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Overview

Small group travel in Egypt

This small group travel is a perfect opportunity to discover Egypt for a first time, and to appreciate and be amazed by the countless wonders this fascinating country contains. In Cairo, our guide explains the history and mystery of ancient Egypt as we explore the Egyptian Museum, the pyramids, and the Sphinx. In Luxor, we are treated to further outstanding sights, including the temple of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. A relaxing three-day riverboat cruise brings our small group to Aswan, home of the friendly people of Nubia. There's time for an optional visit to Abu Simbel before we return to Cairo to visit a delightful 16th century Arabesque villa, Cairo's oldest mosque, and the bustling Khan el Khalili bazaar. Our last stop is cosmopolitan Alexandria, on the Mediterranean coast. We visit the excellent museum, enjoy an excursion to the battlefields at El Alamein, and have time to explore downtown ‘Alex' before returning to Cairo.

Feel free to contact our Egypt specialist at Uniktour for more information on this exotic small group travel through time!

Itinerary

Day 1| International flight

Day 2| Cairo
On arrival at Cairo Airport, you are greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. This is simply an arrival day, so the schedule is independent of your arrival time. Note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore the area. Your tour leader may contact you in the evening.

Day 3| Cairo - overnight train
After breakfast at the hotel we head to the Egyptian Museum for a tour of the main exhibits. Our guide explains the complexity of Egypt's many dynastic periods, starting with the Old Kingdom and ending with the Greco-Roman occupation. This provides us with an excellent background for our trip to Upper Egypt. Later we drive out to Giza, where we visit the Great Pyramids and the nearby Sphinx. For an additional charge you may be able to go inside one of the pyramids (although occasionally they are closed). Returning to our hotel, there is plenty of time to freshen up and pack before we are transferred to the railway station, where we board the overnight sleeper train to Luxor. Sleeping berths (beds and linen) are provided in private cabins and an airline-style dinner is served on board. It is worth bringing additional snacks on board and your tour leader can help you arrange this. A toilet is located at the end of each carriage.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 4| Luxor
Breakfast is served on the train and just after dawn we arrive in Luxor, where we are transferred to our Nile cruise boat and our home for the next four nights. We can relax by the pool on the boat or explore the bazaar in town. Later in the day we take horse-drawn carriages to Karnak, which is one of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, built over a period of some 200 years. We enjoy a guided tour of the temple and the rest of the afternoon and evening we are free to relax, shop in the bazaar (which stays open till quite late) or experience the atmosphere of a local coffee shop.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 5| Luxor
We rise early this morning (very early in summer time!) and drive across to the west bank of the Nile. We head into the Valley of the Kings where our guide recounts the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and the significance of the many tomb paintings and hieroglyphs. We visit three royal tombs and then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set in a spectacular natural amphitheatre. Our final stop is at the Colossi of Memnon, giant statues that were once part of an impressive colonnade. We return to our cruise boat on the east bank, where we enjoy lunch on board. There is time to relax on deck or in your cabin before we set sail for Edfu. Departure time may vary, depending on river traffic – please refer to the note regarding cruise schedules in the ‘Other Information' section. We pass through Esna lock, which can sometimes be a slow process, depending on the number of vessels waiting to get through, and continue our journey upstream.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 6| Edfu – Kom Ombo
Morning finds us moored near Edfu, a very well preserved temple dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed God. We disembark and have time to explore the temple as well as to experience the bustling town centre. Returning to our cruise boat we continue traveling upstream, relaxing on the sundeck and enjoying views of the desert and the everyday life that is almost as timeless as the Nile itself. Arriving at Kom Ombo we visit the Temple of Sobek (the crocodile-headed god) that lies classically ruined on the edge of the Nile River. The most views are undoubtedly from the river itself, but a short walk around the temple also provides an interesting insight into the Greco-Roman period.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 7| Aswan
We arrive in Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city. This friendly metropolis has an easygoing charm that is due in no small part to its large Nubian population. Depending on the arrival time of our cruise ship, we may make a visit to the beautiful Temple of Isis that was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Philae Island (alternatively we will visit it tomorrow). It is an absolute gem and one of the highlights of Upper Egypt. The rest of our day we are free to wander through the Nubian bazaar, visit the excellent Nubian Museum, or enjoy a walk along the 'corniche', which is the promenade that runs alongside the river.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 8| Aswan - overnight train
