What does this 12-day Egypt tour cover from start to finish?
The tour starts and ends in Cairo. Day 1 is arrival. Day 2 visits the Giza Plateau (Great Pyramids of Khufu and the Sphinx), Memphis and the colossal statue of Ramses II, and the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, with a traditional Koshary lunch included. Day 3 tours the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) including Tutankhamun's treasures, then flies to Aswan to stay in a Nubian-style hotel. Day 4 explores the Nubian Village and visits Philae Temple (dedicated to the goddess Isis) before boarding the Nile cruise boat. Day 5 sails to Kom Ombo (double temple of Sobek and Horus) and Edfu, with an optional early departure to Abu Simbel. Day 6 visits the Temple of Horus at Edfu (best preserved temple in Egypt) and arrives in Luxor with an evening walk at Luxor Temple. Day 7 covers the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Karnak Temple complex. Day 8 drives to Hurghada's Red Sea resort on a soft all-inclusive basis. Days 9-10 are free at the resort. Day 11 drives back to Cairo for a walking tour of Old Cairo and Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Day 12 is departure.
What type of tour is this and how many people travel together?
This is a small-group tour with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 18 travellers. Regular departures run on Tuesdays throughout the year and are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 confirmed travellers. Your group travels with a fully trained, local English-speaking Egyptologist guide for all sightseeing in Cairo and the Nile Valley. On the Nile cruise, the Egyptologist travels with you on board, which means you explore the temples in your own private group rather than joining the larger boat crowds.
How does this tour differ from other Encounters Travel Egypt tours?
Egypt Encompassed is the more comfortable, flight-based version. It avoids overnight train journeys by including a domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan. It uses 5-star hotels in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, and Hurghada, and a 5-star-deluxe level Nile cruise boat. The comparable Discover Egypt tour uses the sleeper train to Aswan and a felucca sailboat instead of the cruise. The Nubian Adventure tour returns to Cairo after Luxor instead of going to the Red Sea. Ancient Encounters adds the Jordan Encounters tour before the Egypt segment, making a 17-day combination trip.
What is Koshary and why is it included?
Koshary is the beloved national street food of Egypt: a satisfying combination of rice
What is the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and how long do we spend there?
The Grand Egyptian Museum is one of the largest archaeological museums in the world, built near the Giza Pyramids to house Egypt's extraordinary antiquities collection. It includes the complete treasures of Tutankhamun, among thousands of other artefacts spanning millennia of Egyptian history. The tour includes a guided visit focusing on the highlights, but the museum is vast and cannot be fully explored in a single visit. A GEM revisit package is available as a bookable option if you want to return and explore further at your own pace.
What is the Red Sea portion of the tour like?
Days 8 to 10 are based at a 5-star resort on the Red Sea at Hurghada. Your stay is on a 'soft all-inclusive' basis, meaning all meals, soft drinks, and snacks are included at the resort, though alcoholic beverages are not. Hurghada is world-famous for scuba diving and snorkelling thanks to its extraordinary marine life and coral reefs. Other activities you can arrange locally include windsurfing, kitesurfing, glass-bottomed boat trips, quad biking, camel rides, and sea fishing. The local Encounters rep in Hurghada can help with bookings.
What is included in the tour price?
The price covers 6 nights in 5-star hotels in Cairo (2 nights), Aswan (Nubian-style hotel), and Luxor; 3 nights aboard the 5-star-deluxe Nile cruise boat (including all meals on board); and 2 nights at the Hurghada resort on soft all-inclusive. Also included: all transport in private air-conditioned vehicles, the domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan, a 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service, the Egyptologist guide throughout, all listed sightseeing tours, the traditional Koshary lunch, the Nubian Village experience, and the Red Sea stay. The meals listed in the itinerary (11 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners) are included.
What is excluded from the price?
