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Egypt is a destination I've been dreaming of since geography class in middle school. I remember my former class beauty once asked me which country I most wanted to visit. Being young and naive, I blurted out, "Egypt!" Then, she responded, "Me too!" Almost 20 years have passed, and I've finally made it to Egypt.
To be honest, as a scenery lover, I am not very interested in destinations full of cultural atmosphere like Egypt, because it lacks extreme natural scenery, those ancient ruins, temples and tombs, street culture... But it seems that it is not as simple as I thought. Egypt really has great potential!
Egyptcheck the details
Egypt, located in northeastern Africa, lies at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, serving as a shortcut between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Ancient Egypt, one of the world's four great ancient civilizations and the world's earliest kingdom, built the world-famous pyramids and the Valley of the Kings. When you think of Egypt, you often imagine the mysterious pyramids, vast deserts, the Sphinx, and the scorching sun. Of course, Egypt is more than just deserts, ruins, and sites; it also boasts the Nile, the mother river that nurtured this land, and beautiful coastal cities like Alexandria.
Recommended months: October to March
9039 recommendations, 7942 visits
First, let’s take a brief look at the destination of Egypt.
Egypt, one of the world's four ancient civilizations, straddles Asia and Africa, mostly located in northeastern Africa. It borders Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, the Red Sea to the east, and the Sinai Peninsula, primarily with Palestine and Israel. To the north, it faces the Mediterranean Sea. The northern coastal region has a Mediterranean climate, while the rest of the country experiences a tropical desert climate. Summers are extremely hot.
When talking about Egypt, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the pyramids, mummies, pharaohs, and endless yellow sand, as well as various temples and tombs. They feel like relics, and it is a country with a relatively simple tourism experience.
But Egypt actually boasts a wealth of tourism resources, as we can see from a map. Egypt's tourist destinations can be roughly divided into four regions: east, west, north, and south. The northern region is dominated by the two major cities of Cairo and Alexandria. The southern region is the temple district, with Luxor and Aswan as its main areas. Finally, the western Sahara region, primarily encompassing the Sahara Desert, boasts attractions such as the Black and White Desert and the Fayoum Oasis.
There are also tourist resorts along the eastern Red Sea coast, with major cities like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt boasts not only a wealth of cultural relics and historical sites, but also a wealth of natural scenery and other travel experiences. It boasts unique resources of two seas: the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
There is also a part of the Sahara Desert, the largest desert on earth, and the beautiful scenery along the Nile River.
The following aspects mainly share the pre-trip strategy for New Zealand. It is recommended to collect it~
Temperature:
Northern Egypt boasts a predominantly Mediterranean climate, with mild temperatures from April to May, around 25°C during the day and 15°C at night. Desert regions experience significant temperature swings between day and night, so wear short-sleeved shirts and a light-shell jacket during the day. Warm clothing, such as fleece, cotton, or a light down jacket, is recommended for both morning and night. Light, breathable hiking shoes are recommended. The southern region experiences extreme summer heat, so traveling there is not recommended.
jet lag:
6 hours later than Beijing time. From April 30 to September 29, Egypt implements daylight saving time, and the local time is 5 hours later than Beijing time (for example, if Cairo time is 7:00 in the morning, Beijing time is 12:00 in the afternoon of the same day).
language:
The official language is Arabic, with Egyptian dialect used for daily communication. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but be wary of vendors who speak English.
currency:
The Egyptian currency is abbreviated as Egyptian Pound. The exchange rate between the US dollar and the Egyptian Pound is approximately 1:33 (subject to fluctuation). The consumption level in major cities such as Cairo is similar to that of second-tier cities in China. If you need to make purchases, it is recommended that you bring 300-500 US dollars and exchange them into Egyptian Pounds when you arrive. Alternatively, you can directly withdraw cash from an ATM with the UnionPay logo.
network:
Local hotels generally offer Wi-Fi and other internet facilities. Mobile or Unicom users can also download the "51Travel" app to purchase an international data plan in advance, allowing you to access the internet directly using your domestic SIM card. If you have ample time on your arrival, you can also consider purchasing a local Egyptian data SIM card near the airport baggage claim area for a better deal. You'll need to show your passport, and the lines can be long.
