KRNS

JERSEYSUSAN,

Sorry I can't help with info on cell phone, saw no one in group othr than Program Director with one. However, I do remember reading about same in someone's trip report, I shall try to find it for you.

Grcxx3,

Thank you for the caution about rabies. I admit I did pet most of the dogs and s few kittens, that was not too bright on my part. I shall just put the food down near the animals and try very hard not to touch them.

KRNS

I typed in sim card and Egypt in Search on top of page and received some info. Hope you find what you need.

terrijo

I am not sure if you already left on your trip. I went in March of 08 and used DeCastro Tours for my entire trip and was very happy for the most part. The guide in Cairo (Heba) was young and lazy and didn't want to really go out of her way for us. The guides in Aswan and Luxor were fantastic...the other tourists that we met on the trip were very jealous at the dedication and knowledge of the guides we were using. The company arranged transporation, hotels and excursions and escorted us on every leg of the journey except for Abu Simbel. I was able to change the itinerary at any point that I wanted (for instance, we checked out the Nubian Village in Aswan even though it wasn't on our initial agenda). We paid for our own food (except on the cruise & train) and tips....and I always asked the guides to avoid taking me to touristy restaurants. I recommend the train trip from Cairo to Aswan because even though the train is antiquated and you won't sleep well, the views of the countryside in the morning will forever be etched in my memory. A piece of advice, a Falucca Sailboat does not have any type of bathroom facilities at all.

sf7307

<i> recommend the train trip from Cairo to Aswan because even though the train is antiquated and you won't sleep well</i>

Did you take the sleeper train? We didn't find it antiquated at all, and I slept fine (I love sleeper trains). The food was gross, but we'd been warned, so brought our own.

kesnow

I have a question, I, too, will be in Egypt Oct 20-25, 2009. I sent an email to Casual Cairo because of the many recommendations on this site and other Egypt threads on here([email protected]). Does it take weeks for them to respond? It's been probably about 3 weeks now; I don't want to be pushy, but I emailed (and double checked the email address) inquiring about their availablility during this time, and have not heard anything back. Is this normal for a response to take so long?

cmp6e

Regarding the sleeper train: I didn't think the train was bad and I slept quite well. My husband and I had our own little room with a sink and bunk beds. I thought it was much more comfortable than the sleeper trains I took in Europe.
You are right about the food - it was not good and we were glad we brought snacks.

Casual_Cairo

kesnow -

Apologies! Check your email now.

CCd

terrijo

I did take the sleeper train...and it was nothing like any train I had ever used in Europe (even dumpier and older than an Italian rural train). Our cabin had a sink and bunk beds and very dusty smelling bedding...this train was at least 50 years old. It was loud and every time I started to drift off, the train jerked violently and woke me up. The common bathroom had water and sewage all over the floor by morning. (Maybe it matters which car you are in??). The windows were in bad shape, but I was able to find a spot to look through so I could see the views...so it was worth it. We had our own food supply as well...and we needed it.

gettysburg63

I am planning my first trip to Egypt in September. I'm learning so much from reading this forum. I'm going with a tour company, Gate 1. I was wondering...what currency did you use the most? I've heard you can use U.S. currency, or Euros, plus of course, credit card. What do you recommend? As I understand, the Egyptian Euro is different than the regular Euro. Would you suggest trying to get this currency ahead of time?

Thank you for your assistance and advice...

Grcxx3

The Egyptian currency is the LE (Egyptian Pound). It's generally about 5 LE per $1 USD.

While USD and Euros are readily accepted, I think it would be easier to use Egyptian pounds. You don't have to worry about what exchange rate the merchant will charge and it's good to have lots of small bills (1 LE notes) to use as tips.

Also, keep in mind that if you give a merchant USD or Euros, he must exchange it for Egyptian pounds, and the exchange he gets will not be very good. So he could end up losing money on the deal. I just prefer using the local currency.

You might be able to get Egyptian pounds ahead of time, but you can also get them at the airport upon arrival. There are exchange counters before you go thru customs (right by where you get the visa).

althom1122

gettysburg - you can use US dollars most places (and I think euros, too, but we didn't have any euros). The Egyptian currency is the Egyptian pound (not euro). I wouldn't bother getting any Egyptian pounds in advance. ATMs are common - we got pounds right at the airport in Cairo. I'd strongly recommend getting Egyptian pounds to use as small change, for bathrooms, baksheesh, and small purchases.

sf7307

The exchange rate of the Egyptian pound is fixed at 5.3 pounds to the US Dollar. It's the same at the bank, at ATMs and should be the same at merchants too. We carried LEs, but used dollars when we ran out of LEs. One time we were buying some papyruses and our credit card didn't work. We just gathered up everything we had in dollars, euros and LEs and just made it (since framed and looking great!)

tinydancer

I recently got quoted by Casual Cairo and was both stunned and shocked at the price which was 233 Euros for two people for one day. I guarantee that no guide is probably worth that much money.

