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Egypt with a 7 Night Cruise
11 Days / 10 Nights
From $1399* land & intra-tour air
Package Includes:
- Domestic Flights - Cairo to Luxor and Luxor to Cairo
- 2 nights accommodation at the Oasis Hotel in Cairo - 4 star
- 1 night accommodation at the Novotel Cairo Airport Hotel in Cairo - 4 star
- 7 night Nile River Cruise - Luxor to Luxor
- All meals on board the ship
- Breakfast daily
- Cairo Highlights Tour (including lunch)
- All transfers
- Hotel taxes and service charges
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Egypt & Jordan: Timeless Treasures, Ancient Lands
2010 - 13 Days from $5,475 plus on-tour airfare
The mysteries of ancient Egypt and Jordan unfold before you on this 13-day journey of discovery to revered temples, tombs and monuments that tell a story of 5,000 years of civilization. From hotels with incredible views, to a 3-night River Nile cruise, to behind-the-scenes insights by local experts, Tauck's Egypt and Jordan tour is unlike any other in these historic lands.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
2010 Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Cairo Your Egypt and Jordan tour begins at Mena House Oberoi. A transfer is included from Cairo International Airport to Mena House Oberoi, a sumptuous former royal hunting lodge in the shadow of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza. Since most international flights arrive between 3:00 and 11:00 PM local time, you might want to consider traveling to Egypt a day early and arrange a pre-stay in Cairo to ease the effects of jet lag before the first day of sightseeing on your Egypt and Jordan tour begins. Meals: A snack in your hotel room upon late arrival Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt
Day 2 - The Sphinx, Great Pyramid, and a camel ride Prepare for a day of awe-inspiring wonders at the Pyramids! At Giza, see the Sphinx guarding the plateau, as it has for the same 4,500 years. Marvel at the Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu), a crowning architectural achievement, and smile for the camera as you ride a camel* at the Pyramids. Visit the Solar Boat Museum, whose main attraction is an ancient Egyptian cedarwood boat dating back 4,500 years. Attend a welcome reception and dinner. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt
Day 3 - Egyptian Museum and the "Boy King's" treasures  A lecture by a professor of modern Egyptian history kicks off your day, followed by a visit to the Egyptian Museum to explore its world-renowned collection of antiquities, many 5,000 years old - yet another memorable experience on Tauck's Egypt & Jordan tour! Behold treasures found in the tomb of the "Boy King," Tutankhamun, including his golden funeral mask, solid gold coffin, carved throne, and jewelry. "Meet" other ancient rulers, including the might Ramesses II, face-to-face in the Royal Mummy Room. Later, a walking tour of Old Cairo with a local guide visits a local mosque and includes time to wander through a local bazaar. This evening's elaborate sound and light show at the Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza is a spectacular way to end this unforgettable day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt
Day 4 - Early antiquities at Memphis, Sakkara and Dahshur Travel to the site of ancient Egypt's first capital, Memphis, for a look at some of Egypt's oldest antiquities; you'll see the Alabaster Sphinx and an imposing statue of Ramesses II. In Sakkara, visit the Teti Pyramid, and view the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's first monumental structure built of stone. Continue off-the-beaten path to the less-often visited necropolis at Dahshur for a look at the numerous pyramids, temples and royal tombs there. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt
- Day 5 - Abu Simbel, Aswan and the start of Nile cruising Take a private charter flight to Abu Simbel, in what was once the ancient kingdom of Nubia. Marvel at the Great Temple honoring Ramesses II - carved out of a cliff, with four 67-foot-high seated statues of the pharaoh at the entrance - and the adjacent Temple of Hathor, dedicated to his wife, Queen Nefertari. Cross part of the famous Sahara Desert to Aswan to visit the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1971. Embark the Nile Adventurer to start your cruise, then take a boat to the Philae Temple on Agilka Island; dedicated to Isis, it was moved to its present location to save it from the rising waters caused by the building of the new dam. Meet the Nile Adventurer's officers at the Captain's welcome dinner tonight aboard ship. Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging:Aboard Nile Adventurer
- Day 6 - Nile cruising, Kom Ombo and Edfu Glimpse river life along the Nile while cruising aboard Nile Adventurer, a highlight of Tauck's Egypt and Jordan tour. Stop to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, an unusual double temple, and have tea at a replica of an ancient Nubian village. Then it's on to the Temple of the Falcon God Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Return to the ship to attend a cooking demonstration and private galley tour before donning Egyptian garb for a festive Egyptian Night dinner featuring local cuisine and after-dinner music and dancing.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Aboard Nile Adventurer
- Day 7 - Temples of Karnak & Luxor & a carriage ride Your Egypt and Jordan tour continues in Luxor, site of ancient Thebes, starting with an on-board lecture, followed by a visit the vast Temple of Karnak with our Egyptologist; built over a span of 1,300 years, it is one of the world's largest temple complexes. Then tour the Luxor Museum, displaying rich archaeological finds from the region's temples and tombs. Ride a horse-drawn carriage this evening to visit the spectacularly illuminated Temple of Luxor, noted for its avenue of sphinxes, grand colonnades, and colossal statues of Ramesses II. Finally, the Captain and crew of Nile Adventurer bid you a fond farewell with cocktails, dinner and a folkloric show aboard ship tonight. Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging:Aboard Nile Adventurer
