Egypt Guides? Cruises? Flights?
Dec 2nd, 2009, 10:10 PM
#21
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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!
Dec 2nd, 2009, 10:29 PM
#22
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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!
Dec 2nd, 2009, 11:38 PM
#24
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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!
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!
Dec 3rd, 2009, 12:37 PM
#26
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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.
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.
Dec 3rd, 2009, 10:25 PM
#28
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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!!
Three cheers for us all!!
Dec 5th, 2009, 12:56 AM
#29
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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.
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.
Dec 5th, 2009, 02:32 PM
#34
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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!
Dec 13th, 2009, 10:01 AM
#35
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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
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
Dec 15th, 2009, 04:14 AM
#37
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"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
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
Dec 15th, 2009, 06:51 AM
#38
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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.
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