FAQs
WHERE DO I FLY IN AND WHERE DO I FLY OUT OF?
The best way to get to Cairo is to book a round-trip ticket to Cairo International Airport. We can orientate you if you need assistance.
WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS NEEDED?
All participants are required to have a PASSPORT valid for 6 months beyond the return date, and to carry it at all times.
An ENTRY VISA is required for entering Egypt. Bring $25 USD in cash and pick it up upon your arrival at the airport in Cairo. Other countries qualify for Visas at the Cairo airport, so check with us or your embassy to be sure.
We strongly recommend that all participants obtain short-term travelers insurance covering lost baggage, accident/life, and trip cancellation.
IS A COVID VACCINE REQUIRED TO ENTER? WHAT COVID TESTS DO I NEED TO TAKE?
NO COVID vaccine required. Only a Negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before ARRIVAL to Egypt is required to enter the country.
Depending on Covid regulations you may also need to test on return to the US - we will arrange this for you and there will be an additional cost of around $100.
ARE OTHER VACCINES REQUIRED TO ENTER THE COUNTRY?
No inoculation requirements exist for persons with flights originating in the US or Europe.
WHAT TYPE OF PAYMENTS DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept wire transfers to our account and credit card payments via our secure payment getaway.
IS GRATUITY INCLUDED?
Please note that Tips/Gratuity is not included.
We offer two ways to handle gratuity during our journey in Egypt:
1. We can guide you every time you need to tip someone, or
2. You may pay gratuity in advance so that we handle it for you, $180 per person covers everything on the trip.
HOW SOON SHOULD I BOOK TICKETS?
We suggest booking a roundtrip ticket to and from Cairo International Airport as soon as possible.
WHAT DAY SHOULD I ARRIVE?
In our itinerary schedule (you can check it here), “Arrival Day” is the latest you can arrive in Egypt.
MAY I ARRIVE A FEW DAYS EARLIER?
Absolutely. You can choose to arrive as many days earlier as you prefer, at your own expense. Please l!t us know if you need arrangements for transport, day tours, or hotel bookings.
CAN I JOIN THE TRIP FOR JUST A FEW DAYS?
Sorry, this wouldn’t be possible.
CAN YOU RECOMMEND FLIGHTS FOR US?
Yes, we can suggest our preferred flight combinations to you.
Generally, flights leaving the US through Paris, Frankfurt, and Istanbul are recommended.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes! Travel insurance is required. Please arrange before traveling to Egypt.
Please ask us if you need Insurance company recommendations.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE ATTENDING?
Our ideal size group is 15 people. However, depending on several factors, it could be a smaller or slightly larger group.
How does the “finders fee” work?
You will receive $75 off your payment if a friend of yours books space in the retreat! If you’re bringing more than one person, you will receive a $50 discount per additional person.
WHAT IS THE LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN EGYPT?
Egyptian Arabic is the official language of Egypt. Most educated people in Egypt study English and French at school.
WHAT CLOTHES SHOULD I WEAR?
It is polite and respectful towards the conservative locals to dress modestly. We recommend that women bring linen or cotton long skirts and wide-legged pants to cover their legs while being comfortable. Covering the legs and shoulders is especially important in rural areas, mosques, and souqs (markets). Shoulders should always be covered outside the hotels and boat.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for layers in the daytime.
It is best that men cover their chests at all times.
We suggest you bring a light jacket or wrap for early morning and evening and also for the air conditioning in the hotels.
Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes.
WHAT ABOUT PDA?
Public displays of affection are considered disrespectful to locals, so best to refrain from this in public outside of the hotels.
Although homosexuality is not in itself illegal under Egyptian law, homosexual acts in public are illegal, and homosexuals have been convicted for breaching laws on public decency.
WHERE CAN I HAVE AN ALCOHOLIC DRINK?
The hotels and the boat will sell alcoholic drinks. Restaurants outside the hotels or boat do not usually offer alcohol; however, some do. We will eat at delicious local restaurants that might or not offer alcohol multiple times during our journey.
