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CAIRO BOUTIQUE HOTEL BREAK

Price from
A$1,725
(per person)
Duration
5
Days
Tour Type
City Break

HIGHLIGHTS

Old Cairo, El Moez Street, All-suite boutique hotel, Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, walking distance from Khan-el-Khalili bazaar
COUNTRIES : Egypt

This short Cairo city break tour gives you a taste of Egypt's bustling capital city, home to the iconic Pyramids, Sphinx and Egyptian Museum, and is ideal for those short of time or who may have visited other parts of Egypt already.

Accommodation is the the award winning Le Riad Hotel de Charme, a small luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Old Cairo facing the famous Beit el Sehemy with its exceptional old Ottoman houses. The design of the hotel celebrates and reflects Old Cairo's style and history, with all 17 suites being individually furnished with warm colours, Fatimid fabrics, antique wooden furniture and paintings from local artists. Suites are all large and comfortable with spacious marble bathrooms, separate lounge and study areas and a variety of different arts and crafts displayed.

The tour begins with a guided sightseeing tour to Egypt's most well-known landmark - the Great Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx where your Egyptologist guide will explain the history and evolution of pyramid building.

Your remaining time in Cairo is then free to explore independently, relax in your hotel or take an additional tour. These include a city tour to the Citadel, Coptic Cairo and the Egyptian Museum, a walking tour through the old streets around the hotel and the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar, a day trip to the colonial Mediterranean city of Alexandria, or a tour to see more pyramids at Dashour, Saqqara and Memphis. Dinner cruise and felucca trips on the Nile are also available.

An overnight trip to see the ancient Egyptian sites on both banks of the River Nile at Luxor is also available, and the tour can be extended with extra nights in Cairo if you wish.

Upon arrival at Cairo airport, we will meet you and assist you with visa formalities and luggage collection, then transfer you to your luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Old Cairo. We'll help you settle into your suite, then the rest of the day is free at your leisure. If your flight lands early, then you could take a first look at the pyramids at the spectacular sound and light show, or just explore your surroundings on El Moez Street.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Cairo boutique hotel
  • EXTRAS:
    Single Room Supplement (EGTMC5), Superior suite upgrade

Your stay in Egypt beings this morning with a relaxing breakfast in the hotel. During the morning our local representative will brief you on the hotel, your location in Old Cairo with some tips on exploring, and discuss any additional optional tours you may have either pre-booked or like to arrange during your stay.

Early in the afternoon you then take a sightseeing tour for a first taste of ancient Egypt with a visit to the enigmatic Sphinx and the three greatest pyramids in Egypt. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is a breath taking man-made structure, built from enormous stone blocks with a white limestone covering. Over the years, the limestone covering has been stripped away to expose the inner block structure. Along with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the inspiring sight of these huge structures looming out of the desert is an unforgettable site. One of our specialist Egyptologist guides will accompany you and explain some of the history of pyramid building, and of the different dynasties of the ancient Egyptian empire.

You will have a chance to climb down inside the pyramids if you wish, but you're on your own, as your guide cannot accompany you (a limited number of tickets are available for the Great Pyramid). After the Pyramids we then head to the nearby Sphinx which was only properly uncovered from the desert sands in the last century. Finally we head back to our hotel and a taste of local Egyptian life as El Moez Street bustles with a relaxed but exciting energy in the evenings.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Cairo boutique hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

Your next two days are free to explore independently or to do some more guided sightseeing. The area of Old Islamic Cairo surrounding your hotel is one of Cairo's most charming, with covered markets, narrow streets, old buildings and mosques. Of Old Cairo, this quarter most evokes its past and in many ways has changed very little. It has inspired many writings, from Arabian nights to the works of the modern Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz. Getting enjoyably lost amongst the winding alleys while walking from the hotel to the nearby Khan-el-Khalili bazaar is one of the pleasures of staying here.

