Visa Requirements

The following information is intended to help you prepare for your travels.

Please be aware whilst e-visas and visas on arrival are possible, a business visa is recommended for attendance to business meetings and conferences. We strongly recommend that you verify the latest requirements with your respective consulate.  Consulates will have the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding visas, entry requirements, and other travel-related procedures. 

Further Information:

For additional information contact EGA, you can reach out to:

Contact Email: e.ibrahim@egyptoilandgas.com 
Contact Number: +201014455127

For further information on Visa requirements, you can contact:

Heba Matar
Corporate Events Manager, Abercrombie & Kent Egypt
Email: hmatar@abercrombiekent.com.eg
Mobile: +2 01001 555 635
Telephone: +2 (0)23 947 701
Fax: +2 (0)23947777

www.akdmc.com

 

MEET & ASSIST

EGA is providing complimentary meet & assist services at Cairo Airport, along with transportation to your hotel. A meet & assist representative will be waiting for you upon. arrival inside the airport. They will escort you through passport control, assist with luggage collection, and accompany you to your private transportation. To secure these services, please share your travel details, including your name and flight details with the contacts below.

Ms. Mavie Mashaal: m.mashaal@taqa.com.eg   +20 100 0071991

Ms. Hind el Shafei:  hend.elshafei@gogasholding.com  +20 101 1556478

Egypt
Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the east, Libya to the West and Sudan to the south, Egypt is located in the northeast corner of the African continent. The Sinai Peninsula, also part of Egypt, bridges the gap between Africa and Asia. Egypt is home to one of the oldest civilizations on earth and its rich history has created a tapestry of cultural and archaeological treasures - so much so that the country is home to one third of the world’s antiquities. Everyone recognizes the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the river Nile, but Egypt’s capital, Cairo, is a destination in itself and the Red Sea coast offers superb opportunities for diving, snorkeling or simply relaxing. The country’s ancient past is still alive in its majestic monuments and relics, while the complexity of modern Egypt entices any visitor. In ancient times, the country was known as Kemet, or the black land, due to the alluvial soil which was deposited during the annual inundation of the River Nile. This yearly event gave Egypt its fertile land that enabled it to expand along the length of the river, especially in the Delta where many various crops were, and still are, harvested. Egypt covers an area of approximately 1,001,450 kilometers² (386,662 miles²). It is the third most populous country in Africa and the most populous in the Middle-East with the majority of its estimated 100 million people living on, or near, the banks of the River Nile. Only 5.5% of the total land area is actually used by the population, the area that borders the River Nile as well as a few oases, the other 94.5% being uninhabitable desert.

Getting into Egypt 
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival. Please note that passport holders are responsible for obtaining the required documentation applicable for entry.      Staying  Healthy No vaccinations are currently needed for visitors to Egypt, unless arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic. 

Money 
Banks: Banking hours are normally 09:00 until 14:00, Sunday through Thursday, closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Currency exchange houses can be found in most major cities. Most major hotels will exchange major foreign currencies at the same rate as banks.

Currency: Currency is the Egyptian Pound (L.E.) but US dollars are often accepted at tourist sites.

Credit Cards: Major credit cards such as MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted at major restaurants, almost all hotels, and many shops. American Express is less common but is still normally accepted at major hotels. Diners Club Cards are hardly known in Egypt.                                                                                                                                                                             
The national language in Egypt is Arabic. However, tourists will rarely find a problem communicating as English is widely spoken in hotels and shops, with French a close second, and most staff members in tourist areas also speak German and/or Italian.

Weather
Throughout Egypt, days are commonly warm or hot, and nights are cool. Egypt has only two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. The only differences between the seasons are variations in daytime temperatures and changes in prevailing winds. In the coastal regions, temperatures range between an average minimum of 14°C in winter and an average maximum of 30°C in summer. Temperatures vary widely in the inland desert areas, especially in summer, when they may range from 7°C at night to 43°C during the day. During winter, temperatures in the desert fluctuate less dramatically, but they can be as low as 0°C at night and as high as 18°C during the day. Throughout the Delta and the northern Nile Valley, there are occasional winter cold spells accompanied by light frost and even snow. Egypt receives fewer than eighty millimetres of precipitation annually in most areas. Most rain falls along the coast. A phenomenon of Egypt’s climate is the hot spring wind that blows across the country. The winds, known as the khamsin, usually arrive in April but occasionally occur in March and May. The winds reach high velocities and carry great quantities of sand and dust. These sandstorms, often accompanied by winds of up to 140 kilometers an hour, can cause temperatures to rise as much as 20°C in two hours.