Electricity usage:
European standard, two-pin round head, voltage 220V frequency 50HZ. You need to bring your own conversion socket when traveling abroad. If you have a lot of electronic devices, you can bring your own power strip.
body:
A DSLR or mirrorless camera body is preferred, with no restrictions on brand or model.
Lenses:
During this trip, I frequently used mid-telephoto and ultra-wide-angle lenses. Mid-telephoto lenses, such as the 24-70mm and 70-200mm, were primarily used for long-range photography of buildings, rooftops, local culture, and street photography. Ultra-wide-angle lenses, such as the 14-24mm and 16-35mm, were used for close-up shots of temples, creating a more impactful effect. Border control at landing in Egypt is quite sensitive, so drones are strictly prohibited. Also, avoid lenses with extremely long focal lengths (like cannon lenses). A lens with a focal length of around 70-200mm is sufficient.
Filters:
A polarizing filter can effectively reduce reflections from glass and water. A neutral density filter can be used for slow shutter speed photography of coastlines. I recommend using an ND64 filter that matches the aperture of a wide-angle lens, regardless of brand.
Tripod & Shutter Release Cable:
It is a must-have for slow shutter speed photography of night scenes, as well as for various composite techniques. It should be noted that Egypt's border control is relatively sensitive, so the tripod must be placed in the checked luggage and not hung directly on the camera bag.
Storage media:
This trip will definitely fill up your memory card, so it's recommended to bring at least 256GB of storage capacity. The recommended storage capacity for a single card is between 64GB and 128GB.
Drones: Strictly prohibited.
Valid documents:
ID card, original passport with validity period of more than 6 months from the end of the trip, international credit card, cash, etc. (It is recommended to scan or take photos of important documents and upload them to your email for future reference).
Regarding visas:
Egypt implements visa on arrival for Chinese citizens.
Luggage backpack:
It is recommended that the suitcase be around 25 inches. Try not to put valuables (such as wallets, passports, etc.) in your backpack. You can carry a small shoulder bag with some valuables in it and carry it in front of you.
Toiletries:
Due to local customs, hotels generally do not provide disposable items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, and slippers. Please be sure to bring your own, including shower gel and shampoo. Hair dryers are provided in almost every hotel room, so you don't need to bring your own.
Basic medicines:
Prepare some common medicines according to your own situation in case of emergency, such as cold medicine, anti-inflammatory medicine, antipyretic medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, etc. It is recommended to carry the medicine in its original box with the instructions.
Electronic equipment:
Mobile phone, earphones, mobile power bank, camera, lens, light source, conversion socket, wiring board, laptop, mobile hard drive, data cable, memory card, charger, etc. (Bring your own as needed)
Recommended apps:
China-TravelNote, NetEase Youdao Dictionary, Google Maps, Minimalist Exchange Rate, and Worry-Free Travel.
About tipping:
Egypt is a country where tipping is common. After checking into a hotel, if a porter needs help with luggage, they will charge around 20 Egyptian pounds per piece of luggage or per room. Free restrooms are rare in Egypt, typically found at McDonald's, KFC, or large shopping malls. Restrooms at tourist attractions sometimes charge 10 Egyptian pounds. Tipping the cleaner for tissues is also expected.
Other suggestions:
Gel pens, thermos cups, toiletries, skin care products, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, rain gear, eye masks, earplugs, U-shaped pillows, airline slippers, masks, tissues, hand sanitizer, plastic bags, etc. (Bring your own if needed)
Generally, it will be issued after boarding. If you fill in the wrong number, it does not matter. You can ask for another one or pick it up after landing.
