We, from Egypt Travel Lover, see it as a challenge to make your Egypt dream come true.
You just have to rely on our services.
Your journey is our mission.
We, from Egypt Travel Lover, see it as a challenge to make your Egypt dream come true.
You just have to rely on our services.
Your journey is our mission.
Egypt we love it
Stay
Staing in real Egypt we think means staying outside the resorts among the locals. We have two apartments ourselves, but if you prefer to stay in a hotel with a swimming pool, we can arrange that for you.
Transport
We take care of the transport during your holiday. We personally know the drivers with car or minibus that will take you everywhere safely. They all speak well english.
Trips
We make a plan with you in advance. What do you want to see, what do you want to do and if you want we can make a whole plan with meals so that you know in advance where you stand. This way you also know that you are going to get to know the real Egypt.
Your Egypt-dream will come true.
We will assist you to compose your dreamtrip through Egypt, private and fully arranged.
About us
We met each other by Egyptian friends and found out that we both like to bring the real Egypt to tourists. Our strenght is to be listening, creative and subservient. With the best of both worlds we decided to become a team to provide in private trips.
Mahmoud Attia
Information about Mahmoud
Picture Mahmoud office
Janet vander Molen-Gruben
When I first traveled to Egypt 5 years ago, friends showed me the Egypt beyond the resorts. A breathtaking country with lots of culture and history, hospitable people, delicious food and above all very safe. I think Egypt deserves it to be more known and thats why I decided to become a businesspartner with Mahmoud and assist him in getting more customers from Europe
5 reasons to visit Egypte
Sun
The sun is one of the reasons for me to regularly travel to Egypt. Life becomes so much happier. The period from November to April is the most ideal. Keep in mind that the days are short. In Hurghada, the sun sets behind the mountains at 4 pm in the winter months and it can suddenly feel cold, especially if the wind is blowing. So make sure you have a sweater or jacket and there are days when I also love a scarf. You can swim in the Red Sea all year round, the water is at least 20 degrees, but sometimes the wind can be fresh and that is not really beach weather for most people. From May the summer starts and it lasts at least half a year. Days of 40 degrees are no exception. The advantage of Hurghada, on the other hand, is that it can be tolerated with the sea breeze. Click here for the average climate during the seasons.
Life
Life in Egypt has a different atmosphere than we are used to in the West. It usually takes place on the street.
In the center of the cities, the shops are mostly run by men and you will also encounter the most men on the street. Women work more in offices, salons or in special stores for clothing and makeup, for example. Yet it is also increasingly common for women to work outside the home. You also see them getting into the local vans more and more often. Women are certainly treated with respect. In the bus the men make room for them and in a touristic city like Hurghada it is absolutely safe and pleasant for a woman to walk the streets alone. Men are friendly and you can take a cup of tea in a shop with peace of mind. Of course, just like in the west, it is not wise for a woman to go alone in remote places.
If you take a taxi, always sit in the back. That is safe and creates clarity.
In the evening you mainly see families with children on the street.
Landscape
Egypt consists mainly of desert and that is more than just sand. Rocky mountain masses, crystal clear deserts, bright red, almost luminous rocks and in between a single oasis, but above all a lot, a lot of sand, so no walking area. But the excursions to these areas are very impressive. There are truly breathtakingly beautiful areas that we only know from pictures. See here which excursions we offer in this area.
The Nile Delta is green and fertile and therefore offers a completely different landscape. Cycling is also common in the areas along the Nile.
Egypt actually consists of a lower and an upper part. Where low is then north from the Mediterranean Sea and Up is south towards green Aswan, upstream, hence up.
Action
Egypt has so much to offer that it would be a shame to stay behind on the beach. How about diving, snorkeling or other water sports on the Red Sea? Horse riding under supervision is also possible and of course the cities also offer many fitness areas. But also think about driving your own quad in the desert or going on a jeep safari, dreams come true. Kite surfers are also increasingly finding Egypt. You don’t go to Egypt for walking, but you do cycle along the Nile.
