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Stacy
Trip Date 05/20/2024 Posted On 09/16/2024 10:00:00 |
Destinations | Africa | Egypt | Cairo | Alexandria | Luxor | Aswan | Ancient Egypt | Know Before You Go | Air Travel | Security | Getting Around | How to Pay | Communicating | Where to Stay | What to See | Guided Tours | Egyptologist | Museums | Dining | Nile River Cruises
We stepped foot on the continent of Africa less than one year after our first visit - this time to explore Egypt. Even after spending days researching "everything Egypt", there was so much more that would have been helpful in the know before you go category! This article is filled with helpful tips for anyone planning their first trip to this amazing country.
Most travelers want to explore Ancient Egypt, but like us, have questions about getting around, communicating with the locals, where to stay, what to see and even how to pay. Whether you are considering exploring Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor or Aswan, this article is for you! We share tips based on our experience with domestic air travel within Egypt, security both at tourist sites and in the airports and choosing from the many Nile River Cruises.
You'll find suggestions for whether you should choose guided tours with or without an Egyptologist or just explore on your own. We share what you can expect when dining and even provide a comparison of the three most popular museums in the Cairo area along with what you'll find at each.
With so many destinations around the world to choose from, you may wonder why we chose the Middle East. Read on to find out more about our trip planning, what we learned and what you might want to consider as you plan a trip to Egypt!
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How Egypt Became Our Destination of Choice
Royal Caribbean offered what they referred to as "segments" and "mini-segments" to increase the number of passengers for the Ultimate World Cruise on the Serenade of the Seas. In early 2023, we reserved a stateroom for the May 9, 2024 "mini-segment" advertised as the "18 Night Ultimate Jordan, Egypt & Israel Cruise". Embarkation for the sailing was to be in Dubai with port visits to Oman, Jordan, Egypt and Israel before disembarking in Athens, Greece. We reserved and paid for flights to Dubai which would arrive five days prior to the start of the cruise as this would be our first visit to the UAE.In the months that followed, Israel was removed from the itinerary due to higher security risks. We had a customized tour planned for our port day in Ashdod (Jerusalem) which we were able to cancel without penalty. Then, on February 16, 2024, several weeks after we had made our final cruise payment, we received another update on our sailing:
We've been closely monitoring the unrest in the Red Sea, and were optimistic that we could maintain our original itinerary, our priorities are your safety and minimizing the impact to your experience.Regrettably, we can no longer offer the original itinerary you initially purchased for your Serenade of the Seas May 9th, 2024 sailing. As a result, your booking is being cancelled. We understand this is not an ideal situation, and we're truly sorry for the impact this unexpected situation has on your vacation plans.
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While we had anticipated a change in the itinerary due to the conflict in the Middle East, we never dreamt that we would be "kicked off of the ship". Being just an 18-day segment of the 274-day world cruise, we knew that the ship would be continuing on its journey back to Miami - albeit via a different route. For many weeks, we had been awaiting communication about a new route. What we never expected was that our fully paid for cruise would be cancelled.
We were given two weeks to decide if we wanted all of our money refunded or if we wanted to book a different Royal Caribbean sailing with the money that we had already shelled out for this cruise. In an effort to entice choosing another sailing, they offered $100 in onboard credit per cabin plus the possibility of getting reimbursed for up to $400 per person in non-refundable international airfare change fees.
After much discussion, we finally decided to use the money that we had paid for the cruise on a fully customized "do-it-ourself itinerary". Since we already had flights to Dubai, we would start there and create an itinerary that would take us where we wanted to go. It was Egypt and Jordan that were the main reason we had originally reserved a cabin on the cruise, so they were at the top of our list.
1. Good to Know Before You Go!
After spending the better part of two weeks in Egypt, we'll start with a few planning tips. Had we had all of this information before leaving home, we likely would have made some adjustments to our daily itinerary for exploring Egypt.Visa Requirements
In addition to having a passport valid for six months from arrival date into Egypt, it is likely that visitors to the country need a tourist or business visa as well. Depending on home country, most travelers have the option of a single or multiple entry visa and can choose the Visa On Arrival or eVisa. The cost for both options is identical, so why not take a few minutes before departing from your home country to complete the eVisa application. You'll have peace of mind traveling with your approved eVisa plus avoid wasting time when you arrive in Egypt.
