9 days itinerary help and some other questions
#1
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9 days itinerary help and some other questions
So I have comfortable 9-10 days, here's my rough plan, I would be going in early Jan:
Day 1: Arrive at 11 AM, look around Cairo
Day 2: Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur
Day 3-5: Luxor, with a day trip to Abydos and Dendera
Day 6-8: Aswan, a day trip to Abu Simbel plus time around Aswan, Edfu temple on the way
Day 9: Back to Cairo, and islamic cairo.
Day 10: Depart in the morning
Questions:
Any comments on the itinerary would be appreciated. In addition to this:
1. Is the sunset and sunrise around the pyramids worth it? I could stay in Giza, but then I don't have much to do on day 1. Alternatively, has anyone taken sunrise tours around the pyramids?
2. Are 3 days enough from Luxor + Abydos Dendera? I know this is subjective, but for a traveler with an "average" speed of traveling. Should I cut a day at Aswan for Luxor?
3. Are there official guides at the major sights? Are they good? If not, can anyone suggest any? I would be getting a guide maybe 2-3 times, not more than that. So at which sights would it be worth getting a guide? I wouldn't want to go with a tour or get a guide for a large amount of time.
4. How do I visit the Edfu temple? Take a taxi from Luxor to Aswan stopping at Edfu on the way?
5. Are there any luggage storage places in Cairo? I couldn't really find any.
6. Any recommendations on restaurants serving vegetarian dishes would be great, especially places with lesser known dishes, or any family run or hole in the wall places.
7. At which temples/tombs would I be able to photograph paintings?
8. And bookings for the overnight non-sleeper train can be made a few weeks in advance? Did anyone have problems with doing that?
Thanks a lot.
Day 1: Arrive at 11 AM, look around Cairo
Day 2: Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur
Day 3-5: Luxor, with a day trip to Abydos and Dendera
Day 6-8: Aswan, a day trip to Abu Simbel plus time around Aswan, Edfu temple on the way
Day 9: Back to Cairo, and islamic cairo.
Day 10: Depart in the morning
Questions:
Any comments on the itinerary would be appreciated. In addition to this:
1. Is the sunset and sunrise around the pyramids worth it? I could stay in Giza, but then I don't have much to do on day 1. Alternatively, has anyone taken sunrise tours around the pyramids?
2. Are 3 days enough from Luxor + Abydos Dendera? I know this is subjective, but for a traveler with an "average" speed of traveling. Should I cut a day at Aswan for Luxor?
3. Are there official guides at the major sights? Are they good? If not, can anyone suggest any? I would be getting a guide maybe 2-3 times, not more than that. So at which sights would it be worth getting a guide? I wouldn't want to go with a tour or get a guide for a large amount of time.
4. How do I visit the Edfu temple? Take a taxi from Luxor to Aswan stopping at Edfu on the way?
5. Are there any luggage storage places in Cairo? I couldn't really find any.
6. Any recommendations on restaurants serving vegetarian dishes would be great, especially places with lesser known dishes, or any family run or hole in the wall places.
7. At which temples/tombs would I be able to photograph paintings?
8. And bookings for the overnight non-sleeper train can be made a few weeks in advance? Did anyone have problems with doing that?
Thanks a lot.
#2
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I'm going to Egypt in February, and from my research, 3 days are enough for Luxor and Dendera/Abydos. One day East Bank, One day West Bank, and the daytrip.
I've heard you need a guide at the pyramids because the touts are incredible. I'd probably book in advance. I think you'd be less hassled in Luxor. Don't get one for Abu Simbel-they can't go inside with you.
I think you'll still need a horse and carriage once you get to Edfu (and you should be able to easily get your taxi drivers to stop-but be sure you ask for this when negotiating the price at the beginning. And they are tricky, so make sure you're talking about the same currency.)
Your hotel will be able to hold your luggage, even if it's before check-in or after check-out.
Abydos and Dendera have amazing color left, and Medinet Habu is also has some nice color left. Some of the tombs in the Valley of Kings are extremely beautiful but photography is strictly banned there.
A non-sleeper train sounds horrible. You do realize it's several hours from Aswan and Luxor to Cairo, don't you?
I've heard you need a guide at the pyramids because the touts are incredible. I'd probably book in advance. I think you'd be less hassled in Luxor. Don't get one for Abu Simbel-they can't go inside with you.
I think you'll still need a horse and carriage once you get to Edfu (and you should be able to easily get your taxi drivers to stop-but be sure you ask for this when negotiating the price at the beginning. And they are tricky, so make sure you're talking about the same currency.)
Your hotel will be able to hold your luggage, even if it's before check-in or after check-out.
Abydos and Dendera have amazing color left, and Medinet Habu is also has some nice color left. Some of the tombs in the Valley of Kings are extremely beautiful but photography is strictly banned there.
A non-sleeper train sounds horrible. You do realize it's several hours from Aswan and Luxor to Cairo, don't you?
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