Egypt is a land of legends where an adventure story comes to life. Mysterious pyramids, tombs, and temples painted with hieroglyphs render tales of mummies and pharaohs into reality. Some of the ancient world’s most important cities - Alexandria, Cairo, and Luxor - line the Mediterranean coast and the River Nile, the giver of life in this otherwise bone-dry landscape.
The iconic Pyramids of Giza.
Visiting Egypt has been at the top of many travel lists for a long time. If you are considering a trip to Egypt, this review of G Adventures Egypt tours will provide insights into the experiences, benefits, and essential tips for planning your adventure.
Why Choose G Adventures for Your Egypt Tour?
G Adventures offers a range of tours that cater to different interests and budgets. Here are several reasons why G Adventures is a popular choice:
- Expert Guides: G Adventures hires expert guides who really know the areas where they work. These guides provide valuable historical and cultural context, enhancing your overall experience.
- Small Group Tours: The tours typically have a maximum of around 12 people, allowing for a more intimate and personalized experience.
- Responsible Travel: G Adventures has a nonprofit, Planeterra, that supports local projects in the countries where it tours. Most trips include a visit to the supported project, making it a really special aspect of G Adventures.
- Optional Excursions: With many tours, you can add on short excursions to places like Alexandria or extend your trip to include neighboring countries like Jordan.
With G Adventures, you show up, and they take care of the rest. G Adventures tours are guided with an option to buy additional day and part-day trips. You get a guided tour at many places, then free time to do as you wish.
Read also: Morocco: A Journey of Discovery
Group tours are also great if you’re traveling to a place where you don’t feel comfortable on your own. Accommodations are tourist class and basic/comfortable, though not luxury. I have found the price for the G Adventures tours to be very reasonable when I am pricing my trips.
Highlights of an Egypt Tour with G Adventures
G Adventures tours include local experiences on each tour. The highlights of this trip are all about the magical and historical places visited on the tour.
Valley of the Kings
This was a favorite excursion. Entering the area as one of the first groups allowed for imagining how it must have looked when first found. You choose three tombs to visit with your entrance ticket, and you can purchase tickets to “King Tut’s” tomb and several others.
The intricate details are still visible after so many years! The Rameses I tomb and the Rameses V and VI tombs were particularly impressive.
Pyramids and the Sphinx
These iconic structures are a must-see in Egypt.
Read also: Bowhunting Adventures
The Great Sphinx of Giza with the pyramids in the background.
Abu Simbel
Looking upon the four large statues of Rameses II can be a breathtaking experience. Inside, there are even more statues, along with many paintings and hieroglyphics.
Visiting the two temples is a truly amazing experience. It really does feel unmatched in Egypt. But be warned: it is absolutely packed out with people - and I have to be honest and say that does take away a bit from the experience as you are genuinely wedged in shoulder-to-shoulder. Is Abu Simbel worth purchasing as an add-on?
Felucca Ride on the Nile River
Spending a few hours floating on a traditional felucca, relaxing on the thick cushions, and looking out at the banks of the river is a unique experience.
Sailing the Nile by Felucca: Authentic, Peaceful, Timeless Egypt Experience | Eco-Friendly Travel
Read also: History of Ancient Egypt
Egyptian Museum
Though this museum is moving to a new location and is in a bit of disarray from the process, it’s filled with some incredible artifacts. You’ll find exquisitely detailed carvings, statues, and more.
Karnak Temple
Karnak Temple was also awe-inspiring and a great visit. In the morning the group will enjoy a visit to the Karnak Temple, which was once the centre of all religious life in ancient Egypt.
Optional Tours and Add-ons
Depending on your start date for the Best of Egypt tour, you may see the option to add on a trip to Alexandria, Egypt. Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, founded nearly 2600 years ago by Alexander the Great. It was the first capital in the country and a thriving port city in Roman Times.
