| Starts | Cairo, Egypt |
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| Ends | Cairo, Egypt |
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| Region | North Africa / Middle East |
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| Duration | 10 days |
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| Tour Operator | Gadventures |
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| Tour Code | DPFC 23276 |
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| Overview PDF | Download PDF |
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Cairo & Finishing: Cairo
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Instructions
Your tipping kitty will be collected as this time (please refer to the "tipping" section of these notes for more information).
Day 2 - Starting: Cairo & Finishing: Aswan
Explore the Pyramids of Giza and visit the Sphinx. Opt to take a camel ride in Giza. Visit the Cairo Museum before boarding the overnight train to Aswan.
Day 3 - Starting: Aswan & Finishing: Aswan
Arrive in Aswan, wander the town before an included felucca cruise on the Nile takes you to a Nubian village.
Instructions
Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning but, as ever, we should be prepared for "Egypt time"!
Day 4 - Starting: Aswan & Finishing: Luxor
Free morning to allow for an optional visit to Abu Simbel. In the afternoon, transfer along the Nile by bus to Luxor.
Day 5 - Starting: Luxor & Finishing: Luxor
Enjoy an early morning visit to the Valley of the Kings, including a camel ride and walking tour of Karnak temple.
Day 6 - Starting: Luxor & Finishing: Luxor
Free day in Luxor to explore. Time to visit the Luxor temple or the Mummification Museum. Opt to visit the Luxor Community Education Center.
Day 7 - Starting: Luxor & Finishing: Hurghada
Travel day to Hurghada, located on the coast of the Red Sea.
Day 8 - Starting: Hurghada & Finishing: Hurghada
Enjoy a snorkelling tour in one of the world's top destinations, the Red Sea.
Day 9 - Starting: Hurghada & Finishing: Hurghada
Opt for a final group dinner.
Day 10 - Starting: Hurghada & Finishing: Cairo
Fly to Cairo. The trip ends upon arrival at the airport. Please book onward travel any time after 1pm.
View Dates
More Information
What’s Included
Visit the Pyramids and Cairo Museum. Nile felucca cruise. Dinner with Local Nubian Family in Aswan. Visit the Valley of the Kings. Camel Ride in the west bank in Luxor. Lunch with Local family in Luxor. Hurghada beach stay and snorkelling tour by Boat.
Highlights
Gazing in awe at mummies in the ancient pyramids, snorkelling among brightly coloured fish in the Red Sea, riding a camel out in the desert
Dossier Disclaimer
Itinerary Disclaimer
Important Notes
Depending on the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between June 18th and July 17th, 2015. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan in Muslim areas, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can’t at that time.
Please note, an Assumption of Risk is to be signed at the time of confirming your tour.
Group Leader Description
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 20, avg 12
Meals
Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.
Transport
Private van, plane, train, felucca, camels
Solo Travellers
Accommodation
Hotels (8 nts), overnight train (1 nt)
My Own Room
About Accommodation
Accommodation for family trips has been chosen to give the best location and facilities for your family. They may vary depending on the location and destination, but designed to give the most comfortable experience while travelling.
You and your family will generally be sharing rooms on a twin or triple share basis. These rooms will be either adjoining or located at close proximity to each other.
Families will be roomed together and not with other families everywhere we stay. If you have any special hotel requests at the time of booking, let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate them.
Joining Hotel
Mercure Le Sphinx
1 Alexandria Desert Road
P.O. Box #16
Pyramids
Cairo
Egypt
(+20) 233 776 444
Joining Instructions
An arrival transfer is included with your tour when you arrive on Day 1, or when you arrive up to three days prior to the tour, provided that you have booked your pre-accommodation through G Adventures at our joining hotel. Due to customer experience and quality considerations, all services related to the tour must be continuous.
Please look for the G Adventures representative, who will be holding a G Adventures sign. They will meet you in the arrival hall. If your name will not be on the G Adventures sign, please ask the driver whom they are there to meet.
Unfortunately there have been cases of people mis representing 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 the G Adventures representative is not there at first, please wait up to 30 minutes, and then proceed to take a taxi, or call the emergency contact numbers below for further details.
A taxi should cost no more than 100-120EGP (USD17-20) and you will need to bargain with the driver to get this price. There is no need to pay any other tip/payment at the end of your taxi journey even if the driver asks for one.
Arrival Complications
Emergency Contact
Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
G Adventures Local Representative (Cairo, Egypt)
During office hours (Sun-Thu,10am to 6pm local time): +20 233 77 88 30 or +20 233 77 88 31
After hours Emergency number: +20 122 221 16 99 (Mohammed)
G Adventures Middle East Manager
Emergency number: : +20 122 221 16 99 -Mohammed (Cairo, Egypt)
If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0844 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 01805 70 90 30 00
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
Checklist
Suggested Items:
•Sleeping sheet for use under blankets on felucca and desert camp
•Light fleece top
•Light windproof/waterproof jacket
•Small towel and swimwear
•Sun hat
•Personal clothing for mild to hot weather. Ladies may wish to pack a sports bra for your donkey ride.
