I designed this list to accomodate women, men should modify as necessary.
Here’s my list for packing (some is pretty obvious):
Modest(ish) shirts, at least a couple long sleeve tshirts
4 Sweaters, 2 nice, 2 grubby for Sinai
4 pairs sturdy pants, at least one grubby for Sinai
2 pairs yoga/sweat/long underwear pants (layerable)
2 jackets, 1 for hiking, 1 for nice
gloves, hat, muffler for Sinai
2 pairs shoes, 1 hiking, 1 nice but comfortable
2 sets pjs (trust me!)
Socks and underwear for 17 days
at least one scarf that will cover your head (I like one that is slightly larger and can be used as a thin traveling blanket)
bathing suit and sandals for swimming at Ain el Sukhnah (basically a beach on the Red Sea)
Camera
aspirin, anti-diarrheal, tums/pepto/maalox, midol, decongestants, sleeping tablets, eye drops (again, trust me), any prescription meds/vitamins
blister band-aids
tampons/pads
anti-bacterial wipes/purell
toilet paper, rolls and packets
toothbrush/toothpaste/tongue scraper
face/body wash
(if you use a particular shampoo/conditioner, you can bring it, but the hotels will provide bottles of both, as well as bar soap)
razor, nail clipper
Q-tips
bath pouf
deoderant
laundry detergent/freshening spray
blow-dryer (this will NOT be provided)
ALARM CLOCK (they will usually NOT provide this)
trail mix (bars)/crackers/dried fruit (etc)
notebook AND pens
At least one of your outfits should be particularly nice, we may be invited to some fairly fancy events.
Another thing to be prepared for is the level of physical activity, which in general is fairly light, but on the hike up Mt. Sinai may be somewhat intense. The elevation of the mountain is something like 7,000 feet, which will likely feel higher to those of us from Southern California. The air in Sinai is thin, and the hike is very, very cold. It is a 7km (5 mile) hike up to a set of approximately 750 stone steps (I use the term loosely) from which you can see the sunrise. You will arrive at the base of the mountain at about 2 am, and should reach the top around 5:45 am. You then come down exactly the same way you came up.
There are 2 major documents you need (aside from your passport): your Egyptian visa and your International Student Id Card.
The former can be obtained by sending:
-your passport
-a passport-quality photo (the AAA will do this for around $8.00 if you’re a member)
-a visa application form (can be printed from this website:
https://www.travisa.com/Egypt/egypt.pdf ). Make sure you request ‘multiple entry’.
-an application fee via cash, money order, or Certified check ($15.00)
- a self-addressed prepaid return envelope with postage (FedEx, US Express Mail or US Certified Mail)
to :
CONSULATE GENERAL OF A.R.E. IN SAN FRANCISCO
276 Mallorca Way,
San Francisco, CA 94123
The Id card is required because it halves the price of admission to tour sites (that is, it reduces it to the price that is already paid) tere are a few websites you can obtain it from, including the following:
http://www.isecard.com/products/cards/index.html
Health Dos and Don’ts
No shots are needed!
Only bottled water, no ice
No raw vegetables, no salads
No unpeeled fruit
Bring prescription medicines; don’t rely on refills in Egypt
Electricity
220 v, 50 cycles (yes, you will need an adaptor)