Day 8 - Valleys of the Kings and Queens and a felucca ride Disembark Nile Adventurer for a major highlight of your Egypt and Jordan tour - a visit to the Valley of the Kings, where at least 62 ornately decorated tombs for the pharaohs were hidden; step into another world as you enter King Tut's tomb! Our Egyptologist accompanies your exploration of the Valley of the Queens, revealing 80 tombs of royal family members; see Medinet Habu. Later, enjoy a sunset cocktail cruise on the Nile aboard a traditional felucca, followed by dinner at your hotel - where your room overlooks Egypt's timeless river! Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor, Egypt
Day 9 - On to Jordan and Wadi Rum Fly via private charter to Aqaba, Jordan, on the Red Sea, where you'll set off for the next adventure on your Jordan tour - an excursion by four-wheel-drive vehicle through the stunning, lunar-like desert landscapes of Wadi Rum. Then continue through the desert to a two-night stay overlooking the dramatic Petra Valley, home of the amazing archaeological site. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Mövenpick Resort Petra, Jordan
Day 10 - Amazing Petra, a city carved from stone A short walk from your hotel lies the entrance to one of the world's greatest archaeological sites - the 2,000-year old city of Petra, which the ancient Nabataeans carved out of colorful sandstone cliffs. Explore this incredible site's tombs, temples and other structures by foot as well as by horse cart throughout most of the day. Later, meet a Bedouin family on a visit to their private home near Petra, and enjoy dinner and traditional entertainment at a restored 19th-century Bedouin village, now a resort. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Mövenpick Resort Petra, Jordan
Day 11 - In history's footsteps along the King's Highway and the River Jordan Continue your Jordan tour amidst spectacular views of the Jordan Rift Valley as you wind your way along the 5,000-year-old King's Highway, one of the oldest continuously used roads in the world; visit sites where, thousands of years ago, biblical history was made. Stop at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John the Baptist is purported to have baptized Jesus; pass Mt. Nebo, where Moses looked out on the “Promised Land," and enjoy a lunch of traditional Jordanian specialties; and check out a 6th-century mosaic map of Biblical sites at St. George's Church in Madaba. Your final destination today is your spa resort on the shores of the Dead Sea. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Jordan
Day 12 - Relax by the Dead Sea or explore Roman Jerash Take time to enjoy the amenities of your spa resort on the Dead Sea today, or set off to visit the site of Jerash in Jordan. Here you'll see some of the best-preserved remains of Roman architecture in the Middle East, in what was once the city of Gerasa. Explore its Roman temples, theatres, arches, walls and baths before returning to the resort for tonight's farewell reception and dinner - a festive conclusion to your unforgettable Egypt and Jordan tour. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea, Jordan
Day 13 - Bound for home Tour ends: Jordan. A transfer is included from the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea to the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Most international flights depart in the early morning hours - you may want to rest and extend your Jordan tour with an extra night's stay at your Dead Sea spa resort. Meals: Breakfast
For activities marked with an asterisk(*), participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
Experience Tauck's Egypt and Jordan tour with a Nile River cruise -- book today!
Prices
13 Days from $5,475 plus airfare
2010 Price Per Person
January - December 14
|
Land / Cruise
Price |
+ |
On-Tour Air
(2 flights) |
= |
Total
per Person |
| Nile Deck (Standard Cabins) |
Double
|
$5475 |
+ |
$915 |
=
|
$6390 |
Single
|
$6445 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$7360 |
Main Deck (Standard Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5550 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$6465 |
Single
|
$6567 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$7482 |
Bridge Deck (Standard Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5625 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$6540 |
Single
|
$6683 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$7598 |
| Promenade Deck (Standard Cabins) |
Double
|
$5700 |
+ |
$915 |
=
|
$6615 |
Single
|
$6801 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$7716 |
Main Deck (Deluxe Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5925 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$6840 |
Single
|
$7277 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$8192 |
Promenade Deck (Presidential Suites)
|
Double
|
$6300 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$7215 |
Single
|
$8032 |
+ |
$915 |
= |
$8947 |
December 15 - 31
|
Land / Cruise
Price |
+ |
On-Tour Air
(2 flights) |
= |
Total
per Person |
| Nile Deck (Standard Cabins) |
Double
|
$5680 |
+ |
$1010 |
=
|
$6690 |
Single
|
$6848 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$7858 |
Main Deck (Standard Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5755 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$6765 |
Single
|
$6962 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$7972 |
Bridge Deck (Standard Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5830 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$6840 |
Single
|
$7093 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$8103 |
| Promenade Deck (Standard Cabins) |
Double
|
$5905 |
+ |
$1010 |
=
|
$6915 |
Single
|
$7363 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$8373 |
Main Deck (Deluxe Cabins)
|
Double
|
$6130 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$7140 |
Single
|
$7941 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$8951 |
Promenade Deck (Presidential Suites)
|
Double
|
$6505 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$7515 |
Single
|
$8748 |
+ |
$1010 |
= |
$9758 |
33 meals included.
