Hello,

I am planning a trip to Egypt with my husband over Christmas break. From exploring these forums, we've contacted a few egypt outfitters. The one we're leaning towards is lady egypt. If anyone has any advice on the itinerary they are proposing, i'd love to hear your thoughts.

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo
Day 2: Giza / Sakarra Pyramids
Day 3: Egyptian Musuem/ Tour of Cairo
Day 4: Travel to Dahab/ Camel ride to blue lagoon
Day 5: Snorkel at Blue Hole
Day 6: Dahab to St. Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai. Overnight at Mt. Sinai
Day 7: Back to Dahab
Day 8: Coloured Canyon and Ain Khudra Oasis
Day 9: Free day dahab
Day 10: Dahab to Ciaro
Day 11: Free day in Cairo
Day 12: Leave

Is there something that I should ask them to add to this? Has anyone done any of those camel safaris into the desert? Would you recommend it?

Also, any advice on what to do from day 9-11? Should we go to Sharm? Is a day trip to Jerusalem feasible?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. And soon! We're doing this at the last minute and I hope that we don't end up paying a penalty for it. Thanks!

A couple of questions -

1. How are you getting to/from Dahab?
2. Why are you going back to Dahab after Mt. Sinai?
3. Is there enough in Dahab left to see/do on Day 9?
4. Any particular reason why you have left Luxor off of things to see?

Also, I don't see any reason to add Sharm. You've already been snorkling, gone to Mt. Sinai, and been into the desert.

I agree that unless you're there to dive, I'd go to Luxor after Mt. Sinai, and return to Cairo from there.

I guess it's hard to know how to answer your question without a better understanding of your priorities for the trip. For me, I could not imagine planning trip to Egypt (assuming it's a first trip) without a visit to Luxor (Valley of the Kings and surrounding area, Karnak and Luxor Temples). For me, Abu Simbal is also a high priority. But if you're not much of a ruins/Temple person, maybe those things aren't as important to you as what I'm sure is some amazing snorkeling and diving.

So many things to see, so little time.

Thanks for your advice. I guess we consider ourselves adventure travelers, but more moderate-adventure. We aren’t super-hardcore.
Grcxx3, you ask very good questions.
1. How are you getting to/from Dahab?
--Flying in and out of Sharm. We meet the rep there, but I'm not sure if we get there by van or bus. I'll ask.
2. Why are you going back to Dahab after Mt. Sinai?
--I have no idea. I suppose to do the Colored Canyon tour. But you raise a very good point, perhaps we can move the itinerary around to get the free days consolidated and do something else. Is there anything else you would suggest. I wonder if we could do a day trip down the Nile...
3. Is there enough in Dahab left to see/do on Day 9?
--I was considering a day trip into the desert. Horseback riding, etc. Perhaps go camping with some Bedouins.
4. Any particular reason why you have left Luxor off of things to see?
--We're not particularly ruins-y or museum-y type people. I feel that we would have gotten our fill from the pyramids and Egyptian museum.

I guess my questions now boil down to: What would you suggest we do for a two days in Egypt? We could do Luxor, but considering we're not that into history, I'm not sure it will be worth the tourist swarm in December. Is a 1 night Nile cruise feasible? I wonder how we'd get back to a major city. Thanks for your input!




we're flying in and out of Sharm to get to Dahab. husband and I aren't really ruins/temple folks.

You say you are "not that into history". I find it amazing that you are in Egypt and are not that into the "big ticket items". You might think you are not that into it, but if you went to Luxor or somewhere you might like it. I can remember travelling and thinking I didn't really want to do stuff but after I had done it I loved it and would of been sorry I didn't do it! Your itinerary is very different to the ones we often see here. Have a great time!

I can't imagine choosing Egypt as a vacation destination if you're not interested in the antiquities. There are so many other places I'd go instead for a warm-weather vacation.

"not into history" - amazing. Yes, Cairo - Giza with the Pyramids & Sphinx - are interesting, as is the Museum, which you'll never cover even in a full day. But there's more to Egypt than Cairo, Memphis, Saqqara (both nearby to Cairo), so not to include at least Luxor has me baffled.

There are no 1/day cruises on the Nile per se, and certainly not arround Cairo which is so busy. Rather best to catch a 3/day cruise out of Luxor or Aswan

... sorry about that.

If not the cruise, then spend a few days in Luxor to visit the Valley of Kings & Queens.

Hey, it's your trip! But, ask questions, get smooth routing (no back-tracking) and answers that make sense. Good luck!

Thank you all for your responses. You've given me a lot to think about!