Shopping                                                                                                                                          
Shopping in Egypt can be relaxed and leisurely, at high-class souvenir stores and hotel outlets, or part of an authentic and bargain wielding experience at local bazaars and souks. For the latter, the world-famous Khan El Khalili bazaar is not to be missed, where gold and silver cartouches, carved alabaster, exquisite wooden pieces and intricately embroidered ‘galabeyas’ can be brought for fabulous prices. A healthy amount of bargaining is expected and contributes to the fun of shopping in Egypt. For those preferring a more laid-back experience, some smaller galleries in the affluent residential area of Zamalek offer some beautiful handicrafts and jewellery. 
 
Local Food & Drink      
An important part of the traveling experience is to savour the many local culinary delights. All over Egypt, and especially in Cairo, you will find an enormous range of high-class restaurants serving international cuisine. For those who adore hearty fare, then look no further than Egyptian cuisine. With a plethora of spices and herbs, Egyptian food is a feast not just for the palette, but also for the eyes. From sauce laden stews, to succulent grills, to delicate salads, Egyptian food is a combination of Middle Eastern, Turkish and Mediterranean influences that feature much of the local ingredients on offer in the country. For meat lovers, try tagjin lahma (meat casserole/tajin) or the wonderful sharkasia chicken (Circassian chicken on a bed of rice, covered in a rich and creamy walnut sauce). Egyptians also have a sweet tooth, so be sure to indulge in national favourites, like Om Ali (bread and butter pudding with nuts and cream), or Konafa (shredded filo dough cooked in butter and syrup). No Egyptian meal is complete without a fragrant glass of mint tea – and drink it like an Egyptian, very hot and very sweet! Egyptian beveragesare varied and cater to many different tastes. The fruit juices are rich and indulgent, with mango, lemon, sugarcane and guava being firm favourites. Traditional drinks have been around for hundreds of years and have become an art form. Amongst the most popular is Karkade, a rich, sweet infusion of the dark red hibiscus flower, usually enjoyed cold but can also be served hot. In addition to juices and traditional drinks, Egypt’s wines have also improved dramatically over the past few years and visitors should try the locally produced wines and beers during their stay.   

What to Pack
Egypt is generally a hot country, so light cotton clothing is advisable for the warmer months (April to September) and a light jacket for the evenings during the cooler months (October to March).  

• Blouses/shirts with long sleeves to protect you from the sun. Short sleeves are also fine.
• Cotton t-shirts and tops
• Personal toiletries, sun screen, lip balm and insect repellent
• Hat, sunglasses and prescription glasses
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Camera

For standard and customary dress codes throughout the country, it is important to keep in mind the below to avoid any offense or unwanted attention: 

Men – It is advised that men wear full length trousers, shirts or t-shirts. In Cairo it is not considered acceptable to wear short shorts or tank tops/sleeveless tops, trousers should be worn by men at all times, especially in local restaurants or markets in Cairo. In resorts such as Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada, Sinai, etc. shorts are acceptable, and the dress code is far more relaxed.  

Women – Adopting a conservative dress code will help deflect unwanted attention. Loose linen/cotton trousers or a below the knee skirt and long-sleeved blouse are advised. Tight and/or transparent clothes and low necks should be avoided. It is not advised to ride a camel wearing a skirt. A relaxed dress code in resorts is also applicable to women, however women may feel more comfortable in trousers when they enter the market areas of Hurghada. 