We disembark from our cruise boat and check into a hotel, where a few day rooms are made available for our use. For the rest of the day we are free to make our own discoveries. The visit to Abu Simbel will take place this morning for those of us who booked this option with our tour leader back in Cairo. A popular afternoon option is a relaxing sailboat ride around the islands in a traditional felucca, stopping off at the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island. We can also take a fun camel ride to the Monastery of St. Simeon, located in the desert on the west bank of the river. Our tour leader is on hand and can help us organize any excursions we may wish to undertake. Alternatively, you may prefer to just relax by the hotel pool. In the late afternoon we reconvene for our transfer to the station, where we board the sleeper train for the return journey to Cairo. After departure an ‘airline-style' dinner is served in our cabins.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 9| Cairo
After enjoying breakfast on the train we arrive in Cairo and are transferred to our hotel, where we have time to freshen up. Having experienced the highlights of ancient Egypt, today is our opportunity to see something of medieval Cairo in the form of the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, Cairo's oldest mosque and the Gayer-Anderson Museum. Our tour leader takes us first to the beautiful Ibn Tulun Mosque, considered one of the finest examples of 9th century architecture, before walking us across to the Gayer-Anderson Museum, housed in two fine old villas (16th and 17th century) overlooking the mosque. Once owned by an English army officer, the two houses contain a fascinating collection of Arabic artefacts, furniture and memorabilia, giving us a great insight into Cairene life during the Ottoman period. We then continue into the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, which sprawls around an old area of Cairo known as Al-Azhar. The tortuous streets and alleyways and attendant hawkers all combine to make the area look like a scene from '1001 Nights', as our tour leader takes us into the heart of the bazaar. We explore the gold market, ‘perfume street' and the spice market – where the scent of cumin, coriander and cardamom hangs in the air like a thick blanket of Damascene cloth (which can be purchased next door in the cloth market!). There's time for you to do some last minute shopping here before we head back to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 10| Cairo - Alexandria
This morning we drive north from Cairo, following the desert road to Alexandria. We stop half-way for a short break and a cup of tea and expect to reach the coast around midday, where we check-in at our hotel and have time for a light lunch. In the afternoon, in the company of our local guide, we make a visit to the new Alexandria Museum, which houses many artefacts relevant to the region, and then continue to the Roman catacombs, a fascinating underground warren. We can also see the site of the great lighthouse, built during the time of Alexander the Great on the nearby island of Pharos, and considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. In the evening a pre-dinner drink in the 1930s-built Cecil Hotel is the perfect way to end the day.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 11| El Alamein
Nothing quite conjures up the hostile desert conditions endured by both Allied and German forces than the landscape around El Alamein. From Alexandria we drive west along the coastal road before turning south towards El Alamein. The journey lasts about 2-3 hours and on arrival we visit the small military museum housing a variety of tanks, armored vehicles and other wartime memorabilia. We also visit the nearby Allied Cemetery. Eating facilities are limited, so at a suitable point we open the lunch boxes supplied by our hotel and in the afternoon we make our way back to Alexandria. This evening, our tour leader may suggest one of the many excellent seafood restaurants in town.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 12| Alexandria - Cairo
The morning you are free to make your own discoveries. Many will enjoy a stroll along the beachfront, while others might prefer to head downtown to one of Alexandria's celebrated coffee shops – ‘Athinios' or the ‘Grand Trianon' being two of the best. Yet others may want to visit Montazah Palace (if it is open) or Qaitbay Fortress. In the early afternoon we make our way back to Cairo. After checking in to our hotel the balance of the day is at leisure to relax or swim.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 13| Cairo
Your trip ends today, after breakfast. If you have arranged a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time. International flight to Canada.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

Other fees

Optional extras and sightseeing

Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel Guide/entrance fee Approx US$20 (min 4 people)
Bus Aswan-Abu Simbel-Aswan Approx US$80
Flight Aswan-Abu Simbel-Aswan US$175-$230 (must be bought in Cairo)

Aswan
Afternoon felucca ride Approx US$7 (based 4 people)
Camel Ride (1 hour) Approx US$8
Nubian Museum Approx US$9
Philae Temple car/boat trip Approx US$26pp (based on 4 people)
Philae Temple Entrance fee Approx US$13

Cairo
Camel ride at the pyramids (15 mins) Approx US$10
Egyptian Museum (Mummy Room) Approx. US$18
Entrance inside Chephren or Mycerinus Approx US$5 each
Entrance inside Great Pyramid Approx US$18

Luxor
Karnak Sound & Light Show US$14 per person
Luxor Museum Entrance Fee Approx US$14
Luxor Temple Approx US$9

Other
Nile Cruise Schedules
There are numerous boats cruising the Nile, all of which must negotiate the lock at Edfu. As a result, boats arrive and depart Luxor continuously throughout the day. The printed itinerary is therefore only a guideline and you may find you have more (or less) time in either Luxor or Aswan. The actual cruising time, from Luxor to Aswan, is about a day and a half and this will be accomplished both during the day and at night.

