The hotel and the cruise ship
1. Is there laundry service on the cruise ship and in the hotel?
- Yes, the laundry service is available both on the cruise ship and in the hotel as part of the room service.
2. Are there hairdryers in the rooms?
- Yes, all the rooms are equipped with hairdryers.
3. Are there telephones and Internet in the hotel and on the ship?
- In all the hotel rooms and in the rooms on the cruise ship there are telephones and there is a possibility of making international phone calls. Both in the hotel and on the ship there is access to the Internet.
4. Can I upgrade my room on the ship or in the hotel?
- Yes, there is a possibility of upgrading the room in the hotel in Giza. The cruise ships also have a few suites that we can book for you on request. We will inform you about upgrade possibilities and prices for each tour date before your tour.
5. I am travelling single – can I share a room with another tour member?
- Some of our single guests would like to share a room with another tour participant instead of paying for the single supplement. It is possible, so if you would like share your room with another single traveler, please choose a SHARE option on your Registration Form or while booking the tour online on our website. Our company matches the roommates to be the same gender and more or less the same age.
6. I am booking for two people – I chose SHARE option on the form. Will I be paired with my travel companion?
- Yes, if you make a booking for two guests together and you choose to share a room, you are automatically booked in the same room as the person you are booking with.
7. I am booking for one person, but I have a friend on the same tour, we want to share a room together. How do I make sure we have the accommodation booked together?
- After booking, please contact us with the name of your friend and let us know you would like to share a room. We will join your reservations.
Flights
1. When should my flight to Egypt arrive and depart?
- The first day of the tour is dedicated to arrivals and your flight can arrive any time on that day. The most convenient time to arrive is around noon (early afternoon) to have time to rest before dinner. The last day of the tour (14th day) is dedicated to departures and you can depart any time on that day. The check-out time in the hotel is at 2pm on the 14th day.
2. I have a very late arrival time or a very early departure time. Will I be picked up at the airport and transferred back to the airport?
- We organize the reception at the airport for our guests at any time, even for the flights arriving late at night. We also organize the transfers back to the airport for early morning or night departure flights.
3. I would like to arrive one day early or leave one day later. Can I do it?
- Yes, we will organize your reception at the airport one day early and arrange the additional booking in our hotel in Giza. We can also book additional nights for you after the end of your tour.
4. Can you help with the booking of the international flights?
- Our guests can book their flights individually and send us the copy of their flights schedule. If you need any assistance with the international flights booking, we can find the best flight options from your place of residence and also make the booking for you. Please send us an email or call our office, if you would like us to help you with your flights.
Health
1. Are there any required vaccinations for Egypt? Can you drink tap water?
- There are no required vaccinations for the travelers in Egypt. However, we recommend that you consult your physician for advice as to the vaccinations and health care before the departure. To avoid the risk of stomach upset or food-borne or water-borne infections we recommend drinking only bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food.
2. What medications to take?
- Basic medications for upset stomach or painkillers can be bought in Egyptian pharmacies without problems and the prices are low, but it is advisable to take basic medications from home, so that you may take them at once and you do not have to look for a pharmacy or wait. Medications worth having are: painkillers, antipyretics and medications for upset stomach and diarrhea.
3. What to eat and what foods to avoid?
- We recommend eating well cooked or fried meals served hot, because the cooking process eliminates the risk of food-borne illnesses, and drinking bottled water. It is advisable to avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. It is always a good idea to take some high-protein bars or snacks for the sightseeing. When eating raw fruit and vegetables make sure they are peeled and washed. During the whole stay, you will have the opportunity to eat at the 5-star hotels with the highest possible food preparation standards and quality of the meals.
The sightseeing and itinerary
1. Do we have free time during the tour or time for shopping?
- During the tour we will have some time to relax on our Nile Cruise ship and enjoy the beautiful weather in Egypt. Next to almost each site that we will visit, you will find small local bazaars and vendors with souvenirs, local products and if you wish you can do some shopping after the sightseeing.
2. Is the tour strenuous?
- The tour itinerary is very rich, because we wish to show our guests all the wonders of Egypt within the 2 weeks they spend with us. Every day we have great attractions waiting for our guests. However, our tour is also designed to be an in-depth experience of archeology and culture of Egypt, so we devote more time to each site than standard travel agencies. The tour is not too strenuous and most places have flat surfaces. Our experienced tour leaders and guides will adjust the pace to the needs of each group and they can do it because we have plenty of time on each site that we visit, so that our guests can take part not only in the guided sightseeing with the guide, but also explore the beautiful temples, tombs and pyramids on their own. During the 8-day Nile Cruise our ship is docking close to attractions we sightsee, so you will not have to spend too much time in the coaches. There is also time to rest and relax on our 5-star ship.
3. How much time do we get to spend with Dr. Zahi Hawass?
- Our tour is the very first one to offer so much private access to Dr. Zahi Hawass, the most famous archaeologist in the world and the former Minister of Antiquities in Egypt! Dr. Hawass will give several lectures, including two multimedia lectures for our group with the time for questions from the guests. He will also spend time with our group during the sightseeing of the most impressive monuments in Egypt: the Giza plateau with the Great Sphinx, and the Pyramid Builders Tombs (which is one of his greatest discoveries). Dr. Hawass joins our guests for dinners or coffee to get to know them better, answer questions and share his views on the history of Egypt. You will have time to ask all the questions, get books signed, take pictures with Dr. Hawass and really understand more about his work on some of the greatest monuments of world’s heritage.
