Planning a Trip to Egypt in March
 

I'm planning a trip to Egypt. I am thinking of March, 2007, but have read that windstorms can cloud up the sky, so perhaps this isn't the best time to travel. I can't travel in January or February, and believe that it starts to get quite hot in May. Does anyone have suggestions on whether March or April is better? Am I correct about May?

In addition to timing, I'm looking for suggestions on tour operators and/or travel agents. I will be traveling with a friend, and we don't necessarily need to take a guided tour, but I have read that sometimes the package deals offer more value for the money. Any suggestions would be very helpful.

Lasly, I'm looking for suggestions on itineraries. My initial thoughts are:
*start in Cairo, and stay at the Mena House Oberoi. I've heard the Four Seasons is also fantastic. Perhaps 3 days in Cairo.
*Take a train to Abu Simbel. I'm thinking the "day" train, not overnight. Is there anything to see from the train? Have any readers done this? What about hotel suggestions in Abu Simbel?
*Fly from Abu Simbel to Aswan. One night in Aswan, perhaps at the Old Cataract Hotel. *Travel on the Oberoi Philae Nile Cruiser from Aswan to Luxor. I like this ship because all rooms have balconies, not just windows.
*Spend a few days in Luxor, maybe at the Winter Palace or Le Meridian.
*Fly from Luxor back to Cairo.

We are both in our mid-late 40s, and are adventurous travelers. We want very comfortable accomodations and great food, but definitely don't want to stay in a hotel that makes us feel like we're in a luxury hotel in the states. We are thinking 10 days to 2 weeks for the entire trip.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

dmc555: This is what "Man in Seat 61" says about trains to Abu Simbel:


There are no trains to Abu Simbel, but a bus service operates from Aswan (275 km). It departs Aswan at 07:00, arriving Abu Simbel at 10:00. It leaves Abu Simbel at 13:00 arriving back in Aswan at 16:00. There are also many tourist day tours, most leaving Aswan very early - for example, 04:00 - for about LE55 (£5 or $9).

How are your plans going? I'm begining to research an Egypt/Jordan non-organized tour trip also.

The Jollie Ville Movenpick is our No1 choice in Luxor. There is a link to it from our site. It really is in a fabulous location.

Thanks Jane B. I didn't realize the train stopped in Aswan. I think we will fly from Cairo to Abu Simbel, then travel to Aswan on the bus, from Aswan to Luxor on a Nile Cruise, and then either the train back to Cairo or a flight back, depending on what others say about the train.

Our plans are moving along slowly. There are so many great options that we are having trouble making up our minds. There also seem to be a number of fantastic tours, and I'm tempted to just book one of them, but we wanted the flexibility of being on our own. However, when I start adding up the costs it appears we might be able to take a very high end organized tour for much less than it will cost us to put it together ourselves. Are you finding the same thing? Any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Does the "Man in Seat 61" suggest we spend a night in Abu Simbel, and if so, does he have a hotel recommendation?
Thanks,
Dana

Thanks for the recommendation about the Jollie Ville Movenpick. This is the second recommendation I've read recently about this hotel. I will definitely check it out.

dmc555 - We loved the Jolie Ville Movenpick when we went to Luxor many years ago. Our boys were 7 and 9 at the time and it was great to have a place for them to run around and burn off some energy. And the location - on a small island, right on the Nile - is lovely.

But if I were just going with my husband, I think I would prefer to stay in town, where it would be easier to walk around. Granted - the Movenpick was just a 5 minute cab ride into town.

Just a thought.....

There is also a bus that leaves for Aswan at 4 A.M. and arrives at 7 A.M. I would highly recommend that trip instead of the one that leaves at 7- it will be much cooler if you go earlier!

C'mon guys. Has anyone been touring Egypt when the Khamseen has been blowing? What's it like?

I always found the Khamseems to be very unpredictable - altho sometimes you would get reports that one was moving into Cairo from the desert. Some years we experienced several and some years hardly any.

From my experience - they are like big thunderstorms...lasting an hour or so and then moving on, but leaving behind a film of sand and grit.