Culture
The Arab world is so different from our Western society. At first it was really overwhelming to me. Life often takes place outside, the labor market is still predominantly populated by men and families only appear on the street in the evening. The traditional families mostly live in the countryside. The men work in the cities and sometimes only go ‘home’ a few times a year to bring the money they have earned to their families. Married women often move in with their husbands’ families, although the families often live together in the village.
Egyptians are very hospitable and my experience is that as a tourist you are often held in high esteem. It makes me so happy every time.
Sun
The sun is one of the reasons for me to regularly travel to Egypt. Life becomes so much happier. The period from November to April is the most ideal. Keep in mind that the days are short. In Hurghada, the sun sets behind the mountains at 4 pm in the winter months and it can suddenly feel cold, especially if the wind is blowing. So make sure you have a sweater or jacket and there are days when I also love a scarf. You can swim in the Red Sea all year round, the water is at least 20 degrees, but sometimes the wind can be fresh and that is not really beach weather for most people. From May the summer starts and it lasts at least half a year. Days of 40 degrees are no exception. The advantage of Hurghada, on the other hand, is that it can be tolerated with the sea breeze. Click here for the average climate during the seasons.
Life
Life in Egypt has a different atmosphere than we are used to in the West. It usually takes place on the street.
In the center of the cities, the shops are mostly run by men and you will also encounter the most men on the street. Women work more in offices, salons or in special stores for clothing and makeup, for example. Yet it is also increasingly common for women to work outside the home. You also see them getting into the local vans more and more often. Women are certainly treated with respect. In the bus the men make room for them and in a touristic city like Hurghada it is absolutely safe and pleasant for a woman to walk the streets alone. Men are friendly and you can take a cup of tea in a shop with peace of mind. Of course, just like in the west, it is not wise for a woman to go alone in remote places.
If you take a taxi, always sit in the back. That is safe and creates clarity.
In the evening you mainly see families with children on the street.
Landscape
Egypt consists mainly of desert and that is more than just sand. Rocky mountain masses, crystal clear deserts, bright red, almost luminous rocks and in between a single oasis, but above all a lot, a lot of sand, so no walking area. But the excursions to these areas are very impressive. There are truly breathtakingly beautiful areas that we only know from pictures. See here which excursions we offer in this area.
The Nile Delta is green and fertile and therefore offers a completely different landscape. Cycling is also common in the areas along the Nile.
Egypt actually consists of a lower and an upper part. Where low is then north from the Mediterranean Sea and Up is south towards green Aswan, upstream, hence up.
Action
Egypt has so much to offer that it would be a shame to stay behind on the beach. How about diving, snorkeling or other water sports on the Red Sea? Horse riding under supervision is also possible and of course the cities also offer many fitness areas. But also think about driving your own quad in the desert or going on a jeep safari, dreams come true. Kite surfers are also increasingly finding Egypt. You don’t go to Egypt for walking, but you do cycle along the Nile.
Culture
The Arab world is so different from our Western society. At first it was really overwhelming to me. Life often takes place outside, the labor market is still predominantly populated by men and families only appear on the street in the evening. The traditional families mostly live in the countryside. The men work in the cities and sometimes only go ‘home’ a few times a year to bring the money they have earned to their families. Married women often move in with their husbands’ families, although the families often live together in the village.
Egyptians are very hospitable and my experience is that as a tourist you are often held in high esteem. It makes me so happy every time.
Useful to know if you are going to travel to Egypt (update April 2023)
Aankomst en vertrek
Bij aankomst kunnen jullie doorrijden tot de boerderij en daar per accommodatie 1 auto parkeren. Overige auto’s kunnen voor op het parkeerveld voor worden geplaatst.
Wij willen je graag persoonlijk ontvangen en de tijd nemen om je rond te leiden.
