Recent History
Napoleon Bonaparte, the infamous pint-sized French leader, invaded Egypt in 1798, seeking to set up a French colony. However, not long after, the French were repelled, and Egypt became a part of the Ottoman Empire once again.
From 1882, the British Army occupied Egypt to protect the Suez Canal. Muhammad Ali officially ruled from the early 1800s, and his family and successors continued to rule for decades (alongside and during British occupation) until overthrown by a military coup in 1952.
During World War II, Egypt became a crucial element in Britain’s defence. The Italian Army tried to advance into Egypt in 1940 but was stopped by the British Army at Mersa Matruh. Egypt continued to serve as a vital base for British troops during World War II and despite the disruption, Egypt’s shopkeepers and retail trade benefitted from the thousands of Allied troops staying in Egypt.
In 1953, Egypt was officially declared a republic and a year later, Colonel Nasser was declared Prime Minister, then President. In 1979, after decades of confrontation with neighbouring Israel, the historic Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty was signed. This agreement made Egypt the first Arab country to officially recognise Israel as a country – a significant step in the peace process. More recently, in February 2011, large scale protests and mass demonstrations resulted in the removal of President Mubarak after decades of autocratic rule.
Ancient Egypt has been the focus of much fascination, investigation, speculation and intrigue. It’s hard to escape the education system without having studied Ancient Egypt in some way. Drawn in by the mighty pyramids, mysterious hieroglyphics, distinct burial rituals and animal-headed gods – scholars, students, historians and travellers are all amazed by this civilisation which has endured cycles of dynastic rule, invasion and natural disasters.
Through key archaeological finds, historians have been able to unravel some of the mysteries of this great land. What is known is that the daily life of the average Egyptian usually involved working in agriculture with the waters of the Nile providing fertile ground for planting of crops. Egyptians usually lived in modest homes with children and domestic pets. Professions were usually inherited – so if your father was a farmer, then so were you.
While most Egyptians led simple lives, dynasties of Pharaohs led lavish lifestyles, with the most well-known being Ramses II, Hatshepsut, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun and Cleopatra. Huge monuments, imposing pyramids, golden artefacts and detailed paintings all hold details about pharaonic rule and succession, as well as commonly held beliefs about religion and the afterlife.
Spanning centuries and full of drama worthy of a soap opera, the epic history of Ancient Egypt is complex and we suggest you read about it before visiting.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not advise against visiting Cairo, Alexandria, the Nile tourist areas, or the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada, as well as the area between the Nile and the Red Sea is also regarded as relatively safe, in fact Gallup Ranked Egypt no 8 in top 10 safest places in the world.
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Egypt as a tourist. Visas are easily attainable on arrival at Cairo airport for most nationalities for US$30 paid in cash, but please check with your travel agent or embassy before departure. On arrival at Cairo airport you buy your visa at any of the banks before proceeding to immigration. You’ll be given a stamp that you then need to put into your passport yourself. A single entry visa is valid for three months from date of issue and entitles the bearer to one month in Egypt. Multiple entry visas are not available at the airport or any border crossings
Applicants must fill out an online visa application form and pay a fee using a credit or debit card to apply for a single or multiple-entry Egypt eVisa, Applicants should submit their applications at least 7 days prior to their trip, Applicants will receive approved Egypt eVisas via email once they have been processed.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
ATMs are common in large cities such as Cairo and Alexandria and are found in and near shopping centres, tourist areas and 5-star hotels. ATMs are far less common in rural areas and smaller towns so you’re advised to be prepared for this by having enough cash before travelling out of the city.
Get to the heart of Egypt with one of our in-depth guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