You spend a half day seeing the highlights of Cairo, which you can add as an optional tour to the Best of Egypt tour. Alexandria is a great city to visit. It’s not quite as frenetic as Cairo and gives you a great taste of the Egyptian culture.
On the way to Alexandria, a stop at a monastery built in the 4th century may be included. It’s a Christian Orthodox Monastery founded by St. Mikarius. 120 monks currently live there.
Sites in Alexandria
- Qaitbay Citadel: Known as one of the most important defensive strongholds in this area in the 15th century AD, this fort was the cornerstone of the protection offered. It was built on the site of the ancient lighthouse, destroyed by an earthquake.
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: The tombs were created by a tunnel system in the 2nd century AD.
- Pompey’s Pillar Visit: Though Pompey had nothing to do with this pillar, erected for Emperor Diocletian, it’s a popular place to explore. You can climb over extensive ruins, and there’s an area with carved statues and stones.
Essential Tips for Your Egypt Tour
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your Egypt tour:
- Visa Requirements: Almost all nationalities require a visa to enter Egypt, and you can easily get one online before you travel or upon arrival. Visa requirements may change, so check the most up-to-date information before your trip.
- Best Time to Visit: For more pleasant temperatures, make your way here during the months of October to March. March to May and September are the best times to visit if you’re looking to avoid the crowds.
- Weather: Temperatures in Egypt rarely dip below 10°C (50°F), and highs in June and July average 34°C (93.2°F). The coolest month of the year is January, when temperatures tend to hover around 20°C (68°F) - the warmest is July, when it can get up to 40°C (104°F).
- Tipping: Tipping is common practice in Egypt, and it’s standard to tip 10 to 15% in restaurants and cafes. G Adventures uses a tipping kitty system where your CEO collects a contribution from everybody at the start of your tour.
- Internet Access: Internet access in Egypt is fairly widespread, and even the smallest village tends to have a connection, though the quality and download speed may vary.
- ATMs: ATMs are widely available throughout Egypt. Expect withdrawal fees and a maximum daily limit of EGP 4,000. Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible.
- Water Safety: Drinking tap water is not recommended in Egypt - particularly in rural areas - so buying bottled water is the way to go.
- Safety: Crime is fairly low in Egypt, and the main tourist areas tend to be pretty safe. Solo female travellers should stick to well-lit streets at night and ideally travel in groups if possible.
Boats and Bazaars Tour: A Unique Experience
The Boats and Bazaars tour itinerary covers some of the basics of a classic Nile river tour: the pyramids, a felucca trip on the Nile, the cities of Aswan and Luxor, for example.
The unique element of the Boats and Bazaars tour is just how much free time you are given to explore areas independently.
Add-on Activities Recommended by Guides
Our guide Karim suggested three add-ons that were ‘essential : Philae Temple, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings. The visit to Philae Temple included a nice little boat trip on the water, which meant the temple and its island slowly came into view, meaning you could really appreciate the dramatic setting.
Luxor: Temples and Hotels
Luxor has a lot more to do in your spare time (although I didn’t like the city as much as Aswan) so it’s a shame that the time there is so limited.
- Medinet Hebu Temple: Located on the west bank and close to G Adventures‘ partner Funtasia, this was my favourite temple of the whole trip. The site is huge and has the dramatic backdrop of the mountains of the Valley of the Kings.
- Winter Palace Luxor: Another very fancy hotel, we popped in here for an afternoon drink and were told by a member of staff to „just act like a guest and walk through to the gardens“. The hotel interior is incredibly ornate and the gardens feel like a true little oasis in the heart of the city.
- Luxor Temple: This temple is located right in the heart of the city. Karim recommended we go around sunset and I am so glad that we did - watching the light change and the shadows creep in and steadily turn to darkness was a really special experience and it was the only temple I visited at night.
- Emilio Hotel rooftop pool: This was a great place to spend time when it was just shy of 40° degrees. We even enjoyed a glass of Rosé or two.
The Karnak Temple at sunset.
Popular articles:
tags: #Egypt
