EGYPT ADVENTURE
TOUR SUMMARY
10 days (Starting October 1, 2024) –
Cairo to Cairo
Pricing from –
[IF THE $400 DEPOSIT IS PAID BY 12/31/23]
$2275 per person, Double Occupancy
$2750 per person, Single Supplement
– OR –
[IF THE $400 DEPOSIT IS PAID AFTER 12/31/23]
NO EXCEPTIONS
$2575 per person, Double Occupancy
$3175 per person, Single Supplement
Country: Egypt
Tour type: Group
Accommodation: 5-star Deluxe hotels
Total Meals: 9 – Breakfasts, 3 – Lunches, 2 – Dinners
Transport: A/C minibus/coach, flight & felucca sailboat
Highlights:
The Pyramids & Sphinx, antiquities of the Egyptian museum, romantic Philae Temple, Abu Simbel option, traditional felucca sailing, ancient Valley of the Kings, shopping tour (Egyptian handmade souvenir as jewelry gallery, Egyptian cotton), Papyrus institute, Essential oil, Carpet school, and Alabaster factory. This tour offers our most comfortable and luxurious experience exploring the treasures of Egypt.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrive into Cairo, transfer to hotel
Upon arrival, our staff will meet you at the airport, assist you with obtaining your luggage, and then transfer you to your hotel for the start of your trip. Our staff will help you settle in, introduce you to the local area, and explain tomorrow’s arrangements. The rest of the day is yours to explore.
OVERNIGHT: Cairo hotel
MEALS: None
Day 2 – Cairo, Pyramids, Sphinx
Our tour of Egypt begins with a trip to Giza on the outskirts of Cairo to visit the Sphinx, the three great pyramids of Egypt. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is an awesome man-made structure constructed of giant stone blocks with a hard limestone casing. Over the years, the casing been stripped away to leave the exposed inner block structure. Together, with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the majestic sight of these enormous structures rising out of the desert, is a breathtaking spectacle. You will also visit and discover Memphis, the first capital of the ancient kingdom, and Sakkara to see the Step pyramid.
OVERNIGHT: Cairo Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast
Day 3 – Cairo, Egyptian Museum & Coptic Cairo
We start our tour of Cairo with a visit to the Egyptian Museum – the world-renowned Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. You’ll stroll through the halls highlighting each historical period of this ancient land. This afternoon we will discover Cairo’s old hanging church in Coptic Cairo and explore the narrow streets of Cairo. Later this evening, we will transfer to the airport for a flight to Aswan.
OVERNIGHT: Flight, Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Arrive in Aswan, Philae Temple
This morning, we arrive in Aswan and transfer to our hotel overlooking the Nile. It is at its most picturesque here, with cascading rapids, lush green islands, and feluccas sailing to and fro. Aswan itself is a melting pot of African and Middle Eastern cultures, most easily experienced by wandering through the busy markets. It’s also part of the ancient region of Nubia, which comprises parts of present-day southern Egypt and northern Sudan around the Nile rivers. We continue our tour this afternoon with a visit to the Temple of Philae, a beautiful island complex dedicated to Isis and reclaimed from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. We will reach the temple by a scenic boat ride.
The sacred Temple of Isis (more commonly known as Philae Temple) is one of Upper Egypt’s most beguiling monuments both for the exquisite artistry of its reliefs and for the gorgeous symmetry of its architecture, which made it a favorite subject of Victorian painters. Like Abu Simbel, the temple was saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser by UNESCO’s rescue project and moved it, lock-stock-and-barrel, from its original home on Philae Island to nearby (higher) Agilika Island where it sits today. This afternoon, we will enjoy lunch in one of the Egyptian local restaurants in the heart of the colorful spice markets.
OVERNIGHT: Aswan hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch
Day 5 – Nubian Village, Birds watching
Many descendants of the Nubian people still live here. We’ll sail by a felucca or sail boat to visit a local Nubian village to see their colorful houses and simple way of life. This trip is the best way to discover Aswan’s charms, Nubian culture and people, and enjoy relaxation during the sailing. Set in the middle of the Nile River at Aswan, the Elephantine Island is where we will find the Nubian village. The boat will land on the western side of the island’s Nubian village. During our visit, you will see Nubian sloping villages of colorful mud-brick houses, where the owner serves tea, introduces their culture, language, tradition, Nubian handicrafts, and henna ‘tattoos’ with local women. Gorgeous views across the water makes this a favorite destination for both sunset sails and strolls. Also, you can catch a rowboat to Kitchener’s Island, officially known as Aswan Botanical Gardens (though no one actually calls it that). This island was once the property of Lord Kitchener who transformed it into a verdant garden of exotic plants from Asia and other parts of Africa. During the sailing, we will see the islands of the central Aswan area, with great views of the rippling desert dunes of the west river bank, the lush palm tree-sprinkled islands, and the city on the east bank. Sailing the Nile River gives you great bird-watching opportunities. Here is where the biggest bird Immigration takes place. You will be able to spot the green Heron and water birds.
