Egypt Trips & Tours

From the glamour and history of Cairo to sensational scenery as you cruise down the Nile, in Egypt, luxury travel takes on a whole new meaning. Take your pick from refined, well-polished hotels, mega-watt cruises and glorious seaside resorts, all with top-notch views that'll inspire each day's activities. We can say with certainty that the best luxury Egypt tours enjoy a little bit of everything, from the surreal sight of Cairo's pyramids to private tours through the Valley of the Kings, authentic boat rides on the Nile to a good helping of Vitamin D on the coast of Sharm El Sheikh. Happily, in Egypt, luxury tours aren't hard to come by, carried out by private and highly knowledgeable guides who will share the country's fascinating history with you.

Most travellers arrive by air with direct flights from London and New York, and indirect flights from most international airports, landing at Cairo International Airport. Most itineraries will begin in Cairo, however, the UK does offer some flights to Luxor and various seaside resorts. Egypt is a large country and domestic flights are the most efficient way of travelling between cities with routes to all major locations leaving from Cairo. Nile River cruises remain popular and are an ideal way of seeing a great deal of the country while travelling between Aswan and Luxor, or vice versa. For more remote, desert locations, you will travel by private transfer, ensuring a smooth journey.

Recommended vaccinations include: hepatitis A & B, rabies, typhoid, meningitis, MMR and Tdap (tetanus, diptheria and pertussis). However, please consult your personal physician and/or a travel clinic preferably 6 weeks prior to your departure. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin and your travel itinerary, as well as your previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website for guidelines. While most hotels have a first aid kit, we advise taking a basic one of your own as well as any prescriptions / medication you may need. Tap water is safe to drink in Cairo, but it is recommended that you only drink bottled or purified water. Be aware of pickpockets while in busy areas and markets, especially at night. It is recommended that you only carry the amount of cash you might need for the day and leave valuable items at the hotel. Be mindful of touts who might offer to show you a shortcut, take a photo or arrange a tour, then request payment. Should you use a taxi, ensure the meter begins when the journey starts or agree on a price beforehand.

Money The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP) and most cities have plentiful ATMs. However, when you're travelling to more remote destinations, it's best to carry a suitable amount of cash on your person. Gratuities Gratuities are not compulsory or expected; rather it is a reward for excellent service. If you are pleased with the service you receive you are more than welcome to tip your guide or the staff. Below are the suggested gratuities, however, you are free to give more or less than suggested. Small bills are best to tip waiters, porters, and housekeeping. Tips can be paid in EGP or USD at the end of each stay or service provided. Gratuities suggestions: Transfer driver: $5 per guest per transfer Porter at airport: $3 per guest Hotel porters in /out: $3 per guest per check-in or checkout Driver (for tours): $7 per guest per day Guide: $15 per guest per day Cruise staff: $10 - $12 per guest per day Egyptologist / Cruise guide: $10 per guest per day Restaurant: $3 per guest per meal The gratuity given at bathrooms at historical sites (based upon local standards) is 5 Egyptian Pounds (about $0.25).

Insurance It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: Compulsory Insurance: a. Emergency evacuation expenses b. Medical expenses c. Repatriation expenses Recommended Insurance: a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods

As a general precaution, we recommend you make several copies of your travel-related documents (passport, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets, insurance cover, visas, etc). Leave one set at home, and bring another set with you, and place it in a location separate from your originals. You may need to present any relevant travel-related documents at any time on the trip. For most nationalities, a visa can be organised on arrival at Cairo International Airport or online via the Egyptian Government's e-visa portal (https://www.visa2egypt.gov.eg/) at the cost of $25. You are required to have a passport valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in Egypt and carry a travel itinerary with all documentation of your accommodation / booked activities. Please do contact the embassy in your home country to reconfirm visa requirements, as they change often. Visa Central is also a good resource for further information.

Climate Egypt is reliably sunny, ranging from the scorching heat of summer (June - August) to the mild, temperate days in autumn and winter (October - March). There is little to no rainfall all year round, except for some winter rain on the coast. The Nile and seaside destinations do enjoy a cooling breeze to break the heat, but it is rare to ever feel cold in Egypt (even at night). The exception to this is in the desert but you won't spend more than one or two days there. Dress Code In Egypt, loose-fitting clothing is favourable and, in order to respect the local culture, it's best to wear clothes that cover you from your shoulders to just below the knee. This is especially true for women and when visiting a mosque, you are required to wear clothing that covers from the shoulders to the ankle, as well as your hair. However, it's recommended that men also avoid wearing shorts and tight vests. What to pack: - Sunscreen (reef-safe sunscreen if applicable), a hat and sunglasses. - Loose, airy trousers, long skirts or maxi dresses. - Scarves and extra tunics. - Lightweight cottons and linens, and a light jacket or fleece. - Comfortable walking shoes. - A day pack or money pouch. - Insect repellant, hand sanitiser and wipes. - Swimming costume. - A reusable water bottle. - Spare batteries, plug adaptors and chargers. Egypt uses Type C and F plugs and operates on a 220V and 50Hz supply voltage. Luggage Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines.