LAdAWN

I wonder is a preset itinerary the better way to see Egypt. Their are many places I would like to see, that are not on the itineraries. I would like to see many sites on a short trip 7-9 days. I would rather travel by train. However I am not oppesed to a short cruise boat tour.

NoFlyZone

Places such as.....?

sandi

Gotta say it... hate these cryptic posts.
What are your interests? Where do you want to visit? What are preset itineraries offering?

We don't read minds. Provide info and we can help.

LAdAWN

HERE ARE THE CITIES i WOULD LIKE TO VISIT. SAKKARA CAIRO SHAM EL SHEIKH LUXOR KOM OMBO EDFU ABI SINBEL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TOURS I HAE VIEWED MAY GO TO SOME OF THE PLACES BUT DON'T INCLUDE OTHERS. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GO TRAVEL BY TRAIN TO EACH OF THESE PLACES? HOW EASY IS IT TO GET A TOUR UPON ARRIVAL IN THESE CITIES IF I TRAVEL BY TRAIN?

NoFlyZone

Except for Sharm, the others are almost always included on an 8 day classical Nile tour with a cruise (Abu Simbel often has an optional charge).

Sakkara is just south of Giza and is often included on your Pyramids tour day (from Cairo), with a stop in Memphis. Luxor is the starting or ending point for a Nile cruise and Kom Ombo and Edfu are included on the cruise. The other end of the cruise is Aswan and you can get a flight from there to Abu which, although usually optional, would be coordinated by most all tour companies.

Grcxx3

I am not sure what guide book you are using, but all of these places are on the main itineraries (or easy add-ons).

1. Sakkara is not really a city. It is where the Step Pyramid is located and is just a little ways from the pyramids at Giza. It can easily be visited while in Cairo.

2. Sharm is a beach/diving resort and is easily accessible by plane from Cairo (and maybe even from Luxor). From there you can make arrangements to visit St. Catherine's Monastery (Mt. Sinai).

3. While Kom Ombo and Edfu are cities along the Nile (between Luxor and Aswan), most people don't visit the "cities" - only the temples. Altho, I do think there is a market in one of those places that tourists visit. Both of these are routine stops on the Nile cruises. Do you have some reason for spending more time in these locations?

4. Abu Simbel is a quick flight (or a longer drive) from Aswan. It is often done as a day trip.

So, you could fly to Cairo and see the main sights there, including the Giza pyramids/sphynx and Step Pyramid at Sakkara. You can probably arrange for tours (or hire a taxi for the day) through your hotel.

Then you could take the overnight train to Luxor and take a Nile cruise that will include the sites in Luxor (Valley of the Kinds, Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut's Temple and Karnak and Luxor temples). On the cruise you would see the temples at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna, and then on to Aswan for the sites there (unfinished obelisk, Aswan Dam, etc).

Then you could fly (or go by car) to Abu Simbel. Not sure how you arrange a car if you are on your own, but I'm sure it's do-able. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone taking a train.

After Abu Simbel, you could fly to Sharm. You might need to go back to Cairo. I don't think there is any train to Sharm, altho there are buses.

I guess you could also go by train from Luxor to Aswan, stopping in Kom Ombo and Edfu, but I am not sure of the logistics. The cruise is definitely the easiest, most relaxing option.

sandi

Why not post the links to some of the itineraries you've seen/considering so we can determine what may actually be included.