Egypt Guides? Cruises? Flights?
 

Will be going to Egypt in July and would like to book guides. Should I book them once I get there or before I go? Do people use the same guide for each attraction or do they book a different guide for each one? What about a Nile Cruise? Should I book that when I get there and can anyone recommend a good company? As well, is it cheaper to book inter-Egypt flights once I get there or should I book those ahead of time?

Best to work with an in-country outfitter - Lady Egypt, gets good reviews. They can arrange: meet/greets, transfers, sightseeing with guides/vehicles, internal flights, Nile cruise, etc.

For sightseeing in Cairo, you can contact Debbie Senters of Casual Cairo at [email protected]... she also gets great reviews.

I am going to Egypt in December and planned the trip (about 4-5 months in advance, which was pretty short notice for high season) with Ahmed Hamed Yousif. His contact info is [email protected]. He gave us an all-inclusive package price for a private tour that covers pretty much everything other than international airfare (including airport meet-and-greet, all internal flights/transfers/transportation, some meals, private guides at all times including the cruise). He also booked our cruise and all of our hotels. He is able to work with a variety of budgets and preferences and was very responsive and easy to work with. I just didn't have time to make all the arrangements myself, and it was so easy letting Ahmed do everything.

To answer your question more directly, I think there are a lot of ways you can plan the trip -- lots of people use points/miles and book hotels themselves, and then hire a guide just for guiding purposes, rather than having the guide book the whole trip.
I would be really nervous about waiting until you get there to book things -- seems like that could be a hassle, when it's so easy to do it in advance. Since you're not going in high season, I guess it's possible, but I think your options would be more limited, and I'm guessing you'd pay more.

Hi Lyntay

I would agree with the ladies above, it is much less stressful if you have it organised before you go, but preferrable to use an in-egypt agent as they can normally get you the best prices etc.

I recommend Egypt Quality Tours as they tailor the tour to suit exactly what you want, the accommodation to the star rating that you want, and the cruise boats they use are first class. they can give you Egyptologists (licenced and fully qualified) for private tours with private transportation for any location within Egypt so they could work it all out from A to B for you no problem.

The ladies above have recommeded a couple for you too, so no harm in trying all three and see what you get from them.

Either way, you will have a great time in Egypt I am sure, it is a wonderful experience.

Scotsgirl

I have heard the security is tight in Egypt. I too have been in contact with Ahmed Hamid Yousif. We are planning to use himas our guide next Sept/October. I like the idea of someone meeting us at the airport-getting us to our hotel and taking care of everything. From what other travelers have said he is quite reasonable. I don't have my prices yet-but Ihope so,. He does sound great. chris

abby97

We have something in common and I am hoping that you will email me at [email protected]. Ahmed has planned a trip for our family starting 12/28/09. I would like to communicate with you prior to departure. Look forward to hearing from you.

Lollie14

Hi Lollie -

I will definitely email you shortly!

Abby97

Lollie -

I sent you an email. Let me know if you didn't receive it.

Abby97

Hi-Since I last posted I have gotten our flights to & from. Cashed in American miles & we have 2 business class seats going to Egypt.Comming home I have Lufthansa-coach-BUT I spoke to United & when it is 330 days I can maybe upgrade the return-If not thats Ok-only one stop on way home/
I have contacted Ahmed-he is working on our itenary. i want everything secure before I leave-Everyone who has gone 7 is going thanks for trip reports-we who don't do trip reports take notes-Chris

Abby97

Hi! I did not receive your email...must have gone to my spam folder. Please re-send and I will check to make sure it doesn't end up in spam! I look forward to hearing from you...our departure date is fast approaching!

Our family of 4 is using Lady Egypt for our upcoming trip to Egypt and Jordan in two weeks. I found them (Amanda Whitmore) to be so helpful in offering suggestions and schedules and allowing us to change what we did or did not want-hotels,sites,etc. They took care of the land,air and Nile Cruise portions.
I normally do not use tour companies as our family travels independently but when I started adding up the prices of the hotels and air (even with my airline discounts) I couldn't come up with the price she did.They are sooooo much cheaper for the very same things then alot of the ones touted on this travel board so do shop around.

Dutyfree, Amanda is organising my trip too.

