A pre–dynastic period, ancient pyramids, Pharaohs tombs and millennia-old temples, Egypt's 7000-year-old heritage makes it one of the most fascinating countries in the world. Explore the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the Karnak Temples in Luxor or the Great Temple of Ramses II on the banks of the river Nile. Alternatively, see them all on a luxury river cruise down the world's longest river which flows between Aswan and Luxor.

West of the Nile is the Western Desert of Egypt – part of the Sahara – where you'll find the White Desert National Park, famous for its white-rock 'mushroom' stacks. On the Red Sea coast expect gin-clear waters and Technicolor reefs teeming with marine life – there's good reason Egypt is considered one of the top diving spots in the world.

The Egyptian government has allowed international travellers back since 1 July 2020, while Egypt has been on the UK Government's Green List since October 2021.

And there's never been a better time to visit. National Geographic Traveller (UK) has just announced that Egypt has made it on to the Best of the World list for 2023. It's the centennial anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb on 4th November, and 200 years since the Rosetta Stone was deciphered. And all eyes will be on Egypt's Red Sea coast as it hosts the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh from 6-18 November.

Finally, the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo is planned to open in late 2022. With an average flight time of five hours and year-round sunshine, Egypt is most definitely open for business. 

UPDATES

The 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb

On 4th November 1922, British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter uncovered King Tutankhamen's tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, a discovery which sparked a renewed global interest in Ancient Egypt. In February 2023, it will also be the 100th anniversary of when the door to Tutankhamen's burial chamber was finally opened to reveal a room of ancient shrines. As part of the 100th anniversary celebrations, more than 150 objects found in the pharaoh's tomb are currently on a world tour en route to their new home in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. For more information visit egypt.travel

It's 200 years since the Rosetta Stone was deciphered

On September 27, 1822, French Egyptologist Jean-Francois Champollion finally deciphered the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs of the Rosetta Stone. Discovered in the city of Rosetta by French soldiers in 1799 AD, the ancient stone written in 196 BC in demotic and Greek hieroglyphic text is a letter of thanks from Memphis priests to King Ptolemy V.

A new exhibition at the British Museum in London celebrates the 200-year anniversary of the breakthrough. Find out more about the Rosetta stone. See the  video: https://youtu.be/B01G5IPznXI

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza

The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to finally open soon. After two decades and an estimated cost of a billion dollars, the long-awaited museum built on the edge of the Pyramids will showcase nearly all the 5,000 finds from Tutankhamun's tomb. Along with King Tut's treasures, the 5.3-million-square-foot complex will display the 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses the Great alongside its 100,000-strong collection of Egypt's most ancient artefacts. To learn more about the Grand Egyptian Museum visit grandegyptianmuseum.org

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Sharm el Sheikh

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP27, will be held in Sharm El Sheikh from Sunday 6th until Friday 18 November 2022. Marking the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the 198 countries will come together in Egypt's popular Red Sea resort.

"I deeply believe that COP27 is an opportunity to showcase unity against an existential threat that we can only overcome through concerted action and effective implementation."

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi

It will focus on three main areas; reducing emissions, helping countries to prepare and deal with climate change, and securing technical support and funding for those developing countries. There will also be themed days for focused talks on issues including gender, agriculture and biodiversity. To find out more about Egypt's involvement with COP27 visit cop27.eg

Egypt makes National Geographic's Best of the World list 2023

National Geographic Traveller (UK) has just unveiled its annual list of 35 inspiring destinations for 2023. Egypt makes it into the Culture section, alongside the Appian Way, Italy and Longmen Grottoes in the Henan Province of China. To see this year's Best of the World list please visit nationalgeographic.co.uk

Month-long stay in Egypt beats UK's cost of living crisis

This week, easyJet holidays launched a 28-day package to the five-star Stella Gardens Resort in Hurghada from £650 per person. With claims that “it's cheaper than staying in the UK thanks to the cost of living crisis” the month-long holidays sold out in under 24 hours. Find out more https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/easyjet-month-package-holiday-sells-out-b2211703.html

