Egypt is nothing short of magical. This guide is meant to answer commonly asked questions and prepare you for your incredible adventure from where to meet your driver on day 1 to how much falafel costs. If after referencing this guide, you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected]. Can’t wait to travel with you!
what to expect
Physical level
A basic level of fitness is required to be able to enjoy this trip to the fullest. There are no long treks, but the best sites can be somewhat spread out and require walking to navigate them.
Inclusions
exclusions
Itinerary
Your general Egypt itinerary can be found here or on the Egypt Meetup Tour webpage. Daily schedules will be given by your guide when you arrive in Egypt. Because the seasons, operating hours of inclusions, traffic, and many factors can affect the daily schedule, specific timing will be determined by your guide to give you the best possible experience. If you have questions about when to wake up, how long you will spend at a particular site, etc. please feel free to ask your guide at any time.Â
Itinerary Disclaimer
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Egypt Traveler Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travelers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.
Joining Point
Joining Description
Fly into the Cairo International Airport (CAI) anytime on Day 1 of the tour. We recommend scheduling your flight to land by 3pm to be sure you have extra time to make it for our food tour at 6pm. Upon arrival at the airport, we’ll have a VIP airport transfer waiting for you. Look for a person holding a sign with the SoFe logo on it! This VIP airport escort is located inside of customs.
The escort will lead you through the Visa On Arrival Process and then take you to our driver, where you will be transferred from the airport to our group hotel in Cairo. If fellow travelers arrive around the same time, we’ll bring you to the hotel together.Â
If you are arriving on your own at an earlier time, the easiest option from the airport is to take a taxi. Airport taxis shouldn’t cost more than EGP300. The drive can take between 30 minutes and 1 hour depending on the time of day and subsequent traffic conditions. Or, you can to request a transfer that we can arrange for an extra charge. Contact us at [email protected] for details.Â
Remember – our welcome meeting will be at 7:30 AM the next day in our hotel lobby.
Finishing Point
Finishing Point description
You are welcome to schedule your flight from the Cairo International Airport (CAI) anytime on the tour end date. We recommend staying for breakfast and departing around check-out time.Â
Please remember that a departure transfer is not included, but your guide will be happy to help you arrange one.Â
Problems and emergency contact
While we always endeavor to provide the best possible experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your guide or leader straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognize that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction – if this is the case, please ask the leader to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still traveling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.
To contact us directly, email us at [email protected]. Please do not use this as an emergency contact, because with work hours and time differences, we may not see your message right away.Â
For airport pick up updates and issues, please contact your emergency number (phone or WhatsApp):Â
Sam: +20 122 281 3770
Payment schedule
You are required to pay a non-refundable $550 deposit at the time of reservation. This non-refundable deposit confirms your Meetup Tour booking and you will receive a confirmation email detailing the terms of your reservation. Once the confirmation email has been sent to you, a contract will exist between us from the date we issue the confirmation invoice.
Please refer to your booking confirmation for specific dates, deadlines and details regarding final payments for your Meetup Tour. For standard Meetup Tours, the program fee balance payment is due 90 days before the departure date. SoFe’s payment system allows you to input the dollar amount for each payment you submit, so you are welcome to make as many payments in any dollar amount as you prefer before the final payment is due.
The final payment deadline is 90 days before the Meetup Tour start date, with the exception of Antarctica and Polar destinations.
If you have not paid the full balance, requested a cancellation and/or transfer by the final payment deadline, your credit card on file will be automatically charged the remaining balance of the Meetup Tour program cost. A $100 late payment fee will also be levied. Additionally, SoFe reserves the right to treat your booking as cancelled.
Feedback
Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travelers like you. Share your experience with us by emailing [email protected]!
Before you leave
Important notes
Food and dietary information
Your group leader or representative will endeavor to cater for specific dietary requirements where possible. Please note that Gluten Intolerances and Vegan can be more challenging in some parts of the Middle East, you may wish to speak to your trip leader at the group meeting to alert them of this so they can help you throughout the trip in planning suitable meals.
Your group leader or representative will endeavor to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.
Money Matters
Spending money is a personal choice, and everyone will have different spending habits and needs. It is best to budget a reasonable amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. It’s always better to bring a little more than you think you’ll need. Please have a thorough look at the itinerary and at what is included so you will be prepared for what isn’t included. Our Meetup Tour is very inclusive, however some meals and extras are not included. This guide should make budgeting a little clearer.
There are many opportunities to purchase souvenirs and handicrafts while on this trip, they can be a fantastic memento of your trip, and often these purchases help to support local artisans.
ATMs are widely available in major towns and cities throughout Egypt. Credit and debit cards are the best way to access money throughout most trips (note though that charges are made for each transaction). Credit cards are generally available in tourist shops and restaurants. Visa and Mastercard are generally preferred over American Express. Smaller venues take cash only.
Check with your bank before departure that your card is accepted in Egypt. Also ensure your bank is aware of your travel plans as – suspecting fraud – they may cancel your cards after the first few international transactions.