Miss Green-you got mail offline!

I just posted a trip report that gives details about the trip Ahmed Hamed Yousif planned for us. He took care of EVERY detail (even though I'm kind of a control freak!), and you will not be disappointed.

When I was first planning my trip, I was in touch with Debbie Senters of Casual Cairo tours. And even though I decided to go with Ahmed, I wanted to mention that Debbie was very helpful, and her web site helped me to figure out what I wanted to see while I was in Cairo.
- Kristen

I'm not sure this is appropriate, but is it alright to ask what people paid for their trips with either Lady Egypt, Casual Cairo or with Ahmed?

Casual Cairo lists her prices right on her web site:
http://www.casualcairodetours.pyramids.net/prices.html. This is a very helpful site.

lyntay - I am happy to share costs offline - I don't post here because posts stick around forever and prices change (up and down) - you can email me at

eseibertca AT yahoo DOT ca

We traveled with Ahmed in January/08 and were delighted with our trip - report here

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...ependently.cfm

I can also share costs offline - dmlove51 @ hotmail dot com (which is my "public" email address. We used Lady Egypt, and our trip was not quite as upscale as Elizabeth's (for example, she and her husband stayed at the Mena House, we stayed at Le Meridien Pyramids)), so it will give you an idea of various "levels".

Hi D! I'm always skeptical when a group tour lists "Mena House OR Le Meridien Pyramids" due to the price differential between them - I think people often think they have an even chance of getting Mena House but I don't think so!

Liz

Hi Elizabeth! That's the beauty of a "custom" tour, of course -- you get to pick where you stay, what you do, when you eat, how long you visit each place, etc!

Lyntay, I am happy to tell you what I am paying with Lady Egypt... USD$2365 per person (2 of us travelling) for 15 days - accommodation at Mena House Oberoi, Sheraton Alexandria, Cairo Marriot, Movenpick Aswan, Steinberger Luxor. Fly to Aswan from Cairo from and and fly Abu Simbel. Usual "big ticket" entrance fees included. Private guide and driver. If anyone thinks any of those hotels are crummy, let me know your thoughts!

I am also using Lady Egypt for a tour to Egypt and Jordan leaving next week and am very pleased with working with Amanda Whitmore there. She has done everything we have asked in regards to changing hotels and scheduling-the price is really reasonable compared to others mentioned on this board.Will report when we get back on the 1st of January about our trip!

dutyfree... what hotels are you staying at if you dont mind me asking. You lucky thing.. going in a week!

WE had the Cairo Marriott but I had really wanted a lesser hotel in the same area that was well regarded. By chance and waiting-We got in at the Hotel Longchamps which I really really wanted in Cairo (rated no.2 out of 122) and Hebba the owner has been a real doll with letting me know about the opening.I think that our hotels in Aswan and Luxor are the same as yours?
Amanda just redid our Jordan trip so don't know which hotels there for Amman and Dead Sea now but had the Crowne Plaza at Petra.
Seriously-we are leaving on the 14th and everyday I am writing Amanda about something else. BUT thats why I love this tour agency as it is the things I want to see and do,etc.
I should have the final writing tomorrow so will write you back on or off the board. Can't wait-its supposed to snow here tonight in Chicago!

lyntay, you've got mail!

Hi Scotsgirl,

I had a wonderful time in cairo last week.I saw all the main attractions.Pyramids were a bit misty though.Hassled by hawkers,until i gave them the old soldiers farewell.

Thanks for your help,sandi and others too.

Any tips for clothing or places you liked Mahler77. Leaving next week. Thanks!

I love the Egypt board... everyone is so helpful. I am pondering going to Dubai on the way home from Egypt and I am wondering if the folks on the Dubai forum are as helpful as insightful as those here.

Three cheers for us all!!

Hi dutyfree,

Wear light clothing,but cover up.The insect bites can be quite painful.After a week back in England,i still bear the scars.

Obviously,the pyramids are a must.The morning that i was there it was misty.However,i walked half way up from the entrance gate,then i looked up and saw the most stunning sight i think i will ever see.A truly wonderful,magnificent picture of Khufu,Khafre,and Menkaure, really breathtaking.Actually,the mist tended to add to the picture,giving the pyramids an air of mystery and magic.Also,don't forget the Sphinx(as if you would....lol)

I think you'll love Khan al Khalili bazaar.Try your skills at haggling with the sellers.It can be fun.I had an hilarious tussle with one guy over the price of an arab scarf.35 ep became 20 ep when i threatened to walk away.

