Intro

Discover Egypt’s timeless wonders on this carefully curated journey, combining iconic sites with a relaxed cruise up the Nile. Begin in Cairo, where the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum reveal the grandeur of the ancient world. Start with cool days trips to the oasis of Fayoum, the natural pools of Wadi Rayan, plus the surreal sight of ancient whale skeletons strewn in the desert sands of Wadi el Hitan. Returning to more celebrated sights, see the treasures of Luxor, from Karnak Temple to the Valley of the Kings, before boarding a small cruise ship for a scenic voyage upriver.

As you sail south, visit Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples, cruise past riverside villages, and experience the serene beauty of Aswan. A day trip to Abu Simbel offers a final glimpse into Egypt’s majestic past before returning to Cairo. Throughout, expert guides provide insight into the country’s rich history and culture, ensuring an immersive yet unhurried experience. Experience historical wealth on a grand scale, and even learn a thing or two about Nilotic tribal culture with an afternoon at close quarters with native Nubians.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Great Pyramid & Sphinx of Giza
• Coptic Cairo & Khan el Khalili market
• The desert waterfalls of Wadi Rayan
• Whalebones in the deserts of Wadi El Hitan
• Ancient Thebes comes alive in modern Luxor
• Burial tombs in Valley of the Kings
• Island temples & ruins along the Nile
• Boat trip to Elephantine Island.
• Dramatic temple & chambers in Abu Simbel

Places Visited

Cairo - Giza Plateau - Wadi Rayan - Wadi El Hitan - Karnak - Luxor - Kom Ombo - Aswan - Abu Simbel

What's Included

Arrival & departure transfers
Nile cruise accommodation on FB basis
Ground transport with driver
All Domestic flights 
Accommodation 
Meals (half board and full board)
English-speaking guides
Entrance fees to sites & parks

Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for booking your holiday with Travel The Unknown. We love travel and we are confident that you will go away with fantastic memories of your tour.

Itinerary

Your final itinerary will include the day-by-day details of your trip, meal plan, accommodation and relevant contacts. If you do not have your final itinerary, or are unsure about it, please contact us by one of the methods below:
 
Phone (UK): 020 7183 6371
Phone (US): 1 (619) 354 4122
Phone (IRL): 01 254 8657
Email: operations@traveltheunknown.com 
Skype: traveltheunknown

Itineraries are correct at the time of printing and are updated throughout the year to incorporate suggestions from past travellers, our own research and information from our guides and local operators. Itineraries are also subject to change as a result of local and individual trip circumstances, and are to be treated as a guide rather than a definitive plan. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this. Please ensure that you have read and reviewed the final copy of your final Trip Notes and itinerary at least a week prior to travel in case there have been changes that may affect you.

Health & Safety

Hygiene

It is important to keep a high standard of hygiene when travelling, just as you would at home. Wash your hands with soap and water or antibacterial gel before eating or drinking and after using the toilet, particularly in Egypt. Be sure to also carry some extra tissues with you if required. Hotels will have western-style toilets. Larger restaurants and tourist attractions will either have a western toilet + Turkish squat style toilet. In smaller eateries, remote places and public bathrooms you may find just Turkish toilets. 

We recommend that you stick to drinking bottled water and even use it to brush your teeth as tap water may be unsafe to drink. When dining, avoid food which has been left out (especially in the heat), salads and raw vegetables (as they may have been washed in local water) and ice creams (which may have been made with local water or allowed to thaw and re-freeze). Decline ice cubes in cold drinks and remove them when provided, as they may also be made with local untreated water.
 
When organising your own meals, be selective where you eat. Choose places that seem quite clean and where you see many locals eating. A high turnover usually means food is not left lying around and is made fresh

Health

All Travel The Unknown travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully in the group travel experience. If, in the opinion of our ground handler, any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, Travel The Unknown reserves the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. Please read the itinerary for this tour thoroughly and pay close attention to the Activity Ratings shown on our website and then realistically self assess your physical ability to complete the trip as described. Please consult with your doctor if you have any doubts or give us a call with any queries you may have.

Please visit your country's travel advisory website for information regarding recommended vaccinations for Egypt. It is strongly recommended you also consult your doctor or a travel clinic at least 45 days prior to your departure for up-to-date medical travel information. Every person's medical history and conditions are unique, therefore, we cannot advise you on what vaccinations are required for this trip. 

