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GODS OF EGYPT

Price from
US$2,230
(per person)
Duration
10
Days
Tour Type
Small Group

HIGHLIGHTS

The Pyramids, Sphinx & Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Philae Temple & Abu Simbel option in Aswan, luxury Nile cruise, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings & Colossi of Memnon in Luxor, Red Sea at Hurghada
COUNTRIES : Egypt

This 10-day tour of Egypt takes you on a journey from Cairo along the Nile Valley visiting Egypt's most important Pharaonic sites en route. It also includes a 3-night luxury Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor and some time to relax by the Red Sea in Hurghada.

We start this classic adventure in Cairo with visits to the world-famous Pyramids and Sphinx at Gisa, and the eclectic Egyptian Museum, which houses a vast collection of ancient artefacts including of amazing golden mask of the King Tutankhamun.

Heading south into the Nile Valley we catch an internal flight to Aswan, where the Nile is at its most scenic. We'll start exploring Aswan with a short boat trip to the tranquil island temple of Philae. An early morning option to visit the stunning temples of Abu Simbel is also available. Next, we board one of the famous luxury Nile cruise boats where you'll settle into your comfortable en-suite cabin with panoramic windows. The boat also has a restaurant, lounge and bar, and a large sun deck with another bar, recliners and a plunge pool.

We cruise down the Nile towards Luxor stopping of at the temples at Edfu and Komombo along the way. Luxor is surrounded by many important ancient sites, and we'll tour both the east and west banks of the Nile. Tours included a descent into the underground Pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings, a visit to Queen Hatchepsut and Medinat Habu temples, and a stop off at the immense Collosi of Memnon. We also explore the massive temple complex at Karnak and see Luxor temple spectacularly lit up at night.

We leave the Nile Valley behind and drive across to the Red Sea coast for some welcome beach time in a 4-star beach resort at Hurghada. There is plenty of excellent snorkelling and scuba diving in Hurghada along with many other watersports, or you can just spend time relaxing on the beach. The tour ends with a journey back to Cairo where the afternoon is free to take an optional city tour, explore the markets and bazaars, revisit the pyramids with an evening sound and light show, or sample a dinner cruise on the Nile.

We will meet and greet you upon arrival at Cairo airport and assist you with visa formalities before we transfer you to your 5-star hotel. One of our representatives will help you settle in and the rest of the day will be yours to explore or relax.

If you arrived early, you might be able to take a first look at the pyramids, explore the city or enjoy a Nile dinner cruise and show. This can all be arranged with our representative in Cairo.
  • OVERNIGHT:
    Cairo 5-star hotel
  • EXTRAS:
    Single room supplement (EGSGDE), Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - pre-tour

Your Egypt tour officially starts today with a trip to the towering Sphinx and Egypt's Great Pyramids. Our local Egyptologist guides accompany you for all your sightseeing trips and will give you in-depth knowledge about these ancient monuments.

If you're brave enough and have good knees, there's also a chance to climb inside the pyramids, but note that our guide’s aren’t allowed to go with you (the Great Pyramids has a limited number of tickets available).

After seeing the Pyramids and Sphinx, we head to the massive Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo. The museum houses the famed exhibit of Tutankhamun, along with many other objects from the ancient past of Egypt.

We will transfer to the airport later in the evening for a short internal flight to Aswan, where we will meet and transfer you to your hotel overlooking the Nile.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Aswan 5-star hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

We wake up to one of the most picturesque stretches of the Nile this morning, as here the river is dotted with islands and traditional felucca sailing boats. Aswan is a melting pot of cultures from Africa and the Middle East that can be seen by exploring the busy souks and markets.

There's plenty of free time to explore the city at your leisure this morning. We’ll then board our Nile Cruise boat for lunch, after which we take a short boat ride to Philae's charming Temple Island. This magnificent temple is dedicated to Isis and was relocated and rebuilt when the Aswan Dam was built.

There is also an option to visit Abu Simbel's UNESCO World Heritage Site very early this morning. Ramses II built this amazing site and it was also moved block by block and rebuilt inside a hillside higher up to save it when Lake Nasser was flooded.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Nile Cruise Boat
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • EXTRAS:
    Abu Simbel overland

Today we spend time sailing down the Nile, sitting on the sun deck, getting first-hand experience of Egyptian rural life on the banks of the Nile River. We stop at the Kom Ombo temple, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, who was worshipped in pre-dynastic times & Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky. We'll also sail to Edfu's Horus temple. We overnight once more in the Nile Cruise boat. Note – Nile Cruise itineraries and timings can vary slightly subject to local conditions and how busy the lock is on the Nile at Esna.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Nile Cruise Boat
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We start this morning with a tour of the ancient remains of the Temple of Horus, Egypt's best preserved temple, it has many inscriptions in the Coptic language and is decorated with paintings. Then we sail to Luxor, built on and around Thebes' ancient site. It is regarded as one of the world's largest open-air museums.

