Egypt and the Nile

• Cairo: Check out this Cairo landmark and soak up the history. It’s home to more than 120,000 ancient Egyptian antiquities.
• Giza: This needs no introduction! Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. #bucketlist
• Aswan: Spend a few nights aboard a luxurious river cruise – with views out over the Nile and a sun deck on board.
• Aswan: Sit back and chill as you drift down the famous river on a traditional felucca sailing boat
• Luxor: Follow in the footsteps of the pharaohs as you walk along this famous stretch of road.
• Luxor: Grab your camera and explore one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. See the tomb of Tutankhamun from the outside (with the option to add on exploring it from the inside!) and many other Egyptian pharaohs.
• Hurghada: Check out these towering Pharaoh statues. They’ve stood guard since 1350 BC, even surviving natural disasters. And apparently one even ‘sings’ in the wind.
• Luxor: Stroll through the mighty mortuary temple built during the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Don't forget to bring your camera! You'll definitely want to capture the perfectly symmetrical poles of the Porticos. This is also the spot where the Beautiful Festival of the Valley (celebrated to meet your ancestors) used to take place back in the middle ages.

• 7 Breakfast (B)
• 5 Dinner (D)
• 3 Lunch (L)

• Cairo: What's tipping culture like in Egypt? Tipping’s a big deal in Egypt - it's part of the culture and helps support locals (especially those working in tourism). During your trip, you’ll be expected to tip people like hotel staff, local guides, porters, and restaurant crews. To keep it simple (and avoid the awkward maths), your Trip Manager will organise a tipping kitty. They'll let you know the suggested amount on Day 1, and collect it in USD or Egyptian Pounds to cover group service tips along the way. Heads-up: this doesn’t include a tip for your Trip Manager.
• Cairo: Is there an airport transfer on this trip? Complimentary transfers from Cairo International Airport (CAI) are available on arrival and departure days of the itinerary or in conjunction with a pre-trip or post-trip accommodation booked through Contiki.
• Cairo: What's the accommodation like on the overnight train? Accommodation aboard the overnight train is two-berth cabins, which are comfortable and air-conditioned. All bedding is provided on board by the porter and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. Keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standards you are accustomed to. An included set dinner and breakfast are served inside your cabin. You may want to purchase something extra beforehand to supplement your meal, particularly if you're a vegetarian. It is recommended to bring a jumper/sweatshirt as the train is always cold due to the AC.Heads up - if you've chosen a single supplement for this trip, you'll be assigned a two-berth cabin for this overnight train journey.
• Cairo: What is the Nile Cruise like? Our Nile cruise boat is modern with many of the amenities of our comfortable hotels. Cabins are twin/double with central air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and large windows offering great views of the Nile. Facilities on board include a large restaurant, lounge with bar, sun deck with small pool, a billiards table, and WIFI (not available at all times due to poor reception at times). Often our cruise boats are referred to as "floating hotels" as the actual sailing distance covered is not great and Egyptian law requires that all boats dock overnight.
• Cairo: What is the weather like? Please note that as a desert region, the Middle East can have extreme weather. Temperatures are generally hot with little rain. This can become extreme during the summer months of June to August. In the months of December to March it can be very cold, particularly next to the river or the ocean and out in the desert where night temperatures can drop dramatically.
• Cairo: What clothing should I pack for Egypt? While visiting mosques and other religious monuments you should dress modestly, cover your shoulders and you shouldn't wear short shorts or skirts. Outside of capital cities and the more touristic centres, local dress is often more conservative and as a matter of respect we ask that both men and women are aware of this and recommend loose-fitting clothes with your shoulders covered. Ask your Trip Manager for more specific advice.
• Cairo: Can I drink the tap water in Egypt? We recommend you don't drink the tap water, even in hotels, as it contains much higher levels of different minerals than the water you may have at home.

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