Safety in Cairo Egypt
 

We just returned from a Grand Circle 15 day
trip. Our safety was taken care of by our
Travel director. We felt very secure in Cairo. We also took a cruise out of Luxor for
seven days. It was a trip of a lifetime. Any
questions I'd be glad to answer.

Hi carolsong

I am planning a trip to Egypt in the Fall as it is too hot right now.

It is 108 F in Luxor !!

I have two choices:

1. I can go for 10 days and when I finish touring Cairo ,I then fly to Aswan and tour and then board a cruise boat and crusie to Luxor, making stops along the way.

or I can

2. Go for 13 days and fly from Cairo to Luxor and then cruise from Luxor to Aswan and back again to Luxor and then fly back to Cairo.

Of course you see all the places that you have to see on both trips.

Which one is better, the #1 which is a 4 Night Nile Cruise or #2 which has the 7 Night Nile cruise.

Thanks

Add any information you feel would be helpful.

Percy

We flew from NYC to Cairo on EgyptAir.
It was a direct flight. It was on a Boeing 777. Long trip but we were able
to get up and walk around as the flight
was very smooth. We spent 5 nights at
the Marriott in Cairo. We had a 5th floor room and view the divided hwy
and could see the Nile River and see
the boat traffic. We took a side Trip to
Alexandria. Took the train ride of 2 1/2
hrs and saw the country side and then
rode the bus back to Cairo. It was a nice side trip. Then we flew out of Cairo to Luxor and boarded the boat with
Grand Circle. We were on the boat for 7
days. Had lovely room with huge window
and could watch the water buffalo and
other things along the river. We toured
the Luxor Temple. Also went to the Valley of the Kings. Went through a lock. Also saw the Aswan Dam. Having 7
days was well worth it. They had act entertainment at night on the ship. The
food was American. In Cairo we visted
a home on the 5th floor and were treated
to Egyptian food. Then we flew back to
Cairo and spent a night at Marriott and
then flew back to NYC and then to Spokane WA. It was a trip of a lifetime.
We went from May 21-June 4. Weather was
in the 90 to 100 degrees. It was dry heat so we were comfortable.

Percy--We just returned from the OAT Jordan/Egypt trip. This trip included a 3 night cruise which was wonderful. We flew to Luxor, stayng at the Winter Palace. While there we toured Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings, and Luxor Museum.
We boarded the ship in Luxor. Our cruise stops included: Temple of Horus in Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and a tour of Aswan.
We then spent 3 nights in Aswan at the Movenpick on Elephantine Island. This gave us time to visit St. Simeon's Monastery (by camel), Abu Simbel, Nubian Museum with a home visit, and the market.
The cruise was very relaxing and was a nice break in our 3 week trip. The advantage of a shorter cruise is you have more options for spending your free time--you can't get off the ship to do some exploring on your own while it's sailing.

I have the OAT trip to Egypt planned for November with a side trip to Jordan. My cruise is shortened to only 2 days because of the Esne Lock closing for maintenance. I am glad both of you talk about how great the trip is. I'm so excited about it, but dreading that plane ride! Did either of you go to Jordan?

bobbysue--
Our trip (OAT) included Jordan as a pre-trip. It was a great experience! Petra is beyond words.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

kp and carolsong

Thank you for your helpful input and information.

The choices are have are as stated 10 days with a 4 night Nile cruise

or 13 days with a 7 night Nile cruise.

I am thinking I should take the option trip from Aswan to Abu Simble also.

carolsong:

Was the side trip to Alexandria worth going to see.?

kp, how long were you in Luxor ?
Did you stay at the Winter Palace only for the one night.?

All the tours are planned for us so we basically see all the places you mentioned and more, I am thinking the 13 day ( 7 nights on the Nile ) may be a bit more relaxing and slower pace.!?

Thanks you for any help.

Percy

The side trip to Alexandria was great.
We left Cairo at around 7 and caught the
train and got there in about 2 1/2 hrs.
It is a very pretty resort town. Try to
go on this side trip. We enjoyed the 7
day boat trip. We didn't stay in a hotel
in Luxor. You can get off the boat and
tour around. It was very relaxing on the
boat. There were only around 134 on the boat. The rooms were large and had big
picture windows. Any more questions let
me know.

Thank You carolsong

I also will be staying at the Marriott in Cairo ..what is this hotel like.?

Is it near the Nile River?

Also I am trying to book to go via New York direct to Cairo.
The Tour company wants us to go from Toronto to Amsterdam ( 13 hour wait there ..ugh) and then from Amsterdam to Cairo.

But I would pay a bit more for a better flight schedule.

