We are a family of 4 with children of ages 12 & 5. We want to visit Cairo, Giza, Memphis, Foyum, Suez in July. How many days do we need there and how much does a tour cost per person approximately without air. Are there anyother things to do?

Four days should be ample but bear in mind it will be gruellingly hot!

I'm not familiar with Foyum, but for the rest I would say six or seven days.

1 or 2 for Cairo. Depends on what you like to see and do. Plus it will be hot so an afternoon in the hotel pool or in the shade is a good activity.

Giza / Memphis 1 day

Suez 1 day, but traveling from Cairo to Suez will take the better part of a 1/2 by the time you check in / out of hotel, go to airport and actually fly (it would probably more if you took a bus, I don't know if there is a train)

So that is up to five right there.

You can find many tours at many different levels. Just remember in Egypt you get what you pay for. If air coniditioning is important, then you probably don't want the $20 / night hotel.

Tours range from dirt cheap to over the top expensive. How much comfort do you need? Other things to do in Egypt? The list is endless. A trip to Egypt is not complete without visiting Luxor and Abu Simbel, or Aswan, or Abydos, or a Nile cruise, or any of the other wonders. The 5 year old may find the heat difficult in July. Make sure to keep hydrated.

Everyone will find the heat difficult in July, the 5-year old might find it impossible. (We were there last August, and believe me, when they say it's like an oven in Luxor and Aswan, they mean it).

Abu Simbel, Aswan and Luxor were brutal in late-October. The farther south, the more brutal the heat. I can only imagine what it's like in July! Cairo is usually somewhat cooler, but that too is relative, considering all the traffic, polution and big buildings. Be prepared with wide-brimmed hats, plenty of spf for any exposed skin and always always have bottled water with.

Thank you very Much Dianne, Phinn, Bracuda, sf7307 and sandi. We can not visit Aswan/ Luxor because of the time constraints. We are considring visintg Egypt mainly because of the the 12 year old. He studied about Egptian civilization last year, wants to visit the Sphinx. Decided to stop for 4-5 days on our way to India. We will cover Upper delta in the next visit.

Comfort wise, I am looking for a 3 star hotel, air conditioning is important. I guess anything clean, decent with air conditioning will do. How much tours that will incorporate these amenities cost?

Heat wise, is the heat comparable to Bay area in CA or Phoenix, AZ?

tugozi, I live in the Bay Area and the heat is comparable to the Central Valley (Fresno or Sacramento) rather than the Bay Area. In Luxor and Aswan, it's much more comparable to Phoenix or Palm Springs in summer.

Let me add, it's hot, but you'll survive, we did. The hottest place I've ever been was Karnak Temple in late August, but that's Luxor. Cairo was "do-able".

Dear sf7307, thank you for the update. Should have guessed that u r fromm Bay area from ur name.
Have yo heard of King tut tours that offers tour packages? I am trying to find good tour operators that will arrange 4-5 day tour to all the places I mentioned. Any input?

You might want to contact MISR Travel. They have a office out of NYC. They are the largest travel agency in Egypt (it is state sponsored). They will custom design a tour for you. I used them went I went in 2006 and found them very reasonable.

I'm trying to remember the name (I'm sure one of the others will) there is a Children's zoo/musuem/village on an island in the Nile that the kids would probably love.

I have a feeling the Egyptian Musuem would be a bit much for the 5 yo. It is hot, crowded and some of the statues are rather on the spooky side, but the 12 yr old will think it is neat.

As travel advice, take an umbrella or two. Not for rain, but for shade. Just being out of the direct sun can make things much more bearable. I'd also recommed a brimmed hat for everyone. Not ball cap, but some thing that will protect the nape of the neck. Ball caps also tend to hold in the heat and having some ventilation is a good thing.

I would compare the heat more to Phoenix, AZ. Mainly because the days are HOT, and the nights can cool down 25-40 degrees. It is afterall a desert.

