Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Please read our general
FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.
Resources to Learn & Teach about Egypt
Visit our
recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have
lesson plans and
Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.
Terms and Conditions
It is very important to review our
Terms and Conditions before signing up for a GEEO program.
GEEO Program Confirmation Process
Most GEEO programs are officially confirmed to run once 4 participants have registered. If at least 8 people sign up by our designated deadline, the program will run as a private GEEO trip. Should enrollment fall between 4 and 8, the trip will still take place, but it may transition into a
shared departure with our partner tour operator, G Adventures. In this scenario, the itinerary, dates, and pricing for those who have already registered will remain unchanged, although additional travelers from outside GEEO may join the trip.A large majority of GEEO programs remain private for just educators, retired educators, and their guests. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we’ll keep you updated throughout the process—first when 4 participants have registered and again once 8 people have signed up. As always, we recommend exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements (for example, booking flights with flexible change or cancellation policies) until your program is confirmed to run.
Cancellation Policy
Below is the cancellation policy for most GEEO programs and participants.
(Exception for participants who receive grants from our university partners: To address disruption caused by cancellation from grant recipients, deposits paid by grant recipients are forfeited upon cancellation.)
- If you cancel 90 days or more before your program begins, your $350 deposit will remain on file for future use and never expires. Any additional payments you have made will be refunded.
- If you cancel between 30 and 89 days before your program begins, your $350 deposit will remain on file for future use and never expires. You will also receive 50% of your remaining program cost as a travel credit; alternatively, you can request a refund of the travel credit, minus a 2% administrative fee. The other 50% of your remaining balance will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
- If you cancel within 30 days before your program starts, your $350 deposit will remain on file for future use and never expires. The remaining balance of your program cost will be forfeited as a cancellation fee.
Please submit your cancellation request in writing via email to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105.
Trip Notes & Expectations
Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program contained on this page. Our programs are quite adventurous, and we find that clients who read the trip details in full are happier with their experiences.
- WINTER TRIPS: Please note that some sites, museums, and restaurants may be closed over Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. It is recommended that you check the operating hours of any sites or establishments that you plan to visit to avoid disappointment. It is also common for prices for meals and other services to increase during peak tourist seasons or holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s. Additionally, we may need to alter the itinerary on and around these holidays to maximize your time during your trip. Hopefully, you will be able to experience some local customs and traditions and see how people in other parts of the world experience the holidays. Traveling over Christmas and New Year’s can allow you to see a destination in a different light. You may be able to attend local festivals, try traditional foods, see special decorations, and participate in cultural activities that can add an extra layer of festivity and cheer to your trip. Overall, traveling over the holidays can be a fun and rewarding way to learn about and experience another culture.
- ACCOMMODATION: The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the hotels, the beds are comfortable, and the staff is always very friendly. Do not expect luxury, however, as our priority is keeping our programs as affordable as possible. The hotel in Alexandria (an 18th-century building with classical European decor) may feel a little dated to some people, while others will have a more regal atmosphere with scenic views of the Nile.
- TRANSPORTATION: We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.
- ACTIVITY LEVEL: This trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. The heat and sun during the summer can be very taxing. We recommend always carrying water and snacks with you, as meals can sometimes be far apart.
- EXCURSION RECOMMENDATIONS: Tourists often face overcharging when buying excursions from street vendors or at the airport. If you arrive early and want to book excursions, it’s best to wait until you reach the joining hotel and consult the local staff for reliable options. You can also use websites like TripAdvisor or Viator. Throughout the trip, G Adventures can arrange optional activities through your tour leader, which is generally the safest and simplest method. However, this might cost more than using other local suppliers, and we cannot guarantee the safety and quality of activities not booked through G Adventures. Please note all optional activities and entrance fees will need to be paid by card only as per a new change implemented by the ministry of tourism in Egypt.
- MONEY & TIPPING: U.S. dollars must be in pristine condition, with no tears or markings. We recommend using an ATM to obtain the local currency for cash purchases and tipping. To make things easier and avoid awkward situations, your tour leader will collect a contribution from each traveler at the start of the program and use these funds to tip anybody who provides services to the entire group. On Day 1 of your program, the tour leader will advise everyone about how much to contribute to this "tipping kitty." You can contribute USD (new, crisp bills) or the equivalent local currency, but the local currency is typically preferred.
