Cairo Boutique Hotel Break
Cairo Boutique Hotel Break
Cairo Boutique Hotel Break
5 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
341
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 20
Age range:
8-85
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This short Cairo city break tour gives you a taste of Egypt's bustling capital city, home to the iconic Pyramids, Sphinx and Egyptian Museum, and is ideal for those short of time or who may have visited other parts of Egypt already. Accommodation is the the award winning Le Riad Hotel de Charme, a small luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Old Cairo facing the famous Beit el Sehemy with its exceptional old Ottoman houses. The design of the hotel celebrates and reflects Old Cairo's style and history, with all 17 suites being individually furnished with warm colours, Fatimid fabrics, antique wooden furniture and paintings from local artists. Suites are all large and comfortable with spacious marble bathrooms, separate lounge and study areas and a variety of different arts and crafts displayed. The tour begins with a guided sightseeing tour to Egypt's most well-known landmark - the Great Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx where your Egyptologist guide will explain the history and evolution of pyramid building. Your remaining time in Cairo is then free to explore independently, relax in your hotel or take an additional tour. These include a city tour to the Citadel, Coptic Cairo and the Egyptian Museum, a walking tour through the old streets around the hotel and the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar, a day trip to the colonial Mediterranean city of Alexandria, or a tour to see more pyramids at Dashour, Saqqara and Memphis. Dinner cruise and felucca trips on the Nile are also available. An overnight trip to see the ancient Egyptian sites on both banks of the River Nile at Luxor is also available, and the tour can be extended with extra nights in Cairo if you wish.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Cairo, Transfer To Hotel
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cairo boutique hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Upon arrival at Cairo airport, we will meet you and assist you with visa formalities and luggage collection, then transfer you to your luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Old Cairo. We'll help you settle into your suite, then the rest of the day is free at your leisure. If your flight lands early, then you could take a first look at the pyramids at the spectacular sound and light show, or just explore your surroundings on El Moez Street.
Day 2 : Cairo, Pyramids & Sphinx Half-Day Tour
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cairo boutique hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your stay in Egypt beings this morning with a relaxing breakfast in the hotel. During the morning our local representative will brief you on the hotel, your location in Old Cairo with some tips on exploring, and discuss any additional optional tours you may have either pre-booked or like to arrange during your stay.
Early in the afternoon you then take a sightseeing tour for a first taste of ancient Egypt with a visit to the enigmatic Sphinx and the three greatest pyramids in Egypt. At 500 feet high and 750 feet wide at its base the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is a breath taking man-made structure, built from enormous stone blocks with a white limestone covering. Over the years, the limestone covering has been stripped away to expose the inner block structure. Along with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the inspiring sight of these huge structures looming out of the desert is an unforgettable site. One of our specialist Egyptologist guides will accompany you and explain some of the history of pyramid building, and of the different dynasties of the ancient Egyptian empire.
You will have a chance to climb down inside the pyramids if you wish, but you're on your own, as your guide cannot accompany you (a limited number of tickets are available for the Great Pyramid). After the Pyramids we then head to the nearby Sphinx which was only properly uncovered from the desert sands in the last century. Finally we head back to our hotel and a taste of local Egyptian life as El Moez Street bustles with a relaxed but exciting energy in the evenings.
Day 3 : Cairo Free Day, Optional Tours
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cairo boutique hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your next two days are free to explore independently or to do some more guided sightseeing. The area of Old Islamic Cairo surrounding your hotel is one of Cairo's most charming, with covered markets, narrow streets, old buildings and mosques. Of Old Cairo, this quarter most evokes its past and in many ways has changed very little. It has inspired many writings, from Arabian nights to the works of the modern Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz. Getting enjoyably lost amongst the winding alleys while walking from the hotel to the nearby Khan-el-Khalili bazaar is one of the pleasures of staying here.
However, a guided walking tour is also available to help you make the most of your surroundings and explore the various different bazaars, markets and architectures around you. Other optional tours available include a City Tour to the Citadel with its great views over the city, the tiny streets and churches of Coptic Cairo, and the famous Egyptian Museum, home to the amazing Tutunkhamun display. You could also take a trip to learn more about the history of Pyramid building at Memphis, Saqqara and Dashour, or enjoy a full day trip to the colonial coastal city of Alexandria.
You may also take a flight to the Nile-side city of Luxor in Upper Egypt, which hosts an incredible number and variety of ancient Egyptian temples, tombs and other sites. This overnight trip includes a tour of Karnak Temple on the East Bank of the Nile, plus the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatchepsut Temple, and the Valley of the Artisans on the West Bank, with a night spent in a 5-star hotel by the NIle before you fly back to Cairo again.