However, a guided walking tour is also available to help you make the most of your surroundings and explore the various different bazaars, markets and architectures around you. Other optional tours available include a City Tour to the Citadel with its great views over the city, the tiny streets and churches of Coptic Cairo, and the famous Egyptian Museum, home to the amazing Tutunkhamun display. You could also take a trip to learn more about the history of Pyramid building at Memphis, Saqqara and Dashour, or enjoy a full day trip to the colonial coastal city of Alexandria.

You may also take a flight to the Nile-side city of Luxor in Upper Egypt, which hosts an incredible number and variety of ancient Egyptian temples, tombs and other sites. This overnight trip includes a tour of Karnak Temple on the East Bank of the Nile, plus the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatchepsut Temple, and the Valley of the Artisans on the West Bank, with a night spent in a 5-star hotel by the NIle before you fly back to Cairo again.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Cairo boutique hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast
  • EXTRAS:
    Alexandria day trip, Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis, Khan-el-Khaliali bazaar walking tour, Cairo City half day tour, Overnight trip to Luxor with East & West Bank tours

You have another free day in Cairo today with all the same optional tours available.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Cairo boutique hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast
  • EXTRAS:
    Alexandria day trip, Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis, Khan-el-Khaliali bazaar walking tour, Cairo City half day tour, Overnight trip to Luxor with East & West Bank tours

Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing or shopping until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Alternatively you can add extra nights to your time in Cairo.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    N/A
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast
  • EXTRAS:
    Extra day in Cairo - post-tour - Le Riad
Included:
  • Accommodation in 5-star boutique hotel in the heart of Old Cairo
  • All transport and transfers in private AC vehicles
  • 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
  • Daily breakfast
  • City Tax, Service Charge and VAT
  • Tour to the Pyramids & Sphinx with an Egyptologist guide

Excluded:
  • International flights (available on request)
  • Visa fees (US$25 available on arrival for most nationalities)
  • Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
  • Optional tours
  • Tour guide and hotel tips
  • Hotel gala dinners (additional US$170 p/p if your stay covers New Year's Eve, 31 Dec)
  • Any other items not mentioned above

Notes:

Hotel Gala Dinners

Nearly all of Egypt's hotels and Nile cruise boats arrange a very special Gala Dinner with entertainment in the evening of Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Payment for these is often optional on Christmas Eve (24 Dec) but normally compulsory on New Year's Eve (31 Dec), whether you attend or not.

The hotel used on this tour, Le Riad Hotel de Charme, does not run a Gala Dinner on Christmas Eve, but a compulsory Gala Dinner is arranged on New Year's Eve (31 Dec). The price is US$170 p/p, which is not included in the tour price, but will be added to your booking and is either payable in advance or directly to the hotel.

Cairo Boutique Hotel Break accommodation
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we use most often on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
riad-hotel-charme-egypt.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Le Riad Hotel de Charme
Egypt, Egypt

This lovely small boutique all-suite hotel is situated in the heart of bustling Old Cairo within walking distance of the Khan-el-Khalili bazaa...


Le Riad Hotel de Charme is a small luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Old Cairo facing the famous Beit el Sehemy with its exceptional old Ottoman houses. The hotel itself has been designed to celebrate and reflect the history and style of Old Cairo.

All 17 suites have individual furnishings with rich warm colours, Fatimid fabrics, antique wooden furniture and paintings from local talented artists. The suites are large and comfortable with spacious marble bathrooms, separate lounge and study areas and a variety of different arts and crafts displayed.

The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views over the surrounding streets and alleyways of Old Cairo, and a relaxed tea lounge for breakfast and informal dining. No alcohol is served.

Overall we love using this hotel because of the size and character of the suites, and its location which is perfect for second stays in Cairo when you can walk around the surrounding streets and explore Old Cairo on foot.

Cairo Boutique Hotel Break options

Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination you're visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.

All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.

Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements - full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.

Single Room Supplement (EGTMC5)
Price from
A$535
per person



Single Room Supplement (EGTMC5)
Min numbers: 1 person

This option books a single room in all the accommodation throughout the tour. Room shares are not available on this tour, so if you are single..