International flights are excluded. Visa fees are excluded (most nationalities pay approximately 30 US dollars on arrival at Cairo airport; see the Visas section for details). Travel insurance is compulsory but not included. Entrance fees to all sites are not included (budget approximately 133 US dollars for the full tour). A tipping kitty of approximately 90 US dollars per person covers tips for hotel porters, drivers, local reps, site guards, and other service staff (your Egyptologist guide is separate and tipped individually). Drinks, personal expenses, and hotel gala dinner charges on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve departures are also excluded.
What is the tipping kitty system?
On Encounters Travel's Egypt small-group tours, tips for the many people you encounter (hotel porters, housekeeping, drivers, local reps, site guards, and others) are pooled into a 'tipping kitty' collected by your guide at the start of the tour. For this tour the kitty is approximately 90 US dollars per person (children under 12 are exempt). It can be paid in US dollar cash, Egyptian Pounds, or other currencies converted at the local monthly rate, or by credit card with a three-percent processing fee. Your Egyptologist guide is not included in the kitty and is tipped separately; around 10 to 15 US dollars per person per day is a fair guide figure.
How much should I budget for personal spending on top of the tour price?
Beyond the tipping kitty and entrance fees (budgeted separately above), allow around 15 to 25 US dollars per person per day for meals not included in the itinerary, drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and personal expenses. More if you plan significant shopping at Khan-el-Khalili or want to book optional activities such as the hot air balloon over Luxor or the Abu Simbel excursion.
How physically demanding is this tour?
The tour is accessible to most adults in reasonable health. Most activities involve walking around ancient sites at a manageable pace with a guide. The Valley of the Kings involves walking between tombs on uneven terrain in the heat. The Karnak Temple complex is very large and requires a fair amount of walking. The Red Sea days are completely relaxed. There is no trekking or strenuous physical activity. If you have concerns about heat, walking ability, or specific medical conditions, discuss them with the Encounters Travel sales team before booking.
What vaccinations do I need for Egypt?
Malaria is not generally present in Egypt and anti-malarial medication is not usually required. Recommended vaccinations for Egypt include Tetanus, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A. Consult your GP or a travel clinic well before departure for personalised advice. Note that 'black henna' tattoos offered in Egypt sometimes contain a chemical dye (PPD) that can cause severe allergic reactions and scarring; avoid henna unless you can confirm it is pure brown henna.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Egypt?
Absolutely. The itinerary is designed to cover the essential highlights of Egypt efficiently and comfortably, with an expert Egyptologist guide explaining each site in depth. Having your guide on board the Nile cruise means you get personalised explanations during sightseeing rather than generic boat-group commentary. First-time visitors particularly appreciate the combination of the Pyramids and Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings, the cruise, and the Red Sea relaxation at the end.
Is travel insurance compulsory and what should it cover?
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory. It must cover personal accident and liability, medical expenses and repatriation, and travel delay and abandonment. Cover for trip cancellation and lost luggage is strongly recommended. If you plan to go diving or hot air ballooning (available as options), check that your policy covers these activities. You must provide your policy number and insurer details before departure.
How is my payment financially protected?
Encounters Travel is a UK-registered company and has partnered with Trust My Travel Ltd for financial protection. Your payments are covered by an insurance policy held by Trust My Travel. In the event of Encounters Travel becoming insolvent, you would be refunded for unfulfilled services and, where applicable, repatriated to the UK. Full details are in the booking conditions on the Encounters Travel website.
Will the guide be with me on the Nile cruise or do I join a large boat group?
Your Egyptologist guide travels on board the Nile cruise with your group throughout. This means you do all the temple visits in your own small group, with the guide you already know, rather than being bundled into a large boat-group excursion. The guide can also help with cabin queries, dietary requests, or simply sit and talk about Egypt in the evenings, and will often give informal lectures on ancient and modern Egypt for those who are interested.
What is the standard of accommodation throughout the tour?
All Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, and Hurghada hotels are at the 5-star level. In Cairo the group typically stays at the Hyatt Centric Cairo West, a stylish contemporary hotel near Giza with a pool and spa. In Aswan, one night is spent at the DoroKa Nubian House, a charming Nubian-style hotel with colourful traditional decor, Nile views, and a warm family atmosphere (basic but clean and comfortable). Luxor nights are at the Sonesta St George Hotel, an elegant riverside 5-star with Nile and West Bank views. The Hurghada resort is the Sunrise Garden Beach Resort, a beachfront property with multiple pools and a private beach.
What is the Nile cruise boat like?
The cruise boat is a floating 5-star hotel with its own restaurant, bar, sun deck, and small swimming pool. Your private en-suite air-conditioned cabin has large panoramic opening windows so you can watch rural Egypt drift past. Buffet breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are all included on board (beverages and bottled water are not). A single cabin supplement applies for solo travellers. Boat itineraries are slightly flexible depending on conditions, particularly the lock at Esna, and some sailing may happen after dark. Boats may also moor alongside other vessels at night.
Is a single room supplement available for solo travellers?
Yes. A single room supplement covers solo accommodation in all hotels and a solo cabin on the Nile cruise throughout the tour. If you are happy to share, let Encounters Travel know and they will try to pair you with a same-sex solo traveller; shares are arranged in order of booking, and the supplement is refunded if a share is matched before departure.
What should I know about the Nubian Village accommodation in Aswan?
The DoroKa Nubian House is a deliberately different experience from the 5-star hotel nights on the rest of the tour. Rooms are decorated with vibrant traditional Nubian colours, handcrafted furnishings, and local artwork; they are basic but clean and comfortable, with air conditioning and private bathrooms. The property has wonderful Nile views and a tranquil atmosphere. The Nubian Village surroundings give you a genuine glimpse into a distinct culture and way of life that the standard hotels in Aswan do not.
How many meals are included and what type of food can I expect?
The tour includes 11 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners. All meals are included during the 3 nights on the Nile cruise. At the Hurghada resort on Days 9 and 10 all meals and soft drinks are covered under the soft all-inclusive arrangement. Elsewhere, breakfasts are hotel buffets, some dinners are at hotels, and the Koshary lunch on Day 2 is a classic street-food experience. Egyptian food features fresh bread, mezze-style starters, grilled meats and fish, slow-cooked bean dishes, and sweets like basbousa.
Can the tour accommodate vegetarian or special dietary needs?
Vegetarian and most common dietary requirements are accommodated at the 5-star hotels and on the Nile cruise, but you must inform Encounters Travel when you book so your needs can be communicated in advance. On the cruise boat your guide can also help ensure the kitchen is aware. Egyptian cuisine includes many naturally vegetarian dishes such as ful medames (slow-cooked fava beans), koshari, and various vegetable dishes.
Is the water safe to drink from the tap in Egypt?
Tap water in Egypt is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled water. The 5-star hotels all provide bottled water in rooms as standard. Using a reusable filter bottle (available with a 25% discount using code ENCOUNTERS25 at Water-to-Go) is better for the environment than buying single-use plastic bottles throughout the trip. On the Nile cruise, bottled water is available to purchase on board.
Is this a good tour for solo travellers?
Yes. The maximum group size of 18 creates a friendly group atmosphere, and the range of shared experiences (temple visits, Nile cruise meals, Red Sea leisure time) gives plenty of opportunity to connect with fellow travellers. Solo travellers who prefer privacy can book the single room supplement; those who are happy to share can be matched with another solo traveller of the same sex. The structured nature of the itinerary removes the stress of planning in an unfamiliar country.
Does the tour accommodate guiding in languages other than English?
A limited number of departures are guided in French or Spanish; departure listings on the website note which ones these are. Guiding in German, Italian, Polish, and other languages is available on private departures. Contact the sales team for details and quotations.
How do I get my Egyptian visa?