The first China-TravelNote Egypt photography tour took place during the May Day holiday, flying directly from Hangzhou to Cairo on EgyptAir. The itinerary was as follows:
D1: April 28th, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, flight information: MS954 Hangzhou - Cairo, April 29th, Beijing time 00:05 - Cairo time 7:35
D2: April 29th Saladin Citadel - Pyramids - Cairo - Aswan Flight information: MS080 Cairo - Aswan, April 29th Cairo time 23:20-00:40 (+1)
D3: April 30th, full day photography in Aswan (Philae Temple - Nubian Village)
Day 4: May 1st, full day photography in Aswan (Abu Simbel Temple - Felucca)
D5: May 2 Aswan - Luxor - Karnak Temple - Luxor Night Market
Day 6: Full-day photography in Luxor on May 3 (hot air balloon - Queen Hatshepsut Temple - carriage parade - Luxor Temple)
D7: May 4 Luxor-Hurghada (Fish Market Culture-Kite Surfing)
D8: Full-day photography in Hurghada on May 5 (Red Sea sunrise - Bedouin village)
D9: May 6 Hurghada-Cairo-Al-Azhar Park
D10: Full-day photography in Cairo on May 7 (Egyptian Museum - Hanging Church - Khalili Bazaar)
D11: Flight information for Cairo-Hangzhou on May 8: MS953 Cairo-Hangzhou, May 8, Cairo time 7:25 - Beijing time 23:05
EgyptAir: It’s okay that the flight was delayed for a little over an hour, but a flight delay in the early morning seems to be more torturous than that during the day.
The spot where Cairo and the Pyramids are photographed together is a famous attraction in its own right. The citadel, located on a hill east of Cairo, was built by Saladin in the 12th century to resist the invasion of the Crusaders. The Ali Mosque, built on the citadel by later rulers, is modeled after the mosques in Istanbul and features a Turkish style.
I personally like the Saladin Citadel, and one of the main reasons is that I can once again photograph the "Cairo under the Pyramids." However, the pyramids are still very far away from here, and you need a telephoto lens in good visibility to capture them.
This photo was taken with a 300mm telephoto lens. Because the distance is far enough, the compression effect of the telephoto lens can be maximized. Combined with the backdrop of modern Cairo, the mystery and size of the ancient pyramids can be expressed more strongly, giving people a very mysterious feeling and room for imagination.
Its fame goes without saying; it's Egypt's golden signboard. The Giza Pyramids, located in Giza in the Nile Delta, were built between approximately 2575 and 2465 BC by three pharaohs of the Fourth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. They represent the most sophisticated example of ancient Egyptian pyramids. They primarily consist of the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx, surrounded by numerous smaller pyramids.
Egypt is actually two lands combined: Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt.
Upper Egypt refers to the Nile Valley, the area south of modern-day Cairo, while Lower Egypt refers to the Nile Delta. Since the Nile River flows from south to north, the upstream region is naturally Upper Egypt, and the downstream region is Lower Egypt.
Modern maps, however, place Upper Egypt at the bottom and Lower Egypt at the top, making it a bit confusing. After visiting the Saladin Citadel and the Pyramid in Cairo, we flew to Aswan that evening. We'll have more details about our trip to Cairo later, as detailed below.
When I woke up, I was already on the banks of the Nile, and I couldn't tell whether it was a dream or reality.
The Philae Temple is dedicated to the goddess of love, Isis. Philae is a small island in the Nile River south of the Aswan Dam. Originally, a temple was built on the island. Construction of the Aswan Dam by the British in 1902 submerged Philae Island, leaving visitors only able to view the temple's gate and pillars, which remain above water, by boat. The Philae Temple boasts hieroglyphic inscriptions and vivid reliefs, honoring deities such as Hathor, the goddess of wealth, and Isis, the goddess of fertility.
It is said that Isis has 10,000 names. She is not only in charge of fertility, but also the patron saint of all people. Therefore, she was highly respected by the ancient Egyptians. In 1980, Egypt decided to move the ancient monuments on the island to another island and restore them to their original appearance.
What's more interesting is that on the boat to the Philae Temple, we met a group of Nubian kids who were very good at paddleboarding. They could perform all kinds of front flips and back flips and dives. Of course, their purpose was to ask for money from the tourists on the boat. In fact, you can prepare some snacks and cooling oil for them. If you want to take pictures, you can use high-speed continuous shooting to freeze the frame. Generally, you can capture it as long as the shutter speed is above 1/1000, and a medium focal length lens will be enough.
I really like this Nubian-run restaurant on a small island in the Nile, which has a special boat shuttle. It seems that the Nubians understand light. I would like to call it a "ceiling of light and shadow."
