Ahhh, not enough time...please HELP me make it work.
 

Greetings from Canada!

So, my husband and I purchased tickets, on a whim in May, to cairo in November. We only have 7 days in egypt and now that I have been doing some research, I know that it isn't enough. That said, I am determined to fit as much as possible in. But, I need help.

Here is what I would like to do, can someone please help me with logistics?
** cairo/surrounding area--pyramids, khan khalili, camel market, faluca
** white desert
** luxor/aswan/abu simple
**my husband keeps mentioning alexandria, but i have no idea how to fit that in too!
I know everyone here says cruise between luxor and aswan, but i am quite concerned about being on a floating hotel, with no where to go, with a bunch of tourists for 4 days (especially since my time is so limited). How essential is it really? Won't Luxor/Aswan be better after the tourist boats depart?

Two thoughts...

We arrive in Cairo at 7pm on a Tuesday, was thinking that we could automatically jump on a sleeper train to luxor. The train appears to leave cairo at 10pm, or 11:30 pm. Spend Wed in luxor, Thursday in Aswan, Friday to Abu Simple and then fly to Cairo. Dinner in Cairo, Sat at the Pyramids/market, Sunday/Monday overnight from Cairo to White desert , returning Tuesday afternoon-leave Wednesday.
**question, should i really see all three locations upper egypt locations? if we had to choose only between luxor and aswan, what would it be?

Or,

tuesday-arrive 7pm
wednesday-pyramids/market/great dinner
thursday-trip to white desert
friday-white desert to luxor
sat-luxor
sunday-aswan
monday-aswan to sleep abu simple
tues-abu simple first thing and then fly back to cairo-feluca dinner

*questions, can i get from somewhere in the white desert to luxor/aswan??? having difficulty finding info on this.

Thoughts?????????? :) Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, tanya

Okay - I love your ambition - but am exhausted just thinking about it! I hate to be negative....but I just don't think it's workable.

For a 7 day trip - I would definitely skip the White Desert. While it is a fascinating place...you will be skimping on some of the main Egyptian sites And you've really only got 1 day in Cairo, as planned. Cairo needs a minimum of 2 days.

How about....(depending, of course, on in-country flight times)..............

Tues - arrive 7 pm - go to hotel and get a good night's sleep.
Wed - pyramids/ Egyptian Museum
Thurs - Coptic Cairo/Islamic Cairo, the Citadel
Fri - fly to Luxor - visit Karnak/Luxor temples, Luxor Museum
Sat - visit Valley of Kings/Queen, Hatshepsut's Temple - fly to Aswan
Sun - Aswan - unfinished Obelisk, Aswan Dam, felucca ride, etc
Mon - fly to Abu Simbel - tour site- fly to Cairo
Tues - Cairo - Camel Market (if open) and Khan el Khalili (assuming that is what you meant by "market")

If you are insistent on doing the White Dessert, then I would skip Aswan and Abu Simbel.

Are you sure you can get to the White Desert in one day from Cairo? Whenever we planned it - we allowed for 2 days. Are you sure you can get from the White Desert to Luxor? Maybe....never checked into it.

As for the Nile Cruises - personally - I loved it. It was relaxing and low-key. Watching the countryside as you sail along the Nile is fascinating.

Thanks for the quick response and the honesty.
I do realize it is a lot, but we are not necessarily looking for a super relaxing vacation, rather we would like to see and do as much as we can. I don't know when we will ever be able to go back.
I am more excited about the White Desert than Luxor/Aswan so really would like to fit it in.
Kick me now, but not really interested in Egyptian Museum, Citadel...I do agree that more time in Cairo makes sense, but ...

Is a felucca ride better in Cairo or Aswan?
Are you suggesting that Luxor is the place to go, if we could only go to Aswan or Luxor?

I agree with all that Grcxx3 has said .

I think when you arrive in Cairo you will need a good night's sleep and not be thinking of a looooong train ride to Luxor .