If you want to bring cash from your home country and exchange it, the best place to do this is at the Cairo airport. We can not guarantee that there will be time to visit a money exchange place on the tour. The best way to get local currency is by using an ATM with a debit card.
Tips for your drivers and included activities are INCLUDED on this Meetup Tour! Tips for your tour guide are NOT included. We recommend $10 per day per person, but this is, of course, not compulsory.Â
If you find yourself exploring solo and would like to tip, we have provided some ideas for amounts. These are suggestions, as tipping is always a personal choice and at your discretion. However, tipping is a large part of the culture and expected.
Restaurants: leaving spare change is fine in most restaurants. In upscale eateries look for a 10% service charge. If there is a service charge, there’s no requirement for tipping. Otherwise, 10% of the total bill amount is appropriate.
The Official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (LE) or (EGP). Currency Subunits are called Qirsh (Piastre) = 1/100 of a Pound. Denominations come in Notes: 5, 10, 25, 50 Piastres. 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 Pounds. Coins: 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 Piastres. Whilst the USD is often used we recommend local currency for everyday services.Â
Many meals are included in this tour, but some are purposefully left out so you can experience different restaurants and dishes to your liking.
Lunch at a local restaurant could cost between $10USD to $20USD. However, local street food is relatively safe to eat and is normally much cheaper.
Your leader and guide will help you find local options. Meals will cost between $15USD to $30USD, depending on the restaurant.
Food prices in Egypt range widely from cheap street food to fine dining. If you have a strict budget, be mindful of your choices and let your tour leader know the type of food you are looking for, so she can direct you to the best places.
Climate information
You might have been told that Egypt has only two seasons – hot and really hot – but there’s a little more variation than that. With a Mediterranean coastline as well as much of the country in desert, it can experience a whole range of weather, from arid heat to even snow! The fertile Nile Valley and Delta, which makes up 5.5% of Egypt’s land mass, is said to be home to around 99% of the country’s population. Here, temperatures are more steady, and although still very hot in the summer, much more bearable than other parts of Egypt. Rainfall is very low across the country, only occurring in the winter months, and although the temperatures dip slightly around then, average winter minimums in Egypt don’t hit the usual lows you may expect.
Please be sure to check the weather for the months you are traveling to Egypt before packing.
passports, visas, and entry requirements
For most countries, you can get a visa upon arrival very easily in Egypt. With the VIP airport pick up included in your Meetup Tour, the escort will walk you through the process. You will need your passport and $25USD in cash. If you prefer to get a visa beforehand, you can do so here. Use this address when applying for your visa:
New Advice for Canadians entering Egypt after October 1st, 2023:Â
Change 1: As of 3rd Sep 2023, all Canadian travelers to Egypt will not be eligible to Visa on Arrival in Egypt and are required to apply for pre-entry visa in advance. Evisa is still valid for Canadian travelers until 30 Sep, however, it’s recommended that you obtain a visa from the nearest Egyptian Embassy or consulate prior to your departure.
Change 2:Â Starting October 1, 2023, Canadian passport holders will not be able to obtain a visa online before travelling to or upon arrival in Egypt. Visitors will be required to obtain a visa from an Egyptian embassy or consulate abroad.
If visitors travel to Egypt on an electronic visa on or after October 1, 2023, their visa will be considered void, and they will be denied boarding and/or entry into Egypt.
Canadian travelers should contact the nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate before travel
Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of clarity on exactly what is needed for Canadians to apply for a paper visa with the embassy or consulate but the contact details of the Egypt embassy and consulate in Canada can be found here.
You need a valid passport to travel internationally. Most countries require that your passport does not expire for at least 6 months after the date you enter. We require your passport details 45 days before departure. When booking your Meetup Tour, please enter your name as it appears on your passport and contact us immediately if there are any errors.
We recommend taking copies of the main passport pages and other important documents with you as well as leaving copies at home with family or friends.
Packing
Our tours are comfortable and very inclusive with premium accommodation. This means you can pack a little lighter. In fact, you will be carrying your own bags to the lobby or at the airport, and you will need to be able to manage.
A check-in luggage must weigh less than 50lbs/23kg and a carry on less than 17lbs/8kg or you may incur some extra charges at the airport.
Don’t bother to pack any single-use plastics as they may get confiscated at the airport. If you pack your clothes in plastic bags for organization purposes, switch to mesh instead.
You’ll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
The following is a general list to be used as a guideline. If you think you need more items, pack them.
For Egypt there are two associated plug types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Egypt operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Generally drones are not permitted, or they require registration and pre approval. Please refer to your airline carrier if you are considering taking a drone on your travels or check out drone laws by country on line.
For both modesty and to better manage the heat, we suggest loose fitting clothing that protects your skin from the sun. Long flowing skirts are comfortable and respectful to the culture. In mosques, we will be required to cover our knees, shoulders, and our heads. Feel free to dress however you like when at our Cairo hotel and Red Sea resort. Swim suits are, of course, appropriate when participating in water activities. Short skirts, plunging necklines, and tight clothing should be avoided.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory on all our Meetup Tours. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are traveling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travelers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your leader.