Summertime Schedules
As the days get warmer, temperatures can start to soar – particularly in Upper Egypt (Luxor and Aswan). From April to October, to avoid the midday heat, some days start very early (eg at 0500). Please be prepared for this; our schedules are designed to make touring as comfortable for you as possible.

'Baksheesh' and Tipping
Throughout the Middle East, tipping is part of the fabric of life. The local word is 'baksheesh', which when translated into English falls somewhere in between 'tip' and 'bribe'. Everyone constantly tips everyone else and foreign travellers are expected to comply with this system. It is part of everyday life and is a form of remuneration for doing something, regardless of the standard of service. This is quite confusing for those used to the western concept of tipping as a way of showing appreciation. Over the years we have found that most of our customers find this constant need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if you don't have the correct small change. To overcome this, we have established a very successful tipping kitty system. At the beginning of the tour, your tour leader will suggest collecting a set amount from each tour member. He/she will then distribute all tips along the way, on behalf of the group, to the local guides, drivers, porters and anyone else who provides services along the way. We have surveyed thousands of our previous clients and the vast majority clearly prefer this procedure. We hope that this system will also work for you. The amount will vary from trip to trip, but it usually works out to be about the equivalent of US$3 per person per day.

If you are out on your own, for example at a restaurant, you should also leave a tip for the waiter.

Please note that the tipping kitty will NOT include a gratuity for your tour leader. They work hard for you and if you are happy with their service it is appropriate to tip them as well. The normal amount expected is US$3 (or equivalent) per day from each member of the group.

Ramadan
Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is an exciting (and at times, frustrating) time to travel in the Middle East. In the evening there is a celebratory atmosphere as people break their fast, and to witness all this is a real highlight. However, during the day, people must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, so if you encounter someone who is a bit grumpy, be sympathetic! Tourist sites are generally unaffected although some places may close early, but your leader will plan around this. Most hotels bars and tourist restaurants will remain open. Overall, Ramadan is a really interesting time to the Middle East, although you do need to be flexible, sympathetic and sensitive. In 2010, Ramadan starts on 11th August and finishes on 9th September, with the Eid el Fitr feast commencing on 10th September. In 2011, Ramadan will start on 1st August and finish on 30th August.

Visas
Egypt: Egypt: Australians, Americans, British, Canadian and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Egypt. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent.

Single entry visas for most nationalities can be obtained on arrival in Cairo (costs vary according to nationality) and payment must be made in either US Dollars or British Pounds CASH ONLY. However, if you are returning to Cairo from Jordan or Syria, at the end of your tour, you will require a double entry visa for Egypt. Double entry visas can ONLY be obtained from overseas consulates. Alternatively, just pay for a single entry visa each time you enter.

All travellers departing Egypt at Nuweiba Port must pay a 50 Egyptian Pound departure tax (subject to change). Your tour leader will collect this to pay immigration control.

Furthermore, if you are coming across the border from Israel you CANNOT get a visa at the border. As a result of this, we recommend you obtain your visa before you leave home.

Vaccinations
Vaccinations may be required for this trip. Please consult your doctor or a travel health specialist. The choice of vaccinations can depend on a range of issues including the specific destination, the duration of the trip, your personal health and of course what vaccines you have had before.

Compulsory vaccines: These days the only compulsory vaccine is for yellow fever, which is required for many countries in Africa and South America. It should be done at least 10 days before travel and must be recorded in an official certificate book. Please note that very often you may not need to show this certificate book when entering these countries, but you will need to produce it to immigration/customs on returning to your home country.

Routine Background Vaccines: We strongly endorse current public health recommendations that all travellers should be up-to-date with their routine vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria, measles/mumps/rubella, polio and influenza, and paediatric vaccinations for children.

Travel Vaccinations: While the food and water-borne diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid will apply to most of our travellers, other travel vaccines such as hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis and cholera may apply to select travellers, especially long-term travel. Travel health experts can advise on what is required and also what is not required!