This option books a single room in all the accommodation throughout the tour. Room shares are not available on this tour, so if you are single traveller then you will need to add this option to your booking.

Note: The price shown is a low season price. Slightly higher prices may apply during high and peak seasons - the exact price for your dates will be shown on the online booking form and is always available on request.

Extra day in Cairo - post-tour - Le Riad
Price from
A$90
per person



Extra day in Cairo - post-tour - Le Riad
Min numbers: 1 person

This option adds an extra hotel night to the end of your tour, staying in a Deluxe King, Twin, or Sofa-bed Suite in Le Riad Hotel de Charme. B..


This option adds an extra hotel night to the end of your tour, staying in a Deluxe King, Twin, or Sofa-bed Suite in Le Riad Hotel de Charme. Breakfast and your airport transfer are included. Prices shown are for low season and based on 2 people sharing a suite.

Note: Single room, Superior suite, and high/peak season supplements apply.

Superior suite upgrade
Price from
A$145
per person



Superior suite upgrade
Min numbers: 1 person

This option upgrades the standard Deluxe suites used on the tour to Superior Suites. These are larger, and also feature a balcony overlooking ..


This option upgrades the standard Deluxe suites used on the tour to Superior Suites. These are larger, and also feature a balcony overlooking El Moez Street. An additional single room supplement will apply for solo travellers.

Khan-el-Khaliali bazaar walking tour
Price from
A$55
per person



Khan-el-Khaliali bazaar walking tour
Min numbers: 1 person

A guided walking tour for around 3 hours starting and finishing at Le Riad Hotel de Charme on El Moez Street and exploring the surrounding str..


This guided walking tour starts and finishes at Le Riad Hotel de Charme, in the heart of Old Cairo on busy El Moez Street, just a few hundred metres from Babh el Futr, one of the main gates allowing entrance to the walled city. The area is one of Cairo's most charming, with covered markets, narrow streets, old buildings and mosques. After leaving the hotel, you'll see many Ottoman houses, mosques and old architectural highlights before entering the more touristy section of the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Leaving that section behind, we explore fabric, jewelry and craft bazaars before gradually winding our way back to the hotel.The whole tour takes around 3 hours.

Prices are based on a minimum of 2 people travelling, with solo traveller supplements available.

Cairo City half day tour
Price from
A$100
per person



Cairo City half day tour
Min numbers: 1 person

This half day guided Cairo city tour explores the Citadel of Saladdin, the tiny streets and churches of Coptic Cairo, and the huge Egyptian Mu..


This half day guided tour of Cairo tour begins with Islamic areas including the Citadel of Saladdin, boasting the famous Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali and great views over the city. Then we head onto the tiny streets and churches of the Coptic area of Cairo where the Romans constructed the fortress of Babylon. The church of St. Mary was built over the ruins of two towers of the fortress and is more commonly known now as the Hanging Church. Our next stop is St. Sergius which is said to be the resting place of the Holy Family. The tour also spends a couple of hours exploring the huge Egyptian Museum with our Egyptologist guide providing insights and information into the various displays, including the incredible Tutankhamun collection.

Prices shown are based on a minimum of 2 people travelling. Solo traveller supplements apply.

Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis
Price from
A$120
per person



Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis
Min numbers: 1 person

This half day guided tour on the outskirts of Cairo tour provides more insight into the history and evolution of pyramid building, and of the ..


This half day guided tour on the outskirts of Cairo tour provides more insight into the history and evolution of pyramid building, and of the Egyptian civilisation. Our tours are based in the area of ancient Memphis, a former capital of Egypt. First we'll visit Saqqara, a huge desert necropolis which was built for the kings and nobles of the Old Kingdom. Here we see Zoser's 'step' pyramid and the adjacent Imhotep museum where we learn more about Memphis and the history of the region. Next we head to Dashour to see one of the next attempts at pyramid building. Dashour's moniker of the 'bent pyramid' shows they still had a bit to learn, but this is a fascinating site and the pyramid still has much of its original limestone cladding. We'll then return you to your hotel.