Land / Cruise Price Includes: port charges, cruise fare, shore excursions, wine with dinner aboard Nile Adventurer, gratuities to ship staff, local guides and drivers.
International Airfare is additional.
Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our Guest Protection Plan.
Need to Know
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All accommodations, motor coach and cruise ship transportation, sightseeing, admissions, shore excursions, luggage handling and services of Tauck Directors are included. Airport transfers are also included provided we receive accurate air arrival information at least two weeks prior to the tour. Guests who book additional nights after the tour at the Jordan Valley Marriott will also have their transfers included.
Hotel and Ship Accommodations - Tauck's price includes all hotel and ship accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, Tauck's commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are not available on this tour.
Meals - Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director - "Egypt and Jordan: Timeless Treasure, Ancient Lands" is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included - All gratuities for bellmen, luggage handling, dining room servers, housekeepers, cruise staff, local guides and drivers are included.
No Options Sold - Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
On-Tour Flights
Airfare While on Tour - There are three on-tour flights which must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours - To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many quests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following their tour. Flying time to Cairo averages about 16 hours from eastern gateway cities in the U.S., and may include a stopover in Europe. Most international flights arrive between 3 PM and 11 PM local time, seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. The first day of sightseeing is a busy day at the Pyramids. Guests may prefer to arrive one day early to acclimate to the time change as well as the heat.
As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility - Although every effort is made to handle guests' luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa services (if applicable), and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures - In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, and aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times. You may also visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Internet website to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items by clicking here.
Air Services - Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
River Cruise Regulations - Travelers must provide their passport number and date of birth to Tauck at time of booking. Tauck must provide this information to the cruise line before departure or you may be denied boarding.
Holidays and Museum Closures - Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility - Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour - Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing To Go
Air Conditioning - All hotels and the Nile Adventurer provide air conditioning. All motor coaches are air-conditioned for your comfort. ATM and Credit Cards - We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be "suspicious" charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing - Egypt has import restrictions on certain "high value" personal items.
Please read the section on "Customs" below.
Select a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. We suggest you wear loose, light cottons and linens in the summer and, in the winter, layers that can be taken off during the heat of the day and put back on for cool evenings. For the welcome and farewell dinners, many guests like to dress up, but by all means be comfortable.
It is inadvisable for women to wear anything short or sleeveless unless on the beach or by a pool so as not to offend local custom.
When visiting churches and mosques, women are not allowed to enter with bare shoulders or short pants or short skirts. A scarf is acceptable to cover shoulders if women are wearing a sleeveless top. Head covering is not required. Men should also dress appropriately for a holy sanctuary. Shorts are discouraged. Women and men will be required to remove their shoes in mosques.
We recommend that you pack your prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last through your journey) along with your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack:
- Comfortable walking shoes, well broken-in
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Eye drops for the dust when visiting pyramids and temples
- Camera, extra film and batteries
- Wash-and-dry or antiseptic cleaner
- Bathing suit
- Binoculars
- Light jacket for cool nights on the river
- Travel alarm clock
All hotels on this tour offer valet laundry services. Laundry service is available aboard the Nile Adventurer, but there are no dry cleaning facilities on board.
Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 3,000 ft (914 m) in the hill city of Amman, Jordan. The lowest elevation is -1,230 ft ( -375 m) at the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on Earth).
Health - All travelers to Egypt should be in reasonably good health. There is a significant amount of walking on this tour and archaeological sites and temple floors are far from even. On several days the walking can be arduous, and even on those days when walking is not difficult, there may be long stretches of time when guests will be on their feet. Guests who require assistance walking may not be able to fully participate in the sightseeing.
If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.
Special Health Information for this Tour:
The Nile Adventurer does not have an elevator; you will need to navigate two flights of stairs to access guest cabins and public areas. We regret that wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Disembarking the riverboat requires walking down many steps to a narrow gangway. The steepness and the number of steps depend upon the river water level.
Tap water in hotels, restaurants and aboard the Nile Adventurer is not potable. Use caution when eating salad items that may have been washed in tap water. Always drink bottled water with an unbroken seal. Well-known brands of bottled beverages are generally considered to be safe. For the first few days it may be advisable to clean your teeth with bottled water. Avoid having ice in drinks unless you are confident it has been made with bottled water.
Eating uncooked vegetables should be avoided. Eat fruit that you can peel, and make sure fresh fruit has been washed. Wash your hands before and after eating. Most meals on this Egypt and Jordan tour are in hotel restaurants where cleanliness is good and they are used to catering to westerners.
There is a physician on board the Nile Adventurer.
Smoking is very common in Egypt and Jordan. As a result, few restaurants and hotels have nonsmoking sections. A "non-smoking" room often means the establishment has merely removed the ashtray. Where possible we have requested non-smoking rooms and non-smoking sections of restaurants.
On board the Nile Adventurer, smoking is only permitted on the outer decks. Smoking is not allowed in cabins or in public areas. Smoking is not permitted on motor coaches used during shore excursions.
For vaccination and inoculation information, guests should contact their personal physician, the public health service in their area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll free in the U.S). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.
Luggage Restrictions:
Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour
Due to space limitations aboard motor coaches and on-tour flights, only one average-size piece of checked luggage per person, weighing up to 44 pounds, or 20 kilograms, is allowed. Luggage exceeding these restrictions is at risk of being left behind, or, if permitted on board, may be subject to additional excess luggage charges.