I hope you get a tour guide in Cairo.

Of course the best way to go is on a Nile Crusie...it is not boring being on the cruise because you see land on both sides and you can wave to the locals doing their daily chores.

The outline that Grxcc3 gave you is very good ,but boy you are going to be flying about a lot.

I like that from Abu Simble you will fly right back to Cairo.

I have a question :

How are you going to get about in Aswan and have you planned for a ride to the Valley of the Kings. ?

Good Luck... Egypt is nice , to obad you only have a week.

:)
I have no plans yet....that is both good and bad, I guess. I am a sponge, so am eager to hear whatever opinions are out there.

How about this, top five things to do/see in Eqypt...

Okay - additional thoughts....

If I had to pick between Aswan and Luxor - it's a no brainer. I love Luxor and the major sites are there. Also, just a lovely little town.

If you are insistent upon the White Desert - that is fine. But I never planned it as a "tourist", so I don't know what the limitations are. Have you checked into it? Usually, when we planned it....day 1 would be a drive to Bahariya, day 2/3 in the White Desert, end of day 3 back to Bahariya, then day 4 back to Cairo. But we were driving ourselves and wanted to take it easy.

I can see skipping the Citadel (never saw it when we lived there....only went afterwards!), but I do think the Egyptian Museum is a must. And, altho I am not a religious person, I found Coptic Cairo to be fascinating. And, not to visit a mosque while in Egypt - I think - is a missed opportunity. But, that's me.

Okay ..Top five to see in Egypt:

1. Cairo Museum

2. Pyramids.

3. Luxor/ Karnak Temple

4. Valley of the Kings

5. Abu Simble

Good list, Percy! :)

But I would add Hatshepsut's Temple.

I would squeeze in Khan el Khalili as one of the top Egypt experiences also.

Hi Grcxx3

I was assuming that in the Valley of the Kings she would see

Hatshepsut's Temple...which is a do not miss site

Also King Tut's Tomb...if she wanted to pay to go in.

Colosses of Memnon

and get to go inside a Tomb, perhaps one of the Ramsey tombs like Ramasy IV

even stop at one of the tourist souvenir places.

I agree with you do not miss Quenn Hatshepsuts's Temple when you are in the Valley of the Kings ..

You gave her a very good outline.. I am impressed but not surprised

Good Night I-)

Percy says..."Also King Tut's Tomb.. if she wants to pay to go in".

I don't understand why someone would baulk at paying approx US$20 to to inside King Tuts tomb when they have paid many thousands of dollars on airfares and tours.

this is not directed to the poster, just a general observation.

Point well taken Miss G, but I want to hear what you say about it after you've been inside it. It may warrant a posting by you to tell us how you feel then.

I've been in. I know. I am curious to hear how you feel afterwards.

Hi MissGreen

I also would like to hear your observations of what you thought and felt when you went inside.

A lot of people baulked at paying the fee go to inside King Tutu's Tomb.

I was told what was inside by my guide ...but I still went, because I was right there at the entrance and I felt I just had to go in....the fee did not deter me.

But I can assure you many other did not want to pay to go inside .

Axel2DP :
Yes the Khan el Khalili Bazaar is an interesting place to see alright ...BUT

I could only name 5 :)

Percy's list is perfect and I assumed Hatshepsut when at Valley of K&Q.

As to the Tut Tomb - I'd pass and instead visit the Tut Exhibit at the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo. Besides the latter exhibit is in air conditioning; also visit the Mummy Room (extra fee... definitely worth it), also with a/c.

Do remember, even in November, regardless how much you want to get in on your short visit, it's hot* at many of these places which can be taxing on the body.

*at Luxor it can reach into the 90s by 9am.

Great conversation, thank you. I have made many notes onto my work in progress schedule.
I will probably cut out Aswan then, focus on Luxor and Abu Simple.
Does anyone know if I can get from somewhere in the White Desert to Luxor, without going back to Cairo? Is it safe to rent a car and do that drive myself, as oppose to going with a tour company overnight?

