Why book the Lebanon and Egypt Encounters tour?
Lebanon and Egypt Encounters is a 17-day small-group tour that combines two of the Middle East's most culturally rich countries. The first 8 days explore Lebanon in depth: Beirut, the Beiteddine Palace, Tyre, Sidon, the epic Roman temples at Baalbek, Ksara Caves wine tasting, the Cedars of Lebanon, the Qadisha Valley, Baatara Gorge, Byblos, Jeita Grotto, and Harissa. The final 9 days cover Egypt: the Pyramids, Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, a Nile felucca, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Philae Temple and the Red Sea. You sleep in 4 and 5-star hotels, a guesthouse, a monastery, a felucca sailboat, and on an overnight sleeper train.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to both countries?
Yes. The combination is designed to give you a thorough, guided introduction to both Lebanon and Egypt in a single trip. Having local guides in each country and all logistics handled means first-timers can experience both countries without stress.
What is the difference between this and doing Lebanon alone or Egypt alone?
The Beirut Mini Break (4 days) is a focused city break covering Beirut's highlights only. Our standalone Egypt tours (Pharaonic Encounters, Nubian Adventure, etc.) go deeper into Egypt specifically. This combined tour (17 days) is for those who want both in a single itinerary, connecting Lebanon's Phoenician and Roman heritage with Egypt's pharaonic world.
What is the best time of year to do this tour?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) work well for both countries. Lebanon is pleasant from March to November. Egypt is most comfortable October to April, with summer temperatures reaching 40°C in Luxor. The tour runs year-round with Saturday departures, so spring and autumn are the sweet spot for comfort in both countries.
Why does this tour cost what it does?
This is a 17-day, two-country itinerary with 16 nights in accommodation ranging from 4 and 5-star hotels to a monastery stay and a Nile felucca. Your price includes local guides in both Lebanon and Egypt, all transport in both countries, the sleeper train, 24-hour airport transfers, and 16 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners. The internal flight between Beirut and Cairo (on day 8) is not included in the price and needs to be booked separately.
What is actually included in the price?
Included: 16 nights accommodation (4 and 5-star hotels, a guesthouse, a monastery, a felucca sailboat, and a sleeper train cabin), all transport and transfers in both countries, 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfers in Beirut and Cairo, local English-speaking guides throughout, a sleeper train between Cairo and Luxor, a felucca night on the Nile, and meals as indicated (16 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners).
What is NOT included and how much extra should I budget?
Not included: international flights, the internal Beirut to Cairo flight on day 8, visa fees, travel insurance, entrance fees, a tipping kitty for Egypt, meals not listed, drinks, personal expenses, and guide tips. The internal flight between countries is a significant extra to budget for. Your guide will brief current entrance fee and tipping kitty amounts at the start of each country.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Hold a reservation, pay a deposit, or pay in full. Full balance is due 8 weeks before departure.
How physically demanding is this tour?
Moderate. You will be on your feet for several hours a day at sites like Baalbek, Byblos, the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings, often in warm weather. The felucca night and the sleeper train add variety without physical challenge. The Baatara Gorge viewpoint involves some walking. If you can comfortably walk for 3 to 4 hours in warm conditions, you will be fine.
What if I am older than the rest of the group?
Not a problem. Both Lebanon and Egypt attract a broad age range of travellers. The guides set a sensible pace and the itinerary includes free time at various points. Attitude and reasonable fitness matter more than age.
What if I have mobility issues?
Some sites have uneven terrain, steps, and narrow passages (the Valley of the Kings, some Beirut sites). Please contact us before booking to discuss your situation. The sleeper train requires climbing into a berth. A private departure with flight alternatives for the overnight train sections may be more suitable.
How hot does it get?
Egypt's Luxor can reach 40°C in summer and 25-30°C in October to April. Lebanon is milder, typically 20-28°C in the summer touring season. Early starts at major sites in Egypt avoid the worst of the midday heat.
Are Lebanon and Egypt safe to visit?
We always check current Foreign Office travel advice before operating tours in both countries. Lebanon has had periods of instability and the situation should be checked at the time of booking. Egypt's main tourist regions (Cairo, Luxor, the Nile Valley) are well-policed and have consistently welcomed international visitors. Our local teams monitor conditions continuously in both countries.
Is it safe for women travelling solo?
Yes. We host solo female travellers on both Lebanon and Egypt tours regularly. Modest dress (shoulders and knees covered at religious and conservative sites) is strongly recommended in both countries. You are with a guide and small group throughout.
What happens if I get sick on tour?
Your local guide is your first contact. Both Beirut and Cairo have good private hospitals with English-speaking doctors. Luxor has clinics used to treating tourists. Travel insurance with full medical cover is compulsory.