In addition, guests are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person weighing no more than 15 lbs (6.8 kg), and no larger than an average knapsack.
Checked Luggage - General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements - U.S. citizens traveling to Egypt and Jordan require a passport with at least two blank visa pages and an expiration date of at least six months beyond the completion of the tour. A visa is also required for U.S. citizens visiting Egypt and Jordan.
U.S. citizens may obtain their Egypt visas in one of the three following ways: 1. A renewable, 30-day tourist visa may be easily obtained on arrival at Cairo International Airport. The cost is currently $15, payable in U.S. dollars only. Visitors arriving overland and/or those previously experiencing difficulty with their visa status in Egypt should obtain a visa prior to arrival. 2. Tauck has partnered with Zierer Visa Service for processing visas to destinations in which U.S. citizens are required to have an entry visa. Over the past several years, Zierer Visa Service has effectively processed hundreds of visas for Tauck travelers. Tauck will automatically send a visa application once a reservation is made and the deposit received. The visa fee, as well as any applicable consular fees and shipping fees, are not included in the tour cost, and payment should be mailed with the completed application directly to the visa service. The amount of the visa fee varies by destination nd will be stated on the application.
For more information or to download a Zierer Visa Service application, please log on their Internet website by clicking here. To speak directly with ZVS Customer Service, call 866-788-1100 (toll-free in the U.S.). Please note that visas cannot be processed more than 90 days prior to departure and that the process will take several weeks. 3. A visa may be obtained directly through an Egyptian Consulate. For more information, log on to the Internet website by clicking here. The Jordan Visa is included for U.S. citizens in the price of the tour and will be obtained for them by the Tauck Director while on tour.
Citizens of other countries should contact an embassy or consulate of Egypt and of Jordan to determine what travel documentation is required. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides of your driver's license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Travel with Children - Age Recommendations - Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting - Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility - We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling. Special Travel Documentation for Children
Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so.
CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.), any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., will be useful.
All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country's consulate.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child's parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine if your service extends to Egypt and Jordan.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP); in Jordan, the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Most major credit cards are accepted in better hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. Banks are usually closed on Friday and/or Saturday, but private exchange bureaus and banks in hotels open daily, if not 24 hours a day. ATMs are available, though acceptance of foreign cards is limited.
Contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your credit card or ATM card in Egypt and Jordan. Should you have any questions, your Tauck Director will be happy to assist you.
To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.
Important Note - Personal incidental accounts aboard the Nile Adventurer may be settled in cash (U.S. dollars), travelers' checks, American Express, Visa or MasterCard. There is no foreign exchange facility on the ship.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping:
Import Regulations: "High value" articles that a traveler brings to Egypt - particularly computers and camcorders, but also including cameras, typewriters, tape recorders, VCR's and other electronic items - must be declared upon entry, be listed on the traveler's passport, and be duly exported at the conclusion of the visit. If "high value" items are not re-exported at the time of departure, duty must be paid. In the case of certain electronic and computer goods, duty can be as high as 100%. Cigarettes and alcohol are permitted in limited amounts. Duty-free camera film is limited to 25 rolls for still cameras and 10 reels for movie cameras.
For U.S residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at. www.cbp.gov.
Residents of other countries should refer to their own country's rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.
Electrical Current - The electrical current in Egypt, Jordan and onboard the Nile Adventurer is 220v, 50 Hz, and sockets take the standard continental European dual round-pronged plug. Guests whose appliances do not meet this standard will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters. These items can be purchased in a store that specializes in travel products.
Time Zones - Egypt and Jordan are 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March through September in Amman, and late April through September in Cairo, these locations switch to Daylight Savings Time and are both 3 hours ahead. In June, Cairo is 7 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website www.timeanddate.com.
Weather - Egypt has one of the hottest and sunniest climates in the world, although on the whole it can be best described as mild. While the midsummer months can get quite hot, the heat is less taxing than elsewhere because of low humidity. Jordan is similarly hot and dry. Rainy days are few and far between in Cairo, and nearly unknown in Upper Egypt. In Jordan the winter months can average 2 inches or 50 millimeters of precipitation per month. Cairo and Amman can be chilly from December through February. As in all desert climes, it would be wise to pack both lightweight and warm clothing to accommodate the change in temperature between day and night.
