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Grand Tour of...
 

Grand Tour of Egypt: Cairo, Pyramids of Giza & Nile River Cruise

15 days |  18 days with Red Sea extension
15 days |  18 days with Red Sea extension
Group size1538 travelers
Physical activity
New
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsHotels, flights & FAQ
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Embark on a quest through Egypt’s legendary past and vibrant present

Listen to timeworn tales echo through bustling souks and witness colossal stone icons stand as silent sentinels—this is Egypt in all its glory. Venture deep into hidden valleys where temples and tombs tell the stories—and keep the secrets—of ancient royalty. Begin your trek in Cairo, where reverence for the past harmoniously coexists with the vibrant rhythms of a modern capital. In the company of your Egyptologist Tour Director, see the Pyramids of Giza, the last standing Wonder of the Ancient World, before continuing to Alexandria on the lush Mediterranean coast. Succumb to the gentle sway of a Nile cruise, where tranquil waters carry you to Luxor and Aswan. Extend your trip to the seaside oasis of Hurghada where you’ll cruise, swim, and snorkel the Red Sea.

Your tour package includes

  • 9 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 4 nights aboard a Nile River cruise ship
  • 13 breakfasts
  • 5 lunches
  • 10 dinners with beer or wine
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Included highlights

  • Pyramids of Giza
  • Great Sphinx
  • Grand Egyptian Museum
  • Alexandria's Corniche & Citadel
  • Wadi El Natroun
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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Cairo today.

Cairo3 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Cairo
Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Egypt, where stories etched in stone await your discovery and your own Egypt story is set to unfold.

Transfer to your hotel and get settled in, there’s so much to see and savor ahead. This evening, enjoy an included dinner, served with beer or wine.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Old Cairo
Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome dinner

Set off on a guided tour of Old Cairo, whose strategic location in the Nile River valley drew the area’s first settlements 2,000 years ago. You’ll explore labyrinthine alleys and ornate mosques as you learn more about Egypt’s history from your Egyptologist—who is also your Tour Director.

  • Enter the massive Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan—one of the most prestigious learning institutions in the Islamic world when it was built in the 14th century. Let your eyes linger over the elaborate Islamic geometric patterns, the peaceful courtyard, and the intricately designed mihrab (prayer niche)
  • Head next door to the equally impressive Rifa'i Mosque, also known as the Royal Mosque, where modern royal figures like the last Shah of Iran and the last King of Egypt have been laid to rest
  • View the Cairo Citadel, built in the 12th century by mighty Salah al-Din and originally used as a fortress, it remained as the seat of the Egyptian government until the 19th century

Don't miss your chance to experience Cairo’s multicultural diversity with an optional excursion that delves into its Coptic Christian and Jewish heritage, or use your free afternoon to venture out on your own. Perhaps the vibrant alleyways, artisan workshops, and colorful stalls of the historic Khan el-Khalili market will entice you.

Gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner with beer or wine at a local restaurant this evening.

Please note: Travelers are required to remove shoes when entering the Mosques. Women must cover their hair, arms, and legs. Men must cover their legs.

Coptic Cairo

From $85 per person

Day 4: Pyramids of Giza & the Grand Egyptian Museum
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Meet up with your Tour Director and set off on a guided tour of Giza, Egypt’s third-largest city and home to some of the world’s most enduring ancient monuments.

  • Uncover the Pyramids of Giza, the only Wonder of the Ancient World to have survived into the modern era. Standing as tall as 480 feet (146 meters) when it was built, the Great Pyramid of Giza continues to amaze with its size and the precision with which it was constructed
  • Visit the enigmatic, 4,500-year-old Great Sphinx, the largest monolith statue in the world, carved from a single limestone bedrock
  • Enter the Grand Egyptian Museum, said to be the world’s largest museum, and explore the vast collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts alongside your Egyptologist
  • Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant

Please note: If the Grand Egyptian Museum is not yet open to the public, a visit to the Egyptian Antiquities Museum will take its place.

Dine like an Egyptian by adding an optional excursion for a home-hosted dinner where you can sample Egypt’s complex traditional flavors like dukkah and fenugreek.

