True Egypt

Explore an ancient desert monastery, take a local-led food tour around the backstreets of Cairo & sail the Nile on a private felucca

What's Included

Accommodation in twin rooms
Max 14 travellers per group
Experienced Pack Leader with you throughout the trip
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Stay in hand-picked 4-5 star hotels
We offset the carbon emissions per person on this trip
Arrival airport transfer
All local transport including a private felucca on the Nile
1 domestic flight

Flashpackers are required to produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination 30 days before departure OR proof of a negative test within 72 hours of their adventure starting. Flashpackers must also provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their adventure. Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.

About your trip

Bypass the generic tours and wander straight into Egypt’s beating, authentic heart with Flash Pack.

On this adventure, prepare to go so much further than the Egypt you conjure in your mind’s eye. Over the course of eight days you’ll explore Cairo’s atmospheric backstreets and visit exotic medieval bazaars, and you’ll travel to an ancient desert monastery that once housed 1,000 monks. You’ll dine with a Nubian family and disappear into the fabric of Egyptian life on a local-led food tour. You’ll even get to feel like a pharaoh as you ride a camel around the legendary pyramids of Giza.

Among the more intrepid moments, there’ll be hours of perfect calm, too. Think sailing down the Nile on your private felucca, passing untouched riverside communities, and stints in luxe hotels with pools to retreat into from the North African sun. All experienced with new friends, united in a mission to be lost in the heady magic of true Egypt.

Our Favourite Hotels

Here's a taste of the hotels we sometimes use on this adventure. The hotels you'll stay in for your departure will be shared with you one month before you go.

Conrad Cairo Hotel

A sophisticated five-star stay in the heart of the capital. Enjoy killer views of the Nile from the gorgeous outdoor pool or try your hand at a game of roulette in the 24-hour casino.

Sonesta St George, Luxor

Four-star grandeur set on the banks of the Nile, Sonesta St George feels like a world of its own. Expect a glistening outdoor pool, a top-notch restaurant and superb river views to watch the world drift by.

Mövenpick Aswan

Set on an island in the middle of the Nile, river views don’t get much better than this. The five-star hotel is a secluded oasis, with a Nubian-style orangerie and infinity pool surrounded by vast tropical gardens.

Important Notes

What airport do I need to fly in and out of?

Fly into Cairo (CAI) and fly out of Luxor (LXR).

What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?

We recommend arriving by 2 pm.

Your welcome meeting with your Flash Pack Leader and group will begin at 4:30 pm, but we suggest getting to Cairo earlier to enjoy some time to relax and explore.

What time should my flight depart on the last day?

There are no activities planned for the last day, so leave any time you wish. The airport is approximately 20 minutes away from the hotel, and your Pack Leader can help you book your transfers the night before if needed.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.

Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.

We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi.

How much luggage can I bring?

The luggage allowance for internal flights is 23kg plus a carry-on bag weighing up to 7kg.

Please make sure your luggage is within this weight limit, or you’ll have to buy an extra suitcase and pay an extra US$30 at the airport.

Do I need a visa?

Most visitors will require a visa to enter Egypt, including those from the USA, UK, Australia, New, Zealand, Canada and the EU. Please check with your local embassy to find out what the requirements are for your nationality.

Single entry visas cost USD 25 (whether you buy them on arrival or online) and are valid for 30 days of travel within Egypt. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date.

Visa on arrival
For most nationalities, the easiest way to get a visa is on arrival at Cairo International Airport.

Purchase the visa at an approved bank kiosk within the arrivals hall before proceeding to the immigration counters. Visas can be purchased in US dollars, British pounds or euros, and only in cash.
You will be given a stamp that you then need to put into your passport yourself.
Proceed to the immigration counters where you need to present your stamped passport, plus a print-out of your travel itinerary, including accommodation and tour bookings.

E-visa
You can also apply online for a visa through the official Egypt e-visa portal www.visa2egypt.gov.eg (beware of other websites falsely claiming to provide this service, often at twice the price). 30-day tourist visas are valid for three months from the date of issue. You must create an application at least seven days before your arrival.

Follow the prompts to sign up, sign in, apply, and pay online. Payments can be made using a credit or debit card in US dollars or euros only.
After your visa application has been processed, you will receive an email updating you on the status of your application.
If successful, you will be emailed a link to download and print your e-visa.
On arrival in Egypt, you must present a printout of your e-visa, along with your passport and a print-out of your travel itinerary, including accommodation and tour bookings.

Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important that you check for the latest information.

What are the Covid-19 requirements for visiting Egypt?

Due to the changeable nature of Covid-19 entry requirements, we strongly advise Flashpackers to consult the travel advice issued by your local consular services well in advance of your departure date. Some countries do still require travellers to comply with pre-arrival testing and/or vaccination requirements. Links to the key consular services can be found on our Safety page.

What other vaccinations and medication will I need?

We recommend checking with your local travel clinic six to eight weeks before your trip to see if any medications or vaccinations are required.

Will this itinerary change?

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. These changes are rare but can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting which we will always try to communicate to you.

Are there any optional extras?

On Day 7 you have the option of a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. This would take place at around 4am before breakfast. The cost for this is USD 150 per person and can be arranged with your Pack Leader while you’re in Egypt.

What about Ramadan? Will it affect my trip?

Your itinerary is not expected to change during Ramadan or Eid Al Fitr (the Festival of Fast-breaking) as tourists sites will remain open. However, many shops and restaurants will be closed and it will be more difficult to buy alcohol – your Pack Leader can advise. Some activities, such as the food tour in Cairo, may not be able to run or will have to run later in the evening.

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