Not
Included: Arrival & departure transfers,
visas, additional meals, drinks, optional sightseeing
tours, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
Local Payment :
Your tour leader will collect EUR150 from each person
on Day 1.
The local payment is the final
part of your overall tour cost. It MUST be paid in cash,
in the currency indicated, to your tour leader at the
start of your trip.
Having a local payment helps us to pass cost savings
on to you. Please note that the Local Payment is non-refundable. Meals: Allow US$60 for additional meals.
Although a number of meals are included, we also allow
you the flexibility to go out and make your own choices
as far as what and where to eat. Your tour leader will
always be on hand to offer recommendations and, in some
places, he will help organise a group meal that includes
a variety of local specialities; all such meals are
optional.
Pre and post accommodation You may wish to extend your holiday
by booking some pre or post tour accommodation - ask
Travel Central for details and prices when you book
your trip.
This trip is classified as Explorer style Many people dream of cruising down
the Nile in a comfortable riverboat, and we have that
covered as well. Explorer trips in Egypt all include
an excellent three-day Nile Cruise along with comfortable
tourist class hotels throughout. All Egypt trips include
Abu Simbel - as well as extra sightseeing/activities
in Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and the Western Desert. Our
trips in Jordan, Syria, Morocco and Turkey all fall
into the "Explorer" category.
Nile Cruise Schedules There are lots of cruise boats
on the Nile and they all have to negotiate the lock
at Edfu. As a result, boats arrive and depart Luxor
continuously throughout the day. The printed itinerary
is therefore only a guideline and you may find you have
more (or less) time in either Aswan or Luxor. The actual
cruising time, from Aswan to Luxor, is about a day and
a half and this will mostly be done during daylight
hours.
Summertime Schedules As the days get warmer, temperatures
can start to soar - particularly in Upper Egypt (Luxor
and Aswan). From April to October, to avoid the midday
heat, some days start very early (eg at 0500). Please
be prepared for this: we try to make things as comfortable
for you as possible. Your tour leader will keep you
fully informed.
'Baksheesh' Throughout the Middle East, but
particularly in Egypt, tipping is a way of life. Known
as 'baksheesh' it is given for any service rendered
and is deeply embedded in the social fabric of the country.
Unlike western countries it is not necessarily a reward
for good service and shouldn't really be called a 'tip',
in the western sense of the word. Everyone gives 'baksheesh'
to everyone else and foreign tourists are expected to
go along with this. For some, this can become very tiresome
(especially if you don't have the right change) and
it can often lead to irritation and frustration. To
surmount this problem and to save you the obvious embarrassment
if you don't have the correct change, your Tour Leader
will collect a 'tipping kitty' from you at the beginning
of the trip. This is approximately EUR3 per person,
per day, and this in IN ADDITION to your Local Payment.
He will then distribute all 'baksheesh' along the way,
on your behalf, to the local guides, drivers, porters
and others who provide services for you. Please have
this amount ready, in cash, at the beginning of the
trip.
If you are out on your own at a restaurant, please remember
to leave a small tip for your waiter.
Tipping your Leader It is customary to tip your Tour
Leader, at the end of the trip, if you are happy with
his service. A minimum tip of EUR 2-3 per day, from
each member of the group, is the standard expectation.
This is an addition to the 'baksheesh' listed above.
Ramadan Ramadan occurs in the ninth month
of the Islamic calendar. It is an exciting (and at times,
frustrating) time to travel in the Middle East. In the
evening there is a celebratory atmosphere as people
break their fast, and to witness all this is a real
highlight. However, during the day, people must refrain
from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity,
so if you encounter someone who is a bit grumpy, be
sympathetic! Tourists sites are generally unaffected
although some places may close early, but your leader
will plan around this. Most hotels bars and tourist
restaurants will remain open. Overall, Ramadan is a
really interesting time to visit the Middle East, although
you do need to be flexible, sympathetic and sensitive.
In 2008 Ramadan starts on 1 September and ends with
Eid el Fitr at the end of September. The feast of Eid
el Fitr can last between three and seven days, depending
on the region. In 2009, Ramadan starts on August 21st
and finishes on September 19th, with the Eid el Fitr
feast commencing on September 20th.
Sleeper Seats on trains Please note that in some instances
during peak season clients will be travelling in a Nefertiti
compartment as opposed to a open carriage with reclining
seats. The Nefertiti compartment is a three person private
cabin with three non reclining seats. Many travellers
prefer this arrangement due to its additional privacy.
Single
travellers Most of our travellers are single
and like the thought of travelling with a few like-minded
souls. As part of our core philosophy, we do not charge
a single supplement. You'll probably be sharing your
accommodation with a travelling companion of the same
gender, but even if you do get your own room, you won't
be charged extra, unless the tour has a minimum of one
person. Because many of our travellers come on their
own, your tour will probably have a strong social element
and you'll almost certainly come home with some great
new friends.
- 3 nights tourist class hotel
- 3 nights riverboat
- 2 nights overnight train
