10-Day Cairo, 5-Star Nile Cruise & Hurghada Red Sea

What Is Excluded in the 10-Day Egypt Itinerary

You cover the following personal expenses and optional add-ons:

• International airfare to and from Egypt.
• Egypt entry visa fees (obtainable upon arrival for most nationalities).
• Optional tour upgrades (e.g., tickets to enter inside the Great Pyramid, the Abu Simbel excursion, Hurghada boat trips).
• Personal expenses (laundry, spa treatments, phone calls, imported alcohol).
• Tipping (baksheesh) for your guides, drivers, and cruise staff.

Essential Travel Tips for Your 10-Day Egypt Itinerary

Prepare properly to maximize your enjoyment on this extensive journey. Keep these essential tips in mind.

Packing Essentials

• Comfortable Footwear: You will walk miles every day over uneven stone, sand, and ancient steps. Bring sturdy, broken-in walking shoes.
• Sun Protection: The Egyptian sun shines fiercely year-round. Pack a wide-brimmed hat, polarized sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
• Modest Clothing: Egypt operates as a conservative country. While you can wear bathing suits at your Hurghada resort, you must dress modestly at historical sites and in Cairo. All genders should cover their shoulders and knees. Light, breathable cotton or linen fabrics work best.
• Layering: The desert gets surprisingly cold at night, especially from November to March. Bring a light jacket or fleece for the evenings and early morning excursions.

Visas and Currency

• The Visa: Most nationalities can purchase a tourist visa upon arrival at Cairo International Airport. You pay $25 USD in exact cash at the bank kiosks before passport control.
• The Currency: The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). While major hotels and cruise ships accept credit cards, you need cash for small purchases, bazaar shopping, and tipping.
• Tipping (Baksheesh): Tipping forms a core part of the Egyptian service economy. Bring plenty of small denomination bills (both US Dollars and Egyptian Pounds). You tip luggage handlers, bathroom attendants, drivers, and guides.

Culinary Guide: What to Eat in Egypt

This 10-day Egypt itinerary offers fantastic opportunities to explore local cuisine. Do not leave Egypt without trying these staples.

• Koshary: Cooks mix rice, macaroni, lentils, and chickpeas, then top it all with spicy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. This vegan meal serves as the ultimate Egyptian comfort food.
• Ful Medames: Egyptians eat this traditional breakfast dish daily. It’s cooked by slow-simmering fava beans with olive oil, cumin, garlic, and lemon juice. You scoop it up with fresh flatbread.
• Kofta and Kebab: Restaurants grill spiced minced meat (kofta) and chunks of marinated lamb or beef (kebab) over open charcoal.
• Om Ali: This traditional bread pudding features layers of pastry, milk, nuts, raisins, and coconut. It arrives piping hot and tastes heavenly.