Egypt

Egypt is conservative. Same-sex marriage is not recognised and public LGBTQ+ expression can attract unwanted attention; authorities have used morality/public-decency laws to target LGBTQ+ people. We travel with discretion, avoid public displays of affection, and protect privacy on tour (including guidance around social media and dating apps). We work only with vetted, discreet, welcoming suppliers and your Tour Leader will brief the group on safe, respectful conduct so the trip remains joyful and stress-free.

Overview

Capital: Cairo. Major gateways: Cairo (CAI), with domestic hubs at Luxor (LXR), Aswan (ASW), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH).
Language: Arabic (Egyptian Arabic). English widely used in tourism.
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP). Cards accepted at hotels/major venues; carry cash for markets, tips and small shops. ATMs common in cities.
VAT/Sales tax: Standard VAT ~14% is included in most prices; tourist VAT refunds are generally not available.
Power: 220V / 50Hz. Plugs Type C & F (European two-pin). Bring a universal adaptor.
Water: Tap water is not recommended for drinking—use sealed bottled water; consider using it for brushing teeth outside top hotels.
Driving: Right-hand driving. Traffic is dense; self-drive is not advised—use our driver/guide.
Time: UTC+2 (Egypt observes Daylight Saving—typically late Apr to late Oct → UTC+3).
Health: No mandatory vaccines for most travellers. Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from/through a Yellow Fever risk area. Hep A/Typhoid commonly recommended; bring insect repellent for Nile/Red Sea evenings.
Local culture: Majority-Muslim, modest and friendly. Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered) when visiting mosques and rural sites; shoes off in mosques; ask before photos; bargaining is normal in souks. Alcohol is served only in licensed venues.
Food & drink: Think koshari, ful medames, ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel), grilled meats, coastal seafood, sweet basbousa—with great vegetarian options. Bottled water only.

Airfare

International flights

Not included unless specifically stated.
We’ll confirm exactly which airport(s) to arrive/depart from (usually Cairo—CAI). Many itineraries finish in Luxor/Aswan or Red Sea—book an open-jaw ticket or add a domestic hop.
Please wait for our written tour confirmation before booking personal international flights.
Typical booking windows: best economy pricing ~3–5 months out; business class ~5–8 months.
Check baggage rules carefully—some regional tickets are hand-luggage only unless you add a checked bag.
Want us to handle it? We can book and ticket your international flights (service fee applies), align schedules to the land itinerary, present fare options, and assist if airlines adjust timings.

Domestic / regional flights (within your itinerary)

Usually included in the package (unless otherwise stated) and ticketed in economy class.
Allowances follow the operating carrier; details appear on your final docs.
Fares remain subject to change until ticketed due to airport/government taxes and exchange-rate movements. Any third-party increases (or refunds) will be communicated promptly.

Good to know: Names must exactly match passports; check in 3 hours before international and 90 minutes before domestic departures.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory—medical cover, trip cancellation/curtailment, lost property and any paid-for activities. Ensure your policy covers Nile cruising, hot-air ballooning (if you opt in), and medical evacuation.

Tour Leader

Afrigay trips are hosted by Mike or a trusted Tour Leader, with licensed Egyptologist guides in each region. Your leader manages logistics, check-ins, safety briefings, day pacing and the little touches that make a trip feel special.

Travelling Alone

Solo travellers are very welcome. You can:

Room solo (single supplement applies), or
Opt to share—we’ll try to pair you with a traveller of similar profile to avoid the supplement. If we can’t match you, we’ll offer the best single rate available.

Meals

Inclusions vary by itinerary and are shown on the What’s included tab. We aim to include a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner so the group connects at the start and celebrates at the end. Not all meals are included—we leave space to explore local food. We happily cater for vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free and other needs—please advise in advance. Expect Egyptian classics, fresh mezze, grilled dishes—and on cruises, generous buffets; alcohol is available in licensed hotels/restaurants and on most ships.

Optional Activities

Only the activities listed as Included on your trip page are part of your package. Anything else is optional and not included.
If you’d like extras, we can arrange them at additional cost—before travel or on tour—subject to availability, season, weather and any minimum numbers. Optional add-ons are usually paid direct to suppliers; if we pre-book, they’ll appear on your invoice. Your insurance must cover any optional activity you choose.

Tipping Protocol

Tipping (“baksheesh”) is customary but always at your discretion. USD or EGP are both commonly accepted in tourism.

Restaurants/Bars: 10–15% if service isn’t included (a service charge may appear on bills; adding 5–10% on top for great service is common).
Taxis/E-hailing: round up.
Hotel porters: about US$1–2 per bag (or local equivalent).
Housekeeping: US$1–3 per room per night.
Local guide (day touring): US$8–12 per person per day (group size dependent).
Driver (day touring): US$3–6 per person per day.
Tour Leader (multi-day Afrigay host): US$5–10 per person per day—aligned with common global norms.

Your Tour Leader will brief you on any ship/lodge-specific tipping pools.

What to Bring

Passport & copies, visas/eVisa printout if applicable, insurance details.
Bank cards + some small-denomination cash (USD and EGP) for tips/markets.
Adapters (Type C/F), power bank, unlocked phone for eSIM/SIM.
Modest clothing (shoulders/knees covered for mosques/temples); a scarf for mosque visits.
Sun protection—hat, high-SPF, sunglasses; light long sleeves for sun days; comfortable walking shoes for stone/tomb floors.
Warm layer for early mornings (balloon rides/Desert).
Personal meds, basic first-aid, insect repellent.
We’ll send a tour-specific packing cue sheet with your final documents.

LGBTQ+ Information

Additional Information

We currently don't have this information available.

Rights Reserved

We may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport or sequencing when required by weather, safety, governmental advice, availability or operational factors. Equivalent or higher-quality services will be substituted where possible. Afrigay Travel and its local partners operate within Egyptian law and industry standards (and applicable international standards); participation implies acceptance of our full Terms & Conditions issued at booking.