☆ Call at the major cities and ancient capitals in Egypt
☆ Explore the most significant archeological sites and relics
☆ Cruise on a 5 star full-board vessel on the mighty Nile
☆ Sample unique local delicacies
☆ Provide ample optional features to enhance overall experiences
☆ Visit 4 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites
Tour Code: USULE10
Duration: 10 Days
Optional Features and Upgrades: Since the seats are limited, we recommend you to choose optional and extension programs at the time of booking:
Service Language: English
Extra Service: Travel Insurance Visa Service
1. Round-trip international flight from New York (All Airports) to Cairo for NO additional charge
The following departure cities are available for additional charge:
Additional U$500/person | Miami / Fort Lauderdale / Boston / Washington, D.C. / Orlando |
Additional U$600/person | Las Vegas / Austin / Oklahoma / Chicago / Detroit / Memphis / Milwaukee |
Additional U$700/person | Dallas / Philadelphia / Charlotte / Houston / Denver / Phoenix / Sacramento / San Antonio / Seattle / Portland / Los Angeles / San Diego / San Francisco / Toronto / Vancouver/ Montreal |
Land only package without round-trip international flight ticket: minus U$500/person
2. Hand-picked 5-star hotel accommodations and 5-star full board cruise on Nile River
3. Sightseeing admission fees as listed on the agenda
4. Food as specified on the itinerary
5. Special cultural programs as specified in the schedule
6. Professional English speaking local tour expert
7. All tax and fuel surcharge
1. Travel insurance
2. Any personal expenses
3. Tour extensions and optional programs
4. A Mandatory Service Charge & Tipping U$250/person is required and payable by Credit Card Before Your Final Payment Due Date.
5. Single Supplement Fee (Our tour price is based on double occupancy. If a single passenger is traveling alone and not sharing a room for the entire trip, the tour price charged to the single traveler will be double the standard tour price.)
ALL PRICES ARE IN USD
DEPOSIT POLICY:
Full Payment is Required at the Time of Booking
Optional program and Upgrades:
* Since the seats are limited, we recommend you to choose optional and extension programs at the time of booking.
Group Size:
☆ 10 - 40 Each Departure Date.
Onboard the international flight to Cairo.
Arrive in Cairo, find your own transportation to your hotel or you can choose the optional private airport pick-up service ($80/ Person--Minimum to 2 ppl).
Overnight stay in Cairo.
Cairo, the largest city in Africa with a population of 16 million, has been the capital city since 973 AD. Nicked-named “City of a Thousand Minarets”, Cairo has 3100 years of splendid history especially after 641 AD which has earned the historical section a UNESCO site listing. Your guide will take you to the outskirts of the city and admire the UNESCO listed Great Pyramids of Giza, built some 4500 years ago. Being the tallest constructions of the whole world till the 19th century, Pyramids have been one of the “Seven Wonders of the World” and the symbol of ancient Egyptian civilization for thousands of years. Next is the famous Great Sphinx which was carved out of one huge piece of limestone about 4600 years ago. Afterwards, tacking on the busy Khan el-Khalili Market will for sure add a local touch on your journey in the historic center of the ancient Cairo.Visit Papyrus Institute and learn how this ancient art has been revived after thousands of years.
Tonight, we are flying to Aswan and stay overnight in Aswan.
Today is an exciting day as you will board your 5-star cruise on the Nile. Before the embarkation, we highly recommend our optional tour to Abu Simbel Temples.
Optional Tour: Abu Simbel Temples tour U$149/Person
Departure: Approximate 4:00-4:30 AM
Duration: 8-9 Hours
Upon arrival, discover the majestic Abu Simbel Temples, the largest and the most impressive temples of Ancient Egypt. The Abu Simbel Temples are two massive rock temples. The complex is listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Nubian Monuments” which runs from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae near Aswan. The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside in the 13th century BC, during the 19th dynasty reign of the Pharaoh Ramesses II. They serve as a lasting monument to the king and his queen Nefertari as well as to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Kadesh. Believe it or not, this whole complex was relocated little by little to the present site from 1964 to 1968 to avoid the rising flood from the construction of the High Dam.
For all group members,begin your day by exploring the well-known Aswan Dam Site, one of the seven world largest hydropower stations. Aswan has been around known for the local quarries of high quality marbles and that is part of the reasons why the dam was built here. In ancient times, most of the stone pillars and granite columns for the temples and mausoleums were from Aswan and you will be invited to see the Unfinished Obelisk in an open-air archaeological museum during the tour. Because of the construction of the High Dam and in order to avoid being submerged in the man-made lake, the Temple of Philae, built for worshiping Isis, was dismantled and removed to an island in 1979 piece by piece. Being one of the temples left from the Ptolemaic dynasty, this temple complex has been well protected by UNESCO and it is becoming an unique island-based temple attracting numerous pilgrims from all over the world. Egyptian cotton is world famous and never miss out the opportunity to explore the local workshop in Aswan to get first hand information.
