Guide

Certified Egyptologist as CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout

Accommodation

Simple hotels (5 nts, twin-share), overnight sleeper-train (2 nts).

Hygieneprotocol

As of October 1, 2021 G Adventures’ Vaccinated Tours Policy applies:  All travelers must meet the G Adventures requirements for joining their tours.  The majority of tours require travelers to be fully vaccinated and the full/final COVID-19 vaccination must be at least 14 days before the first day of the tour.  There are some tours and departures that are only ‘Travel-Ready’ which means all travelers must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours before the first day of the tour.  Please, double check with the G Adventures Support Team about the requirements of your tour and departure date. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 below** Travel with Confidence & Vaccinated Tours As we continue to see vaccine mandates shifting and countries evolving COVID-19 policies, we have continued to monitor and adjust our policies in line. Based on this, we will be making some adjustments to our Vaccinated Tours and Travel with Confidence policy in 2023. Tours departing on or after March 31, 2023 we will no longer be requiring all travellers to be vaccinated to travel with G Adventures. However, we still strongly recommend that all travellers are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to travelling. As per our existing policy, it is the travellers responsibility to ensure they are aware of and adhere to the regulations of the country they are visiting. Please remember to ensure that your travellers have adequate travel insurance to protect them should their travel plans change, this should include trip disruption and COVID-19 coverage. Our National Geographic Journeys, National Geographic Family Journeys and G Expedition will remain fully vaccinated for all departures . You can read more about these policies here: https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  Leading up to March 31, 2023 our tours will continue to be Vaccinated Tours and you can look for the Vaccinated Tours icon to indicate which departures are vaccinated and which will not require a vaccination as we move forward with this change. You can find more information on our Travel with Confidence landing page https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  or as well as on Sherpa.  Thank you for your continued support as we navigate these updates. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 above**

Transport

Private air-conditioned van, train, felucca, walking

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

Others

Your G for Good Moment: Funtasia Project Visit, Luxor Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Local Living Moment: Boat ride to Nubian Village with Traditional Meal, Aswān Your Discover Moment: Aswān. Guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Orientation walk through Cairo’s Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Free time in Aswan. Felucca Sailing Excursion. Kom Ombo Temple visit. Cycle and Funtasia Project visit. Free time in Luxor. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Not included:

Flights

International flights are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here ( https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance ).

Others

1. EXCURSION RECOMMENDATIONS If you arrive a day or two early in Cairo and wish to do some excursions, we recommend that you wait until you get to the joining hotel and contact our local staff for more information on available tours and excursions. Tourists are frequently over-charged for excursions bought from vendors on the street or at the airport. 2. TRAVEL DAYS Please be aware that there are some long driving days on this tour. You can refer to the detailed trip itinerary for more information on estimated travel times. Please note that any times mentioned are approximations only to give you an idea of the journey lengths and the actual time taken will depend on factors such as public transport timetables and road conditions. A mix of private and public transport is used throughout this trip. 3. RAMADAN According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between Feb 28th - Mar 29th 2025, and Feb 17th - Mar 19th 2026. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can’t at that time. 4. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES Please note all optional activities and entrance fees will need to be paid by card only as per a new change implemented by the ministry of tourism in Egypt. 5. MONEY US Dollars that are series 1996 or earlier are not accepted and very difficult to change in regions of East and Southern Africa, as there are a lot of forgeries in circulation. 6. FELUCCAS ON THE NILE Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river. Feluccas are traditional wind-driven sailing craft, and therefore subject to the unpredictability of wind, weather and river traffic conditions on the Nile. We will do our best to follow published itineraries, but they must be considered tentative in all cases. We reserve the right to modify or cancel any sailing itinerary as conditions warrant. In case of insufficient wind, weather danger or difficult river traffic conditions on the Nile or through the Nile locks, we reserve the right to transport passengers between some sites by motor vehicle on land, in order to be able to keep up with the itinerary. 7. EXTRAS Looking to add to your experience? Check out our Extras! Specially designed for travellers with unique interests, Extras are optional add-ons to your G adventures trip that make your adventure more you-centric. Extras must be booked prior to departure, please see details in our optional activities field and ask your sales GCO or travel agent about booking. 8. TIPPING NOTE: Tipping is a way of life in the Middle East. Locals themselves will usually tip anyone who provides them with services. Due to this expectation, your CEO will collect a Tipping Kitty at the start of the tour. For more details see the Tipping section below. 9. AID AL-ADHA During your visit to this country, we would like to inform you about an important celebration called Aid Al-Adha. This holiday may impact your travel experience, as most shops and restaurants are closed during the celebration. Some of the historical places we visit might also be closed during this time. There will be a shorter number of staff at the hotels and less crowded streets on the day of the celebration. Aid Al-Adha will fall between Jun. 16th-17th 2024, and Jun. 6th-7th 2025.Cairo - Islamic and Coptic Cairo Tour - Egyptian Museum (200EGP per person) - Explore a Pyramid (100-400EGP per person) - Explore Memphis and Sakkara Aswān - Visit the Souk (Free) - Philae Temple Sound and Light Show (70USD per person) Luxor - West Bank of Luxor Guided Tour - King Tutankhamen Tomb (300EGP per person) - Bazaar Visit in Luxor (Free) - Mummification Museum Visit (100EGP per person) - Tour of the East Bank - Karnak and Luxor Temples (65USD per person)