NB: If you plan on visiting countries such as Eritrea, Rwanda, Somalia, United Republic of Tanzania or Zambia prior to this trip, for more than 12 hours, you will need to provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate to authorities on arrival into Egypt. The same applies if you have visited any other country where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission. Please speak to your GP or health care provider for further information on yellow fever transmission areas.

You should also carry a first aid kit, as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that in some more remote areas you could be some distance away from medical facilities. The cost of western products such as Panadol, Nurofen, Nivea and sunblock/suncream are taxed highly, so it is recommended that you bring these products with you in case. For legal reasons, our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drugs, including headache tablets and antibiotics.

If you are required to take prescription medication while in Egypt, you should carry a medical certificate from your doctor confirming that the medication has been prescribed for a medical condition. This should be an official letter from your GP, specifying
the what condition is being treated, the quantity of medication you will be carrying and that the medication is for your personal use only.

RESTRICTED MEDICATIONS:

Please note that it is illegal to import more than 20 tablets of the following drugs/medications into Egypt, even if it is for personal use. If you are concerned that a medication you take matches one of the items below, please speak to your GP/health provider. For further information on restricted medications, please contact your local Egyptian embassy.

• Nicocodeine
• Didrex Tablets
• PROXEN
• Mogadon
• NITRAZEN
•  KETAMINE INJ
• Ergotamine
• Dextromethorphan
• Pulmolar
• Co-Diovan
• Kodinalin
• Somanil
• Phenobarbital
•  Nova Tablets that have an extended effect.
• Valinil
• Calmepam 
• Neuril
• Valium
• Tranxene
• LEXOTANI tablets
• EN tablets
• Xanax
• CODASTIN
• Codaphen N
• Somadril
• Tussivan N
•  Korfas 
• Migranil Tablets
• Librax tabs
• Rivotril Tablets 
• Tramadol & other Opioid Analgesics

Safety

There is rarely any trouble in the areas our tours cover. We closely monitor the safety situation on a continuous basis, using both government sources and our own network of contacts on the ground, and will amend the itinerary if safety concerns require us to. Please check for the latest government advice on travel to the region (see some helpful links below) and please contact us if you have any further questions or concerns about safety issues.

UK - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Ireland - www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice
US - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Canada - https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
Australia - www.smartraveller.gov.au
New Zealand  - www.safetravel.govt.nz

When travelling, you are subject to the same dangers that you may find at home, such as theft or pick pocketing in busy places. Travelling with an experienced group leader will help protect your trip from such dangers, but do not let your guard down completely. You are still responsible for your own belongings. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities; however during your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. Any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Travel The Unknown itinerary, and Travel The Unknown makes no guarantees about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement. Travel The Unknown cannot be held responsible for any injuries or losses that may occur during any such optional activity. Please also note that Travel The Unknown retains the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. 

To ensure the safety of your documents and other valuables, we strongly recommend that you use a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, whilst a lock is recommended for securing your luggage. It is not advisable to bring valuable jewellery when travelling. 

Money Matters

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some people spend a lot of money on drinks, whereas others may spend more on souvenirs or presents. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing money for drinks, shopping, participation in optional activities and tipping. 
In light of this, it is very difficult to recommend a certain amount of spending money to bring. A rough estimate however would be somewhere in the vicinity of $30-$50USD per day - but budget for more if you plan on doing lots of shopping!

If you are planning to video/photograph in certain sites, please be aware you may need to purchase a permit to do so. These can range from around $25-30USD per ticket so ensure you budget accordingly.

Tipping

It is customary to tip in Egypt, known locally as ‘baksheesh’, it is more often a reward for services rendered and for most local people, an essential means of supplementing their income (meager by Western standards). This is by no means enforced, but is considered the polite thing to do. A rough guide to tipping is as follows:
​
Tour Leaders - US$5 per person, per day
Local guide - US$5 per person, per day
Driver - US$4 per person, per day in Cairo
Felucca Captain - US$3 per person per boat trip
Cruise Staff - US$3-4 per person, per night on board
Porters and Hotel Staff - US$1 per service rendered
Waiter - US$3 per meal
Porter/Baggage Handler - US$1 per bag

Some groups find it more convenient to create a tipping kitty, as a group, and just pay one lump sum to the Tour Leader who will then arrange to distribute the tips among guides/drivers/hotel staff etc. If you are interested in this as an option, please raise it with your Tour Leader on the first day of the tour.

