linjudy

Hi all, we are considering tacking on a few days in Egypt either before or after a safari to Tanzania. Problem is we only have about 2-2.5 weeks max for the total trip, so probably can only spend 4-5 days in Egypt. Would it be possible to fit in a nice Nile cruise, especially if we have to fly in/out of Cairo?

If so, ideas on cruise provider/travel agent would be greatly appreciated!

Judy

sandi

Contact Lady Egypt or other Egyptian tour operator and find out what the shortest cruise would be. Believe it's 2/nts, but then you have to take into consideration the time/flight to get to/from Luxor or Aswan from where your cruise would start/conclude. And then you have to allow time for sightseeing in Cairo. Can be hectic!

Leslie_S

I'm sure the big Egypt experts will weigh in but my humble opinion is that really isn't enough time. The usual cruises are at least 4 days - altho' I know you could customize anything and go as long or short as you want. I just don't think you'd see a whole lot in that short of a time. Plus you'd need to get from Cairo to Aswan or where ever you'd start the cruise, eating up more of your time.

That said, I used STI to travel to Egypt & Jordan in 2008 and thought they did a fabulous job. Just saw another fodor poster used STI recently and also said they recommend them.
I think because they're based in Egypt they are priced a bit better than other companies I looked at which are based in the US.

Leslie_S

sandi's post hit while i was typing -- she is one of the experts I was referring to!

sf7307

I'm on the "other side" -- I DO think it's enough time, if you have 5 days. Arrive in Cairo and take a tour, even if it's just to the Giza pyramids and the Sphinx. Fly to Aswan or Luxor (whichever one starts the 3-day cruise...not sure if that's Aswan to Luxor or Luxor to Aswan). At the end of the cruise, fly back to Cairo. If you have time, do a little more sightseeing in Cairo. Perfect, probably not. Doable, definitely.

davecutter73

the 3 day cruises travel from Aswan to Luxor. We have used the Emilio Domina Presige for the last 4 years. You can get details on their web site.

Casual_Cairo

davecutter - do you really mean 3 days, or did you mean 3 nights/4 days. That is the standard. Just checking.

davecutter73

Sorry, Yes you are right. We only take the 7 day cruise ourselves and see new faces arrive when we are at Aswan.

sandi

As I recall, though we did the longer cruise, with overnights on the boat at start and finish (2), if boarding say at Aswan morning, the cruise takes you up to Kom Ombo (land sightseeing) and then onto Edfu for overnight (sightseeing Edfu next morning). Second day cruise via Esna (sightseeing here) thru the locks onto Luxor for overnight (sightseeing Valley of Kings and other next day). Overnight on boat or at Luxor or fly back to Cairo.

Guess, depending on how booked... it comes to only 2/nts actually. Then it's up to you how you want to handle the front/back-ends.

linjudy

Thanks! Sounds like it's doable but not ideal. I will start looking into it. Any recommendations on agents or boats? Anything do's/don'ts?

The other thing to decide is whether to put this at the beginning or end of the trip. I'm thinking beginning, as it'd be nice to relax on a cruise after the long flight, and not have to deal w/jetlag on safari. Thoughts?

Philbill

Go with Sonesta cruises or Oberoi.

sandi

Sonesta and Oberoi are good but also two of the most expensive boats. Oberoi though does have a lower priced boat, believe it's the Sheherazade (sp). Also, inquire of the Movenpick boats.

Before or after safari.

sandi

sticky fingers, sorry

If flying via Cairo onto Tanzania, I'd stop in Cairo and spend the days here first, sightseeing and cruise. This breaks up the long flight. Then continue onto Tanzania for safari.

However, on the otherhand, after bumping along the safari roads, it can be nice to have the leisure/relaxation of the cruise afterwards.

But, if you build in 1/day at the front end of your safari, this can be your "get over jetlag day*" and then continue bumpity, bumpity!

*which I've never had need of in 16/yrs traveling to East Africa.

There is no right or wrong way, but what works for you, flight schedules, accommodation availability on your safari dates.

sf7307

<<<**which I've never had need of in 16/yrs traveling to East Africa.>>>

On the other hand, we spent the entire first day we were in Cairo sleeping (coming from the West Coast, not NY). We planned for it fortunately.

linjudy

Wow, the sonesta and oberoi boats are beautiful! Expensive tho...

Do these boats allow smoking onboard? How's the food? Buffet style or restaurant service? We've never been on any sort of a cruise, so this will be a first!