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Egypt in February Outerwear

Hello fellow travelers! I will be enjoying a tour of Egypt and Jordan in February 2024. I know folks say to bring a "light" jacket, but I would like clarification on that. Lined? Unlined? I was thinking of an unlined utility anorak jacket, and then bring items to layer as needed - a lightweight fleece 1/4 zip, a lightweight sweater, a lightweight baselayer tee, and a microdown packable vest. Is that along the right thinking? Does this provide the needed warmth with options to be warmer or lighter? I'd love to hear from anyone who has visited Egypt (I know Jordan will be much colder) during that time of year so I don't over or under pack.

Thank you for your assistance!

Posted by
980 posts

Temps in Egypt are around 70F during the day and 50F to 55Fat night. Jordan will be about 10 to 15F lower. Based on this I think you will be fine with what you have listed. Have not been to Jordan but have been to Egypt a couple of times in the fall when in was still hot and found a shawl was useful in the evening. Have a wonderful trip! Fascinating countries.

Posted by
8243 posts

We did Egypt this January and found it more chilly than it was when I visited in December 1985.

You will need either a jacket that is not just a windbreaker, something a bit heavier. Also, take a sweater.

We stayed in five star hotels and on great river cruise boats, but none of them had the heat on in the hotel. In one Marriott, we complained about the cold and they brought in a plug in heater that did the job while in the hotel.

Jordan will be colder, so bundle up.

Posted by
11569 posts

We were in Egypt in January and wore our fleece jackets and gloves the whole time.

Posted by
143 posts

What about using a coat with a detachable lining? I visited Egypt in January and found my biggest temperature challenge to be "innerwear," in that my hotel rooms were quite cold at night. I stayed in a traditional guest house in Luxor as well as Western style hotels in Cairo and Aswan, and none of them had good interior heating. I expected that--the need for heating is, of course, far less than the need for A/C for 9+ months out of the year--so I planned ahead by bringing an overcoat (Eddie Bauer Girl on the Go waterproof trench coat) with a detachable quilted lining. I wore the coat without its lining during the early morning tours, and I wore the lined interior coat over my pajamas in bed at night. I used this same strategy in Darjeeling, in the foothills of the Himalayas, years ago in the winter because our guest house had no heating system. Yes, I looked ridiculous, but I sleep alone so who cares, and most importantly I felt warm enough to sleep!

Posted by
124 posts

I guess we were lucky- I remember following the forecast before our trip and sub'ing in my warmer weather options. We were there the first two weeks of Feb 2020. I took my nanopuff jacket (light weight synthetic fill) which was fine for after dark and early mornings with just a long sleeve hiking type shirt. I took a cardigan to wear on the boat. We didn't have any issues with cold in the hotels or nile boat- but I do remember they had thick duvets which was plenty (but I do like to sleep in the cold). On those types of trips I always shower before dinner (you will be dusty) so at least no cold showers early in the morning :) Your list of layers sounds pretty reasonable for combining more or less as needed. The baselayer T especially since that could be an extra sleep layer. I'm sure you have your hat planned but I'd also suggest you take an inexpensive lightweight scarf or buff to keep the sun off of the back of your neck.