Evening Dining – When going out for dinner it is advisable for both men and women to wear smart clothing. It is advised that women take out a shawl with them to restaurants to cover bare shoulders. On cruise boats, also, it is nice to have something smart to wear in the evening. Comfortable, strong shoes are a must (these can include sneakers/trainers or good leather shoes). Sandals can be worn, but it is best to wear closed shoes due to the high levels of dust, sand and dirt, especially on the streets of Cairo. High-heels are not recommended when sightseeing. 

Religious Sites – When visiting a mosque, it is advised that both men and women stick to the conservative dress code. Some of the major mosques will provide women with cover ups to ensure they are dressed appropriately for the mosque. Some mosques offer canvas shoe covers but in most other mosques it is appropriate to just remove your shoes and walk around in socks. Any Muslim who enters a mosque for prayer will simply remove their shoes. For visitors it is advised to remove shoes and leave them with the mosque guard at the entrance desk, where your shoes will be stored away safely. 

Winter – During winter in Egypt it can get cold at night. It is often warmer in the streets than it is inside as the buildings are designed to be cool, so it is a good idea to bring a casual jacket or shawl out with you. In Egypt it is very rare to have central heating or central air conditioning inside buildings except in big hotels or high-end establishments.  

Photography                                                                                                                                   
When taking a photograph of locals, it is customary to ask for permission. If you plan to travel with digital photographic and/or video equipment, make certain to pack the specific charging apparatus for each piece of equipment (as well as the appropriate socket plug adaptor and voltage converter if required).  

Time  Zone     
Egypt standard time Egypt standard time is GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) + 2 hours.

          

Tuesday 15^th October - Pyramids and Sphinx:

The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built about 4500 years ago, as giant tombs for the mummies of the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, who were a father, son and grandson. (Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus are the Greek forms of their names.) In the ancient Egyptian religion, the sides of the pyramids were likened to sun rays on which the Pharaoh ascended to heaven. The pyramids are truly monumental in scale, with the largest, Khufu's, made of over two million blocks. The pyramids were not built by slaves but by Egyptian peasants who paid their taxes to the Pharaoh through this labor, and were fed, clothed and housed by him.

Nearby sits the enigmatic Sphinx with the body of a lion and the face of a man wearing a royal head cloth, which workers may have based on King Khafre to guard his enormous funerary monument. About a thousand years after the Sphinx was built it was covered in sand until a young prince had a dream in which the Sphinx told him that if he cleared the sand away, he would become Pharaoh. This story is told on the 'Dream Stela' that was placed between the Sphinx's paws by King Tuthmose IV.

Lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge.

Wednesday 16^th October - The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization:

A visit to the first veritable museum of civilization in Egypt. The newly inaugurated NMEC is located on the archaeological site of El-Fustat in Old Cairo, overlooking the Ain El-Seera Lake. The museum showcases Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day, using a multidisciplinary approach that highlights the country’s comprehensive heritage. The collections are displayed in a core permanent exhibition of the principal achievements of Egyptian civilization, with six thematic galleries covering the Dawn of Civilization, The Nile, Writing, State and Society, Material Culture, Beliefs and Thinking and the Gallery of Royal Mummies.

Lunch at le Pacha

Master Gas CNG Station and Conversion Centre

Friday 18th October 2024  (Duration: 2 Hours)

Pick up From Hotel: 09:00    -     Return to Hotel: 13:00

Located around 40min from the hotel in the suburbs of Cairo; all transportation and logistics provided by the Egyptian Gas Association.

Visitors will get the chance to visit TAQA Arabia’s CNG Station “Master Gas” a state-of-the-art filling station facility in the heart of Cairo, that caters to the need of commuters. The station encompasses a conversion centre where cars are being fitted with CNG cylinders, kits and systems, technical services and support along a filling station working around the clock to fill cars with CNG.

The visit will also allow visitors to witness CNG mobile service, where a big bulk truck will be filled with CNG then transported to clients in remote areas allowing them to fully utilize natural gas without the need of building a costly pipeline, TAQA Arabia’s Subsidiary “Master Gas” pioneers in providing this service in Egypt to several residential, industrial, and touristic clients.

To reserve your place please contact Mrs. Mavie Mashaal m.mashaal@taqa.com.eg or +20 100 0071991