Alexandria day trip
Price from
A$195
per person



Alexandria day trip
Min numbers: 1 person

A comprehension fulll day tour to the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Alexandria...


Alexandria is about 2.5 hours north of Cairo on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. This city is the second largest in Egypt and this full day tour will include the Roman amphitheatre with its twelve semi-circular marble tiers, the Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa which is the largest Roman cemetery in Alexandria, Pompey's Pillar, Fort Qaitbey (from outside), the famous modern library before returning to Cairo. If time allows you can tour inside Fort Qaitbey (entrance fee extra) and we may also visit the Montazah Palace gardens. Lunch at a seafood restaurant is included.

Nile dinner cruise in Cairo
Price from
On
Request

per person



Nile dinner cruise in Cairo
Min numbers: 1 person

Egyptian entertainment and food while cruising the Nile...


This option offers an evening of cruising up and down the Nile through the centre of Cairo on a 5-star riverboat while enjoying some middle eastern cuisine as well as a traditional Egyptian Sufi and Belly Dancing show. A great way to spend a free evening in Cairo and see some more of the city. Transfers to and from your hotel are included.

Overnight trip to Luxor with East & West Bank tours
Price from
A$535
per person



Overnight trip to Luxor with East & West Bank tours
Min numbers: 1 person

This overnight tour travels by domestic flight from Cairo to Luxor and back, with all transfers and a night in a 5-star hotel on the banks of ..


This overnight tour travels by domestic flight from Cairo to Luxor and back, with all transfers and a night in a 5-star hotel on the banks of the Nile in Luxor included. Two sightseeing tours are also included in Luxor with one of our Egyptologist guides, to the East and West Banks of the Nile. On the East Bank we explore the huge temple complex at Karnak, while on the West Bank we explore Pharaonic Tombs in the Valley of the Kings, see the huge Temple of Hatchepsut and walk through the Valley of the Artisans, Deir El-Medina. We'll also see the towering Colossi of Memnon. 

The tour can be taken at anytime during your stay in Cairo. Pricing is based on you checking out of your Cairo hotel for the night you'll be in Luxor. If you would like to keep your room in Cairo, or if you would like to add this option to the end of your stay in Cairo, then the price of an additional hotel night in Cairo will be added. 

Prices are based on a minimum of two people travelling and staying in a twin/double room. Single and solo traveller supplements are available on request. 

cairo-boutique-hotel-break-map.jpg
Cairo Boutique Hotel Break tour notes

The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.

This tour features an overnight felucca cruise.  Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and are a fun and relaxing way to travel down the river. You sleep on the deck of the boat (mattresses and some blankets are provided, but we suggest that you bring a sleeping sheet, blanket or light sleeping bag during the winter months of November-February).  There are no toilet facilities on board, but you will be joined several times each day and at night by our support boat where a toilet and warm showers will be available.  Mosquito nets are provided for use while you are sleeping but you should bring mosquito repellent for the evenings and early mornings. Your Nubian boat crew will cook all your meals while on board and entertain you in the evenings.

Our trips feature a mix of different transport options. We want you to feel like you’re really experiencing the country you’re travelling through, but at the same time we want you to finish journeys refreshed enough to enjoy the next stage of the tour. In Egypt we do not use any public tourist buses or overnight coach journeys as we know that people don't sleep on board and end up very tired for the following few days. All the vehicles we use are air-conditioned, many are fitted with speed limiters, and all are inspected and checked daily. Some 4WD vehicles used on desert safaris may not always have air conditioning where they are only used for short periods.

For the overnight train journeys from Cairo to Aswan (approx. 12 hrs) and Luxor to Cairo (approx. 9 hrs) this tour uses the overnight sleeper train. This train has private twin berth cabins with large seats and fold-down beds with sheets, pillow & blanket. The lockable cabins also have a washbasin and storage cupboard, and an airline tray-style evening meal and breakfast is included. If you wish you may upgrade these journeys to internal flights.

