• > Why travel with Djoser to Egypt?
• > What are some of the excursions?
• > What is the mood toward Americans on these tours?
• > Is this a good trip for children?
• > Can I make an excursion to Abu Simbel?
• > How are the Djoser hotels in Egypt?
• > How do I travel in Egypt?
• > Who are the participants for this trip?
• > What is the best time for travel to Egypt?
• > Will I be on my own to find places to eat?
• > Will I be on my own to find activities?
• > Where can I exchange money?
• > Is it possible to go snorkeling and/or diving?
• > Is it possible to extend this tour?
• > Can I extend my trip to Jordan?
• > Is it possible to book this as a private tour?

Why travel with Djoser to Egypt?

Our renowned travel program in Egypt is based on years of experience in the country of the pharaohs. We know the country through and through and often consider this trip the crème de la crème of Djoser travel. After all, Djoser’s Egyptian name comes from one of the very oldest pyramids of Egypt, the pyramid of pharaoh Djoser, located in Saqqara. We spend the nights in excellent tourist class hotels. An English-speaking guide leads the visits to the many historical treasures like the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak. We offer an 11-day trip, 15 day trip, which focuses on Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, and our 20-day program also includes the Red Sea area, Hurghada, St. Catherine, and Dahab.

What are some of the excursions?

On each trip excursions are included in the cities of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. From Cairo we will make a trip with an experienced tour-guide to Memphis, Saqqara and Giza, during which you get to see the most famous pyramids. In Luxor the guide brings you to the western shore past the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hapshesut and the graves of the manual laborers. The guide will also accompany you to the temple complex of Karnak. In Aswan the excursion goes to the large dam, the unfinished obelisk and the temple-island Philae. Entry fees to all monuments are extra and there are many to see. See the Dates/Prices section for how much you should budget per week to cover entry fees and meals.

What is the mood toward Americans on these tours?

One of the most delightful things about traveling in Egypt is the Egyptian people. They are lovely and welcoming. In the city, children will yell to you “Welcome to Cairo!” Luxor and Aswan are less conservative cities and quite used to tourists. You will be traveling with wonderful local guides who will advise you where to go safely and will surely make you feel quite comfortable.

Is this a good trip for children?

These are fantastic trips for children. There is so much to hold a child’s interest. The Egyptian people are very warm to visiting children. Several of our hotels have wonderful swimming pools when you and the kids need time off from the group or just need a lazy afternoon.

Can I make an excursion to Abu Simbel?

From Aswan it is possible to make an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, where the rock temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari were placed on the shores of the Nasser Lake by UNESCO. It is possible, if enough people are interested, to make this excursion with the Djoser bus. It is a drive of 3 ½ hours each way, and you will have over 2 hours time to spend at the complex. The cost for the bus depends on the amount of interested participants, but is approximately $35. It is also possible to fly to Abu Simbel, which costs about $125. (Costs are, of course, subject to change).Taking into account the time needed for check-in time etc. you will have about the same amount of time to spend at the temples as with the bus ride.

How are the Djoser hotels in Egypt?

We will stay in excellent, clean, tourist class hotels. Most hotels have a swimming pool and each room has air-conditioning and a private shower and toilet. You can purchase breakfast at the hotels. Our accommodations are centrally located. For example, in Luxor you can walk in a few minutes to the bazaar or to the ferry that takes you to the opposite bank of the Nile. In Aswan our hotel is situated directly on the Nile. In most hotels you can have your laundry done for you.

Click on the following link to view some of our lodgings: http://www.djoserusa.com/hotels

How do I travel in Egypt?

In Egypt we will make use of many different modes of transportation. When we travel from Cairo southward along the Nile it will be on an air-conditioned day train on which we have reserved seats. Besides this, the shorter distances are covered with our own spacious bus equipped with air-conditioning. To save time, on the 11-day program we have an internal flight. On all the trips you will have opportunities to sail on the Nile in traditional feluccas, enjoying the fascinating stops along the way. On the long program you will make the crossing from Hurghada to Sharm el Sheikh on a comfortable, fast boat which takes about 90 minutes. If this boat cannot sail due to rough weather or in the event of a technical malfunction we will travel by bus to the Sinai desert.

Click on the following link to view slides of the transportation we use: http://www.djoserusa.com/transportation

Who are the participants for this trip?

Travelers on these trips are all from North America. Group size is typically small (2 to 10) with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 20. The guide is a local, English-speaking guide from Egypt.

What is the best time for travel to Egypt?

Egypt is a suitable travel destination year-round. Although summers are quite hot, you will take advantage of the early morning and evenings (the city never sleeps!). In general the excursions will be organized in the morning, so that in the afternoon you are free to plan your own free time. You could for instance pay a visit to an atmospheric souk to buy nice souvenirs or enjoy relaxing at the swimming-pool which is present at most hotels.

Will I be on my own to find places to eat?

No. The group will usually have breakfast together at the hotels. The guide will suggest safe places to eat for other meals. You are free to join the guide and other group members at meals or you can explore on your own. He/she will give you safe recommendations. You will only pay for the meals that you eat so you have ultimate flexibility.

Will I be on my own to find activities?

The same applies for meals. The guide will discuss suggested plans for the day with the group, first thing in the morning. Group members can either join the guide and other travelers for an activity, or they can explore on their own. Again, the guide will give fun suggestions for places to go on your own. Unless otherwise noted in the program, you will pay for your own entry fees for museums or sites, as you go. So you only pay for the things that you choose to do.

Where can I exchange money?

The easiest way to obtain Egyptian Pounds is from an ATM machine. In all large cities there are ATMs where you can get cash out with a bankcard and PIN-number. Also bring some cash Euros, because the ATM machines are not always in working order. Exchanging cash is however more laborious since the banks have only limited opening hours.

Is it possible to go snorkeling and/or diving?

Hurghada has good snorkeling and diving possibilities. This seaside resort on the Red Sea has white beaches and is a true paradise for aquatic fans because of the beautiful coral reefs. The tour coordinator can inform you about day-trips that bring you to a coral reef on a boat. Equipment and lunch can be provided during these optional excursions. In Dahab in the Sinai desert you can walk from the hotel on the beach directly into the sea to go snorkeling or diving in the beautiful bay.

Is it possible to extend this tour?

When you book your trip you can request an overnight layover in Amsterdam for one or more nights. The layover cost is $150 for the flight deviation. If you would like an early arrival in Cairo or later departure from Cairo at the “back” of the trip you can request an extension when you book for $100 per extension (for flight deviation). Djoser will book these flights subject to availability. Please let us know when you book how many nights and where you wish to extend your layover. Neither hotels nor airport transfers are provided for layovers. You can request hotels or transfers for extensions for an extra fee.

Can I extend my trip to Jordan?

Extensions for two or more people can be arranged to Jordan. Hotels and flights would be arranged but you would be on your own. This is not an accompanied portion of the trip.

Is it possible to book this as a private tour?

You may request a custom date for 2 or more travelers for an additional $100 plus seasonal surcharges (if applicable).