Visa

Most international travelers need a visa to enter Egypt. Visas must be purchased upon arrival at one of the banks in the airport terminal of the airport you first arrive in Egypt. The cost of 30 euro or dollar should be paid in cash. If you cannot pay appropriately, you will receive the change in Egyptian pounds. Photos are not required. You will only have to show your passport. The visa is valid for 30 days. Please note that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when leaving Egypt.

Arrival at Luxor Airport

When entering the airport terminal of Luxor you will find a branch of Banque MISR straight ahead. Unless you arrived in Cairo first and got your visa there, you have to buy your visa here and you can exchange euros or dollars to Egyptian pounds. The visa is a small ticket that is placed in your passport. After this you proceed to go to customs where you present your passport with your visa and the immigration card that you filled out on the airplane. (It’s useful to carry a pen with you in your hand luggage). You continue your way to the Baggage Claim where you can pick up your luggage.

After this you exit the arrival hall and our taxi driver will be waiting for you outside, holding up a sign “Pamela”.

Egyptian pounds

The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound (EGP). It may be hard to obtain Egyptian pounds in your own country. Don’t worry, you can buy Egyptian pounds at one of the counters of the banks at Luxor or Cairo Airport together with your visa. In Luxor city there are several ATM machines where you can also obtain Egyptian pounds.

Bank cards

There are several ATM machines in Luxor where you can get cash with your bank card.
Larger shops have facilities to pay by bank card (debit or credit card), but the smaller local shops do not.
You may want to check if you need to adjust the settings of your card in order to use it outside Europe or the US.

Airport transfers

Included is a pick-up service from Luxor Airport to the hotel (15 km) and back, available independently of your date of arrival and departure (it’s also included if you arrive earlier or leave later). You will receive info from us on how to book this service after you registered.

International flights to Luxor

There are a few direct flights to Luxor from Europe (for example every Thursday from Brussels and Dusseldorf with TUI during the winter season). The other, more frequently available option is to fly to Cairo first and from Cairo Airport, EgyptAir flies to Luxor multiple times a day in about 1 hour.

A third option is to fly to Hurghada (a popular destination on the Red Sea) and from there take a taxi to Luxor (4 hour ride).  We can arrange a taxi for you.

Internet connection

The hotel offers free WiFi to its guests. However, keep in mind that the internet in Egypt can be slow and the connection can be poor. To ensure a good internet connection (also outside the hotel) it’s best to buy a local prepaid sim-card.

There are several telecom providers in Egypt. Vodafone offers the best network coverage and the best performance. You can buy a prepaid sim card in one of the local Vodafone shops in Luxor. If you need assistance, shop employees can place the card in your phone and help you start it up. When buying a local sim card you need to show your passport.

Please check if your phone doesn’t have a sim lock, otherwise it will not be possible to use a sim card from another provider. If you’re not sure about this you can contact your telecom provider to check if your phone is sim lock free.

Electricity

The standard voltage in Egypt is 220 volt, the frequency is 50 Hz. The power plugs and sockets are of type C and type F. Please check which type is used in your country. If this is a different one, you will need a power plug adapter for the power sockets in Egypt.

Water

Tap water in Egypt is not safe to drink. It’s best to only drink bottled water. Bottled water is more expensive when bought in hotels, so you may also want to pick up some bottles in a local shop. Please make sure to bring water with you during the excursions.

Transportation in Luxor

If you go sightseeing by yourself, please be aware that it’s best to negotiate in advance and come to an agreement about the price of a taxi/boat/horse ride before you get in. This way you will avoid disagreements/misunderstandings afterwards.

Options for sightseeing (on free afternoons)

Medinet Habu temple

This huge and impressive temple with beautiful hieroglyphs and well preserved colors is definitely worth a visit. It is located on the West Bank (our hotel is on the other -East- side of the Nile) and can be reached by private boat/public ferry, followed by a short taxi ride.

Valley of the Queens

The Valley of the Queens is an ancient royal burial site where the wives of the great pharaohs were laid to rest from 1550 to 1070 BCE. The tombs are beautifully decorated and the colors are still very bright. The site is located on the West Bank (on the other side of the Nile) and can be reached by private boat/public ferry, followed by a short taxi ride.

Colossi of Memnon

On the West Bank of the Nile are the Colossi of Memnon, giant twin statues about eighteen meters high, representing the pharaoh Amenhotep III. Their function was to preside over the entrance to the burial site where the remains of Amenhotep III lay. The Colossi are situated on the other side of the Nile (West Bank) and can be reached by public ferry/private boat, followed by a short taxi ride.

Souk of Luxor

The Souk of Luxor is the main bazaar of the city. It’s a lively, loud and colorful market. The countless shops sell among other things souvenirs, jewelry, clothing, spices, fresh fruit etc. When buying something it’s advised to bargain with the vendor. The souk is open daily until midnight.

Winter Palace Hotel

Also worth a visit is the famous Winter Palace hotel, a historic British colonial-era 5 star luxury resort hotel. The hotel is located on the banks of the river Nile, on the East Bank. Visitors can take a stroll in the lush garden and enjoy drinks in the beautifully decorated bar.

Interesting facts: a regular guest was Lord Carnarvon. He discovered the intact tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Agatha Christie wrote ‘Death on the Nile’ while staying in the hotel.

Clothing

In January temperatures will be very pleasant during the day, around 20-25 degrees Celsius, with sunny and clear skies. It’s recommended to bring a hat/cap/scarf, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion with a high protection factor (SPF 30 or higher), apply frequently. Mosquito repellent would also come in handy.

During the day it’s pleasant to wear light, breathable cotton clothing. In the evening it can get chilly, so definitely bring a sweater and light jacket. It’s advisable to bring comfortable shoes. During the excursions we will walk small distances on uneven terrain. You may also want to bring swim wear. Towels are available at the pool of the hotel, it’s not necessary to bring your own.

Vaccinations

The Egyptian government has not made any vaccines mandatory for travelers arriving from most countries.

Travel insurance

When travelling abroad it’s recommended to have travel insurance to cover unexpected medical cost, lost items etc.

Travel Pharmacy

When travelling, it could be wise to bring a small medical kit with items such as painkillers, anti-diarrhea medication and ORS (oral rehydration salts: a mixture of salt and sugar to prevent dehydration).
There are also a lot of pharmacies in Luxor with western medicine.

In general

Please note that participation in the retreat is at your own risk and responsibility. We accept no liability for personal injury or damage to personal belongings of the participants, nor any liability as a result of events occurring during the trip.

The retreat is suitable for everyone with normal health and an average level of fitness.

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