travelbug2011

Hey all,
Should I book my Egypt 10 day tour from an Australian travel agent or a local Egyptian company? Any recommendations and rough costs? Without doing any major purchases, maybe a few holiday souvenirs etc.. How much would you budget for each day. I'm Trying to work out how much money we are going to need to save.
Thanks guys and girls

Grcxx3

I can't give you any information with respect to costs, but to me - I would prefer to book thru a local (Egyptian) company in order to maximize the amount of money that gets put into the Egyptian economy.

Many people here have used Lady Egypt. I also highly recommend Debbie of Casual Cairo Detours.

tinydancer

We went to Egypt and Turkey in 2009 with Insight Vacations and we were VERY happy with both tours. We did their Splendours Of Egypt and just loved it:

http://www.insightvacations.com.au/a...hure_id=363226

The prices were very, very reasonable, and we never could have gotten anything as good for the money doing it ourselves. Our guide was just amazing, and I can't imagine all guides being as good, because his knowledge of so many things just amazed us constantly, and he kept all of us so interested in all of it.

We added Abu Simbel (which for some reason is not yet on their site today) and skipped Alexandria. We also arrived 2 days early to relax and we took a private tour to places which were not on our itinerary. Then we stayed an extra day at the end to do whatever we wanted.

Elizabeth_S

I concur with Grcxx3 - I like to book in the country so their economy benefits the most.

Many people here recommend Ahmed Hamed Yousif, a guide/travel planner based in Cairo. Here is a link to my blog and his email

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...8_adv/b_cairo/

[email protected]

Re budget - that's such a wide question - do you have any idea? budget accommodations? Luxury? how long?

MissGreen

Hi travelbug,

I am an Australian too. I was going to book through Scenic tours but through this website found Lady Egypt.

I had originally wanted something like this tour they offered....22 days departing 11 Sep 2011 TANJ110911 Available $AUD 7395.00 per person. 22 Day
Jewels of the Nile, The Red Sea & Jordan
Cairo to Jordan

However, after reading everyone's recommedations, I got a personal tour for my husband and myself for 24 days, 5 star hotels, breakfasts, the ocassional lunch/dinner, 3 day nile cruise, internal flights to aswan & Jordan for US4600 each. You would be also able to adapt this to suit yourself if you wanted different hotels etc.

I would say definitely shop around because with the Aussie dollar at such a high exchange rate, you can get some good offers.

trumps

Miss Green did you book your tour through Lady Egypt or only parts? We are Aussies also looking at going to Egypt then visiting a Game Park in Africa seeing we are so close. Would love to see you tour itinerary.

travelbug2011

Thank you all. What a wealth of information this forum is. I cant wait now to book, get on my way then come back and share my knowledge too.
Yes Miss Green I have also received a quote from lady Egypt Their prices are extremely good.
Elizabeth S. Hotels tours and most meals will be covered in the cost of the tour, its just really spending, tipping and the odd snack and trinket. We are used to going to Bali which is extremely cheap and I budget on 100.00 per day which is more than enough, but because we are outlaying alot more this trip, we are trying to get to Dubai, Turkey, Athens and 2 Greek islands as well we are just trying to nut out how hard we have to work before we go.
Thank you all again

nola77382

Elizabeth_S, nice to see you on here! We "followed" you to New Zealand several years ago now (LOVED it) and are going to Egypt with Ahmed in March. Hubby and I loved your blog and your husband is a great photographer. I hope we have as great a time as you guys did!

MissGreen

Trumps... we booked the whole thing through lady Egypt, except for our airfares to and from Australia.

I'll see if I can find a link or post my itinerary here.

MissGreen

Here is the itinerary from lady egypt for the price above. We were also quoted US35 per person (for 2 of us) to get a guide and driver on the "free days". We did extra things which we paid for at the time such as 2nd visit to cairo museum, camel ride, nubean village restaur & tour, Mummification Museum in Cairo. I have a trip report if you go to my profile you can see it there;