A boat ride on the Nile is another must.Try a felucca,the most graceful and beautiful of boats.

The Coptic area,and of course the Citadel ,are standard stuff.I was in Cairo for just 5 days,so i didn't have the time to move beyond the confines of the city.

One thing worth a mention.There's a lovely promenade next to the Tahrir bridge.A great spot to chill-out and watch the boats on the Nile.Beautiful at night.

As i've said above dutyfree,i only spent a short time in Egypt.Others on here will probably give you better advice as regards things to see and places to go.

..........best wishes mahler77.

ttt for later

Thank you Mahler77 for the updates!

That's ok dutyfree,glad to be of help.

Dutyfree, We are going to Egypt in February and also opted for Longchamps over the Marriott. Please report back as to whether it lives up to its reviews on TripAdvisor.
Have a great trip.

JerryS-will let you know about the Longchamps when I get back. After all of my investigation, the money/location/hotel itself and staff all pointed to booking with them. Hebba has been so sweet in her correspondance-even writing me when they had a cancellation so I could cancel the Marriott and book with her.I am looking forward to being in a hotel that is in a neighborhood!

HI Mahler

I missed your post earlier, im still chuckling at your Old Soldiers Farewell, lucky you never ended up in the Egyptian version of the Bangkok Hilton lol

Its great to hear you had such a good time! we did tell you that you would remember :-))

Scotsgirl

dutyfree, Thanks. Have a great trip and stay well.

"I'm always skeptical when a group tour lists "Mena House OR Le Meridien Pyramids" due to the price differential between them - I think people often think they have an even chance of getting Mena House but I don't think so!"

In response to Elizabeth's post, here is an excerpt from an Itinerary sent to me by Ahmed -

"and then transfer with air-conditioned minivan and professional and safe tourist driver to your nice 5 * Stars Hotel in Cairo : Cairo Marriott Royal Palace Hotel OR The Mena House OR The Meridian Pyramids Hotel OR Grand Hyatt Hotel OR Sofitel Le Sphinx OR any other nice 5 * Stars Hotel available at the time of your trip to Egypt ....."

I had specifically asked for a 2 week itinerary and was sent a 10 day itinerary for Both Egypt & Jordan!!

Lyntay

The quote was a lump sum of 5050usd for a 10 day tour in September including a 3 night cruise on the Sonesta St George. All other hotels are ambigous as above!

I have since done a costing for a completely independent 15 day trip with the best guides (at some places the very same used by Ahmed!) which includes transfers with reps and the Mena house in Cairo, Movenpick in Luxor, Hilton Spa in Luxor and the Marriots in Jordan and the Sonesta St George ship with PRIVATE guides and the cost does not exceed 4000usd. These are all rack rates and guides asking prices. Advance purchase rates and utilising other deals works out to much less. There is a difference in Summer/Winter rates as well. So Sept. rates are sometimes much cheaper - 50% for the Oberoi Philea! A local guide I am sure gets far better deals.

I have also learnt that most ships are sold without excursions to local agents at much lower rates. So it is not like the private guides for the cruise are over & above the full cruise price.

What I am getting at is that these prices more than cover all the upgrades & freebies that are ostensibly being thrown in. Nothing comes free!

Have no doubt Ahmed is a fantastic guide & person. But to say that the tour was great value and so many freebies were thrown in is a stretch

Lyntay - the price you were quoted was much higher than what Ahmed quoted me for my 12-day Egypt itinerary over Christmas/New Years, which included specific hotels (Marriott, Movenpick in Aswan, and Steinberger Nile Palace in Luxor), the Oberoi Philae cruise boat (4 nights), and private guides for the entire trip (including the cruise). Also, my itinerary did include specific hotels, and Ahmed was willing to change hotels at my direction (I wanted the Marriott, not the Mena House, for example) and provide updated itineraries very quickly, along with the price change, if any.

Sorry - I should have addressed Ramara above, not Lyntay.

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