Day 4 : Cairo Free Day, Optional Tours
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cairo boutique hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
You have another free day in Cairo today with all the same optional tours available.
Day 5 : Cairo, Free Time, Departure Airport Transfer
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: N/A
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your time is free today for some last minute sightseeing or shopping until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Alternatively you can add extra nights to your time in Cairo.
What's Included
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Accommodation in luxury boutique all-suite hotel in the heart of Old Cairo
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All transport and transfers in private AC vehicles
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24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
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Daily breakfast
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City Tax, Service Charge and VAT
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Tour to the Pyramids & Sphinx with an Egyptologist guide
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Entrance fees to the Pyramids & Sphinx
What's Not Included
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International flights (available on request)
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Visa fees (US$25 available on arrival for most nationalities)
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Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)
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Meals not indicated in the itinerary
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Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
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Optional tours
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Tour guide and hotel tips
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Hotel gala dinners (additional US$170 p/p if your stay covers New Year's Eve, 31 Dec)
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Any other items not mentioned above
Mode of Transport
A/C minibus
Accommodation
Luxury Boutique Hotel - Le Riad Hotel de Charme
Check out our Q&As
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What should I know before traveling?
It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters. General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not. You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds. Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Our Egypt tours include a 24-hour airport meet & assist service in Cairo airport, your arrival and departure airport-hotel transfers and all other transfers. Our representative will meet you in the immigration hall of Cairo airport before you get to passport control. They will assist with visa formalities before helping you collect your luggage and taking you to your hotel. Your airport transfers are only included on the first and last day of the set tour itinerary, plus on any additional days if you book your hotel room with us. If you make your own arrangements for additional accommodation at either the beginning or the end of the tour then you will need to arrange your own airport transfers on these days.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation. Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are: Egypt: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A Jordan: Tetanus, Hepatitis A Israel: Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis Lebanon: Dipheria, Hepatitis A Malaria is not generally present unless it has been contracted abroad; you do not need to take malaria prophylactics. More information is available here: Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon Note: We are aware of some places in Egypt using 'black henna' instead of pure brown henna. Black henna contains a chemical dye PPD (paraphenylenediamine) which can result in severe allergic reactions and resultant scarring. To be safe we recommend avoiding any henna tattoos while in Egypt unless you are certain they are using pure brown henna.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Our Small Group tours do not include entrance fees to the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. We do however normally include these in prices for Tailor-Made and Escorted tours. Please check the Inclusions and Exclusions section below the tour itinerary for a details about your tour and the amount you may need to budget. This amount is subject to change and will be reconfirmed in Egypt at the start of your tour. A 50% discount for minors or ISIC card holders is often, but not always available. Your guide will be happy to collect payment for all the entrance fees at the start of the tour, and pay them for you as you go along if you wish. This payment is normally collected in US Dollars cash together with payment for any Tipping Kitty used on the tour, though you may also pay with Egyptian Pounds or other currencies, converted to USD. Local exchange rates are set on a monthly basis and based on local bank rates so may not match the exact rates you may find online on the day.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
In Egypt we provide fully trained, local English-speaking graduate Egyptologist guides to run your tour and escort you during all of the sightseeing in Cairo and the Nile Valley. We also have permanent local reps in all the main towns/cities and Red Sea resorts who are also at your service, and will be handling all the practical arrangements for the tour. We use local Bedouin guides for tours through the desert. On some departures we may use one guide in Cairo, and a second guide if you are travelling between Aswan and Luxor. At Encounters Travel we only use local Egyptian guides and reps. We feel this gives you the best experience of the country and the sites you are seeing. Please check our website for more details and profiles of some of our most famous Egyptian guides.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities. We recommend that you contact your closest Egyptian consulate or embassy for current information for your nationality. In general official advice is that all nationalities obtain their Egypt visas in advance, as we cannot guarantee that you can get them in the airport. An online e-visa is available through visa2egypt. Please do not use any other website as there are many scam sites offering Egypt e-visas. In practice however, many nationalities (including British and European, Australian, New Zealand, USA, Canadian) can and do obtain their visas on arrival in Cairo airport. The process is much quicker and simpler, the cost is currently US$25 p/p and must be paid in hard currency (i.e. GBP, USD or EUR) - you'll be given change in local currency if necessary. There are no forms to fill in and you don't need to bring passport photos. Visas are issued at one of the bank desks in the immigration hall, before you get to passport control. Our representative will have met you by this stage and will assist with the process. All African & Indian nationals, and some others, will need to obtain their visas in advance. For further information on your visa requirements, please either contact us or your local Egyptian embassy/consulate.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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