FAQ

Question 1

Passport & visa requirements

Accepted Answer

* In order to enter Egypt (and Jordan on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
* We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
* U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Egypt. You can purchase your visa at the airport upon arrival for $25. The entry authorities require exact change in crisp, new bills. You can also purchase your visa in advance by using a visa provider, such as our partner [VisaCentral](http://visacentral.com/tourkits?bookmark=1&login=goaheadtours). Additionally, you can opt to purchase an electronic visa on the [Egyptian Electronic Visa Portal website](https://www.visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/Home?VISTK=753J-6K49-LRMH-EDVF-M2TT-GITP-DO6I-RUI3-2XMA-504H-XZN3-BHD9-NLUB-IK8O-HQEP-9IV9). Passport control officers at ports of entry can verify your e-visa in their systems. However, we advise keeping either a digital or hard copy of your e-visa in case of any system failures.
* A group visa for entry into Jordan (on the tour extension) will be provided for all travelers whose flights have been arranged through Go Ahead Tours, as well as for travelers who book their own flights and provide Go Ahead Tours with their full passport and flight details.
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Question 2

Tour pace

Accepted Answer

* You will walk for at least 2.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and paved roads, with some hills and stairs.
* Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
* You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of small boats.
* Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
* If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Tour Director

Accepted Answer

* You will have a different Tour Director in Jordan on the tour extension.

Question 4

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

*   Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Cairo (or from Amman on tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
*   Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
*   Flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes flights from Cairo and Amman.)
*   A four-night Nile River Cruise and boat rides are also included in the price of your tour.
*   All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 5

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

*   Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
*   Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
*   Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
*   Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 6

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

* We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. While many places in Egypt have a warm, sunny climate, the desert can be very cold at night and temperatures will dip with changes in elevation throughout your tour. Therefore, we also recommend packing a few long sleeve shirts and warmer layers to wear at night.
* A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
* A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen is recommended for outdoor activities.
* A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
* You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
* It is preferable not to visit mosques or other religious sites with bare legs or shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 7

Health

Accepted Answer

*   At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/).
*   Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure, the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
*   Drink bottled water only. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
*   Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
*   Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
*   Public restrooms in Egypt can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.
*   Depending on season and weather patterns, air pollution in Cairo may be problematic for travelers with a history of respiratory problems. Based on your health history, please discuss any precautions with your healthcare provider prior to departure.
*   If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
*   Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may be banned in one or all of the countries on this tour. Importing these drugs can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to departure to ensure that any drugs you may want to bring with you are legal in all countries you will visit.
*   If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Question 8

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

* Egyptian cuisine uses the bountiful harvests of the Nile Valley—corn, eggplant, zucchini, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, chickpeas, and citrus fruits are popular in many dishes. Don’t miss out on Egyptian interpretations of typical Mediterranean staples like baba ghanoush, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves. Tea is the national drink and is offered at breakfast, after lunch, and in most social situations.
* Meal times vary greatly in Egypt and locals often skip lunch. While on tour, breakfast will be served around 8am and lunch is often served around 3pm. Therefore, we recommended bringing energy bars, crackers, or other packable snacks with you during the day.
* Meals on board the cruise ship are served buffet-style and provide a wide variety of international offerings. Afternoon tea is offered every day.
* On the tour extension, Jordanian cuisine resembles that of the rest of the Middle East. Olives, hummus, sesame seeds, and herbs are typical in many meals. Falafel is the main street food and many meals are served with rice. Hummus and salad are also popular and available at many restaurants. You'll find plenty of opportunities to sip mint tea or Turkish coffee.

Question 9

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Egypt operates on 220 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two round pins.
*   Jordan, on the tour extension, operates on 220 volts and uses Type C or G plugs with two round pins or three flat pins, respectively.
*   We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
*   The strength of the air conditioning in hotels in these regions is often not as strong or as cool as what one might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
*   Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 10

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 11

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Egypt is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
*   Jordan, on the tour extension, is seven hours ahead of ET.
*   When it's noon in New York City, it's 6pm in Egypt (and 7pm in Jordan).

Question 12

Currency

Accepted Answer

*   You will use the Egyptian pound in Egypt (and the Jordanian dinar on the tour extension).
*   Better rates of exchange are usually available abroad, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
*   We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
*   You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
*   Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
*   International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
*   Any shipboard purchases are directly added to your room account. Purchases made from on-board shops can be paid in USD or Egyptian pounds.
*   You may find it useful to have a supply of U.S. currency in small denominations when bargaining for everything from taxi rides to souvenirs.

Question 13

Tipping

Accepted Answer

* At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
* We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director, $1USD per person per day for the bus helper, $3USD per person per day for your driver, and $20USD to $25USD per person for cruise ship personnel.
* If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
* In Egypt, tipping is an important part of the local culture and you will be expected to tip for services including, but not limited to, taking photos in some areas or seeing additional exhibits. Travelers should carry small bills (in USD) for this purpose.
* Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 14

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

*   Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
*   Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
*   Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
*   Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Question 15

Safety

Accepted Answer

* As dictated by Egyptian Tourism Police, all foreign groups must be accompanied by an armed guard and/or convoy.
* Be aware of your surroundings, as pickpockets are active at most tourist sites. We recommend leaving your passport in the hotel safe, and concealing credit cards and cash in a money belt or a hidden pouch.
* Bring photocopies of your passport, credit cards, and other important documents. Keep them separate from the originals.

Egypt & the Nile

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