Why book the Nubian Adventure tour?
The Nubian Adventure is a 9-day small-group journey from Cairo to Cairo that goes beyond the famous Giza pyramids to immerse you in the lesser-known world of Nubian culture. You will stay overnight in a traditional Nubian village guesthouse, sleep on a felucca sailboat drifting down the Nile under the stars, explore the Valley of the Kings, and visit the illuminated Luxor Temple by night. With a maximum of 18 travellers and fully trained local Egyptologist guides throughout, it offers real depth rather than a surface-level overview of Egypt.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Egypt?
Yes. The Nubian Adventure covers Egypt's most iconic sites: the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Philae Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple by night. The pacing is comfortable, transport is all air-conditioned, and a local Egyptologist guide accompanies you throughout. If this is your first time in Egypt, you will leave with a comprehensive picture of both ancient and living Egyptian culture.
What is the difference between the Nubian Adventure and your other Egypt tours?
The Nubian Adventure (9 days) focuses on the Nile Valley from Cairo to Aswan and back, with a strong emphasis on Nubian culture: a night in a Nubian village guesthouse and a felucca sailing trip. The Pharaonic Encounters (7 days) is a shorter, faster-paced introduction with the same core sites but no felucca stay. The Abu Simbel Sun Festival tour (9 days) is timed specifically to witness the solar alignment inside Ramses II's temple. Longer tours such as the Egyptian Legacy go deeper into Cairo and add extra days or Nile cruise sections. None of these comparisons involve price, only scope and emphasis.
What is the best time of year to do the Nubian Adventure?
Egypt is a year-round destination. October to April offers cooler, more comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Summer months (June to August) are very hot in Luxor and Aswan, often exceeding 40C, though tours still run and hotels are fully air-conditioned. December and January can feel cool at night, especially on the felucca, so bring a light sleeping bag or warm layer. The tour runs on most Saturdays throughout the year.
Why does this tour cost what it does?
We get it, you can find cheaper tours floating around. But the Nubian Adventure includes 4 nights in 5-star hotels in Cairo and Luxor, private twin-berth sleeper train cabins both ways (Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo), a night in the characterful DoroKa Nubian House in Aswan, a night on a traditional felucca with a dedicated facilities support boat providing hot showers and clean toilets, all transport in private air-conditioned vehicles, and a local Egyptologist guide with you for every sightseeing moment. That combination adds up.
What is actually included in the price?
Included: 4 nights in 5-star hotels (Hyatt Centric Cairo West and Sonesta St George Hotel Luxor), 2 nights on the overnight sleeper train in private twin-berth cabins with airline-style meals, 1 night in the traditional Nubian DoroKa Nubian House in Aswan, 1 night on a felucca sailboat with an accompanying facilities support boat (toilet, hot showers, kitchen), a traditional Koshary lunch in Cairo, a Nubian Village experience in Aswan, all sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary, all transport and transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles, 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service, and the services of a local Egyptologist guide throughout. Meals as indicated: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners.
What is NOT included and how much extra should I budget?
Not included: international flights, Egypt visa fees, travel insurance, entrance fees to tourist sites (your guide will brief the current amount at the start of the tour), a tipping kitty for drivers, porters, and other service staff (again, your guide will advise the current amount at the start of the tour), tips for your Egyptologist guide (entirely at your discretion), meals not listed in the itinerary, drinks, snacks, laundry, and any optional excursions. Hotel gala dinners on certain festive evenings may also be compulsory at some properties, and the cost is not included in the tour price.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. You can reserve your place online with a deposit or simply hold a reservation. Full payment is due 8 weeks before departure. If you prefer, you can pay in full upfront. Payments are accepted by credit or debit card (a card processing fee applies), bank transfer, or cheque.
How physically demanding is the Nubian Adventure?
This is a moderate tour. You will be on your feet for several hours each day exploring temple complexes, walking uneven ancient surfaces, and boarding small boats. There is no trekking or serious climbing. Climbing into the upper berth of a sleeper train cabin requires some agility. The felucca is a low-lying traditional sailboat, so boarding and disembarking involves a step down onto a moving deck. Overall fitness rather than athletic ability is what you need.
