Disclosure: Intrepid Travel hosted me on this trip in exchange for this review. As always, all opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links.
Temples, pharaohs, hieroglyphics, and pyramids. Unlike many countries, Egypt doesn’t need an introduction. The stories of raided tombs and well-preserved mummies make this country the top of pretty much everyone’s bucket list. Yet, Egyptian tourism is suffering, thanks to misleading media coverage and recent political history. Despite the occasional unrest, I still maintain that now is the perfect time to visit. Low tourism means cheap prices, emptier sites, and awesome photos. Plus, a favorable exchange rate means that supporting the local economy won’t break the bank. You can travel like a king pharaoh in the time you’re here.
Despite having visited Egypt numerous times, I decided to do an organized tour to Egypt. Why? Because despite visiting my family that lives in Cairo a few times, I’d never explored Egypt as a tourist (except a visit to the Pyramids, of course). I figured if my family wasn’t going to show me around, I would do it another way.
Table of Contents
A Review of the Intrepid Travel Egypt Adventure Tour
I’d already been on an Intrepid trip and loved it, so it seemed like a no-brainer to use them to book a tour in Egypt. I really wanted to visit Jordan while I was on this trip, so I ended up booking a combined Egypt-Jordan tour. The Egypt part was identical to Intrepid’s Egypt Adventure tour though, so I’m reviewing both separately. Anyway, I ended up loving both countries, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Egypt Adventure Tour and recommend it to anyone wanting to experience the highlights of Egypt in a week. Keep reading to find out what I loved, what I didn’t, and what it’s like to travel in Egypt post-Arab Spring.
Should you book a tour to Egypt?
First of all, let me just say that yes, Egypt is safe and can be traveled to independently. I have visited multiple times and have traveled in Egypt independently, with family, and on tours. However. Egypt is chaotic and can be difficult to navigate, especially if you don’t speak the language. If it’s your first time visiting and you’d prefer not to worry about all these tips and the hassle of transporting yourself from place to place, I highly recommend booking a tour. I did the Egypt Adventure Tour but you can check out all the Egypt tour options from Intrepid Travel as well.
Why Intrepid Travel?
I’ve been on four tours with Intrepid Travel across seven countries on four continents, so I’ve been fortunate to experience how they operate all over the world. (Read my reviews: Jordan, Southeast Asia, Turkey and Peru). Yes, Intrepid is the world’s largest small group adventure travel company, but that’s not why I travel with them. These are just a few reasons I love traveling with them (you can also read my full review of Intrepid here).
- Small groups: As an introvert, I hate big groups with a fiery passion. Intrepid limits their groups to a maximum 12 people, which means you’ll have enough time to get to know everyone on your trip.
- Local guides: The guides are always from the country that you’re visiting, ensuring that you’re both supporting the local economy and traveling with someone who truly knows the country you’re visiting. Even on multi-country trips, I’ve had a main tour guide and local guides for specific destinations.
- Responsible tourism: To Intrepid, responsible tourism isn’t just a buzz word. They carbon offset their tours, give back to communities through The Intrepid Foundation, promote gender-equity within their tour guide force, and discourage any and all plastic usage. You can read about their responsible tourism practices here.
- Balance of activities and free time: Just because you’re on a group tour doesn’t mean you want a jam-packed itinerary and 24/7 time with your group. I love that their itineraries always have free time so you can go do your own thing, whether it’s eating street food, going shopping, or just lounging by the pool with a book.
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Which Intrepid Egypt tour should you choose?
Although I went on the Egypt Adventure Tour, Intrepid actually has quite a range of Egypt tours to choose from. Each tour has something different to offer, depending on your budget, desired travel time, and sites you’d like to visit. I’ve broken them down below.
Egypt Adventure
The Egypt Adventure tour is the shortest Egypt tour you can do with Intrepid. It includes two days each in Egypt’s three most popular cities (for historical sites) as well as one day cruising the Nile on a felucca. If you’re shorter on time or are more interested in visiting the highlights of Egypt, this tour is for you – it offers comfortable accommodation and a good mix of inclusions and optional activities. Psst: If you’re between 18-29 and want to travel with people your age, check out the Essential Egypt tour instead.
