tourista

We are planning a trip to Egypt with all the "regular" sights on the agenda. A visit to the pyramids, the Cairo Museum and probably a cruise between Luxor and Aswan. How feasible is it to take along a 78 year old with some limited walking ability (some shuffling and slowness)? i.e. can you reach the pyramids any other way than by walking or via a camel?

sandi

There's lots of uneven ground around the Pyramids and often visited sites in Cairo, the Cairo streets; when visiting temples along the Nile cruise route. For everyone it's suggested they have comfortable walking shoes, preferably closed to keep the sand and dirt out. The Museum is large and I don't recall an elevator from floor to floor, only stairs (if Debbie knows, please let us know). Also, with the exception of the Tut exhibit and Mummy Room, the Museum isn't air conditioned.

I have seen some people with walkers that have a seat on which to rest; or those cane shaped also with a seat when opened to rest. Then there's the ramp getting on/off the boat if you're not immediately docked at the bulkhead.

Getting on/off camel isn't all that easy, nor a comfortable ride for more than 5/min.

I'm sure others will have their own input.

sf7307

This is going to sound crazy, but I'm serious. Crossing the street in Cairo will be <i>impossible</i>, since you have to dodge traffic to do it. You'll have to take a "tour" (van) or taxi everyplace (which is fine, I just want you to understand that traffic in Cairo is like nowhere else in the world. Someone (sunshine, I think) once said that to cross a street in Cairo, find the nearest old person, not because they're given any particular respect, but because "they didn't get old by being stupid!")

jfcarli

A car can take you pretty close to the pyramids in Gyza and the same goes for Dashur. The step pyramid in Sakkara might be a little trickier, but slowly and steadily it can be done.

I would certainly NOT recommend going inside one of the pyramids under the circumnstances, but otherwise don't see any problem.

sf7307 is absolutely right about the traffic. I don't remember having seen more than ten traffic lights in the whole of Cairo in 12 days there.

I think it is a miracle that cars and people do get anywhere around in Cairo, but they actually do. Amazing! You will probably want to take a car in order to cross the street.

In Luxor most of the tombs are accessible if you go slowly and calmly. You may have problems trying to visit the tomb of Tutmosis III, but all the six other tombs we visited are easily reachable, so you will sure be able to visit them.

The temples should be all right too, but considering you will have to spend more time to see them, extra care should be taken as regards the sun.

Summarizing, except for going inside the pyramids, riding the camels as sandi pointed out and going up and down the tomb of Tutmosis, I think you will be ok.

Enjoy your stay.

Grcxx3

Egypt is definitely a challenge for anyone with walking issues. Shoot, the 2nd time my MIL came to visit, she fell and broke her leg walking from our apartment to the corner market....mainly because the curbs were higher than she was used to and she mis-stepped. And she was in good shape!!!

There are no (or very, very few) handicapped amenities. Streets and sidewalks are uneven and often broken up. There are no ramps or smooth walkways. Shoot, even walking in the Khan el Khalili can be treacherous at times!!!

And everyone is right about the traffic. No way someone with mobility issues will be able to cross the streets in Cairo.

Now, all that being said - if someone is willing to "pick and choose" what sights they go to and if they have a realistic approach to things.... I think it's still very do-able.

Pay the $$$ for cars, taxis, carriages. Be willing to hang back and rest while everyone else goes into a tomb. Stay on the boat when the tour involves a difficult walk.

A good attitude, realistic expectations, and a willingness to pay a little extra for transportation should make it all work out.

tourista

Thank you all for your detailed answers. You have made some points that I had not thought of. Hopefully we will have a trip report to post this fall whether it ends up being a 2 or 3 generation trip! (the youngest generation being represented by a 12 year old boy)

sf7307

Have a great trip! By the way, I forgot to add that my daughter was walking with a brace, since our trip was 10 weeks after she had ankle surgery, and only 2 weeks after she was first allowed to walk! So yes, it is doable, if a little more challenging.

Casual_Cairo

Everyone pretty much covered everything they could. The only thing to suggest is to do as much of your trip on private tours so the 78 yr old isn't made to feel as if s/he is making an entire bus load of other tourists wait. Someone said do it at your own pace, and on a private tour, is the easiest way to arrange that I think.
Good luck and I hope you have a fantastic holiday.

scotsgirl

yes, I would agree. Cairo is CHAOS! but with a private guide / car, you can actually see the pyramids without actually getting out of the vehicle.

The Nile Cruise part should be ok, most cruise boats have lifts for people with difficulties going up stairs etc, and also if you book a private guide, he will take you at your pace and not at the pace of the 35 other people that your tour operator has stuck you with.

On one cruise I did we had a man who had had a triple by-pass Op and had suffered a stroke. The guide that took us to Abu Simbel was only young and had no understanding of dealing with older customers, he shot off like a marathon runner. However, myself and a few others decided we would go at the pace of the man with the walking difficulties, this made the guide have to slow up and wait for us at every point. Eventually he realised that we were on holiday and there to enjoy ourselves without being exhausted in the process.

So, just go at the pace of the slowest person, and if the guide shoots ahead, then let him. He's gonna have to wait for you! cos once he turns round to tell you about the temple or monument, he wont have an audience unless he's waited for you!

or choose your own tour guide company. I would recommend one called www.egypt-quality-tours.com as they tailor the tours to suit your needs completely, your mobility, and your budget. They organise your transportation (even from the airport) and will make sure you have a guide that is no less than a qualified Egyptologist, who has been trained in Customer Services and is Licenced by the Egyptian Tourism Industry.

Either way, just take your time, and enjoy everything Egypt offers you, you will not be disappointed

Scotsgirl

ShayTay

On our tour of Egypt, one of the group was awaiting knee replacements. She managed to get everywhere we needed to go, but went slowly. I'd suggest one of those hiking poles that look like a ski pole, such as this traveler used. It helped steady her on rough ground.

sheenaghp

There is a small elevator in the Cairo museum, we would not have known except fot our guide. The operator that day was "Moses" We just called over the edge and up he came(was happy with our tip)
We travelled with my folding stroller, as with all other areas of the world, if the going was to rough or elevated, I would wait for my husband and guide. I must say, though that I made it up 450 steps at the Bagoda Palace in Tibet because it was important to me/ See my trip report/ Egypt, Sheenaghp