I just googled "white desert egypt" and there are 1-day (overnight) tours from Cairo, so even if you can't get to Luxor from there directly, you can certainly go. It'll be tiring, but you would have 2 days Cairo, 1 day White Desert, 1 day getting to Luxor after returning from the White Desert, 2 days Luxor, 1 day Abu Simbel.

MissGreen, some people I've heard find it enough to be in Tut's tomb. Others, like me (and apparently CC and sandi) didn't feel it necessary to go in when everything in it has been removed to the museum. We thought Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens were amazing, but not because of the specific tombs we saw, more because of the very fact that they were found, which you'll understand when you get there.

<<Is it safe to rent a car and do that drive myself>>

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

For a whole variety of reasons...............

no car rental, got it! :)

i think that this is do-able now...

Tuesday-arrive 7pm, overnight train to luxor
Wed-Luxor
Thur-Luxor
Friday-Abu Simple-fly back to Cairo-
Sat-white desert overnight
Sun-rtn to Cairo-khan khalili, great dinner out
Mon-pyramids
Tues-cairo
Wednesday-fly home

Whatcha think?

<<no car rental, got it! :) >>

WOW - you're really good at taking subtle hints!! ;)

Just looking quickly at your plan.....looks much better! Need to go watch Project Runway...then I'll look at it in more detail!

Quick question.....why not just fly to Luxor since you're already at the airport? Are there no evening flights? I think flying in, then taking the overnight train is going to make you one VERY tired traveler!!!!

Not bad, but, are you sure you can make the overnight train? I meant to comment on this earlier, but I think the Abela sleeper (the only one you'd want to be on) leaves at 8 p.m., not 10 p.m. (but it's been a couple of years, and my memory might be failing me!) (If I'm reading the schedule correctly, there are trains at 8:00 and 9:10, both from Giza. I'm not sure you could count on making those even if you arrive on time. Giza is at least 45 minutes from the airport, and you have to get your visa, go through passport control, get your luggage and go through customs, all of which can be fast, but still...

Looks like (at least now) there are 9pm and 11:30 pm flights to Luxor. Yes, this would mean spending $$ for an extra night in the hotel, but I think it would be well-worth it!

Have you checked to see what time you arrive back in Cairo after the trip to the White Desert? I might be too late to do both the Khan and a good dinner. I would save the Khan for either Monday or Tuesday.

I will tell you all what I think when I get there. At this stage PRIOR to my trip, my thought is that I don't care if there is absolutely nothing in the tomb - just empty bare walls, I wouldn't care. I would just close my eyes and imagine Carter looking through that small hole and replying that he sees "wonderful things".

I know we all have different thoughts, which is understanding.. I just cannot understand though, not doing it because it costs $20.... the equivalent of 4 cups of coffee!

<<it costs $20.... the equivalent of 4 cups of coffee!>>

Man I hope that is one excellent cup of coffee for $5. I can get a Starbucks Grande Cappacino for that here. I hope that is what you are getting! :)

Debbie - I believe Ms. Green was referring to just that... Starbucks Grande Cappacino! :)

Yes, I hope MissGreen is drinking Cappacinos, and that is it not spiked with Grand Marnier !!

I am just being an SA MissGreen :)

I agree with your thought once inside the Tomb ans that is what Carter said.

Hi Tanya

When I first went to Egypt I was a bit like you, I thought i could do it all and I had no idea of the Geography of the Country. I asked my travel agent if I would see the pyramids during my nile cruise.... which was actually sailing Luxor to Aswan! :-)

I truly believe you are being very over optimistic with a lot of your plan, believe me I have been many times to Egypt and each time as soon as I arrive I am EXHAUSTED! and I am only flying from the UK. But the climate change just floors me.