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Weekdays and Weekends
According to the Islam religion, Friday is the holiest day of the week and is an important prayer day. Friday and Saturday are the country's traditional weekend days. Therefore, the standard five-day work-week throughout most of Egypt begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday. When a sixth day of work is required, the additional work day would typically be Saturday.Napkins, Tissues and Toilet Paper
Toilet paper and napkins / paper towels are scarce in Egypt. Except on a Nile River cruise boat or in an upscale restaurant, it's a box of tissues that most commonly accompanies a meal. Other than in hotels, toilet paper is often not available in bathrooms (nor is soap or hand sanitizer). When it is, it's often distributed by a "bathroom monitor" who expects a tip.
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Apparel
As you plan and pack clothing for your visit, keep in mind that Egypt is a very conservative country. Modesty is the key for all - especially for women. Choose looser fitting or baggy clothing rather than tight or form fitting clothes (i.e. avoid leggings, skinny jeans, etc.). While it is not necessary to wear high collared shirts, shoulders should be covered and cleavage should not be showing. You will see women in many tourist sites wearing shorts, but in most places of worship, neither shorts nor sleeveless shirts are allowed. Consider skirts, wide-legged pants and capris for your bottoms and tee-shirts on top.Comfortable closed-toed walking shoes (no high heals) are a must throughout Egypt - especially if you plan to go inside the pyramids. As you explore outdoor temples, there are many unpaved areas - you'll often find yourself walking on sand and dirt. Since shoes are not allowed inside mosques, it's best to wear socks so that you aren't walking barefoot!
2. Domestic Air Travel within Egypt
Both Google Flights and ITA Matrix by Google are excellent sources of information for researching flight times and estimating flight costs. It's very important, however, to carefully read the fare rules and restrictions. Often the least expensive tickets "may only be sold in Egypt". Of course, you can always wait to purchase tickets until your arrival, however, you risk limited availability for your preferred time as well as price hikes for last minute travel. (For us, the price for a ticket purchased in our home city was nearly three times the price of one purchased in Egypt.)3. Airport Security
Anyone who travels internationally on a regular basis is aware that airport security is handled differently based on local regulations and available scanning equipment. We flew out of Cairo (CAI) twice and once out of Aswan (ASW), and each experience was slightly different. The one thing in common was multiple security checks before each flight:- After entering the building but before checking-in for a flight (no limit on liquids);
- Before entering the departure terminal (after flight check-in and baggage check) - this allows entrance into airline lounges, dining, etc. (no limit on liquids); and
- Before entering gate area where flight is boarded.
Each security check included both baggage and body scanning (shoes and some electronics must be removed for final scan) as well as a body pat down. Most had separate lines for men and women. As is common everywhere, additional screening may be necessary and will require passengers to open baggage for closer inspection. (When leaving Cairo for the second time, both of our carry-on bags were selected for additional screening. A roll of packing tape that had been in Scott's bag since before the beginning of this trip was deemed unsafe and removed. There was also some concern about a portable travel power strip, however after some discussion, we were allowed to carry it onboard.)
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In the last several years, we've traveled to six continents and we did experience an airport security first in Egypt. We were asked for tips at the first baggage scan at each airport - even when placing our bags on the scanner ourselves. The "employee" who asked was always nice enough, even when no tip was provided. Their typical response was something along the line of "That's okay. Don't forget next time!"
While on the subject of airport tipping (although not directly related to airport security), we were also asked for tips for checked bags. There were often two "agents" working at the check-in desk. One employee was tasked with identification verification and the online aspect of check-in. The second employee was responsible for tagging bags (and requesting tips)!
4. Egyptian Pounds, US Dollars or Credit Cards?
While credit cards are accepted at most of the well-known tourist sites, you will likely want some cash (Egyptian Pounds or U.S. Dollars). We primarily used Egyptian Pounds for tipping drivers and guides, entrance fees for public restrooms and small purchases including souvenirs and drinks. We did have the option of using either currency for many purchases, but the mark-up that vendors wanted for accepting dollars helped us to decide when to use the local currency.It's important to carefully read the payment terms for any reservations that you make before leaving home. For example, one of our hotels required payment in cash for our lodging and optional breakfasts. Based on the exchange rate for the meal, paying in the local currency made more sense.