Departure Tax

Unless otherwise specified, the departure tax will be included in the cost of your tour package when you book your international flights with Travel The Unknown. If you are arranging your own international flights, please check with your travel agent or airline.

Emergency Funds

Please make sure you have access to an additional £200 ($300), to be used if unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (e.g. a natural disaster or political strife) necessitate a change to our intended itinerary. This is not a common occurrence, but it is better to be prepared.

Note:  you will be responsible for any additional expenses incurred on your trip which are outside the scope of your tour package (e.g. costs related to personal emergencies, extra meals, phone calls, etc.). Any such costs must be paid in full locally.

Money Exchange

Egypt's official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP) It is also referred to as £E or LE. For every 1 E£, there are 100 piasters. Currently there are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 pound bank notes in circulation. Piasters are available in 200, 100, 50, 10, 5,1, 50 and 25 notes. Furthermore, coins are also available in 1 EGP and 50, 25 and 10 piaster. The country is largely cash-based - be sure to keep a hold of smaller denominations for tipping and bathroom trips.

Cirrus, Maestro, Plus, Visa and Mastercard are all accepted by local ATM's for cash withdrawals in larger towns and cities. There are few machines in Aswan and Luxor so ensure you have enough cash on you when visiting these places.

Please be aware when using your card - some merchants add between 3-5% of fees on top of your purchase.

For tipping, USD, GBP and EGP notes are acceptable - coins however are not.  Small EGP coins are convenient for public bathrooms, where an entry fee is charged.

Currency exchange rates fluctuate. For the most up to date rates please refer to the following website: www.xe.com.

TIP 1: American dollars are usually the most used foreign currency 

TIP 2: We recommend you take out the majority of the spending money you require when you first arrive in a country, distribute it and keep it in secure places for the rest of the trip.

TIP 3: Make sure you inform your bank of the exact dates that you are going away and when you will be in each country to ensure that your card is not blocked when you are travelling.

TIP 4: Slightly torn, faded or badly marked banknotes may be difficult to exchange. Coins are typically not exchangeable. 

Meals

Some meals are included in the price. Please refer to your itinerary for information on which meals are provided and budget accordingly for meals not included. 
Please note, sometimes we are not always able to break at appropriate times for brunch or lunch, so it is suggested that you carry a few snacks - peanuts, crisps, sweet cookies, pita bread, soft drinks and other easy to carry food are widely available from small convenience stores in places we visit. 


On board the cruises, bottled water, soft drinks, beer and usually wine can be purchased from the bar on board.  A tab will be set up for each member of the group and payment for the drinks you have consumed will be collected at the end of the cruise. Payment for these services is generally preferred in cash, so please ensure you have enough with you to cover your bill at the end of the cruise.

A guideline of approximate food/drink costs is as follows:

Mineral water (big size) at local supermarkets/stores - US$0.30 to US$1
Chips/Crisps at local supermarkets/stores -  US$0.30 to US$1
Canned soft drink at local supermarkets/stores -  US$0.30 to US$1
Juice at local supermarkets/stores - US$0.30 to US$1
Average meal at local cafe/restaurant - US$2 to US$5

Prices for snacks/drinks will be more expensive if you purchase from a hotel/minibar.

Practicalities

Group Travel

To minimise the footprint our tours leave - both on the environment and the local culture - we keep our group sizes limited to 12 people.

In your group, there may be large variations in age and a variety of nationalities. While this is mostly a good thing, it can occasionally cause some difficulties, so we ask you to be patient with your fellow passengers and realise that everyone likes to travel differently. Please also consider your fellow passengers by respecting scheduled meeting times. If any issues occur within the group please inform your guide who will do his / her best to help to resolve it.

Tour guides

We have gone to great lengths in securing the best guides and drivers available to ensure your trip runs smoothly and you have the best experiences possible in your chosen region. 

Transport

Travel between destinations is by well-maintained and comfortable vehicles and in some instances by flight. Flights will be indicated clearly on your itinerary.
Travel between destinations is by well-maintained and comfortable vehicles and in some instances by flight. Flights will be indicated clearly on your itinerary. In cities such as Cairo and Luxor, traffic can be very heavy and is often gridlocked. You will likely see very few road rules being enforced and this does impact the flow of traffic at times. Please be aware that this is normal for Egypt, and it may impact the driving times given to you by your guides and drivers. We believe this is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers better!