For most nationalities (including UK, USA, EU, Australian, and New Zealand passport holders), a visa on arrival at Cairo airport is straightforward: pay approximately 30 US dollars (or the equivalent in GBP or EUR) in cash at a bank desk in the immigration hall before passport control, and receive your visa stamp. No forms or photos are needed. Your Encounters Travel rep meets you before passport control and can assist with the process. An e-visa via the official Egyptian government website (visa2egypt.gov.eg) is also available if you prefer to organise it in advance. Note: Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in advance from an Egyptian consulate. All African and Indian nationals and some other nationalities must also apply in advance.
What currency should I bring to Egypt?
The Egyptian Pound (LE or EGP) is the local currency. You do not need to obtain Egyptian Pounds before travel; exchange facilities are available at Cairo airport, hotels, and banks. Keep small denomination notes for tips, toilets, and minor purchases. ATMs are widely available in major towns. Some shops accept Visa, Mastercard, or Amex but may charge fees of up to ten percent. For the tipping kitty, entrance fees, and the airport visa, bring US dollars, GB pounds, or euros in cash.
What should I wear when visiting temples and mosques?
Egypt requires modest dress, especially in mosques and city centres. Shoulders and legs should remain covered for both men and women when visiting religious sites. Loose-fitting, non-revealing clothing is recommended throughout. At tourist sites and on the cruise boat, shorts (not hot pants) and T-shirts are acceptable but shoulders should remain covered. Formal dress is not required in 5-star hotel restaurants or on the cruise. Keep a light layer for cool evenings and for air-conditioned interiors.
What voltage and socket type does Egypt use?
Egypt uses Type C sockets (two round prongs) at 220 volts. Standard European adapters work fine though may feel slightly loose. UK travellers need a plug adapter. US travellers (110-volt appliances) need both a plug adapter and a voltage converter. Universal adapters are available at most airport shops. All hotel rooms have sockets for charging devices.
Is the Abu Simbel excursion worth adding?
The temples at Abu Simbel, carved into the mountainside by Ramses II and later relocated to save them from Lake Nasser's rising waters, are one of Egypt's most dramatic sights. The overland option departs from Aswan at around 4am to arrive at the temples at sunrise, with a guided Egyptologist tour and free time before the drive back (roughly three and a half hours each way). The tour itinerary is specifically designed so that choosing Abu Simbel does not cause you to miss any other included activities. A minimum of 2 people is required to run this option. Entrance fees are extra.
What other optional activities are available?
Available options include: a hot air balloon flight over Luxor's West Bank (roughly one hour in the air at sunrise, arranged locally via your guide); the Karnak Sound and Light Show; the Philae Sound and Light Show; a Nubian Village visit by boat from Aswan; a Cairo sunset felucca ride; a Cairo Tower visit by night; a guided Grand Egyptian Museum revisit for those who want more time in the GEM; a Pyramids camel ride; an Alexandria day trip (Roman amphitheatre, Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, modern library, seafood lunch); a Wadi Rayan/Valley of the Whales day trip; a Saqqara, Dashour and Memphis half-day; and a Cairo city tour covering the Citadel, Islamic and Coptic areas.
Can I add extra nights in Cairo to extend my trip?
Extra nights in Cairo are available both before and after the tour (at the 5-star hotel level), including the departure airport transfer. With extra nights you can add the Alexandria day trip (a full day visiting the Roman amphitheatre, Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar, and the modern library on the Mediterranean coast) or the Valley of the Whales at Wadi Rayan. Hurghada can also be extended if you want more Red Sea time; contact the sales team for details and pricing.
Can I upgrade the drive back from Hurghada to a flight?
Yes. The tour normally includes a road journey of approximately 5 hours back to Cairo from Hurghada. An upgrade to an internal flight is available on request; speak to the sales team when booking if you prefer to fly. Note that if you extend your time in Hurghada you would need to arrange your own onward travel back to Cairo or to the airport.