This evening, we take a tour of the smaller Luxor Temple, which is in the centre of the city and is atmospherically lit up at night.
  • OVERNIGHT:
    Nile Cruise Boat
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we travel to the Nile's West Bank, where we first visit the Valley of the Kings, whose musty tombs are still giving up their secrets today. This is widely considered one of the world's most important archaeological sites. Our tour includes access to several of these Pharaonic tombs, before we head to Queen Hatchepsut’s temple and the Valley of the Artisans (Deir El-Medina). Our final stop is at the huge Collosi of Memnon before we head back across the river to our hotel.

There is an optional early morning hot air balloon flight available today over the west bank of the Nile for a different view of Luxor (be ready for an early start to catch the sunrise as the balloon rises).

After a break and time for lunch, we take a tour of Karnak's huge temple complex, once Thebes and Upper Egypt's religious centre. It was linked by a long sphinx lined avenue to the smaller Luxor temple, and also to the Nile via a canal that sailed the god Amun's holy vessels.

The enormous entrance to the Pylon, designed by Ramesses II, is accessed by a smaller sphinx-lined avenue that leads to the proper temple. There are three temples dedicated to the gods of Amun, Khous and Mut in the wide courtyard. The impressive Hypostyle Hall has a forest of colossal columns, each carved with gods and pharaohs scenes, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the walls.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Luxor 5-star hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast
  • EXTRAS:
    Hot air balloon in Luxor

We leave the Nile Valley this morning and drive to our five-star Red Sea resort hotel in Hurghada. Your stay here is on a soft all-inclusive basis, including all meals, soft drinks and snacks, but not alcoholic drinks.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Hurghada - 5-star resort
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast, Dinner

You have the day completely free to relax and soak up the sun at the Red Sea today. The area of Hurghada and Makadi Bay is ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling, and the rich marine life of the Red Sea here is a mecca for divers from all over the world.

Other activities available include quad biking, windsurfing, camel runs, kite surfing, sea fishing trips and glass bottomed submarines. Our local representative will assist you in organising any optional excursions you may wish to book. Hurghada's marina and old town are also just waiting to be explored for those who want a gentler option. If you would like to extend your stay, we can also book extra nights at the resort in Hurghada / Makadi Bay.
  • OVERNIGHT:
    Hurghada 5-star resort
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we drive back to Cairo and check into a hotel in the city. There are optional tours available today, including a city tour in Cairo that includes Coptic Cairo, the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, or a half-day trip to Saqqara, Dashour and Memphis to learn more about the pyramid building's history and evolution.

We then take a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars of central Cairo in the late afternoon. We'll walk through the large Bab al-Futuh gateway in the old city walls and explore streets devoted to metalwork, spices, pottery, cloth, jewellery and anything else you can imagine as we slowly reach the more touristy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We will have time to try some tea and a shisha pipe for a break and maybe enjoy an early dinner of the informal national dish of Egypt, Kushari. If you're looking to get some souvenirs before you head home, now's your chance!
  • OVERNIGHT:
    Cairo 5-star hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast
  • EXTRAS:
    Wadi Rayan day trip (Valley of the Whales), Hurghada to Cairo flight upgrade

Your last day in Cairo is open for some last-minute shopping, or maybe a little more sightseeing, before we take you back to your flight home airport. If you have a night flight, you can also take an optional tour today. If you want to add some extra nights to your time in Cairo, you can also enjoy a day trip to Alexandria's colonial city on the Mediterranean coast, or travel into the desert to see Wadi Rayan's lesser-known Valley of the Whales World Heritage Site.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    N/A
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast
  • EXTRAS:
    Cairo city tour, Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis, Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - post-tour
Included:
  • 6 nights accommodation in 5-star hotels
  • 3 night Nile Cruise on Egyptian 5-star-deluxe level boat
  • All transport and transfers in private AC vehicles
  • Domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan
  • 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
  • Sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary
  • Services of a local Egyptologist guide for all the sightseeing tours
  • Private guiding for our group during the Nile cruise
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary


Excluded:
  • International flights (available on request)
  • Visa fees (USD 25 available on arrival for most nationalities)
  • Travel Insurance (mandatory, available on request)
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees to sites visited (allow approx. US$123)
  • Tipping kitty (allow US$70)
  • Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
  • Tour guide tips
  • Hotel Gala Dinners (if charged by the hotels on 24 & 31 Dec, see Tour notes)
  • Any other items not mentioned above

Notes:

Hotel Gala Dinners
Many of Egypt's hotels and Nile cruise boats arrange a very special gala dinner with entertainment in the evening on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Payment for these is often optional on Christmas Eve (24 Dec) but may be compulsory on New Year's Eve (31 Dec), whether you attend or not. Prices can range from around US$50 to over US$150 per person. Final decisions on prices and whether dinners are compulsory are made relatively close to the time. We aim to always select hotels that make their Gala Dinners optional, though this is is not always possible. Gala dinner prices are therefore not included in our prices above, but will be added to your booking if they become required. More information is available on request.

Gods of Egypt 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.
steigenberger-cairo-pyramids-hotel.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Steigenberger Cairo Pyramids Hotel
Cairo, Egypt

It features two pools, several restaurants and bars, free WiFi, a spa and fitness centre, and both classic and family rooms. The rooms overloo...


Steigenberger Cairo Pyramids Hotel is a 5-star establishment located on the doorstep of one of the most famous landmarks in the world: the Great Pyramids of Giza. Modern yet classic, the hotel is set amongst leafy gardens. It has been recently taken over and upgraded by Steigenberger, and now offers improved service and standards. Free WiFi is offered throughout the hotel, and there are two swimming pools. Several bars and restaurants are situated on site, serving a variety of flavours from around the world, as well as offering a taste of local cuisine. A wellness centre features modern fitness equipment and machines, while the spa offers a variety of treatments to help you relax after a day of touring.

Accommodation is offered in the form of classic rooms, as well as family suites. The classic rooms are available with either double or twin beds, and look out onto the gardens. The family rooms can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. Amenities in all rooms include en-suite bathrooms, TVs, minibars, safes, and air-conditioning. There are also several bungalow-style rooms set within the gardens.

The hotel’s location is ideal, just 3km from the Pyramids and the Sphinx and directly opposite the New Egyptian Grand Museum. Two international airports are within driving distance, and a shuttle service is available on request. Choose from a variety of landmarks and sites to visit in the surrounding regions.

nile-cruiseboat-luxor.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Nile Cruiseboat
Luxor, Egypt

A luxury Nile Cruise boat is a superbly appointed, floating, 5-star hotel. The cruise boat has many of the facilities of a normal hotel, inclu...


Nile Cruise boats are superbly appointed, floating, 5-star hotels featuring a restaurant, bars, shops, a relaxing sun deck and small swimming pool. Buffet breakfasts, lunches and evening meals featuring different cuisines are all included (though beverages and bottled water are not). You will have your own en-suite, AC cabin with large, panoramic opening windows to enjoy the view of the river while you sail. Single cabin supplements apply.

Our Egyptologist guides travel on board with you. This means you do the sightseeing tours in a small group with travellers and a guide you know, rather than joining one of the large boat groups. The guide can also help with any problems with your cabin, dietary requirements, or just to sit and talk about Egypt with you. They will often volunteer to give short lectures about both ancient and modern Egypt in the evenings to those interested.

Nile cruise itineraries are slightly flexible, mainly depending on the time passing through the lock at Esna. Some sailing may be done after dark, and boats may need to moor alongside each other at night. Gala dinner supplements may be added to our prices if you are on board on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve.

nile-palace-luxor.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Steigenberger Nile Palace Hotel
Luxor, Egypt

This hotel, formerly Le Meridien Luxor, is a modern hotel built in 2001. It is ideally situated right on the banks of the Nile and is within e...


Note: The following information is provided from our own visits & research, the hotel itself, and our clients' experience of using the hotel.

Introduction:

This hotel, formerly Le Meridien Luxor, is a modern hotel built in 2001.  It is ideally situated right on the banks of the Nile and is within easy reach of all the major sites of Luxor. The hotel has views of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings on the opposite bank. The outdoor pool, restaurants, cafes and shops are all located in a central courtyard area.

The location and the high standards within the hotel make this one of our first choice hotels for stays in Luxor on our small-group tours, and for private & tailor-made trips (together with the Sonesta St. George hotel).

Location:

The hotel is centrally located next to the Nile in the heart of the tourist area of Luxor with shops and bazaars within a short walk. It is just 1.5 kilometres from the train station and 10 kilometres/15 minutes from Luxor International airport.