Additional Tours/Services

We can arrange additional tours, hotel nights and airport transfers before or after your chosen tour. Please let us know what you would like to do and we'll be happy to help. Any services, tours or other activities booked, agreed to or paid for locally are undertaken entirely at your own risk and the company will not be liable for any injury or loss incurred from such activities. You will also be responsible for any additional expenses incurred on the trip which are outside the scope of the tour package (e.g. costs related to personal emergencies, extra meals, phone calls, etc.). Any such costs must be paid in full locally.

Flights

Our tours typically include any in-country domestic flights. International flights from the UK can also be arranged if required. If you prefer however, you can book your own flights and our representative will meet you at the airport on arrival and take you to your hotel before your tour starts. Please let us know your preference when booking your trip.

Please note, for domestic flights, the typical baggage allowance, unless explicitly stated elsewhere, is 15kg.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. As a minimum, we require that your insurance covers you for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. We also strongly recommend you are covered for personal liability, loss of luggage and personal effects. You will be required to give details of your insurance prior to departure. Travel the Unknown do not recommend which travel insurance to take out however we do have a partner who offers travel insurance. For clients based in the UK or Ireland you can buy online direct with Accident & General at www.accidentgeneral.ie/traveltheunknown 

Accommodation

We or our trusted ground handlers have personally vetted all accommodation. If any of our preferred first choice accommodations are not available, we will organise something of a similar standard. Please check your itinerary for a list of the accommodations on your trip.

It is important to note that Egypt is predominantly a Muslim country, and as such, prayer times are very active in major cities such as Cairo and Luxor. This means that you may hear the call to prayer as early as 5am in the morning from nearby mosques. Generally this will last for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, however, there may be several mosques praying at slightly different times.

Likewise, there is very heavy traffic in larger cities so you may hear horns and engine noise depending on the property/how close it is to the road.

In either case, if you feel that your room is particularly noisy and you are being significantly disturbed, please speak to your local guide and tour leaders and they may be able to make alternative arrangement

Joining and finishing points

Unless otherwise indicated on your itinerary, you will be greeted at your arrival airport by an Ancient Origins representative and escorted to your accommodation. See itinerary for details. At the end of your trip, you will be escorted to the airport for your departing flight, unless otherwise specified in your itinerary. 

Trip Specifics

Passports, Visas & Immigration

All travellers require a passport to travel. Many countries require that your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of your trip. For help with visas we recommend our partner, the Visa Machine, visit http://ttu.thevisamachine.com for details or call them on +44 20 7148 6402. Any information we provide regarding visas is correct at the time of research. It is always advisable to check the latest information with your local consulate or embassy of the country (or countries) you are to visit.

VISA ON ARRIVAL

30-day visas are available on arrival at all ports of entry for £25USD for passport holders from the UK, US, CAN, AUS & NZ. Upon landing, locate the 'visa on arrival' sign at the appropriate airport before clearing immigration. You can pay in US dollars, UK pounds or Euros (cash only). However,as these regulations may change at anytime without prior notice, please check before your arrival with the Egyptian Embassy. You will also need at least 2 blank pages in your passport for the visa. If you wish to obtain a multi-visit visa, this MUST be organised at an overseas PRIOR TO ARRIVAL.


E-VISA

UK, US, CAN, AUS, NZ passport holders can also choose to complete an e-visa online prior to travel. Please note, some users may experience some difficulty with the website when applying for the visa - unfortunately this appears to occur intermittently and without reason. If you do experience difficulties, it is best to try it again at a later time or obtain your visa on arrival. There are also many website scams around claiming to provide the e-visa for Egypt. The only official place to purchase the Egyptian e-visa is at https://www.visa2egypt.gov.eg/. The cost to purchase the e-visa online is $25. If you choose to purchase your e-visa online, please ensure you bring a printed copy of the confirmation with you for border officials. 
 

Electricity

Egypt's standard voltage is 220V at a frequency of 50Hz. The sockets are of the European, two-pronged variety -please ensure you have the appropriate adaptor for your electronics.

Communications

Egypt's international dialling code is +20. If you will be needing to make calls on your trip, it is recommended you bring an unlocked mobile and purchase a local sim-card on arrival.

Wifi and internet access is widely available across hotels/internet cafes/many restaurants, though the reliability of it may decrease in more regional areas. Whatsapp calls are often blocked in Egypt, so it is suggested to download Viber as an alternative.

Time

Egypt has one time zone, GMT+2 and does not observe any daylight savings throughout the year.

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some hotels for a charge. In addition, laundry services can be found outside our hotels in all major cities and many smaller ones.