Climate Chart
| |
Average Temperature |
| |
Cairo, Egypt |
Luxor, Egypt |
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
| January |
68 / 50 |
20 / 10 |
74 / 49 |
23 / 9 |
| February |
68 / 50 |
20 / 10 |
74 / 49 |
23 / 9 |
| March |
73 / 54 |
23 / 12 |
83 / 56 |
28 / 13 |
| April |
82 / 59 |
28 / 15 |
93 / 65 |
34 / 18 |
| May |
89 / 64 |
32 / 18 |
100 / 71 |
38 / 22 |
| June |
93 / 70 |
34 / 21 |
104 / 76 |
40 / 24 |
| July |
93 / 72 |
34 / 22 |
104 / 78 |
40 / 26 |
| August |
92 / 72 |
33 / 22 |
102 / 77 |
39 / 25 |
| September |
90 / 69 |
32 / 21 |
99 / 74 |
37 / 23 |
| October |
85 / 65 |
29 / 18 |
93 / 68 |
34 / 20 |
| November |
75 / 58 |
24 / 14 |
81 / 56 |
27 / 13 |
| December |
67 / 51 |
19 / 11 |
75 / 48 |
24 / 9 |
| |
|
| |
Amman, Jordan |
|
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
|
|
| January |
52 / 39 |
11 / 4 |
|
|
| February |
55 / 40 |
13 / 4 |
|
|
| March |
61 / 44 |
16 / 7 |
|
|
| April |
71 / 51 |
22 / 11 |
|
|
| May |
80 / 57 |
27 / 14 |
|
|
| June |
85 / 63 |
29 / 17 |
|
|
| July |
88 / 67 |
31 / 19 |
|
|
| August |
88 / 67 |
31 / 19 |
|
|
| September |
85 / 64 |
29 / 18 |
|
|
| October |
79 / 58 |
26 / 14 |
|
|
| November |
66 / 49 |
19 / 9 |
|
|
| December |
56 / 42 |
13 / 6 |
|
|
|
|
Egypt: Jewels Along the Nile
2010 - 12 Days from $4,900 plus on-tour airfare
Tauck's expert Egyptologists invite you to delve into a fascinating civilization where architectural feats and antiquities still amaze thousands of years after their creation - an intriguing land of pyramids, temples, colossal statues, mummies, golden treasures, and hieroglyphic symbols! Our comprehensive Egypt tour includes a ride atop a camel and a sound & light show at the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza; a sunset cocktail cruise aboard a traditional felucca; stays at Egypt's finest hotels - including Pyramid-view rooms in Cairo, a Tauck exclusive - and visits to the temple complexes of Luxor, the Valleys of the Kings and Queens, Old Cairo, the Egyptian Museum and more. And of course, no Egypt tour is complete without a cruise along the River Nile; Tauck guests spend four nights aboard Nile Adventurer, one of the best ships on the ancient river.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
2010 Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Cairo Tauck's Egypt tour begins at the Mena House Oberoi. A transfer is included from Cairo International Airport to your hotel, a sumptuous former royal hunting lodge. Your room looks out on to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramids of Giza. Since most international flights arrive between 3:00 and 11:00 PM local time, you might want to consider traveling to Egypt a day early and arrange a pre-stay in Cairo to ease the effects of jet lag before the first day of sightseeing on your Egypt tour begins. Meals: A snack in your hotel room upon late arrival Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt
Day 2 - The Sphinx, the Great Pyramid, and a camel ride A visit to the Pyramids is on every world-traveler's must-see list, and is an iconic image of your Egypt tour. After meeting Tauck's local Egyptologist this morning, visit the Solar Boat Museum, whose main attraction is an ancient Egyptian cedarwood boat dating back 4,500 years. At Giza, see the Sphinx guarding the plateau, as it has for  the same 4,500 years. Marvel at the Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu), a crowning architectural achievement. Cap the day with a camel ride* at the Pyramids. Attend a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt
Day 3 - Pyramids galore in Memphis, Sakkara and Dahshur Travel to the site of ancient Egypt's first capital, Memphis, for a look at some of Egypt's oldest antiquities; you'll see the Alabaster Sphinx and an imposing statue of Ramesses II. In Sakkara, visit the Teti Pyramid, and view the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's first monumental structure built of stone. Continue off-the-beaten-path to the less-often visited necropolis at Dahshur for a look at the numerous pyramids and temples there, including a Tauck Exclusive - entry into the private tomb of one of the early mastabas at the site.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch Lodging: Mena House Oberoi, Cairo, Egypt
Day 4 - Luxor, the Temple of Karnak and a felucca cruise Take a private charter flight to Luxor, site of ancient Thebes, where your Egypt tour continues at the vast Temple of Karnak, built over a span of 1,300 years and one of the world's largest temple complexes; explore it with our expert Egyptologist. Next up is a guided visit to the Luxor Museum, displaying rich archeological finds from the temples and tombs of Upper Egypt. Later, enjoy a sunset cocktail cruise on the Nile aboard a traditional felucca, followed by dinner at a choice of restaurants at your hotel - where your room overlooks Egypt's timeless river!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor, Egypt
- Day 5 - Valleys of the Kings & Queens, Luxor & your cruise On a major highlight of your Egypt tour, visit the Valley of the Kings, where at least 62 ornately decorated tombs for the pharaohs were hidden. Our Egyptologist accompanies your exploration of the Valley of the Queens, revealing 80 tombs of royal family members; see Medinet Habu. Board the Nile Adventurer for the start of your 4-night cruise along the Nile. After settling into your cabin, go ashore and ride a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Luxor - noted for its avenue of sphinxes, grand colonnades, and colossal statues of Ramesses II - for a spectacular evening visit. Join us for a welcome dinner featuring belly dancers and entertainment back aboard the ship tonight. Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging:Aboard Nile Adventurer
- Day 6 - A day on the Nile and a visit to Esna Spend a day cruising the Nile, glimpsing life along the ancient river's banks. Arrive in Esna for visits to its Greco-Roman antiquities including the Temple of Khnum, constructed during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Back aboard ship, a cooking demonstration, private galley tour and afternoon tea await. This evening, enjoy Egyptian wine and local beer at the Captain's welcome reception aboard the Nile Adventurer. Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging:Aboard Nile Adventurer