Drinking alcohol in the street and anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is not allowed and can lead to arrest.
ARE THERE PHOTOGRAPHY PROHIBITIONS?
Photography of or near military official installations is strictly prohibited. Please, don’t photograph officials without their consent.
IS IT OK TO EXPLORE CAIRO ON MY OWN?
We recommend that when women explore the area, they are accompanied by friends. Women are advised to take extra caution when exploring alone as there have been cases of harassment and sexual assault.
Note: This advice applies to participants arriving in Egypt days before the retreat. We have a full and exciting schedule, so there won’t be time to wander off on your own during our journey.
WHERE CAN I BUY SOUVENIRS?
We will have opportunities to shop for souvenirs during our journey!
IMPORTANT NOTE ON STREET SELLERS:
Egypt street sellers and traders have a reputation for being very insistent with tourists. Remember that Egypt has many people in poverty who think that all tourists are rich, no matter where they come from in the world.
IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING at times, depending on the location, but it will last for the brief period we are passing by them.
We will bring you to places where you can shop more peacefully. But if you do want to buy from other places, we strongly recommend you learn the phrase “LA SHUKRAN” (no, thank you); Feel free to say it as many times as you need to anyone who tries to sell you anything that you’re not interested in buying!
HOW WILL THE WEATHER BE?
Egypt is in North Africa and across the Red Sea from the Middle East. The Sahara Desert dominates the country, meaning it has warm weather all year round.
Our current journey will take place in late January and early February.
January is wintertime in Egypt, which makes it one of the best times in the year to visit. The weather is cooler in Cairo and around the Nile-Delta region, so you won't have to deal with the stifling heat of the summer months, yet, it's still sunny and beautiful! Farther south, temperatures stay hot but ease up in the evenings.
It's advisable to bring some warm clothes for the evenings.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I BRING?
Clothes: Light clothes for the days and warm clothes for the nights. A couple of swimsuits in case you want to jump in the pool at any of the hotels!
Accessories: Sunglasses, hat, day bag or small pack (for keeping hands free), money belt.
Topical: Body and face sunscreen of at least 50SPF, lip balm, insect repellent, and itch cream.
Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes and sandals. Sneakers could be useful for some people when we explore the inside of the Great Pyramid. I personally don’t use them, but I know people who wish they brought them! :) You might want to bring a pair of low heels for certain dinners or photos.
Camera. No flash allowed, sorry.
Toiletries, earplugs (Remember, Egypt is largely a Muslim country and they sing prayers very early in the AM)
Small, packable flash-light optional for darker spots in the temples.
A notebook or journal, pen.
Adaptor plugs are the standard European type with two round pins.
A converter is optional but required for certain appliances. 220 volts
WILL THERE BE INTERNET ACCESS?
Hotels have internet access in the rooms or business centers. The cruise ships also have internet access. There are some Internet cafes available in Luxor and Aswan.
CAN I DRINK THE LOCAL WATER?
Please, DO NOT drink the local tap water in Egypt.
Drink only bottled water, and use bottled water to brush your teeth. We will offer unlimited bottled water during our Bus excursions.
DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT MALARIA?
It is very unlikely that you would catch Malaria in Egypt at the moment.
ANY RECOMMENDATIONS TO STAY HEALTHY?
We suggest you take PROBIOTICS daily for about a month prior to travel, as well as for the duration of the trip. You may also want to bring some supplements to help your immunity. We will send you a list of recommended items.
HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING?
Credit cards are accepted everywhere in Egypt. The amount of cash you bring will depend on you. $500 is a reasonable amount.
WHERE SHOULD I EXCHANGE MONEY?
Is best you exchange money in Egypt. A money belt or other secure means of carrying money and documents is advisable. Once the currency is exchanged, it helps to carry many ones and five-pound notes for gifting and tipping. We will have opportunities to support local artisans.