Short Overview

Egypt, the mysterious home land of one of the earliest civilizations of history, and also full of natural wonders and attractions such as the magical Nile river, amazing desert landscapes, and incredible marine-life in Red sea has so many things to offer and never ceases to amaze its visitors. Get ready to take notes, because we’re going to dive deep into its top 10 must-see attractions which you need to add to your bucket list because we are sure you are considering travelling with us there anytime soon.

Destination = EGYPT & ISRAEL ADVENTURE SAFARI/ 01Pax /Room=1 and 2 Pax / Room = 1

Egypt, the mysterious home land of one of the earliest civilizations of history, and also full of natural wonders and attractions such as the magical Nile river, amazing desert landscapes, and incredible marine-life in Red sea has so many things to offer and never ceases to amaze its visitors. Get ready to take notes, because we’re going to dive deep into its top 10 must-see attractions which you need to add to your bucket list because we are sure you are considering travelling with us there anytime soon.

1) Cairo

Cairo is a great place for starting out your adventure in Egypt. It is the capital of the country, and home to so many historical monuments which date back to the ancient Roman times. You can learn so many things about the Egyptian history and culture in Cairo by visiting its mosques, churches, and other historical attractions such as Al Manial Palace. Also make sure to stop by the Khan-El-Khalili market to get a taste of the authentic Egyptian lifestyle and get some souvenirs for your friends and family back home.

2) Luxor

Luxor is one of the most historical places that you can ever visit which dates back to around 2000 B.C. It is home to so many ancient temples and tombs from different dynasties in Egypt including the Karnak Temple, the Luxor Temple, Habu Temple, the valley of the kings, and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut. You can visit all these mentioned sites from a hot-air balloon as well or you can get a donkey ride through all these different monuments.

3) Pyramids of Giza

A must-see for anyone who is visiting Egypt is no where else than the famous pyramids of Giza, located in the Memphis area (The first capital of Egypt). These pyramids are actually royal tombs which have been built for three different pharaohs of the ancient Egypt and the biggest one of them which is called the great pyramid is one of the world’s seven wonders. The great pyramid is so huge (138 meters high) that makes everyone question the possibility of building such a huge structure in that era and that what has made it to become one of the wonders of the world. There also other pyramids in the area for you to explore, such as the pyramids on Saqqara, Dashur, and Abusir.

4) Aswan

Aswan is a heavenly oasis located along the Nile river in southern parts of Egypt and is the ultimate place for you to relax and unwind with its amazing views, sand dunes, and beautiful islands. You can also learn a lot about the culture and history of the ancient Egypt through exploring this fantastic place. While in Aswan, make sure you don’t miss visiting the Temple of Philae, the Botanical islands, and the Nuian village. Another very interesting attraction close to Aswan would be Abu Simbel, which can be visited as a daytrip.

5) Edfu and Kom Ombo

Another amazing monument you don’t want to miss visiting is the temple of Horus in Edfu. Horus was a very important god for ancient Egyptians and this temple is also one of the most well-preserved monuments of Egypt. There is another incredible temple for you to explore while in Edfu which is around 70 Km away and is known as the Kom Ombo (meaning mountain and gold) temple which has been dedicated to two Egyptian gods: The sobek (depicted as a crocodile), and Horus the elder. There is also a crocodile museum which you can explore while there.

6) White Desert

One of the most unique and wonderful places you can ever visit is no where else than the White desert. This place used to be under water many years ago but now has turned into a national park with rocks of calcium formations. These rocks have been shaped and formed by wind and sand throughout millions of years and they are even older than the temples and pyramids of Egypt. You can have a full desert experience here and enjoy so many fun activities such as sand boarding. Also make sure you stay there for the night to camp and enjoy the beautiful scenery of rocks being illuminated and shiny by the moonlight.

7) Marsa Alam

Located along the Red sea, Marsa Alam is one of Egypt’s most popular tourist destinations known for its sandy beach’s and beautiful coral reefs, and it is a great place for those who are looking for unwinding, and relaxing by the beach. Abu Dahab is one of Marsa Alam’s most famous beaches. This place is also known for its wide variety of marine life, sea turtles, and is home to an endangered sea cow (Dugong) .

8) Faiyum oasis

Faiyum oasis is really worth visiting for anyone who is travelling to Egypt with its magical Qarun lake and amazing waterfalls right in the middle of a desert! It is located about 70 Km away from Cairo and is surrounded by small towns and also a village which has many cute art galleries and even pottery workshops wich you can participate in.

9) St. Catherine Monastery

Make sure you visit the biblical mount Sinai and St. Catherine monastery while in Egypt. According to Quran and Bible, this mountain is a sacred place and it is where Moses has received the Ten Commandments by God. There also may be other activities for you to do such as hiking the mountain and enjoying the breathtaking views.

10) Dahab

Dahab is another popular beach destination in Egypt and has a very Bohemian vibe and atmosphere. It’s a great place for anyone who is looking to relax for a few days and is also the ultimate place for adventure lovers because it is well-known for its diving experiences. You can enjoy Scuba diving, hiking, rock climbing and kite surfing adventure experiences while in Dahab.

ISRAEL

Whether you’re going to be experiencing breathtaking views on the lush green mountains of the Golan Heights or the sandy cliffs of the Negev Desert, visiting religious landmarks and sacred sites, or soaking up the sun on the Mediterranean coast, it’s important to keep in mind local laws, safety guidelines and social etiquette rules in Israel.