Overnight stay on the cruise.
Remarks for the Nile cruise:
1.Wifi on the cruise might be slow or unstable. Rate is around U$5 per hour or U$10 per day for each device.
2.Beverages onboard including alcohol, soft drinks and water are all available for a fee.
3.Time to go through the lock is depending on the navigation authority and water conditions.
4.Daily meals are generally buffet style.
5.There is normally no elevators on the vessel.
Today, our cruise starts sailing downstream from Aswan and will be docked for you to go ashore for touring some significant historical sites. The Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus, was built in a strict symmetrical order in the New Kingdom with delicate reliefs and intricate texts on the walls. An amazing Nilometer was found inside the temple for measuring the water conditions and flood level back in the old days. Continue on to the Temple of Horus at Edfu which is still intact from the Ptolemaic Kingdom. This temple is by far one of the best preserved shrines in Egypt due to the fact that it was buried 12 meters underground for centuries owing to the layers of silt from the Nile. The carvings and inscriptions on the wall indicate the mythical legend of Osiris, Seth, Isis and Horus.
Overnight on the cruise.
Today, our cruise navigates its way towards Luxor, an old capital city named Thebes in the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom period, now called an “Open-air Museum Town” dotted with over 500 ancient tombs. The whole ancient Thebes with its Necropolis has been granted UNESCO status, bearing witness to the height of Egyptian civilization. Get off the ship and hit the road to admire the Luxor Temple built 3400 years ago by Amenhotep III of the 18th dynasty to enshrine and worship Amon-Ra, Mut and Khonsu. Connected by the Rams Road, on the other side of this avenue is the magnificent Karnak Temple, the world"s largest religious complex existing from ancient times. It took about 50 Pharaohs, around 1700 years since 2000 BC to finish this huge project. The 134 iconic and massive columns of the Hypostyle Hall are often seen in some blockbuster movies.
Overnight on the cruise.
We invite the early risers to participate in an unforgettable adventure (optional) by riding on a hot air balloon at sunrise time. Luxor is one of the top 3 world-famous destinations ideal for hot air balloon activity as this is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the aerial views of the spectacular Valley of the Kings, the striking monuments and the wriggling Nile.
Optional Tour: Morning hot air balloon ride U$149/person
Remarks for hot air balloon experience:
Departure: Approximate 5:00-5:30AM depending on the season
Duration: 3 Hours
After breakfast on the cruise, bid farewell to your moving home on the Nile and we are scheduled to marvel at the Valley of the Kings with a quick stop en route at Colossi of Memnon. These two huge sandstone statues of Amenhotep III have been standing here for 3400 years as if he is still elaborating his motivations for all his construction works. Proceed to the grand Mortuary of Hatshepsut on three elevated terraces against the sheer cliffs. This masterpiece of architecture was built to commemorate and worship Hatshepsut who was enthroned as a female Pharaoh and stayed in power for 21 years.Stop at a local perfume gallery and study the history of this well known special local product.
Fly back to Cairo. Enjoy the rest of the day for free.
Overnight stay in Cairo.
Head to Alexandria by bus (135mi/220km) and enjoy the unique North African countryside along the way. Being the second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria used to be the capital city for Copts and now it is a captivating summer resort known as “Bride of the Mediterranean Sea". Upon arrival, spend some time admiring the Citadel of Qaitbay constructed on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the “Seven World Wonders”. It is estimated that the lighthouse was at least 330ft/100m tall but it collapsed during a severe earthquake after standing for about 1700 years. Al Muntazah Palace is our next stop where you have a chance to appreciate this Summer Palace finished in 1892 in Roman and Turkish styles, catering to the Egyptian royal family. Kom El-Shuqafa lies the western necropolis of Alexandria with three stories underground. The catacombs were cut and carved from solid stone about 98ft/30m deep from about 1800 years ago, symbolizing the ancient Roman funeral tradition. Next, visit Pompey’s Pillar, the city landmark tower built in 291 AD accompanied by two red granite sphinxes. Take a walk along the Seaside Promenade, lined with restaurants, malls, clubs and coffee shops.
Drive back to Cairo and stay overnight.
Optional Tour: Cairo by night with dinner U$99/person
Step out in the evening and take in the beauty of Cairo by night. Embark on a cruise and glide through Cairo from the old town to the new town while savoring a tasteful dinner. Watching and enjoying the belly dance, folklore show, live band, Tanoura spin and illuminated skyline of the city will be a perfect way to wrap up your unforgettable day.
Enjoy your free day or you may join us for an optional in-depth tour of Cairo with special lunch.