I personally love the Nubian villages in Aswan. They're a sea of color, with every house painted in a vibrant palette. Nubian culture holds a crucial place in Egypt. The black, curly-haired Nubians have lived in the upper Nile region since ancient times, primarily engaged in agriculture. With the exception of the 100 years or so during the last dynastic period of ancient Egypt, Nubia remained a vassal state under Egyptian rule.
The unique language and culture of the Nubian people have been preserved to this day, but the Nubian language has no written form. The Nubian village seems to have meandered out of a thousand-year-old time tunnel, with an indescribable sense of mystery that makes people want to explore it.
As night falls, the Nubian village market begins to light up. As for the goods, most of them are probably made in China, haha.
It's hard to imagine the Temples of Abu Simbel, a masterpiece left behind by humans over 3,000 years ago. Entering the temples and touching the stone statues, reliefs, and murals with your own hands, it's as if time has stood still...
Most temple interiors allow photography, which is inherently a low-light environment. When photographing temple interiors, it's recommended to deliberately darken the image. Using purely automatic exposure will result in very bright photos, which will lose the temple's mystical feel. Instead, aim for maximum darkness to highlight the contrast between light and shadow, creating the mysterious feeling of ancient Egypt within the temple.
Of course, you are not allowed to bring a tripod when shooting inside the temple, so you need to shoot handheld. At this time, a safe shutter speed is particularly important, otherwise it is easy to take blurry photos.
Here are some simple parameters to share: aperture f2.8 (maximum aperture), ISO around 800, shutter speed 1/100s, exposure fill -1.7 stops. Using these parameters to shoot the interior of the temple will give you both clear shots and a mysterious dark tone.
The three-masted schooner, a vessel not seen until the Arab era, originated in the mid-15th century when Spanish and Portuguese shipbuilders combined a wine ship with a clipper. Its triangular, mobile sails sailed straight ahead in favorable winds, but zigzagged against headwinds, making it a truly unpowered vessel.
Aswan is widely considered the most picturesque section of the Nile, and its felucca is a must-see. Sunset is particularly breathtaking. A boat trip on the Nile reveals the modern town of Aswan on one side, the ancient Tombs of the Nobles, and an ancient Nubian village on the other.
This was taken in an urban park in Aswan. It is a park built by the Nile River. It has a very good viewing platform, which is suitable for watching the sunset over the Nile River. There are many local people in it, and they are all very friendly. When they saw us coming to play, they would come over and take photos with us.
Roasting degree? Grind size? Extraction temperature? Extraction time…none of these exist in the hands of Safwat, an ancient Egyptian Nubian coffee maker… He inherits the original Ethiopian roasting method, and every sip is a blend of flavors, except for coffee… Let’s find out in this short video!
After finishing our tour of Aswan, we headed to Luxor. Luxor is an ancient Egyptian city located on the eastern bank of the Nile River in southern Egypt, approximately 200 kilometers south of Aswan. It's famous for being home to the ruins of the ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes. It's a concentration of ancient Theban artifacts and is known as the world's "largest open-air museum."
Due to the wars, most of them have been destroyed and lost. The only one that is well preserved is the famous Luxor Temple, among which the Karnak Temple is the most complete and largest.
The Karnak Temple in Luxor is a magnificent temple. It was the center of worship for the sun god Amun and the largest temple in ancient Egypt. The Hall of the Pillars is the most spectacular, making it ideal for shooting the pillars from a low, ultra-wide-angle camera, with the sun as a backdrop for capturing starbursts.
Here are some quick tips for shooting starbursts: First, you'll need a wide-angle lens. Observe the sun, not completely exposed in the sky, but also not completely blocked. You want the sun to be just barely visible, barely visible. Then, use a small aperture, preferably around F/16, to create a nice starburst effect.
Of course, if there is automatic metering, the overall exposure of the photo may be dark due to strong light. At this time, adding 1-2 stops of exposure compensation may have a better effect.
For example, the parameters of this photo of mine are: focal length is 16mm, shutter speed is 1/60s, aperture is f20, and ISO is 100.
This is the only temple on our Egypt itinerary where you can photograph the night scene, and it is also the only temple you can enter with a tripod. Therefore, we usually enter the temple area before sunset and shoot the golden light before sunset. At that time, the temple ruins are as bright as if coated with a layer of gold. Then, after sunset, we can go to the temple gate to wait for the lights to come on, entering the blue hour, which is the best time to shoot.
