Kemetale Frequently Asked Questions

About Egypt

  • Having traveled to and lived in Egypt, we have found that even during the “Arab Spring” and political unrest, the people of Egypt are kind, helpful and peaceful. Always check the news and your country authority on travel to get advice and needed information to confirm the appropriateness of travel at the time you choose. Don’t be alarmed from the prominent presence of police, tourist police, and army wherever you go, this is for the safety of all. Egypt is very keen on safety as tourism is a major income to the country.

  • Many women travel alone in Egypt and find it safe. The police, tourist police, and army are always close by and the Egyptians themselves are generally safe and will try to protect solo travelers. Although the chances of being confronted are almost negligible, please ensure that you take the same precautions that you would anywhere else and do not be tempted to walk in deserted areas alone. You may receive some invitations, which overall are innocent, do not accept any of these from strangers as you wouldn’t anywhere else you travel to.

  • For American, Canadian, Australian, British and most European passport holders can receive a visa upon arrival at the airport. There are additional nationalities that can receive a visa upon arrival. Please check your requirements for travel with your local Egyptian consulate or embassy.

  • Varying health organizations and countries have recommendations that change for all countries around the world. There are no specific requirements. Always check the news and your local authority on recent or new developments prior to traveling anywhere.

  • In general Egypt has great temperatures throughout the year and has varying regions that are more seasonal than others. Check the various destination pages for general best times and average weather conditions.

  • Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic Calendar with the beginning and end marked by the astronomical new moon, so it always falls on the same day of the Islamic Calendar (a lunar calendar), but the date on Gregorian Calendar (a solar calendar) varies from year to year. It is a month of fasting, prayer, and introspection, so Muslims abstain from ingesting any substance from sunrise to sunset every day.

    During Ramadan, the general pace of life in Egypt slows down compared to that in normal days. Shops, museums, and historical attractions officially close earlier before sunset. Almost all Muslims try to get home or to a restaurant in time for the “Iftar” (meal to break the fast), which is at sunset every day.

    Some restaurants and cafés open only after sunset and may stop serving alcoholic beverages during this month, while almost all hotels operate normally, including their restaurants and bars serving meals and alcoholic drinks as usual, as many tourists love to explore Egypt during this special month.

    Houses, mosques and alleyways are specially decorated with “Fanous Ramadan” (special Ramadan lanterns), creating a magical atmosphere. Some hotels may hold “celebrations and music performances” until late at night, as the city comes to life again from sunset until dawn.

    Thought a little inconvenient as it may be, visiting Egypt during Ramadan is truly a fantastic way to discover an important part of the Egyptian culture and enjoy the special atmosphere pervading throughout the country. The culture and the festivities make for a uniquely rewarding experience.

  • Alcohol is permitted in Egypt. Usually you are allowed 2 liters (2 bottles) of spirits, there may be promotions or further allowances, it’s always good to check from your departing country. There are duty free shops at Cairo international and most major airports in Egypt where you are permitted to purchased alcohol up to 48 hours after your arrival. There are also in city duty free shops, check online for Egypt duty free locations. There are local alcoholic wines, beers and spirits which are purchasable throughout Egypt. There are many bars, clubs and restaurants that have alcohol menus. Please note that the public consumption of alcohol is forbidden.

  • Depending on your unique travel style, what you want to get out of your trip and what your unique Egyptian tale entails, we will conceive the most value and unique travel experience for you. Generally, Egypt is vast in terms of experiences and you can spend as short as a few hours in a city, town or region to a week or more and still discover and experience new things.

  • We will provide details on any specific attire required based on the tale we have crafted for you. Generally, Egypt is moderate with regards to the attire.

  • Yes. Most places accept credit and debit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard. As for American Express and Discover, it is less acceptable. You are advised to carry cash when shopping in the many street markets (souks) or in small villages or towns.

  • Almost every bank has an ATM outside it, or just inside the front doors. Many shopping malls have standalone ATM’s and you can also find them located on some sidewalks with high foot traffic. Airports and railway stations also have ATM’s as do the larger tour company offices and gas stations.

  • Egypt has a voltage supply of 220V, and the plugs are the 2-round pin type that is common throughout Europe (except the UK). Most devices can be used with an adapter such as laptops, mobile phones and tablets. Make sure you read about the device you wish to charge or plug in for use as to ensure that it can accept the voltage.

  • Yes. Local alcohol is available. Beer wine and spirits. Imports are available for purchase from duty free shops up to 48 Hours after arrival.

  • It is customary to provide gratuity between 2%-5%. It is not compulsory. Rewarding exceptional service and the act of giving is always a positive gesture.

  • Yes, there are many banks and exchange offices throughout Egypt. Its recommended to exchange what’s needed when you arrive at the airport.

  • It is highly recommended to drink only bottled water. The water in Egypt is safe but various bacteria effect people differently.

Cultural

Clothing in Mosques and other holy places.

  • The protocol does ask for men to wear long trousers as opposed to shorts, though Egyptians are used to the latter being worn and so say nothing, or little if it occurs. major income to the country.

  • The protocol does ask for women to cover bare skin as much as possible and so shoulders, especially, should be covered and a simple scarf will suffice. Again, it is advised to wear long trousers, or skirts, as legs should also be covered. Heads do not need to be covered, despite what some tourist books say, though it is a sign of respect if you do this.