Optional Tour: Cairo city tour with special lunch U$169/person
Head straight to the French designed Cairo Museum, home to a large collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. Among the 300,000 priceless relics, the valuable Narmer Palette, the storied Rosetta Stele, the mysterious mummies and the shining gold mask of Tutankhamun are some of the most significant treasures depicting the dazzling glory of Egypt in history. Continue to the Citadel of Saladin, a medieval fortress set on top of Mokattam Hills overlooking the whole city. Situated on the summit of the citadel, there is an impressive Ottoman style structure, Alabaster Mosque built by Muhammad Ali who was the governor of Egypt and the founder of modern Egypt. Walk around the unique Coptic Section before a delicious Kebab&Kushari lunch. Afternoon visit is the ancient Memphis, the capital city of ancient Egypt featuring the Pyramid of DJoser, the very first pyramid ever constructed in the history of Egypt and also the huge granite Statue of Ramesses II, a 9-meter tall figure made 3200 years ago.
Overnight stay in Cairo.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home (transfer is not included).
*Please note: Depending on the air scheduling and availability, your flight back to USA/Canada may depart very early in the morning the next day (00:00 am-03:00 am).
For your final day, you may explore the city on your own and transfer to the airport in the evening. Hotel check-out is before noontime. (Late check-out may be available for a fee subject to the hotel policy).
ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE:
☆ Upgrade to the Deluxe 5-star hotel accommodation: U$499/person (Early bird price U$399/person)
** For solo traveler, please double up the accommodation upgrade surcharge
CABIN UPGRADE:
☆ Standard Cabin: U$169/person (Early bird price U$69/person)
☆ Classic Cabin: U$229/person (Early bird price U$129/person)
FLIGHT CHOICE:
☆ Regular Flight: We are trying to put you on a direct flight. If this is not possible, you will take flights with moderate layover time: + U$0
☆ Express Flight: We are trying to put you on a direct flight. If this is not possible, you will take flights with limited layover time of less than 6 hours each way
Price: U$299/person
☆ Swift Flight: You will take a direct flight with no layover guaranteed (if there is (a) direct flight(s) service already existing between your departure gateway and the arrival gateway of your destination country)
Price: U$599/person
☆ Business Class Upgrade (exclusively available for US departures): Elevate your journey with a luxurious international long-haul flight that defines sophistication and comfort.
Price: U$6,000/person
VALUE PACK: Click here to view the itinerary
Price: U$537/person (with extra 5% off)
OPTIONAL PROGRAMS (CHOOSE BEFORE THE TRIP STARTS):
☆ Day 4: Abu Simbel Temples tour U$149/person
☆ Day 7: Morning hot air balloon ride U$149/person
☆ Day 8: Cairo by night with dinner U$99/person
☆ Day 9: Cairo city tour with special lunch U$169/person
RETURN FLIGHT DEVIATION SERVICE:
1) Return Flight Deviation Service - 3 days (Airport drop-off service not included)
Price: U$1,299/person
Early Bird Price: U$1,199
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
2) Return Flight Deviation Service - 5 days (Airport drop-off service not included)
Price: U$1,399/person
Early Bird Price: U$1,299
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
3) Return Flight Deviation Service - 6-20 days (Airport drop-off service not included)
Price: U$1,499/person
Early Bird Price: U$1,399
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
*Please note the exact departure date may be selected at a later point prior to final payment or you may specify your preferred return date in the "Remark" Column.
PRE & POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION SERVICE:
Please contact us for details and pricing whenever you need
5-Star accommodations:
☆ Cairo: Mövenpick or similar
☆ Aswan: Tolip or similar
Accommodation Upgrade to Deluxe 5 Star:
☆ Cairo: InterContinental or similar
☆ Aswan: Mövenpick or similar
International Air:(*UTOvacation reserves the right to confirm the airlines below)
☆ United Airline:
☆ American Airline:
☆ Delta Airline:
☆ Air Canada:
☆ Lufthansa Airlines
☆ Jet Airways
☆ Lot Polish Airlines
☆ Tap Air Portugal
☆ Austrian Airlines
☆ KLM Airlines
☆ Alitalia
☆ Air France
☆ French Bee Airline
☆ Virgin Atlantic
☆ Vueling Airlines
☆ Air Caraibes
☆ Level Airline
☆ Norwegian Air Shuttle
☆ Iberia
☆ Air Italy
☆ Aeroflot
☆ Aer Lingus
☆ Finnair
☆ Swiss International Air Lines
☆ Scandinavian Airlines
☆ Brussels Airlines
☆ British Airways
☆ Turkish Airlines
☆ Ukraine Intl Airlines
☆ Royal Air Maroc
☆ Etihad Airways
☆ Egyptair
☆ Italia Trasporto Aereo
☆ Qatar Airways
☆ Royal Jordanian
☆ Emirates Airline
EGYPT REQUIRES A VISA FOR USA & CANADA PASSPORT HOLDERS.
* UTOvaction"s Egypt E-visa Service Option (Single entry, 30 days stay): U$119/person
Visit the "IATA Travel Centre" for detailed information on country-specific passport, visa and health requirements:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm
Entry requirements (on arrival)
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival date.
