Policies
safety in the field guidelines
Egypt Trip of Lifetimes’ (EToaL) core business of operating private trips around Egypt carries with it inherent risks for both its local operators and guides plus travellers. Some reasons for these risks are:
laxity of laws and regulations in Egypt governing transport, accommodation, infrastructure and the travel industry in general when compared to what you would accept in your home country.
potentially volatile political environment in Egypt.
the nature of the trips we run, which can travel to remote locations.
With these factors in mind, EToaL has a responsibility to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken to provide trips that are safe. The aim of this document is to give our travellers an insight into the safety standards that we endeavour to achieve when on a EToaL trip. Please contact egypttoal@gmail.com if you have any comments about this document, or the application of it in the field.
No set of guidelines can anticipate all possible conditions that may arise. We ask our staff to put sound judgement ahead of hard and fast rules and to judge each situation as it arises. Our operators are chose because they demonstrate sound operational judgement, and this extends to the application of safe travel practices.
1. Transport
EToaL does not permit riding on the roof of any form of transport we use, such as trains, boats or buses. We accept that seat belts are not readily available on all of the transport we take, on either charter or public vehicles. Where available, we expect our travellers to use them. Licensed motorbike taxis (riding as a passenger with a licensed local driver_ may be an available form of optional transport in some regions. Travellers should consider the risk of such a means of transport and check the terms of their travel insurance before taking a motorbike taxi, as many will exclude motorbike injuries unless they are licensed riders.
1.1 Buses
Public buses - we generally do not use public buses as a method of transport on EToaL trips, but if travellers choose to use local buses for any reason please remember local buses can be very crowded, with people standing in the isles. Travelling on a local bus in Egypt is a different experience o back home. We suggest if you do use a local bus and a bus driver is driving dangerously, ask the driver to slow down and, if required, get off the bus at the next opportunity and either take the next bus or find alternative transport. If needed you can contact us and we can arrange a private bus or car. Charter buses - privately chartered bus operators / drivers are required to comply with local licence and vehicle servicing standards
1.2 Boats and Ferries
We endeavour to provide or ensure availability of life-jackets for all boat and ferry journeys included in our itineraries. We rely on the boa operators to judge local conditions and determine whether the conditions are safe for travel. You may encounter public ferries that are crowded, and where the guide deems any risk unacceptable, they may arrange alternative transport. On smaller craft, where the risk of capsize is higher, you may be asked to wear life-jackets rather than just having them available to put on.
2. Activities
We ask that you inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions before travelling. If our operator/guide is of the opinion that a traveller is unsuitable for an activity on the trip, he/she has the discretion and authority to refuse that person from participating in the activity - for the safety of themselves, the rest of the travellers and the guides. Prior to an activity commencing, our staff will conduct a short safety briefing.
2.1 Animals
When riding donkeys or camels during our trips, helmets are not available to travellers. In conjunction with the local suppliers, we endeavour to ensure that only calm and well-behaved animals are provided by the operator.
2.2 Snorkelling
Any included snorkelling activity, your guide will brief you on safety procedures prior to departure. Travellers should, however, carefully consider their experience and capability in snorkelling and swimming before joining such an activity.
3. In respect of the general environment and safety, we make operations decision based on informed advice from a number of sources - including the mood and feeling within Egypt from our team on the ground. However, we highly recommend that you refer to your country’s governments travel advice prior to departure and review any issues with your travel insurance company.
age & health requirements
Minimum Age: our minimum age is 10 at the time of travel. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, an escort over the age of 18, appointed by a legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18’s day to day care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document to delegate their authority. Please note we cannot guarantee triple or adjoining rooms.
Although we do not have a maximum age limit, Egypt can be challenging just visiting the sites due to the lack of wheel chair access.
Also, if you were intending to travel during the summer months (June to August) please be aware temperatures can be well in excess of 40C.
We are happy to discuss any concerns you may have prior to booking.
dress policy
Egypt is an Islamic country and although it does not have any specific laws as to what people can wear our policy is that our travellers are respectful of the culture and our recommendation is that you dress conservatively.
Conservative dress for men consists of shorts that are below the knee and tops with sleeves (short sleeves as a minimum). For women this is similar - and we recommend that you avoid low cut tops and tops which may show midriff. Also it is respectful for women to wear a head scarf when visiting mosques.
Shoes are required to removed when visiting mosques.