Travel Protection/Insurance, Passports & Visas
| Please double check that you have travel protection/insurance and valid documents (passport, visa, etc.) before leaving home. Packing & Baggage Information Please note: air carriers are also strict about the size and weight of carry-on luggage. Please contact your air carrier or travel agent for specific information prior to departing on your tour as the air carrier’s size and weight limitations may vary from Cosmos limitations. Cosmos is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers. Pack a pair of comfortable, tried-and-tested walking shoes; don’t forget insect repellent, sunscreen, sun hat, and sunglasses, especially for summer touring. Smart casual evening wear is fine. Climate changes according to region; allow for variable weather if you are travelling in spring and autumn and bring warm clothes for winter tours. Nights can be cold, so include a wool jacket and some warm sleepwear. Having laundry done can be expensive, so you may wish to pack some travel soap.Note that as Egypt is a Muslim country is preferable not to wear shorts or to have shoulders uncovered except in tourist areas such as Pyramids, Khan el Khalili and Upper Egypt. Items for your hand luggage A good supply of any medication you are taking, extra film and spare batteries for your camera, a pen, light rainwear, a sweater, a road map if you enjoy “plotting your progress,” and maybe a small travel pillow. Label your camera and rolls of film with your name and tour code; should you lose them, there’s a better chance of their being returned. Remember to check that you have not left your camera or film on the motorcoach at the end of your tour.Carry all documents and money on your person but not all in the same place to limit the inconvenience in case of loss. We recommend use of a money belt while touring. Do not take with you excess money and valuables outside in the street. The suggestion is to use the safety deposit boxes where available, otherwise locked in your suitcase in the hotel room.Remember a good quality international plug adapter for using electrical equipment abroad. The local current is 220 V. To reduce charges on calls home, we recommend you use pre-paid phone cards which area widely available.For your own comfort and that of fellow passengers, please limit the size of your hand luggage to 30 x 28 x 14 cm. (12 x 11 x 6 in.) for easy storage on the motorcoach. Please note that international air carriers are also strict about the size and weight of carry-on luggage. Wheeled carry-on cases are not suitable as hand luggage for motorcoach travel. Porterage for one suitcase on tour is included in the tour price. Due to limited coach capacity, this single bag should have dimensions not exceeding 76 x 53 x 28 cm. (30 x 21 x 11 in.) and weight not exceeding 60 lbs. (27 kg.) Important New Information Concerning Luggage In compliance with motorcoach legal weight limitations, we regret we are unable to accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits. If you are carrying extra luggage, please make independent arrangements for its storage while you are touring.  To Know About Your Destination Please pass your ticket to our representative at Cairo international airport/ border to be re-confirmed and returned back to you next day with a re-confirmation slip on it. Also you should be prepared to change approximately US$150 per person at the bank in the airport before travelling to the overnight hotel in Cairo. Banks and exchange offices are very likely many in the places where we will be visiting.Avoid eating raw and unwrapped street fare and iced drinks (especially during midday heat). Drink bottled water and allow for this in your budget. You may also want to eat a little less at dinner for a day or so until you adjust if you are dining later than usual. For health and hygiene reasons perishable food items should not be carried due to lack of refrigeration. Please remember that it is not customary in Europe to drink iced water with meals. Many restaurants only serve bottled mineral water (for a fee.. 90 c per 1 litre bottle ). Ice is not normally added to drinks unless specifically requested. Tea and coffee making facilities are not available in hotel rooms. Breakfasts at the hotels are: “ American Buffet Breakfasts”. Food items are generally: coffee, tea or chocolate, orange juice, cold and hot milk, cereals, yoghurt, 2 types of bread, croissants, jam, butter, cold cuts (cheese and salami – Please note no pork products are available in Egypt), eggs, sausage and fruits . Also for safety reasons, the use of portable water heaters is not allowed. Bring a hair dryer if required.  