Sightseeing tours to Egypt from Almaty: prices

Sightseeing tours to Egypt from Almaty are most conveniently planned from October to April: during this period, direct flights to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh operate, and the heat does not interfere with exploring the pyramids and temples. The journey to the Giza pyramids takes about six hours one way, to Luxor — several hours, so long-distance routes are scheduled for the first days of the holiday.

Visa, money and practical details for Kazakhstanis: what do you need to know?

Trips to Egypt require simple preparation, and it is worth starting with finances. For a tourist from Almaty, it is important to decide in advance what to pay with on the spot and what amounts to keep on hand.

Visa on arrival and length of stay

The stamp is placed directly at the airport upon arrival, and the length of stay is usually limited to one month. The Egyptian side accepts cash in dollars or euros, so small notes will come in handy already in the arrival hall. Kazakhstanis often fly to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, where processing desks work around the clock. Exact document requirements change, so before departure check the official website of the authority and the date of verification.

Cash, cards and the Egyptian pound in payments

Trips around this country are most often paid for in cash, and this is the main reason to bring a supply of currency with you. Cards from Kazakh banks are not accepted everywhere, and in taxis, at markets and in cafes outside hotels only cash works. The local pound is needed for small purchases, water and tips. Exchange at a bank and at a hotel gives different rates, so it is better to change a large sum in parts. Take dollars and euros in small notes: large ones often do not get change.

When to go on excursions and how to choose the time?

The season sets both the price and the schedule of departures itself. The Egyptian heat dictates what to see in the first half of the day and what to leave for the evening.

High season and direct flights from Almaty

It is most comfortable to plan tours to Egypt from October to April, when it is not so hot during the day. During the same period, direct flights from Almaty to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh operate, and in the other months the flight goes with a connection. In winter, the air in Marsa Alam and Dahab warms up to comfortable values, but the water is cooler and a wetsuit is needed. In summer, excursions are moved to the early morning, and during the day groups hide in the shade or in air-conditioned buses. Plan trips to the pyramids and to Luxor for the shoulder season if you do not want to sweat from the heat.

Time difference and early departures

The time difference with Almaty is 3 hours in winter and 2 hours in summer: Egypt changes its clocks (UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer), while Kazakhstan stays on UTC+5 all year round. Sightseeing tours to the pyramids often begin before dawn, and the bus picks up the group from the hotel even before sunrise. In the first days the body lives on Almaty time, so getting up at four in the morning is easier than it seems. In Taba and Dahab, departures to the border are also early, and without a time margin for getting ready it is easy to be late. It is better not to book a long-distance route for the first day at the resort.

Ramadan: shifts in the excursion schedule

During the month of Ramadan, some cafes and shops operate on reduced hours, and programs may shift. Tours to Egypt during this period run on a changed schedule: some departures start later, some end earlier. In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, hotel restaurants work for tourists all day, while city spots close before sunset. Respect local customs and do not eat on the street during the daytime. The guide usually warns about shifts the day before, so check the time with the representative.

What to see beyond the beaches

The Egyptian land keeps monuments for which tourists travel across half the country. Long-distance routes require endurance, but the impressions last for years.

The Giza pyramids and Cairo: day routes

The trip to the pyramids takes a whole day with a departure at night or early in the morning, and the road one way takes about six hours. Tours to the capital include Giza itself, the museum and sometimes a walk through the old city. A night start from Hurghada or Safaga saves daylight but is exhausting. Cairo is noisy and crowded, so stay with the group and do not wander far. Take water and a light snack: stops are rare. The bus returns late in the evening.

Luxor: a day or an overnight stay

From Hurghada to Luxor you can go for one day, but an overnight stay allows you to see more without haste. A one-day program usually covers two or three sites, whereas with an overnight stay you manage both the left bank and the temples. The road takes several hours in each direction, and in the heat this is noticeable. An overnight stay in a local hotel is inexpensive and removes the rush. If time is short, choose a short route without haste. Early booking gives the best seats in the group.