The hardest part of getting local currency may just be finding an in-service ATM that will accept your foreign card. Upon landing in Cairo, we wanted to have a small amount of local currency to start our trip. We found both out-of-service ATMs and one that wouldn't accept our card before finding one that worked for us. We wanted more currency when we landed in Luxor and the third time was a charm there as well - lots of out-of-service machines. (Finding that working ATM machine required being "guided" through several areas of the airport by a local who, of course, wanted a tip.) While walking around Aswan, we went to two different banks in order to find a machine where we could get cash.
At some ATMs you will have the option to choose between "Continue with Conversion" and "Continue without Conversion". No matter how enticing the "with conversion" option may look, don't select it! We decided to try both options at the ATM outside of the Banque du Cairo at 97 Kornish Al Nile in Aswan (across the street from the river). We withdrew 4,000 EGP at 14:51 "with conversion" and our cost was $98.07 (after our bank reimbursed the transaction fee). Immediately following that transaction (14:52), we withdrew another 4,000 EGP without conversion and our cost was $85.50 - a savings of $12.57!
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5. Communicating with the Locals
Arabic is the official language of Egypt, however most Egyptians learn English as a second language. In fact, a large number of Egyptians are fluent in English. In cities frequented by tourists including Cairo and Alexandria, you'll frequently hear English being spoken. As you travel around, you'll notice that most road signs are printed in both Arabic and English. Take a look at the local currency, the Egyptian Pound, and you'll see that the bills are also "bilingual".Even so, it's always a good idea to know a few words that may come in handy as you explore a country. Here's a few Arabic phrases that you may find helpful during your time in Egypt:
Marhaba - "hi" or "hello" (it's a great way to start a conversation)
Shukran - "thank you"
La - "no"
Yalla - "let's go" (you may hear your tour guide use this phrase when he/she is ready to move on)
La Shukran - literally, "no thank you" (the perfect way to nicely let a vendor know that you are not interested in what they are selling)
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6. Getting from Place to Place
If I was only allowed one word to describe the roads and traffic in Cairo, the word I would choose is crazy. (There is a zero chance that I would drive on the streets of Cairo.)Some describe the sounds that you hear on the roads as an "orchestra" but it's certainly not the kind of music that you want to pay money to enjoy during an romantic evening! With so many cars "competing" on the heavily congested roads, nearly all drivers resort to honking. The blend of honking horns from different makes and models results in the orchestra that will ring in your ears long after you get out of the car.
It seems as though the lines marking the lanes on roads are just suggestions as most drivers "straddle the lanes". (Or maybe the goal is to keep your car centered on the line as you drive!) We also saw a number of cars traveling on the wrong side of the road - even on busier multi-lane roads. You'll see (and may even be inside cars when) drivers move left or right from the back of a long line of cars stopped at a light, drive up to the front of the line and just cut right in front of the first car.
Most vehicles that you'll see on the road are older models - quite a difference from what we witnessed in Dubai. Although security at the airport may be stricter than in many other countries, neither safety features nor comfort in cars are the norm in Egypt. Once inside a vehicle, you'll quickly understand. In our experience, few vehicles had seatbelts and most did not have (or did not use) air conditioning. Older cars are also the norm in Alexandria. One model of car commonly spotted in this coastal city is an old Russian made car. Nearly always painted in black and yellow, these cars are unique to Alexandria as they can't tolerate the dryer heat in Cairo.
While riding on the streets of Cairo, we also took notice of the public buses sharing the roads with us. There must be a prize at the end of the day for the driver who can get the highest number of people squeezed inside a bus. I'm confident that I have never seen as many people sharing the limited number of seats or standing in the aisle (and even standing on the steps by the open door) in the public busses in any other city.
For transportation that's harder to schedule in advance, Uber is your best bet. Last minute requests are the most common rides with ride-hailing services, and there's no worrying about language / translation issues as you select your pick-up and drop-off points in the app in advance.
Make sure that you have downloaded and set-up the Uber app (with a credit card that does not charge additional fees for international travel) before you leave home. In Egypt, there are two options for paying for your ride - either through the app or payment directly to the driver in cash. Although it is said that more drivers will consider your ride if you choose to pay by cash, the downside is that those same drivers will often not take the shortest (i.e. least expensive) route to your destination. It's best to always pay through the Uber app so that you know your price in advance and have no surprises at your destination.