- Duration: 8 days
- Cities visited: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor
- Travel style: Original
- Price: starting at USD $1.058
Egypt Experience
The Egypt Experience tour is Intrepid’s more luxurious Egypt tour. Like Egypt Adventure, it includes Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, but also adds Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city, to the itinerary. Not only does this tour include more time in Cairo (4 days), but it also includes three days on a Nile cruise (not a boat). This tour has includes entrance to most of the major sites, and includes two domestic flights.
- Duration: 12 days
- Cities visited: Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Luxor
- Travel style: Comfort
- Price: starting at USD 2,292
Explore Egypt
Explore Egypt is Intrepid’s longest Egypt tour, but also excellent for those who are traveling on a budget. The itinerary takes you to the majority of Egypt’s most popular destinations, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria and the seaside city of Hurghada (a popular resort destination). Additionally, you also get to experience an overnight felucca ride and a traditional homestay. Unlike the other two tours, many of the site entrances on this tour are optional, allowing you to pick and choose which sites you’d like to visit (excellent for those on a budget). If you’re looking for the absolute best bang for your buck, this tour is right for you.
- Duration: 15 days
- Cities visited: Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Luxor, Hurghada
- Travel style: Basix
- Price: starting at USD 4,144
Things to Know Before You Go to Egypt
Upon arrival, Egypt can feel chaotic and a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry – there’s a method to the madness (and that’s what makes it fun!). Check out my Egypt travel tips for first-time visitors for common misconceptions and other things you’ll want to know before you go!
Visa
Americans need to get a visa for Egypt, which can be done either on or before arrival. If you choose to do it online, this is the application. If you prefer a visa on arrival, it costs USD $25 in cash. Bring exact change.
Travel Insurance
Intrepid requires its passengers to have travel insurance, but I wouldn’t even consider going to Egypt without travel insurance anyway. I’ve visited multiple times and have gotten sick, damaged some electronics and needed stitches (that was kind of my own fault, though). You never know what could happen. My go-to insurance is World Nomads for every country I visit.
Packing for Egypt
Wondering what you’ll need to pack for Egypt? I’ve got you! I wrote a complete Egypt packing list which includes tips on dressing appropriately, staying healthy, and avoiding pesky mosquito bites.
Egypt Adventure Itinerary, Day-by-Day
Day 1-2: Cairo
Day 1: Cairo
The first official day doesn’t start until the evening welcome meeting, but be sure to arrive at least one day before to adjust to the time difference and have a full day exploring the city on your own. Cairo can be overwhelming for the first-time visitor, so I recommend a day tour to familiarize yourself with the city (perhaps to one of the other Pyramids, like Saqqara). Psst check out my guide to where to stay in Cairo relative to your planned activities!
That evening, you’ll meet your new Intrepid family for the week, then head to the Khan-el-Khalili Bazaar, an open-air market selling everything from kitschy souvenirs to valuable gold jewelry to fragrant incense. Dinner is up to you and you group, but the 8 of us opted to head to Koshary Al-Tahrir for some carby goodness.
Day 2: Cairo
You’ll wake up bright and early on the first official day of the tour and start off with a hearty Egyptian breakfast at the hotel. This is where you should try a generous helping of ful mudamas (Egyptian beans) with a side of cheese and pita. If there’s one thing Egyptians love, it’s heavy meals!
After breakfast, you’ll board a minibus that will take you to the best spot in Cairo – the Great Pyramids, of course! Our tour guide Ahmed was a major history buff, which was incredibly helpful on this trip. He also served as a bit of a bodyguard, telling us how much we should be paying for souvenirs, activities, and more. We managed to get some great shots on our camel-riding adventure!
Although there isn’t much to see, we all chose to go inside the Great Pyramid (included in the ticket). It was stuffy and cramped despite it being February, so I don’t recommend going inside if it’s summer. In fact, here’s my complete guide to visiting the Pyramids including what to see, what to skip, and where to get good photos. Don’t forget to wear comfy and sturdy shoes!
The visit to the Pyramids would be incomplete without seeing the Sphinx, where you’ll head to next. Watching people get creative with their poses is hilariously entertaining.
After a quick pit stop for lunch, you’ll go to Downtown Cairo to visit the giant Egyptian Museum. Ahmed guided us through part of it then left us to explore on our own for a couple of hours. The cool parts of the museum are King Tut’s Mask and the Mummy room (an extra 100 EGP entrance fee). It’s a bit unnerving to see mummies in real life, complete with tufts of hair. I would not want to get trapped in that room!
