FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Why travel with Discover Corps? Our mission at Discover Corps is to inspire travelers to become advocates for our planet’s natural wonders, cultural treasures, and local communities through immersive and sustainable vacations with purpose. For more information read here.
Are Discover Corps itineraries flexible? Our team before, during, and after your trip will work with you closely to ensure we are meeting all your needs/wants for your purposeful vacation and we do our best to be as flexible as possible. Our itineraries are packed full of interesting activities and exciting moments, however, we understand sometimes you may need to just stay back and rest. *Note: The price of our trips is, however, fixed.
Do you have to be from the US to travel with Discover Corps? No - At Discover Corps we help to provide anyone from any country their dream vacation with purpose!
How far in advance should I book my trip to Egypt? The earlier the book, the better. As flight prices increase, we recommend always checking out to see if it is affordable first before booking a trip with us. Additionally we usually need about 60 days to properly plan your trip and make all the needed reservations.
Are there age restrictions on your trips? The minimum age requirement for the Egypt trip is 6 years old (unless otherwise agreed upon with Discover Corps).
. I have a disability or someone in my family has a disability – will that be an issue? Generally no, but it depends on the severity of the issue. Most developing countries do not adhere to the same wheel accessibility as the U.S., so we recommend contacting us to discuss and determine which trip would work best.
I have special dietary requirements – will that be an issue? In Egypt, we are able to accommodate most dietary restrictions such as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. We do our best to accommodate all diets and allergies, but we do recommend you still inquire with a Discover Corps Travel Specialist about specific needs.
Is the water safe to drink in the country I’m visiting? We recommend that travelers choose purified water that's supplied throughout the trip.
Do I need travel insurance? Is Travel Insurance Included in my trip? No travel insurance is not included in your trip. However, we recommend that our travelers purchase travel insurance to help protect their investment. Our preferred Travel Insurance Provider is Arch Roam Right, who would be happy to assist in getting you travel insurance. For more information see here.
Is Medical Insurance Included in my trip? Yes. CISI Medical Evacuation Insurance is covered in your trip fee. Prior to your trip you will be emailed a medical insurance card via CISI Insurance that you'll need to print and travel with. For more information see here.
What is the difference between Travel & Medical Insurance? Travel insurance is designed to cover last minute cancellations and or disruptions as well as loss of personal belongings whereas international health insurance is designed to cover some medical treatments abroad, as well as emergency evacuation insurance. For more information see here.
What essential documents do I need to take? Any international travel requires a valid passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the travel date. Discover Corps recommends you take 2 photocopies of your passport and leave one at home and take the other with you. For more information see here.
How do I obtain a visa? Discover Corps includes the visa for the Egypt trip. If you are arriving early or before the official start date of the program, please contact Discover Corps for arrangements. For more information see here.
Are my belongings safe while I’m on my trip? Yes. We trust that your belongings are protected while under our staff’s watch. Please contact your Travel Specialist in regards to questions about included amenities at each lodging such as lockboxes.
What is the best way to carry money? It’s best to divide money into different places and keep small bills handy. In some destinations, accommodations offer safety boxes. If you need money once in the country there will be ATMs to take out money throughout the trip.
Are Discover Corps trips suitable for LGBTQ travelers? Yes, we are confident that LGBTQ travelers would be more than welcome on our trips and in Egypt.
I’m concerned about the political stability and/or safety of the country we’re visiting. Is it safe? Discover Corps holds the safety of our travelers and staff as our #1 priority. We provide safe and secure lodging, healthy, hygienic meals, purified drinking water, safe and comfortable transportation, and expert local knowledge in order to facilitate safe travel programs. Discover Corps also does not take travelers to destinations that are deemed unsafe. We are constantly keeping up with local news in the countries we visit and can help answer any concerns that may arise before your departure or during your trip.
