see_the_world7

Has anyone done this particular trip with Explore? If so, can you tell me about it? I have the dossier, but I'm interested to know how well timed everything was. Did you feel rushed? or was there too much free time? were you able to go out on your own in the evenings?, etc...

Most dinners are not included so is it easy to find meals with the schedule that is planned? What hotels were used in Cairo? Did you have plenty of time during the day at Giza?

Thanks!

sandi

Suggest you list the link for this particular itinerary

or post the detailed itinerary below.

see_the_world7

Well, we had decided to book this trip after getting some answers to our questions, and the departure we wanted is booked.

I've listed the itenerary below. Can anyone tell me if another company offers a trip almost like this one? I know many are similar, but we particularly liked that we had a little bit of down-time mixed in to this trip. We didn't want to be completely on the go everyday. I liked the mix of activities. I also liked that this trip started with a flight into Luxor and ended out of Cairo since most trips seem to start and end in Cairo using the overnight train.

If we can't find something very close to this trip, we might wait a whole year and plan this one for 2009.

Thanks for any input. Here is the very shortened version of the itinerary:

1 Fly London/Luxor.

2 & 3 In Luxor: visit Karnak by calesh; donkey trek to Valley of Kings and Hatshepsut Temple. Train to Aswan.

4 Optional visit to Abu Simbel; PM felucca sailing; dinner in Nubian village.

5 Camel trek to St Simeon's Monastery; sail to Kom Ombo.

6 Sail Esna Lock via Edfu Temple.

7 & 8 Return Luxor; optional balloon flight; transfer to Hurghada on Red Sea.

9 & 10 In Hurghada; boat trip to islands and reef snorkelling.

11 Long drive to Cairo.

12 In Cairo: visit Giza Pyramids and Sphinx; Egyptian Museum.

13 Free in Cairo.

14 Fly London.

Grcxx3

btt - in hopes you'll get some replies

Williamtje

I assume you are going earlier in the year - you don't want to be in Luxor in the summer. You will find it cold at night and hot in the day in Jan/Feb.
Good itinerary - try to make Abu Simbel
Would prefer Shaam el Sheikh to Hurghada (Hurghada city centre is grim!)
Cairo - wonderful - you need to see the sun boat at the pyramids as well and on your day free gp to Khan el Khalili market during the evening and Bargain to a crazy low price!! - It's great fun!

Louise

I would recommend not doing a donkey trek. Driving in vehicles we passed the people doing this alongside the road and I felt so sorry for the little donkeys. It was blistering hot and some people were so tall they had to walk beside the donkeys or their legs would drag the road. I guess this wasn't so bad as at least the donkeys didn't have to carry them.

Egytrip

Hi See_The_World7

this package you listed is very good as it lets you visit the most attractive places in Egypt BUT

there is one amendment you should do,

instead of taking the train from Luxor to Aswan and then back to Luxor by Cruise ,do it as follows,

1- Luxor arrival
2- Luxor visits "half day"
3- Hot air balloon 85$usd
flight luxor/cairo 1 hour 50$usd
cairo half day tour
4-Cair day tour
5- flight Cairo/Aswan 1hour+30min 60&usd,Aswan day tour+Felucca
6- Abu simble 25$usd /Nile Cruise
7- Nile Cruise "KomOmbo"
9- Nile Cruise "Edfu+Essna"
10-Nile Cruise "Luxor" flight Sharm El Shiekh"Red Sea" 55$usd
11- Sharm
12-Sharm "Optional St,Catherine"
13- Sharm/Cairo early flight 55$usd
14- Departure

This is just suggested trip and you can amend it .

good Luck
Larry

sandi

Know that donkeys and camels are not pets. Most of the donkeys are nasty and you've got to wear at least pants below your knees... you don't want your skin touching their hair. Of course, confort level is wanting.

The camel ride will be short, but once atop, can be pretty smooth and fun. Note: camels like to spit, so be prepared.

Definitely go to Abu Simbel which is worth the visit.