At that point, the tour part of the day is officially over, and you’ll head back to the hotel for a few hours before going to the train station for your overnight train to Aswan. Our group chose to wander around the neighborhood, get coffee at the local café and pick up snacks for our train ride. However, if you feel like unwinding or separating from the group for a bit, you can definitely do that as well.
That evening, the minibus will transport you to the train station for your overnight train to Aswan. The ride itself takes anywhere from 10-12 hours depending on train delays (a frequent occurrence in Egypt), but the sleeper train is really fun and pretty comfortable! Each compartment locks into a small room and is equipped with two beds, a sink, and plugs for your electronics. Both dinner and breakfast are provided on the train (a little carb-heavy but otherwise decent). A few of us ended up hanging out together for a few hours in one of the compartments after dinner, making the time on the train pass much more quickly. Bonding time, anyone? While sleeping on the train won’t be the best sleep you’ll ever get, I found it to be surprisingly comfortable. Keep your toiletries and pajamas handy!
Day 3-4: Aswan
Day 3: Aswan
There’s nothing quite like waking up to views of the Egyptian countryside from your window. You’ll be fed lots and lots of carbs for breakfast and arrive…well, when you arrive. We got to our hotel in Aswan around 11 am and had some time to freshen up before starting our day. Although this is technically a free day, there are plenty of cool optional activities you can do. Our group chose to stick together and we went to the Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple and the Aswan Dam. Philae Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once transferred block by block to Agilika Island. Yes, it is as cool as it looks. If you’re on a really tight budget, Philae Temple is the best of the three options.
To be honest, I’ve only seen the sound and light show at Karnak Temple in Luxor and it was pretty cheesy. I’d skip that for Philae and go during the day time instead. One of the most unforgettable parts of the day was the visit to the colorful Nubian Villages. We got to have dinner with a local family and learn about their lifestyle.
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After dinner, we immediately went back to our hotel to sleep. Our whole group had opted for the optional Abu Simbel trip the next day (which I highly recommend) and our pickup time was 4:30 am. SO early!
Day 4: Aswan / Abu Simbel
So…about that 4:30 AM wake up call. If you’re like the rest of the group, you’ll wake up on time and be ready downstairs when the bus arrives. If you’re me, you’ll oversleep your alarm and wake up at 4:25 AM after the reception calls you. OOPS. Luckily, I managed to get dressed and throw my life into my purse within 5 minutes. The trip to Abu Simbel takes between 3-4 hours, so you can catch up on beauty sleep (and beautify yourself hehe) on the bus ride there. Pro tip: there are flights to Abu Simbel but they don’t run daily and can be expensive. I recommend sticking to the bus option. It’s $120 per person with a minimum of 2 people at the time of updating (January 2024). This is the tour.
Abu Simbel is seriously impressive and was easily my favorite temple on the entire tour. It’s comprised of twin temples built by Ramses II for himself and his wife, Queen Nefertari. Like Philae Temple, Abu Simbel was also relocated from its original location to prevent submersion. We were so far south that we could actually SEE Sudan from the temples! Crazy. After spending a couple of hours there, we turned around and drove back to Aswan. If you look closely in the desert on the ride back, you can spot actual mirages. So cool!
Since our day started before dawn, literally, we still had most of the day ahead of us by the time we arrived back. The rest of the day is free to explore how you choose. We took advantage of our time by eating lunch on a boat on the Nile then haggling our way through the local bazaar. At night, we chilled at the rooftop bar of the hotel and took in the amazing views of the Nile before going to bed.
Day 5: Nile Felucca
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll run across the street, luggage in tow, and board a traditional Egyptian sailboat called a felucca. You’ll spend all day and night on the felucca, getting your tan on, taking naps, and pretending to be the captain. Pro tip: all your luggage will go underneath the deck, so keep your essentials handy in a small bag. The amazing chefs and captains on board are Nubians, who’ll teach you about the interesting Sudanese-Egyptian cultural fusion of Southern Egypt. This was definitely a highlight of my Intrepid Egypt tour!
We spent most of the day basking in the sun, taking naps, and talking. At one point, we stopped for a couple of hours for an optional swim in the Nile, but only a few people jumped in. It was still February, after all! When the sun was setting, we all clamored to the top of the boat for the beautiful sunset views. They did not disappoint! After dinner, some of us headed to shore and made a bonfire. My role was to take photos because I’m basically useless outdoors. Do all Aussies get trained in outdoor survival or something? I was really impressed by how quickly they got that fire started. Thankfully we were all friends by this point in the tour because we all slept in a row on the boat. Pro tip: pack ALL the layers – it gets frigid at night!