We got caught in one driving back from Sharm and it was really weird. Just like being in a storm, but with sheets of sand/dust/dirt hitting the windshield instead of rain.

Yes - getting caught in one when you're out and about isn't pleasant, but if you keep a scarf with you to cover your face and then duck inside somewhere for shelter, you should be fine until it passes by. I got caught in one walking home from the school one day - it was like having a hot blow dryer aimed directly at your face. I didn't have anything to cover my face - so my mouth was a little "gritty" when I got home...but nothing a cold Saqqara couldn't fix!!!

I always hated it when the winds would blow the sand thru any crack or opening I had in my kitchen. THe whole counter would be covered in a fine grit!!! YUCK!

Are they inconvenient - yes. Should you schedule/reschedule a trip based on them - I don't think so.

dmc, No, Man in Seat 61 doesn't recommend a hotel. Trip Advisor does list 3 hotels in A S.
I'm not tempted by packaged tours--don't like to give up control. :) I actually love planning as much as traveling.

JaneB, ladies allways THINK they are in control.
Good luck with your proposed Jordan trip under your own steam, you'll need it!

Thanks for your concern but I think I can manage. We've traveled without benefit of a tour or TA to many more exotic places than Jordan.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?...=1013618386064
JaneB Please check the above link. I didn't mean to offend you and am sure that you are a very capable traveller but I know from personal experience that Jordan can be tricky. Particularly in the north.
Nevertheless we had a wonderful time there ,I'm sure you will too.

We happened to be in Amman when suicide bombers exploded in 3 hotels. Fortunately not ours. But then I could have been on a bus in London and been blown up or had some sushi or a drink in a Mayfair Hotel with some radioactivity attached. Travel Warnings for London?

We traveled on our own for 9 days in Jordan, and it was so easy and pleasurable. I think you are much more of a target for crazies when you stand out like a sore thumb in a group. I looked at your site and it seems to be selling group tours, so I can see why you favor them.

twofortheroad
maybe you had one too many for the road
Leigh Travel Club does not sell anything.
Leigh Travel Club Members do not do group travel.
Leigh Travel Club is a group of people who are Passionate About Travel.
Leigh Travel Club members have probably visited most destinations in the world.
A bus in London? A sushi bar in London? Come on!!! Get a life as you would say over there!

No group travel?

Kuoni
Discover Egypt
First Choice
Gambia Experience

????????????

If you do not do group travel, why are you trying to scare Jane from an independent trip?

Hey, now. Let's not call people names, LTC. We're a happy little group here who don't try to scare others. Nor call others names.

Oh dear! Firstly, let me make it clear.I am not trying to scare anyone. I am merely pointing out that travel in some countries requires particular care. The info in the link that I posted is advice from UK government--- not my opinions. It's also worth pointing out that travel insurance can in some cases become invalid when such advice is ignored.
Of course I heartily endorse independent travel I simply advise that before you go off,---do your homework.
Yes, your right sunshine007, this is a happy group of people and I unreservedly apologise for my previous childish comments.
There was a thread about British English and American English. Maybe this is a prime example. Group travel? Clearly, twofortheroad, your interpretation of this phrase is different to mine.
Happy Travels.

"Group travel" means traveling in/with a group of people. Can it mean something else?

While some who post here travel on a "groupt" itinerary, most who post here travel independently. Yes, it's a tour, but one that in discussion with an outfitter in the destination country both agree upon. Your outfitter can arrange certain activities with a tour guides or the traveler can participate on their own. An outfitter can provide a vehicle and driver, or the traveler can choose to book their own train or air or bus travel. However, one chooses to travel, you're still "touring" - though not necessarily a tourist, but a traveler.

I'm not referring to backpackers who often travel by the seat of their pants, but someone who has pretty much assured when and where and knowing they'll have a place to lay their head down.

Jordan is very easy to do on ones own. Though our trip was a brief one, we arranged the few days, where to visit, when and had our hotels and vehicles arranged prior to arrival. It was wonderful.

Nowadays, there are travel warnings to almost every destination around the world... welcome to The New World!

You go for it Jane! You'll love Jordan - the history, the sites, the food, and the people are wonderful.