The Trip Notes on this link are always the most up to date version. When booking a tour in advance things can change, please always refer to these notes on the website as the most recent version of trip notes for your tour.
Q. Where do I fly in and out of?
A. Cairo International Airport.
There are no direct long-distance flights to Cairo from Australia or the USA, you will have to stop on the way. Egypt is easy to access from the UK and Europe. Check www.skyscanner.com for your options.
Q. What dates and times should I fly in/out of Cairo?
A.
Please arrive 1 day before the start of our tour so you can settle in and be ready to commence at 10am on the first day.
*Please note Early birds can stay the night before for $240AUD per room single and $280 twinshare at Le Meridian Giza. Airport transfers will be included up to one day before and one day after the end of the trip. If you arrive early you can take the opportunity to relax and recover from the flight, book a massage in the day spa or lounge by the pool. If you choose to stay at another hotel the night before the start of the trip please arrange arrival by 9am to Le Meridien so we can store your bags for the day and be ready to depart for our first tour of the Pyramids by 10am!
If staying at Le Meridien our representative will meet and assist you upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, then he will escort you to your hotel in Cairo by an air-conditioned deluxe vehicle. Check in time is from 2pm. Introductions are at 6pm in the bar the day before the start of the tour. If arriving before this you may still use the hotel facilities until your room is ready to check in.
Please arrange your departure for the last day for anytime. Please note check out is 12pm.
Q. What sort of rooms are available?
A. We have both single and twinshare rooms available. The single room has the supplement included. If you choose twinshare and are not travelling with a friend we will do our best to find you a roommate however in the event noone else is seeking a twinshare roommate then the single room rate will apply. We hope you understand. *Please note that snorers, smokers or people who wear CPAP machines when sleeping must disclose this when booking as this could impact other peoples sleep and they need to be aware of this. **Also please note we cannot guarantee compatibility of roommates, for example you may be of different ages or nationalities, however mostly when we do match people up they get on well and its only for a short period of time. Some people have even made lifelong friendships.
Q. What is the maximum group size?
A. Our groups are usually between 12 and 18 participants. These are ideal numbers as they are small enough to be manageable and intimate but large enough for diversity and fun!
Q. What will the food be like?
A. All Egyptian meals start with “salads” which might call dips, baba ganoush, hummus, tahini with pita bread and olives, yum! Then its pretty mush a meat, chicken and fish fest, flame grilled kebabs or you can have a tagine. Some of the yummy local food include koshari made with rice and legumes and kebabs, no need to wait until 3am in the morning these are a delicious snack for all hours. Sweets are very sweet and often fragrant. During the Nile Cruise all meals are included and are buffet style so plenty of selection.
*Please note on these tours we are unable to accommodate complex dietary requirements or allergies. We have tried to in the past however local people do not understand the requirements and we don’t want to be responsible for people being unwell and we just can’t guarantee that the kitchens will get it right. I have to say meat eaters find it easier and have more variety than vegetarians in Egypt as they are predominantly a meat eating country. On most menus you can also find pasta and soups, unfortunately fresh salads are rare as these vegetables cannot be grown locally. *Only drink bottled water
Q. Do I require a visa to enter Egypt?
A. Yes you do require a visa which at the moment is $25USD (please bring this in cash with you in $USD currency) and we purchase it at the airport on arrival, it is super easy. You do also require a passport valid for more than 6 months and a return or exiting plane ticket.
Q. I have never travelled to a an exotic country like Egypt before, will I experience culture shock?
A. Yes but in the very best way. Egypt is extremely old, beautiful and full of history. The people are predominately Arabs and very friendly. There are however lots of hawkers or touts which can become tiresome. Always remain polite and respectful and your trip should be a pleasant one. Like most Muslim countries you will see a lot more men than women, as women are predominantly at home. Egypt is a modern, cosmopolitan country in many ways and people really want to encourage tourists and do their best to accommodate us. *Please wear appropriate clothing for a Muslim country ie cover shoulders and knees.
Q. How much money will I need?
A. Well, that depends on your shopping habits! You will need to allocate around $15 per meal lunches and dinners and then add on extra for personal spending. Alcohol is always more expensive in countries where people don’t drink and is taxed highly. I tell people to bring around $500AUD to change on arrival to Cairo, you can do this at the airport or our hotel. Then bring a credit card for the other larger spending and you can also use ATM’s.
Q. Can I add extra days or extra tours to this trip?
A. Yep, you sure can. We can arrange extra nights and airport transfers for approx $250AUD per night. If you wish to stay longer to see more sights please send us your desired itinerary and we can get our ground staff to price it for you with a guide. Please note this will be independent travel, ie a Vibrant Women representative will not be with you.
Q. I think I wanna come….but it is a big decision and I am not 100% sure, can I talk it over with you and see if it is right for me?
A. Yes, I think that is a great idea.
You don’t know me and I want you to! Please view previous testimonial here to get an idea of what our past guest have to say about us and also if you just flick me an email to tammie@vibrantwomen.com.au I will arrange a time to call you or just give me a call – (+61) 0459247122 this works for Whatsapp too.
Q. Ok, I SO wanna come, how do I book?! How much is the deposit?? What’s the process please???
A. Great! You can just complete the registration form here from there we will send you a confirmation email outlining what is covered in the trip, answering any questions and provide you with payment options. Once you have paid the depsoit or commenced a payment plan then we will send you the trip notes and any other documentation you need to prepare for your journey. We are available to help you every step of the way.
Q. I’m nervous about arranging my flights, can you help me?
A. We use Donna McHugh from Wauchope Travel to arrange all of our flights please contact her on (+61) 02 65852288 or email info@wauchopetravel.com.au Donna can arrange flights to and from anywhere in the world and she knows our itineraries.
A $750AUD non refundable deposit will secure your place on this retreat. This deposit of $750AUD is non refundable which is why travel insurance is compulsory. The remainder is to be paid 75 days prior to the start of the tour. Alternatively you can arrange a payment plan. Please see your options below.
Visit the Payments Page HERE
Up until 75 days before the start of the tour a $750 non-refundable deposit will be retained. For between 75 days and 45 days, 50% of the final payment, this is in addition to the non refundable deposit will be forfeited. For less than 45 days or for no shows the entire amount will be retained as we would have already had to pay for accommodation, transport, flights and activities, and this money will not be returned to us. Once the tour has commenced no monies will be returned to you. This is why travel insurance is compulsory.
To add Morocco to your Egypt Tour you will require 2 extra nights accommodation in Egypt after the Morocco tour has concluded on the 24th and 25th of October 2020 and a flight from Casablanca to Cairo.
A flight from Casablanca to Cairo is around $400AUD
We suggest booking –
Royal Air Maroc
AT9410| Operated by EgyptAir
Depart: 13:30
Arrive: 19:20
CMN Casablanca Mohamed V.CAI Cairo
Arrives: Sat, 24 Oct 2020
Journey duration: 4h 50
Extra nights accommodation in Cairo will cost $240 for a single per night and $280 for a twinshare including airport transfers. We can book your extra nights accommodation and airport transfers for you.
JORDAN EXTENSION
3 November – 6 November 2020
Amman – Madaba – Nebo- Dead Sea – Shubak – Petra
Arrival and Departure from Amman
Price AUD$ – Twinshare pp – $1750, Single Room – $2000
Please view the full itinerary HERE
October it is autumn in Egypt, it is generally comfortable, a little warm by day up to 35°C with an average night time temperature of 18°C. Temperatures rarely fluctuate by more than a few degrees either side of the long-term average, and the daily weather is reliably dry and sunny.
Please complete and return your important guest information form to us 60 days before departure. Click HERE