Day 6-7: Luxor
Day 6: Luxor
After breakfast on the felucca, you’ll pack up your stuff and get on the minivan to Luxor. We all agreed that the detour to Edfu Temple was necessary, and off we went. This temple is dedicated to Horus, son of Isis and Osirus, and is incredibly well-preserved.
Update: When I took this tour in 2017, it didn’t include a visit to the Intrepid Foundation’s local project, ACE (Animal Care in Egypt). This is now part of the itinerary, and having visited other Intrepid Foundation projects, I’m sure it’s awesome.
Next, our group took horses and buggies over to the Karnak Complex, one of the largest religious buildings ever constructed. It is beyond impressive and we spent several hours exploring the various columns, chapels and temples in this giant complex, both at Karnak Temple and at the Karnak Open Air Museum. SO cool!
Our same horse and buggies took us to dinner, where some of our group tried stuffed pigeon – an Egyptian delicacy that is worth trying at least once. For all the yummy eats you should try in Egypt, check out my guide to Egyptian food here.
Since we had woken up at 7 am on the felucca that morning, everyone was more than ready to call it an early night after dinner.
Day 7: Luxor
Although Intrepid doesn’t have any recommended partners, a few of us were eager to do a hot air balloon ride at the Valley of the Kings so we booked it online. Unfortunately, we made it all the way to the ferry only to be told that it was too windy to fly. Sad times but safety comes first. Update: I was finally able to do the hot air balloon ride when I returned to Egypt in 2023! It was spectacular and I highly recommend it.
If you don’t attempt to do a hot air balloon ride, you’ll start your day by heading directly to the Colossi of Memnon, two statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep. Instead, Ahmed kindly brought us breakfast boxes from the hotel and picked us up from the port to take us to the statues.
After a quick photo stop, it’ll be time for the highlight of Luxor: the Valley of the Kings! This is where you’ll find the tombs of many famous pharaohs including Tutankamun’s (for an extra fee). Unfortunately, photography is not allowed here, but check out this link for a rare look inside some of the tombs. Pro tip: comfy shoes and lightweight clothing are a must here. It is HOT inside those tombs.
Afterwards, you’ll join a local family for lunch to try some tasty traditional home cooking. Home-cooked meals are hands-down the best food you can get in Egypt.
The rest of the day is free for you to do as you please but our group opted to visit the Hatshepsut Temple, a shrine to Egypt’s only female king. Feminism in the ancient times for the win! Her temple is pretty legit too. Alternatively, Medinat Habu Temple is also awesome (I visited on a different trip to Luxor).
We had a couple of hours to kill before our overnight bus back to Cairo so everyone did their own thing. Some of us went to a bakery then back to the hotel to shower, while others decided to test out their haggling skills at the local bazaar.
That evening, you’ll once again board the overnight sleeper train, enroute back to Cairo. Dinner is included on the way back as well. I couldn’t believe that we only had one more day left in the trip at this point!
Day 8: Cairo
The tour officially ends today. Intrepid has rooms booked at the hotel until noon, so you have the chance to shower and have one final breakfast with your crew. Many people had flights leaving that evening, so that was our final meal before saying goodbye. Four of us stayed the night in Egypt before continuing to Jordan the next day. If you don’t decide to continue to Jordan, I recommend spending a few extra days (or even a week) in Egypt and checking out some of the other cool things to do (suggestions below).
What’s included and what’s optional?
Since this is an original style trip, we received a good mix of inclusions and optional activities.
Included:
- 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
- All accommodation and transportation
- Cairo – Khan al-Khalili bazaar visit
- Cairo – Pyramids and Sphinx and camel ride at the Pyramids
- Cairo – The Egyptian Museum and headset
- Aswan – Nubian Village Visit and Dinner
- Luxor – Karnak Temple
- Luxor – Intrepid Foundation Project visit – ACE (Animal Care in Egypt)
- Luxor – Colossi of Memnon
- Luxor – Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
Not included:
- Breakfast on the first day, 6 lunches (including the first and last day), 4 dinners (including the first and last day)
- All activities and entrance fees in Aswan
- Abu Simbel visit
- Entrances to temples in Luxor besides Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings
To be honest, most of the coolest things to do in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan are included on this trip. I’ve been to all of the optional temples and museums independently (with the exception of Kom Ombo), so the optional ones I recommend adding on are as follows: Philae Temple on day 3, Abu Simbel on day 4 (if you only do one optional activity, make it this one), Edfu Temple on day 6, and Madinat Habu Temple on day 7. Hatshepsut Temple isn’t particularly amazing but it’s the only temple built for a queen of ancient Egypt so you know – #girlpower.