We advise you not to leave doing your laundry to the last minute, as drying times may be required and laundry services will not be available at all stops.

Climate

Egypt experiences hot, dry weather for most of the year- particularly in the regions around Cairo and Luxor with temperatures often well above 25°C (77°F). Temperatures between December and March are the most reasonable - averaging around 20°C or  68.5°F. Even during these months, the sun can be very strong still so it is highly recommend that you bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses etc. Dehydration can set in quickly in drier climates, so ensure you keep your water intake as high as possible.

Around the Nile River, the temperature can fluctuate so it is recommended to bring a lightweight scarf/pashmina for when mornings and evenings are cool. Wind can pick up during the winter season, so you may wish to pack accordingly.

Language

Egyptian Arabic is the official language of Egypt, with several types of dialects also being popular. Most educated people speak some form of English, thanks to the addition of it to school and university curriculums. You may find it useful, however, to know a few words of Arabic when speaking with locals - a little goes a long way.

Hello:  Salam Alekum
Goodbye: Ma-salama
Please: Men fadiak (to a male) / Men fadiek (to a female)
Thank-you: Shukran
No, thank you: La Shukran
Yes: Aywa
No: La
Sorry: Assif
How much is that?: Bikam Da?
It's too much: Da ghali 'awi

 

Checklist

This is a generic checklist of things to remember before travelling. Not all may apply to you:
- Tell your bank you are travelling, so that they do not block your transactions when you are abroad
- Ensure you have the relevant visas and a valid passport
- Ensure you have any required vaccinations and medications for the trip
- Ensure you have adequate travel insurance and that you have sent the relevant details of your policy to Travel The Unknown
- Make a note of your passport number, take a photocopy with you and email a scanned version to yourself
- Email a copy of your itinerary and trip contacts to any family members who may want to contact you
- Bring some money to cover emergency situations
- Check with your mobile service provider to make sure your phone works abroad (enable roaming if required)
- Check the What To Bring section of these Trip Notes to see if there are any particular items you require

While travelling, please bear in mind the following:
- Think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts - don’t take risks that you wouldn’t at home
- Don’t openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks
- Find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws - there may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home
- Respect the environment – don’t buy wildlife souvenirs, conserve resources (like water) and don’t drop litter

Fitness

Please note that some of our tours can be physically demanding. A basic level of fitness, mobility and decent health is assumed. Please contact us if you are unsure about your suitability for this trip.

Check the activity rating of your tour on our website and consult the chart below.

ACTIVITY RATINGS
*     Relaxation. There are no activities scheduled.

**    This will typically include some short walking tours and some medium-length car/minibus journeys.

***   This is the standard for most of our cultural tours. It involves city walking, short walks in rural areas and some medium-to-long drives.

****  This typically involves some short hikes or the equivalent, as well as some long-ish drives and city walking.

***** This is typically a hiking or activity itinerary and can be quite strenuous. A good level of fitness is expected.

NOTE: Ratings are inherently subjective and are made using our best judgement. Also, different parts of an itinerary may merit different ratings, so the ratings assigned are an assumed average for the whole trip. In any case, please contact us if you are unsure of the level of fitness required for any given trip.

What to bring

Below is a recommended list of items to bring. It does not claim to be exhaustive. Egypt does have a specific dress code - further information can be found in the 'Cultural Sensitivity' section of this document.

•    Any required medicines
•    Basic first aid kit, insect repellent and sunscreen (min. factor 15)
•    Day pack (useful for carrying basic items)
•    Basic toiletries and tissues
•    +25 SPF Sunscreen
•    Sunglasses
•    Clothing for both hot and cool conditions (practical clothing is strongly advised, especially long-sleeved tops, long trousers and a sun hat)
•    Appropriate shirts/skirts/dresses/trousers - shoulders must be fully covered, skirts, dresses and trousers must be below the knee
•    Scarf/pashmina for windy days or to cover up in more conservative areas
•    Sandals and walking shoes
•    Binoculars, torch, sunglasses, small towel and electricity adapter
•    Waterproof bag for documents and electronics
•    Notepad, pen and book
•    Watch (strict time-keeping is required at times)
•    Money for meals, souvenirs and contingencies
•    Drinking bottle
•    Travel plug (for sinks without plugs)
•    Ear plugs (for those early morning call to prayers)
•    Travel pillow (can come in handy for longer journeys)

Most importantly, come with an open mind!