- NILE CRUISE: Our Nile cruise boat is modern with many of the amenities of our comfortable hotels. Cabins are twin/double with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. Facilities onboard include a large single-sitting restaurant, lounge with bar, and sun deck with a small pool. 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.
- INTERNAL FLIGHT: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour. It is important that we have your passport information as soon as possible in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally, and you will receive your boarding pass at the airport. Domestic carriers for internal flights will be Egypt Air or Nile Air. Flight information will not be available until a couple of days prior to departure. The maximum luggage allowance on the domestic flights is 20 kg for a checked bag, plus a carry-on and personal item. You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
- HEALTH: It is advisable to drink only bottled water in Egypt. Smoking is more prevalent in Egypt than in the United States, so be sure to pack medicine if cigarette smoke is an allergen/respiratory irritant.
- TOUR LEADER: Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip. All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.
Single Travelers
Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our
extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email
travel@geeo.org to request a single room.
Emergency Contacts
Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
Your arrival transfer will be arranged based on flight information provided to G Adventures. If you are advised of a flight schedule change within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, they will do their best to rearrange your arrival transfer, but they cannot guarantee this. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area, please take a taxi to your hotel.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
G Adventures regional office emergency contact number: +44 1858378000
G Adventures local contact emergency phone number: +20 100 000 3945
If you are unable for any reason to contact G Adventures’ local office, they have a toll-free line which will connect you directly with their Toronto office:
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
Packing List
Please
read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person.
Suggested (click to expand)
- Fleece top (it can get cold)
- Light windproof/waterproof jacket – chances are it won’t rain much
- Scarf, warm hat, gloves
- Sun hat
- Personal clothing for variable weather ranging from the 40s to low 60s F
- Daypack
- Sturdy walking shoes
- Sport sandals or flip-flops
- Plenty of sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
- Flashlight or headlamp (or use your phone)
- Toiletries – your hotels will provide soap and shampoo
- Camera (or use your phone)
- First-aid kit, including: lip balm, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking
Optional (click to expand)
- Travel pillow
- Light weight silk sleep sheet
- Money belt
- Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi, but you will also want an eSIM when WiFi is not reliable (we recommend Airalo)
- Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
- Portable phone charger
- AirTags or Tile trackers
- Packing cubes
- Earplugs
- Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks locally, so don’t go crazy here
- Ziplock bags (e.g., for wet clothing)
- Reading/writing material
- Hand sanitizer/baby wipes
- Tissue packets or toilet paper (public toilets rarely have toilet paper, but you can purchase some from attendants)
Documents (click to expand)
- Passport (with photocopies)
- Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
- Travel insurance ID card
- Flight itinerary/boarding pass(es)
- USD/EUR cash
- Credit/debit card
- G Adventures vouchers
- GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent a few days before departure
Laundry
Laundry facilities are offered by several of our hotels for a charge, or you can ask your tour leader where the nearest laundromat is located.
Passports and Visas
All GEEO programs require a valid passport. Please see our general
FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching
the U.S. State Department's International Travel Guidance.
PASSPORT
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your departure date from Egypt. Be sure to renew your passport if it does not meet this requirement to avoid any issues at immigration.
VISA
U.S. citizens must obtain a visa to travel to Egypt. We recommend purchasing a
single-entry visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport. A G Adventures representative will meet you at the airport and assist with this process. You must pay in cash ($25 exactly, no change); Egyptian Pounds and credit cards are not accepted as payment methods when obtaining an Egyptian entry visa. ATMs are available for cash withdrawal if needed.
Visa on Arrival
-
If your arrival in Egypt is atypical and you will not be met by a G Adventures representative, look for windows (marked “banks”) at the airport in the area where you line up to have your passport stamped. You need to purchase a visa from one of these kiosks before entering the passport line. The visa is a sticker that will need to be added to your passport before you proceed through the immigration checkpoint.
E-Visa in Advance
We feel it is much easier and more straightforward to receive your visa on arrival, but you may also apply for an e-visa in advance from the official Egyptian e-visa website
here. The website can be buggy and difficult to use, but if you choose this option, we suggest applying at least 7 days before your trip. The GEEO team is available to assist with any questions you may have while filling out the application.
Money Exchange
The local currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com.
We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently.
Tipping
Tipping (also widely referred to by its Arabic term, “baksheesh”) is a way of life in the Middle East. It is customary and even expected to tip small service providers such as restaurant and bar waiters, hotel staff, cleaning staff, luggage porters, and taxi drivers. In many cases, people depend on the tips they receive to supplement low salaries/wages. A guideline for budgeting for tips is approximately $5-10 USD per day.
