Budget Egypt

Meals Included
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Meals
Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Transport
Private air-con van, overnight train, felucca, walking

Accommodation
Simple hotels (4 nts), overnight train (2 nts, airline-style seats), felucca with support boat for toilet/showers (1 nt)

Day 1 Cairo
You are welcome to arrive in Cairo at any time, as today is a designated arrival day with no planned activities. Please note that there will be an important welcome meeting this evening at our joining hotel. Please check the hotel notice board for more information on the location of this meeting or ask at reception. Please bring your passport and travel insurance documents to this meeting, as you will be required to fill out some important pre-trip admin documents. Your tipping kitty will be collected as this time (please refer to the "tipping" section of these notes for more information) .After learning more about our tour and plans for the following day, you are welcome to join our leader and your travelling companions for an optional dinner nearby. If you arrive early there are plenty of things to see and do in this amazing city. Visit the Saladin Citadel of Cairo one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, or to really get a feel for the place, get lost in the bazaars and join the locals for a coffee in a local cafe. If this is your first visit to Cairo, we highly recommend that you book an airport transfer (please refer to the joining instructions section of tour dossier for more information). Please note that this is a Basics level tour. It is designed for 18-39 year olds who want to choose the activities they would like to participate in, rather than have them included as part of the tour price. As a result, entrance fees are not included. Please note "guided walk" means the services of a guide are provided, and transport to the site, but entrance fees, where applicable, are extra. Please refer to the optional activity section of these notes for approximate prices. To help you plan your budget, the activities most travellers choose to do are marked with an astrix *.

Day 2 Cairo, Overnight train (B)
After breakfast, we will check-out of our hotel and store our luggage in our vehicle, ready to head to the station to catch tonight's overnight train later in the evening. The day starts with a half-day guided tour to the Great Three Pyramids in Giza (NB entrance fees not included), which belonged to the Kings of the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, Cheops, Chephren & Mykerionos, and the Sphinx, the huge guard of the Funeral Complex decorated with the King Chephren's face and the body of a lion. You will have the option to take a unique camel ride at the Pyramids. We head back into the city centre where you will have the chance to grab some lunch. Why not go local with a couple of falafel sandwiches, or take the chance to find out what kushari tastes like. After lunch we head to the Egyptian Museum for a guided tour (NB entrance fees not included). With over 10,000 pieces from every period of Egyptian history, including the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the display can be a bit daunting. Your tour leader will direct you to the most important and magnificent items. There is also plenty of free time for you to explore on your own, including a chance to visit the famed Mummy Room where you can view the ancient remains of some of Egypt’s most important rulers (NB extra entrance charges apply). In the evening, we transfer to the railway station to board our overnight train to Aswan. Our accommodation on the train will be in regular airline style seating. The seats are comfortable and resemble business class airline seats. The lights stay on all night in the carriage, so you may wish to being an eye-mask and ear plugs with you. The toilets are at the end of each carriage. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on board. The journey from Cairo to Aswan usually takes around 12 hours. Overnight on the overnight train (airline-style seats). Estimated Travel Time: Cairo to Aswan, 12 hrs

Days 3-4 Aswan (1B,1D)
Our train is due to arrive in Aswan early in the morning, but as ever we should be prepared for "Egypt time"! Beautiful Aswan has a distinctively African feel to it. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting right on the banks of the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. This evening we head over to Elephantine Island where our local friend will take us on a walk around his village before enjoying a traditional dinner at a local home. This is an unmissable experience - a great chance to find out more about life in this fascinating culture, as well as partaking in a delicious home cooked meal. In the meantime there is much to keep you occupied in Aswan. Explore the souk, full of the scent and colour of spices, perfumes, scarves and baskets or perhaps visit the modern Nubian Museum to learn more about Aswan's local people. Hire a local captain and take a ride to Kitchener Island. Named after the British general Horatio Kitchener, the island is known for its botanical garden and the exotic plants he planted there 100 years ago, and which continue to flourish today. Cross by local ferry to the opposite shore (west bank), where the cliffs are peppered with tombs of the local Pharaonic-era nobles and dignitaries. There are usually camel owners waiting here who will be only too happy to take you on a tour to the ruins of the sixth century Coptic monastery of St. Simeon. Upriver the hilltop is crowned with the beautiful tomb of Mohammed Shah Aga Khan, who died in 1957. It is known locally as the Tomb of the Aga Khan. Aswan was the source of marble extraction for much of ancient Egypt's grand buildings. Close to town, in one of these ancient quarries lies a gigantic unfinished Obelisk half cut out of the local stone. Just to the south of this, two Graco-Roman sarcophagi and an unfinished colossus remain half buried in the sand. It is possible to take a half-day tour to visit the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam and the island Temple of Philae. Ask your tour leader for more details. An option on Day 4 is a very early start for a half-day trip to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel. You will leave Aswan around 4am and travel deep into the desert to the site of these enormous temples, on the shore of Lake Nasser. Spend around two hours at the temples and then return to Aswan by about 2pm in the afternoon. The round trip drive is around 5 hours. There is also the option to fly to the Temples (25min flight each way). Please ask your tour leader about both of these options. Overnight in Aswan (2 nights).