Ras Mohammed and boat sea trips

The Ras Mohammed reserve and the islands near Sharm El Sheikh are visited by boat, and some routes include snorkeling. The water here is clear, the reefs come close to the shore, and snorkeling is accessible even to beginners. From El Gouna and Safaga there are also calm trips to the reefs without large groups. Take a towel, cream and a spare T-shirt: after swimming on deck it is cool. The boat usually leaves in the morning and returns by evening. Seasickness is rare, but a pill will not hurt.

Resorts and their sightseeing opportunities

Each resort offers its own set of routes and its own rhythm. The choice of base determines where you will go and how much time you will spend on the road.

Hurghada, Safaga and El Gouna

Hurghada is convenient as a base for long trips: routes to Cairo and Luxor start from here. Safaga is closer to Luxor, so the road to the temples is shorter, and the town itself is quieter and calmer. El Gouna is suitable for calm sea walks and trips to the reefs without large groups. From all three points it is easy to reach the desert and Bedouin camps. Hotel infrastructure allows you to rest between outings. Prices for excursions on site vary, so compare offers.

Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab and Taba

Sharm El Sheikh gives access to the reserve and islands, as well as trips to Sinai. Dahab is known for calm snorkeling and inexpensive diving; people come here for the reefs all year round. Taba and its surroundings are interesting for trips to the border with Israel and to Saladin's Castle. From Taba it is convenient to combine the sea with short educational routes. Roads between resorts take hours, so do not plan two long outings in a row. Night transfers are common practice here.

Marsa Alam: diving and snorkeling all year round

Diving and snorkeling in Marsa Alam are available all year round, but in winter the water is cooler and a wetsuit is needed. The reefs here are considered among the best, and groups are usually small. In summer the water is warm, visibility is excellent, but the heat on shore is strong. People usually get here via Hurghada, which adds several hours to the trip. Local dive centers offer programs for beginners and experienced divers. Bring your certificate if you have one.

How to prepare for outings

Packing decides whether the trip will be comfortable. Little things like shoes and water turn out to be more important than they seem at home.

Clothing, footwear and water in the desert

For excursions deep into the country, you should take comfortable closed shoes, a head covering and a supply of water. In the desert it is hot even in the shoulder season, and there is almost no shade along the route. Light clothing with long sleeves protects from the sun better than a T-shirt. Take extra water: it is not always given out on the bus. Dust and sand get into open shoes, so sandals are not suitable for such outings. In the evening the desert gets sharply cold, and a light jacket will come in handy.

Photography rules and dress code in temples

Photography in museums and at some sites is paid or restricted; the rules are announced at the entrance. Respectful clothing will be useful when visiting mosques and Christian churches: shoulders and knees must be covered. Women are sometimes given a scarf at the entrance, but it is better to take your own. A tripod and flash are often prohibited, and a separate fee is charged for shooting inside. In Luxor and Cairo, tickets with photo rights are checked. Check the rules with your guide before the tour begins.

Insurance for diving and safari

Medical insurance is not mandatory for entry, but for excursions with diving and safari, having it removes unnecessary expenses. A standard policy often does not cover dives and desert trips, so an extended one is needed. Check whether water injuries and evacuation are included in the coverage. Dive centers in Dahab and Marsa Alam sometimes ask for confirmation of such a policy. Safari over the dunes is also considered an active type of holiday. Arrange insurance in advance, not at the airport.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the electronic visa portal of the Arab Republic of Egypt, https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/. The information on this page was verified on 12.09.2026.

Briefly

• Sightseeing trips around the country require cash: cards are not accepted in many places.
• Small dollar and euro notes help with tips and payments outside the hotel.
• The comfortable season for routes around the country lasts from October to April.
• Long outings to the pyramids and to Luxor start before dawn and take a whole day.
• Extended insurance covers diving, snorkeling and safari over the dunes.