- Day 7 - Cruising to Edfu and celebrating Egyptian culture Continue your Egypt tour with another day on the amazing River Nile. After a morning at leisure aboard ship, you'll travel to Edfu for visits to the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Horus and the ancient stone quarries nearby. Join your shipmates tonight for a special evening featuring traditional Egyptian dress, cuisine, dancing and entertainment. Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging:Aboard Nile Adventurer
- Day 8 - Kom Ombo, Aswan and a shipboard farewell Discoveries abound on the last day of your unforgettable Nile cruise, as your Egypt tour takes you to see the unusual double temples of Kom Ombo, then on to Aswan for a motorboat ferry ride to the Philae Temple on Agilka Island; dedicated to Isis, it was moved to its present location to save it from the rising waters caused by the building of the new Aswan Dam. You'll also see the Unfinished Obelisk, still in the quarry where its carving was begun thousands of years ago. Tonight, the Captain and crew of Nile Adventurer bid you farewell at a gala dinner served by white-gloved waiters. Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging:Aboard Nile Adventurer
Day 9 - Across the desert to Abu Simbel and a flight to Cairo After disembarking Nile Adventurer in Aswan, set out across a corner of the Sahara Desert for Abu Simbel, in what was once the ancient kingdom of Nubia. Marvel at the Great Temple honoring Ramesses II - carved out of a cliff, with four 67-foot-high seated statues of the pharaoh at the entrance - and the adjacent Temple of Hathor, dedicated to his wife, Queen Nefertari. Fly to Cairo by private charter for a three-night stay at your hotel in the city's heart; enjoy stunning Nile views from the balcony of your room. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Semiramis InterContinental Cairo, Egypt
Day 10 - Egyptian Museum and the "Boy King's" treasures Explore the Egyptian Museum's world-renowned collection of antiquities, many 5,000 years old, for yet another memorable experience on Tauck's Egypt tour. Behold treasures found in the tomb of the "Boy King," Tutankhamun, including his golden funeral mask, solid gold coffin, carved throne, and jewelry. "Meet" ancient rulers, including the mighty Ramesses II, face-to-face in the Royal Mummy Room. This evening's elaborate sound and light show at the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza is a spectacular way to end an unforgettable day. Meals: Breakfast Lodging: Semiramis InterContinental Cairo, Egypt
Day 11 - Discovering Old Cairo A lecture by a professor of modern Egyptian history kicks off your day, followed by a walking tour of Old Cairo that visits the Church of St. Sergius, a 5th-century Coptic Christian Church; Ben Ezra Synagogue, built in 882; and the Amr ibn al-As Mosque, the first mosque on the continent of Africa; and the tomb of 20th-century Egyptian ruler King Farouk. Be sure to join us for a special farewell dinner tonight to share the amazing memories you've created with your fellow travelers as your extraordinary Egypt tour concludes. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Semiramis InterContinental Cairo, Egypt
Day 12 - Bound for home Tour ends at Cairo. A transfer is included from the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo to Cairo International Airport; allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Meals: Breakfast
For activities marked with an asterisk(*), participation is at your own risk and a signed liability waiver will be required.
Join Tauck's professional Egyptologists for an exciting Egypt tour featuring a 4-night Nile River cruise - book today!
Prices
12 Days from $4,900 plus airfare
2010 Price Per Person
January 1 - December 15
|
Land / Cruise
Price |
+ |
On-Tour Air
(2 flights) |
= |
Total
per Person |
| Nile Deck (Standard Cabins) |
Double
|
$4900 |
+ |
$490 |
=
|
$5390 |
Single
|
$5857 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$6347 |
Main Deck (Standard Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5000 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$5490 |
Single
|
$6103 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$6593 |
Bridge Deck (Standard Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5100 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$5590 |
Single
|
$6208 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$6698 |
| Promenade Deck (Standard Cabins) |
Double
|
$5200 |
+ |
$490 |
=
|
$5690 |
Single
|
$6365 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$6855 |
Main Deck (Deluxe Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5500 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$5990 |
Single
|
$6995 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$7485 |
Promenade Deck (Presidential Suites)
|
Double
|
$6000 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$6490 |
Single
|
$8008 |
+ |
$490 |
= |
$8498 |
December 16 - 31
|
Land / Cruise
Price |
+ |
On-Tour Air
(2 flights) |
= |
Total
per Person |
| Nile Deck (Standard Cabins) |
Double
|
$5270 |
+ |
$520 |
=
|
$5790 |
Single
|
$6359 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$6879 |
Main Deck (Standard Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5370 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$5890 |
Single
|
$6509 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$7029 |
Bridge Deck (Standard Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5470 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$5990 |
Single
|
$6664 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$7184 |
| Promenade Deck (Standard Cabins) |
Double
|
$5570 |
+ |
$520 |
=
|
$6090 |
Single
|
$6818 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$7338 |
Main Deck (Deluxe Cabins)
|
Double
|
$5870 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$6390 |
Single
|
$7726 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$8246 |
Promenade Deck (Presidential Suites)
|
Double
|
$6370 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$6890 |
Single
|
$8893 |
+ |
$520 |
= |
$9413 |
28 meals included.