Cairo Home-Hosted Dinner

From $125 per person

Alexandria2 nights
Day 5: Alexandria via Wadi El Natrun
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way to the Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria, stopping along the way in the desert oasis of Wadi El Natrun, or the Valley of Salt, whose vast salt lakes are known for their distinctive pinkish-red hue. Wadi El Natrun is also renowned for its historical monastic settlements and the valley is home to several ancient Coptic Christian monasteries dating back to the 4th century, some of which are still active today.

  • Uncover the history of how ancient Egyptians once harvested Natrun salt in the area, a key component of the mummification process
  • Enter a local monastery and learn how Wadi El Natrun became a haven to early Christians escaping persecution from the Roman Empire

Continue to Alexandria where you’ll sit down for an included dinner with beer or wine this evening.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Alexandria
Included meal: Breakfast

Set out to get to know Egypt’s second-largest city and explore centuries-old ruins. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the city became a major center for Hellenistic culture. Expect a lush Mediterranean coastline, historical sites, and a thriving contemporary art scene in this cultural and educational hub.

  • Enter the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a major library and cultural center on Alexandria’s Mediterranean coast, paying homage and recapturing the spirit of the bygone Great Library of Alexandria
  • Drive along the Corniche—Alexandria’s scenic waterfront promenade—to the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay, a fortress built on the former site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria
  • Climb the towering limestone ramparts of the Citadel and take in panoramic views of the city hugging the shoreline and the harbor dotted with boats
  • Learn about Banlastic, a local nonprofit working to reduce single use plastics in Egypt, and receive a gift made from recycled plastic

Alexandria is the perfect place to delve into Egypt’s history under the Greek and Roman empires with an optional excursion. You can also use your free time this afternoon to return to the Corniche and bask in the sea breeze, stop at a café along the promenade, or find a spot along the waterfront and watch the sun melt over the Mediterranean.

Greco-Roman Alexandria & Lunch

From $85 per person

Luxor2 nights
Day 7: Transfer to Cairo & flight to Luxor
Included meal: Breakfast

Return to Cairo this morning, then fly to Luxor, known to travelers and historians as “the world’s greatest open-air museum” due to its incredible concentration of ancient Egyptian monuments, temples, and archaeological sites. You may have seen them in books or movies, but prepare to be more than a little starstruck. Excavations and discoveries continue to this day as new findings shed light on the lives of ancient Egyptians.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free evening in the city. For an unforgettable experience, book an optional excursion on the Nile aboard a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat. Want to spend your free night in the city? Luxor’s monuments take on a special life at night via dramatic sound and light shows that immerse you in history.

Please note: On some departures the Nile River Felucca Ride & Dinner excursion will take place on day 8 and the included dinner from day 8 will move to day 7.

Nile River Felucca Ride & Dinner

From $85 per person

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Luxor Temple
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a morning walking tour through Luxor Temple, located on the banks of the Nile River. With your Egyptologist, you’ll see one of the world's highest-quality collections of Egyptian artifacts, including a statue recovered from King Tutankhamun's tomb.

As you approach Luxor Temple, an avenue of human-headed sphinxes creates a dramatic and awe-inspiring entrance. The temple unfolds with a series of striking architectural elements that include massive columns, colossal statues, and hieroglyphs.

Continue sightseeing through Luxor on your own with a free afternoon—consider a side trip to the Mummification Museum—but we highly recommend the optional excursion to the Temple of Hathor. With an exquisitely preserved astronomical ceiling depicting zodiac signs and constellations, it’s an invaluable historical record of Egyptian astronomy. The Temple of Hathor is also your chance to ponder the mystery and intrigue of the “Dendera Light” whose motif depicts the Egyptian creation myth.

Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for an included dinner with beer or wine.

Please note: On some departures the included dinner will take place on day 7 and the Nile River Felucca Ride & Dinner excursion will take place on day 8.

Dendera & the Temple of Hathor

From $79 per person

Nile River Cruise4 nights
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Luxor's West Bank & cruise embarkation
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the morning relaxing and catching up on sleep or brave an early start for an optional but certainly once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon ride soaring high over the Valley of the Kings and the Nile.

Later, head out to tour the Nile’s West Bank with your Egyptologist.

