Map of Places

*Breakfast at Panorama Pyramids Inn and Breakfast Staff*

*Included Breakfast at Panorama Pyramids Inn*

Notes

We loved Egypt, the history, activities, and culture. However, there were some “vibe killers” to be aware of: this is to prepare, not scare.
Tipping culture:

Everyone from random people outside pyramid entrances, restaurants, or airports to street children may demand a tip.
Some people will follow you, talk to you, and try to get you to pay. Just tell them politely: “I am with my guide / I do not need help”.
Do not give random people anything. It encourages the behavior.
Do tip your hired guides, drivers, and restaurant staff appropriately.

Always carry your own bags. People can be aggressive trying to take luggage to demand a tip.

Even with a tour company, random people may pretend to work for your company.

Women: cat-calling is common, even with a male companion or guide. Ignore it for safety; do not respond. Some men will make bizarre and rude comments especially in busier/bigger cities. Although EXTREMELY annoying, as long as you’re prepared you’ll still have an amazing time exploring all that is Egypt!
Egypt gets a lot of tourists; customer service is not guaranteed. Use a reliable guide, like Amil from ETM. We had other certified guides through out the trip, but none compared to Amil. Since we wished we had him from the start, he is who we will recommend below.
Taxis: always agree on a total price per vehicle/trip before getting in. Avoid “pay what you want” tricks. Check prices with your hotel. Ensure the price is per ride not per person.
Bring goggles and a snorkel to avoid renting.
Type C/F adapter needed.

Day 1: Cairo & Giza

Upon arrival, if you arrive at night, have a prearranged taxi from your hotel take you to the hotel. If you arrive in the morning, have your ETM driver start your day right from the airport, coordinate luggage storage until check-in at night.
We suggest Panorama Pyramids Inn (1 night). This hotel has STUNNING views of the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, as well as an included breakfast feast of Egyptian cuisine.

Be sure to mention to the staff what time you plan on starting breakfast, and budget some time for them to bring a huge spread, with each of the items out one at a time. We had awesome breakfast staff here when we visited.
Book transportation with the hotel in advance; notify them of your arrival time.

Arrange for Egypt Tailor Made (ETM) to pick you up from your hotel for your day exploring the pyramids. Request Amil!

He was so knowledgable, funny, and smart. He will pick up on what you like most, and incorporate that into what he is sharing with you. He was truly a joy to tour with.

You will need to specifically tell them to include these sites:

3 Main Pyramids: Cheops, Chephren, Menkaure.
The Sphinx.
Camel ride to Panorama Point (separate fee; ask guide for best photo spots & to be your photographer).
Optional: enter one pyramid (climbing/bending may be tiring).
Islamic Cairo: mosque, citadel, bazar.
Coptic Cairo: churches and religious buildings.
Khan el-Khalili Market.
Lunch between pyramids and Islamic/Coptic Cairo.

Evening:

Nile River Dinner Cruise: Egyptian cuisine and entertainment. Inform ETM that you would like to do this and they will arrange it for you.
After dinner they will drop you off back at the hotel; head up to the rooftop for views of the pyramids lit up at night.

Day 2: Dashur, Memphis & Saqqara

Have ETM pick you up from your hotel for your day exploring these sites.

Dashur: Bent Pyramid & tombs; first introduction to ancient paintings (hieroglyphs).
Memphis: ancient city with local Egyptian artifacts.
Saqqara: Step Pyramid; ask guide for best pyramid to enter.
Oriental Carpet School: see rug-making, optional souvenir purchases.
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization: 20 preserved mummies; optional guide assistance but not necessary (we went unguided). You can buy tickets at entrance.
Dinner at Pizza Hut near pyramids. Yes, it’s just Pizza Hut and we have those in the USA but trust us you’ll want to eat on the top floor for sunset view of the pyramids!

Evening

Flight to Sharm El Sheikh pre-booked. Take a taxi pre-arranged by hotel to the airport.
Upon arrival in Sharm El Sheikh, use pre-arranged (by the hotel) taxi to your accommodation (4 nights).

Day 3: Red Sea Diving

Book (in advance) 2–3 boat dives with Emperor Divers.
Breakfast: request to-go from hotel.
Lunch included for an extra fee; relax on boat, swim/snorkel during surface intervals.
Snorkeling is an alternative available for non-certified divers.

Evening:

Soho Square for dinner and drinks; check out Soho House. You can also buy snacks/drinks for next day’s tour.