(See also “What to Take” and “Local Dress” sections of this dossier)
•Hiking boots/sturdy walking shoes
•Sport sandals
•Sunblock
•Sunglasses
•Toiletries (biodegradable)
•Watch or alarm clock
•Flashlight/headlamp
•Money belt
•First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine,
Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, insect
repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
Winter tours (approx Nov – end of February)
•Very warm jacket,long warm trousers and warm footwear…it can be very cold at this time of year especially on your overnight felucca trip and desert camping.
•We do provide blankets, but strongly recommend that those who feel the cold may wish to bring along a sleeping bag for additional warmth during these months.
**Please note: Unfortunately there is no sleeping bag hire available in Egypt**
Optional Items
•Camera
•Reading/writing material
•Binoculars
•Cover for backpacks
•Pocketknife
•Waterbottle
Documents:
•Passport (with photocopies)
•Travel insurance (with photocopies)
•Airline tickets (with photocopies)
•EUR/USD cash
•ATM card with PIN number(see personal spending money)
•G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier
•Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Visas
Many nationalities including all Western European and Arab countries, USA, Australia and New Zealand are able to obtain a one-month single entry visa on arrival at Cairo International airport or at the Egyptian land border.
Look for windows (marked “banks”) selling these visas in the area where you line up to have your passport stamped. You need to get the visa before entering the passport line. The visa is a sticker which you need to stick into your passport before handing it to the authorities for stamping.
The cost is USD25 or equivalent in EUR/GBP. All change will be given to you in Egyptian Pounds.
Please note that for other nationalities it is necessary to organise your visa before you travel. It is vital that you check the conditions attached to your particular passport and make the necessary arrangements in advance.
All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.
Spending Money
Money Exchange
The currency used in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP).
ATMs are found within main cities in Egypt and will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard if at all possible as while there is no hard and fast rule, some banks seem to only work with one brand of card. Please note, your bank will change a fee for overseas withdrawals.
Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. Euros, British Pounds and US Dollars are all easy to exchange to the Local currency. Please note that you should bring some cash with you for emergency situations but carrying only cash is a high safety risk. ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix.
If you are bringing US Dollars, please make sure that the notes are new and in good condition. Notes older than 1996, or with any tears or blemishes may not be accepted. Be fussy with your bank when buying cash!
As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com
Emergency Fund
Tipping
Tipping ( Baksheesh )
Tipping (also widely referred to by its Arabic term as “baksheesh”) is a way of life in the Middle East. Locals themselves will usually tip anyone who provides them with services. In many cases, people depend on the tips they receive to supplement the incredibly low salary and wages of the Middle East region.
While on tour in the Middle East, it is customary and even expected to tip small service providers such as restaurant and bar waiters, hotel staff, reception, cleaning personnel, bell boys, taxis and van drivers. Tips are regarded as an essential means of supplementing income for those working in the tourism industry.
In order to make things as easy as possible, and avoid embarrassing situations, G Adventures has developed a tipping kitty system where your CEO will collect a contribution from everybody on tour and use this kitty to tip anybody who has provided services to the group as a whole. The CEO will keep an accurate account of what was spent and any money left over will be handed back to the group.
If at any time you felt that any service provider failed in maintaining or delivering good service, please bring it immediately to the attention of your CEO so a deduction of tips can take place.
A guideline for tipping is about 3-5 USD per day, depending on the quality of the service (this does not include your G Adventures CEO). On Day 1 of your tour, your CEO will be able to advise on the amount required from everybody to form the tipping kitty for your trip. You can pay in USD or the equivalent Egyptian pound (preferably Egyptian pounds). The CEO will be able to advise you on the exchange rate and the total required in either currency.
Also at the end of your trip if you felt that your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is also expected and appreciated. The precise amount is entirely a personal preference, however 20-25 USD per person per week can be used as a general guideline.
Safety and Security
Medical Form
Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, 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 CEOs 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.
The medical questionnaire can be found online at:
www.gadventures.com/medical-form.
A Couple of Rules
Travel Insurance
Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation
Feedback
Newsletter
Travel Forum – The Watering Hole
Minimum Age
Minimum age of 5 years for this trip. Please see the activities for any specific minimum age requirements.
Recommended for children of all ages.
Max Pax
Max pax 20
Group Leader
Certified Egyptologist as Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout
Day 2 Optional Activities
- Solar Boat Museum Visit -
Day 3 Optional Activities
Day 4 Optional Activities
- Nubian Museum Visit -
- Abu Simbel Visit (Bus) -
Day 6 Optional Activities
- Luxor Temple Visit -
- Mummification Museum -
- Planeterra Library and Community Education Centre Visit -
Day 7 Optional Activities
Day 9 Optional Activities