Land / Cruise Price Includes: port charges, cruise fare, shore excursions, wine with dinner aboard Nile Adventurer, gratuities to ship staff, local guides and drivers.
International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air, in coach or business, for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).
Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before your tour begins and about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.
Note: This tour features extensive walking; please remember, the antiquities are thousands of years old and do not have elevators!
Need to Know
Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All accommodations, motor coach and cruise ship transportation, sightseeing, admissions, shore excursions, luggage handling and services of Tauck Directors are included.
Hotel and Ship Accommodations - Tauck's price includes all hotel and ship accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, Tauck's commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Meals - Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director - "Egypt: Jewels Along The Nile" is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully-trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included - All gratuities for bellmen, luggage handling, dining room servers, guides, and drivers are included
No Options Sold - Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
On-Tour Flights
Airfare While on Tour - There are two on-tour flights which must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States (subject to availability).
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours - To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility - Although every effort is made to handle guests' luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa services (if applicable) and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director and driver is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures - In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, and aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times. You may also visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Internet website to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items by clicking here.
Air Services - Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Cruise Regulations - Travelers must provide their passport number and date of birth to Tauck at time of booking. Tauck must provide this information to the cruise line before departure or you may be denied boarding.
Holidays and Museum Closures - Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility - Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour - Occasionally, we will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing To Go
Air Conditioning - All hotels and the Nile Adventurer provide air conditioning. ATM and Credit Cards - We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be "suspicious" charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing -
Egypt has import restrictions on certain "high value" personal items.
Please read the section on "Customs" below.
Select a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. We suggest you wear loose, light cottons and linens in the summer and, in the winter, layers that can be taken off during the heat of the day and put back on for cool evenings. For the welcome and farewell dinners, many guests like to dress up, but by all means be comfortable.
It is inadvisable for women to wear anything short or sleeveless unless on the beach or by a pool so as not to offend local custom.
When visiting churches and mosques, women are not allowed to enter with bare shoulders or short pants or short skirts. A scarf is acceptable to cover shoulders if women are wearing a sleeveless top. Head covering is not required. Men should also dress appropriately for a holy sanctuary. Shorts are discouraged. Women and men will be required to remove their shoes in mosques.
We recommend that you pack your prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last through your journey) along with your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack:
- Comfortable walking shoes, well broken-in
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Eye drops for the dust when visiting Pyramids and temples
- Camera, extra film and batteries
- Wash-and-dry or antiseptic cleaner
- Bathing suit
- Binoculars
- Light jacket for cool nights on the river
- Travel alarm clock
Both the Oberoi Mena House and the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence have laundry facilities and dry cleaning service. Laundry service is available aboard the Nile Adventurer, but there are no dry cleaning facilities on board.
Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 1,200 feet, or 366 meters.
Health - All travelers to Egypt should be in reasonably good health. There is a significant amount of walking on this tour and archaeological sites and temple floors are far from even. Guests who require assistance walking may not be able to fully participate in the sightseeing.
If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.
Special Health Information for this Tour:
The Nile Adventurer does not have an elevator; you will need to navigate two flights of stairs to access guest cabins and public areas. We regret that wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Disembarking the riverboat requires walking down many steps to a narrow gangway. The steepness and the number of steps depend upon the river water level.
Tap water in hotels, restaurants and aboard the Nile Adventurer is not potable. Use caution when eating salad items that may have been washed in tap water. Always drink bottled water with an unbroken seal. Well-known brands of bottled beverages are generally considered to be safe. For the first few days, it may be advisable to clean your teeth with bottled water. Avoid having ice in drinks unless you are confident it has been made with bottled water.
Eating uncooked vegetables should be avoided. Eat fruit that you can peel, and make sure fresh fruit has been washed. Wash your hands before and after eating. Most meals on this Egypt tour are in hotel restaurants where cleanliness is good and they are used to catering to westerners.
There is a physician on board the Nile Adventurer.
Smoking is very common in Egypt. As a result, few restaurants and hotels have nonsmoking sections. A "non-smoking" room often means the establishment has removed the ashtray. Where possible, we have requested non-smoking rooms and non-smoking sections of restaurants.
On board the Nile Adventurer, smoking is only permitted on the outer decks. Smoking is not allowed in cabins or in public areas. Smoking is not permitted on motor coaches used during shore excursions.
For vaccination and inoculation information, guests should contact their personal physician, the public health service in their area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.
Luggage Restrictions:
Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour
Due to space limitations aboard motor coaches and on-tour flights, only one average-size piece of checked luggage per person, weighing up to 44 pounds, or 20 kilograms, is allowed. Luggage exceeding these restrictions is at risk of being left behind, or, if permitted on board, may be subject to additional excess luggage charges.
In addition, guests are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person weighing no more than 15 lbs, or 6.8 kg, and no larger than an average knapsack.