  • This really depends on which site you are visiting and at what time of the day. Some offer little shade and so you should ensure that you do not have too much skin available for the sun to burn (the Giza Pyramids, in the afternoon, is a prime example of this). Temples are well shaded so you do not have to cover so much, but remember that even though they are shaded well, tombs tend to accumulate the heat from the sun as well as the many visitors, so try to wear something lightweight in them, especially cotton fabrics. Though many people like to wear open-toed sandals, please note that many of the floors are exceedingly un-level and so it can be easy to stub your toes. Ladies, please do not wear high heels; not only can you easily break them, they can also become trapped between the large stones in flooring, and you will also find you will tend to slip and slide on the stone. High heels and sand are not the best partners either as the heels will sink in (you may laugh, but many ladies do insist on wearing high heels).

  • Yes, most Egyptian customs differ from the Western customs due to the cultural and religious differences, we point out a few below;

    • It’s common for men to greet each other with a kiss on each cheek and a hug. This is not a sign of preferred sexual orientation.

    • It’s the norm that women do not great men in any physical way but rather verbally
    only. However, you will find in different venues, areas and amongst varying classes that physical greeting of men and women via a handshake, kiss on the cheek or hug is also acceptable. Ask if you are not sure.

    • Normal contact is quite acceptable, but intimate actions in the public such as kissing, and fondling may irritate most.

    • Most mosques require visitors to remove their shoes before entering.

    • It is not allowed to take photos of soldiers, tanks or any other military property.

Sailing

  • The Nile is calm and moderated by the Great Dam in Aswan. You should not feel any motion sickness as there are no waves. Nevertheless, it’s always recommended to have “seasickness” medication, just in case.

  • Unless otherwise specified, our sailing experience includes room and board as well as site visits, tickets, professional guides and entertainment as well as transportation from airport or hotel in Luxor to the sailboat and similarly in Aswan to any destination in the city or the airport.

  • Alcohol is permitted on board, but you should bring your own or request support from our staff to purchase locally.

  • Yes, we would be pleased to accommodate your charter dates. Check availability in our Availability Calendar at our Nile Sailing page and contact us to curate your journey.

  • Yes, we always have a Host on board and a Guide for all the various visits.

  • Although it’s time to switch that phone, computer or ipad off, we have wifi on board.

  • Please refer to the Room section on our Nile Sailing page. All our rooms can accommodate 2 people, and some accommodate 3.

  • Our sailing is priced the same for all.

  • If you have chartered or booked all of the rooms in a group of family or friends, you may bring children of all ages. If you are just booking a room, we allow children 12 and over.

  • We start sailing at 12:00 PM noon on the scheduled departure date

  • We are usually docked in Aswan by the 4th evening. Checkout time on scheduled sails is 12:00 PM.

  • You may wear whatever you like onboard.

  • Kemet offers a sumptuous & elegant iternational, fusion & local cuisine. The menu has been curated by a remarkable local chef. It is regionally aspired and sourced and designed to intrigue and please all pallets!

  • Unless otherwise stated, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are included in your stay; as well as mineral water, tea, coffee, fresh juices & carbonated drinks. For those early risers, tea and coffee service will be available. Meals typically consist of the following:

    • Breakfast: Continental and a la carte Egyptian

    • Afternoon tea: (Selection of pastries, cookies and fresh fruits)

    • Lunch & Dinner: International & Egyptian faire

    We usually serve the meals on the upper deck in open or enclosed areas dependent on weather.

  • Yes, please email us all your dietary restrictions so that we may accommodate them.

  • Yes, it is, please ask the staff.

  • It is customary to tip between 2% and 5%, but it is not compulsory.

  • If you charter, we can accommodate any number of days. We recommend a minimum of 4 nights to give you enough time to explore the wonders of the Thebaid. If you are onboard our regular or a pre-planned sailing trip and need to join later or leave earlier, please contact us for that possibility.

  • Our sailing includes transporting you anywhere in Aswan or the airport. If you need travel arrangements beyond that, please contact us for support and arrangements.

Policies

  • Cruise Payment Terms:

    • Confirmation: 25% deposit is required to confirm the offered dates. (Note, unfortunately as a small business we cannot hold dates without a payment) 

    • Balance 75% is due 3 months (90 days) prior to the start sailing date. Note: If payment is not received by this date, Kemetale will automatically consider your booking cancelled and the full deposit is non-refundable and will not apply as a credit. 

    Cancellation policy after deposit (CancellationBetween deposit and 90 Days prior to the sailing date)

    The deposit is refundable excluding bank transfer fees and a convenience, based on schedule below;

    • Charter booking: $3000.00

    • Charter holiday booking $5000 (holiday booking is a booking during the last 10 days of December or the first week in January, Easter, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha) 

    • Room Booking: USD $300.00

    • Room Holiday Booking: USD $500.00
      (holiday booking is a booking during the last 10 days of December or the first week in January, Easter, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha) 

    Note: if the 75% balance has not been paid on time, Kemetale reserves the right to automatically cancel and the deposit will not be refunded) 


    Cancellation after full payment. 

    • 89-56 Days prior to sailing date; a choice between 75% travel credit valid for 1 year or 50% refund.

    • 55-42 Days prior to sailing date; a choice between 50% travel credit valid for 1 year or 25% refund.

    • 41 or less Days prior to sailing date; 0% refund.

    Note: All Days count as “1”, weekdays, business days, weekends & holidays.

    We encourage all our partners and clients to buy travel insurance. As a small business we are not able to deviate from the above cancellation policy and we strongly recommend you either purchase or ask your clients to purchase the needed travel insurance.