Starts | Cairo, Egypt |
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Ends | Cairo, Egypt |
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Region | North Africa / Middle East |
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Tour Operator | Gadventures |
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Overview PDF | Download PDF |
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View DatesItinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Cairo & Finishing: Cairo
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Instructions
If this is your first visit to Cairo, we highly recommend that you book an airport transfer.
Day 2 - Starting: Cairo & Finishing: Aswan
Head straight to the pyramids and soak in the history of these majestic structures. Later, visit the Egyptian Museum to see more ancient artifacts.
In the evening, board an overnight train to Aswan.
Day 3 - Starting: Aswan & Finishing: Aswan
Enjoy some free time in the morning to browse the souk or walk along the Nile.
Later, board a felucca (local boat) to reach Elephantine Island and visit a Nubian village. Walk around the small community, then enjoy a traditional dinner at a local home.
Day 4 - Starting: Aswan & Finishing: Aswan
One of the most fascinating sights in the area is the Temple of Abu Simbel. Later, opt for a half-day tour of the Unfinished Obelisk, High Dam, and Philae Temple. Visit the modern Nubian Museum to learn more about Aswan's local people.
Day 5 - Starting: Aswan & Finishing: Kom Ombo
Board the felucca and spend the rest of the day out on the river and a night under the stars.
Day 6 - Starting: Kom Ombo & Finishing: Luxor
Enjoy a guided visit Kom Ombo Temple before driving to Luxor. En route, visit the Temple of Karnak.
Day 7 - Starting: Luxor & Finishing: Luxor
Cross to the West Bank and travel by donkey. Visit the massive 18m (59ft)-high Colossi of Memnon, which is all that remains of an ancient temple. Descend down the narrow corridors and check out the tombs of the pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings. The Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut literally seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops.
Enjoy lunch with a local family on the West bank of the Nile and then explore Luxor at your own pace.
Instructions
If you have pre-booked the Valley of the Kings Hot Air Balloon Ride you will be flying today.
Day 8 - Starting: Luxor & Finishing: Alexandria
Fly to Cairo and transfer to Alexandria. Soak in the European feeling of this Mediterranean city.
Day 9 - Starting: Alexandria & Finishing: Alexandria
Take a guided tour of Catacombs, the National Museum, Pompey's Pillar, and Qaitbay Fort. With free time, opt to explore the city, check out the city's cafés, or dine on fantastic seafood.
Day 10 - Starting: Alexandria & Finishing: Siwa Oasis
Journey to the hidden Oasis of Siwa. Visit El Alamein Cemetery and Memorial en route.
Day 11 - Starting: Siwa Oasis & Finishing: Siwa Oasis
Bike to the Mountain of the Dead and the Temple of the Oracle. Opt to take a dip in Cleopatra's bath or travel by donkey cart for a perfect desert sunset.
Day 12 - Starting: Siwa Oasis & Finishing: Siwa Oasis
Enjoy a 4x4 excursion to the sand dunes, followed by a picnic lunch in the desert.
Day 13 - Starting: Siwa Oasis & Finishing: Cairo
Journey back to Cairo.
Day 14 - Starting: Cairo & Finishing: Cairo
Depart at any time.
View Dates
More Information
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Solo Travellers
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
My Own Room Exceptions
Day 2 (overnight train), Day 5 (felucca stay).
Joining Hotel
For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.
Joining Instructions
If this is your first visit to Cairo, we highly recommend that you book an airport transfer. Unfortunately there are quite a number of scams and rackets waiting to greet new arrivals, and they begin at the airport.
Upon arrival, please make your way to the joining hotel. We recommend that you exit the airport before finding a taxi and negotiate directly with the driver. Official airport taxis cost approximately 250 to 280 EGP but you should be able to find a regular taxi to take you for between 150 to 200 EGP (approx USD 17-20). The drive can take anywhere between 20 minutes and 1 hour depending on the time of day and subsequent traffic conditions. Taxis do not have meters and you should expect to bargain with the driver and make sure you fix a price before you get into the car and set off. Do not pay more than the agreed price (unless it is a small tip for good service).
There will also be “limosine” service available which will inevitably cost more.
If you have a pre-booked transfer, please look for the G Adventures representative, who will be holding a G Adventures sign at the arrival halls.