If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.Â
We recommend that you check your government’s advice in relation to the areas you will be visiting for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.
on the road
Local Guide
All tours with The Solo Female Traveler Network are accompanied by a guide who is with the group for the whole trip. The guide’s role is to be the local expert of the destination and coordinate a lot of the on the ground logistics. Our guides are the most experienced in their countries with in-depth knowledge and extensive local networks to make it a trip of a lifetime. Your guide will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, and recommend great local eating venues. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At SoFe, we aim to support local guides who have specialized knowledge of the regions we visit.Â
Accomodation
Cairo: Steigenberger Tahrir
Aswan: Tolip
Luxor: Steigenberger Nile Palace
In the base cost of the tour, a shared room is included. You may choose to upgrade to a private room for an extra charge as long as there is availability. Upgrading to a private room once in the country is more difficult and may result in a higher cost than advertised on the webpage.
All of our tours include premium 4* and 5* hotel accommodation. When we stay in 5 star hotels, the standard may be less than what you are used to in terms of design, facilities, and inclusions. If there is a problem with your accommodation, always alert your tour leader so it can be remedied if possible.
Sometimes it is not possible to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels, especially if you arrive before check in time. We can store your luggage and you can explore the surrounding area. Standard check in time is 4:00pm.
Standard check out is at 10:00am on the last day.
Extra nights at our hotel are available. You may have to switch rooms at the beginning or end of the tour. Contact us if you would like us to book extra accommodation or pickup transfers for you.
All of our accommodations have air conditioning. Should it not work, we will attempt to replace your room or the unit, dependent upon availability. Some evenings are cold in Egypt, especially in July and August, and most accommodations do not have heating. Bedding is always provided, however if you are extra sensitive to the cold, please be prepared with extra layers or thermals.
Optional Activities
A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travelers are listed here. This isn’t an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. For most, they can either be organized independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist.
Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed below have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organizing these activities. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.
If you have not yet booked an activity and would like to, please contact [email protected].
Transportation
Private air-conditioned vehicle, 2 domestic flights, public train, and sailboat.
a few rules
Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government’s advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip.
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewelry at home – you won’t need it while traveling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you’ll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your SoFe itinerary, and SoFe makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it’s deemed necessary due to safety concerns.
Seat belts are always provided and must be worn in accordance with local law.Â
While most of the tour, especially in major cities, will be with your guide and the group, petty theft is common in any tourist area. Do not walk around alone at night if it can be avoided and hold your belongings close on public transportation. Your local guide will give you some safety tips throughout your tour, and we suggest heeding this advice.
We suggest checking your government’s advice in relation to the areas you will be visiting for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.
Please do not enter the water without a life vest and a buddy if you are not an experienced swimmer. Alert the leader and guide to your ability level before participating in water activities. Lifeguards are not on duty and our staff are not trained in water rescue.Â
Street harassment such as cat calls, stares, invitations to get in a car/bar/restaurant/home are common. These are our tips for responding to this unwanted attention:
- Ignore. Don’t even bother smiling. Just keep about your business.
- Wear sunglasses to avoid eye contact.
- Ignore. We mean it, so we said it twice! Ignore them but also ignore your internal commentary on it all. Let it roll off your back and walk on focusing on all the amazing things around you.
- Dress respectfully to the culture and you will find both men and women will respond to you in a more respectful manner.
- While it very unlikely to happen, do feel free to stand up for yourself if you feel threatened. Egyptian men you do not know should not be touching you at all and if you’re in public, people will come to your aid if you make a fuss.
phone and internet access
Whilst there are Internet facilities throughout your trip in hotels and on the boat, they are often only available in the lobby and can be unreliable. Acquiring local data by way of pre-paid sim card is a simple process on arrival at Cairo Airport. When you leave the arrival hall, still in the building, on the left you will find the booths of three mobile phone providers: Vodafone, Etisalat and Orange.
Choose the plan that best suits your needs, plans and prices can change but expect to pay between 100-200 EGP for a plan that will provide you 3-4GB of data. You will require your passport to purchase and register your new sim.
Depending on your device, you can also look into purchasing an e-SIM card before travel, through companies like MXT Connect:Â https://www.mtxc.eu/en/
medical and health
All travelers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide any traveler is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements as they may not easily be obtained while traveling.
As a rule we recommend you don’t drink tap water, even in hotels, as it may contain much higher levels of different minerals than the water you are used to at home. For local people this is not a problem as their bodies are used to this and can cope, but for visitors drinking the tap water can result in illness. Generally this isn’t serious, an upset stomach being the only symptom, but it’s enough to spoil a day or two of your holiday. Many hotels and lodges provide safe drinking water, while bottled water is another alternative. Water consumption should be about two litres a day. Rehydration salts, motion sickness tablets, and diarrhoea blockers are available from many pharmacies.
