Egypt is a world of tradition and ancient knowledge. With that said, please take some time to familiarize yourself with the laws, behaviors and cultural norms of Egypt: Egypt is a conservative society, so it is suggested to consider dressing modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs (markets). It is best that women’s clothes cover their legs and upper arms, (pants are acceptable). Men need to cover their chests. Unfortunately public displays of affection are frowned upon. Drinking in the street and anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is not allowed and can lead to arrest. Possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offense and can, even for possession of small amounts, lead to lengthy prison sentences (25 years), life imprisonment. The US Embassy is there to help, but if it is trouble that you brought on yourself they tend to side with the country and their laws. Photography of or near military official installations is strictly prohibited. This includes the Suez Canal. Refrain from photographing officials unless you have their consent. Although homosexuality is not in itself illegal under Egyptian law, homosexual acts in public are illegal and unfortunately homosexuals have been convicted for breaching laws on public decency. In general, women are advised to take extra caution when traveling alone as there have been cases of harassment and sexual assault. When traveling on this retreat, you will always be within the comfort of the group during the duration of our journey. Remember that Egypt has many people living in poverty who think that all tourists are rich, no matter where they come from in the world! Learn the phrase “la shukran” (no thank you) and don’t be afraid to say it to anyone who tries to sell you anything if you are not interested. If you are in a situation where you need support, reach out to one of the local guides for assistance. It is helpful to remember that we are in a muslim country and on the Ancestral Homelands of the ancients. Let’s come with humility and hold ourselves in our strength in reverence to our local guides as leaders of the way.

All participants are required to have a passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the return date, to be carried on your person or stored safely at all times. It is a good idea to photocopy the picture page to carry in a separate place in case of loss and to also keep a copy at home. A visa is required for entry into Egypt. If you are a US, Canadian or British citizen or a member of the EU, you can bring $30 in cash and pick it up upon your arrival at the airport in Cairo. Look for someone holding a DayLuna sign who will assist you through the airport and bring you to the hotel. ** If you are not a citizen of the (United States, Great Britain , Australia ) your entry requirements may vary— please contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited and obtain the specific requirements for entry. Canadian citizens may obtain specific information regarding visa requirements and planning a trip abroad from the Canadian Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) website: http://www.international.gc.ca (http://www.international.gc.ca)

There are no inoculation requirements for persons with flights originating in the US or Europe. However, it is advisable to consult your physician regarding your personal needs. Doctors and medical facilities are available to us in most places, however, we recommend each participant bring their own personal supplies plus any medication needed. Your good health and good physical condition will enhance the experience for you as well as for the group. The most common health issue is diarrhea. DO NOT drink the tap water in Egypt. Drink only bottled water, and use bottled water to brush your teeth. Bottled water is readily available everywhere we travel to and at the hotels. Overall it is ideal to bring any supplements, medicine, and/ or immunity strengthening support for the journey that you would normally use at home.

In April, the daily weather remains reliably dry and sunny and rather warm. Daytime temperatures rise to approximately 85-95°F, and fall to about 60-70°F overnight. As we travel south into Aswan, the temperature gets considerably hotter with daytimes averages of 100°F. The sun typically rises around 5:30am and sets about 6:30pm. There is rarely rain if ever during this time of the year. Whatever the activity, you should remember that Egypt remains a conservative country and we wish to be respectful. It is encouraged for women to generally always have their shoulders covered outside the hotels and boat. Keeping this in mind, comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for layers in the daytime. A light jacket, sweater or wrap for early morning and evening, and also for the air conditioning in the hotels are advised. Wear comfortable walking shoes—sneakers or sandals. In the evenings, as everyone will be dining in very pleasant surroundings at our hotels or local restaurants, somewhat nicer attire would be appropriate. For the private temple visits, we recommend wearing/incorporating the following colors: Dendera (Hathor) Temple - Teal or Turquoise Karnak - Gold or White Kom Ombo - Blue or Green Edfu - Gold Philae (Isis) Temple - Red or Black Great Pyramid - White (required) Scarves are great to bring and offer layers and sun protection. There is laundry services at all of the hotels except for on the boat, so you can pack lighter and rewear clothes if needed :) Note: A more detailed packing list will be provided as we get closer to the retreat!

Try not to overpack if you can. Keep in mind there is a wide range of things to buy at the markets. • Day bag (for keeping hands free, money belt) • Tissues — many public toilets lack toilet paper • Clothes that are comfortable and loose-fitting, keeping in mind Egypt’s conservative culture • Good walking shoes and good sandals • Sunglasses, hat, swimsuit, sunscreen, insect repellent • Toiletries, earplugs, eye mask, washcloth (sometimes not available at hotels) • Camera(s) • Small Flashlight • Adaptor plugs are the standard European type with two round pins. An adaptor is adequate for most appliances. A converter is optional but required for certain appliances. 220 volts • We will be visiting a farm island along the Nile Cruise portion and if you would like to bring anything for the kids, we suggest coloring books, crayons, pencils, notebooks, or any type of school supply. Note: A more detailed packing list will be provided as we get closer to the retreat!

The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound. US dollars are widely accepted. Traveller's checks in US Dollars are readily accepted at currency exchange desks and can be used for purchases in some larger stores. Major credit cards are generally accepted in shops, hotels, and restaurants. Most local merchants do not accept American Express or personal checks. We recommend waiting until you are in Egypt to exchange money. It is best to bring newer $100 bills to exchange with as often they won’t accept worn or older bills. We recommend exchanging some cash immediately upon arrival as sometimes the atms in the hotels are finicky. * Save all receipts from any currency exchange transaction. You may be asked to produce them when you exit the country, and they are required if you intend to reconvert local currency. In regards to tipping, our local team will tip throughout the journey to all the temple guards, boat crew, transport facilitators, local community. So you will not need to worry about that. However, we do recommend bringing a tip for our main guide if you decide you want to leave him a tip at the end of our journey (this is completely optional).

Due to a rise in unsettled medical bills from foreign travelers, Egypt encourages that all foreigners visiting the country to purchase medical travel insurance, although the government has not implemented a minimum requirement for medical coverage. The only suggestion when visiting Egypt is to buy a policy with medical coverage that lasts for the entire duration of a traveler’s trip. Many travel insurance companies promote upgrades that overlap with the coverage you might already have. For example, homeowners and renters policies already protect your home and belongings while you’re away. Your credit card may also offer travel insurance if you use it to book your flight. It’s worth double-checking your current insurance policies to make sure you don’t end up paying for the same coverage twice. Here are some recommended travel insurance companies: www.safetywing.com (http://www.safetywing.com/) https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/(https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/) https://www.travelexinsurance.com/(https://www.travelexinsurance.com/) https://www.travelguard.com/(https://www.travelguard.com/) https://aeti.americanexpress.com/travel-insurance/home.do (https://aeti.americanexpress.com/travel-insurance/home.do) Trip Insurance: A journey of this nature is a financial investment. Therefore, we strongly recommend that all participants also obtain short-term traveler insurance covering lost baggage, accident/life and trip cancellation. Trip cancellation insurance covers your losses on non-refundable air and land costs for trips canceled due to personal or family illnesses and unforeseen documented emergencies. It also covers the cost of emergency evacuation from remote areas. Here are some suggestions : https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance/ (https://safetywing.com/nomad-insurance/) https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com (https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com)