- e-Visa printout
- Travel itinerary
- Supporting letter e.g. letter from company or invitation letter for business/family visits.
- Hotel bookings/details about places to visit if going as tourist.
Call 1-855-526-1286 or email [email protected] for any inquiries about travel visas.
More about Travel Documents
*It is your responsibility to ensure that you- and any child travelling with you- have all the valid travel documents necessary to enter in, exit from or transit through, each country/region on your itinerary. Note that the documents required for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required for the return.
*Your passport should be valid for six months beyond your date of return. Passport must be in good condition: passport damaged beyond normal wear and tear will not be accepted.
*Consult with the appropriate embassy, high commission or consulate about the travel document requirement for any country that you plan to enter in, exit from or transit through.
*Some country no longer issue paper visas but rather electronic visas. E-Visa holders must present the printed e-Visa and valid passport at the checkpoint.
*International travel with infants and children may be required to show documentary evidence of your relationship and a Letter Consent or permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present.
*Americans holding dual citizenship must travel to the United States with a valid U.S. passport. American permanent residents returning to the United States from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
*Canadians holding dual citizenship must travel to Canada with a valid Canadian passport. Canadian permanent residents returning Canada from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card (PR Card).
*Passport with “X” gender identifier: While the United States Government and the Government of Canada issue passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.
Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs. Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza"s colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor"s hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the King"s tombs. The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities
Why visit Egypt
Temples, pharaohs, hieroglyphics, and pyramids. Unlike many countries, Egypt doesn’t need an introduction. The stories of raided tombs and well-preserved mummies make this country the top of pretty much everyone’s bucket list and with good reason. From the bustling streets of Cairo to the glimmering beaches of the Red Sea, Egypt is guaranteed to simultaneously delight, shock, and enchant. Egypt’s capital alone has plenty of spectacular things to do and see.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt as a tourist?
Yes, Egypt is safe and can be traveled to independently. However. Egypt is chaotic and can be difficult to navigate, especially if you don’t speak the language.
If it’s your first time visiting and you’d prefer not to worry about all these tips and the hassle of transporting yourself from place to place, we highly recommend booking a tour. Most are pretty affordable and having your peace of mind and actually enjoying your trip is seriously priceless.
Visa in Egypt
Americans/Canadians need to get a visa for Egypt, which can be done either on or before arrival. If you prefer a visa on arrival, it costs USD $25 in cash for a 30 day visa. Bring exact change in USD or Egyptian pounds because no other currency is accepted. You’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date.
The best time to visit Egypt
There’s really no bad time to visit Egypt, as the weather is generally pleasant year-round, with the exception of deathly hot summers.
Language in Egypt
The official language of Egypt is Arabic, spoken with an Egyptian dialect. In general, most people (especially at tourist sites) can speak enough English for you to get by.
Currency in Egypt
Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound, and at the time of updating this post, the rate was about USD $1 to 16 EGP which makes Egypt incredibly budget-friendly. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and nicer restaurants, but it’s generally better to carry cash. There are plenty of ATM machines and currency exchanges all over the big cities.
Exchanging money in Egypt
The best way to exchange money in Egypt is to bring USD and change it at the hotel or one of many money exchanges in Cairo (most are in Downtown). Although some restaurants and shops accept credit cards, cash is still king in Egypt. You can also withdraw money from ATMs (USD $250 max per day) if you don’t want to carry a bunch of cash with you.
Other Items/Electricity
Camera and batteries. Camcorder. Mobile phone. Chargers of your cell phone, digital camera, etc. The electricity used in Egypt is 230-220V. Washrooms in many middle and high-class hotels are equipped with transformer plugs for electric shavers and hair dryers. For safety purposes, preparing an adapter is a much better idea.
What to pack and what to wear for a trip to Egypt
• Comfortable shoes: It’s really tempting to wear open-toed shoes in Egypt
• Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer is useful for general sanitizing, especially if a bathroom isn’t handy or it doesn’t have soap.
• Toilet paper: Toilet paper isn’t always a thing in Egypt, you can always buy toilet paper there or take some from your hotel.
• Filtered water bottle: Refill your water bottle in the food safety section.
• Travel insurance: Yes, you need travel insurance.
• Scarf: Having a large scarf on hand is helpful for impromptu mosque visits or to protect your skin when the sun is feeling just a little too strong.
Staying hydrated and drinking water in Egypt
Be sure to stay extra hydrated while you’re in Egypt.
Any of travel products or services that you purchase from UTOvacation contains a contractual agreement between you and UTOvacation and it represents that you have agreed to UTOvacation Terms and Conditions. Please make sure that you read carefully before making any payment.
Reservation
Online Reservations
Step 1. Visit UTOvacation website at www.utovacation.com, register login to your account.
Step 2. Choose your desired departure date and departure city.
Step 3. Enter the travellers’ information according to the passport. Please identify and provide the contact information for the main traveller. All communication from UTOvacation will be sent to the main traveller only.