It should be noted that at sunset, there may be a constant stream of tourists at the temple gate. At this time, a neutral density filter is more useful. You can use a slow shutter speed of about 30 seconds to blur the passing tourists or even make them disappear.
Of course, if you don't have a neutral density filter, you can also try using time-lapse photography. Simply take multiple photos and merge the empty space from each photo into one. The resulting photo will be a pure empty space photo without any extra people.
Hot air balloon is a self-funded project in our itinerary. Generally, as long as the weather is stable and there is no extreme strong wind, you can take a hot air balloon ride every day. The price is around US$150. Compared with some hot air balloons in other countries, the price of this hot air balloon is relatively affordable.
From a hot air balloon, you can enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the Nile River at sunrise. You'll need a telephoto lens to capture these stunning moments, but sometimes the balloon company won't let you bring a camera due to weight constraints, so you'll have to use your phone. Sometimes, however, you can still do this, so it's recommended to bring a camera bag or place your camera in a separate backpack. Otherwise, the balloon company might ask you to remove the camera bag if it's too bulky.
Let's experience the hot air balloon at sunrise in Luxor through a short video.
Hatshepsut is a Wu Zetian-like figure in ancient Egyptian history. She is the first female pharaoh to achieve immortality and the only woman to rule Egypt during the pharaonic era. The temple, with a history spanning over 3,500 years, consists of three floors and is recognized worldwide as a model of ancient architecture that seamlessly integrates natural landscapes. The murals within depict Hatshepsut offering sacrifices to various deities and highlight her significant achievements during her reign.
The temple is regarded as one of the greatest and most outstanding buildings in ancient Egypt for its elegant architectural style and exquisite and meaningful relief murals.
After our archaeological excursion in Luxor, we arrived at the Red Sea and rested for two days in Hurghada. This was the official start of our vacation-style itinerary. I'm a bit of a scuba diver, having seen many stunning beaches and waters, but honestly, the Red Sea's water quality completely exceeded my expectations. Here's a set of photos to give you a taste. So far, all the previous posts have been about Egypt in its dusty, grayish hues, so it's time for a change of pace.
The Red Sea's water and sand quality are both excellent, making it one of the world's top ten diving destinations. If you enjoy diving, consider going underwater while in Hurghada. I made a last-minute decision to go diving with my group. I didn't have any underwater photography equipment, so I borrowed a GoPro from a group member to film the photos.
The road from Hurghada on the Red Sea to the Bedouin village is completely deserted. The SUV speeding past, backlit before sunset, creates a rich atmosphere.
This area is actually located on the edge of the Sahara Desert. It's not quite what you'd imagine a desert to be like. There are sand dunes, but more of a geologic formation. This type of formation is quite common in western China, similar to the Eboliang Yadan.
During our trip to Hurghada, we also visited a Bedouin tribe in the Sahara Desert. Bedouins generally live in deserts, wastelands, hills, and on the edge of agricultural areas, and make a living by raising camels.
They move regularly along fixed routes according to the seasons, often covering distances exceeding 1,000 kilometers each time. They spend the hottest and driest seasons on the fringes of agricultural areas, attending markets to sell livestock products or collect spices, and then buying necessities such as dates, food, and handicrafts.
Whenever the rainy season comes and desert grass grows, they head deeper into the desert.
There's a really cool place on the Red Sea not far from Hurghada: a kitesurfing school. Many foreigners come here specifically to learn, spending a week or so there.
After a two-day holiday at the Red Sea, we returned to Cairo, which was still bustling and crowded.
Souq el-Khalili was incredibly lively, and it was fascinating to capture the local culture. I used a Sony Zeiss 55mm prime lens the entire time. I've heard that most of the goods here are "made in China."
This photo was taken in Cairo's Al-Azhar Park. It's a relatively off-the-beaten-path spot, with few tourists, but many local newlyweds come here for outdoor photography. The park also has a viewing platform, which is a great spot for capturing the Cairo cityscape at sunset. Many local homes keep pigeons on their rooftops, so there are often flocks of them flying around, as I captured in this photo.
Finally, let’s end with a group photo of our photography group. The mountains remain green, the water flows on, and we’ll see you again!
