lilla

Does anyone know any details about the tour bus crash? I believe the tour company was Grand Circle, although they were using a local ground operator.

Grcxx3

I can't find any details except that it was a bus traveling from Aswan to Abu Simbel. I have never done that trip, but I gather it leaves in the middle of the night - or at least when it is still dark - and that is always dangerous.

So sorry to hear of this incident.

Maybe Debbie (Casual_Cairo) can find out more details.

Axel2DP

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40810087...east/n_africa/

The bus service was run by Misr Tour.

The "bus slammed into a truck in southern Egypt on Sunday, killing eight American tourists and injuring 21 others in the latest fatal crash involving tourists"

"The bus was taking a tour group ... from Aswan to the ancient temples of Abu Simbel, when it ran into the truck carrying sand parked on the side of a single lane desert road, killing six women and two men."

sekhmet

Yes, it was definitely Grand Circle. It's horrifying, and I was on that exact tour one year ago.

atravelynn

Wow, Sekhmet, too close to home. Very sad for those involved and for their loved ones back home.

PamR

Egypt definitely has a problem with road accidents. To the extent that you can get a tour with minimal bus riding, it might be wise. I was on a tour where the tour owner (who accompanies her tours) kept warning the driver to slow down. She then hounded the agency that supplied the bus and demanded a new driver, which she got. He was told he would be rewarded for good driving, not fast driving. I'm thinking a really responsible tour agency would do that. I am sorry to hear that Grand Circle sponsored this tour, as I have recommended them to people. I no longer will.

sf7307

I am as sorry as the next person that this happened. But blaming it on Grand Circle is absolutely ridiculous, especially before the facts and circumstances are known. Would you stop recommending people visit Disneyland because there was once a ride accident there?

120aks

It was NOT Grand Circle. It was Misr

Grcxx3

I agree with sf7307. This is certainly a tragedy but it is hardly GC's fault.

PamR

You're right that I'm making an assumption that the driver was speeding and not being cautious, and that no one from the tour agency monitored this. Many of these drivers are like demons on the road, which is why I assumed that was the issue. One should wait for the facts to come out. You have to wonder how he could have hit a stationary truck with such force to rip off the whole side of the bus, though. As for your analogy, If Disneyland was not careful about the safety of their rides, I certainly wouldn't recommend people to go on them.

PamR

Misr would have been sub-contracted by the tour agency.

JoanneH

I just did that trip in October. And yes it is terrible. Driving in Egypt is dangerous, even if your use to it. JMHO. Lucky for us we only saw one bus coming and going until we returned to Aswan.
I am sure the bus must have been traveling at a pretty good clip I know we seemed to fly along and the bus we did see flew right past us.

sandi

GC subcontracts to an in-country outfitter and MISR is (as I recall), the main government tour operator.

So sad for those who died and their families and those injured.

We've read of many who choose the drive between Aswan/Abu Simbel, which I assume is to save money, but having to depart in the dark, driving thru the desert on almost non-existent roads is, in my opinion, asking for trouble. Why so many of us suggest visitors fly which is less than 1/hr and worth the price.

Grcxx3

I have to agree, sandi. I know driving is cheaper, but you couldn't PAY me money to be on a rural Egyptian road in the middle of the night.

shelleyk

I wonder why GCT chose to drive rather than fly to Abu Simbel. I took this GCT tour about five years ago and we flew to Abu Simbel. It was an optional tour for which we paid around $200 or $225. Since it is still an optional tour, I am wondering why GCT did not continue to fly and just charge the going rate for the flight. Flying was fast and hassle free. We left the boat at 7 and were back on board around 1:00. By the way,the trip was excellent.

I was very sorry to hear about the accident and my heart goes out to all those involved. We all know that travel entails some risk, but I do wonder why GCT decided to risk being on the road in darkness, rather than fly.

Grcxx3

Does GCT offer both options - flying and driving?

schmerl

How do you know it was a GCT? I didn't see it mentioned in any of the news reports.
My sister did this trip with GCT the summer before last and she also flew to Abu Simbel with them...no bus..

BeniciaChris

We did the drive in October-during the day-thank God. What a terrible trajedy. My heart goes out to them.

Casual_Cairo

It was GCT.

RosemaryNJ

We did this trip in June with GCT. The only option was to take the bus. Very few people did not take this optional tour as it was a highlight of the trip. We also had three buses travel in a row. The guide said that the bus gives you more time at Abu Simbel and less crowds as we arrived when no one else was there. Several people did ask about flying but we were told the bus was the best way to go there. This was his reasoning for why GC does not fly there. It was a MISR tour bus that GCT used throughout the tour. I actually never thought at the time about the safety issue of being on the road in the dark. I am so sorry to hear about the tragedy on that bus and my heart goes out to the families involved. I wonder who the guide was on the bus.
I have confidence GCT will now reconsider using the bus to Abu Simbel. This was our first tour with GCT and we still planon doing more trips with them.