The Tour Leader
One thing I love about Intrepid is that they always hire leaders that native to the country. Ahmad, our tour leader, grew up in Giza, and was incredibly knowledgeable about both modern and ancient Egyptian history. He was, admittedly, on the quieter side compared to other tour leaders I’ve had on other Intrepid trips, but he was friendly and kind and incredibly passionate about Egyptian tourism.
Who travels with Intrepid?
Intrepid Travel attracts people from all over the world. In my experience, most of the travelers tend to come from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. The age range varies wildly – I’ve been on trips with 18-year-olds and 80-year-olds, and everything in between (which makes for some seriously interesting perspectives and characters)! I have to say that the majority of the time, travelers to be curious about other cultures and genuinely interested in gaining new perspectives and experiences. Out of all my trips, I’ve only dealt with one unpleasant passenger (it happens) but have often left the trips with plenty of new friends. On this trip in particular, I traveled with one other American and six Australians.
What’s the transportation like?
One of the coolest things about the Egypt Adventure is the wide range of transportation options you’ll get to experience.
- (2) Overnight trains which were surprisingly comfortable. Each compartment locks into a small room and is equipped with two beds, a sink, and plugs for your electronics. Both dinner and breakfast are provided on the train (a little carb-heavy but otherwise decent).
- (1) Traditional Egyptian sailboat called a Felucca. On day 5, you get to spend the whole day and night on a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat. I was initially worried that I’d be bored, but the felucca was one of the highlights of the trip. It was incredibly relaxing to spend the day basking in the sun, swimming (optional – I did go in February, after all), and chatting with my fellow travelers. All the meals are included on the felucca (all vegetarian, for those who are wondering) and there’s a bathroom on board. Be sure to pack some heavier pajamas if you’re traveling in the winter – it does get a bit chilly at night, despite the blankets provided!
- Plenty of mini-buses: We didn’t take any public transport on this trip besides the trains. Instead, we traveled everywhere in air-conditioned mini-buses, which were incredibly comfortable.
What’s the accommodation like?
This is an original style trip, which means simple, tourist-style hotels (usually around 3 stars). Our hotel rooms were all clean and comfortable, albeit a bit more run-down since 3 stars in Egypt isn’t necessarily the same as it is worldwide. Bathrooms were on the smaller side and occasionally the showers weren’t separate from the toilet (so the water drains into a drain in the middle of the bathroom). Most of the hotels had somewhat spotty Wi-Fi. I purchased an inexpensive eSim and was able to use it for multiple devices. Overall, the hotel accommodation was fine – neither bad nor amazing.
What’s the food like?
Even though the average person is extremely familiar with Egypt’s history and monuments, few are familiar with the food.
Egyptian cuisine is rich in flavor, influenced both by the Mediterranean as well as neighboring African countries. The national dish is koshary, a heart mix of rice, pasta, and lentils and one of my personal favorite dishes. Other highlights include hawawshi (a crispy beef sandwich), hamam mahshi (stuffed pigeon) and om ali (think Egyptian bread pudding).
Discover all the good things to eat and drink in my Egyptian food guide and be sure to add a food tour to your list of must-do’s in Cairo!
Is Egypt safe?
Ah, the burning question that’s on everyone’s mind. I am no geopolitical expert, but I have traveled to Egypt enough times in my life to vouch for my experiences. I have never felt unsafe in Egypt, and this trip was no exception. Quite a few family members and friends have visited countless times over the last few years and have said the same. Plus, the Egyptian government has gone above and beyond in improving security, especially at tourist sites and high-traffic areas. The train station even assigns guards to keep a special eye on tourist groups and travelers! My advice is to be as cautious as you’d be traveling anywhere in the world, but don’t let the media scare you away from Egypt.
I spent a grand total of three weeks in Egypt, traveling independently for two weeks before joining the Intrepid Travel Discover Egypt and Jordan tour. While independent travel in Egypt is possible, it can definitely be challenging. Instead, I recommend doing a group tour – specifically, the tour I took with Intrepid Travel.