Accommodation:

The hotel offers excellent standards of accommodation and the rooms are spacious and modern. The 302 rooms and suites are located on 6 floors built around the courtyard. The standard rooms overlook Luxor or the courtyard area and upgrades to Nile view rooms are available on request for a small supplement. There are also disabled and non-smoking rooms available.

All rooms have deluxe en-suite bathroom, private balcony, air-conditioning, Satellite TV, mini-bar, safety deposit box, telephone, hairdryer and electrical sockets.

Bars & Restaurants:

The hotel has a number of bars and restaurants to choose from. The main hotel restaurant is the Nubia which is open from 6.00-10.00 am for breakfast and then 6.00-10.00pm for dinner, serving local and international dishes. There are two other restaurants within the hotel which are open for both lunch and dinner. These are the Casa de Napoli Italian restaurant serving pizza and pasta and El Tarboush serving Lebanese dishes.

For light meals and snacks during the day there is the Tropicana poolside bar and the Cafe des Delices which is located in the courtyard.
In the evening there is the Nile bar & lounge, which is open until 2.00am, and you can enjoy views of the Nile while trying out the various cocktails on offer.

Pasha's Pub also has views of the Nile and has regular evening entertainment.

Facilities & Services:

The freeform outdoor pool which is heated in winter has views of the River Nile and the Valley of the Kings and is the perfect place to relax after a day spent sightseeing or exploring Luxor. Guests also have free use of the leisure centre and gym within the hotel and other activities such as golf are available nearby. The are various shops within the hotel including gift and souvenir shops, a beauty salon and foreign exchange services.

Other services include:

  • 24-hour room service
  • Babysitting (on request)
  • 24hr Concierge Service
  • Laundry Service
  • Business centre
  • Porters
  • Games room
  • Library
  • Lifts
sunrise-royal-makadi-aqua-resort.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Sunrise Royal Makadi Aqua Resort
Hurghada, Egypt

The Sunrise Royal Makadi Resort is an excellent Red Sea resort option with a great beachfront location and lots of different activities and fa...


The Sunrise Royal Makadi Resort is an excellent Red Sea resort option with a great beachfront location and lots of different activities and facilities available on site. The hotel is located just outside Makadi Bay, around 30km from the resort centre of Hurghada. One of the hotel's main features is an aquapark with five pools to relax beside and a range of 11 different water slides. You can also play tennis, football, table tennis, darts, do aquaerobics or use the on-site gym. The spa facilities include massages, sauna, whirlpool and a range of treatment options. Scuba-diving and snorkelling trips can be arranged through the hotel or through our local representative. A hotel-run kids club operates from November to March. There are eight restaurants and bars to choose from offering a wide variety of different cuisines (gentlemen should wear long trousers for dinner). Rooms are spacious and comfortable with either a large double bed or twin beds, plus an extra bed for children if required. A very limited number of family rooms for up to three adults and two children are also available.

sheraton-cairo.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino
Cairo, Egypt

The Sheraton Cairo is located in Cairo’s Dokki district, close to the Egyptian Museum. It consists of a casino, night club, and 5-star hotel...


Sheraton Cairo Hotel and Casino is a 5-star establishment found in the Dokki district of Cairo. A number of attractions are close by, including the Egyptian Museum. Included among the many facilities and amenities are a spa, fitness centre, sauna, library, and indoor and outdoor pools. Rooms are fully-equipped and feature mini bars, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary toiletries. The hotel offers several services, including 24-hour room service, a turndown service, and a paid airport shuttle.

Gods of Egypt 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 (EGSGGE)
Price from
US$900
per person



Single room supplement (EGSGGE)
Min numbers: 1 person

This option books a single room in all the accommodation throughout the tour. Room shares may be available but the supplement is payable if a ..


This option books a single room in all the accommodation throughout the tour. If you are a single traveller and would be happy to share a room, let us know and we will aim to pair you up with another traveller of the same sex. If a room share is available, you will not need to pay the supplement.

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 (5-star) - pre-tour
Price from
US$135
per person



Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - pre-tour
Min numbers: 1 person

This option adds an extra day to the start of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your air..


This option adds an extra day to the start of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your airport arrival transfer is still included. Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing.

Note: Single room and peak season supplements apply.

Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - post-tour
Price from
US$135
per person



Extra day in Cairo (5-star) - post-tour
Min numbers: 1 person

This option adds an extra day to the end of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your airpo..


This option adds an extra day to the end of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your airport departure transfer is still included. Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing.

Note: Single room and peak season supplements apply.

Hot air balloon in Luxor
Price from
US$150
per person



Hot air balloon in Luxor
Min numbers: 1 person

A trully memorable, approx 1-hour, early morning flight over the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor...