Day 1 - Thursday 9th Sept: Cairo (No meals) Mena House Pyramids View Room
Arrive at Cairo Airport where our representative will meet and assist you through customs and then claiming your baggage. You will then be transferred to your selected hotel, where warm welcome, fresh flowers, fruit basket and a cake awaits your arrival. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 2 - Friday 10th September: Cairo (B) Mena House
Free day today. This evening you will enjoy the sound & light show at the Pyramids. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 3 - Saturday 11th September: Cairo (B L) Mena House
Today you will enjoy the legendary treasures of the Egyptian Museum - take a look at some of the most exquisite and ancient artifacts and statues in History. Enjoy lunch at Felfela restaurant (downtown). Return to your hotel to relax and prepare for the busy days ahead. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 4 - Sunday 12th September: Cairo (B) Mena House
Today you will be transported back to the time of the ancient Egyptian, our friendly guide will accompany you to the awe-inspiring Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, and then onwards to Sakkara to see the first pyramid ever built - the step pyramid of Zosser. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 5 - Monday 13th September: Cairo (B) Mena House
Relax in your room where a special room service breakfast will be brought to your room. Today you will visit Islamic areas of Cairo including the citadel of Saladdin, the Ibn Tulun Mosque and the Khan Kahili Bazaar. Next, the Coptic area of Cairo to visit the Hanging Church and the Church of St Sergius where it is said to be the resting place for the holy family. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 6 -Tue 14th Sept: Cairo-Al Amein-Alexandria(BL) Helnan Palestine
Morning transfer to Al Amein by private vehicle. Visit the WWII Museum (and cemetery if you like) and then continue onto Alexandria. Enjoy a seafood lunch overlooking the sea and then transfer to your hotel. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 7 - Wednesday 15th September: Alexandria (B) Helnan Palestine
Today you will enjoy a drive through the Montaza Gardens (to see the Palace from the vehicle), visit the Catacomb's, the National Museum and famous Library. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 8 - Thursday 16th September: Alexandria - Cairo (B) Cairo Marriott
Return to Cairo and check into your city hotel. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 9 - Friday 17th September: Cairo – Aswan (B) Movenpick – Nile View
Transfer to airport for your flight to Aswan Departing 8.30 am. Arrive to Aswan where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon excursion on a traditional felucca to visit Elephantine Island and Kitchener Island. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 10 - Saturday 18th Sept: Aswan - Abu Simbel - Aswan (B) Movenpick
Morning excursion to Abu Simbel by flight departing 10.30 am arrives at 11.15 am. Enjoy your guided tour and then return to Aswan on 2.15 pm departure. This afternoon you will visit the Nubian Museum. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 11 - Sunday 19th September: Aswan (B) Movenpick
Free day today. Overnight at your Hotel. (We ended up going on a camel ride, wandering around Aswan and the market areas and relaxing)

Day 12 - Monday 20th September: Aswan - Nile Cruise (B L D)
Today you will enjoy the sights of Aswan. Starting with the Unfinished Obelisk. Then transfer to your Nile Cruise boat, check in and enjoy lunch. Your afternoon tour starts with High Dam and its huge lake then take a short ferry ride to Philae Temple this Romantic and Majestic Temple. Overnight Nile Cruise.

Day 13 - Tuesday 21st September: Nile Cruise (B L D)
After enjoying your breakfast while cruising down the Nile. Visit the Greco Roman Temple of Kom Ombo dedicated to the two gods Sobek the crocodile God and Harveris the Sun God. Continue sailing to visit Edfu Temple – the best-preserved and second largest Temple in Egypt. Continue sailing towards Luxor. Overnight Nile Cruise.

Day 14 - Wednesday 22nd September: Nile cruise (B L D)
Optional balloon flight over the west bank of Luxor $165 per person
After a relaxing morning. You will then visit the East Bank of Luxor – Entry down the avenue of Ram Headed Sphinx to reach the Monumental Temple of Karnak and then continue onto Luxor Temple, followed by a free afternoon and evening to enjoy this vibrant and fascinating city. Overnight Nile Cruise.

Day 15 - Thursday 23rd September: Luxor (B) Steinberger Full Nile View Room
An early morning start as you cross over to the West Bank of Luxor, as you come from sun, sand and rugged mountainside you enter - The Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Transfer to your hotel then afternoon is free where you can relax or, for the energetic, perhaps take a visit to the Luxor Museum. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 16 - Friday 24th Sept: Luxor–Cairo-Amman (B D) Mariott
Transfer to the airport flight to Cairo depart 1.15 pm. Arrive to Cairo and transfer to the international terminal for your flight to Amman at 5 pm. Arrive to Amman Airport at 7.30 pm. Upon arrival you will be met by our representative's and then transfer to your hotel. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 17 - Saturday 25th September: Amman - Desert Castles - Amman (B)
Today you will visit the Roman Amphitheater (which is dated back to the second century AD), the Roman Ruins of the Citadel Hill and the Archaeological Museum in Amman City. Then travel east of Amman to visit the Desert castles of the 8th century. The caravansary El KHarana, the summer residence of Qasar Amra and the fortress in the oasis Azraq give a very good overview about the history of this country. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 18 - Sunday 26th Septan Amman–Jerash–Dead Sea (B) Marriott
Today you will be driven to visit Jerash which is known as the city of a 1,000 Pillars. You will also visit the Triple Arched Gate, the Huge Hippodrome, The Theatre and the only Roman Forum surrounded by 63 Ionic columns. Then we proceed to the Dead Sea - the lowest spot on the Earth Surface, 1306 feet below sea level. Check into your hotel and this afternoon enjoy the sensation of floating on water (swimming). Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 19 - Monday 27th September: Dead Sea - Petra (B) Marriott
Today we will be driven southward along the King's Highway, one of the oldest trade routes in the world which runs 200 miles along Jordan's hilly backbone. You'll stop at the Byzantine Church of Mt. Nebo, and then proceed to Madaba where you will see a unique Mosaic Map of Palestine. You'll visit the Great Crusaders Castles of Kerak, and continue to Petra. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 20 - Tuesday 28th September: Petra (B) Marriott
Today you should wear good walking shoes! To discover this ancient attraction you will take a horse back ride through the Siq, the only access to this city carved out of the Rose Colored Rock. You will visit the Treasury, Theatre Tombs, Hall of Justice and Palaces. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 21 - Wednesday 29th September: Petra – Wadi Rum (B D)
Transfer from Petra to Wadi Rum - a moonscape terrain of ancient riverbeds, towering cliffs and smooth, pastel colored sands. Arrive the camp, prepare for you Jeep tour in the desert for 2 Hours then return back to the camp for dinner with unforgettable party. Overnight Wadi Rum.
Day 22 - Thursday 30th Sept: Wadi Rum Amman- Cairo (B D) Marriott
After Breakfast, you will leave to Amman Airport departing at 12 noon to connect your flight back to Cairo. Arrive in Cairo where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy dinner and show on one of Cairo’s famous floating restaurants. Overnight at your Hotel.