Woman smiling sitting on a ledge overlooking the Treasury at Petra in Jordan — *The Treasury*

Day 4: Petra, Jordan

This tour is very involved and includes many different routes of transportation. For this reason, we would not suggest attempting this on your own. We used this tour company Sharmers Excursions, but there are a few companies that do this tour. This is a very long, very busy day. You will spend majority of the day traveling and just a few hours exploring Petra, but it is worth it.
They can only do this tour on certain days of the week, so make sure you check out which days you can do this.
Starts with a van pick up → bus → ferry to Jordan→ bus → Petra.
Pickup ~1am.
Be sure to check the website for all the things you should pack: passport, snacks, etc.

Border warning: cameras with zoom lenses may be confiscated. We did get ours back, but it was questionable and if I knew it would be an issue I wouldn’t have brought it.

Petra Highlights:

Siq Canyon.
The Treasury: most famous and photo worthy sight in Petra is a do not miss!
Avoid camel/horse rides here; Bedouins will peddle photo ops.
There are other opportunities to ride camels (Giza Pyramids) and these camels are (in our experience) treated more ethically and the views are better than the ones you would get here.

Lunch in nearby town with tour group.
Return to Sharm El Sheikh (~11pm).

Day 5: Colored Canyon & Blue Hole

Tour, choose company based on reviews. We used Egyptra.
Colored Canyon: the drive will be escorted by police for safety; then transfer to a local dune-drifting caravan.
Optional: hike further into canyon for more gorgeous scenery.
Camel ride along the ocean: short (~100 feet each way), it felt rushed and not worth it, You then get off the camel and the guide demands a tip for his 5 minutes of walking beside you. We could have done with out this, but it’s included so you decide.
Lunch at Blue Hole: sit on rugs/pillows on upper level for beautiful ocean view.
Snorkeling at Blue Hole: you can change at the restaurant, and leave your stuff behind with your guide.

You will get in at a rocky natural entrance point, and snorkel the edge of shore until you get to the exit location with a ladder. Ask about life jacket if needed.
See a beautiful array of vibrant fish and coral. It was slightly chilly when we went, but honestly one of the most amazing snorkeling spots we’ve ever been to. Once we entered we forgot about the cold pretty quickly as the marine life distracted us! You can also pack a wet suit for more comfort.

Evening:

Dinner in downtown Sharm El Sheikh at Fares Seafood.
Shopping downtown is an option as well.
Take a taxi back to your accommodation. There are usually some waiting outside the mall.

Day 6: Luxor: East & West Bank

Pre-booked early flight from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor.
Schedule your tour with ETM to include these stops. Be sure to include airport pick up as well as drop off at your accommodation (2 nights) at the end of the day.

Valley of the Kings: pick any 3 tombs (Ramses III, IV, IX recommended).
Additional ticket: King Tut’s Tomb (only mummy here that is still in his tomb with treasures still inside).
Colossi of Memnon: photo stop with two massive sitting statues, and ancient artifacts found in the area.
Temple of Hatshepsut: learn about her achievements and rivalry with Thutmose III.

Unless you want to pay extra to go inside and have more time than we did, just ask your guide to point out the Valley of the Queens and Valley of the Workers (the people who made the tombs).

Felucca boat ride on Nile + Banana Island lunch.

You will be offered the opportunity to view a menagerie of wild captive animals. Research this ahead of time and decline if poor treatment of animals is upsetting to you. We didn’t know about it ahead of time, but once we saw it, it wasn’t the sort of thing we would knowingly support.

Karnak Temple: second-largest ancient religious site, pillars, statues, carvings.
Luxor Temple: visit at sunset; walk along 600 sphinx statues.
Drop off at hotel and enjoy buffet dinner.

*Temple of Hatshepsut from Hot Air Balloon*

Day 7: Hot Air Balloon, Dendera & Abydos

Arrange an early to-go breakfast before your Hot Air Balloon ride during sunrise over Valley of the Kings, arrange for ETM to pre-book; professional photographer may restrict cameras.
You will also need to schedule drop off in advance both with the Hot Air Balloon company and your guide as it will save you time to NOT go back to the hotel in between.
Your guide will then continue your tour immediately after the ride.
Dendera Temple of Hathor: multi-era site with hieroglyphics and columns.
Abydos Temple of Seti I: ancient city and memorial temple.
Arrange drop off for Dinner in Luxor and then taxi back to hotel.

Day 8: Back to Cairo

Arrange transportation with your hotel to the airport for the earliest available flight back to Cairo for your return flight home.
Optional: Egyptian Museum if time allows.

Egypt

Passports and PTO

Contact

Egypt

Cayman Islands

Morocco

Passports and PTO

Contact