In de yurt zijn jullie welkom vanaf 15 uur en mogen jullie op de vertrekdatum blijven tot 11 uur.
In het vakantiehuisje zijn jullie welkom vanaf 16 uur en mogen jullie op de vertrekdatum blijven tot 11 uur. Mochten jullie de schoonmaak zelf verzorgen dan is de uitchecktijd 12 uur.
In beide accommodaties kun je kiezen voor uitgesteld vertrek. Voor een bedrag van €45,- kun je op de dag van vertrek nog net zo lang blijven als je wilt.
Bevestiging
Na ontvangst van jullie reserveringsverzoek sturen wij jullie per e-mail een bevestiging met een link naar de aanbetaling. Na deze betaling is de reservering definitief voor beide partijen. Er worden bij ons geen reserveringskosten in rekening gebracht. Lees verderop onze annuleringsvoorwaarden.
Aanbetaling
Bij een reservering van een periode meer dan 4 weken vooruit, vragen we slechts een aanbetaling vragen van 30% van de overeengekomen huurprijs. Het overige bedrag mag 4 weken voorafgaande aan het verblijf betaald worden. Is het verblijf al binnen 4 weken dan betaal je gelijk na boeking het gehele bedrag.
Borg
We vragen een borg van € 100,-. Je ontvangt daarvoor kort voor aankomst een betaallink, maar je mag het ook contant betalen bij aankomst. Als je de accommodatie aan het einde van het verblijf schoon* en zonder gebreken oplevert ontvang je het bedrag binnen 3 dagen terug.
*tenzij je de schoonmaak vooruit hebt betaald
Visa
You need a visa to enter Egypt.
You can purchase this visa upon arrival for an amount of $25, payable in cash in Euros or Dollars.
As soon as you arrive at the airport, before you go through customs, you walk past the desk where you can fill in and pay for your visa on the spot. You do NOT need passport photos as is sometimes claimed. Make sure you have a pen with you, because they don’t provide it there and waiting for someone else’s pen can sometimes take a long time. Sometimes there is a queue, but it doesn’t last much longer than half an hour. Moreover, you will otherwise be waiting at customs or the baggage carousel.
There are organizations where you can apply for a visa in advance. The Egyptian state also offers a visa online on their website, which looks reliable. However, you sometimes pay twice as much and it is absolutely not necessary.
If you book a trip through us, someone will be waiting for you at the desk at the entrance with a name sign so you don’t have to queue. Nice bonus.
Traveldocuments
A passport is required for Egypt, traveling with an identity card is not possible. Please note that your passport must be valid for at least 8 months upon arrival in Egypt.
Local transfers
Bus
Wifi
Where in the west we like to have a good WiFi connection everywhere, this is not yet a standard in Egypt. Don’t worry, because for a few euros you can buy a SIM card with a credit that allows you to use the internet extensively and has excellent reception everywhere in large cities such as Hurghada. You can already buy this card at the airport, but you can also easily purchase it in the city. WE and Etisalat are good providers in Egypt, but you also have Vodafone and Orange. Look here for the store of your choice. Hotels and small supermarkets also offer phone cards, but you usually pay more.
Opening hours
Public life in Egypt doesn’t actually start until midday. Shops then open and the market also starts to live. In the evening the crowds are greatest and you will also find whole families on the street.
However, during Ramadan it is different. The Iftar is the meal eaten by Muslims during the month of fasting immediately after sunset, around 6:30 pm. Banks close early (around 1:30 pm). Bureaux de change and commercial shops and department stores usually close an hour or two before Iftar and then open again an hour or two after.
Meals
In Egypt it is customary to combine lunch and dinner between 3 and 7 pm. However, these meals are often plentiful. A light snack in between is common, such as a piece of fruit or some yoghurt, but you can also buy a falafel or something similar on the street for a few Egyptian pounds.