For a more comfortable ride, consider choosing "comfort" - it's still inexpensive but with the older age of the majority of vehicles (and lack of seatbelts and/or air conditioning), you'll be glad you did. You'll still be pleased with the price!
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7. Lodging in Cairo
In addition to determining how much you want to pay for your accommodations, it's important to put some thought into where in the Cairo area you want to stay. With a population of over 22 million people and ranking as the 12th most populous city in the world, the Greater Cairo Metropolitan Area has as many as or more choices than most other cities you will visit. From Airbnb's to boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, apartment style hotels and large chain hotels with varying star ratings there's options for every price range from budget to luxury.Our first four nights were spent at Royal Inn Residence New Cairo. Although the historical sites are quite a distance from New Cairo, the inn offered a very filling breakfast for less than $5.00 USD per person. Additionally, the rooms each had a washing machine and kitchenette. Because we were traveling for an extended period of time with limited luggage, the washing machine came in quite handy for preparing for the next part of our trip.
Our final two hotels were both located in the Al Haram neighborhood which is near the Giza Pyramids. We chose the Mena House for one of our nights as we had a free night stay due to a Marriott promotion. Compared to our other two hotels in Cairo, the Mena House was, by far, the most luxurious. (It would also have been much more expensive had we not taken advantage of a free night stay.)
Our final night was spent at the Turquoise Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum View Hotel. At less than $40.00 for the night, we were very impressed with the accommodations. The staff was fabulous, we enjoyed a nice dinner at the roof top restaurant and our room would have had an amazing view of the pyramids if the windows were cleaner!
As the name implies, New Cairo is a "newer" neighborhood located east of Central Cairo. In addition to being more modern and spacious (i.e. not historical), some travelers choose New Cairo due to its proximity to Cairo International Airport (only about 15 miles away) as well it being a more peaceful city. The downside of the neighborhood located in the outskirts of Cairo is its distance from the city's most popular sightseeing spots (some tour operators will charge extra for pick-up and drop-off in New Cairo). Even getting to restaurants will usually require hiring transportation.
While the Al Haram neighborhood is near the Pyramids, it's a much further drive to Cairo's International Airport and is still a distance to Central Cairo. A limited number of airlines fly into the newer Giza Sphinx Airport (just over 20 miles from the Pyramids). With a few more international flights being added later this year, Al Haram will be more convenient for some travelers, but still has a long way to go to compete with Cairo International Airport.
Depending on what our sightseeing priorities are, if we return to Cairo we would likely consider lodging in a more central area. Now that we have toured many of the city's popular sites with guides, it would be nice to explore more on our own. Being in Central Cairo would allow us to walk to restaurants, window shop and to some tourist sites.
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8. Tour Guide, Egyptologist or DIY
At over 5,000 years of existence, Egypt is commonly regarded as the oldest country in the world. Think of all the history in this country that is only about three times the size of the state of New Mexico. (It's quite a sharp contrast from the UAE, the first country in our Middle Eastern adventure. The United Arab Emirates was founded in 1971 - just over 50 years ago!)As you are planning and researching for a trip to Egypt, you'll likely come across the term "Egyptologist". With similarities to an archaeologist who studies human history, an Egyptologist studies the history of ancient Egyptian civilization - its language, history, culture, beliefs, monuments, etc. As with every discipline, there are various levels of experience. While some people who have a genuine interest in studying and learning about Egypt may make the claim that they are an Egyptologist, it is usually those that have a masters or doctorate degree that are recognized in the field.
While having either an Egyptologist or a tour guide is not a requirement for exploring sites in Egypt, having one (at least in some places) can enhance your visit. Just like anywhere else you might visit, some "guides" are exceptional and others are average or below. During our days in the country, we experienced guides with a range of experience - some who we would recommend (and would consider calling upon during a future visit) and others that we would not.
The majority of Egyptologists who provide guiding services as well as Egyptian tour guides are independent contractors. When you reserve a pre-planned tour or activity in Egypt, the company that you choose will contract with an independent guide. The guide (or Egyptologist) that they hire works for a variety of companies. Why not make contact directly with a guide or Egyptologist so that you can plan the exact itinerary that you want (with guidance from an expert) and leave the middle man out?