Unfortunately there have been cases of people misrepresenting themselves as G Adventures representatives. Please check that your driver knows your name and the hotel you are going to. If in doubt ask them to ring their manager to confirm your transfer.
If you are unable to locate our G Adventures representative, please wait up to 30 minutes call our local staff on our emergency number, or take a taxi to the joining point hotel.
IMPORTANT: If your flight is delayed arriving into Cairo by more than 1 hour, please call the 24 hour emergency number to update us with your new arrival time. If you are unable to contact us and your flight is delayed by more than 1 hour, please follow the instructions below and take a taxi to your joining point hotel. Please bargain for your taxi and do not pay more than 150 to 200 EGP (approx USD 17-20).
Arrival Complications
We don’t expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier and contact us as soon as possible. If you have a pre-booked transfer, and you have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Emergency Fund
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an ’emergency’ fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Safety and Security
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers’ cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelery at home – you won’t need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it deemed necessary, due to safety concerns. Your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy and explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.
Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards), have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).
Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk. Read more about travel safety for ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling.
Medical Form
Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that an average level of fitness and mobility is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day’s activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.
The medical questionnaire can be found online at www.gadventures.com/medical-form.
A Couple of Rules
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. G Adventures can provide you with the appropriate coverage. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation
Planeterra is G Adventures’ non-profit foundation created to make a positive difference in the communities where G Adventures takes travellers. Planeterra supports sustainable social and environmental solutions in destinations travellers love to visit.
As travellers, it’s natural to want to give back to the places we’ve come to love. But to truly impact poverty, we work to build self-sufficiency, not dependency.
Planeterra partners with grassroots organizations with firsthand knowledge of local culture and true community needs. This ensures that solutions come from the people we support. Then G Adventures brings travellers to visit, fuelling sustainable local income in these communities. This model is helping many rural and marginalized communities on their way to self-sufficiency because they are harnessing the power of the tourism industry as a force for good. G Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration costs, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit planeterra.org.
MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT
Fifty percent of our planet lives on less than $2/day. For the price of a coffee, you can make every day of your trip count by giving back to the communities you visit through Planeterra.
To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your G Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking).
Feedback
After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we’ll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at customerservice@gadventures.com and we will send it on to you.
Newsletter
Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G Adventures, subscribe at www.gadventures.com/newsletters/
Stay current on how our company invests in our global community through our foundation – Planeterra. Sign up for Planeterra’s monthly news to learn more about how to give back and support the people and places we love to visit.
Travel Forum – The Watering Hole
Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you’re interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gadventures.com.
Max Pax
Meal Budget
Allow USD295-385 for meals not included.
Meals Included
13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
What’s Included
Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx entrance and guided tour. Egyptian Museum entrance and guided tour. Nubian village visit and traditional dinner. Felucca overnight sailing excursion with support boat. Karnak and Kom Ombo temples entrance and guided tour. Temple of Hatshepsut and Valley of the Kings guided visit and donkey ride. Colossi of Memnon visit
Traditional meal with local family (Luxor). Alexandria guided tour. 4×4 excursions with included lunch in Siwa Oasis. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Day 2 Optional Activities
- Solar Boat Museum Visit -
- Entrance into the Pyramids -
- Egyptian Museum Mummy Room -
Day 3 Optional Activities
- Souk Visit -
- Tour of Aswan -
- Philae Temple Visit -
Day 4 Optional Activities
- Tour of Aswan -
- Nubian Museum Visit -
- Abu Simbel Visit (Bus) -
- Philae Temple Visit -
- Philae Temple Sound and Light Show -
- Camel Ride at the West Bank -
Day 6 Optional Activities
- Horse and Carriage Ride -
- Bazaar Visit -
- Luxor Temple Visit -
- Tour of the East Bank -
Day 7 Optional Activities
- Luxor Temple Visit -
- Mummification Museum -
- Tomb of Tutankhamun Visit -
- Valley of the Kings Hot Air Balloon Ride -
Day 9 Optional Activities
- Roman Theatre Visit -
- Montazah Summer Palace Visit -
- Alexandria Library Visit -
Day 11 Optional Activities
- Cleopatra's Bath Visit -
- Village Visit by Donkey Cart -