| Climate |
Egypt is a hot desert country with little rainfall at any time of the year. Summers are hot with temperatures reaching 35°c and higher in Cairo with Luxor and Aswan reaching the low 40’s. Spring, autumn and winter are cooler with temperatures ranging between 26°c and 33°c with spring and autumn the best times to travel. Winter nights (November to February) can be very cold in the Western Desert, along the Nile and in the Sinai (with snow and frost on the summit of Mt Sinai common) with temperatures falling to 4°c. Rain, such as it is, falls in short, sharp showers generally in December and January. |
| Seasonality |
Egypt is almost a year-round destination with only the summer months of June to August being quiet. Each season has something to offer – spring, early summer and autumn in the Sinai for diving and snorkelling, winter for sightseeing in the Nile Valley, spring and autumn for the Western Desert and felucca trips on the Nile. Easter and Christmas/New Year are extremely busy – avoid these times if possible for fewer crowds and lower prices. |
| National Holidays |
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| 01 Jan 2008 |
New Years Day |
| 01 Jan 2008 |
In addition Egypt celebrates a number of religious festivals. Ramadan is the month of fasting and celebration and commences 1/2 Sep 2008, 21/22 Aug 2009 and 10/11 Aug 2010. At this time offices, museums and cultural sites operate reduced hours, however this generally does not affect the traveller too much. Ramadan finishes with a 3 day celebration of feasting called Eid el-Fitr, a National Holiday. Eid al-Adha, a 3-day feast and National Holiday, marks the time of the pilgrimage to Mecca and begins 9 Dec 2008, 29 Nov 2009 and 19 Nov 2010. Moulid-an-Nabi is the celebration of the Prophet Mohammed’s birth and is a one-day National Holiday and is celebrated on 20 Mar 2008, 9 Mar 2009, 27 Feb 2010. The Islamic New Year or Ras as-Sana is a one-day National Holiday on 9 Jan 2008, 29 Dec 2009, and 19 Dec 2010. Note that in Christian areas such as at St Katherine’s Monastery in the Sinai both Coptic and Orthodox holidays are celebrated depending on which faith the institution or area falls into. Businesses and places of worship may be closed or operate restricted hours. |
| 10 Jan 2008 |
Islamic New Year |
| 23 Mar 2008 |
Birth of the Prophet |
| 25 Apr 2008 |
Liberation of Sinai Day |
| 25 Apr 2008 |
Sinai Liberation Day (Sinai region only) |
| 27 Apr 2008 |
Sham el-Nassim (Coptic Easter) - TBC |
| 01 May 2008 |
Labour Day |
| 18 Jun 2008 |
Liberation Day |
| 23 Jul 2008 |
Revolution Day |
| 06 Oct 2008 |
Armed Forces’ Day |
| 24 Oct 2008 |
Suez Day |
| 09 Dec 2008 |
Grand Feast (3 days from 9 Dec) |
| 23 Dec 2008 |
Victory Day |
| 29 Dec 2008 |
Islamic New Year |
| National Events |
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| Ramses II Birth |
Occurs: 22 February annually
The celebration of Ramses II birth takes place each year at Abu Simbel
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| International Song Festival |
Occurs: August annually
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| International Folklore Dance Festival |
Occurs: August annually
The International Folklore Dance Festival takes place each August in Ismailiya
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| Nile Festival |
Occurs: August annually
Giza Nile Festival
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| World Alexandria Festival |
Occurs: Every 2 years in September
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| Luxor National Day |
Occurs: November annually
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| Coronation of Ramses II |
Occurs: 22 October annually
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Occurs:
In addition to the National, religious and cultural festivals Egyptians celebrate a plethora of local festivals, centred around saints, called moulids. These are often visible as celebrations at a mosque with street ‘parties’ or with parade and religious services.
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