OVERNIGHT: Aswan hotel
MEALS: Breakfast
Day 6 – Aswan, Nubian Islands, Swimming, Egyptian BBQ, and NUBIAN Party
After breakfast we will sail to the most famous Nubian islands to enjoy the beauty of nature, relaxation, swimming on the river Nile. Also, there will be a Nubian BBQ party while enjoying traditional Nubian music and dancing.
OVERNIGHT: Aswan hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 – Aswan, Luxor
This morning, we explore Aswan’s markets, walk up and down the Corniche on the banks of the river, or visit the Nubian Museum. The museum has a fascinating collection covering the development of the Nubian people in the region.
Continuing north, the town of Luxor is built on and around the ancient site of Thebes and boasts the largest concentration of ancient ruins in the Nile Valley, if not the world. To the west of the Nile lies the city of the Dead, with its mortuary temples and rock-hewn tombs. To the east lies the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. This evening we’ll take a walking tour of the smaller Luxor Temple which is right in the middle of town and beautifully lit up at night.
OVERNIGHT: Luxor hotel
MEALS: Breakfast
Day 8 – Luxor, West Bank tour
We will cross the Nile early this morning to begin our tour of Luxor’s West Bank Home to the Valley of the Kings. The dusty tombs in this ancient burial site are still revealing their secrets today and remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Our tour includes several of these Pharaonic tombs, as well as the temples of Queen Hatchepsut and the huge Colossi of Memnon. Your afternoon is then free to relax and enjoy the facilities of your 5-star hotel on the banks of the Nile. At night, you can also explore
Luxor further. Your tour guide will be happy to arrange any extra visits for you (an extra cost will apply to cover transport, entrances and the guide’s services).
OVERNIGHT: Luxor hotel
MEALS: Breakfast
Day 9 – Luxor, Karnak temple
Your morning is free today and you can enjoy a welcomed sleep in after several early starts. After lunch, we’ll tour the huge temple complex at Karnak, once the religious center of Thebes and Upper Egypt. It was linked to Luxor by an extensive avenue, lined with sphinxes, and the whole complex was in turn linked to the Nile via a canal through which moved the sacred boats of the god Amun. Entering through a smaller sphinx-lined avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Khous, and Mut. The remarkable Hypostyle Hall has 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls. Later this evening we transfer to the airport for a flight back to Cairo.
OVERNIGHT: Flight, Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Cairo, Final Departure
Arrive to Cairo this morning. Later on, transfer to the airport for your departure flight or, if your flight is later, enjoy free time to explore Cairo.
MEALS: Breakfast
Tour Add on Options –
Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing. Single supplement pricing provided when booking…
Before Day 1, Extra day in Cairo – pre-tour: This option adds an extra day to the start of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your airport arrival transfer is still included. Price from: $91.00 per person
Day 1, Dinner on the Nile. Price from: $80.00 per person
Day 1, Sound and Light show. Price from: $59.00 per person
Day 2, Riding Camels. Price from: $27.00 per person
Day 7, Abu Simbel overland: This option takes you from Aswan to see the amazing temples built by Ramses II at Aswan. We travel overland and return to Aswan by midday. Entrance fees to the site (approx. US $18) are included in the option price. Price from: $160
Day 8, Hot air balloon in Luxor: A truly memorable experience, approx. 1-hour, early morning flight over the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor. Price from: $140 per person
Extra day in Cairo – post-tour: This option adds an extra day to the end of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your airport departure transfer is still included. Price from: $130 per person
After tour options –
Alexandria day trip: A comprehension full day tour to the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Alexandria. Price from: $140 per person
Luxor Museum tour: Luxor Museum has a beautifully displayed collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts and includes some very important and impressive specimens. There are also some items from the period after the end of Pharaonic times in Egypt. Price from: $54.00 per person
Red Sea at Sharm el Sheikh: 5 days Red Sea – From $990 per person (double occupancy); $1290 per person (single occupancy) –CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
Included:
All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
All transport and transfers in private AC vehicles
Flights CAI/ASWAN – LXR/CAI
24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
Sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary
Services of Egyptologist guide for all sightseeing tours
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
BBQ and Nubian Egyptian party
Tourism police permission
All trip taxes
Shopping tour for Egyptian handmade jewelry, souvenir, spice market
Papyrus institute, carpet school
Alabaster factory
Excluded:
International flights
Visa fees (available on arrival for most nationalities)
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Tour guide tipping (approx. $25-$30 per person, per day)
Tour tipping kitty (allow US $55)
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Entrance fees of sightseeing (Approx. $125)
Drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses (e.g., laundry)
Any other items not mentioned above
Cancellation policy/ Terms and Conditions
Full cancellation 30 days or more before departure – 0% penalty, plus processing fees
14 days or more before departure – 50% penalty, plus processing fees
7-13 days before departure, less processing fees – 75%, plus processing fees
48 hrs before departure – 100%
TOUR NOTES
Health and Vaccinations –
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation. Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are traveling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. Malaria is not generally present unless it has been contracted abroad; you do not need to take malaria prophylactics.