How do I book and when is full payment due?
Book via the Dates and Prices tab on the Encounters Travel website. You can pay a deposit or the full amount online, or hold a reservation. Full payment is due 8 weeks before departure. Payment options include credit or debit card (a processing fee applies), bank transfer, or cheque/bank draft. Your booking confirmation email will set out all terms.
What are the gala dinner charges at Christmas and New Year?
At Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve departures, some 5-star hotels and Nile cruise boats impose a compulsory or semi-optional gala dinner charge on guests. Prices typically range from around 50 to over 180 US dollars per person for these evenings. Gala dinner costs are not included in the tour price but will be added to your booking if the hotels confirm them as required. Encounters Travel aims to choose hotels that make gala dinners optional, though this is not always possible on New Year's Eve. If you are booking a Christmas or New Year departure, factor this into your budget.
What happens if I need to cancel my booking?
Cancellation charges are defined in the Encounters Travel booking conditions and increase as the departure date approaches. Taking out trip cancellation insurance from the point of booking is strongly recommended to protect yourself financially. Check the booking conditions carefully when you book.
What is the Philae Temple and why was it relocated?
Philae Temple on Day 4 is dedicated to the goddess Isis, one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon. When the Aswan High Dam was built and Lake Nasser's waters began to rise, the temple was in danger of being permanently submerged. In a major international engineering and preservation effort, the entire complex was carefully dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt on a higher nearby island, Agilkia, where it stands today. Reaching it by boat across the turquoise water of the reservoir is a magical approach.
What is the Valley of the Kings and what will we see there?
The Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor served as the royal burial ground for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom for roughly 500 years. Your visit on Day 7 includes entrance to several of the excavated tombs, which are decorated with extraordinarily preserved painted scenes from the Book of the Dead and other religious texts. The site continues to reveal new discoveries. Your guide will explain the significance of the hieroglyphs and the beliefs about the afterlife that shaped this remarkable burial ground. The Tomb of Tutankhamun is also here, though entrance is optional and not included in the standard entrance fee.
What is included at Karnak Temple?
Karnak is the largest religious complex ever built and was the spiritual heart of ancient Thebes and Upper Egypt. The vast Hypostyle Hall alone contains 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, with hieroglyphic inscriptions covering every surface. Your Day 7 afternoon tour covers the Great Courtyard with its three chapels, the Hypostyle Hall, and the surrounding precincts. Karnak was linked to Luxor Temple by an ancient sphinx-lined avenue and to the Nile by a sacred canal. An optional Karnak Sound and Light Show in the evening is also bookable.
What is the Nubian Village experience in Aswan?
On Day 4 before boarding the Nile cruise you have time to explore the Nubian Village near Aswan. The Nubian people have one of the oldest and most distinct cultures in Africa, with a history stretching back thousands of years along the Nile. The village is famous for its brightly painted houses decorated with symbolic patterns, narrow lanes, and local markets selling handcrafted items and spices. You also stay one night at the DoroKa Nubian House within the village, giving you the chance to absorb the atmosphere beyond a brief visit.
Are entrance fees to the Pyramids and Valley of the Kings included?
No. Entrance fees to all tourist sites are excluded from the main tour price. Budget approximately 133 US dollars for the full tour to cover all the sites in the itinerary (Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Saqqara, GEM, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and others). Your guide collects payment for all entrance fees at the start of the tour in US dollar cash (or other hard currencies) and pays on your behalf as you go, which avoids the need to have exact change at each site. Amounts are subject to change.
What airports can I fly into and does a rep meet me on arrival?
The tour starts and ends in Cairo. You can fly into Cairo International Airport (CAI) or Sphinx International Airport (SPX). Your Encounters Travel representative meets you at the airport before you reach passport control (at Cairo International, in the immigration hall; at Sphinx, outside after immigration), assists with visa formalities, helps collect your luggage, and transfers you to your hotel. The same service is provided for departures on the last day.
