Located in northeastern Africa, Egypt is home to one of the four great ancient civilizations; with its rich history, Egypt attracts thousands of tourists every year who come to uncover its mysteries. When it comes to Egypt, everyone hopes to see the pyramids and the Sphinx mentioned in textbooks, but when security concerns arise, many may hesitate. That’s why group tours to Egypt have become an ideal choice. Let me introduce them to you!
When is the best time to visit Egypt?
Geographically located in Africa, Egypt has a Mediterranean climate in regions close to the Mediterranean, but most areas feature a tropical desert climate; the entire country is dry with little rainfall and large temperature variations between morning and night.
Egypt’s seasons are quite distinct, divided into summer (May–October) and autumn (November–April). Temperatures in desert areas during summer can soar up to 40°C, so the relatively cooler autumn is the most popular season for travelers to visit Egypt~
*Friendly reminder: With large temperature differences between morning and night in Egypt, don’t forget to bring a jacket to keep warm when traveling there!
Why choose a group tour to Egypt?
Scams come in many forms
You’ve probably heard countless stories about people being scammed in Egypt – tourists being overcharged simply because they don’t know the prices, having prices changed at checkout, or being given wrong amounts or even different currencies when exchanging money. Just search online and you’ll find tons of horror stories!!!
If you go with a group, guides have been working in the area for years and are more familiar with the ever-evolving scam tactics, so with their supervision and tips, your chances of being scammed are much lower.
Language
Once in Egypt, Arabic is the most commonly spoken language, known as one of the hardest languages in the world, and not everyone there is proficient in foreign languages (like English), so misunderstandings are common. In such situations, having a guide or local assistant who speaks Arabic can help resolve many issues efficiently.
Tips
Unlike in Taiwan, in Egypt, tipping is expected for many services – accommodation, luggage handling, camel rides, etc. We often aren’t sure how much to tip or worry about giving too much or too little. A major advantage of group tours is that guides collect tip money from everyone and handle the tipping themselves, greatly reducing the hassle and risk of being overcharged while traveling abroad.
No worries about transportation, travel light
Transportation is actually the most exhausting part of independent travel – carrying heavy luggage and rushing to designated spots to catch transportation within limited time frames is really tiring. Choosing a group tour makes things much easier, and a tour bus saves you from the exhaustion of running around. Once you arrive at a destination, you can leave all unnecessary items in the bus XD, allowing you to explore attractions with ease and take beautiful photos!
Secrets to choosing the right group tour
Flights
There are no direct flights from Taiwan to Egypt. No matter how you plan it, you’ll have to transfer at least once, with the shortest flight time starting at 16 hours. Therefore, when choosing a group tour, be sure to check the flight details and weigh options between the number of transfers, layover times, and prices to select the itinerary that suits you best~
You might also be interested: What to do if you get motion sickness?, Pregnant women traveling abroad – remember this!
Attractions
Egypt is incredibly rich in tourist resources, with many highly recommended places. But since your trip abroad is limited in duration, it’s nearly impossible to fit in every attraction. I suggest making a list of must-see sights, checking whether the group itinerary includes these spots and whether any additional fees apply; careful planning ahead ensures this journey leaves you with wonderful memories.
Transportation
There are actually many ways to get around and explore Egypt — tour buses, cruise ships, trains, and more. Take a close look at how each itinerary moves you from place to place, and choose the way you’re most excited to experience. It could add truly unique memories to your trip~
Is a family or parent-child trip to Egypt suitable?
Consideration 1: Flight Duration
The first thing to think about is that each flight can be nearly a full day long. Whether you’ll be comfortable sitting on the plane for that long, and whether you can endure such a lengthy flight, are all factors worth considering. If you’re okay with that, let’s move on to the second point~
Consideration 2: Climate Adaptation
Aside from the discomfort of long flights, Egypt has a climate with large temperature variations — it can get very hot or quite cold. These big swings can easily lead to catching a cold. So if you’re planning to go, remember to consider how well you and your travel companions can adapt to the climate, and make sure to dress warmly. Don’t let getting sick ruin your trip.
Consideration 3: Physical Condition
Local food habits and hygiene conditions are quite different from those in Taiwan. In addition, some attractions (like visiting inside the pyramids) may have poor ventilation and involve climbing lots of stairs, which are also things to consider. Therefore, if your physical condition is good and you can handle these challenges, then exploring ancient Egyptian civilization as a family can actually be a great experience!
Top Recommended Attractions in Egypt
Pyramids
Egypt’s pyramids are world-famous and are mostly believed to be the tombs of pharaohs, housing a wealth of precious artifacts. The Giza Pyramid Complex is the most popular among Egypt’s many pyramids and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, including the Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure.
Aswan
Aswan is located in southern Egypt and has been a trade hub since ancient times. With the development of history, it is now also a city that many tourists visiting Egypt choose to explore. The most famous attraction in Aswan is the Aswan Dam, which prevents the Nile from flooding and allows people to live in peace. For those who love shopping for souvenirs, there’s also the Aswan Market where you can pick up gifts, as well as local snacks to enjoy when you get hungry while strolling around!
Abu Simbel Temples
As mentioned earlier, to prevent future flooding, the Egyptian government built the Aswan Dam. Because this project would submerge a large area, important heritage sites were relocated by relevant United Nations organizations. The carvings outside the temples are quite majestic. On February 22 and October 22 each year (originally the 21st, but moved by one day due to the relocation), sunlight shines directly into the depths of the temple without obstruction. This solar miracle of the sun god attracts large numbers of visitors who come to pay homage to this magnificent temple.
For a long time, many have wanted to personally uncover the ancient mysteries of Egypt, but have hesitated due to others’ experiences and stories. After this introduction, does it feel like visiting Egypt isn’t actually that difficult? Although independent travel is popular nowadays, if you still have concerns about traveling to Egypt, joining an organized tour can be a great option!
Text by Aimee.H | Tripresso Travel Cafe Editorial Team