Passports and Visas –
Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveler and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities. We recommend that you contact your closest Egyptian consulate or embassy for current information for your nationality.
In general, the official advice is that all nationalities obtain their Egypt visas in advance, as we cannot guarantee that you can get them in the airport. An online e-visa is available through https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/. Please do not use any other website as there are many scam sites offering Egypt e-visas. In practice however, many nationalities (including British and European, Australian, New Zealand, USA,
Canadian) can and do obtain their visas on arrival in Cairo airport. The process is much quicker and simpler. The cost is currently US $25 per person and must be paid in hard currency (i.e., GBP, USD or EUR) – you’ll be given change in local currency, if necessary. There are no forms to fill in and you don’t need to bring passport photos. Visas are issued at one of the bank desks in the immigration hall, before you get to passport control. Our representative will have met you by this stage and will assist with the process. All African & Indian nationals, and some others, will need to obtain their visas in advance. For further information on your visa requirements, please either contact us or your local Egyptian embassy/consulate.
Tipping –
Tipping is very much a part of Egyptian culture and customs. To make our prices more transparent and so it is easier for you to budget and less hassle while in Egypt, on our small group tours we organize a ‘Tipping Kitty’ which needs to be paid as a local payment and will be around US $25-$50 depending on the length of your trip. Payment is collected in US Dollars cash or can also be paid with Egyptian Pounds or other currencies converted to US Dollars at our local monthly exchange rate. This kitty provides tips for a wide range of people you’ll meet along the tour including hotel porters, train and station staff, drivers, site guards, local reps etc. Please check the Included/Excluded notes for more information on how much to budget for this kitty.
*** Your Egyptologist guide tipping is not included in this kitty and you may tip them at the end of your tour subject to your satisfaction with and appreciation of the service they have provided. We are often asked to provide a guide however, and can suggest that approx. USD $25-$30 per person, per day would be appropriate.***
Time –
The time in Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon is GMT plus 2 hours and in UAE GMT plus 3 hours. Daylight saving adjustments have historically been applied in some years but not others. At present it appears that there will be no daylight-saving changes in Egypt 2016 and beyond, though this may change at short notice with a resulting impact on flight times and schedules). In Jordan and Israel, daylight saving of one hour is generally applied between the end of March and the end of October, making it GMT plus 3 hours. Exact dates vary from year to year and sometimes the changes may be scrapped altogether.
Voltage –
Sockets are two round-pronged and 220 volts (Type C). Universal adaptors are available in most airport shops if you don’t have one already. Standard European adapters will work fine, though sometimes they may feel a little loose in the sockets. All hotel rooms have electrical sockets where you can re-charge cameras, phones etc. Hair dryers are normally available on request from the hotel reception if not in your room already. If you have US appliances (110 volts) you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter.
Money –
The local currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound, often denoted ‘LE’. The Egyptian Pound can vary significantly in value against the British Pound, but sticks fairly close to the value of the US Dollar. You do not need to arrange to bring any Egyptian Pounds with you to Egypt, as change facilities are available in all the hotels, airports and banks. You should try to obtain and keep hold of small denomination notes or coins on you during the tour as these are useful for toilets, tips and small purchases. ATMs are readily available in major towns and many local shops will accept VISA/Mastercard or Amex, but may charge fees of up to 10% – check before you pay. Travelers checks are not recommended as they cannot be changed in many places now, and can incur high fees.
While in Egypt you will need sufficient funds to cover meals not included in the itinerary, drinks, snacks, souvenirs and personal expenses such as laundry. These should generally all be paid for in Egyptian Pounds. You may also need to pay for the tour Tipping Kitty and site Entrance Fees while you are in Egypt. Payments for these may be made to your tour guide in hard currency (USD, GBP, EUR) at the start of your tour. Please see your tour Included/Excluded details for more information and guideline amounts for these. It is difficult to recommend a level of personal spending money which will suit everyone as this can differ greatly, but as a guideline, we would suggest allowing USD $15-$25 per person, per day as a minimum. Allow more if you plan on doing lots of shopping or buying many alcoholic drinks.
