Suggestions for 2 weeks + in Egypt
 

We are just now starting to plan an itinerary for a trip to Egypt. Don't want a package tour as we prefer to travel on our own, but would like to spend 5 days more or less on a Nile cruise. Any suggestions for a 2 week itinerary would be much appreciated.

Your note leaves a lot of room for questions. Such as - time of year, cost, interests, experience.

We are 2 couples, early 50's, 4 star + trip, would like to see at least Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan but wonder what else ? How many days in each of the above ?

I lived in Egypt for 10 years and had loads of visitors. Most of them for about 2 weeks. I recommend that you do a Nile Cruise (the Movenpick boat is the best, Sonesta is nice) and do Aswan/Luxor via the cruise. It is well-organized and you can see all the best stuff via the cruise stopovers and their guides are very good. For Cairo, you can spend several days there. The best guide in Cairo is "Vanda" and she can be booked via "East-West Travel" telephone 011-202-241-8120, -3484, -6779, 240-7360, or fax 240-4290. (You can use my name when you call.) My visitors always loved her. You can work out an itinerary with her for how ever many days you like. Also, if she is not available, American Express has some very nice "canned" tour packages. Some places I really recommend are: Egyptian Museum, Pyramids/Sphinx, Wissa Wassef Art School/Museum, the Khan El Khalili bazaar, felucca (boat) picnic on the Nile, the casinos in all the major hotels are fun, stepped pyramid of King Zoser, the Saqqara pyramids. Also, in Egypt if you still have time, go to Sharm El Sheikh in the Sinai for a lovely beach retreat. The Sonesta Hotel is my favorite, but there also is a nice Movenpick (where President Clinton stayed), Hilton and several others. Also in the Sinai, the Hilton in Taba is lovely. Right on the Israeli border so you can walk right over and day trip in Eilat, Israel. You will have a great time in Egypt. Enjoy. <BR>

P.S. Don't skip the Mummy Room at the Egyptiam Museum. It costs extra, but it was closed for about 25 years and they want to close it again. Also, don't miss Abu Simbel as an add-on to your cruise.

Be sure and sit on the left side of the plane as you fly into Abu...they fly right along on the front of the Temples!

Just ret'd from fabulous trip. Didn't take planned bus tour but opted for individual treatment...except for nile cruise on "Oberoi Philae"...rated #1 boat on the nile. There is more than enuf to fill 2 weeks. We planned our trip with an egyptian travel agent for less than the guided tours wanted. Stayed at Winter Palace in Luxor...The Old Cateract in Aswan.....flew to Abu Simbel and had an amazing time in Cairo. <BR>Email me for info re/agent if you want it. She was amazing.

I just returned from 2 weeks in Egypt. It's easy to get around, there are buses, trains and taxis everywhere. I did Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, St.Catherines/Mt. Sinai and back to Cairo. The Egyptians are helpful... for a price. I found very few to offer advise or help w/o expecting payment. Remember these key translations: "friend" = customer (or potential customer) or usually, walking waallet. Costs are very reasonable, if you negotiate... and you have to negotiate every taxi ride, every purchase, etc. Also, if something is closed (watch-out for Islamic Friday), a little backsheesh will usually get you in for a look. You'll need more time that the package tours at the valley of the kings/queeens in Luxor and in Cairo. The Windsor Hotel in Cairo is great. The sheesha bar across the street is perfect for unwinding. All transactions are in E Pounds, so don't keep dollars. You can get E Pounds with debit cards and at all MISR banks as an advance on your MC or Visa. For the Nile cruise, I would suggest skipping it and doing a felluca trip instead. I did a cruise and wish I'll fellucaed. There are many police check-points, keep your passport handy at all times. Going inside a pyramid is great, but your legs will ache for days after. Likewise, climbling Mt. Sinai. Learn to say "La Shucran (no thankyou)". you will constantly be hounded by touts selling everything from soap to hedge trimmers. Just say La Shucran continueously.