celticsinger

Hello, all -- I have read very good things in the Forums about Lady Egypt and their ability to offer personal drivers/guides to very small groups... I think I've even found posts from men who appear to have traveled solo with Lady Egypt - but I haven't yet seen any posts by solo female travelers.

Does anyone know if it would be feasible/advisable for a woman traveling alone in Egypt for 8 days to use Lady Egypt's personal tour service? Or does anyone know of a better alternative?

I will be going to Lebanon at the end of July, and though I understand it is the absolute wrong time of the year to visit Egypt (and though I fear the murderous heat in the south of the country,) I can't shake the idea that I may never get a chance to return to the ME... and should therefore capitalize on the "so close" travel opportunity by adding a week in Egypt before work commences in Lebanon.

Any advice/experience recaps/etc. would be greatly appreciated.

sf7307

I think you would be absolutely safe traveling alone with a Lady Egypt "tour" (i.e. guide and driver, with everything "watched over" by a tour representative in each city. But, of course, they aren't with you 24 hours a day, so only you can decide if you'd be comfortable, for example, going out to dinner alone, or wandering the market alone. I don't think there's any chance of physical harm, but it might not be pleasant having all those men vying for your attention.

P_M

"....I haven't yet seen any posts by solo female travelers."

You've found one now!!

I traveled solo with Lady Egypt to Egypt/Jordan in Dec 2007 and it was great. They will pick you up at the airport so you don't have to worry about cabs. The guides are super and once you've joined your group you will have instant friends. If you would like more detail you may click my name to find my trip report at the bottom of the page. Or if you have any specific questions I will answer if I can.

celticsinger

Thanks, sf7307 and P_M for the replies. As I said, I've read very good things about Lady Egypt on many different traveler's forums... but no posts from single/solo women traveling with just their booked guide/driver. I'm not entirely certain Lady Egypt will book a solo traveler, as upon re-reading one entry, I've discovered he wasn't traveling alone, after all.

P_M, it appears you traveled with a group, rather than alone. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed your trip report. I'm praying I don't end up sick, as you did... I expect that, in combination with the already-daunting Luxor summer heat, would put paid to all sightseeing plans.

If anyone can tell me what to expect in terms of heat/crowds in Cairo and Luxor mid-to-late July, I'd be grateful to hear from you. Also, as it turns out, I'm likely to be in Luxor on National Day (23 July) and am wondering if everything will be closed. Does anyone know?

Casual_Cairo

I'm sure you and many others will be surprised to hear that July is considered HIGH SEASON at hotels in Egypt (Cairo mostly) as this is when the Gulf Arabs descend on Cairo by the thousands. And of course they have the money to pay HIGH SEASON rates, so hotels take advantage of it. Remember while it might be 40C (100+F) here, it is less humid and cooler than in Saudi and Kuwait, and the bad boys from those places can drink, gamble and buy women here, so they come all summer long to play. (Ewwww!)

Anyway, depending on which hotel you will be in, you may be needing to reject the advances of Gulf Arabs more than touts if you are here in the summer, but in all likelihood, you will be fine. Egypt is very safe for solo female travelers. If this is not your first trip anywhere, then you are probably saavy enough to be aware of your surroundings and all of that stuff to protect yourself. I still say it is much safer here than in the big cities of Europe.

It will be hot, and there will still be tourists here, even in July - but fewer than in August and certainly lots fewer than in the winter months and spring break time.
As far as National Day goes - I doubt you will know it is happening. What 23 July is, is the anniversary of the day the Revolution started to overthrow the king. No one does anything special. Maybe if it is a middle of the week day, or can work into a 3 day weekend, some offices would give the day off, but tourist sites and restaurants and things you will need as a tourist won't pay it any mind at all.

Have fun.

MissGreen

Hi, I am travelling with my husband to Egypt in Sept and just thought you'd like to know that I asked about changing guides if I didn't like him/her. You might be pleased to know, as a solo female traveller, I was advised that they could change guides. So, if you feel uncomfortable you could request a change.

P_M

Sorry, I missed the fact that you want a private tour and yes, I was indeed with a group.

Our poster Casual Cairo is a tour guide in Egypt. She did not mention that in her post because advertising isn't allowed and she always follows that rule. But since I do not work for her I am free to tell you she is highly recommendeded by this and other chat boards. You might want to google her and see what she has to offer.

P_M

Here she is:

www.casualcairodetours.com/

Grcxx3

I'll throw in another recommendation for Casual Cairo!

sf7307

celticsinger, we were in both Cairo and Luxor in mid-August. We had no choice about when to go because we were meeting up with my DS and his friends, who were finishing up a year in Uganda.

Here's my take on the heat and crowds (which, as I understand from CC's post, are both worse in August than in July).

First, the heat. Cairo was <i>very</i> hot, but no hotter than any other hot dry place. We tried to stay out of the sun as much as possible, since it's fairly dry, so if you're in the shade, it's much more pleasant (unlike in a humid place, where sun or shade, it's still miserable). The worst place in Cairo was actually the first floor of the Egyptian Museum, which is not air-conditioned, and even out of the sun, I guess due to the building layout and the crowds, it was just impossible not to sweat our way through it (but it was worth sweating our way through -- and the good news is the King Tut exhibit in the museum <i>is</i> air-conditioned, so you can always head in there to cool off) We wore hats, and sunscreen, and managed. Luxor was another story, but we still survived. I have never been as hot as I was the afternoon we spent at the Karnak Temple. Still, Karnak was my number one favorite "attraction" of all we saw.