Would I recommend the Egypt Adventure tour with Intrepid Travel?
Yes, I would definitely recommend the Egypt Adventure tour! It was incredibly organized, fun, and covered the highlights of Egypt. Egypt is really a country where you need a local guide / organized tour to get the most out of your trip. A lot of the temples are optional, which is nice if you get a bit “templed out.” Although our group chose to do most of the optional activities, you always have the option to opt out if you’d rather have a free day or do something else. I recommend doing a bit of research on the different temples you’d like to visit before you go. Another thing to note: tipping is a huge part of the culture in Egypt. Our entire group pitched into a tipping kitty (500 EGP or ~ $30 at the time of writing, per person) and let our guide handle all the tips. 2024 Update: I recommend about $20 per person for the guide and $10 per person for the driver, minimum. Tip in USD if possible).
There were a couple of things I’d say need improvement on the tour. I was a little disappointed by the food recommendations made by our tour guide. Having been to Egypt before, I know that the food is incredible, but a lot of the places we ate at weren’t as amazing. Knowing this, I recommend doing some restaurant research beforehand, especially for Luxor and Aswan. Additionally, it’s worth noting that a lot of the hotels had shoddy Wi-Fi, in case you work online or need solid internet access. The best way to combat this is with an eSim, which has been a lifesaver so I don’t have to deal with switching out phone numbers and missing texts from home.
Overall, this is an excellent tour for those looking to experience the highlights of Egypt in one week. You can read more reviews of the tour here.
- A Comprehensive Intrepid Travel Review: From Solo to #SquadGoals
- Exploring Southeast Asia with Intrepid Travel: A Review of the Bangkok to Singapore Tour
- Pharaohs and Feluccas: Exploring Egypt with Intrepid Travel (A Review)
- Exploring Jordan with Intrepid Travel: A Review
- Exploring Turkey with Intrepid Travel: A Review
- Exploring and Hiking in Peru with Intrepid Travel: A Review
Other Essential Information
Tour Price
The tour starts at USD $1,058 but the final cost depends on the departure date.
Best Time to Visit Egypt
There’s really no bad time time to visit Egypt, as the weather is generally pleasant year-round, with the exception of deathly hot summers.
November – March: This is the best time to visit for cooler weather and generally empty sites (with the exception of December – early January because of school holidays). Winter is mild in Egypt but Alexandria (and sometimes Cairo) does see quite a bit of rain during this period.
April – May / September – October: These are the best months to visit Egypt, especially if you’re interested in traveling both in the North and the South. The weather is warmer but not scorching, so it’s pleasant enough to both hike and hit the beaches.
Language
The official language of Egypt is Arabic, which is spoken by everyone. In most touristy places, you’ll find that many people have a basic grasp of English, but you’re better off learning some (Egyptian) Arabic phrases just in case you find yourself in a jam.
Currency
Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound, and at the time of updating this post (June 2019), the rate was about USD $1 to 17 EGP. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and nicer restaurants, but it’s generally better to carry cash. There are plenty of ATM machines and currency exchanges all over the city.
What to Pack for Egypt
While Egypt isn’t super conservative, I’d avoid tank tops and shorts out of respect (and so you don’t stand out). Lightweight and loose clothing are key to keeping cool and comfortable. During winter, it’s warm during the day and chilly at night, so bring layers! I’ve listed some sample items to bring along in your suitcase below. Check out this complete Egypt packing list to help you pack for your trip!
Want to extend your trip?
While this itinerary certainly covers the highlights of Egypt, there are tons of other cool places to see! Here are my recommendations if you want to spend some extra time there:
- Spend extra time exploring all the gems of Cairo. Be sure to consider where to stay in Cairo as well!
- Go on an overnight camping trip in the Black and White Deserts
- Go on a day tour or overnight tour of Alexandria from Cairo
- Spend a few days relaxing at the gorgeous beaches of Hurghada or Dahab
Final thoughts
Although I don’t take group tours that often, this was my second trip with Intrepid Travel (I’ve now been on four total). You can read my review about why I like the company so much here. I don’t think group tours are necessary for every country, but I highly recommend doing one (specifically, this one) in Egypt.