You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination.  You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.
In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:

Egypt: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A
Jordan: Tetanus, Hepatitis A
Israel: Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis
Lebanon: Dipheria, Hepatitis A

Malaria is not generally present unless it has been contracted abroad; you do not need to take malaria prophylactics.

More information is available here: Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon

Note: We are aware of some places in Egypt using ‘black henna’ instead of pure brown henna. Black henna contains a chemical dye PPD (paraphenylenediamine) which can result in severe allergic reactions and resultant scarring. To be safe we recommend avoiding any henna tattoos while in Egypt unless you are certain they are using pure brown henna.

Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.

We recommend that you contact your closest Egyptian consulate or embassy for current information for your nationality.

In general official advice is that all nationalities obtain their Egypt visas in advance, as we cannot guarantee that you can get them in the airport. An online e-visa is available through https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/. Please do not use any other website as there are many scam sites offering Egypt e-visas.
In practice however, many nationalities (including British and European, Australian, New Zealand, USA, Canadian) can and do obtain their visas on arrival in Cairo airport. The process is much quicker and simpler, the cost is currently US$25 p/p and must be paid in hard currency (i.e. GBP, USD or EUR) - you'll be given change in local currency if necessary. There are no forms to fill in and you don't need to bring passport photos. Visas are issued at one of the bank desks in the immigration hall, before you get to passport control. Our representative will have met you by this stage and will assist with the process.

All African and Indian nationals, and some others, will need to obtain their visas in advance.

For further information on your visa requirements, please either contact us or your local Egyptian embassy/consulate.

The time in Egypt, Jordan and Israel is GMT plus 2 hours. Daylight saving adjustments have historically been applied in some years but not others. At present it appears that there will be no daylight saving changes in Egypt 2016 and beyond, though this may change at short notice (with a resulting impact on flight times and schedules). In Jordan and Israel, daylight saving of one hour is generally applied between the end of March and the end of October, making it GMT plus 3 hours. Exact dates vary from year to year and sometimes the changes may be scrapped altogether.

Sockets are two round pronged and 220 volts (Type C). Universal adaptors are available in most airport shops if you don’t have one already. Standard European adapters will work fine, though sometimes they may feel a little loose in the sockets. All hotel rooms have electrical sockets where you can re-charge cameras, phones etc. Hair dryers are normally available on request from the hotel reception if not in your room already.
If you have US appliances (110 volts) you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter.

The local currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound, often denoted ‘LE’. The Egyptian Pound can vary significantly in value against the British Pound, but sticks fairly close to the value of the US Dollar. You do not need to arrange to bring any Egyptian Pounds with you to Egypt, as change facilities are available in all the hotels, airports and banks. You should try to obtain and keep hold of small denomination notes or coins on you during the tour as these are useful for toilets, tips and small purchases. ATMs are readily available in major towns and many local shops will accept VISA/Mastercard or Amex, but may charge fees of up to 10% - check before you pay. Travellers cheques are not recommended as they can not be changed in many places now, and can incur high fees.

While in Egypt you will need sufficient funds to cover meals not included in the itinerary, drinks, snacks, souvenirs and personal expenses such as laundry. These should generally all be paid for in Egyptian Pounds. You may also need to pay for the tour Tipping Kitty and site Entrance Fees while you are in Egypt. Payments for these may be made to your tour guide in hard currency (USD, GBP, EUR) at the start of your tour. Please see your tour Included/Excluded details for more information and guideline amounts for these.

It is difficult to recommend a level of personal spending money which will suit everyone as this can differ greatly, but as a guideline, we would suggest allowing USD 15-25 per person per day as a minimum. Allow more if you plan on doing lots of shopping, or buying many alcoholic drinks.

This tour runs twice a year with departures timed so that we are in Abu Simbel on the right day for the Sun Festival (22nd February and 22nd October). All departures are guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 travellers and unlike many operators we maintain our small group size on this very popular date with a maximum of 18 people to each guide.  We may share a large coach with another of our groups for the drive between Aswan and Abu Simbel, but otherwise your group runs independently throughout. 