Grcxx3

sf7307 - from my experience, when dealing with the merchants, there was some variation in the exchange rate because the exchange rate that the merchants would get when exchanging USD back to LE was not always as good. So they would try to make up the difference in the rate given to me. But maybe this was just in my area of Cairo where the expats were more inclined to use LE and seldom used anything else.

In any case, I just think it's easiest to use the local currency whenever possible.

However, I have been in situations where I had to do what you did!

Grcxx3

tinydancer - having met Debbie and having heard of so many people who liked her services - I think you are probably mistaken.

But out of curiosity, what did the plan for the day consist of?

Grcxx3

tinydancer - just to compare.

You can do a day trip with Grayline tours (bus tour with a minimum of 9 people) that includes Giza/Sphynx, Saqqara, Memphis, lunch, entrance fees, and gratuities for between $69 adn $129 per person (depending on how many are in your group). For two people it would be $93.

For the Egyptian Museum and Giza/Sphynx plus lunch, entrance fees, and gratuities, the cost is between $59 and $120. For 2 people the cost is $84.

Your 233 Euro quote is about $150 per person.

For me, having a private guide, private car/van with driver, and I will assume entrance fees and possibly lunch, is well worth the extra bucks. Gratuities may not be included, but I have always found on bus tours that you still end up giving a tip - even if it is supposed to be included.

tinydancer

One company I got quotes from was: http://www.first24hours.com/index.aspx
who have quoted me US$23.50 pp including guide and private transportation. Entrance fees extra. I listed a number of sights because we want an additional tour to add on on the day before and the day after our 12 day tour. So we have not settled on where or what, and we will no doubt be doubling up on some things. But we're talking about things in or around Cairo, or maybe the camel market. But we have done some extensive traveling and have hired private cars and drivers, and this price is more in keeping with what we expected. And Egypt should be cheaper than some other countries we've been to. I'm not saying that paying more won't be worth it. The question is how much more? Egypt tours looks pretty good to us, and they have quite a few write ups: http://www.first24hours.com/awards.aspx
It's just beginning to look to me like a lot of people are paying a whole lot more money for not a whole lot of value. I'm sure this woman is good too. She has a lot of good comments that are probably well deserved. I'm just not convinced any guide is worth that kind of price.

sf7307

<i>It's just beginning to look to me like a lot of people are paying a whole lot more money for not a whole lot of value. I'm sure this woman is good too. She has a lot of good comments that are probably well deserved. I'm just not convinced any guide is worth that kind of price.</i>

You seem to have convinced yourself, so what are you still asking? I don't see how anyone can possibly state with authority that one guide is "worth" more than another unless they've traveled with both. FWIW, when I was researching day trips before we went last summer, I also thought the prices were very high for a country that is supposed to be inexpensive. We ended up on a private guided tour throughout, so I don't have a particular recommendation for you.

Grcxx3

<<It's just beginning to look to me like a lot of people are paying a whole lot more money for not a whole lot of value. >>

Well, I guess it depends on what you value for a given situation. I can get a bed and bathroom at a Motel 6 or I can gt a bed and bathroom at a Hilton. If I'm making a road trip and need a quick/convenient overnight spot....Motel 6 is fine. But if I've spent money to travel someplace for a vacation and I want to enjoy myself....I want the Hilton (or Interncontinental or whatever).

I have not heard of the company you are using, but it seems that it is listed on several backpacking and budget travel sites. I hope it all works out for you.

tinydancer

Well I didn't want to start an argument. I'm just giving my opinion same as you are. But I personally know plenty of people who spend tons more $$ than we do and don't get VALUE for what they spend. I guess lots of folks just assume that spending more makes their whatever better. But from my extensive experience traveling the world, you just don't always get what you pay for, so figuring it all out for yourself ahead usually pays off in the end. Our itinerary for the private tour with guide and driver includes the Egyptian Museum, the citadel (not the usual places, but more inside), the Gayer Anderson Museum and City of the Dead, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Starting @ 8:00 AM until we finish up. We made up the plan. But frankly, it really doesn't matter where we are going, I always do my homework well ahead and so far it's paid off dramatically. Using this site and others I do a master class of gathering information and critical analysis and I never, ever, ever depend on a travel agents recommendation, a travel book, a company brochure, or someone else's opinion. And you shouldn't either. I use a combination. I just gave my opinion and a suggestion. So don't be offended. And have a nice day too!