• > How Strenuous are these Trips?
• > Group Participants and Tour Leader
• > Private Tours and Custom Dates
• > Local Transportation
• > Accommodations
• > Meals
• > Climate
• > Travel Documents
• > Flights
• > Airline Tickets
• > Money
• > Health
• > Luggage & Clothing
• > Resources
• > Communication

How Strenuous are these Trips?

Djoser participants enjoy an active style of travel. On a Djoser tour, we do lots of walking. Our hotels are often located so that you can walk to the nearby sites. Once in a city, we will only take transport to sites that are far away.  You must be capable and willing to carry your own luggage from the bus to the hotel, as usually, there is no porter.

Group Participants and Tour Leader

Guides 

We use local, English speaking guides who are knowledgeable about the area and happy to share their knowledge. However, they are not lecturers. The will handle logistics for travel and lodgings. The guide organizes many meals and activities and will accompany many of them, but not all (on most days a 1/2 day activity and a lunch or dinner). The element of freedom is important on all Djoser trips. Your guide will recommend safe activities and restaurants for free time and exploration. You can generally expect a free day if you are spending a second day in a city. Again, the guide will outline options. For very small groups, you will have different guides in different cities. We also have experienced land agents stationed in each country who work with the tour leader and who can assist in case of an emergency.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Local Transportation

For transportation we use a locally rented bus or a van depending on the size of the group. The bus is spacious and air-conditioned. You will also make use of the train, local taxis or a horse and carriage (caliches), which is a perfect way to get from place to place in Aswan and Luxor.  You will have plenty of opportunities to take leisurely sails down the Nile on traditional feluccas. It’s an amazing way to see the sunset and there are many fascinating stops and sites along the banks.

Accommodations

The hotels we use in Egypt can be classified as thre and four-star hotels selected for their welcoming atmosphere and favorable location. Rooms have private bathrooms and are air-conditioned. In Cairo, most groups are accommodated in a pleasant hotel in the center of the city. In Aswan the comfortable, air-conditioned hotel is centrally located and ideal for exploring the town on foot, or to wander down to the Nile or take a stroll on the boulevard. The cozy, yet modern hotel in Luxor is located in the center of town and all air-conditioned rooms have a private shower and toilet. Adjacent to the restaurant is a relaxing lounge providing the perfect place to rendezvous to swap stories and compare souvenirs.  On the 20-day program, our hotel in Dahab is situated right on the beach.

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

The cost for a single room is listed on the price pages for this trip, on our website. Because the small numbers on these trips, it is sometimes difficult to match a single with  a roommate. 

Our group trips with Dutch & Belgium travelers usually have 15 to 20 participants so there is a good chance of matching you with a roommate. On the group trips, if you request a roommate but  we cannot match you , there will be no additional charge for the single room.

Meals

An essential ingredient in any holiday is good food. In Egypt most breakfasts are included leaving you to explore the local cuisine for lunch and dinner. The tour leader will inform you about good restaurants and will explain the ingredients making up typical Egyptian dishes as kofta, ful, koshery and ta'amiyya. Unfortunately, the falafel sandwich you bought on the street for lunch, or the sumptuous delicacies eaten for dinner in a fine restaurant may occasionally result in stomach problems. Be prepared by packing some appropriate remedies. Acclimatization for the first few days is very important. Do not drink tap water (the unpleasant taste of excess chlorine will certainly discourage drinking it.) Bottled water is available everywhere at reasonable prices. Make sure that the seal on the bottle is unbroken.

Climate

A trip to Egypt can be enjoyed in every season. Every period has its advantages for tourists. In the summer it is dry and hot, but the high temperatures are bearable because humidity is low and there is often a constant breeze from the north. If you get up early and hold siesta in the afternoon, you will avoid the hottest time of day. There are lots of evening activities here and fewer tourists crowding the sites in high summer. In the winter months it is pleasantly cool and from November to May you might even see a few drops of rain. The summer nights are warm. Summer temperatures are in the 80’s and 90’s or higher. Spring and fall are pleasant and in winter it can get chilly. If you are traveling fall, spring, or winter, bring warm clothing for the cool evenings.

Travel Documents

United States and Canadian citizen visiting Egypt must obtain a visa and be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months after departure. You can obtain a visa here in the States for approximately $15. You can also secure a visa quite easily at the airport in Cairo for $30. For additional entry requirements, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, 3521 International Court, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 895-5400, or the Egyptian consulates in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, or Houston. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen please check with the Egyptian consulate for visa requirements.

In the event you would like to use a passport and visa expediting service, we recommend “It’s Easy”. This company offers Djoser customers a discount. Just identify Djoser, Inc. on your It’s Easy Forms as you referral source and they will take 10% off of the service portions of the passport and visa fees. (There is no discount over the government portions of the fees). For download forms and requirements please visit: www.itseasypassport.com. You will need to know the entry and departure dates which we provide for you on an itinerary. You will also need to list a contact name in each country, which you will also find in the literature we send you when you book a trip.  For a higher fee they can process your passport in a few days.

