Momliz

I second bringing cash - we did not bring enough and were constantly running to the ATM - a real pain.

TMP

As I recall, the only things that you could not bring back into the USA are the standard restricted items like fruits & vegetables. People on our tour bought spices and oils, they packed them in their checked luggage and had no problems. We went through customs in NYC and we didn't have to open our luggage.

My wife and I brought $1,500 cash between us and had $100 in $1 bills. This was plenty for us to spend between meals and trinket shopping. We didn't buy anything substantial, just little things here and there. People on our tour that bought large items like rugs and papyrus paid via credit card & had some items shipped from the store.

We had the Eyewitness travel guide to Egypt and loved it. I like that it shows detailed maps and cut aways of all the popular temples and sights. A guide book is really helpful especially at Karnak Temple. When you first get there, it can be overwhelming and a guide book will help insure you don't miss something you want to see.

We stayed at the Le Passage Heliopolis Hotel our last night in Cairo. It was a clean but small room. It was fine for an overnight stay. There is a Chinese restaurant that people on our tour thought was good. We opted for the middle eastern buffet restaurant on the lower level and it was very good. Great hummus and local fare. There is a small mall across from the hotel and a 7-11 type store (Regabe & Sons ?) We had a few hours to kill and it was fun to walk through the stores and see day to day life for the locals.

Our itinerary said we would either be on a Movenpick or Sonesta ship. We were on a Movenpick, so assuming they are comperable ships, I think you will be fine. The staff was great, the food was OK, but there was nothing luxurious about the ship we were on. The cabin was cleaned every day, the A/C worked fine and we enjoyed lots of time on the upper deck watching the Nile pass us by. We were upgraded to a suite, so the room was larger. It was no "Love Boat" but we had a great time.

Are you on a General Tour by chance? Your accomodations and trip itinerary seem very similar to ours.

Diane60030

I would disagree with the poster who said you wouldn't need an umbrella. It isn't for rain, but for shade. Many of the ruins can be quite hot. Having some instant shade can be a real necessity.

I used the ATMs throughout Egypt. I usually got 500 LE at a time. I think when I was done I took 50 LE home with me (mainly for my scrapbook).

If you use a digitial camera, an extra memory card. While there are many places that can down load and burn a CD for you, who wants to spend the time trying to find one. Or worse you'll be some place like the valley of the kings when you run out of room.

I have a feeling a lot of people buy more than they expected in Egypt. Every market we went to had several stores selling suit cases.


I would bring a light sweater. The mornings / evenings in the desert really cool off and while layers are a good thing a sweater to put on for a stroll on the upper deck of the boat or for a ride in a hot air balloon is convenient.

miz

great info from everyone thanks. I also want to know:
1. do you have to leave your passport with the hotel people? Or do they make a copy?

2. got all the medicine suggestions thanks! What about motion sickness on the cruise any suggestions for that?

3. should I bring a bathing suit?

4. what about tipping on the cruise ship?

5. what about tipping our group tour guide?

6. is there a certain "brand" of water that is best to drink


7. what is (are) the main items to make sure I shop for & bring back

Thanks!

sf7307

We did not leave our passport with the hotel people -- gave it to them on check-in and they gave it back to us. We left it in the room safe most of the time.

Any of the sealed bottled water brands is fine. We got one brand bottled by Coke (Dasani?) a lot. Recommend buying at the grocery store if you have a place to keep it cold -- much much cheaper than at the tourist sites (we were there in summer, so needed gallons every day LOL).

Yes, bring a bathing suit. We spent every afternoon after sightseeing lounging around the pool.

We didn't buy anything except papyrus (which I've recently framed and hung and they look great on our newly-painted walls!)

HTH

teacherCanada

Hi miz

We travelled to Egypt in 2005 with a group of 36 students. We leave again in about 18 days with a group of 49. There is lots of great advice on this thread. I will add my comments to your questions.


1. do you have to leave your passport with the hotel people? Or do they make a copy? We prepared copies of our passports to leave at hotels.

2. got all the medicine suggestions thanks! What about motion sickness on the cruise any suggestions for that? None of our group experienced motion sickness on the cruise - it is quite smooth. Some used gravol (or generic equivalent)for bus rides.

3. should I bring a bathing suit? Hello!! Absolutely - even if you choose not to go in the water, you can lounge on the upper deck of the boat - or by a pool.

4. what about tipping on the cruise ship? We had arranged for an "all-tips included" travel deal, but I know other travellers did leave a tip.

5. what about tipping our group tour guide? All participants in our group put in between $20 - $25 US for our guide for a 12 day tour.