You have thursday luxor and Abu simbel friday. How on earth do you think you are going to get from Luxor to Abu simbel?
:-)

Abu Simbel is 4 hours by convoy from Aswan and if you are planning on cutting out Aswan then how you gonna get from Luxor to Abu Simbel? There are no flights direct now from Luxor to Aswan - you have to go via Cairo (as far as I am aware)

My suggestion would be to get yourself to Aswan or Abu Simbel first, either fly to Abu Simbel and take the convoy back to Aswan or Fly back to Aswan. Then see Aswan at least a little bit of it. Because you are going such a long way it would be a shame to miss out on Philae Temple and perhaps a nice relaxing felucca for an hour after a long day.

There is no way you would land at 7pm and then get the overnight sleeper train. No chance. Never mind the problems with Cairo Traffic (Debbie will advise you on this!) you have got to get your visa, get your bags, and get out of the airport. And dependant on the amount of flights landing when you land this could take a while.

No-way your gonna make the overnight train to Luxor. If for some reason you could make the train then it would be better to take it to Aswan so that you can do Abu Simbel in the morning of arrival into Aswan, otherwise you are adding more hours to your travel by travelling from Luxor to Aswan to Abu Simbel. But I dont think you would make the train AT ALL.

Here is the train timetable anyway for you.

http://www.sleepingtrains.com/

Also I dont think you would do the White Desert any justice by just doing an overnight trip to there. There is a lot to see in Bahariya and the White Desert. It is around 5 hours drive to get there.

If you think you will never be able to go back to Egypt then a snapshot would be excellent, but if you think you will go back then just pace yourself a little and then next time you go you can do some other part. Believe me if you are like most of us on this forum you will love Egypt and will be counting the days til your next trip there. its addictive! :-)

However, if you think that you can do it all in 7 days then you could do it like this:

Tuesday - arrive - stay overnight in Cairo
Wednesday - pyramids, saqqara, memphis, museum
Wednesday night - overnight train down to Aswan.
Thursday - Philae Temple, unfinished obelisk, dam, maybe felucca afternoon. I would say go to abu simbel on the 11am convoy but your train could be late - as they often are in Egypt, its not unknown to wait 2 hours for your train to arrive. Stay overnight aswan
Friday - go to Abu Simbel on the early morning convoy, back to Aswan by lunchtime. Take the train up to Luxor (about 4 hours i think if I remember right). Go to the Luxor museum in the evening if it is still open, or you could go to the sound and light show in Karnak Temple. Stay overnight in Luxor
Saturday - Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu Temple complex, colossi of memnon - in the morning. Afternoon do the Luxor and Karnak Temples. Fly evening to Cairo. Stay overnight in Cairo
Sunday - take a 2 day trip to the white desert arrive sunday afternoon - stay overnight in Bahariya, do some local sights
Monday - go to the white desert, crystal mountain, stay overnight camping
Tuesday - come back early to Cairo arrive around lunchtime or early afternoon. See a bit of the old cairo coptic and islamic, Khan el khalili bazaar. Evening have dinner in Cairo
Wednesday - phone your doctor for some tablets when you arrive home to combat the exhaustion from all the travelling you have done :-) then fly home

Take a week on the sick from work to recouperate

Im exhausted just typing it :-)

Hope this helps. I am a big fan of the Nile Cruise though, you get to see Edfu, Kom Ombo and a lot of beautiful parts of the Nile and you have your food and accommodation all covered as well as your trips in Luxor and Aswan and Abu Simbel if you add it.

Also this is all doable by yourselves but you might be better getting an agent to work it all out for you? either way it is gonna be a heavy week for you. But I am sure you will love every bit of it.

Scotsgirl

Wow !!!

What an outline

I was exhausted just reading what Tanya has to do...and she has to travel it !!!