What if I am older than the rest of the group?
Older travellers are very welcome and regularly join this tour. The pace is measured, transfers are all in private vehicles, and the hotels are comfortable. The one aspect worth thinking through is the felucca night: you sleep on deck mattresses, and getting on and off the boat does involve some stepping and balancing. If that feels like too much, the felucca-to-hotel upgrade lets you skip the overnight on deck and rejoin the group the next morning.
What if I have mobility issues or a medical condition?
Egypt's ancient sites involve uneven stone surfaces, sandy pathways, steps inside tombs, and occasional low passages. The felucca and sleeper train also require physical agility to board. If you have significant mobility restrictions we recommend contacting us before booking so we can discuss whether the itinerary suits you or whether a private tailor-made version with adjusted transport and accommodation would work better.
Will I be hassled by vendors and touts?
Egypt has a well-known vendor culture around tourist sites, and Giza in particular can feel persistent. Your Egyptologist guide will help manage this and advise you on polite ways to decline. Inside the major sites the situation is generally well managed. In the Nubian village and on the felucca you will find interactions far more relaxed and genuinely hospitable. A bit of patience and a sense of humour go a long way.
Is Egypt safe to visit right now?
Egypt's main tourist corridor, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, is well established for visitors and runs safely year-round. Government travel advice is the best current source: check your national foreign ministry website for any updated advisories before you travel. Encounters Travel monitors the situation continuously, and your Egyptologist guide is a local who knows the area intimately.
Is it safe for women travelling solo?
Yes. Many solo female travellers join this tour each year. Egypt does attract some unwanted attention for women in public spaces, particularly in busy city areas, and modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees) reduces this significantly. Your guide will always be nearby during sightseeing, and the group dynamic provides additional comfort. The Nubian village and felucca sections tend to be warm and welcoming environments.
What happens if I get sick on tour?
Your Egyptologist guide carries a basic first-aid kit and has experience handling common illnesses. All hotels are 5-star properties with good facilities and the ability to arrange a doctor. Travel insurance with full medical cover and repatriation is compulsory for this tour. Make sure your policy covers all activities on the itinerary and check the altitude limit in the policy, though Egypt's sites are all at low altitude.
Is the overnight sleeper train safe?
Yes. The sleeper train between Cairo and Aswan (approximately 12 hours) and between Luxor and Cairo (approximately 9 hours) uses private twin-berth lockable cabins. The cabins have a wash basin, fold-down beds with sheets and pillow, and an airline-style meal and breakfast are included. It is a well-established service used by many visitors to Egypt and a genuine experience in itself.
What is the accommodation actually like?
In Cairo you stay at the Hyatt Centric Cairo West, a stylish contemporary 5-star hotel with a pool, fitness centre, and bar. In Aswan you spend one night at the DoroKa Nubian House, a characterful Nubian-style guesthouse with vibrant decor, Nile views, and air-conditioned en-suite rooms right in the heart of a Nubian village. In Luxor you stay at the Sonesta St George Hotel, a 5-star Nile-side property with pool, spa, and rooms with private balconies overlooking the river. The two train nights are in private twin-berth cabins.
What is the felucca night like?
A felucca is a traditional wooden Nile sailboat. You sleep on deck on mattresses with blankets and cushions provided. Canvas walls, mosquito netting, and a roof are erected at night. A dedicated facilities support boat accompanies the felucca throughout the trip with clean toilets, hot showers, a hygienic kitchen, and even a sun deck with Nubian massages available. The Nubian crew cooks your meals on board, entertains you in the evenings, and tends to a campfire on the bank. It is one of the highlights of the trip for most travellers. If you prefer more comfort, a hotel upgrade is available that lets you rejoin the group the next morning.
Will I have Wi-Fi?
The Hyatt Centric Cairo West and the Sonesta St George Hotel Luxor both have Wi-Fi. The DoroKa Nubian House in Aswan has some connectivity though it may be slower than city hotels. On the felucca and the sleeper train, connectivity is limited or absent. Download what you need before you board.
