus until you have seen your luggage loaded onto that bus! If your luggage is left at the border, it probably will not catch up with you!
A BUS CONVOY:
You may find that your bus quickly finishes with the border formalities but is then told to wait until several other busses finish. Your bus has been ordered
by the border officials to be part of a convoy of busses. There is nothing your driver can do but obey and nothing you can do except to wait patiently.
SUEZ CANAL:
In the afternoon, you will cross the canal. The bus will drive onto a barge. The scene is usually unorganized to our American eyes. Relax and let your driver
do the work. After all, you are crossing one of the most amazing and historic human engineering feats in the world.
LUNCH STOP:
No food may be taken into Egypt. About an hour after crossing the canal, you will stop at a nice hotel for lunch. Lunch may be purchased for approximately
$8-$12. Lunch should be finished around 2 p.m. Be sure to use the facilities before departing the hotel.
This is the last stop before Cairo. You will be traveling across the desert where
there are no facilities. Sip water sparingly. If you become thirsty, a piece of hard candy will relieve the thirst.
CAIRO:
You should arrive at the hotel between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Much depends on
the traffic conditions in Cairo.
ARRIVING AT THE HOTEL:
Please stay on the bus until our staff has given you further instructions.
THE GREAT PYRAMIDS:
No visit to Egypt would be complete without a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza. Your guide will take you there. Many people wish to go inside. However, Educational Travel recommends you do not participate if you:
Have a heart condition of any kind
Suffer from back problems
Have respiratory difficulties
Are prone to claustrophobia
The interior tour is strenuous and involves climbing a steep incline. During the climb you must often bend at the waist because the tunnel has a very low
ceiling. The air becomes hot and stale as you climb upward. When you arrive at the end of this dark tunnel, you will find only one small, empty chamber. This
interior tour of the pyramid will be available for those who wish to participate.
Others may prefer to simply enjoy the mystery of the pyramids from the
outside. If you decide not to go inside, simply tell the guide when you arrive at the site.
VIDEO CAMERA OPERATORS NOTE:
A special tax must be paid in order to video tape the Pyramids and or Sphinx.
When arriving at the Pyramids, consult your guide for directions to the tax office. It is the responsibility of the passenger to pay the tax and obtain the proper documentation.
HOTELS AND MEALS
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EGYPT AND YOUR HOTEL:
At the hotel, you may wish to "sign" for room service, dinner drinks and other services. This will save confusion, time and money. These charges must be
settled with the hotel desk on the evening prior to your departure.
WATER: DO NOT DRINK THE WATER IN EGYPT!
This includes the use of ice. Tap water is not safe for visitors to drink, even in
our hotels. When brushing your teeth, be sure to use bottled water. In Egypt, bottled water is easy to find. It is usually sold on the bus, in the hotel bar and restaurant. The cost is about $1 per bottle.
FOOD:
You should not eat salads, raw vegetables or fruit which cannot be peeled. These food items have been grown and washed using the local, impure water.
You are in Egypt just a short time. Why take the chance of becoming ill?
MONEY MATTERS
MONEY:
The local currency is the Egyptian pound. Prices in restaurants and shops will
be marked in Egyptian pounds. American money and travelers checks will be accepted in most stores which cater to tourists. However, hotels and non-tourist establishments may demand Egyptian money. Personal checks are
rarely accepted in Egypt. Credit Cards are sometimes accepted.
VALUE ADDED TAX REFUND:
To receive a Value Added Tax Refund on expensive items purchased in Israel,
such as diamonds, gold or gems, etc., you must present these sealed items to the customs inspector before you go through Passport Control. Please Note:
1) the item must be sealed at the point of purchase and it must not have been opened; 2) the inspector must see the item at the border before you go through
Passport Control. Present your passport at Passport Control. Exit the building. Outside you will find clean rest rooms. It would be wise for you to use them as
your next rest stop may be many hours away. Proceed to your bus which will take you to the Egyptian side of the border.
SHOPPING
SHOPPING:
Educational Travel does not recommend any shop in Egypt and assumes no
responsibility for purchases by passengers. Shipping your purchase home will take a minimum of six months by ground and ship. Air freight from Egypt can double the cost of your purchase.
PEDDLERS:
Peddlers and small souvenir stalls will be everywhere. Please be considerate of other passengers; be certain your bargaining does not delay the bus.
Completely ignore a peddler if you do not wish to buy and do not wish to be approached by him. To look at or speak to him... even just saying "no" ... encourages the peddler. Never allow a peddler on the bus.
CAMEL RIDES:
Many Americans wish to ride a camel during their visit to Egypt. Unless your guide has arranged the ride, pay the driver after you dismount; one US dollar is
sufficient. Do not give your camera to the driver or his assistant; let your friends take the picture.
OPTIONALS:
During your stay in Cairo, you will be given the opportunity to purchase
optional tours or events. These include the Sound and Light Show at the Giza Pyramids; a visit to a Pharonic Village replica; a dinner sail on the Nile or a
visit to Alexandria. Prices range from $15 to $40 per person and can be purchased from your guide.
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