Alcohol
Egypt is an Islamic country, which means that alcohol is not served in many local restaurants. However, the more touristy restaurants offer that and there is even Egyptian wine. Prices for coffee, tea and soft drinks are low, but for alcohol you actually pay Western prices.
Clothing
Although most women in Egypt wear a headscarf, it is not mandatory. In the tourist areas you can really show yourself in summer clothing such as shorts or a dress. Our experience is that you feel more comfortable if you adapt a bit and, as a woman, at least keep your shoulders and knees covered. We see it as respect to the population and they will treat you with respect. If you want to visit a mosque, women are also asked to cover their shoulders, knees and head. Just make sure you always have a large thin scarf with you that you can put on in places where it is customary. You can buy these scarves for a small amount on every corner of the street.
On the tourist beaches you can wear a bikini or swimsuit, but on public beaches with many locals this is not common and women who go swimming wear a burkini, a two-piece swimsuit with sleeves, long legs and a headscarf.
In the more traditional areas of Upper Egypt, we recommend that women cover their shoulders and knees.
Communication
Most people in the tourist areas speak reasonable to good English. You also often get a good end with German. The population also tries very hard to communicate with you. It is also not uncommon for them to try to make something clear to you via their Google Translate app. Install this app yourself. It can certainly provide a solution.
Medication
You can take many medicines into Egypt freely, as long as they are for personal use. It is therefore important that you take them with you in the original packaging, including an English statement from your doctor or pharmacy stating that this medicine has been prescribed for you. In Holland you can download this statement at https://www.hetcak.nl/medicijnen-mee-op-reis/ and have it signed by your GP or pharmacist.
The pharmacies in Egypt are of good quality. Most medicines and self-medications are available there. Prices are higher than in the Netherlands because everything is imported. For example, I paid a few euros for a box of paracetamol alone and a Covid test even cost me € 15.
If it concerns medication that falls under the Opium Act, you will need a statement approved by the embassy. This procedure takes several weeks. Start your application here https://app.hetcak.nl/regelingen/medicijnen-mee-op-reis/advies-verklaringen
Know that medication for ADHD, sleeping pills and tranquilizers, antidepressants and codeine also fall under the Opium Act.
Currency
In Egypt you pay with Egyptian pounds, called Gini. In the tourist cities you will find ATMs everywhere where you can use your bank card to withdraw money 24 hours a day. Depending on the bank where your account is held, you pay a commission for this. You can also choose to bring euros with you from the Netherlands and exchange them there at an exchange office. These offices can be found at various locations in the cities.
However, you can also pay with euros or dollars in most shops and hotels. Keep in mind that the exchange rate is often slightly less favorable because the entrepreneurs charge something for the exchange.
DO: Download the Easy Currency Converter with which you have the current exchange rate on the spot and can easily convert amounts. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.easy.currency.extra.androary&hl=en_US
Prices and tips
The value of the Egyptian pound is currently at a historic low. This is dramatic for the country itself, but for tourists it is very cheap.
Many Egyptians do not have a fixed salary but only receive a portion of their turnover and also live on tips, so keep that in mind. A tip of between 10 and 15% is customary. You can pay in euros, dollars and Egyptian pounds. Small change is also welcome. By the way, don’t be surprised if the employees come to you to exchange small change for paper money. They will be grateful if you can help them.
When you book with us…
Aankomst en vertrek
Bij aankomst kunnen jullie doorrijden tot de boerderij en daar per accommodatie 1 auto parkeren. Overige auto’s kunnen voor op het parkeerveld voor worden geplaatst.
Wij willen je graag persoonlijk ontvangen en de tijd nemen om je rond te leiden.
In de yurt zijn jullie welkom vanaf 15 uur en mogen jullie op de vertrekdatum blijven tot 11 uur.