Optional

Cairo Solar Boat Museum Visit (100EGP per person) Entrance into the Pyramids (100-360EGP per person) in Aswān Souk Visit (Free) Philae Temple Visit (1000EGP per person) Tour of Aswan (1300EGP per person) Nubian Museum Visit (140EGP per person) in Abû Simbel Abu Simbel Visit (Bus) (2200EGP per person) in Luxor Bazaar Visit (Free) Camel Ride (300EGP per person) Luxor Temple Visit (140EGP per person) Mummification Museum (100EGP per person) Karnak Temple Visit (950EGP per person) Tour of the East Bank (1100EGP per person) Tomb of Tutankhamun Visit (250EGP per person) Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and Colossi of Memnon Visit (1450EGP per person)

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Cairo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Cairo

Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

What better way to kick off your travels than by getting to know your CEO and group over a few drinks? Take a short taxi ride to a favourite local restaurant and bar in a trendy part of Cairo. Kick back, relax, and bask in the excitement of your journey’s beginning.

Included Activities:
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Connect With New Friends

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Islamic and Coptic Cairo Tour

Additional Notes: If this is your first visit to Cairo, we highly recommend that you book an airport transfer.

If you opt to prebook the Islamic and Coptic Cairo Tour a night of pre-tour accommodation is required as this tour departs at 10am.
Day 2 Day 2: Cairo/Aswān (1B, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Cairo/Aswān (1B, 1D)

Take an orientation tour through the narrow alleys of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, with free time for shopping or people watching from a shisha café. Then enjoy a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Overnight sleeper train to Aswan.
For lunch, why not go local with a couple of falafel sandwiches, or take the chance to find out what kushari tastes like?

In the evening, board an overnight train to Aswan. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Transport:
- Overnight Train (beds) 12:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Khan el-Khalili Bazaar Orientation Walk
- Great Pyramid of Giza and Sphinx Tour

Additional Notes: After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and store our luggage in our vehicle, ready to head to the station to catch tonight’s overnight train later in the evening.
Day 3 Day 3: Aswān (1B, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Aswān (1B, 1D)

Free morning to explore Aswan. Opt to wander through the souk at your own pace or visit the famous Philae Temple, it’s your choice.

In the afternoon, board a boat and cruise down the Nile. Visit a Nubian village and enjoy a home-cooked dinner with locals.
Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but, trains can often be delayed.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Included Activities:
- Boat ride to Nubian Village with Traditional Meal

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Philae Temple Visit
Day 4 Day 4: Aswān (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Aswān (1B)

Spend the day exploring Aswan.
Spend another day exploring Aswan. Opt to visit one of the most fascinating sights in the area, the Temple of Abu Simbel. Or continue exploring the city to learn more about Aswan’s local people.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Temple of Abu Simbel Visit

Additional Notes: If you have purchased the Temple of Abu Simbel Excursion, you will visit the temple today. Leaving Aswan at around 4am, you travel deep into the desert to the site of these enormous temples, on the shores of Lake Nasser. You can spend around 2 hours at the temples and then return to Aswan by about 12pm. The round trip drive is around 5-6 hrs.
Day 5 Day 5: Aswān/Luxor (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Aswān/Luxor (1B, 1L, 1D)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Ride on a Felucca to Aswan Bridge, where we will disembark and transfer to Kom Umbo. Later visit Kom Umbo temple before transferring to Luxor. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the local market where you can try some local specialties.
Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 00:45 - 01:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Kom Ombo Temple Visit
- Felucca Ride to Aswan Bridge
Day 6 Day 6: Luxor (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Luxor (1B)

Enjoy a full free day to explore Luxor. Opt to set off on a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank of Luxor excursion. Or choose to discover the city at your own pace, by wandering through the local bazaars or visiting a museum—the choice is yours!

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Tour the West Bank of Luxor
Day 7 Day 7: Luxor/Cairo (1B, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Luxor/Cairo (1B, 1D)

After breakfast the group will sail by ferry to the West Bank to meet our student-guide. Together we will bike through the village and visit the Funtasia Project Center where the group will learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with our guide. Afterwards, cycle back to the waterfront and board the ferry to travel back across the Nile. Spend a free afternoon in Luxor at your leisure, or choose to join the East Bank optional excursion. In the evening board an overnight train back to Cairo.
In the evening, board an overnight train back to Cairo. The overnight train is a modern air-conditioned sleeper, with twin-berth beds. There is no shower in the cabin, but each cabin does have a sink. The shared toilet is at the end of each carriage. A basic airline-style tray meal for dinner and breakfast is included. Attendants can serve drinks in your compartment at extra cost or there is a bar car for socializing.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Transport:
- Overnight Train (beds) 09:30 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Funtasia Project Visit
Day 8 Day 8: Cairo (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Cairo (1B)

Tour ends upon arrival.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Included Activities:
- Departure Day

Optional Extras to chose from:
- Explore Memphis and Sakkara

Additional Notes: Our tour finishes on arrival at Giza train station. Please be aware that delays on overnight trains do quite often occur, so please do not book any onward flights before 2pm today.

If you opt to book the Memphis and Sakkara Excursion, please ensure you allow enough time to return from the activity when planning your onward journey.

8 days tour

Egypt: Boats & Bazaars

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Egypt: Boats & Bazaars

Day 1: Cairo

Day 2: Cairo/Aswān (1B, 1D)

Day 3: Aswān (1B, 1D)

Day 4: Aswān (1B)

Day 5: Aswān/Luxor (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 6: Luxor (1B)

Day 7: Luxor/Cairo (1B, 1D)

Day 8: Cairo (1B)

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