Step 4. Make your payment online:A Non-refundable, non-transferable payment is required to secure the space. (The specific deposit amount is determined by the requirements specified on the product pages and the amount indicated during the enrollment process for each respective product.)
Step 5. Finalize the booking by uploading all required documents to your online account no later than 180 days before your departure date (If you choose to provide your required documents after your initial booking ). In the event of delayed payment or late submission of essential travel documents, including but not limited to passport information and a valid passport copy, by 180 days of your departure date, your booking may be subject to suspension, cancellation, or forfeiture. If our supplier makes an exception and accepts your late booking (due to late payment and late document submission), you will be able to continue your tour with an additional surcharge for each traveler. The surcharge will align with the original total payment you completed during the booking, inclusive of all optional and mandatory fees detailed on the invoice. It is imperative to note that this surcharge is subject to the fees imposed by our suppliers.
Final Payment
Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 180 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred.
Please note: Your timely payment is important to guarantee your seat/cabin and ensure the overall tour package price. Your balance or final payment will NOT be charged automatically by UTOvacation and payment reconciliation in time on your side is necessary to confirm your booking.
The full or balance payment (if any balance on your invoice) is required 180 days prior to the tour departure date. For all packages, please ensure the submission of all essential travel documents, including but not limited to passport information and a valid passport copy, by this date (180 days before the tour departure). In the event of delayed payment or late submission of essential travel documents, a surcharge will be applied for each traveler. The surcharge will align with the original total payment you completed during the booking, inclusive of all optional and mandatory fees detailed on the invoice. It is imperative to note that this surcharge is subject to the fees imposed by our suppliers.
Offline Reservations
Step 1. Complete the reservation.
Call 1-855-526-1286 to request Booking Form. Fill out all the information on the Booking Form with an authentic signature and date on the bottom of the second page. It is the passenger"s responsibility to ensure documentation accuracy and travel documents validity. You will be liable for the full loss caused by incorrect information. By the time you full-fill the booking form, you have agreed to receive correspondence from UTOvacation which might include newsflash, email blast or any other promotions in the future. Email/Fax your current and valid Passport Copy with the Booking Form together to [email protected]/416-251-7778
Step 2. Finalize the booking.
Make the deposit. A Non-refundable, non-transferable payment is required to secure the space.. We accept cash, cheque, money order, debit card, credit card, email transfer, TD transfer. A full payment is required when booking if the package is a special on-sale product.
Step 3. Booking is confirmed.
Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 180 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred. * In addition, some products may require a second deposit before final payment. Please carefully review your product pages for your reference.
By booking your tour offline with UTOvacation.com, you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions including the Internet Sales & Deposit Policy and the Sales and Cancellation Policy. You also confirm and agree that you understand that the deposit/payment at booking is non-refundable.
Final Trip Confirmation
A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information will be sent to the main contact traveller approximately one month before departure.
Trip Cancellation and Eligible Refunds
Please ensure you have read the Trip Cancellation Policy in full and have not scrolled past or by-passed this section.
UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify a tour prior to departure date. An alternative departure date will be offered for no extra charge should there be any travel restrictions, lock-downs imposed by governments, health organizations, travel bureaus. A full travel credit will be offered for future trip rebooking or rescheduling if there are extreme cases happening which are all beyond our control including but not limited to any global pandemics, regional epidemics, wars, or any other acts of god.
All passenger cancellation after booking will be consider non refundable, any cancellation or change requests must be confirmed in written form by email including your reservation number, full name and date of travel, cancellations will only be accepted in writing.
Once air tickets are issued, they are considered non-refundable. Any cancellations made, whether prior to or after the commencement of travel, will not be eligible for a refund. An administration fee will also apply. No refund will be available once travel has begun.
Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received and based on the following dates prior to departure.
All reservations, except where specified:
All refund-related processes will take around 6 to 8 weeks to process.
No refund will be available on departure date and/or after the tour has commenced (Including denied and/or rejected by Immigration Department or Custom of destination or Cruise port terminal officer).
No refund or reimbursement will be available to passengers who voluntarily forego meals, cruise, tours and/or accommodations. A surcharge may apply should there be any additional fees occurred from services refused by the passengers. i.e. Since air ticket, cruise ticket, transportation, accommodation, and meals have to be arranged in advance during high season (i.e.Holidays, Special Events, and other important activities and conventions), no departure date changed is allowed. No refund will be available on departure date change and/or booking cancellation.
Any other charges, refunds or rebates caused by the acts of God, Force Majeure, natural disasters, fire, weather, governmental and local authority"s order, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or inquiry caused by accident is beyond the responsibility of UTOvacation and therefore, you agree to hold UTOvacation harmless and non-liable for any refunds or compensation outside of the previously defined refund structure. Furthermore, should the traveller violate any local/provincial or national laws during their travels, UTOvacation is not responsible or liable. By this signing the agreement the client agrees to any offer of a voucher, future company credit, or alternative arrangements as determined by management at that time.
