BSAC TRAVEL CLUB

Egypt

Egypt is the number one overseas dive destination for British divers and it is not hard to see why. Less than five hours flight from the U.K. lies a truly world class diving destination with year round sunshine, glassy clear water, a plethora of hotels and liveaboards plus a vast array of non diving tourism to help fill the time between dives. The diving is simply superb. The Red Sea plays host to a vast array of fish species - it can rightly be compared to swimming in a tropical fish tank. In addition it has a large number of both hard and soft corals. The contrast between the arid, barren land characterised by sand and rock desert and the brilliantly coloured underwater gardens could not be more marked. In addition to the wonders of the natural environment, there are also a large number of shipwrecks which have come to grief on the reefs and now provide a playground for visiting divers.

Egypt is a tourist destination that would appeal to a wide range of travellers. Excursions to the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, a cruise on the Nile have appealed to visitors from around the world for thousands of years.

For divers, most interest is centred on the Red Sea resorts and they have the choice between basing themselves in a hotel and using day boats or staying aboard one of the many liveaboard dive boats sailing the Red Sea. Either is a great choice depending on your circumstances and there are hotels and boats to suit all pockets. Resorts now stretch along the coast of the Sinai peninsula and the mainland Egyptian Red Sea shore from Hurghada south.

The local currency is the LE or Egyptian pound that is divided into 100 piastres. Exchange rates are generally better in resort so we recommend taking US Dollars or sterling. Travellers cheques are accepted by banks and hotels and credit cards can also be used at most hotels with a few ATM machines now in operation.

Egypt enjoys a mild climate. However, temperatures increase as you travel due south. It can be chilly between December and February, and very hot between June and September. But the heat in Egypt is made bearable by the northerly breeze that leads to a drop in temperature at night. Peak temperatures in Upper Egypt occur between May and October, and are accompanied by extremely low humidity.

The best way to deal with Egypt's summers is to dress light. Cotton garments are ideal. Woollens are advisable for the winters in the Northern areas. Egypt does tend to get chilly in the winter evenings, so a light sweater may be needed. But for all seasons, light walking shoes and a hat are absolute necessities. Avoid scanty dresses in inland towns, as the norm is conservative attire. Liveaboards need only the lightest clothing - swimsuits and shorts are fine plus a fleece for the evenings outside of the summer months.

Getting There:
There are several direct charter services to main airports in Egypt with schedules changing between winter and summer seasons:
Sharm El Sheikh: ex Gatwick every Thursday and Sunday / Ex Manchester on Sundays
Hurghada: ex Gatwick on Fridays - New Manchester & Glasgow flights available
Marsa Alam: Ex Gatwick on Thursdays - summer only
Luxor: Ex Manchester and Gatwick on Mondays and Thursdays
Aswan: Egypt Air via Cairo Only
Cairo: Egypt direct from Heathrow daily
Taba: Ex Gatwick on Mondays, Thrusdays and Saturdays

UK passport holders may obtain a tourist visa on arrival (£12 or $17). Passports should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Visitors are advised to carry their passports at all times. There is no departure tax until October 2004 when a new tax of approximately £10 will apply.

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