Electronic Items

•    Camera – don't forget your accessories: memory cards, battery and charger
•    If you use a film camera, bring film, lenses, batteries, etc.
•    Mobile phone and charger
•    Plug adaptors 
•    Music player and charger
•    Laptop or tablet and charger (useful if you want to keep a blog and upload photos)

Responsible Travel

Responsible Travel

As regular travellers, one thing that never ceases to amaze and inspire us is the kindness and generosity of people, often people who have very little to their name. We firmly believe that the people who make these places special should also benefit from our visit. Therefore, as first preference, we use local guides and locally-owned lodges, shops and eateries. We do our best to ensure that the benefits of our tours reach as widely as possible into the communities where they operate. We also support a small portfolio of charities and local grassroots organisations which you can see on our website at www.traveltheunknown.com/responsible. 

The Environment

Please be mindful of the environment in which you travel. We ask you to be vigilant about disposing of your waste.  Dispose of all rubbish correctly and do not leave litter or cigarette butts in natural environments. 


Help us to reduce single-use plastics
We are very happy to announce our tie-up with WaterToGo - https://www.watertogo.eu/traveltheunknown. 

This will give you the chance to help us to reduce single-use plastic usage on our trips - and as such we would encourage you to buy reusable water bottles from the link above. This will not cost you any more, in fact you can get a 15% discount by entering the code "TTU15" at the checkout - and we will get a small percentage commission too which we will donate to WaterAid - https://www.wateraid.org/uk/.   They have many amazing water-related projects ensuring clean water, decent toilets and sanitation are something everyone can access. Thank you for helping us to make a little difference.

Visit www.traveltheunknown.com/responsible for further information on our responsible travel initiatives.

Cultural Sensitivity

We go to great lengths to ensure our tours have minimal impact on the environment and the people who live there. We ask you to respect the culture of the people and to familiarise yourself with local laws and customs prior to travelling with us.
If you would like to photograph someone, ask their permission first to avoid causing offense.

In some countries, photographing officials, the army, police, government buildings and borders may be illegal and may result in having your equipment confiscated.

Egyptians are conservative people,especially when it comes to matters such as sex and women. Some Egyptian men can become a little overzealous when exposed to foreign women due to the rigors of the society in which they live.Physical harassment is rare but you are most likely to be asked your name,your hand in marriage in exchange for a sum of camels or showered with poetic remarks. Giving a polite smile and walking away is often the best thing to do. A gentle 'la shoukran' can also help too. Walking in a group or with some fellow male travelers, or even wearing a cheap ring on the wedded finger generally alleviates this problem.​

Dress Code
Women also dress very conservatively in Egypt, and with the exception of beach resorts, tourists are asked to do the same. Loose clothing and long garments should be worn to cover the body. Jeans/pants are acceptable but shouldn't be skintight. Likewise, men are advised not to wear shorts, extreme short-sleeved shirts, or tight shirts. Sandals without socks are acceptable for both sexes. 

If you plan to visit any mosques/religious sites, please be mindful of what you are wearing. Women are expected to cover their hair, neck and shoulders upon entering, and long skirts/dresses/pants must be covered. Both men and women are expected to take their shoes off to enter the mosque.

Mosques
Be aware that mosques often have very loud call to prayers, and are often located quite close to hotels. These can start as early as 5am. For light sleeper earplugs might be a good idea.

Stay in touch

Newsletter

If you would like to find out about new tours and all that is happening with Travel The Unknown, please sign up to our newsletter on our website, www.traveltheunknown.com, send us an email at enquiries@traveltheunknown.com or call us on 020 7183 6371 (UK) or 1 347 329 5524 (US).

Feedback

We have spent much time and effort to make your trip a memorable experience for all the right reasons. However, we are constantly looking to improve our tours and any feedback you can give us or suggestions you may have would be very much appreciated. Visit www.traveltheunknown.com/feedback to share your thoughts with us. 

Tour photos

We prefer to use real photos taken on our tours on our website and in our print material, so we actively encourage you to send us your photos. Happy snapping! 

If we use your pictures we will be happy to credit you as the photographer - just let us know you would like us to do so when you send in your photos. You can also share your photos on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/traveltheunknown

Stay in Touch

You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and our blog by visiting our pages shown below:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/traveltheunknown
Twitter:      www.twitter.com/travel_unknown
Pinterest:   www.pinterest.com/TTUnknown
YouTube:   www.youtube.com/traveltheunknown
Blog:         www.traveltheunknown​.com/blog