Wow, I am overwhelmed by the help. Thank you.
I must look at things a bit more closely again, and possibly reconsider things. You are right, I will not make a sleeper train, but can get on a regular first class train out of cairo to luxor. Not ideal, but do-able. I never thought about flying from Cairo to Luxor...just checked and I am surprised to see it was only $108. Significantly more than the train, but not unmanageable. I can't believe the train is less than $20usd; that is ridiculously cheap.
Scotsgirl, I was origionally planning on flying to Abu Simple...but, may reconsider now all together.
Looks like I need to hit the books again. I will write again when I get more information and hope that you will all be forthcoming with your opinions again!
Cheers, Tanya

You do NOT want to go on a sitting train, first class or otherwise, especially after a transatlantic flight! Oh my god, if we all weren't exhausted from thinking about your schedule, we certainly are with this added in!

Ditto what sf7307 just wrote!

Tanya

I wouldnt do the train at all if it were me. First class is not first class by our standards in the west unfortunately.

Have a play about on the Egyptair website, go into the multi flight option and look at flying:

Cairo to abu simbel, abu simbel to aswan then luxor to cairo. you probably would find the price works out better than individual flights.

Im still too drained from thinking about your tour to give you any more...... need to rest my head lol :-)

Scotsgirl.

We did the sleeping train and really enjoyed it. I agree that it isn't first class by American standards, but it's at least a B+ in my book. Still, I wouldn't do anything other than the tourist-only sleeping train. However, as mentioned earlier, it's unlikely you'll make the train the same night as you arrive, and yes, our train was three hours late arriving in Aswan (we didn't notice -- we just slept later, however, we arrived at 11:30 instead of the expected 8:30 a.m.)

Sounds like a fabulous trip Tanya... very busy it seems. You're in good hands on the Egypt forum... I haven't travelled yet but got so much info from here.

BTW folks... I'm in Australia and Aussie cappuchino's are SO expensive! I kid you not when I say it's the equivalent of 4 coffees! lol

Hello again friends...So, we know that I am not someone that you would all like to travel with as I try to pack too much in, but...that isn't going to change and I am trying really hard to fit in the highlights...Please help!

Does this look more reasonable?

Tues-arrive 7pm, stay in Cairo hotel
Wed-lazy morning, go to Pyramids, dinner in Cairo and sleep
Thur-Pick up 9am for overnight camping trip in White Desert, with White Desert Tours
Fri-return to Cairo for dinner and then take sleeper train to Aswan
Sat-Fly to Abu Simbel in the morning, sleep luxor--how do i get to luxor?
Sun-Luxor, Karnak, Hatshesput-sleep Luxor
Mon-Luxor , Valley of the Kings-overnight sleeper train to Cairo/Fly back to Cairo
Tues-lazy relaxing day in Cairo-market, felucca dinner-sleep in Cairo
Wed-fly home in the morning.

Q?-how do i get from Abu Simbel to Luxor? It doesn't appear that I can get there on the Egypt Air website until the Wednesday, but I want to go on the Sat...Any insight? Also, the flights all seem to go back to Cairo...is this right? Should I entertain the train from Aswan to Luxor instead?

:)

The only problem I foresee is the Fri sleeper train followed by Sat. "fly to Abu Simbel in the morning". Since you can't be certain what time the train will actually arrive in Aswan (our's was 3 hours later than scheduled), wouldn't it make sense to just sleep in Cairo Friday and fly to Abu Simbel on Saturday morning from Cairo?

here's what I think:
leave the white desert out, you simply don't have the time.
if I were you I would concentrate on Cairo, Luxor, and one night in Alexandria. I don't know if you'll get a ticket for the sleeper train without booking ahead. I would buy a ticket (I would buy 1st class) as soon as I get to Cairo, spend 2/3 days in Cairo, take a night train to Luxor, 2/3 there, back to Cairo (night train again), and a train to Alexandria (if you have time), spend the night there, back to Cairo and fly home.
I think it will be a shame to run from place to place, it should be a holiday, not work.