Wonders of Egypt and the Nile - 12 Days

Frequently asked questions

• What type of accommodation is provided on the tour?

  The tour includes stays in comfortable hotels (8 nights) and on a Nile cruise boat (3 nights). Hotel rooms are typically twin-share with air-conditioning and private bathrooms, often including breakfast. The Nile cruise boat is modern, offering twin/double cabins with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, panoramic windows, a restaurant, lounge with bar, sun deck with a small pool and Jacuzzi, and an internet cafe.

• Are meals included in the tour price?

  Yes, the tour includes 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners. Generally, meals are included when there isn't a wide choice of eating options, allowing flexibility for other meals.

• What modes of transportation are used during the tour?

  Transportation on this trip includes a mixture of private air-conditioned van, felucca (traditional Nile sailboat), Nile cruise boat, plane for domestic flights, and walking.

• Who will be leading the tour group?

  The group trip is accompanied by a certified Egyptologist who serves as your Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The CEO provides information on the regions, suggests activities, recommends local eateries, and introduces you to local people. Local guides are also utilized for more specific knowledge at sites.

• What is the typical group size for this tour?

  The maximum group size is 16 participants.

• What is the physical rating of this tour?

  This tour has a physical rating of 2. Travelers should be able to walk without assistance, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum.

• What kind of local interactions can I expect?

  The tour offers unique local living moments such as a boat ride to a Nubian village with a traditional meal in Aswan and lunch with a local family in Luxor. You'll also have opportunities to explore local markets (souks) and visit the Funtasia Project Center to learn about a Planeterra initiative.

• What currency is used in Egypt and how can I manage money during the trip?

  The currency used in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). ATMs are available in main cities and generally accept Visa and Mastercard. It's advisable to carry both card types. Cash is recommended for situations where ATMs aren't accessible. Euros, British Pounds, and US Dollars are easily exchanged. Please ensure US Dollar notes are new and in good condition (post-1996).

• How is tipping handled on this tour?

  Tipping is customary in the Middle East. To simplify, your CEO will collect a 'Tipping Kitty' at the start of the tour, estimated between $78.00-$85.50 USD per person for the entire trip (excluding optional activities and the CEO). This kitty will cover tips for service providers for the group as a whole. Tipping your CEO is also appreciated, with a guideline of $6-9 USD per person per day.

• Are there any health recommendations or requirements for visiting Egypt?

  It is advisable to drink bottled water. While there are no specific health requirements, protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis, and polio is recommended. Consult your travel doctor well before departure for up-to-date medical information. Carrying a first-aid kit and hand sanitizers is also suggested. Note that leaders are prohibited from administering medication.

• What should I be aware of regarding local dress codes?

  When visiting mosques and other religious monuments, modest attire is required, covering shoulders and avoiding short shorts or skirts. Outside major tourist centers, local dress is generally more conservative, so loose-fitting clothes with covered shoulders are recommended out of respect.

• Are international flights included in the tour price?

  No, international flights are not included in the tour price.

• What kind of optional activities are available?

  Optional activities include the Islamic and Coptic Cairo Tour and exploring Memphis and Sakkara in Cairo; Philae Temple visit and Sound and Light Show in Aswan; King Tutankhamen Tomb visit and an 'Explore Luxor in Depth' tour in Luxor; and an Alexandria City Tour. Note that all optional activities and entrance fees must be paid by card due to recent changes by the Ministry of Tourism in Egypt.

• How does traveling during Ramadan or Aid Al-Adha affect the tour?

  During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions, but tours generally operate effectively with food available to non-Muslims. Increased cultural sensitivity, including modest dress and avoiding eating/drinking/smoking in public, is important. During Aid Al-Adha, most shops and restaurants may be closed, and historical sites might have modified hours. Hotels may also have reduced staff.

• What kind of accommodation is provided on this tour?

  The tour includes 8 nights in comfortable hotels and 3 nights on a modern Nile cruise boat. Hotel rooms typically feature air-conditioning and private bathrooms, with breakfast included daily. The Nile cruise boat offers twin/double cabins with central air-conditioning, private bathrooms, panoramic windows, a restaurant, lounge with bar, and a sun deck with a small pool and Jacuzzi. Please note that some two-story hotels may not have elevators.

• What is the group size for this tour?

  This adventure is designed for small groups, with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 16 participants.

• What is the physical rating for this tour?

  This tour has a physical rating of 2 (on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the most strenuous), meaning an average level of fitness and mobility is required. Travelers should be able to walk without assistance, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage.

• Who will be leading our tour?

  Your trip will be led by a certified Egyptologist who serves as your Chief Experience Officer (CEO). They will provide insightful information, offer suggestions for activities and local eateries, and introduce you to local people. Local guides are also utilized for more specific knowledge at various sites.

• What types of transportation are used during the tour?

  We use a variety of comfortable transport methods, including private air-conditioned vans, domestic flights, a Nile cruise boat, and traditional feluccas. Please be aware that felucca sailings are wind-dependent, and sometimes motor vehicles may be used for transfers between sites if conditions require it.

• Are meals included in the tour price?

  Yes, 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners are included in the tour price. Generally, other meals are not included to provide you with flexibility in choosing where and what to eat, though groups often dine together.

• What cultural experiences are included in the tour?

  The tour includes several unique cultural experiences, such as a boat ride to a Nubian village where you'll enjoy a traditional dinner in a local home, and lunch with a local family in Luxor. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the Funtasia Project Center in Luxor, which is a G for Good Moment.

• What currency should I bring for spending money and how is tipping handled?

  The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). ATMs are available in main cities and accept Visa and Mastercard. It's advisable to bring Euros, British Pounds, or new, good-condition US Dollars (notes older than 1996 or with blemishes may not be accepted) for easy exchange and emergencies (a minimum $200 USD emergency fund is recommended). Tipping is customary in the Middle East, so your CEO will collect a 'Tipping Kitty' of approximately $78.00-$85.50 USD per person at the start of the tour to cover tips for various group service providers. Tipping your CEO (around $6-9 USD per person per day) is also expected and appreciated.

• What are the guidelines for local dress?

  When visiting mosques and other religious monuments, modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is required. Outside of major cities and tourist areas, local dress is generally more conservative, and it's recommended that both men and women wear loose-fitting clothes with covered shoulders out of respect. Your CEO can offer specific advice.

• What kind of health precautions should I consider for this trip?

  It's recommended to drink bottled water in Egypt. You should consult your travel doctor for up-to-date medical travel information and consider inoculations for typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis, and polio. While malaria exists in Egypt, it's not typically found in the areas visited on this tour. It's also wise to carry a personal first aid kit and hand sanitizers, as medical facilities may be remote in some areas. Tour leaders are not permitted to administer medication.

• Are there any specific cultural considerations or holidays during which services might be affected?

  Yes, if your trip coincides with Ramadan (approx. Feb 28th - Mar 29th 2025, or Feb 17th - Mar 19th 2026) or Aid Al-Adha (approx. Jun. 16th-17th 2024, or Jun. 6th-7th 2025), there might be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules as these are significant Muslim holidays involving fasting and closures. Increased cultural sensitivity, including modest dress and avoiding eating, drinking, or smoking in public during fasting hours, is very important. All optional activities and entrance fees will need to be paid by card only.