Documents and visas
1. What documents do I need?
- You need a passport valid at least 6 months after the end of your tour or your departure date. You will also need a VISA that is issued after you arrive to Cairo International airport. The cost of the VISA is $25 per person and you don’t have to apply for it before you travel.
2. Is travel and trip cancellation insurance included?
- Basic travel insurance is included in the price of the tour. We always recommend purchasing additional extended travel insurance in your country of residence. In case of tour cancellation done by the client all refunds will be given as mentioned in the Terms and Conditions included in the Registration Form. If our company cancels the tour, you will receive 100% refund of all the tour costs. If you would like to have your own cancellation insurance, you are advised to purchase it in your country of residence.
Payments
1. How can I make my payments?
- Before your tour there are two payment options: by wire transfers and by credit card. Credit card payments will include 3.9% fee for payment system operator. The information for wire transfers is detailed on your Registration Form. In Egypt during the tour any payments can be done in cash to your tour leader.
2. When is the deposit due?
- The deposit is due when you would like to make your booking (after you fill in and send us your Registration Form, or online booking form).
3. When is the final payment due?
- The final payments are due 90 days before the tour starts. We will send you a reminder email before your final payment time.
4. How to pay by card?
- There are two credit card payment options:
a) payment over the phone by calling our US number: (917) 719 19 74
b) payment online with a special secure payment link, which you will receive after sending us your Registration Form.
5. How to send a wire transfer?
- Please find the wire transfer information on your Registration Form – page 2 (bank account number and SWIFT code, company’s address and the bank’s address). With this information you can visit your bank and order a wire or send us a wire from your online banking system. In the title of the wire, please enter your name and the tour date and country of your tour (eg. Cynthia Smith for Egypt April). Please send us an email to let us know that the wire was sent and for what amount. Please make sure to cover all the bank fees if there are any required by your bank or intermediary banks, in order to transfer the right amount for the payment. The wire transfer should be sent in US dollars.
General information
1. What is the weather like in Egypt between September and April?
- The weather is sunny and dry, between 60-90°F depending on the month and region (Cairo is cooler than Luxor and Aswan). During cooler months such as February, March, November or December you can expect 60 to 75°F. In April, May, September or October the temperature is between 70 to 90°F. We recommend taking summer clothes, sun glasses and a hat or a cap to protect your head from the sun and a sunscreen. We also recommend taking a sweater or a jacket for the cooler evenings or mornings.
2. What currency should I use in Egypt? Do I have to exchange money before my tour?
- You can use both American dollars and Egyptian pounds (the local currency) to shop, pay for additional services in the hotel and to tip the staff. In our hotel in Giza there is an exchange office with good rates. You can exchange your money after you arrive to your hotel.
3. What kind of clothes to take?
- Comfortable shoes are a must (that could be sneakers, trainers or strong leather shoes). It is best to choose comfortable clothes, preferably also some older clothes that won’t be missed if lost, stained or damaged. When it comes to respecting Egyptian customs – men’s clothing is not really an issue, normal trousers, shirt or t-shirt are fine, but in Cairo it would not be acceptable to wear short shorts or a tank tops/sleeveless tops. As to the women’s clothing, adopting the conservative dress code will hopefully deflect unwanted attention from the Egyptian men. Basic clothes could include loose linen/cotton trousers or a below knee skirt and sleeved blouse. Women should take a scarf to cover the head for the sightseeing inside the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in Cairo (it is the only religious place on the tour where the scarves are required). In the Mosque men are also asked to wear long sleeves and long trousers. For the mornings and evenings, please take a jacket or a sweater.
4. Voltage and outlets in Egypt:
- The voltage in Egyptian outlets is 220V, 50Hz. The outlets are standard European type (round with two prongs). You can find an adapter for the European outlet without any problems in any electrical shop.
5. What souvenirs to buy?
- Egypt is famous for many items from good quality carpets and cheap jewelry to historical papyruses. During our tour you will have plenty of occasions to buy souvenirs.
6. Can I use ATMs in Egypt?
- You can easily withdraw some money from an ATM. There are two types of cash machines – you can either withdraw money in US dollars or in Egyptian pounds, but the ones that allow withdrawing the local currency are more common. If you need more money, there is a possibility to use an ATM. Let your tour leader know that you want to find the nearest cash machine and he will help you out.
7. Can we (should we) bargain on the bazaars and markets in Egypt?
- All prices are negotiable, especially on the markets. Many travelers find it a hassle having to bargain for everything they wish to buy, but prices are usually inflated, so if you are not happy with the price, move on to another shop. You are under no obligation to buy, so don't be intimidated by the sellers.
Do you have more questions?
We hope that the answers to frequently asked questions will be helpful to you. If you have any other questions, or you would like to talk to us on any of the subjects above, our consultants will help you. You can contact us by phone or email.
Our telephone: 917-719-1974
E-mail: contact@archaeologicalpaths.com
Best regards,
Archaeological Paths Team
www.archaeologicalpaths.com