Should an outright travel ban be implemented by the departing or destination country/city, a full travel credit will be offered. Refunds will not be granted for pre-existing situations at the destination country at the time of the booking. Please note, should UTOvacation incur any unexpected costs from its suppliers, these costs would be subtracted from and balance/travel credit issued to the passenger.
Please note, any refundable amount will not include fees associated with Travel Visa’s which have already been issued or any services that have already been delivered or any incurred fees already charged by suppliers and such final refundable amount will be returned in the form of the original payment to the payer.
All reschedule tours are considered non-refundable; regular cancellation policy does not apply.
All upgrade packages are non-refundable including gold/silver flight package, hotel, cruise cabin, meal package and etc.
Optional programs and trip extensions
The pre-paid deposit/tour fare for any of the early bird deals or promotional packages is not refundable.
Travel Visa
The following documents from the passenger are required if travel visa is applied through UTOvacation’s Visa Center:
*Remarks: If acquiring a visa on your own, the supporting documents will be provided from UTOvacation One Month prior to the trip departure date. Supporting documents requested early are subject to a $100 administration fee..
A Word About Tipping
For the on-tour convenience of some itineraries, we will collect all gratuities which is to be shared by our local team. This may include tour leaders, guides, drivers, baggage porters, airport coordinators, restaurant waiters for all included meals and other staff in the team behind the scenes.
Please remember that these gratuities are appreciated as recognition for excellent service and we thank you for your encouragement and generocity.
Infant/Baby
We don"t take any infants or babies under 2 years old for any of our tours.
No Show
Should a passenger fail to participate in the scheduled daily activities or attend their scheduled tour for any reason, please note that all prepaid tour fares are non-refundable.
Shopping During your Tour
Although we would be happy to assist your shopping needs, UTOvacation would not be responsible for price, quality, and service of any goods purchased during the tour. If you have any inquiries about the quality, price, after-sales service, etc., of the purchased goods, please contact the store directly.
Price Adjustments
After the booking is confirmed, if the price increased following the imposition of a surcharge on fuel by the carrier or an increase in the exchange rate, insofar as the exchange rate applicable before the date on which the services are provided has increased by more than 5% since the date on which the contract was entered into; and/or if the increase, without taking into account any increase in the provincial sales tax or USA Canada"s goods and services tax, raising taxes, royalties or reauthorized charges by a competent public authority, is equal to or greater than 7% of the price of services, you may choose between a full and immediate reimbursement of the services or the provision of similar services.(except for acts of God, wars, national strikes, travel restrictions, significant inflations, global pandemic or anything beyond our control)
Tour Adjustments
UTOvacation retains the right to adjust, modify or reschedule tours if deemed necessary.
UTOvacation also reserves the right to adjust your tour date or itinerary if it feels it is in the best interest of its passengers especially in cases that involve the health and safety. This may include minor adjustments like the timing of a scheduled tour attraction visit to a complete date modification.
UTOvacation will do its best to notify you of any such changes before your departure (Or as soon as possible if you have already departed).
Stipulations. Please note, UTOvacation does its’ best to fulfill its tour obligations. However, UTOvacation is not liable for scenarios which impact room availability, tour execution, separate fees or other elements of the tour that is enforced by third party entities such as local and federal authorities.
Tour Credits
Please note: Travel
credit will be applied should there be any cancellation/refund occurs if the
tour/service has been paid by travel credit in the initial transaction.
Travel Seat Arrangements
Seating/Cabin assignment: UTOvacation has no power to control the seating selection on the aircraft or cabin location on the cruise (unless where specified). All the spots are arranged by the airline/cruise line group department or randomly selected by the computer system. Therefore, UTO vacation cannot help the customers to change, reserve, pre-assign seats/cabins.
Preferred Seat Upgrade: UTOvacation will not be responsible for any preferred seat upgrade on aircraft (except for business or first class seats). Some cruise packages allow the selection of cabins at the time of booking for an upgraded price; please refer to the product page for details.
Reservation Adjustments
Changes to an existing reservation by the passenger for whatever the cause, will incur a $299 per person charge plus any additional supplier fees. This includes name changes and removal of any services such as optional tours and transfers. The deposit and/or full payment for any optional feature that is on an early bird or special sale promotion is non-refundable and non-transferable.
*Please note that name changes to airline or cruise line reservations are subject to full cancellation or re-booking. See Airline Name Changes section for specific regulations.
Replacing a travelling passenger is subject to cancellation penalties and is not covered by this Reservation Changes policy.
Changes or additional requests after departure are subject to local rates at the time of amendment and must be paid directly by the passenger to the service provider. UTOvacation will make its best effort to minimize these costs, however, all payment will be payable by request of the local service providers.
There are no refunds for unused services.