This popular optional tour starts early in the morning so that you experience the sunrise over the Valleys of the Kings & Queens, temples and desert. We endeavour to use the earliest flights of the day as they are timed to fit with the rising sun, this means that times may vary. You get around 1 hour in the air.

Abu Simbel overland
Price from
US$150
per person



Abu Simbel overland
Min numbers: 1 person

This option takes you from Aswan to see the amazing temples built by Ramses II at Aswan. We travel overland and return to Aswan by midday...


The temples built by Ramses II at Abu Simbel are one of Egypt's highlights, and have a fascinating story behind them to go with their impressive size. When Lake Nasser was flooded, the final water level was going to submerge several temples, the most important of which being Abu Simbel. The temple was therefore dismantled completely and rebuilt further up the hillside where it sits today. The temple stands today as a testament to Ramses II and the great building prowess of the ancient Egyptians, as well as to modern engineering. We depart Aswan early in the morning to join an escorted convoy which departs Aswan at around 04.30. This gets us to Abu Simbel to see the temples in the light of the rising sun, and we then have a guided tour with one of our Egyptologists and some free time before we drive back to Aswan (approx. 3 hours drive each way, with around 2 hours at the temples). All transfers, guide, and entrance fees are included. The tour itinerary is designed so you will not miss any other activities if you choose this option. Note - we choose the overland route to get to Abu Simbel as the flight times there are unreliable and the journey using the flight is much more segmented (you get more rest on the coach), not to mention it is much more expensive to fly.

Cairo city tour
Price from
US$75
per person



Cairo city tour
Min numbers: 1 person

This tour visits Coptic Cairo, the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque as well as the bustling market streets of Khan El Khalili bazaar...


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. Then we head onto 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 whilst it is more commonly known as the Hanging Church next stop is St. Sergius which is said to be the resting place of the Holy Family. The tour finishes with time exploring the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar.

Saqqara, Dashour & Memphis
Price from
US$75
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.

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Gods of Egypt 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.

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 safari options may not always have air conditioning where they are only used for short periods.

This upgraded tour also avoids any overnight train journeys, featuring a domestic flight with Egypt Air between Cairo-Aswan

Nile cruise boat itineraries are subject to alterations depending on local conditions at the time of travel. Some sailing may be done after dark. Boats may moor up alongside each other at night, requiring you to cross through other boats to reach the shore. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve the cruise boats normally run a special Gala Dinner. The cost of this is sometimes compulsory, whether you attend or not, and is not included in our group tour prices, but will be added to your booking price if required.

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.

We run regular small-group departures on this tour starting on Saturdays throughout the year. All departures are guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 travellers. Departure dates and prices are listed on our website and on a separate dates & prices sheet available on request.

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

Gods of Egypt dates & prices
Small-group tour departure dates are given below. The tour is also available for booking privately for travel anytime through the year, with adjustments to fit your personal requirements. Please contact us for details and prices.
Start Date End Date Price (P/P) Offer Price Note
04 May, 2024 13 May, 2024 US$2295 - - Book now
18 May, 2024 27 May, 2024 US$2295 - - Book now
01 Jun, 2024 10 Jun, 2024 US$2295 - - Book now
15 Jun, 2024 24 Jun, 2024 US$2230 - - Book now
29 Jun, 2024 08 Jul, 2024 US$2230 - - Book now
13 Jul, 2024 22 Jul, 2024 US$2230 - - Book now
27 Jul, 2024 05 Aug, 2024 US$2230 - - Book now
10 Aug, 2024 19 Aug, 2024 US$2230 - - Book now
24 Aug, 2024 02 Sep, 2024 US$2230 - - Book now
07 Sep, 2024 16 Sep, 2024 US$2295 - - Book now
21 Sep, 2024 30 Sep, 2024 US$2295 - - Book now
28 Sep, 2024 07 Oct, 2024 US$2360 - - Book now
05 Oct, 2024 14 Oct, 2024 US$2360 - - Book now
19 Oct, 2024 28 Oct, 2024 US$2360 - - Book now
02 Nov, 2024 11 Nov, 2024 US$2360 - - Book now
16 Nov, 2024 25 Nov, 2024 US$2360 - - Book now
30 Nov, 2024 09 Dec, 2024 US$2360 - - Book now
14 Dec, 2024 23 Dec, 2024 US$2360 - - Book now
28 Dec, 2024 06 Jan, 2025 US$2490 - NYE Gala dinner not included Book now
28 Dec, 2024 06 Jan, 2025 US$2490 - - Book now
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