Can I upgrade my accommodation?
Yes. The standard tour uses 5-star hotels, which are already at a high level. If you want a private departure with different hotel choices, our sales team can build a tailor-made itinerary. You can also upgrade the felucca night to a hotel room in Aswan if sleeping on deck is not for you. The sleeper train can be upgraded to internal flights. Single room supplements are available for solo travellers.
What kind of food will we eat?
Egypt's food is hearty and flavourful. The included highlights are a traditional Koshary lunch in Cairo (rice, lentils, macaroni, chickpeas, and tangy tomato sauce topped with crispy fried onions) and a home-cooked Nubian dinner with your host family in Aswan. The 5-star hotels offer buffet breakfasts and a range of international and Egyptian dishes. On the felucca, the Nubian crew prepares simple, varied, and filling meals on the boat.
Can you cater for vegetarian vegan or gluten-free diets?
Please let us know your dietary requirements when you book. Egyptian cuisine has strong vegetarian traditions (Koshary, foul, falafel, salads, and mezze are all plant-based), and 5-star hotel buffets typically offer good variety. For the felucca and Nubian family dinner, the crew and hosts are experienced with dietary requests but the further you get from Cairo, the more notice helps.
Is it safe to drink the water?
Tap water in Egypt is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled or filtered water throughout the trip. All your hotels provide bottled water. We recommend bringing a Water-to-Go filter bottle (use code ENCOUNTERS25 for a discount), which removes bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from any non-salt water source, cutting down on single-use plastic bottles.
Is this trip good for solo travellers?
Yes. Many solo travellers join the Nubian Adventure each year. The small group maximum of 18 means you quickly get to know your fellow travellers, and the shared experiences of the Nubian village dinner and the felucca night create natural connections. If you are happy to share a room, let us know and we will try to pair you with another solo traveller of the same sex, which avoids the single supplement.
Do I have to share a room?
The tour price is based on two people sharing a twin room. A single supplement is available if you want your own room throughout. If you would prefer to share and avoid the supplement, contact us and we will try to arrange a same-sex room share. Shares are arranged in order of booking, so the earlier you ask the better.
What is the group size and who else will be on the trip?
Group size is a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 18 travellers. This is a small group tour, so it stays genuinely intimate. Groups typically include a mix of solo travellers, couples, and friends travelling together, from all over the world, with a wide age range.
Can I book the Nubian Adventure as a private tour?
Yes. The tour can be booked as a private departure, running on the same start dates as group departures or on other agreed dates. A private departure gives you the flexibility to adjust hotels, upgrade transport, and customise the pace. Contact the sales team for a private quotation.
Is this tour suitable for children?
There is no fixed minimum age on this tour. Families do join, though the itinerary involves long days on your feet at archaeological sites and two nights on transport (sleeper train and felucca), which suits families with older children rather than very young ones. If you have young children, the Nile Family Adventure is specifically designed as a family tour with child-friendly pacing and activities.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Most nationalities, including British, US, Australian, and European passport holders, can obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport. The process is quick: pay at a bank desk in the immigration hall before passport control, no forms and no passport photos required. An online e-visa is also available at the official visa2egypt.gov.eg website before you travel. Check current fees on that site or at the Egyptian embassy for your nationality. Note that Canadian citizens must obtain a visa in advance from the Egyptian consulate.
What should I pack?
Egypt is hot, but bring a layer for cool nights and air-conditioned interiors. Modest clothing is important: covered shoulders and knees when visiting mosques and central Cairo, and loose-fitting clothes throughout. For the felucca, long sleeves at night help with mosquitoes. Sockets in Egypt are two-round-pin Type C, 220 volts; US travellers need both a plug adapter and a voltage converter. Bring sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle with a filter, a small daypack, and a money belt. A light sleeping sheet or sleeping bag liner is recommended for the felucca year-round, and a light sleeping bag in winter months (November to February).
Are any vaccinations required?