Optional Tours
There is a need to pay deposit for any of the optional programs and extensions. Please note there is a possibility that the seats are all gone once you wish to attend such activity onsite or price might change due to the inflation, so we ask you to sign up early. For any early bird or discounted rate for the side trips special promotion, a non-refundable deposit or full fare might be required as per the terms and conditions.
Travel Insurance
UTOvacation strongly recommends all tour members to purchase travel insurance at the time of booking. UTOvacation does not directly offer Travel Insurance. The Travel Insurance recommended by UTOvacation are facilitated and owned by third party operators. Any Travel Insurance purchased by the passenger is governed by the third party and UTOvacation is not liable or responsible for said insurance.
Flight upgrade
Our ticketing department will send you an email 30 days prior to your departure to confirm your flight details.
Baggage
Each airline company has its own rules and regulations with the baggage weight, size, and number. The best way to find out the rules and regulations is to go visit the airline company official website.
Please note, some destinations baggage is not included in the fare. Refer to your specific tour product page’s terms & conditions for specific baggage allowances.
Gratuities
Gratuities for tour director/local guide or driver are not included in the package price and if you are happy with their outstanding services, we recommend a tipping guideline: $15 per person per day for the guide and $ 5 per person per day for the driver. If you find the service is exceptional, feel free to tip additionally. Please keep in mind that the amount of appreciation is always at your discretion except for some itineraries and we thank you for your generosity and kindness. Should you wish to settle your tipping money before the trip by using credit card, you may do so in your account.
Tour Fare Includes
Please refer to your tour itinerary for the most updated information
Tour Fare Excludes
Vaccinations
- Please be advised that the vaccination requirements are subject to change in each country and that it is the responsibility of the traveler and not UTOvacation to check about the requirements before the arrival of your destination.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that all travelers should be up to date with routine vaccinations. Following that, travelers should check that they have been fully vaccinated against measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, and COVID-19 before starting their travel. Non-immunized or incompletely immunized travelers should be offered the routine vaccinations recommended in their national immunization schedules, in addition to those needed for international travel (e.g. yellow fever vaccine).
- The WHO recommends the following vaccinations for travelers to South America: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, and rabies. Some routine vaccinations are also recommended, such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), influenza, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, meningitis, and polio.
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travelers, based on their specific itinerary. It is possible to find further details on the WHO website.
Additional Notes
The extra cost of schedule delay caused by Air Flight cancellation or change will be undertaken by passengers themselves. The missed itineraries will not be re-arranged. During the tour or cruise, it will be considered as surrendering application automatically if you do not attend the pre-arranged tour or check in the prearranged hotel or cruise.
All the extra cost will be undertaken by the client voluntarily. UTOvacation reserves the right to abandon any clients if such clients violate the law or damage the interest of tour groups If a travel visa is denied for any reason either applied through UTOvacation Visa Service Center or applied on your own, the tour cancellation policy applies when cancellation of the tour is requested. UTOvacation holds no responsibilities for any denied Travel Visa application.
If a child, 18 years old or younger, is travelling abroad with only one parent/guardian, children MUST carry a notarized consent letter signed by non-accompanying parent/guardian. If a child, 18 years old or younger is travelling alone, children MUST carry a notarized consent letter signed by both parents/guardian. Such a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving from a foreign country or by North American officials when re-entering into USA or Canada. Failure of presenting such document may result in the rejection of boarding aircraft or vessel for the children concerned.
Cruise lines reserve the right to cancel, modify or substitute any scheduled port of calls and the schedule at any time and for any reason whatsoever without prior notice due to the navigation authority and water conditions. Any additional expenses caused by the trip interruption should be paid by the customers, which includes but not limited to meals, transportation, hotel accommodations, personal expense, and lost baggage. UTOvacation shall not be liable for any loss to guests.
Please note, there is a minimum attendant requirement (10 participants) for optional programs and Pre and Post tour extensions, If less than 10, there will be a FIT surcharge of up to 50% extra on top of the price per person. UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify optional programs and Pre and Post tour extensions prior to departure date.
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Please be advised that we will only respond to emails in the event of an emergency. For immediate assistance, we recommend contacting our customer support team through our online chat platform or by phone. UTOvacation assumes no responsibility in the event of a failure to contact us through online chat or phone and disclaims any liability for customers missing any travel documents or payments before or during the tour.
Important
Passengers are required to settle the final payment and submit valid passport copies/ necessary documents before the deadline or immediately when the suppliers, airlines, hotels will be or are at a stop sale. Please note, after confirming such bookings, any cancellation, tour change, name change or travel credit converting are not allowed.
Safeguarding your payment(s) is our top priority. In order to prevent any rampant fraudulence or deception, we ask our customers to settle payment(s) through your account on UTOvacation official website at www.utovacation.com. Should you choose offline payment submission, Cheque/Money order/Bank draft/Credit card (with credit card authorization form filled out and signed) are accepted and the payee must be UTOvacation. Please be advised that UTOvacation has never been allowing Bank transfer/Email transfer for transactions and Cash is not recommended. If you find something suspicious regarding your payment, please call 1-855.526.1286 before any further actions.