Visa and passport requirements

Before embarking on this great adventure, make sure your passport meets the legal requirements: it must be valid for a period of at least six months from your initial entry into Israel. Border officials no longer stamp passports upon entry, but provide an entry visa, which could be especially useful if you’re planning on travelling to one of the many Arab countries that hold no diplomatic ties with Israel. While visitors from many countries (including the USA and UK) are visa-exempt for travel to Israel, passport holders from most Arab countries must receive prior approval from the Israeli authorities before booking a flight, and many others must apply for a tourist visa, so it is crucial to check before you travel.

What is the currency in Israel?

The currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). While some establishments – especially those catering to tourists – will accept foreign currencies such as US dollars or Euros, it’s always best to come prepared with either shekels or a credit card. Shekels can be withdrawn upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport from one of the ATMs or money-changing services. ATMs are also readily accessible in all major cities and most accept foreign cards. Shekels are legal tender in Palestinian cities throughout the West Bank as well, although visitors can often also use Jordanian dinars to make purchases. The latter currency can be withdrawn from banks in Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus, among other places.

Climate and the best time to visit

There’s no easy answer as to what time of year is best to visit Israel – this completely depends on what kind of trip is most appealing to you. Jerusalem and (unsurprisingly) the desert regions have dry climates, and as such are relatively pleasant in the hot summer months, in contrast to humid Tel Aviv. In the winter (December to March), on the other hand, Tel Aviv and the coastal areas are warmer and far more comfortable for exploring.

For those who are looking to kick back on the Mediterranean beaches and are prepared for daytime highs reaching upwards of 40C (104F), the ideal period to visit is between June and September. For the more sun-shy and those looking to go on hikes or cycle the National Biking Trail, October to November and April to May offer much more bearable temperatures and less crowding at tourist hotspots. Africa Safaris Adventure Egypt & Israel adventure vacaion departs in April, May, September and October.

Getting around and business hours

Israel’s relatively compact size, however, makes it easy to cover several places in a short time. When mapping out any trip, it is important to remember that the weekend falls on Friday and Saturday. Most restaurants, shops and places of business close on Friday afternoons and reopen late on Saturday to respect the Jewish day of rest (also known as Shabbat). For the same reason, public transport doesn’t run during this period. While this can be an inconvenience for travellers, in many major Israeli cities communal taxis (known as sheruts in Hebrew) run 24 hours a day and provide a practical alternative.

In predominantly Muslim areas such as East Jerusalem and Palestinian cities in the West Bank, businesses are closed all day on Friday, while Christian-owned shops in Jerusalem’s Old City, Bethlehem and Ramallah remain shuttered on Sundays. Both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are very walkable cities but, in case of emergency, the mobile app Gett is always available and allows users to order a taxi at the click of a button. For public transport logistics, nothing beats the Moovit app, which provides accurate and up-to-date bus and train schedules.

Respecting the cultural diversity of Israel

Sacred to the three Abrahamic faiths, Israel is also home to a wide array of lifestyles and cultures. For instance, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are near polar opposites in terms of atmosphere, with the former being the more conservative and religious centre of the country, and the latter known as more liberal and vibrant. That is not to say that travellers won’t feel welcome in both cities, rather that they offer unique experiences that are key to discovering different facets of Israeli life. Visit Tel Aviv for the beaches, nightlife and the LGBTQ-friendly vibe, or wander through Jerusalem for a greater understanding of Jewish, Christian and Muslim history.

Similarly, take a tour of cosmopolitan Ramallah for its vibrant young energy and bustling night scene, or go to the ancient city of Hebron for a better understanding of how Islamic and Jewish holy sites there continue to play a major role in Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Visiting the West Bank

Many places in the West Bank are perfectly safe for tourists to visit. Although Israelis are officially banned from entering areas that are under Palestinian control, foreign passport holders can join an organised tour or get a licensed guide to show them one of the many fascinating points of interest in this area. These include Bethlehem, home to a number of important Christian sites; Jericho, also known as the oldest city in the world; Hebron and the Cave of the Patriarchs; and Ramallah, a modern Palestinian city with vibrant nightlife. Palestinian cities and towns are demarcated by Israeli military checkpoints, so bear in mind that border officials may require you to show identification papers.

General etiquette and conduct

Being sensitive to cultural traditions and political tensions is crucial. While some find that local people are keen to discuss politics, religion and everything in between, the best advice when visiting a new place is to avoid making potentially uninformed statements about contentious matters.

Regarding photography, getting a camera out is generally not an issue in most places frequented by tourists, but be considerate and ask for permission. The same rule applies to some ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities and taking snapshots at the Western Wall – the holiest site in Judaism – on Shabbat. Also off-limits for photographers are military sites and border police at checkpoints. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to ask.As Israel is famed for its cuisine, restaurants will surely form a key part of your itinerary.

Safety guidelines

Most places in Israel are perfectly safe for travellers and have very low crime rates, but visitors should exercise caution. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to avoid demonstrations, especially in the West Bank and close to the Gaza border. Entrances to malls, train stations and other venues in Israel all have security guards, so bags need to be opened for a quick inspection. Street crime in Israel is relatively low, but visitors should always be vigilant and avoid wandering alone at night, especially in the West Bank.

What to wear to sacred sites

From the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa to the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth and the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel is a holy land for multiple faiths and as such is packed with fascinating religious sites. When visiting places of worship or sacred spaces such as mosques, churches or synagogues, it’s important to wear appropriate clothing. For women, this means long trousers or skirts that cover the knees, and keeping shoulders covered. A scarf or a cardigan is particularly handy in these situations. Islamic holy sites might also ask women to cover their hair. For men, no shorts above the knees or sleeveless shirts should be worn. Keep these modesty guidelines in mind as well when walking through very religious Jewish neighbourhoods in Jerusalem or Muslim-majority areas around the country.