  • Explore the Valley of the Kings, a series of tombs nestled between rugged limestone and mountains in the Theban Hills, where the barren, rocky terrain contrasts with the lush greenery of the Nile's eastern bank
  • Tour the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the few female pharaohs. Carved directly into the sheer mountain cliffs, the temple stands out with colonnaded terraces connected by gently sloping ramps as well as relief carvings of the queen and her storied accomplishments
  • View the 64-foot-high Colossi of Memnon, circa 1350 BC—a pair of massive stone statues that stand in front of the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III. Very little of the temple remains today, but the twin statues maintain a watchful gaze toward the river
  • Enter King Tut’s tomb, famous for containing the ancient Egyptian treasures a ruler would need in the afterlife, such as clothing, food, chariots, games, and ceremonial items

Board your cruise ship this afternoon and enjoy an included lunch before settling into your cabin. Sit down for an included dinner served with beer or wine aboard the ship this evening as the gentle waves carry you and your fellow travelers down the Nile.

Nile River Hot Air Balloon Ride

From $225 per person

Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Karnak
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Head off the ship today to explore the painstakingly excavated Temple of Karnak. It’s said that 30 pharaohs presided over the building of the temple—a sprawling and vast ancient site. You’ll feel a palpable connection to the ancient world as you walk in the footsteps of priests and worshippers who came here for thousands of years.

Venture off on a walking tour through the complex to see the Precinct of Amun-Re, whose mudbrick walls stretch over 1.5 miles in circumference. Gaze over extensive hieroglyphic inscriptions marking moments in history, and end at the Temple of Khonsu—a smaller, more intimate temple dedicated to the god of moon and time.

This afternoon, enjoy an included lunch before sailing toward Edfu. Then, sit down for an included dinner served with beer or wine this evening.

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Efdu & Kom Ombo
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set sail for Edfu and Kom Ombo this morning and disembark your ship for guided tours, with your Egyptologist leading the way, to some of the best-preserved Egyptian temples in the country.

  • Walk through Edfu’s Temple of Horus, a classic example of Ptolemaic architecture, with massive stone walls and towering pylons. It’s also one of the few temples in Egypt where inscriptions on its walls describe how it was built and used in ancient times
  • Enjoy an included lunch aboard your cruise ship
  • Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, noted for its dedication to two deities, Sobek and Horus, constructed as two symmetrical temples aligned parallel to one another. Although they were initially constructed during the Ptolemaic period, they were expanded after the Roman conquest of Egypt, resulting in a blend of both Egyptian and Greco-Roman architectural styles

Sit down for an included dinner with beer or wine aboard the ship this evening.

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Aswan
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a free morning on board the ship or add an optional excursion to Abu Simbel to visit the temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari, originally carved into the mountainside and painstakingly relocated to save them from being submerged by Lake Nasser.

Please note: Depending on flight schedules, the Abu Simbel optional excursion may be offered on day 13 instead of day 12.

Later, enjoy an included lunch, served with beer or wine, before continuing on to Aswan for a sightseeing tour of the city led by your Egyptologist.

  • Board a boat and visit the temples at Philae, located on an island in the Nile River. Watch in awe as enormous columns and imposing facades rise from the water, emblazoned with hieroglyphics
  • Walk through the colorful local market where you’ll find perfumes, spices, traditional talismans, and souvenirs

Sit down for an included dinner with beer or wine aboard the ship this evening.

Abu Simbel

From $369 per person

Cairo2 nights
Day 13: Disembarkation & flight to Cairo
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Disembark your cruise in Aswan and fly back to Cairo.

After sitting down for an included dinner with beer or wine, enjoy a free evening in Cairo. Ask your Tour Director for a recommendation or find a cozy café on your own for some mint tea and kunafa, a spun pastry soaked in sweet syrup and sprinkled with pistachios.

Day 14: Free day in Cairo
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Spend one last day in Egypt exploring Cairo’s frenetic streets and boisterous culture on your own, or take an optional excursion into the depths of antiquity—Saqqara and Dahshur—where you’ll view the inimitable Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's oldest complete stone building.

Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers during tonight’s farewell dinner with beer or wine at a local restaurant.