Egypt International Purchases When buying carpets at our recommended shops in Egypt you will probably be asked to sign on the back of the carpet at the time of purchase. This is in order to validate/identify the authenticity of the purchased carpet and ensure it is not different from the one you have chosen whilst in the shop. Please make sure that you are certain about the color and size of the merchandise and if in doubt then we suggest not to make any deal as once a deal has been struck and money paid, refunds are possible yet this situation may create some hassle for yourself and the Tour conductor. We can assist you only for issues relating to carpets/rugs being damaged during the shipping. In general shipment takes up to about eight weeks to arrive (or sometimes longer if you are having an item specially made). Ensure that when you purchase the carpet it is made clear to you whether you retrieve the carpet directly at home or whether you have to clear it through customs. Please be aware that duty/customs charges will be collected upon receipt of the merchandise when shipped. Appraisal values may vary based on market value, country or origin, materials used etc. Please retain all receipts and purchase information to include quality, colour and size of the merchandise. International Purchases If you buy items on tour to be shipped to your home, customs import charges are usually not included in the price. If you use a credit card (make sure that the expiration date is more than a month after finishing the tour), you will be debited in the local currency and your bank will establish the rate of exchange on the debit. You should bring cash of your home country, where accepted in Egypt ( Euro, $, S .pound ) . Also traveller’s cheques are widely used. Remember to have your PIN number to enable you to draw cash at ATM’s if required. On the Coach For safety reasons all passengers are reminded to remain seated while the motorcoach is in motion. Coaches in Egypt are not equipped with safety bills . You are kindly requested to refrain from using a mobile phone while on a moving coach except in emergencies. Money Major credit cards are widely accepted but you may encounter shops or restaurants that require a minimum charge for using them. You might consider bringing more than one card, as some outlets may not accept all types. An ATM (automatic teller machine) card may also be helpful; however credit cards are NOT accepted in Turkey (traveller’s cheques are accepted).Be sure to activate your ATM and/or credit card with your bank before travelling, and don’t forget to bring your PIN code(s) to facilitate use for both ATM and credit card(s).Check with your bank to ensure you can withdraw cash on your card abroad if necessary.Check that your cards do not expire while you are abroad and are still valid for at least 30 days after completion of your tour.Ask your credit card(s) and traveller’s cheque companies for the emergency telephone numbers to report any losses; always keep these numbers with you while travelling, but separately from your card(s) or cheques.Cash in local currency will be necessary for minor purchases, tipping in restaurants, taxis, etc. (US dollars is always accepted). Do not rely completely on ATMs to obtain small amounts of local currency – the minimum you are permitted to withdraw may be much higher than you actually require. For tipping your tour director, driver and local guides, dollar bills will be useful. Hide a couple of $50 bills on your person as emergency funds while travelling; these can always be exchanged at a bank for local currency. A small supply of US$1 bills (US$25-$30 total) will also come in handy.You may also wish to bring some money in traveller’s cheques; see “Your Spending Money” in Tips for Travellers for guidelines regarding use. In most cases you will not be able to use traveller’s cheques to purchase items in stores or pay for restaurant meals; instead exchange cheques for cash at a local bank. We suggest larger denomination cheques ($50, $100) because of fixed rate service charges per cheque when you exchange for local currency. Traveller’s cheques can also be used for tipping tour directors and drivers. That is why small denominations of US dollars come in handy. Also in some countries fees for changing traveller’s cheques are extremely high.As a general guideline, aim to bring a variety of means to “pay your way” just in case you have difficulties with your preferred method of payment.  Tipping Guidelines US$3 to $5 per person per day to your tour director, and US$3 to $5 per person per day to your driver for a job well done, as well as a tip to your local city guide and airport transfer man for a good performance. You may wish to tip other personnel on a discretionary basis. A Few Words of: Arabic: French: Good Morning: Sabah el khair Good morning/day: Bonjour Good Evening: Masaa el khair Good evening: Bonsoir Thank you: Shokrun Goodbye: Au revoir Please: Men Fadluck Please: S’il vous plaît How much is this? Bikam dah? Thank you: Merci Tea: Shaay Yes: Oui / No: Non Coffee: Ahwa. I don’t understand: Je ne comprends pas Not at all : Afwan. How much? C’est combien? Do you speak English? Parlez-vous anglais? Telephone: Le téléphone Toilet: Les toilettes Tea: Thé Coffee:Café Bottled water De l’eau minérale Cheers!: Santé! Have a nice day!: Bonne journée! |
