A gap year in Egypt

Gap years in Egypt

Rich in ancient history and glamorous landmarks, Egypt is one great place to commune with nature – and a load of dead people. Get closer to God on Mount Sinai, like Moses; dive the Red Sea; stroll the City of the Dead; and stage your own Last Supper. Egypt is the place where it all began. Is it the perfect place to start your Gap year?

GAP opportunities

There are various ways to see Egypt on your Gap year. Take a camping safari or group expedition. If you’re an archaeologist, look for a research programme. Of course, you’re probably reading this page with one goal in mind: SCUBA. The Red Sea is a world-renowned dive destination, its protected coral reefs hiding an enormous variety of marine life. Turtles, frog fish and reef sharks aren’t uncommon. Spending your GAP year, or part of it, getting your PADI qualification could be a very rewarding choice.

Choose a company that offers accredited courses – the Open Water Dive Course takes around 5 days and costs in the region of £200. There are plenty of local dive companies to price-check but if you’d prefer to book in advance, several tour operators offer diving packages. Do make sure your package includes a PADI qualification.

As well as the dreaded jabs (and malaria tablets at some times of year), don’t forget you’ll need a Visa to stay in Egypt. Travel out with a one-month holiday Visa and apply for a work permit once you arrive.

About Egypt

Egypt, in northern Africa, is plagued with economic troubles. A booming population, high unemployment and harsh agricultural conditions mean it’s got more than its fair share of poverty. Egyptian industry centres around oil, petroleum, textiles, iron and steel; its low GNP is supplemented by tourist income (despite efforts by militant groups to discourage visitors) and by international aid. You can travel, stay, and eat here very cheaply; full meals often cost less than £2 and air-conditioned bus travel starts at about 20p.

Egypt is, however, an Islamic country, which demands some basic knowledge of customs and expectation. Western women should take care with their appearance, cover up when out, and avoid going out alone where possible. Some Egyptian men can push their luck – if anything happens or you feel intimidated, the general advice is to shout and make as much noise as possible.

Getting Around

Egyptian transportation has come a long way since the days of camels and donkeys. Cairo is well served by a metro, with trains and air-conditioned buses linking adventurous travellers to most parts of Egypt. Buy rail tickets from the Ramses Station in Cairo – cheap and cheerful – and coach tickets from Midan Tahrir. You’ll see dozens of buses (the orange-and-white ones are most comfortable) and taxis (black and white are the official colours) around Cairo. In Alexandria, these methods are supplemented by a tram system. If you’re over 25, you can hire a car, but Egypt’s “frightening” roads and high casualty rate will probably put you off this option anyway.

Landing in Cairo

Step off the plane and the heat dries out your throat in a second. Cairo is a hot, dusty city clustered around the banks of the Nile, the country’s only source of fertility. On its outskirts lies the City of the Dead, Cairo’s ancient cemetery that’s now been populated with more than 50,000 people who have made makeshift homes in the tombs. Superstition is no concern for those affected by the city’s dire housing shortage. Now served by buses, video shops and regular markets, the cemetery is a very real reminder of the poverty suffered in this country.

Things to see

You could get the finest view of the pyramids before you even land in Egypt. If they’re on your must-see list, which they probably are unless you’ve been living under a rock, then arrive early – only 200 tourists are admitted each day. There is a nightly Light and Sound show involving flashy laser displays and dramatic photograph opportunities. Special effects aside, the pyramids, and the carved Sphinx, are breathtaking testaments to ambition and courage from the very beginning of civilisation. The best way to experience them is to join one of the groups and wander around this marvellous world heritage site.

The Egyptian Museum is another popular destination for Cairo visitors, and it’s not stuffed with bits of broken shovel from the 1700s – we’re talking real mummies here. It’s well worth a few hours to see the burial relics and the special section devoted to King Tutankhamun.