Although I felt safe the entire time I was there (both with and without the group), there’s something to be said about having all the details of your trip already planned and having an awesome guide that is knowledgeable both about the history and the customs. English is not widely spoken (especially outside of Cairo), making it difficult to get around for non-Arabic speakers. Additionally, there is an issue with catcalling in Egypt, which can be uncomfortable and angering for many women. I found that the catcalling problem virtually disappeared when I traveled in a group, compared to my experiences traveling alone or with other women.
After spending three weeks in Egypt (one of which was spent on this tour), my resounding conclusion is this: it’s time for you to get to Egypt. With inexpensive prices, high security and a welcoming and fascinating culture, Egypt will surely shatter any misconceptions you have about visiting.
More Egypt Resources
Planning a trip to Egypt soon? Check out ALL my posts on Egypt below:- 30+ Awesome Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt: The Ultimate Cairo Travel Guide
- What to Pack for Egypt: The Ultimate Egypt Packing List
- 2 Days in Luxor Itinerary: The Best Things to Do, See, and Eat in Luxor
- 2 Days in Aswan Itinerary: Best Things to Do in Aswan, Egypt
- Egypt Travel Guide
- Pharaohs and Feluccas: Exploring Egypt with Intrepid Travel
- Camping in the White Desert, Egypt: A First Timer’s Guide
- Traditional Egyptian Food Guide: 20 Must Eat Foods in Cairo, Egypt
- Egypt Travel Tips for the First Time Visitor: Expectations vs Reality
- Bellies En-Route Downtown Cairo Food Tour: The Best Thing to Do in Cairo for Foodies
- Visiting the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt: Everything to Know Before You Go
- Where to Stay in Cairo, Egypt: The Best Hotels in Cairo for Every Budget
Tell me: Would you consider taking the Intrepid Egypt Adventure tour? Why or why not? Share in the comments below!
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Wow! Thanks for amamzing info, I am gonna bookmark this! Planning Egypt in October this year along with Jordan so looking forward to see some of your Jordan posts too??
Oooh I’m so excited for you! You’re going to love both countries. I already want to go back! Glad you found the post useful 🙂
Thank you so much for the information filled blogpost. I have bookmarked this page for future reference.
You’re welcome! Glad you found it useful.
This is an awesome post! Egypt is the #1 country I want to visit, and has been since I was a kid. It looks wonderful there.
Thank you! You should definitely go! I know the media makes it sound scary but I just went a couple of months ago and had the most amazing time :). Thanks for reading and commenting!
Egypt has always been one of my priority destinations. I have to admit that the media has been keeping me away. I’m a bit worried that something may go wrong. I probably will take your advice because it does seem really safe. Sometime soon I hope!
I know the media makes it seem so scary but the reality is that it’s pretty safe for the most part. Obviously you have to be cautious like you’d be in any other destination but otherwise do it! I really recommend doing a group tour to get much more out of the trip 🙂
ahh this is seriously my dream trip! I want to go to Egypt so badly. A lot of people maintain that it’s unsafe, but that’s usually coming from people who haven’t gone lol 😉 SO good (and refreshing) to read the perspective of someone who’s actually been there so recently. Also, you’ve opened my eyes to the beauty of Egyptian food! I’m not quite sure what a bomba is but mmm I need that in my life.
Hahah I had no idea what the bomba was until my cousins took me and it is DELISH. Basically a bunch of fruit plus this Egyptian dessert (basboosa) plus ice cream. And yessss I am so tired of the media talking about how unsafe Egypt is! I literally just went a couple of months ago and had an amazing (and safe) time! I really recommend this tour if you’re considering going!
Egypt has long been sleeping on my bucket list and I can’t find the time to visit this country. I still need to save more for this kind of dream trip. You have truly covered the beautiful place and your photos are really well captured. Everything about your post entice me to pack my bag now and go there. I also appreciate your comprehensive guide and perfect itineraries. I’ll surely bear this mind for a future reference. Thank you so much for sharing!
You’ve got to go! And it’s actually not too expensive right now, thanks to low tourism. I’m finding that the flight from the US is probably the most expensive part but travel within the country is quite affordable.
Thank you so much :). I’m glad you liked the post and I really hope you get a chance to visit soon!
It’s so helpful to get a woman’s perspective of whether or not a place is safe. It’s so hard to tell based on reading headlines! Your pictures have me checking flights to Egypt, lol, although I have 2 more months of trips booked for 2017 already, so I’m going to have to wait until next year.
TOTALLY! I always scope out posts from women regarding safety because we unfortunately have a totally different experience compared to guys (more often than not). I hope you get a chance to go sometime soon though! The headlines always freak people out but I really wasn’t concerned about safety whatsoever.