Day 5 Nile River (B,L,D)
We board our felucca to spend the rest of the day out on the river and a night under the stars. All meals are provided by our Nubian crew. Drinks, including beer, wine, water and soft drinks are available for you to purchase. Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river. You sleep on the deck of the boat (mattresses and blankets are provided, but if you prefer something between you and the blankets, you will need a sleep sheet/sleeping bag liner of your own). Please note that the Felucca itself does not have toilets or showers, however we will have access to a private support boat, travelling in close proximity to our Felucca. This support boat is equipped with toilets and a shower (please bring a towel) and an area to eat your meals, leaving you stress free to enjoy this tranquil and traditional experience on the Nile. Overnight on board our felucca.

Days 6-7 Luxor (B)
Our felucca journey concludes at the town of Kom Ombo where there is the chance to visit the famous Kom Ombo Temple (entry fee not included). In a scenic location, right on the banks of the Nile, Kom Ombo was dedicated to the Crocodile God and you can still view the remains of an ancient mummified crocodile, which was worshipped here thousands of years ago. We will travel on by private bus to Luxor, stopping on the way at the town of Edfu. In the middle of a bustling village, Edfu Temple is the most completely preserved temple in all of Egypt and thus fascinating to wander through (entrance fee not included). On arrival in Luxor this afternoon, we check-in to our hotel and the remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore. While in Luxor, why not ride a bike or catch one of the numerous taxis to the impressive Temple of Karnak - the centre of all religious life in ancient Egypt. Built and extended by successive generations of rulers, you can't help but be awed by the massive columns and painted hieroglyphs. You can’t miss Luxor temple, located near the Nile and right in the centre of downtown Luxor, it is beautifully lit up at night. Why not find out all there is to know about the ancient art of embalming with a visit to the world's only Mummification Museum or head into Luxor’s bustling bazaar to search out a bargain. The Luxor Museum is a small but beautifully presented exhibition of some of this region’s treasures. On Day 7 your time is your own to make the most of what Luxor has to offer. Why not cross to the West Bank and travel by "Egyptian Mercedes", otherwise known as a donkey! Be amazed at the mammoth eighteen-metre high Colossi of Memnon, which are all that remain of an ancient temple. Descend down the narrow rock-hewn corridors and experience the magnificent decoration and design of the tombs of the Pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings . Testament to the power of the queens in ancient Egypt, the impressive Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut seems to rise out of the surrounding limestone outcrops.(Please refer to the optional activities section of these notes for more approximate costs on this optional excursion) In the evening of Day 7, we catch an overnight seater train back to Cairo. Overnight in Luxor on Day 6 and on board the overnight train on Day 7. Estimated Travel Time: Luxor to Cairo, 9.5hrs (overnight train, airline style seats)

Day 8 Cairo
Our tour finishes on arrival at Cairo train station at approximately 8am. Please be aware that delays on overnight trains do quite often occur, so please do not book any onward flights before mid-afternoon today. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
3/24/2012 - 3/31/2012	$CALL
4/21/2012 - 4/28/2012	$CALL
5/19/2012 - 5/26/2012	$CALL
6/16/2012 - 6/23/2012	$CALL
7/28/2012 - 8/4/2012	$CALL
8/25/2012 - 9/1/2012	$CALL
9/29/2012 - 10/6/2012	$CALL
10/27/2012 - 11/3/2012	$CALL
11/24/2012 - 12/1/2012	$CALL
12/29/2012 - 1/5/2013	$CALL
1/5/2013 - 1/12/2013	$CALL
1/19/2013 - 1/26/2013	$CALL
2/2/2013 - 2/9/2013	$CALL
2/16/2013 - 2/23/2013	$CALL
3/2/2013 - 3/9/2013	$CALL
3/30/2013 - 4/6/2013	$CALL
4/13/2013 - 4/20/2013	$CALL
4/27/2013 - 5/4/2013	$CALL
5/11/2013 - 5/18/2013	$CALL
5/25/2013 - 6/1/2013	$CALL
6/8/2013 - 6/15/2013	$CALL
6/22/2013 - 6/29/2013	$CALL
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Group Leader Description
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.

Group Size Notes
Max 15, avg 10

Your Fellow Travellers
As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.

Highlights
Enjoying a traditional family meal, exploring ancient temples and monuments, bartering in bazaars, spending the night on a felucca, visit to a Nubian village.