If you would like to book a place on this tour, please complete the online reservation form on our website (via the Dates & Prices tab on the tour page). You can pay your deposit or full balance online, or just hold a reservation if you prefer. We will then contact you with more details about how to complete your booking. Payments may be made by debit or credit card (subject to a card processing fee), or by making a bank transfer or posting us a cheque/bank draft. Full details will be provided in your booking confirmation email. Please contact us if you would like any more information or have any questions before making a booking.

Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event). More information...

You may arrange your own insurance, or you can take advantage of a comprehensive policy that we can arrange for you through Endsleigh Insurance which has been designed to be suitable for our tours. The policy is available to travellers of all nationalities and you do not need to live in the UK  to take out the policy. For full details of cover provided, prices and to apply for one of our policies, please complete travel insurance application form.

Note: Any country that borders the Mediterranean is considered as 'Europe' for the purposes of travel insurance (including Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Morocco). If you are doing a tour that visits one country in 'Europe' and one that is 'Worldwide' (for example, an Egypt and Jordan tour), then you need a 'Worldwide' policy. When completing the form you should enter your travel dates including any extra days involved in overnight flights or connecting travel between your home and the tour. Our policies are not able to cover any extra time or activities other than your tour and options booked with us and your travel to & from home.

If you plan to arrange a hot air balloon flight locally, or do some scuba diving during your tour, you should check the small print in your policy to make sure these are covered (these are covered in our policy). Please also check the maximum altitude that you will be reaching and that full cover including emergency evacuation is provided up to this altitude.

IMPORTANT:  We must have your travel insurance details (policy number and type of insurance) before you depart or you may not be allowed to join the tour.  If you haven't told us already, please let us know the details when you can. You should take a paper copy of your insurance policy with you as you may be asked to show this at the start of the tour.

We are a UK registered company and an ABTA Member (Y4447) and you can be confident when booking with us that your money is safe and protected. Financial failure insurance is provided through Affirma to protect all customers for the land portion of their tour.
Please see our website or booking conditions for more information.

It is impossible not to have an impact on the local environment, cultures and eco-systems when you travel. However, it is very possible to try and ensure that these impacts are as limited, or positive as possible. We are committed to ensuring that we try to leave our host countries in a better state than we found them and encourage and assist our travellers to help us with this.
The following are a few simple tips that require very little effort on your part but which will help ensure that any effect you have on the locations you visit is positive rather than negative.

  • Don’t prejudge: Things in different countries will almost certainly be different. That doesn’t make them worse or inferior, just different.
  • Communicate: Don’t expect locals to speak your language. Take the trouble to learn a few words or phrases of the local language. Don’t worry about sounding silly. Most locals are patient and accommodating and appreciate you making the effort to communicate in their language.
  • Conserve energy: Be careful not to waste valuable resources. Use local resources sparingly. Switch off lights, air-conditioning and fans when you leave the hotel room and don’t waste water. Remove superfluous packaging. Many countries have far less efficient waste disposal systems than ours. Remove packaging from newly acquired items before leaving home.
  • Don’t litter: No matter how untidy or dirty the country you’re travelling in may look to you, avoid littering, as there is no need to add to the environment's stress. Many of the countries we visit have a tough challenge dealing with rubbish and waste. Please consider taking home as much plastic waste as you can (e.g. water bottles).
  • Choose environmentally friendly products: By using environmentally friendly (bio degradable) sun creams, shampoos and detergents you can help reduce pollution.
  • Respect local customs and traditions: As you are a guest in these countries, you should also comply with the local customs. If you are friendly and well mannered, the locals will reciprocate and it will only enhance your experience. It’s important to follow dress and behaviour guidelines especially when visiting religious or sacred sites (your tour leader will advise you how best to do this).
  • If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and Egypt Uncovered shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. No refund will be given for any unused services.

All porters are employed and equipped following guidelines set by the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG).