Malaria: There is no vaccination against malaria, which is transmitted by mosquito bites and is a risk in many less-developed tropical areas, particularly in Central, East and West Africa, Melanesia (especially Papua New Guinea) and the Amazon region. In Asia (particularly India) and Central America it may be a problem in rural areas. Protection against mosquito bites is essential and where the risk is considered high, anti-malarial medications are recommended. Anti-malarial medications should be discussed with experts as there are different medications available and not all medications suit all people or all destinations. We prefer that trekkers to altitude try to avoid the use of mefloquine (Lariam) if possible.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain any vaccinations or preventative medicines for the countries you are visiting – or any which may be required by your home country upon your return. To find out which, if any, vaccinations are mandatory or recommended for your destination contact your local doctor, immunisation centre or medical centre for up-to-date information. If you need to arrange vaccinations or a supply of preventative medicine (e.g. malaria tablets), you should contact your doctor at least two months before you depart. Some inoculations require more than one visit and can take several weeks to administer the full course.

Carry Your Certificate
You should be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination booklet that records each vaccination. Always carry this with you on your travels; it could provide essential information for doctors in the event that you fall ill whilst travelling.

Passport
Well before travelling, please ensure that you have a current passport, with an accurate photo, that is valid for at least six months after your scheduled return home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport. Some countries may require that you have a return air ticket, or have sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket.

Insurance
On all our holidays you must have comprehensive travel insurance. Your own domestic government medical insurance and private health schemes will not cover you in most overseas countries. We are able to recommend a policy designed to cover participants in our programmes. You may take other cover, of course, but we require you to be adequately insured before we can allow you to participate on our tours. Should you commence a tour without adequate insurance you will be asked to arrange cover immediately before continuing with your holiday - and this may be difficult to arrange locally. For Group Tours your local leader will need 2 copies of your policy. The Tour Leader and our Ground Operator will keep one copy each in the unlikely event of an emergency. The copies must show the policy number and the emergency hotline phone number. Please bring these along to the tour briefing.

If you are covered by a policy arranged through your credit card company you will be asked to provide evidence of this cover, as well as a 24-hour emergency contact number. Many credit card companies do not provide an insurance policy number. In this instance, the tour leader will need to record your credit card number, as this is required to activate any request for emergency assistance. You should also bring along the travel insurance information booklet provided by your credit card company. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements set out by your credit card company in order to be effectively covered and that the cover offered is of a suitable standard.

For Independent Tours, we recommend you leave a copy of your Travel Insurance policy with your Emergency Contact.

Overview

From tradition to modernity, Egypt is a country which has succeeded in creating a present that is as fascinating as its past. Since the end of the nineteenth century, Egypt has been evolving at a very high speed. Its political, economical and cultural life has undergone striking changes. From the inscription of the first hieroglyph to the construction of the new hi-tech Smart Village, Egypt has always been a pioneer on the frontier for emerging information technologies in the Arab world.

Geography

Located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe, Egypt is built around the Nile Valley, a very fertile land bordering the river and bounded by 2 seas : the Mediterranean Sea (to the north) and the Red Sea (to the east). The thin area on either side of the Nile was historically where 90% of the population settled. To the east of the valley is the Arabian Desert, bounded by a high ridge of mountains. To the west is the Libyan Desert which stretches across the top of North Africa.

The demarcation line in Cairo, the capital city, separates Lower Egypt (everything north of Cairo) from Upper Egypt (everything to the south). To the east, across the Suez Canal is the triangular wedge of Sinai with Mt Sinai and Mt Catherine, the highest mountain in Egypt (2642m).

Culture

With 72,000,000 inhabitants, Egypt represents one quarter of the population of the Arab world. The city of Cairo itself counts about 16,000,000 people. The Egyptian population is composed of people from various origins. Most Egyptians originate from Ancient Egypt and the Nile Valley. Others come from the Arabic and Levantine descents and the Nubians of Upper Egypt.

Climate

During the summer, from March to November, the climate is hot and dry in most of the country. December to February can be quite cold in the north. The sky is usually blue and cloudless. The temperature varies considerably in Egypt. It can be extremely hot during the day and very cold at night, especially in the desert. It rains more often in Alexandria than in Aswan and Cairo. During the early days of the spring season, a hot wind called "Khamasin" blows in from the western desert at up to 150 km/h.