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Important Notes
1. No entrance fees are included on this tour. Please refer to the Optional Activities section of these notes for more information on costs. 2. If you arrive a day or two early in Cairo and wish to do some excursions, we recommend that you wait until you get to the joining hotel and contact our local staff for more information on available tours and excursions. Tourists are frequently over-charged for excursions bought from vendors on the street or at the airport. 3. Ramadan 2012: Depending on the lunar cycles, around July 20th for a month. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-muslims throughout the day. 4. Feluccas are very basic traditional Nile sailboats and make for an extremely relaxing and enjoyable way to travel down the river. You sleep on the deck of the boat (mattresses and blankets are provided, but if you prefer something between you and the blankets, you will need a sleep sheet/sleeping bag liner of your own). Please note that the Felucca itself does not have toilets or showers, however we will have access to a private support boat, travelling in close proximity to our Felucca. This support boat is equipped with toilets and a shower (please bring a towel) and an area to eat your meals, leaving you stress free to enjoy this tranquil and traditional experience on the Nile. Feluccas are traditional wind-driven sailing craft, and therefore subject to the unpredictability of wind, weather and river traffic conditions on the Nile. We will do our best to follow published itineraries, but they must be considered tentative in all cases. We reserve the right to modify or cancel any sailing itinerary as conditions warrant. In case of insufficient wind, weather danger or difficult river traffic conditions on the Nile or through the Nile locks, we reserve the right to transport passengers between some sites by motor vehicle on land, in order to be able to keep up with the itinerary.

Single Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

What to Take
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We highly recommend using a backpack or light sports bag, whichever you find easiest to carry, plus a small daypack. Luggage space on public transport is limited. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them between transport and hotels (max. 15-20 mins walking), hopping on and off trains and up and down stairs.

Checklist
Suggested Items: Please see below for extra information for packing for winter departures (approx. Nov-Feb) •Sleeping sheet (summer)sleeping bag (winter)for use on overnight train and felucca •Light fleece top •Light wind proof/waterproof jacket •Small towel and swimwear •Sun hat •Personal clothing for mild to hot weather. Ladies may wish to pack a sports bra for your donkey ride. (See also "What to Take" and "Local Dress" sections of this dossier) •sturdy walking shoes •Sport sandals •Sunblock •Sunglasses •Toiletries (biodegradable) •Watch or alarm clock •Water bottle •Purification tablets or filter •Pocketknife •Flashlight/headlamp •Money belt •First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking) Additonal information for winter departures. (Nov- Feb) While you can expect beautiful clear, fresh days, evenings can be freezing outdoors in Egypt in winter. •sleeping bag (Nov-Feb)for use on overnight train and felucca •very warm jacket/coat for evenings •thick long sleeved fleece •gloves, hat and scarf **Please note: Unfortunately there is no sleeping bag hire available in Egypt** Optional Items: •Camera and charger •Reading/writing material •Binoculars •Cover for backpacks Documents: •Passport (with photocopies) •Travel insurance (with photocopies) •Airline tickets (with photocopies) •EUR/USD cash •Credit or debit card (see personal spending money) •G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and dossier •Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required

Visas
Many nationalities including all Western European and Arab countries, USA, Australia and New Zealand are able to obtain a one-month single entry visa on arrival at Cairo International airport or at the Egyptian land border. Look for windows (marked "banks") selling these visas in the area where you line up to have your passport stamped. You need to get the visa before entering the passport line. The visa is a sticker which you need to stick into your passport before handing it to the authorities for stamping. The cost is USD15 or equivalent in EUR/GBP. All change will be given to you in Egyptian Pounds. Please note that for other nationalities it is necessary to organise your visa before you travel. It is vital that you check the conditions attached to your particular passport and make the necessary arrangements in advance. All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements.

Departure Tax
Departure tax is usually included in your air tickets. If you depart Egypt via Nuweiba Port, there is a departure tax of approximately 9 USD.

Tipping
Tipping ( Baksheesh ) Tipping (also widely refered to by its Arabic term as “baksheesh”) is a way of life in the Middle East. Locals themselves will usually tip anyone who provides them with services. In many cases, people depend on the tips they receive to supplement the incredibly low salary and wages of the Middle East region. While on tour in the Middle East, it is customary and even expected to tip small service providers such as restaurant and bar waiters, hotel staff, reception, cleaning personnel, bell boys, taxis and van drivers. Tips are regarded as an essential means of supplementing income for those working in the tourism industry. In order to make things as easy as possible, and avoid embarrassing situations, G Adventures has developed a tipping Kitty system where your tour leader will collect a contribution from everybody on tour and use this kitty to tip anybody who has provided services to the group as a whole. The tour Leader will keep an accurate account of what was spent and any money left over, will be handed back to the group. If at any time, you felt that any service provider failed in maintaining or delivering good service, please bring it immediately to the attention of your tour leader, so a deduction of tips can take place. A guideline for tipping is about 3-5 USD per day, depending on the quality of the service (this does not include your G Adventures Tour Leader). On Day 1 of your tour, your tour leader will be able to advise on the amount required from everybody to form the tipping kitty for your trip. This should be paid to the tour Leader in day 1 of the tour. You can pay in USD or the equivalent Egyptian pound (preferably Egyptian pounds). The tour leader will be able to advise you on the exchange rate and the total required in either currency. Also at the end of your trip if you felt that your G Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is also expected and appreciated. The precise amount is entirely a personal preference, however 20-25 USD per person per week can be used as a general guideline.

Health
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. DRINKING WATER: It is advisable to drink bottled water in Egypt. There are no specific health requirements for this trip. However, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Though malaria does exist in Egypt, it is not normally found in the areas where we travel. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes, as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities for some time during this trip, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc.

Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

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