Egypt tours & vacations

Most travellers will need a visa to travel to Egypt. Most nationalities can obtain a visa upon arrival at Cairo International Airport or online via the Egyptian government’s official e-visa portal. If you’re not eligible to apply for a visa online, you must do so through your nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate. 
For more information, please visit the government of Egypt’s website or the Essential Trip Information. 
To enter Egypt, you may need:  

• A passport with six months of validity and at least one blank page 
• Proof of yellow fever immunization (if you are travelling from a high-risk area) 
• Proof of travel itinerary and accommodation 
• Proof of onward or exit travel 

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Tipping is customary for pretty much all services in Egypt. A tip of 10–15% is customary at cafes and restaurants and loose change is acceptable for food purchases from street vendors and markets. It’s also a good idea to tip local guides and drivers.

Summer temperatures can get very high, so light fabrics like linen, cotton and athletic gear made to take the heat are best.

If you’re travelling outside of winter, don’t underestimate the cool change that can come in the evenings, especially if you’re spending the night in the desert or on a Nile cruise.

Avoid packing anything in white – desert dust will quickly change it from white to not-so-white.

Drinking tap water isn’t recommended in Egypt. Remember to avoid drinks with ice and to peel fruit before eating it. Help the environment and try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle with filtered water. Ask your leader or hotel where to find filtered water.

Internet access is growing in Egypt, with internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots becoming increasingly common in large cities, especially Cairo, though access may be limited in smaller town and remote areas.

Mobile phone coverage is generally good in Egypt’s urban areas but may not be available in remote and desert areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.

We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.

We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.