Another thought, Cairo is noisy. If anyone is a light sleeper I'd recommend a pair of ear plugs for them.

I'm sure if I sat here longer I'd come up with other bits of wisdom.

I think Diane is referring to the Pharonic Village. It is a "Disney-ish" approach to the history of pharonic Egypt.

http://www.pharaonicvillage.com/

It is a good way to introduce kids to the history - including all the gods, how mummies were made, what King Tut's tomb looked like when found, etc.

I'd suggest hiring a felucca for a sunset Nile cruise. Also, I'd skip the Suez Canal (I don't think it's a major tourist attraction compared to other places in Egypt) in favor of going to Luxor if possible.

Thank you very much Dianne, Grcxx3 and althom. I think my 12 yr old is very much set on seeing the suez than Luxor. Would love as much feedback and words of wisdom.

Which is the best thing -- going to attractions on our own or taking a guided tour?

Also, did anyone of you ever book a ticketcalled around the world ticket? Any alternatives to Star Allaince?
-Tugozi

Okay tugozi....I don't mean to interfere...but WHY does your 12 year old want to see Suez? What is it that is intriguing him?

I've driven thru the canal.....no big deal. Just like going thru any other tunnel....just with more security check-points. And there isn't really anything else to see. In my 4 years of living in Egypt, I never knew ANYONE who went to Suez for sight-seeing. Just didn't happen.

Personal opinion....to skip Luxor (valley of the kings, valley of the queens, karnak and luxor temples......King Tut's tomb for heaven's sake!)......for a trip to Suez is just a BIG mistake!!!!

As for the around the world ticket, we did it about 5 years ago on Star Alliance for DH's 50th birthday (Singapore, China, Hawaii, Calif, etc). It was a good deal then - but can't comment now.

Note....my BIG birthday is coming up next week....uh....no RTW ticket in my immediate future. Maybe - if I'm lucky - I'll get to go to downtown Houston for dinner.

Life just isn't fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay - now let me add a positive...

If you can arrange a trip to the desert area around Fayum (NOT the town)....then I think that would be great for your kids. Maybe Debbie (Casual Cairo Tours) can do something.

The "trick" is to have a GOOD off-road vehicle and "exit" into the desert BEFORE the checkpoint on the road to the town of Fayum. Otherwise - you might end up with a military/guard "escort" for the trip. Maybe not if you have an Egyptian driver/guide....but I just don't know. We got caught once and it wasn't much fun. After that - we learned to "exit" early!

Anyway - in the Fayum area is a cool "newer" pharonic age temple (Crocodile Temple) and then there is the ruins of the ancient Roman city. It is pretty much in ruins, but you still get a feel for the size of the place and it is fun to hunt around looking for pottery shards. However.....be on the lookout for snakes and scorpians!!!

It's a good day trip from Cairo, just be sure to have lots of water, sunscreen, paper towels, etc. Oh - and it is definitely "off road" in places....so be prepared for a lot of bumps!

Thanks Grcxx3, but I don't have access to any 4 x 4's yet. I can easier do the Suez Canal in a day than the desert.

thanks for the info Debbie. I wasn't sure if you could or not.

Thank you Grcxx3 and Casual_Cairo.
I think Suez holds as it is one of its kind. Like you mentioned, it may feel like nothing once we are there.

I guess, we may have to skip Fayum since it is off the road.

I already sent an itenary to Star alliance last week, still waiting for an answer.

Happy Birthday

You asked about tours. Personally, in Egypt I think they are worth their weight in gold. I've traveled all over Euroupe and North America and i have never ever seen traffic like Cairo's. Mexico City was as close at it came. Having a tour with a guide and driver takes a lot of stress out of the travel.

Most hotels have a MISR office where you can book day trips. Debbie (aka Casual Cario) also is a guide. She is more able to customize than the big guys.

A good guide can also help you with things beyond the actual site, like helping you negotiate purchases, buying water, explaining more of the culture, etc.