What is the accommodation actually like?
A genuinely varied mix: 4 and 5-star hotels in Beirut and Cairo, a boutique guesthouse in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley (the Massabki Hotel near Baalbek), a monastery stay, a Nile felucca sailboat night with a support vessel, and a sleeper train cabin between Cairo and Luxor. The variety is one of the tour's great charms.
What is the felucca night like?
You spend one night on a traditional Nile sailing felucca with an accompanying support boat, anchored on the river. The felucca crew provides meals. It is a simple, romantic and genuinely memorable way to experience the Nile.
Will I have Wi-Fi?
In the 4 and 5-star hotels in Beirut and Cairo, yes. The monastery, guesthouse, felucca and sleeper train will have limited or no Wi-Fi. A Lebanese SIM and an Egyptian SIM are both easy to arrange locally.
What kind of food will we eat?
Lebanese mezze (hummus, falafel, tabouleh, grilled meats) in the first half, and Egyptian staples (koshary, grilled meats, fresh salads, Nile fish) in the second. The Ksara Caves visit in Lebanon includes a wine tasting. Breakfasts are generally hotel buffets with local and international options.
Can you cater for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets?
Both Lebanese and Egyptian cuisines are rich in vegetarian options. Vegan eating is very workable in both countries. Gluten-free is manageable with advance notice. Let us know at booking.
Is it safe to drink the water?
Stick to bottled water in both Lebanon and Egypt. Cheap and widely available throughout both countries.
Is this trip good for solo travellers?
Yes. A strong share of each departure books solo. The 17-day format and the variety of experiences makes it especially good for solo travellers who want a genuine mix of culture and adventure.
Do I have to share a room?
Solo travellers are paired with another guest of the same gender in hotels, the monastery, the guesthouse, and the sleeper train. A single supplement is available throughout.
What is the group size?
Groups have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 18 travellers. Regular Saturday departures run year-round.
Can I book this as a private tour?
Yes. Contact us for details. Private departures allow accommodation customisation and flexible dates.
Do I need visas for both Lebanon and Egypt?
Lebanon visa requirements vary by nationality. Egypt offers a visa on arrival or e-visa for most nationalities. You also need to arrange the internal flight between Beirut and Cairo on day 8, which is not included. Check current requirements and book this flight in advance.
What should I pack?
Modest clothing for both countries (shoulders and knees covered for mosques, churches, monasteries and conservative areas), comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket for evenings and the sleeper train, a sun hat, high-SPF sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and plug adapters (Lebanon uses Type C/D at 220V; Egypt uses Type C at 220V).
Are any vaccinations recommended?
No vaccinations are legally required for entry from most countries. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are commonly recommended for both countries. Check with your GP or travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departure.
Do I need to book international flights through you?
No. You fly into Beirut (BEY) on day 1 and out of Cairo (CAI) on day 17. You also need to arrange the day 8 internal flight from Beirut to Cairo independently. We are happy to advise or arrange flights if you prefer.
What about tipping?
Tipping culture differs slightly between Lebanon and Egypt. In Egypt a tipping kitty covers drivers, hotel staff and incidentals. Guide tips are separate. Your guide will brief current amounts in each country.
Can I add a hot air balloon over Luxor?
Yes. The optional sunrise balloon flight over the West Bank and Valley of the Kings is available in the Luxor section. It is one of Egypt's most spectacular optional experiences.
Can I extend my time in Cairo or the Red Sea?
Yes. Post-tour Cairo nights can be added. The itinerary already includes Red Sea time, but extra nights can be arranged. Pre-tour Beirut extra nights are also available.
Can I upgrade to 5-star accommodation in Egypt?
Yes. The tour uses a mix of 4 and 5-star hotels in Egypt already. Private departures allow full 5-star customisation. Contact us for options.
How far ahead should I book?
Popular spring and autumn dates fill up 3 to 5 months ahead. Saturday departures run year-round, so there is flexibility, but the combination of two countries and a maximum of 18 per group means early booking pays.
How does booking work?
Reserve online via the Dates and Prices tab. Pay a deposit, full amount, or hold a reservation. Full balance is due 8 weeks before departure.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, it is compulsory. Your policy must cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation across both countries. We partner with World Nomads. Send your policy number before departure.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations made well ahead of departure receive a refund of payments made. Closer-in cancellations attract fees on a sliding scale. Full terms are in our booking conditions. Encounters Travel is UK-registered with financial protection via Trust My Travel.
What if my dates are sold out?
Contact us. We can check cancellations, add you to a waitlist, or suggest doing Lebanon and Egypt as separate standalone tours. The Beirut Mini Break and Pharaonic Encounters are both available as individual options.
