Home of the ancient pyramids, pharaohs, and the legendary Nile, Egypt needs no introduction

For a small group tour of Egypt home of the great pyramid of giza , pharaoh and ancient temples, and the legendary river Nile, Egypt needs no introduction. Its fame is richly deserved: where else can you visit monuments as iconic as the Great Giza Pyramids , the Sphinx, and the 3000-year-old Abu Simbel? But it’s not all ancient history and a museum on guided small group tours with Odyssey Traveller. Cairo – then known as Al Qahira – was the capital of a medieval Islamic empire, with the soaring minarets and mosques to prove it, while Egypt‘s rich Coptic Christian tradition is manifest in the churches of Old Cairosuch as St Catherine’s monastery. Things do change, with a new capital city being built and from 2021 we will be visiting the new museum in Cairo with its first class collection of Egyptian antiquities.

Egypt Tours

Crafted for mature World Travellers

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Egypt tour valley of the kings

18 days

Jan, Nov

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

Visiting Egypt

Our small group program for senior and mature couples and solo travelers takes us to contemporary feats such as the Aswan Dam and also to current crucibles of the Egyptian experience such as Tahrir Square. Proof, were it needed, that Egypt’s role as the pivot of civilisation is far from ended. There is the opportunity to visit our Morocco, Jordan or Iran tours before embarking on this tour of Egypt.

From A$12,950 AUD

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And, lucky for hungry travellers, the food is reliably excellent, fusing Middle East staples with culinary traditions dating back to Ancient Egypt.

A trip to Egypt on Odyssey’s Egypt tours from Australia or anywhere else in the world are classic tour packages that include in our Egypt tour package the icons such as the Giza Pyramid , Egyptian museum , valley of the King and Queen where we examine the archaeological sites, we also visit the Luxor temple with its statues of Ramses and Karnak. Travelling from Luxor Aswan on a nile cruise along the river Nile to see the Aswan high dam, we visit various sites for their ancient temples and antiquities to extend your knowledge of Egyptian history in this amazing country. Odyssey’s Egypt tours also include the fascinating ancient city of Alexandria including the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria .

If you choose to visit Egypt it can be paired with a trip to Egypt and Jordan tour with Odyssey’s small group tour programs for travelers. These tours to Egypt include destinations that share our knowledge with you and include all entrance fees ,including museum (s) majority of meals , breakfast lunch dinner allowing you to enjoy the sights.

Articles about Egypt

20 Total Articles
Egypt, Luxor - Thebes, Temples of Karnak

Thebes, Egypt

Thebes, the ancient Egyptian city know within Luxor, located some 800km from the Mediterranean sea. Odyssey offers small group tours to Egypt to explore the history of the Nile and the ancient Egyptians. An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers.

22 Dec 23 · 10 mins read
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Egypt small group tours

The Dazzling Aten, Egypt

Egypt, the Egyptians, Pyramids, the Nile, Luxor or Alexandria plus much more hold a fascination for the traveller. Beyond the antiquities is the pivotal role in early merchant trade, particularly spice and the links to Venice. Learn more with a small group educational tour with Odyssey Traveller serving senior couples and mature solo travellers. An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983.

13 May 22 · 9 mins read
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Caesar and Cleopatra in Egypt

Caesar and Cleopatra in Egypt

Learn about the Roman Emperor Caesar exploring Egypt and the historians interpretation of the relationship with Cleopatra. An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers.

14 Mar 23 · 9 mins read
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Birth of the Nile River

Birth of the Nile River

The Nile, one of the world's great river systems for trade and agricultural production. Learn more about the river and its journey our across Egypt. An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers.

3 Apr 23 · 8 mins read
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The Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone

Learning about the Rosetta stone, part of the deep history of Egypt An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers.

18 Jul 23 · 7 mins read
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River Nile at Luxor in Egypt

Nile River Cruise

The Nile River is the longest river in the world at 6695 kilometres long. Flowing from Uganda, through eleven countries, through to Egypt, it empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

1 Jan 20 · 4 mins read
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Touring Egypt

Things to Know

Getting Around

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains, ferries and planes. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Odyssey’s Egypt tour requires two short internal flights – one from Cairo to Luxor and another from Aswan to Cairo.

Accommodation

In major cities in Egypt, Odyssey stays in centrally located 4 -5 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our long stay tours, during which we spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Tour Guides

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Geography, environmnet & Weather

Egypt is situated at the meeting place of North Africa and Southwest Asia. It extends into Asia by virtue of holding the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is bordered by Israel and the Gaza Strip to the north-east, by Sudan to the south and by Libya to the west. The Mediterranean and Red Seas (to the north and east respectively) bound the nation. It is geographically
dominated both by the Nile River and its fertile well-watered valley, and by the Eastern and Western deserts. It is predominantly desert, and only 3.5% of the total land area is permanently settled. Almost 99% of the population live along the valleys and delta of the Nile.
The climate is variable, but generally defined by hot and dry summers, and moderate winters. There is almost no rain in the Nile valley, but the North coast receives some of the country’s heaviest rains.

World Heritage sites

Egypt contains seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can view the official list of the sites here (http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/EG). While every site has something of value, here are a few highlights:

The early Christian holy city of Abu Mena

Ancient Thebes, the pinnacle of Egyptian civilisation, including the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens

The Pyramid Fields in Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, once considered one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World

Festivals & events

Egypt celebrates an amazing variety of religious, secular and ancient cultural festivals.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with a fast-breaking festival known as Eid-al-Fitr. The festival follows the lunar calendar so is on a different date each year.