HOSPITALITY UPDATES

The Chedi El Gouna opens in El Gouna on 1st December 2022

Orascom Hotels Management has announced the launch of its newest hotel, The Chedi El Gouna, will open as its flagship Red Sea resort on 1 December 2022. Taking bookings from 15th October, the five-star beachfront hotel offers 82 rooms and suites, a clutch of gourmet restaurants, plus tropical-style pools, a private beach and a tranquil spa. For more information visit chedielgouna.com

Serry Beach Resort in Hurghada joins Preferred Hotels and Resorts

On 20th October, the Egyptian-Arabian heritage resort, Serry Beach in Hurghada joined the global portfolio of Preferred Hotels and Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand. The Red Sea Riviera resort, which uses natural materials and local handmade accents which reflect the area, offers a fusion-gastro bar, an adult-only beach club and a cabaret 'speakeasy' nightclub, as well as a buzzing souk-like food hall. This is in addition to the resort's luxe spa, private beach and onsite water park. For more information visit preferredhotels.com

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to open a new hotel in Luxor in 2025

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are expanding its portfolio in Egypt with a new hotel in Luxor set to open in 2025. The Four Seasons Hotel Luxor will have 200 rooms and suites, each with views of the the river Nile, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. The hotel will have several bars and restaurants, multiple pools & a spa, plus their signature Kids For All Seasons programme. For more information visit press.fourseasons.com

DATES FOR THE DIARY

 4th November 2022 - The centennial of the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb

The 4th November 2022 will the 100th anniversary of the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter. A three-day conference will be held in Luxor from 4th- 6th November at The American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. For more information visit arce.org

7-9 November 2022 - World Travel Market, London

The Egyptian Tourism Authority will be at World Travel Market (WTM) at ExCel London 7-9 November 2022. Visit the team on stand AF200 and try out the Magic Mirror, an Augmented Reality (AR) experience which allows users to walk around the Pyramids, see the temples of Abu Simbel and go diving in the Red Sea. Scan the QR code next to the Magic Mirror and receive the Egypt footage direct to your phone. Visitors can also meet Augie, a multilingual robot who will talk about the delights of Egypt, a papyrus artist and enjoy live harp music. For more details head to wtm.com

6-18 November 2022 - COP27

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) will be held in Sharm El Sheikh from Sunday 6th until Friday 18th November 2022. Marking the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the 198 countries will come together in the Red Sea resort for focused talks and meetings. For details on the programme visit cop27.eg

13th - 22nd November 2022 - The 44th Cairo International Film Festival

Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans will open the 44th Cairo International Film Festival following its world premiere in Toronto. The annual film event organised by the Ministry of Culture is now under the reins of veteran actor, Hussein Fahmy as president, and filmmaker Amir Ramses as director. For more information visit ciff.org.eg

22 February 2023 - Abu Simbel Sun Festival

The Abu Simbel Sun Festival is a biannual event held at the Abu Simbel temples in Aswan.  Originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, the central chamber of the temple of Ramses II is illuminated by the sun only two days of the year. To celebrate ancient Egyptian life, crowds flock to the temples to watch the sun rise. In 2023, the festival will take place on 22nd February and the 22nd October.

13th October 2022 - 19th February 2023 - Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt exhibition at the British Museum

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Rosetta Stone being deciphered the British Museum in London has opened a new exhibition, Hieroglyphs: unlocking ancient Egypt.

Housed in the Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery, the exhibition charts the journey of decipherment from the initial efforts by medieval Arab travellers and Renaissance scholars to the progress by French scholar Jean-François Champollion. To find out more visit britishmuseum.org

STATUS UPDATE

The Egyptian Government has allowed international travellers back since 1 July 2020, while Egypt has been on the UK Government's Green List since October 2021. As of October 2022, visitors do not need to provide proof of vaccination status for entry into Egypt. 

British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa. However, if you're travelling to Sharm el Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts for up to 15 days, you will receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. If you intend to travel out of these areas or stay longer than 15 days, you must get a visa.

For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19

For more information about Egypt, visit: Egyptian Tourism Authority

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For more information or images please contact Freya Lord-Jones freya.lord-jones@finnpartners.com