It’s Easy  (Passport & Visa Expeditors)
Satellite Airline Terminal
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone - (212) 286-8500,
Fax (212)-490-3224
Website   www.itseasypassport.com
E-mail      mail@itseasypassport.com

Flights

We book our flights with top airlines. Most airlines will honor earned mileage. You will need to submit your mileage credit yourself upon receipt of your flight information. For airlines that allow advance seating reservations, we typically request aisle and adjoining seats unless otherwise instructed on your registration form. It is vital that you arrive at the airport early, according to the airline (often 3 hours prior to flight time). We do provide airport transfers (airport pick-up and drop off) in our destination country for those who book the Land/Air package. Flight times are subject to change. It is recommended that you book your domestic Add-on (connecting) flights through Djoser in association with the international flight. To avoid penalties for flight changes do not book your own domestic add-on (connecting flight) without first receiving a printed copy of your flight record from Djoser confirming your actual departure and return flight times. Below you will find the usual flight times for the airline indicated.

Sample Northwest/KLM flight:

* Usual flights – subject to change

The Northwest/KLM flights are routed through Amsterdam. As you can see the costs of our trips are listed for trips from Los Angeles or New York City. We can provide flights from other cities within the United States at competitive prices. These “Add-on” cities and prices can be found on our website (www.djoserusa.com) within the destination section. The costs of these add-ons are added to the base price from either Los Angeles, New York or Miami. The flight routing will not necessarily go through that city, but the list price will serve as a baseline for your total cost.

Airline Tickets

You will receive your tickets or E-tickets 10-12 days prior to your departure date.
In case the airline uses E-tickets you will receive two documents:

•    A document that shows the E-ticket number & flight itinerary (sent by email & mail).
•    A receipt of the E-ticket (sent by mail).

The first document listed is needed to check in at the Automated kiosks. If you check in at the
E-ticket desk you don’t need any of the provided documents, you can simply show your passport and you’re good to go. Both the automated kiosk and the e-ticket desk insure a much faster check in than at the regular check in desks. It is important to hold on to your e-ticket receipt, as you might need it to claim your mileage credits (if the airline awards mileage for this particular flight).

Money

The currency is the Egyptian pound. In most tourist areas U.S. dollars will be accepted. It is always important to carry plenty of small bills and coins of the local currency. In most places you can access ATM machines.  Of course in most large restaurants, souvenir shops, and hotels, major credit cards are accepted. The Egyptian pound cannot be exchanged and Egyptian currency may not be taken out of the country. It is therefore better to spend all your Egyptian currency before you leave. As you read in our literature, the tour cost does not include meals and personal expenses. For meals, drinks, entry fees, souvenirs, and such you should budget around $300 per week. Of course this is an average and totally depends on your own spending patterns. It is always sensible to bring a little extra money in case of unexpected expenses, such as special souvenirs or medical expenses. One other additional cost to consider is an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, which is an unforgettable experience. Flight and entry fee should run about $115. If we are able to travel overland the cost is about $65 per person. You will procure a visa at the Cairo airport for $30. You may also be subject to a departure tax upon leaving, which is not included on your invoice.

Tipping
Tipping is expected everywhere in Egypt so have small change handy.

Health

You can read about travel issues on the Center for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/. Further questions may be directed to the CDC at 1-800-311-3435. There is a CDC traveler’s information call line at Travelers Health 1-877-394-8747 if you need information faxed to you. Internet is the best mode of communication. Here are the current CDC recommendations:

•    Hepatitis B (usually for exposure to blood or sexual contact with locals)
•    Hepatitis A/yellow fever: one shot with gamma globulin, duration depending on dosage
•    DTP booster
•    Polio

We also suggest that you bring something to combat upset stomachs. Don’t swim in the Nile or canals as you could contract bilharzias, a serious parasitic disease that affects the liver.

Luggage & Clothing

A duffle style suitcase is best or a frameless backpack as they pack best on the bus. If you bring a suitcase, carry a bag that is not heavier than 30 pounds. This will make transporting your luggage easier for yourself as well as for the tour operator: the luggage compartment in the bus is not always spacious. You will also want a small daypack to carry essentials. In most hotels en route you can have your clothes washed so you do not need to over-pack. In general, airy summer clothes are preferable; however do make sure to bring a sweater or a fleece and pants for cool evenings. Evenings in winters can be cold. It is sunny year round in Egypt so we would suggest bringing a hat, plenty of sunscreen and not to forget your swimwear! Closed shoes will protect your feet from the sun. The trip encompasses some substantial walking tours in the program so a pair of sturdy shoes with good traction will be beneficial. Locals will take a dim view of men going shirtless or women exposing shoulders and legs or wearing skimpy garments, particularly in Cairo. Doing so will draw unwanted attention often to the point of harassment.

Resources

It is extremely useful to pick up a good travel guidebook. We highly recommend the Egypt LONELY PLANET. You will find a wealth of practical information regarding money issues, maps, local customs, history, activities, and much more. There are always great travel journals, historic and political books at your local bookstore. The internet is also invaluable for researching and finding great photos. Be sure to check out this trip’s Slide Show (see link above) to get a good feeling for the trip, lodgings and modes of travel. The Ramses series, by Christian Jacq, is fun and easy reading for long rides and helps to set the scene and introduce characters related to the monuments you will visit.

Communication

With all of the modern telecom equipment these days, it is easy to communicate to and from Egypt. In most towns you will find internet cafes, where for a small fee, you can send and receive emails. Access by cell phone will depend on your phone instrument and carrier plan.