Now, the crowds. Cairo was crowded, but as best as we could tell, it was mostly Japanese and Italian/Spanish tourists. The only places the crowds were a little "much" were at the Great Pyramid (there was one tour leader blowing an ear-splitting whistle every time he wanted to gather his troops -- fortunately, the police put a stop to that) and in the museum. Otherwise, it was like any other big city. Luxor was also crowded, but no more than the Louvre on any given day! The crowds did not deter us or even slightly mar our trip. The heat was much worse than the crowds!

celticsinger

Casual_Cairo - many thanks for your reply; I have seen many glowing recommendations for your services, and am grateful for your "voice of experience". (Thanks, too, to P_M for the web link to your site.) I'm not yet certain what I'll be doing on any given day, and may contact you regarding musical things to do and see in Cairo. I am a folk singer (Irish and Scottish traditions), and would love to hear/experience the Egyptian equivalent of one of our sessions.

I had no idea July would be the high season - your explanation makes perfect sense of the hotel prices I'm seeing online. Thanks, too, for the information regarding dark-eyed playboys: forewarned is forearmed! I'm also glad to hear that National Day is unlikely to put a crimp in my limited time in Egypt. Now, to come up with coping strategies for the heat...

Cheers!

judi_in_guatemala

Buenos Dias! I traveled alone in Egypt in November 2009; my 18 day trip was all arranged by Lady Egypt. I did not join up with a tour or group at any time. My vacation was fantastic! I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to travel at MY convenience. Lady Egypt's guides and drivers were great throughout my trip. I had scheduled free days in Cairo upon arriving, in Luxor, and back in Cairo before leaving. I wandered around Zamalek, walked to the Egyptian Museum twice, took taxis to a park and the bazaar. Don't hesitate to go on your own!

celticsinger

P_M and Grcxx3: Thank you both for adding your voices to the chorus of recommendations for Casual_Cairo -- I beleive I will utilize her expert services when I visit. And thanks, P_M for the web link; you saved my having to chase it down in other posts.

Miss Green: I did not know that I could request a change of guides. While I hope it will not come to that (everyone else has reported wonderful experiences) it is good to know that I have that option. Many thanks for your advice!

celticsinger

Thank you, sf7307, for your detailed (and very relevant!) answer to my queries on the heat/crowds. As I replied to Casual_Cairo: forewarned is forearmed! I am mentally preparing myself to be physically uncomfortable, but am hoping the joy/enchantment of discovery will go a long way toward distracting me from said discomfort.

Cheers again!

celticsinger

judi_in_guatemala: many thanks! You are *exactly* the voice I needed to hear from... I'm glad to know Lady Egypt will/can take me on my own. Your trip sounds divine!

I will not have the luxury of so many days, but I hope to make time in both Cairo and Luxor to just soak up the atmosphere of each place. Though I'm mad for history, the "attractions" (as sf7307 so aptly named them) are, after all, only a portion of what makes Egypt... Egypt, and not Jordan or Lebanon or anywhere else in the ME.

I'm not yet sure how I'll find/experience "everyday Egypt" (perhaps through Casual_Cairo?) but I do hope to get a small taste of it before departing for Lebanon.

Cheers!

travelexplorer

I traveled to Egypt in November of 2009. I traveled as a solo female. Although I met up with a tour group, I was in Cairo for 3 days on my own before the start of the tour. I felt very comfortable. I think the only minor issue that I had was the langauge barrier, since I do not speak Arabic. However, most of people working in the tourist industry speak English. I used Casual Cairo's (CC) services and I was extremely pleased. I had a great time. CC has great insight on this amazing city. I would definitely recommend contacting CC if you want to experience "everyday Egypt".

celticsinger

Thank you, travelexplorer. I am going to use CC's services while in Cairo; pity she doesn't seem to offer something similar up in Luxor. It looks as though I'll be in Cairo for 3-4 days, and Luxor for 4-5 days. Much will depend on my ability to cope with the heat. (Has anyone looked at the weather in Luxor lately? It's been well over 100 - as high as 114 - in the past week... in MAY! Gulp!)

If anyone has any recommendations for nifty gear/clothing with which to combat the heat, I'd love to hear from you!

Casual_Cairo

Casual Cairo has a guide living in Luxor. Ask about him... not here - via email please.

Axel2DP

Regarding the Egyptian heat, I just got back from Egypt, and the sun was too intense for me from around 11am until up to 6pm. I can't imagine what it would be like in June - Aug, when it supposed to be way hotter. I did see people sunbath in midday on the cruises in Answan. I thought those people were out of their mind, lol.

I wore long sleeves synthetic tops that you can get from stores like REI. They're lightweight, good for sun protection, do not get soaking wet from the sweats, and you can easily wash them in your hotel sink at night and have them dried by the next morning. Use a hat or buy an Egyptian scarf to wrap around your head. The hardest body part for me to protect was my hands, which cracked under too much sun. You can try wearing cotten gloves, which I saw some Japanese tourists do.