Saqqara & the Bent Pyramid with Lunch

From $89 per person

Flight Home
Day 15: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport to board your flight home or extend your trip with a relaxing, resort-style sojourn on the shores of the Red Sea. And yes, you’ll want to dive right in.

Extension to Red Sea
You won't want to skip a chance to reminisce over your journey through Egypt's monuments while relaxing seaside. Extend your trip to the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada, renowned for its colorful underwater ecosystems and miles of sandy beaches.
Red Sea2 nights
Day 15: Flight to Hurghada
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Board a flight to the beautiful seaside Hurghada where soft golden sands meet crystal-clear aquamarine waters. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy an included lunch.

Enjoy free time for the rest of the afternoon— before sitting down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 16: Red Sea cruise & snorkeling
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take to the pristine waters of the Red Sea today for a cruise along the coast. You’ll have plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling where you’ll see coral reefs and vibrantly colored fish, turtles, eels, and stingrays as you hop between the islands of Giftun and Mahmya.

Return to your hotel and freshen up for an included lunch.

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon to relax or explore on your own—a trip to the old town of El Dahar for Egyptian coffee or a souk where you can practice your haggling skills—before gathering with your fellow travelers for tonight’s included dinner.

Cairo1 night
Day 17: Flight to Cairo
Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely morning at the resort before boarding an afternoon flight back to Cairo. 

Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers to enjoy a farewell toast.  

Flight Home
Day 18: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home—ma’a as-salama, or go with peace as the locals say.  

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Steigenberger El Tahrir
Steigenberger El Tahrir

This modern hotel is located in the heart of downtown Cairo. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, spa, and swimming pool. Nearby, you’ll find the Nile Rive...

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Helnan Royal Hotel
Helnan Royal Hotel

This seaside hotel is located on a Mediterranean cover in Alexandria. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, beach access, and private balconies. Nearby you’l...

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Steigenberger Nile Palace
Steigenberger Nile Palace

This modern hotel is located on the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, restaurant options, and a fitness center. Nearby, you’ll...

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M/S Tulip
M/S Tulip

This luxurious cruise ship travels along the Nile River and features spacious cabins, swimming pool, health club, sauna, restaurants and bars.

Hilton Hurghada Plaza
Hilton Hurghada Plaza

This resort style hotel is located on the shores of the Red Sea in Hurghada. Guests enjoy over twelve restaurants, outdoor pools, and a private beach....

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
  • Round-trip flight for your tour
  • Airport transfers at your destination
  • A great price locked in today
  • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
  • Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
  • Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
  • Find out more about flights

FAQ

Print FAQ
Passport, visa & entry requirements
  • In order to enter Egypt, 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. U.S. citizens 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. Additionally, you can opt to purchase an electronic visa on the Egyptian Electronic Visa Portal website (Please note: Canadian citizens may only obtain a visa directly from the Egyptian Embassy or consulate). 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.
  • If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
  • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code EGG.
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Tour pacing & mobility
  • 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.
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Tour Director
  • Your Tour Director, who’s also an Egyptologist, will be with you throughout the duration of your Egypt tour. There will also be additional staff working alongside your Tour Director to confirm logistics, as well as assist with transfers and on-tour flights. Having these staffers, who are solely focused on ensuring all on-tour logistics go smoothly, allows your Tour Director to dedicate even more one-on-one time to teaching your group about Egyptian history and culture. While it’s customary to tip your Tour Director, you don’t need to tip these additional staff members.
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Transportation & arrival information
  • Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Cairo. 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 a round-trip flight between Cairo and Hurghada.)
  • 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.
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Baggage allowance
  • 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.
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Clothing & packing tips
  • 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).
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Health
  • At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at 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.
  • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code EGG.
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Cuisine
  • 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.
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Electricity & air conditioning
  • Egypt operates on 220 volts and use Types C or F plugs with two round pins.
  • 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.
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Connectivity
  • 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.
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Time zones
  • Egypt is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
  • When it's noon in New York City, it's 6pm on tour.
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Currency
  • You will use the Egyptian pound on tour.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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Tipping
  • 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 $8USD 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.
  • 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.
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Purchasing excursions on tour
  • 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.
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Safety
  • 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.
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