Travel Tips

Gay Trip Packages To Egypt

In many ways, Egypt is one big museum featuring numerous sites of religious, cultural and historical importance. Gay travel to Egypt can include everything from browsing open-air souks, cruising down the Nile, visiting old-world temples, exploring ancient cities, trekking across the desert on a camel and standing in awe of the Great Pyramids of Giza, to shopping in modern, cosmopolitan cities and lounging on white sand beaches. From the burial tombs at Valley of Kings or exploring the Temple at Edfu, to shopping for textiles in the Khan al Khalili Bazaar or touring the treasures of King Tutankhamun in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, there is truly no end to all that Egypt has to offer. For those looking for a gay vacation to Africa, Egypt is an excellent choice that is sure to please anyone looking for an exciting destination for gay travel.

While Egypt is a great destination for gay vacations, there are some points of interest to members of the LGBT community. The Egyptian government has become more aggressive in its efforts to arrest and imprison gay men in recent years, including a very public trial of over 50 men arrested on a boat hosting a night club in 2001 and several undercover sting operations in gathering spots, online chat rooms and other venues, which have led to arrests and imprisonment.

While Egyptian men are usually the focus of these raids and online undercover operations, local women and male and female tourists have also been arrested. There are no laws that specifically ban same-sex sexual activity conducted in private between consenting adults; however, laws against debauchery, contempt for religion and other similar behaviors have been used in recent years to persecute members of the LGBT community in Egypt.

That being said, this does not at all mean that Egypt should be avoided when it comes to gay vacation travel, or that visitors will be confronted with constant homophobia from locals. In contrast, most travelers who have taken Egyptian gay vacations have found the locals to be welcoming and warm, and have reported no issues with the police or government during their stay. While there is no real, visible LGBT community in most parts of the country, there are well-known gathering places in Luxor, Alexandria, Dahab, Aswan, Cairo and other larger cities. Of course, discretion is important when visiting local hotspots, since the police force is also aware of these hangouts.

Egypt is an intriguing country that is home to many must-see cultural and historical attractions. To help ensure a safe excursion and make sure that you do not miss out on some of Egypt’s best offerings, anyone planning gay vacations to Egypt may want to look into partaking in a tour specifically focused on planning gay travel adventures. Alternatively, folks planning gay vacations to Egypt should definitely go through a travel agent well-versed in the specific needs and concerns of the LGBT community.

Howie Holben is the caretaker of Spirit Journeys, a gay travel organization that focuses on spiritual travel. Howie has travelled the world learning from indigenous peoples. You can learn more about Howie, his work and a gay trip with a spiritual focus at Spirit Journeys website.

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