Checked Luggage - General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs, or 22.7 kg, per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable for the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, which may not be accessible during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements - U.S. citizens traveling to Egypt require a passport with at least two blank visa pages and an expiration date of at least six months beyond the completion of the tour. In addition, we recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides of your driver's license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
U.S. citizens are also required to obtain a visa.
For U.S. Citizens:
U.S. citizens may obtain their Egypt visas in one of the three following ways: 1. A renewable, 30-day tourist visa may be easily obtained on arrival at Cairo International Airport. The cost is currently $15, payable in U.S. dollars only. Visitors arriving overland and/or those previously experiencing difficulty with their visa status in Egypt should obtain a visa prior to arrival. 2. Tauck has partnered with Zierer Visa Service for processing visas to destinations in which U.S. citizens are required to have an entry visa. Over the past several years, Zierer Visa Service has effectively processed hundreds of visas for Tauck travelers. Tauck will automatically send a visa application once a reservation is made and the deposit received. The visa fee, as well as any applicable consular fees and shipping fees, are not included in the tour cost, and payment should be mailed with the completed application directly to the visa service. The amount of the visa fee varies by destination and will be stated on the application.
For more information or to download a Zierer Visa Service application, please log on to their Internet website by clicking here. To speak directly with ZVS Customer Service, call 866-788-1100 (toll-free in the U.S.). Please note that visas cannot be processed more than 90 days prior to departure and that the process will take several weeks. 3. A visa may be obtained directly through an Egyptian Consulate. For more information, log on to the Internet website by clicking here. Citizens of other countries should contact an embassy or consulate of Egypt to determine what travel documentation is required.
Travel with Children - Age Recommendations - Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting - Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility - We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling. Special Travel Documentation for Children Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so.
CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.), any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., will be useful.
All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country's consulate.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child's parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine if your service extends to Egypt.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). The currency exchange is set on a national level; therefore, all exchange places offer the same rate. Most hotels have a bank in the hotel. There are also ATM machines in many locations. Few establishments accept travelers' checks. Contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your credit card or ATM card in Egypt. Should you have any questions, your Tauck Director will be happy to assist you.
To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com
Important Note - Personal incidental accounts aboard the Nile Adventurer may be settled in cash (U.S. dollars), travelers' checks, American Express, Visa or MasterCard. There is no foreign exchange facility on the ship.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping -
Import Regulations: "High value" articles that a traveler brings to Egypt - particularly computers and camcorders, but also including cameras, typewriters, tape recorders, VCR's and other electronic items - must be declared upon entry, be listed on the traveler's passport, and be duly exported at the conclusion of the visit. If "high value" items are not re-exported at the time of departure, duty must be paid. In the case of certain electronic and computer goods, duty can be as high as 100%. Cigarettes and alcohol are permitted in limited amounts. Duty-free camera film is limited to 25 rolls for still cameras and 10 reels for movie cameras.
For U.S. residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at www.cbp.gov
Residents of other countries should refer to their own country's rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.
Electrical Current - The electrical current in Egypt and onboard the Nile Adventurer is 220v, 50 Hz, and sockets take the standard continental European dual round-pronged plug. Guests whose appliances do not meet this standard will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters. These items can be purchased in a store that specializes in travel products.
Time Zones - Egypt is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). In June, Cairo is 7 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website www.timeanddate.com
Weather - Egypt has one of the hottest and sunniest climates in the world, although on the whole, it can be best described as mild. While the midsummer months can get quite hot, the heat is less taxing than elsewhere because of low humidity. Rainy days are few and far between in Cairo, and nearly unknown in Upper Egypt. Cairo can be chilly from December to February, averaging from 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, or 15.5 to 20 degrees Celsius, and very hot from June to September, averaging from 85 to 95 F, or 29.5 to 35 C. The heat is often relieved by a northerly breeze with temperatures dropping during the night. Therefore, it would be wise to pack both lightweight and warm clothing.
Climate Chart
| |
Average Temperature |
| |
Cairo, Egypt |
Luxor, Egypt |
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
| January |
68 / 50 |
20 / 10 |
74 / 49 |
23 / 9 |
| February |
68 / 50 |
20 / 10 |
74 / 49 |
23 / 9 |
| March |
73 / 54 |
23 / 12 |
83 / 56 |
28 / 13 |
| April |
82 / 59 |
28 / 15 |
93 / 65 |
34 / 18 |
| May |
89 / 64 |
32 / 18 |
100 / 71 |
38 / 22 |
| June |
93 / 70 |
34 / 21 |
104 / 76 |
40 / 24 |
| July |
93 / 72 |
34 / 22 |
104 / 78 |
40 / 26 |
| August |
92 / 72 |
33 / 22 |
102 / 77 |
39 / 25 |
| September |
90 / 69 |
32 / 21 |
99 / 74 |
37 / 23 |
| October |
85 / 65 |
29 / 18 |
93 / 68 |
34 / 20 |
| November |
75 / 58 |
24 / 14 |
81 / 56 |
27 / 13 |
| December |
67 / 51 |
19 / 11 |
75 / 48 |
24 / 9 |
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees - Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office.
Cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$700 per person
59-8 days before departure
$1400 per person
7-1 days before departure
$2000 per person
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