To make things as easy as possible and avoid awkward situations, G Adventures utilized a tipping kitty system in which your tour leader will collect a contribution from each traveler at the start of the program and use these funds to tip anybody who provides services to the entire group. On Day 1 of your tour, the tour leader will be able to advise on the amount to contribute to the tipping kitty (likely around $100 USD). You can contribute USD or the equivalent local currency, but the local currency is typically preferred.
At the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. The amount is entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline, $6-9 USD per person per day would be appropriate.
Vaccinations
GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting
Passport Health, which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the
CDC's recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously!
Flights
We find the best prices for flights are often available around 120 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year.
You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.
This program begins and ends in Cairo. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Cairo. You may want to arrive in Egypt one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Cairo any time on the final day of the program, or stay longer to see more of the city.
Plugs and Converters
There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S.
Egypt uses a European-style Type C plug with two circular prongs, and the voltage is 220V. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.
Weather
December is a great time to visit Egypt. Mostly sunshine with very little rain with temperatures typically in the 50s and 60s. However, our winter Egypt groups have told us it was a lot colder than expected. Please make sure you have warm clothes, including a winter coat, hat and gloves.
🗣️ Advice from other GEEO travelers:
- It is unfortunate but unavoidable in Egypt—you will drink a lot of bottled water. You can purchase it on the bus (e.g., three bottles for $1 USD), and the hotels typically provide one or two complimentary bottles.
- Make sure any cash USD bills that you bring are in new condition—crisp and without tears or markings.
- Vendors can be aggressive in Egypt. Practice saying no and thank you ("shokran" in Arabic). Avoid eye contact with street vendors if you are not interested in purchasing anything.
- Brush up on Ancient Egyptian history and religion/mythology. The Egyptologist tour leader will be excellent, but you'll get even more out of the trip if you have some historical and cultural context going into it.
- Bring toilet paper- it is not readily available in many places and you may need to pay extra. I found it helpful to just have some in my purse or backpack.
- Bottled water is an absolute must- I would not recommend drinking anything with ice in it.
- My favorite part of the trip was our time on the Nile River cruise and our visit to the Nubian village. Treat yourself to some henna!
- The food was difficult for my stomach so I stuck to mostly vegetarian options.
- You will want to ask about seeing a papyrus shop and stone shop. Your guide can arrange this and you will get to see paper and art being made. It was amazing. We also did this with an essential oil shop on our visit.
- It is a heavy tipping culture, but lots of banks and ATMs can be found at any point of your trip.
- There are cold water bottles available for sale on the bus.
- Bringing a filter for purifying water can save you from wasting so much plastic. (See GEEO's gear recommendation list.)
- "It's not pretty, but everyone really should get a prescription for diarrhea. I think everyone had some rough days and Imodium just won't cut it."
- "I washed my clothes by hand a lot. We had laundry options on the boat and I think one hotel because we moved so frequently. Laundry was kind of pricey to folks, and I found hand washing to be fine. But I think just to let folks know to bring clothes that can handwash and dry well or at least a shirt or two that are specifically made to wick wetness and such. I brought one t-shirt from REI that was so brilliant for this trip, and I wore it a majority of the days, handwashing it each night!"
- The currency exchange won’t take US bills that have the slightest flaw in them (tears, pen marks, excessive wear, etc.), so if you bring US cash and want to exchange it instead of using the ATMs, make sure you go to the bank in the US and get new bills.
- Meals are substantially more expensive at the hotels.
- Getting small Egyptian currency is a problem and a lot of shops would not accept 100 or 200 pound bills, which is what most of us were getting from the ATMs. I found out on the last day that some ATMs at banks dispense only small currency.
- If the bill is 35 Egyptian pounds and you have a 50 and a 200 bill, try the big bill first to see if they can break it and save the small stuff for water and bathrooms. Sometimes they can provide change, but other times they will ask for something smaller. If they don’t have the correct change, they will give you what they can and keep the difference.
- I never had any luck withdrawing cash from an ATM using my Visa credit card, but fortunately, I also had my debit card - otherwise, I would have been in trouble.
- It can be hard to find feminine products outside of pharmacies, so bring enough supplies regardless of where the trip falls in your cycle.