What if I end up ill or get injured on the trip and am unable to continue? What happens then? In the case of injury or illness, first and foremost, we would seek proper medical attention. In each of the locations we operate, we have designated medical clinics and hospitals that we take travelers to in such cases. If you are unable to continue and have to return home, travel insurance will most likely cover the costs and Discover Corps guides will make sure you are taken care of. You can inquire with Arch RoamRight for the policies and the guidelines concerning this situation.
What type of luggage do you recommend I take? Overall, the rule of thumb across all of our trips is to pack as lightly as possible. This will simply reduce the amount of luggage you are carrying around throughout the trip and make things easier. Typically, rolling luggage works best, but keep in mind that uneven sidewalks and cobblestones in many destinations may make this more difficult.
What clothes and footwear should I pack? We always recommend comfortable shoes. Please reference the packing list on the Travel Portal here.
Will the Discover Corps guide be with the group the entire time? Yes, your dedicated Discover Corps guide will be with your group for the entirety of the trip- even on the Nile River Cruise. *Note: This does not necessarily imply if you arrive earlier.
When is the best time of year to visit Egypt? Between October and April. The desert climate is hot with almost no rain, departures between December-February will experience mild weather as it's Egypt's winter. The winter months will average 75-85 degrees in most places for much of the year.
Are Vaccines needed to go to Egypt? There are NO required vaccinations or shots for travel to Egypt. However per Discover Corps' Health & Safety Protocol, we require that all travelers provide proof of a negative COVID-19 Test. However, you should still consult your doctor to assure that all of your immunizations are up-to-date. We recommend that you consult with your local travel clinic for recommended inoculations for travel to Cuba. Your local travel clinic may have some recommendations specifically for you. For more information see more here.
What accommodation does Discover Corps Provide? For our accommodations in Egypt see here.
Can I use credit cards or ATM cards in Egypt? ATM's are easily accessible in Cairo but not so much in the smaller towns, also they go down frequently due to internet issues and glitches.
How much should I set aside for tips in Egypt? Who do we tip? We recommend taking $300-500 cash for currency exchanges, souvenirs, tipping & extra excursions (ex. The Sakkara Pyramid). Our Discover Corps guides are some of the best! To show your appreciation, tips are highly encouraged. You can tip in US Dollars. We suggest $10-20 USD per day (per person) for our guides and $10 USD per day (per person) for the step-on Egyptologist guides. For more information see here.
Can I use my cell phone in Egypt? Will there be internet access during the trip? It’s not guaranteed that your phone will work, we recommend reaching out to your cell phone provider to see the available international plans. For most of our destinations, WiFi is available in hotel lobbies, rooms, or common areas.
What electrical outlets do you use in Egypt? Electrical outlets in Egypt include two types: two associated plug types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Egypt operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.
How large is the cruise we are taking on the Nile River? The yacht is a 30-cabin floating boutique hotel. There is an outdoor, heated pool and jacuzzi on the fourth deck. There is a pool bar & grill that serves refreshments and food. In addition to the Discover Corps group, there will be other passengers on board.
How is the food in Egypt? Most meals & drinks are included in your Discover Corps trip with the expectation of 1-2 depending on your final itinerary. We also do our best to accommodate any dietary restrictions and allergies such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose intolerant etc. A traditional Egyptian meal is very similar to the Mediterranean style of cooking and therefore reliant on vegetables and legumes. the Egyptian cuisine is a beautiful treat to the eyes, nose, and stomach. It is fresh and simple but always rich in flavor! *Note that we also will be providing you with purified drinking water, we do however ask you to bring a reusable water bottle to be able to refill easily.
Is there a Laundry Service included? We do not offer laundry service. Laundry at the accommodation might have an extra charge.
What languages do they speak in Egypt? The official language of Egypt is Arabic. However, English and French are spoken by most educated Egyptians and by shopkeepers, in restaurants etc
Can I take pictures while at archaeological sites? Taking photos is allowed in all archaeological sites.A fee may be charged for cameras and for videos. Please check with your guides for restricted places. You should ask permission before photographing people. Please check with your guides for restricted places such as government buildings and/or military buildings.