6. is there a certain "brand" of water that is best to drink. We were told all water was ok. We just checked to ensure the plastic seal on the cap was unbroken.

7. what is (are) the main items to make sure I shop for & bring back. Anything you can't get somewhere else. We returned with carpets, cartouches and papyrus.

Have a wonderful trip.

tC

miz

I have some prescription meds I need to take and I read that I may need a doctor's letter because some Western drugs are on a "banned list". Where can I check this banned list?
Thanks

jerseysusan

Hi miz

1 - We always left our passports in the safe in our room/cabin. This was recommended by Grand Circle.

2 - I am unaware of anyone suffering from motion sickness on the cruise.

3 - I agree about bathing suit. You can always sun on the deck.

4 - As I went with Grand Circle there were recommended tip amounts provided to us.

6 - All closed water bottles are good to drink.

7 - I came home with:
papyrus - make sure you don't buy the cheap stuff sold by
many vendors as this is really banana leaves
alabaster - the hand made items are translucent when held
the light
cartouches - you can have them sewn onto tshirts or you
can buy gold or silver ones to hang from a chain

Hope you have a great time!

jerseysusan

Hi again miz

Something I forgot

7 If you like to cook you can buy spices in Aswan. There is an amazing assortment for sale, many items you will never easily find at home.

miz

is it ok for women to wear colorful clothing?

sf7307

Absolutely it is ok to wear colorful clothing. Not all the clothing worn by the Muslim women is black either -- I have a picture of myself taken with a Muslim woman (she asked to take a picture with me) and she's wearing a pink long-sleeve shirt under a print headscarf.

miz

Ok 2 days to go!
A few last minute Question:
I understand you cannot take photos in some of the tombs and
musems...what about video?

Also if you arrive with your camera from being on an all day tour do they "check" it or what happens?

Hotel safe..secure to use in your room?(staying at the Sofitel El Gezirah in Cairo)

jerseysusan

Videos are no allowed when you are not allowed to photograph. I never had to check my camera, guards would just tell you no to use it. If someone still took photos they would approach that person and tell them to stop.

I used the safe in the Cairo Marriott and on the cruise ship. We were encouraged to do so by Grand Circle. I definately felt secure doing this.

Have a great time.

alund

I had no problems using my camera at the Cairo Museum. Initially had problem at Abu Simbel, but I spoke with the guard (gave him 1 or 2 Egyptian Pounds) and he let me use the camera inside the temple. I was there in January of 2008. Cairo is much cooler than Luxor. I had to use a coat in Cairo as the temperature went down to the low 40's. Luxor was high 70's. I would dress conservatively: long pants, short or long sleeve. Avoid skimpy clothing since Egypt, although modern, is still a very traditional muslim country. Aswan is beautiful, especially the Old Cataract Hotel. The view from there is spectacular. Egyptians are lovely people. I hope you love it as much as I did.

Melanie43

Have been reading with great interest all the advise about visiting Egypt. We are planning a trip and are wondering when would be the best time of year to go weather wise that is. Any suggestions? We are not on a time table, so any month in the next 12 would work. Thanks much!

sf7307

Avoid summer (through September). We were there in August last year (we knew what we were getting into, but the timing of the visit was "fixed"). It was brutally hot. Hot in Cairo, brutal in Luxor. We still really enjoyed our trip, but would likely have enjoyed it even more in more pleasant weather.

Momliz

we went in December and it was delightful - sweater (jacket) weather in Cairo and the 70's near 80's in Abu Simbel. off season prices, too, I think.

jerseysusan

We went in January and had weather similar to Momliz. It was perfect for sightseeing and I didn't have to worry about exposing too much skin as it wasn't hot enough for that to be a problem.

extasis

My son and I are going in either Novembber / December of this year - I am 31 and he is 11. I've heard of women on their own being harassed. If I have my young man with me I thinking we should be mostly fine - thoughts?

althom1122

Melanie - we went in February and the weather was wonderful. Jacket weather in Cairo/Alexandria and short sleeves during the day in Luxor/Aswan with a sweater or light jacket in the evening and early morning.

extasis - You'll be looked at a LOT. And men will make comments - it's definitely a little unnerving at times, but it's harmless - and yes, you'll be fine. There's more harassment from the vendors trying to sell you stuff. They're more aggressive than anywhere else I've traveled. If you check my trip report (Karen and Julie's Egyptian escapade....), you'll get a feel for the kind of "harassment" we got. Mostly offers of camels to buy my daughter (who's 28)... and a couple of offers for ME (52). It can be intense, but mostly we were able to laugh it off.
Karen