First trip to Egypt: what to know before leaving?

Hello everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Amateur Egyptologist here, 🙂 and I’ve finally planned a trip there before age catches up with me. I’ve booked a 10-day tour with our dear Amandine Marshall and her favorite agency (which I won’t name to avoid advertising).

The organizer’s fact sheet recommends:

Personal gear - Sunglasses - High-SPF sunscreen - Toiletries (preferably biodegradable products) - Hat or cap with neck coverage

Personal first-aid kit - Aspirin/paracetamol - Anti-diarrheal tablets - Throat lozenges - Antiseptic cream - Insect bite cream - Bandages and adhesive tape - Any regularly used medications or toiletries

What luggage should we bring? - Travel bag (70 liters) or suitcase. - Small backpack (30 liters) for day trips.

What should we pack? - Shoes: opt for "trekking" or mid-mountain hiking shoes with thick but flexible soles, preferably made of canvas. Choose shoes with good ankle support. - Lightweight, loose-fitting canvas pants that are comfortable and versatile. - Shirts/T-shirts: 2 or 3 shirts, preferably long-sleeved to avoid sunburn. T-shirts are also recommended, but watch out for sunburn. - Sweater or fleece for the evenings, as winter nights can get chilly.

Would any seasoned Egypt travelers have any tips or suggestions to add? Thanks!

Hi everyone, I don’t understand what you’re looking for, sorry 😕. Since you’re traveling with an agency, as I understand it, they can give you all the necessary information 😉. First, forget about meds—they have everything that’s best there. Just bring your personal medications if you absolutely need them. A box of band-aids with a gauze pad in the middle (about 8 cm tall) to cut as needed—for your throat, which will often be dry. That’s normal because of the air, so breathe through your nose as much as possible, and avoid cold or iced drinks, as they worsen throat dryness and can lead to a real sore throat, like pharyngitis. No need to panic—you can find everything there, including for diarrhea. Just ask for meds, and they’ll give you tablets. Take the whole box (it’s a strong remedy). You can even find herbal options (that’s what I take just in case—it’s amazing and natural). For mosquitoes, what they sell in Egypt is the best—it’s OFF Spray (photo). Apply it to all exposed skin, even your face (close your eyes for a few seconds, and don’t use sunscreen with it). No need to use a ton—just a few sprays, then spread it with your hands. If you’re wearing shorts or no socks, put some on your feet (I do it even with socks). In the sand (where you’ll find critters like sand fleas that bite hard), spray there too. For antiseptic, we’ve been using plain hand sanitizer gel since 2004. If you don’t have any and have a throat spray, you can use that on a wound—it’s safe. A 30-liter bag for the day is huge (I carry 10 kg max). Hiking boots—not leather, but canvas and high-top to support your ankles. Same for pants: one pair of non-high-top pants for other trips (cities, transport, etc.). Not sure if this is what you were looking for?? Thoutmosis

That's perfect, thanks.