Day 23 - Friday 1st October: Cairo (B) Marriott
Free day today. Overnight at your Hotel. (We decided to go back to the Cairo Museum)

Day 24 - Saturday 2nd October: Cairo (B)
Transfer to the airport for your final departure flight.

trumps

Thanks Miss Green sounds amazing I have found your link & have just printed it off . What Nile Cruise boat were you on ?
tavelbug2011 hope you have a great trip we loved the Greek Islands. Always good to fit something extra in when you have to travel so far. We have just returned from a trip to South America & we added a Carribean Cruise.

MissGreen

Trumps.. we were on Crowne Emperor, which our guide kept telling us was the longest boat on the nile. We were not docked with other ships beside us so we woke up to views on the nile. The boat was perfectly fine but nothing to absolutely rave home about. I am not a huge foodie, but hubby thought the food was fantastic. There was a huge selection, only issue was the deserts.. the server never got a big enough piece unless you asked! The service was reasonable and in some instances after waiting quite a while for a waiter to pass by, we gave a tip with our first order of drinks so he'd be attentive and he was (and I noticed to others who had given a little something). The room facilities were ok.. not 5 star (not sure if it is billed as 5 star). It was a little bit faded around the edges if you looked closely. There was a queen bed which took most of the room and the half balcony which just had a sliding door so you could open it up and look out. You couldn't actually stand outside which didn't worry me as I wasn't too keen to stand out on a balcony on the nile! The bathroom was great. Large tub and shower over it. It was very clean and again for a couple of bucks we had our towels shaped in to fabulous shapes.. a swimmer with sunglasses was our favourite. There was one night of entertainment, the Whirling devish (if that's his name) was great, however the belly dancer they supplied, in my opinion, was not that great. I also disliked the fact that she didn't jingle - she had no beading on our outfit and it was a bit ordinary.

Travelbug, I would LOVE to go to the Greek Islands! I remember watching Summer Lover's as a teenager in the 80's and always fantasised about going there!!! lol

sandi

If already in Africa to visit Egypt, it's quite usual for many to combine with Kenya (time of year dependent) especially since there are easy flights between the two countries. Or if it's a better time (you don't indicate when traveling) to visit Tanzania which is right next door, you can still arrive Kenya and transfer across the border by road or short 1/hr flight.

There are some big named companies that can coordinate both countries, but these also come with big prices. I would suggest you use one each specialist outfitter based in each country.

trumps

Hi Sandi,
Still in very early planning stages & researching the best time to go to combine 2 great destinations. Looking at this November or Feb/ March next year.

albertsebastian

Hi trumps - we're in planning stages as well for the same periods as you, for Egypt and Jordan. Note that LE mentioned recently to me via email that some of the prices would be going up 20% in 2012 (must be due to the US$ sliding down, I guess).

So we're taking that into account and may bite the bullet and go this year.

MissGreen

20% less.... you beauty... I'll go back again in 2012! lol

albertsebastian

MissGreen... prices going UP by 20%, not less....!

MissGreen

Up now down Albertsebastian! lol Darn!

trumps

Will be putting Egypt on the backburner with recent events. How sad.

MissGreen

I agree Trumps. How terrible for the Egyptian people and those that will suffer from lack of tourism. I have come back from Egypt and know I would of been so disappointed if I had been travelling now.