You can stay in touch with us online by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We post updates on relevant travel news in our destination countries, special offers and discounts and other interesting travel related news and information.
www.facebook.com/EgyptUncovered
www.twitter.com/encounterstravl (yes, without the 'e')

It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.

General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.

You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.

Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.

'Travel Aware' campaign

Tipping is very much a part of Egyptian culture and customs. To make our prices more transparent and so it is easier for you to budget and less hassle while in Egypt, on our small group tours we organise a 'Tipping Kitty' which needs to be paid as a local payment and will be around US$25-50 depending on the length of your trip. Payment is collected in US Dollars cash or can also be paid with Egyptian Pounds or other currencies converted to US Dollars at our monthly exchange rate. This kitty provides tips for a wide range of people you’ll meet along the tour including hotel porters, train and station staff, drivers, site guards, local reps etc. Please check the Included/Excluded notes below the tour itinerary for more information on how much to budget for this kitty.

On private/tailor-made tours this tipping kitty is included in your tour price.

Your Egyptologist guide (and Bedouin guides in the desert) is not included in this kitty and you may tip them at the end of your tour subject to your satisfaction with and appreciation of the service they have provided. You should not feel obliged to tip any particular amount, and should consider your personal budget. We are often asked to provide a guide however, and can suggest that approx. USD 10-15 per person per day would be appropriate.

Children under the age of 12 do not need to pay anything towards the tipping kitty.

Cairo Boutique Hotel Break dates & prices
Private departures are available daily all year round. The tour can also be extended and customised to fit your personal requirements, interests and flights.
Season Start Date Season End Date Price (P/P) Offer Price Note
20 Sep, 2023 23 Sep, 2023 A$1725 - - Book now
24 Sep, 2023 30 Apr, 2024 A$1825 - - Book now
01 May, 2024 13 Sep, 2024 A$1725 - - Book now
tripadvisor winner 2014 and 2015
EGYPT Reviews
Service

Posted Apr 16, 2018
While we initially heard back from the sales representative in Egypt to complete some forms for all 4 travelers after purchasing our package, we have not heard back since. That was over a month ago. I have requested information, but have not received a response. This is a concern, especially as the time nears to make specific travel plans all the way from the USA to the Middle East, where there is so much political instability & unknown tensions. We need someone on that end to be in touch with us on developments, so that we'll have peace of mind about even proceeding with this expensive trip that we've already paid for. Thank you, Debra
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Service

Posted Apr 16, 2018
they helped me beat down my credit card/bank to allow my card to be used for the purchase! yes I would recommend them
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Service

Posted Apr 08, 2018
Great communication, very prompt with all communications. I would use Encounters Travel again and recommend highly.
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Service

Posted Mar 30, 2018
I liked the variety of tours to choose from. It was easy to book online. They had a very good “special” which ideally suited us.
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Service

Posted Mar 29, 2018
Great first hand advice on the trips we discussed - friendly and informative.
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Service

Posted Dec 20, 2017
EncountersTravel was great to work with. They responded so quickly and made it very easy to get the trip that we desired.
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Service

Posted Dec 13, 2017
Easy to contact and book!
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Service

Posted Dec 12, 2017
Excellent customer service.
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Service

Product

Posted Dec 04, 2017
Service rating : We were shown a lot of sights in a few days.

If possible, we would have wanted more interaction with the local people.
Product : Amazing value for the price. We loved our guide, Big Mo!
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Service

Posted Dec 03, 2017
First time using Encounters. I will most definitely use them again for future adventures. They make sure you're having a great time. We were kept busy from sun up to sun down. I felt completely safe throughout my tour. They didn't miss a beat. I had the most amazing time, an awesome experience. Thank you.
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Service

Posted Nov 22, 2017
Everyone is very professional and knowledgeable. They are patient with many questions and show sincere interest in their customers.
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Service

Product

Posted Nov 21, 2017
Service rating : Great staff and customer service. My time in Egypt was wonderful!
Product : See above review for more details.
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