In het vakantiehuisje zijn jullie welkom vanaf 16 uur en mogen jullie op de vertrekdatum blijven tot 11 uur. Mochten jullie de schoonmaak zelf verzorgen dan is de uitchecktijd 12 uur.
In beide accommodaties kun je kiezen voor uitgesteld vertrek. Voor een bedrag van €45,- kun je op de dag van vertrek nog net zo lang blijven als je wilt.
Bevestiging
Na ontvangst van jullie reserveringsverzoek sturen wij jullie per e-mail een bevestiging met een link naar de aanbetaling. Na deze betaling is de reservering definitief voor beide partijen. Er worden bij ons geen reserveringskosten in rekening gebracht. Lees verderop onze annuleringsvoorwaarden.
Aanbetaling
Bij een reservering van een periode meer dan 4 weken vooruit, vragen we slechts een aanbetaling vragen van 30% van de overeengekomen huurprijs. Het overige bedrag mag 4 weken voorafgaande aan het verblijf betaald worden. Is het verblijf al binnen 4 weken dan betaal je gelijk na boeking het gehele bedrag.
Borg
We vragen een borg van € 100,-. Je ontvangt daarvoor kort voor aankomst een betaallink, maar je mag het ook contant betalen bij aankomst. Als je de accommodatie aan het einde van het verblijf schoon* en zonder gebreken oplevert ontvang je het bedrag binnen 3 dagen terug.
*tenzij je de schoonmaak vooruit hebt betaald
Deposit
A deposit of 30% is requested upon booking. You must transfer the remaining amount 8 weeks prior to the start date. You will receive an e-mail for this well in advance. Cancellation after that date will unfortunately not be able to offer a refund. There is then a payment obligation.
If you have cancellation insurance, you can of course submit costs there. We will ensure that all necessary forms are provided in that case.
Visa
Visa
Residence Adresses
When it comes to hotels, there are several options. There are the larger hotels where you often spend a luxurious night (although the standard in Egypt is not comparable to the Netherlands). But there are also the more simple accommodation addresses where you come into contact with local entrepreneurs and in this way add something to your adventure. We like this very much ourselves, but it is of course up to you. In terms of price, it makes no difference.
The hotels all have a minimum of 3 stars. You can make your own choice from the attached offer. * It is also possible to book the trip with us and arrange your stay yourself.
Transfers
On arrival you will be picked up at the airport and taken to your accommodation. You will also be taken to the airport on departure back to Europe.
All transport, both between the cities and during the day between the places of interest, will take place with a private luxury car with a private driver or with more than 3 people a luxury minibus.
Including
Included in the price is:
• All transport mentioned in the offer, including domestic flights if applicable. You must book international flights yourself.
• Private driver and private guide
• Lodging and main meals*
• Entrance tickets to the mentioned sights
*It is also possible to book your trip with us and arrange your meals and/or accommodation yourself, useful if you follow a diet or are used to booking via the well-known platforms. In that case, the price of our offer will of course be a lot lower.
EDPB
Although we are not officially required to comply with EDPB European Data Protection Board rules, we would like to be clear about our booking process.. When booking, we store your basic data in our database. Your data is kept very carefully by us. You can request your data recorded with us at any time and have it removed if desired.
Hotel-rating
When it comes to hotels, there are several options. There are the larger hotels where you often spend a luxurious night (although the standard in Egypt is not comparable to the Netherlands). But there are also the more simple accommodation addresses where you come into contact with local entrepreneurs and in this way also add something to your adventure. I always go for the last option, but of course it’s up to you. It doesn’t matter in terms of price.
The hotels all have a minimum of 3 stars. You can make your own choice from the attached offer. * It is also possible to book the trip with us and arrange your stay yourself.
In addition to all these rules, we do our best to be there for you and to ensure that you have a wunderful time in Egypt
“Review 1”
“Review 2”
“Review 3”
Guests who have been traveling with us regularly write a review after their visit. You can read them on our Google Company page, on Facebook and here on our website.
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