Leylet en Nuktah is the ancient Egyptian celebration of the rise of the Nile River. On June 17 each year, modern Egyptians picnic and camp along the shores of the river or spend the night with family and friends.

Most Egyptians, regardless of religion, join in the festivities of Coptic Christmas on January 7. In the week prior, homes and businesses are decked out in colourful lights and decorations.

Sham al-Naseem, or ‘sniffing the breeze’, is an ancient holiday celebrating the coming of spring on March 21.

Reading list

  1. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkinson
  2. Napoleon in Egypt by Paul Strathern
  3. Public Culture and Islam in Modern Egypt by Hatsuki Aishima
  4. The Automobile Club of Egypt: A Novel by Alaa Al Aswany
  5. Egyptian Myth: A Very Short Introduction by Geraldine Pinch

Eating & Drinking

Egyptian food reflects its place at the crossroads of three continents, often combining aspects of Lebanese, Greek, Syrian, French and Turkish cooking. There are also regional differences: northern cities like Alexandria are more Mediterranean in style, while food can be much spicier in the south.

Egyptian staples are bread (usually pita), fuul (fava beans) and taamiya (deep-fried green bean patties). Many more flavoursome local delights can be enjoyed in the cafés, street stalls and restaurants of Egyptian cities and towns.

As a mostly Muslim country, most Egyptians give alcohol a wide berth. Alcohol cannot be sold during Ramadan. Egyptians instead usually prefer tea, Turkish coffee or a refreshing scented beverage known as Karkaday.

Health & Safety

Prior to making the decision to travel you should check, smarttraveller.gov or the equivalent. It’s always best to check the latest details before setting out on a trip. Certain parts of Egypt should be avoided for the time being, particularly the border with Libya. There are risks associated with certain areas, and it is important to take these into consideration when planning your trip. But countries like Egypt rely heavily on tourism, and refusing travel can be detrimental to a struggling economy. Stay apprised of government recommendations for Egypt in order to be best prepared for your trip.

Typically you should only consume bottled water and avoid foods such as salads that have been prepared with local water.

Electrical supply

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. Plugs in Egypt are type C and F, so make sure to pick up the right adaptor before your trip.

Tour Reviews

Both cruise ships exceeded our expectations for cleanliness and quality of service.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

A tour beyond expectation. Egypt has so much to offer from the past and Odyssey did a fantastic job.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

I did this tour last year and can thoroughly recommend it. The security was very tight, both during the travel and in the hotels. The Egyptologist we had with us was an expert on the history and culture of the country. We travelled widely and saw so much of the treasures and wonders that are exclusive to Egypt.

Carol Fraser

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

Mal was a wonderful Program leader. She would be the best tour leader we have ever experienced. Her obvious experience and her calm demeanor contributed greatly to the cohesiveness of our group which, in turn, contributed to our enjoyment.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

This was a fascinating program and the support was outstanding

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

Our Egyptologist, Mohammed, was excellent. Not only was he a very experienced tour guide and very knowledgeable, he was very organised and friendly and we always felt secure with him. He contributed greatly to our enjoyment of the trip.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

This tour was excellent, encompassing not only historical Egypt but also introducing us to modern Egypt. The varied travel by bus, small cruise ship and air, contributed to our interest and enjoyment. The extremely high quality of our tour leader, the Egyptologist and the local guide enhanced our knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of this tour.

Participant 2018

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

FAQs

What time zone is Egypt located in?

Egypt has a single time zone, Egypt Standard Time, which is exactly the same as Eastern European Time. That is Egypt is two hours ahead of GMT.

Is tipping customary in Egypt?

If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you make sure you tip an appropriate amount for services, as is the case throughout much of Egypt.

Generally tipping around 10% is good etiquette at a restaurant in Egypt. However, you will more than likely see a “service charge” on your bill. This service charge goes to the restaurant, not the waiter so be sure to tip the waiter or waitress in addition.

What is internet access like?

Internet access is quite good in Egypt, with even the smallest villages boasting at least basic internet access. In Cairo, most cafes and fast food outlets provide free wireless internet. A word of caution: always read the fine print before browsing on a free wifi network.

Can I use my mobile in Egypt?

If you have a 3G or higher phone with global roaming capability, your phone will work in Egypt, as long as you are in an area with phone service. You will be charged international roaming rates.

Can I drink the water in Egypt?

Only drink bottled water. If the water doesn’t taste right, even if it was unsealed in front of you, send it back and get another.

Responsible Travel Tips for Egypt

  1. Be considerate of Egypt’s customs, traditions, religion and culture. Culturally Egypt can be vastly different from many Western countries.
  2. If sightseeing in rural areas, remember to be respectful of residents and locals. As well as being tourist attractions, these are peoples’ homes!
  3. Support local artisans and vendors, when appropriate.
  4. Monitor travel warnings and check the latest details before setting out on a trip.
  5. Carry a card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
  6. Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
  7. When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Museums & galleries are often closed on Mondays. Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
  8. Consider contacting your bank to inform them that you may be making purchases overseas. Otherwise, they may flag any activity on your account as suspicious. Also, check which ATMs and banks are compatible with your cards, to ensure you can withdraw cash with minimal fees.
  9. Before departing, make sure you have a number of pounds in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.

Articles published by Odyssey Traveller about Egypt.

For more FAQs, click here to read our article on Egypt. The following articles may also be of interest:

Links to External sites about Egypt.

Learn more about Egypt before you travel with these articles and links to external sites.

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