Wow, 9 days sounds like you had plenty of time to really experience Egypt. I’ve never done a group tour, but this one sounds amazing. Although the early mornings may be a bit tough for me, it looks like it was well worth it. The koshary dish looked pretty yummy!!
Haha, waking up early is definitely a bit of a struggle but thankfully we had a lot of free time :). I am not typically a huge fan of tours, but I really like how flexible Geckos is in terms of optional activities and free time. I really feel like I saw a good chunk of Egypt which was awesome. And koshary is SO good!
Egypt is definitely on my travel bucket list, and this looks like a terrific tour (though I’m in that 30+ group, so I’d have to check out one of your other recommendations). I have been a bit put off by security concerns (I did have a friend who had a fairly scary experience there), but things can happen anywhere, and I don’t want to let it stop me from seeing such an incredible country. Thank you for sharing your incredible photos (the mummies might freak me out a little LOL!) and your perspective!
Yeah, I totally understand that each person’s experience is totally unique to him / her and scary experiences can happen anywhere – sorry to hear your friend had an issue while there! it really is an incredible country to visit and going on a tour gives you such a good peace of mind – definitely check out Intrepid if you’re considering going!
The only group tour I ever did was in Turkey recently, during some unrest there. I agree, while I am not a tour gal, sometimes it’s comforting to have the security and still get out and travel. Thanks for sharing your experience in Egypt, it’s encouraged me to get out there and go myself. I will definitely keep this company in mind!
Agreed with you 100%! I’m still firmly an independent traveler, but there are definitely certain places where I’d probably do a tour due to my own peace of mind and / or difficulties in navigating travel there. I’m glad you went to visit Turkey despite all the negative media – and I hope you get a chance to visit Egypt sometime soon as well 🙂
Pinning!!! Me and my best friend have had a pact to go to Egypt for as long as we’ve known each other and I plan on surprising her with a trip for her 30th birthday. I hope your pro tips don’t change in the next four years but I am glad to see more promotion of destinations that are deemed dangerous in the local media. I love your packing list as well! What’s “bomba??”
How AWESOME! You’re a great friend :). Well, if you guys end up deciding on doing a group tour, I really recommend Geckos (or Intrepid, if you’ll both be 30). It was an unforgettable destination! Haha bomba is this dessert that included fruit, basboosa (an Egyptian dessert) and ice cream. It was so good but clearly enough for an entire family! LOL
Wow what a great article! I went to Egypt many years ago, but have been dying to go back so I’ll definitely look into Geckos Adventures!
Looks like you had an amazing itinerary!! I did one similar and absolutely LOVED it!! And couldn’t agree more about it being safe — and I went as a solo female traveler! 🙂
I did! And that’s awesome that you also went! I’m glad to hear you had a fun and safe trip as a solo traveler too :). The media definitely skews Egypt as this dangerous place, but I found that most people were quite welcoming and friendly.
Just loved your trip overall. Egypt is one of the countries that is high on my list for the pyramids and the Egyptian history but you just gave me so many reasons to head there! Such amazing experiences! And Bomba looks like too much food 😀
Thank you! I highly, highly recommend going sometime soon when there aren’t a ton of tourists and prices are cheap. This tour was particularly great :).
LOL that bomba was ridiculous! I took a few bites and forced the others to eat the rest with me :).
My dream trip . I am planning to visit there in the month of september. And planning for a 12 nights trip in Luxor and Cairo. Can you tell If I don’t take the 3 nights or 4 nights Nile cruise trip would I miss something? Is is necessary because I will have my staying in Luxor.
Glad to hear you’re going soon!
I think 12 nights in those two places is PLENTY of time. I don’t think you necessarily need to do 3-4 nights on a cruise ship. We did a one night one and it was nice. However, I do recommend a night or two on a felucca (it’s much more local). Plus, maybe add in Aswan for a couple of days as well since you’ll already be nearby when you’re in Luxor. Happy travels!
You look great on a donkey, but only one pic you have posted 🙁
Hi! I really like this tour, I wanted to combine Egypt + Jordan. I just had one question, what kind of hotels did you stay in? Also, how was the overnight felucca and the overnight train? Thanks!!
SO NICE POST….THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIANCE..
Thanks for sharing this. Which place is Best for stay in night? Let me know it.