Recommended vaccinations for Egypt include Tetanus, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A. Malaria is not generally present in Egypt and prophylactics are not required. Check with your GP or a travel clinic for advice tailored to your health history and up-to-date recommendations before you travel.
Do I need to book international flights through you?
No, international flights are not included in the tour price. You book your own flights to and from Cairo International Airport (CAI) or Sphinx International Airport (SPX). If you would like help finding suitable flights, contact us with your preferred dates and departure airport and we can suggest options.
What about tipping?
Tipping is very much part of Egyptian culture. The tour uses a tipping kitty system: a fixed amount collected at the start of the tour by your guide, which covers tips for hotel porters, drivers, station staff, and other service people you encounter. Your guide will brief the current amount at the start of the tour. The Egyptologist guide's tip is separate and entirely at your discretion at the end of the trip.
Can I do the hot air balloon over Luxor?
Yes. This is one of the most popular optional additions and is available on the morning of Day 6, rising before sunrise to float above the Valley of the Kings and Queens and the Nile. You get around one hour in the air. Book with your guide on arrival in Luxor; availability is limited so ask early.
Can I add Abu Simbel?
Yes. The Abu Simbel overland excursion is available on Day 4 as an optional extra. You depart Aswan very early in the morning (around 4am) for the approximately 3.5-hour drive each way, with around 2 hours at the temples. The two temples carved into the mountainside by Ramses II were dismantled and rebuilt to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The excursion is designed so you do not miss any other activities on the main itinerary.
Can I explore more of Cairo?
Yes. Several Cairo-based optional extras are available: a half-day guided city tour covering Coptic Cairo, the Citadel, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar; a day trip to Saqqara, Dashour, and Memphis for the evolution of pyramid building; a full-day Wadi Rayan excursion to see the UNESCO Valley of the Whales fossil site plus sandboarding; an Alexandria day trip (requires an extra day at either end); or an evening Cairo Tower visit for panoramic city views at night.
Can I upgrade the sleeper train to a flight?
Yes. Internal flight upgrades are available for one or both of the overnight train journeys (Cairo to Aswan, and Luxor to Cairo). This option is worth considering if you prefer not to spend two nights on trains. Let us know when booking and we will arrange it.
Can I add extra days in Cairo?
Yes. Pre-tour and post-tour extra days in Cairo with 5-star hotel accommodation are available. Airport transfers on these additional days are included when you book your extra nights through us. This is a good option if you want more time to explore Coptic Cairo, the Islamic quarter, or do the Alexandria or Wadi Rayan day trips.
How far ahead should I book?
Dates run most Saturdays throughout the year, but peak season (October to April) departures fill quickly, especially around key holiday periods. Booking at least 3 to 6 months ahead for peak season is advisable. For summer departures, more flexibility exists, though popular optional extras like the hot air balloon have limited availability year-round.
How does booking work?
Complete the online reservation form on the Dates and Prices tab. You can pay a deposit, pay in full, or simply hold a reservation (full payment is due 8 weeks before departure). You will receive a booking confirmation by email with full payment and preparation details. Payment is accepted by card (processing fee applies), bank transfer, or cheque.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory. Your policy must cover personal accident and liability, medical expenses and repatriation, and travel delay and abandonment. Cover for cancellation and lost baggage is strongly recommended. Personal medical insurance alone is not sufficient. You will not be able to join the tour without valid insurance details on file. World Nomads Travel Insurance is one option that covers adventure activities and can be purchased directly.
What is your cancellation policy?
A sliding scale cancellation policy applies, with charges increasing as the departure date approaches. Full details are in the booking conditions. Encounters Travel is UK-registered and your funds are protected through Trust My Travel's insurance scheme, so in the event of the company's insolvency your money is refunded or repatriation is arranged.
What if my preferred dates are sold out?
Contact the team: there may be a waitlist space, or we can arrange a private departure on dates that suit you. Alternatively, the Abu Simbel Sun Festival tour or the Pharaonic Encounters tour cover much of the same ground and may have availability on your preferred dates.
