Egypt & Beyond: The Best Eid Getaways

Eid al-Adha is coming up, dragging with it ten whole days of vacation and that ever so difficult question: What are your plans this summer? These Egyptian trip agencies have come to our rescue with a variety of local and international trips to make the most of the national holiday.

Saint Catherine

Hiking connoisseurs Wild Guanabana are heading to Saint Catherine for their “Hike and Swim” adventure from July 8th to July 11th, for four days and three nights. Going through the Sinai Trail - often referred to as the “million-star hotel” by members of the Bedouin tribes that maintain it - you will be able to experience the valleys of South Sinai, including Wadi Talah, Wadi Sagr, and Wadi Shaq, where you can take a swim in its natural pools.

The trip costs EGP 5,600, and the price is inclusive of bus transportation to and from Cairo, meals as scheduled on the itinerary, permits when needed, and the assistance of a guide. It does not include sleeping bags or tents, gear and equipment, or snacks. To book, you can visit their website at wildguanabana.com

Marsa Alam

While hiking is great, some of us just want to chill. Let’s call it the art of doing nothing, and nowhere is that art finer than in Marsa Alam. The Red Sea resort town is just the place to breathe clean air while you watch dolphins frolic on the horizon and fall asleep beneath a blanket of stars.

This year, local tour operator Footloose is putting together their ‘Meet the Dolphins’ trip from July 9th to July 12th, for four days and three nights of absolute bliss. You’ll be able to visit Hankorab, Marsa Nayzak, Quulaan, and Wadi el Gemal, and check out the aquatic wildlife. The trip costs EGP 4450, which includes accommodations, transportation, and all activities on the itinerary.

North Red Sea Diving and Safari 

You know what else can make you a whole new person, a change in perspectives, literally. We’re very used to seeing everything from above ground, and Doroub Adventurers are the perfect candidates to completely skew your perspectives. 

Their Eid trip this year runs from July 9th to July 12th and explores the deepest spots of the Red Sea with an advanced diving trip (which means you’ll need at least an Open Water certification). The way Doroub functions is, they are a group of friends travelling together, everything is split evenly amongst the travellers, so there isn’t always a stable price for them, but that’s part of their experience.

The thing about Doroub is that they always go for unconventional destinations. This year, they’re tackling Abu Nahas, SS Thistlegorm (which is literally a sunken ship) and Joubal Island .

To book your spot, text them on Instagram at @doroubadventures. Price is available upon request.

Nabq

Nabq is a hidden gem in the middle of Sinai, right between Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab - relatively obscure yet wonderfully maintained, giving you the opportunity to kayak, hike and camp beneath the stars. There is one easy way to get to Nabq this Eid, and that’s through local travel agency Navigate. The Hidden Nabq trip runs from July 9th to July 12th, for four days and three nights. For EGP 4800, you’ll get accommodation, transportation and so much yoga you won’t know where to put all your chakras.

You’ll start your trip in Sharm el Sheikh with yoga on the beach, then head to Dijal Mountain for one of the prettiest hikes of your life and a brilliant kayak experience that will dazzle you with Egypt’s hidden beauty. You’ll stay in Djal at a camping site, and head back to Cairo as a whole new person. 

Albania

We don’t just have Egyptian travel companies bringing you across Egypt, they’re also booking opportunities for adventures abroad, and Albania’s gorgeous mountainsides stand out as a prime destination this Eid. Albania is littered with castles from across the ages, each with their own stories, some horrific, others tragic, but all fascinating.

You can visit this Balkan treasure via local travel company Terhal this Eid season. While they have several slots available, the Eid slot runs between July 8th and July 15th. They’ll be touring all the highlights that Albania has to offer, from Shkovdër to Ksamil Beach. All the while you’ll have the opportunity to go swimming, hiking and trekking across this nation’s natural landscape. 

The trip to Albania  costs EGP 22,000, and includes flight tickets, accommodation, trips, transportation, visits tickets and tour guides. You can book by DMing their Instagram account at @terhal_egypt. 

Zanzibar

If you’ve spent your life in an urban jungle like we have, then there is perhaps nothing more freeing than stalking the wilderness of a very literal jungle instead. If that’s what gets you going then Zanzibar is where you need to be this Eid.

Egyptian travel company Ghamer is offering an ‘Authentic Zanzibari Experience’, which runs from July 9th to July 15th, complete with a tour guide who spent years living in Zanzibar and exploring its every nook and cranny.

You’ll visit historical Stone Town, go island hopping, sail in the Indian Ocean and explore the beauty of East Africa in Nungwi. You’ll get to stay at Jihazi Hotel, as well as the historical boutique hotel, Kholle House.

The trip is USD 700 per person, with an added USD 500 for flight and USD 50 for the Visa, both of which you can book through Ghamer.

Kenya

Home to more than 40 different cultures, Kenya is known for its sprawling wilderness and safaris. Homegrown travel company Gazef’s Kenya trip is an opportunity to go camping, river rafting, cycling, and rock climbing amongst the nation’s natural landscape. You will also get to two national parks, Hell’s Gate and Masai Mara, and explore the many surrounding villages and safaris. It’s the  full deal, simple as that. 

The trip runs from July 8th to July 14th, for six days and seven nights. The entire trip costs USD 1090, which includes accommodation,  guide, entry to local parks, meals in the itinerary,  Gazef’s accompanying chaperone, tours and private transportation between trips. The price excludes plane tickets, visas and beverages. 

EuroTrip

Local travel group Nomads has curated the quintessential EuroTrip, taking you to the Netherlands and Spain between July 10th and July 18th. You’ll be able to go cycling across Amsterdam, turn it up at parties in Barcelona, hang out on the beaches of Costa Brava and scream down water slides at PortAventura theme park. 

To book, it’s as easy as contacting Nomads via their Instagram at @_nomads. Price starts at EGP 32,900 per person in a triple room, and includes your stay in 4-star luxury hotels, flight tickets, airport transfers, tours, transportation and the services of Nomads’s chaperone.