All the places you have mentioned are included in the tour except for going to Abu Simble from Aswan ..

which is optional ,and we would fly to Abu Simble from Aswan and back.

kp:

You went to Abu Simble.

What did you think of it .?
Is it worth the trip to go and visit?

Thank you carolsong and kp for your help

Percy

We spent 2 nights at the Winter Palace in Luxor. With that as our base we saw: Karnak and Luxor temples, sound and light show at Karnak, Valley of the Kings & Queens, balloon ride, sunset flucca cruise, farm breakfast and tour of farm village, market, and Luxor museum.
There is currently a post about Abu Simbel that you might find helpful. We were on site less then 2 hours but felt the trip was worthwhile.

As a very seasoned traveller, I would recommend that you stay overnight in Amsterdam to get acclimated before going on the Cairo. Your tour company can arrange this for you. It is also refreshing to do the same on the way back. 18 hours+ is extremely tiring and disorienting. It is worth the extra couple of hundred dollars to do it that way. If you have any questions, I was in Egypt in March, 2005 and would be happy to help you.

Percy:

I spent 1 night at the Cairo Marriott on May 25, 2005. The hotel is very nice. I had a view of the Nile from my balcony. The Cairo Marriott is conveniently located(short taxi ride to the Cairo Museum) and includes a casino.

I enjoyed the trip to Abu Simbel. The temples are well worth the visit.

Would average American males, age 16 and 18, enjoy Egypt? They do not, as they put it, enjoy "old things", but I think the pyramids would excite them. We like to hit the ground running when we travel, so nonstop adventure is a must. Tell me more about Egypt.

When we went to Egypt it was at the suggestion of our then 14 year old son. One of the things teenage males like to do is brag - and there are few better braggin rights than to say you have been to Egypt.

Depends on what you mean "hit the ground running". It you mean adventure travel with much physical activity (like white water rafting) then you will not find it in Egypt. However, there was very little sitting around time on our tour, except perhaps mid-day on the Nile cruise.

One word of warning for teens - in warmer weather, many days on tour start really early (like 6 AM) so that you are able to see sites without dying of the heat. Not usually the best time of day for teens.

Thank you all for your help.

kp:

I could stay at the Winter Palace in Luxor but that tour involves 4 Night Nile cruise..,.or I could do the 13 day cruise and stay at the Marriott in Cairo and fly to Luxor and then cruise to Aswan and back agin to Luxor...

This is what we plan to do, although the Winter Palace look terrific.!

DFB274:

Thank you for your comments on the Marriott.... I found a website with about 10 pictures of the Marriott and it does look very nice inside and out.

felicia:

Yes, I would certainly take your advice if I got to Amsterdam and stay a day or so, just to walk about and rest up.

Thank you all very much

Percy

Hi Percy,
My suggestion applies to whereever you will have a layover. I stayed in New York the night before and the night after I returned and it worked out really well. I will never do an overnight flight without a break again.

Your are correct felcia.

Those overnight flight are just murder when you have to fly to Europe.

I did England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales last year and I was happy to do the last two days in London.

But I think my Travel Agent is looking to other ways I can get to Cairo.

I just have to get to Cairo to join up with the tour...

Also what I meant in my previous posting was:

with a 4 night Nile Cruise I could stay at the Winter Palace.( a 10 day tour)
or
The 13 day tour has 7 nights to cruise the Nile .( from Luxor to Aswan and back)

There are so many combination and so many tours going to Egypt , that it gets a little mind boggling!!!

Of course I am doing all my homework about Egypt..but the time I get there, I think I will be able to give a tour !!!

Thanks felcia

Percy

dadof3:

Egypt is much more than old stuff,however it is some pretty cool old stuff.

I found the Egyptian people fasinating. The way of life is so differant from ours. Farmers still use donkeys for transportation. Alot of teir homes have no electricity.Sometimes,I felt like I had been transported back in time.

Also hearing the call to prayer for the first time.The crazy Cairo traffic( not for the faint of heart).The boys would love a Camal ride.I guess, I am trying to say that, Egypt is not boring.

If you go, I would love to hear how it goes.

carolsong

You mentioned that you took a side trip to Alexandria.

Where did you book this train trip?

How did you get to the train station?

Did you hire a taxi in Alexandria to tour you around.?

When did you return..do the trains return often or is there a set time to come back to Cairo?

We would like to do a day trip

Thank you very much.

So you flew back from Cairo/ to New York./ to Spokane Washington!!! Whew...that is quite a ride.

Were you exhausted or did you get to sleep on the plane.?

Percy

Percy

ttt