Thread: Travel in Egypt

Originally Posted by mrs767er

Hi folks! finally got around to posting more regarding getting around. We had a great private guide in Cairo (high recommend NOT doing city w.out one)
Abdo El Lahamy late 20's decent car--excellent driver--really knows his pyramids and nearby areas of interest (you can stress if you do or DO NOT want any shopping) Do a little homework of what you want to see first. You don't have to have a guide in the Cairo Museum but it really helps. Getting into city is a chore in itself. Personally I could skip the Citadel and Islamic/Coptic Cairo day altogether--likely because youll want to get to Aswan/Luxor.

I'd agree, a guide in the Cairo Museum would be a great idea. I wish i'd done that myself... all the things are on display but it isn't like a typical western museum with big signs and explanations of everything. Instead there is just a small line that says what the item is, not what it did or what it contributed to.

I'd agree about Coptic Cairo too, we went for a quick walk there but it really wasn't that interesting at all. I didn't get to Khan al-Khali as we went to Coptic Cairo instead :/

Originally Posted by mrs767er

We also had a guide in Luxor--he was Abdou and I booked him thru hassany488@hotmail.com. Hass is ful of himslef, so get past that because Abdou is quite the skilled guide/Egyptologist. BArgain with Hass and tip Abdou well. He's worth it!

I'm confused! So was one the driver and the other the guide? What is the link between these two characters?

Another good place for egypt guides is Tour Guide and Private Tour Guides, Sightseeing Tours – OurExplorer City Tours - the site is rubbish for western nations ($500 a day for a guide to London? No thanks) but is great for places with developing tourism such as Thailand, Egypt etc. Basically the guide uploads his license and allows himself to be openly rated by people who have taken tours. You pay a 10% deposit by card (secure) then the balance to the guide in cash. If they no show, no money for them. I engaged Mina Botares (at a very good price)... his english could be a little rough at times, but I appreciated how he'd gone out there and started his own business and was using every resource available to him.
(for more developed nations try Global Greeter Network: Home for free tours in cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, Houston, New York, Lyon etc.)

Luxor is a definate must to see, I really wish i'd spent a few days there. And next time I really want to get to Aswan. We made the mistake of going to Sharm el Sheik instead... horrible place full of package tourists. SQ fly direct to CAI which I was really looking forward to, until I realised we only have an ID50

I really want to do the Luxor/Aswan cruise next time. Who would you recommend mrs767?

Nick--to clarify Hassany and Abdou. I booked Abdou the egyptologist thru HAssany, an type of private agent who works thru tripadvisor and word-of-mouth. Hass does a very typical Arabic business thing: takes you to his "cafe", elevates himself to Donald Trump import while you all sip tea, then you practically beg him to get to the point of price and back to the hotel. It confirms you're overpaying him but we took good care of Abdou w/tip to reward his great job.
Well, Aswan is my favorite place to "feel" Egypt. I think that's from reading the WIlbur Smith books. I woudl recommend payng as much as you can. Now that you've been to SHarm, consider all those people on the low wend boats--black socks and sandals, flowered blouses and poly shorts...fanny pack and straw handbags...flaoting down the Nile. griping about the price of alcohol...
That said, Sonesta, Oberoi $$$, or Dahabiya (small capacity sailboats (some really don't sail)--they range from 5 cabin private hire or waaaay super pricey but all the trimmings/guides/private moorings etc. I will happily share sooem fo my sources. It woudl really be logical to go when it's summer offseason and HOT but rpices plummet on the luxury boats. The short trip[s are Aswan to Luxor since it's down river, up the Nile--3 night cruises. Stay in Aswan a day or two, relax, get the feel (the spcie market is the BEST I've ever seen!!) then cruise to Luxor.Most sights are included with last day of crusie on arrival in Luxor. Add a day ro two and see the other really good stuff like Dendera and ABydos (a few hours away)
i'm sure i'll think of more to add.