What to take –
Luggage: Suitcases, Backpacks, or fabric bags are fine to bring with you to Egypt. You should also bring a small daypack/bag to take out during the day. Your main luggage will normally be left in the hotel during your sightseeing trips – you will not need to carry it far and there are nearly always hotel porters to assist. Luggage limits: There is no luggage limit for this tour. However, most airlines restrict you to between 20kg and 25kg for your hold luggage and between 5kg and 10kg for hand luggage. Please check with your airline before travelling to the airport. Clothing: Most of your time in Egypt will be in a hot climate. However, at night and especially in the deserts,
the temperatures can drop quite dramatically. So, you must pack for cool conditions. Formal dress (e.g., suits & ties) is not required on the cruise boats or in 5-star hotel restaurants. Long sleeves are recommended to protect from mosquitoes if you are on the felucca. Modesty rates highly in Egypt, especially for women, so to respect the local culture & people, please ensure all clothes are loose fitting and not revealing. Shorts (not hot-pants) are OK in tourist sites, as are T-shirts, but these should not show too much bare flesh (we suggest that your shoulders should remain covered). In the center of Cairo and when visiting any mosques, legs and arms should
be covered.
Dates & Prices –
We run regular small-group departures on this tour starting on most Saturdays throughout the year. All departures are guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 travelers and a maximum of 18. Departure dates and prices are subject to change until payment is made.
Travel Insurance –
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event). You may arrange your own insurance, or you can take advantage of a comprehensive policy that we can arrange for you through Endsleigh Insurance which has been designed to be suitable for our tours. The policy is available to travelers of all nationalities and you do not need to live in the UK to take out the policy. For full details of cover provided, prices and to apply for one of our policies. Note: Any country that borders the Mediterranean is considered as ‘Europe’ for the purposes of travel insurance (including Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Morocco). If you are doing a tour that visits one country in ‘Europe’ and one that is ‘Worldwide’ (for example, an Egypt and Jordan tour), then you need a ‘Worldwide’ policy. When completing the form, you should enter your travel dates including any extra days involved in overnight flights or connecting travel between your home and the tour. Our policies are not able to cover any extra time or activities other than your tour and options booked with us and your travel to & from home. Note – to comply with insurance sales regulations, our travel insurance policies are only available to customers booking directly with us. If you plan to arrange a hot air balloon flight locally, or do some scuba diving during your tour, you should check the small print in your policy to make sure these are covered (these are covered in our policy). Please also check the maximum altitude that you will be reaching and that full cover including emergency evacuation is provided up to this altitude. If you are taking expensive camera gear or other electronic equipment with you, then please check the coverage and the fine print of your policy to ensure that you have sufficient cover.
IMPORTANT: We must have your travel insurance details (policy number and type of insurance) before you
depart or you may not be allowed to join the tour. If you haven’t told us already, please let us know the details
when you can. You should take a paper copy of your insurance policy with you as you may be asked to show
this at the start of the tour.
Responsible Tourism –
It is impossible not to have an impact on the local environment, cultures, and eco-systems when you travel. However, it is very possible to try and ensure that these impacts are as limited or positive as possible. We are committed to ensuring that we try to leave our host countries in a better state than we found them and encourage and assist our travelers to help us with this. The following are a few simple tips that require very little effort on your part but will help ensure that any effect you have on the locations you visit is positive rather than negative…
Don’t prejudge: Things in different countries will almost certainly be different. That doesn’t make them worse or inferior, just different.
Communicate: Don’t expect locals to speak your language. Take the trouble to learn a few words or phrases of the local language. Don’t worry about sounding silly. Most locals are patient and accommodating and appreciate you making the effort to communicate in their language.
Conserve energy: Be careful not to waste valuable resources. Use local resources sparingly. Switch off lights, air-conditioning and fans when you leave the hotel room and don’t waste water. Remove superfluous packaging. Many countries have far less efficient waste disposal systems than ours. Remove packaging from newly acquired items before leaving home.
Don’t litter: No matter how untidy or dirty the country you’re traveling in may look to you, avoid littering, as there is no need to add to the environment’s stress. Many of the countries we visit have a tough challenge dealing with rubbish and waste. Please consider taking home as much plastic waste as you can (e.g., water bottles).
Choose environmentally friendly products: By using environmentally friendly (bio degradable) sun creams, shampoos and detergents, you can help reduce pollution.
Respect local customs and traditions: As you are a guest in these countries, you should also comply with the local customs. If you are friendly and well-mannered, the locals will reciprocate and it will only enhance your experience. It’s important to follow dress and behavior guidelines especially when visiting religious or sacred sites (your tour leader will advise you how best to do this). If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and Encounters Travel shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. No refund will be given for any unused services.
Before you travel –
It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (e.g., does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.
General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance is given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read everything before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.
You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are traveling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.