Please note that the supplier provides all flight schedules. UTOvacation would not be held responsible or liable for any heavy layovers or arrival times that may affect your tour schedule. For example, if your flight arrives earlier than expected, your hotel accommodation may not be available for check-in. Likewise, you may arrive later than scheduled and early morning the next day. For customer who choose regular flights options, please note that you do not have choice for the flight companies,arrivel/departure time and numbers of layovers. If you request a better flight schedule, please check out the flight upgrade services we provide.
For customers who opt for regular flight options, please be advised that your flight schedule may include up to four stopovers, and layover times are not guaranteed. Your flight plan will precisely align with your intended travel schedule.
UTOvacation is not responsible for changes to the schedule, including alterations to routing or the number of stops in the itinerary, made by the airline company. Additionally, UTOvacation cannot provide compensation for schedule modifications, adjustments to seat assignments, or cancellations initiated by the airline.
Dispute Penalty
Please note, if a customer requires cancellation of a product or service, kindly reach out to UTOvacation customer service. If a customer files a dispute/chargeback directly with their bank, the order will be automatically canceled and suspended in your account.
If a customer wishes to reinstate their purchase or credit, they must pay a disputed penalty of $299 per transaction if the total payment amount exceeds $299; 50% of the total invoice amount if the amount is less than $299; all dispute penalties are per transaction. Chargeback fees, transaction fees, administration expenses, marketing/acquisition costs, and operations charges are all part of the disputed penalty. After you have reinstated your order and paid the disputed penalty, you will receive the travel credit. The travel credit can be used to book the same or different tours on our website. You will not be reinstated to your original order, and the amount you paid for that excursion will not be guaranteed.
Remarks:
1) UTOvacation reserves the right to impose relevant fuel/inflation surcharge if Brent Crude Oil Price Index or US/Canada Official CPI has jumped over 4% between your booking date and tour departure date.
2) UTOvacation usually sends out important notifications including but not limited to destination health protocols, travel industry policies, tour updates and safety alerts to our agents/customers by newsletter through email. We are not responsible for trip delay, service cancellation, price increase or any other types of loss caused by unsubscribing from our email list, wrong email address or a lack of checking email box/spam folder/junk folder on a regular basis. If you have not received our newsletter for a long time, make sure your email address is effective/valid and you are on our email list. OR contact us immediately at [email protected] for assistance.
3) Please note that local city taxes are not included in the invoice amount. These taxes, as imposed by the city, are typically calculated on a per-person, per-night basis. The customer is responsible for paying the local city taxes directly while staying at the designated location.
Special Notes for Middle Eastern packages:
Please be advised that traveling in the Middle East requires open-mind and willingness to respect the local culture, religion and tradition.
1.It is highly recommended that women wear tops covering shoulders and skirts falling below the knee in public. Knee-length shorts are allowed for men. It is customary for women to cover their shoulders and hair and men to have shirts and long pants when visiting a mosque or temple. More conservative dress is expected during the Ramadan or Jewish holiday period.
2.Non-Muslims above the age of 21 are only allowed to consume alcohol in licensed hotels, clubs and restaurants, never in public open areas.
3.Taking photographs of individuals, especially females, needs a permission first. Do not take any pictures with military facilities, borders and airports.
4.Horse carts and camel rides at tourist sites are mostly not included in the entrance fees. We suggest that you negotiate ride fare and tips with the merchant beforehand in order to avoid any unexpected situation at the end of the ride. Keep the exact change in local currency handy.
5.Ramadan is the holy month for the Islamic world and all Muslims have to fast from dawn to dusk without eating, drinking or smoking. Alcohol is available in licensed bars and restaurants after sunset for non-Muslims. Tourist hotels usually keep one restaurant open during the day catering to resident guests. Also during Ramadan month, live performance, certain music and dancing are prohibited. Shops are open after sunset.
6.Most hotels and restaurants provide kosher foods with no pork or shellfish in Israel.
7.Shabbat is the Jewish holy-day and day of rest of the week. It starts on every Friday after sunset and ends on Saturday evening. Offices, public transportation (except for taxi), private businesses are closed (i.e., stores and restaurants) and reopen after the Shabbat.
UTOvacation strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance for any future travel plans.
We have curated two reputable partners one in the USA and one for Canada. Once you have made your trip selection, please select the option of purchasing travel insurance.
For USA patrons, in order to qualify for the “Cancel For Any Reason” Option offered by John Hancock, you will need to purchase your insurance within 14 days of your initial deposit. Other insurance policies may be purchased later.
Please note, the travel insurance that is available for purchase is with our affiliate partners and not a direct product or offering of UTOvacation. For any questions or concerns, please contact the vendor directly.
American Travel Insurance (click for more details)
Canadian Travel Insurance (click for more details)