Alaa Rashwan
Alaa spent the better part of five days with us during our Nile River cruise. As a representative of Memphis Tours, he led our small group of 7 visitors from around the world (Nigeria, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States) to the temples and other sites between Luxor and Aswan. The thing that differentiated Alaa from our other guides was the way he attempted to teach the meaning of various hieroglyphs. He reiterated multiple times that, after touring with him for a few days, you would be able to travel around and decipher the pictographs around Egypt on your own! Alaa can be reached directly on WhatsApp at +20-101-628-2599.
Boosi
Our second visit to the Giza Pyramids along with stops at the Bazaar and Egyptian Museum was led by Boosi, a female guide representing OceanAir Travels. What a difference from our first morning exploring the pyramids! Boosi took us to much better vantage points, knew much more of the history and was less focused on the creative photography. Boosi can be reached on WhatsApp at +20-103-273-7027.
Mohammed Salama
Being a native of Alexandria with a unique ability to inject humor while guiding, it was a privilege having Mohammed as our Ramses Tours representative. Mohammed's current and historical knowledge of his home city was excellent and he surprised us along the way with stops that were unexpected. He also showed incomparable concern for the comfort of the tourists for which he was responsible! Mohammed can be reached on WhatsApp at +20-128-642-4265.
9. Exploring Egypt's Popular Tourist Sites
From museums housing ancient Egyptian artifacts to the amazing outdoor structures built thousands of years ago, know these local customs and restrictions:- Just like in airports, security is taken very seriously at many tourist sites. For example, we were scanned three times before being allowed into the Cairo Museum and one additional time as we passed from the museum to the museum gift shop.
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- Although photos are welcome at most places
- it's common courtesy to request permission prior to snapping a photo of any person(s);
- camera passes which allow photography are available for purchase at some sites (pass must be readily available as proof that the pass was purchased on the current day);
- In some places, photos may be taken only with cell phones (not with "professional cameras"). Surprisingly, even a small point and shoot camera may be considered "professional"! (For example, professional cameras are not allowed inside the Grand Egyptian Museum - they must be turned over to security for the duration of your visit. A camera may be carried inside the Tomb of Cheops, but photos can only be taken with cell phones.);
- when a local offers to take your photo (or requests that you take a photo of him or her), do so only if you are prepared to offer a tip in exchange - you WILL be asked for one;
Inside the Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) - While on the subject of tipping, it's expected everywhere! In addition to tipping guides and drivers, there will be many more people of all ages expecting (and even demanding) a tip. Children are trained at a young age to "befriend" tourists with phrases like "Hi! Where are you from?" and "What is your name?". Your new "friend" will then be asking you to take a selfie with them. As they get older, they have even more tricks up their sleeve to extract money from tourists. Some will offer to take photos of a room for you that is not open to the general public. Others will offer to let you enter a roped off area to get close-up photos of an ancient artifact. They may offer to take your photo next to a statue, exhibit, etc. No matter who they are (even employees wearing badges) or what they offer, they are expecting a tip in return, and they are not afraid to ask for more if they don't feel that your offering was large enough.
- To quote one of our Egyptologist guides, "Be ready for the attack". The strolling vendors carrying their wares on their person, sales people at kiosks inside markets and those that display their inventory on a portable blanket are all quite aggressive. Although the persistence of peddlers decreases when accompanied by a guide, don't be afraid to use the phrase "La shukran" (no thank you) anytime someone is pushing an item for which you have no interest.
10. Museums in Cairo
Among the many museums in the Cairo area, there are three with a focus on ancient Egyptian artifacts. Each is unique in their own way, and there is little duplication.The Grand Egyptian Museum
Located on the Giza plateau just outside of Cairo, the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum or "GEM" was originally planned for 2018. After multiple changes to the opening date through the past several years, it is now expected that the GEM will have its grand opening at some point in late-2024. Once the GEM finally opens, it will be the largest museum in Egypt as well as the largest archaeological museum (and one of the largest museums of any discipline) in the world. Those who have had the opportunity to go "behind the scenes" before the museum opening are recommending three full days to explore the GEM.
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For several months, tickets for the "GEM Trial Visits Program" have been available. Among other things, a 45-minute guided tour has included the Hanging Obelisk, Grand Hall, Statue of King Ramses II and Grand Staircase. For youngsters aged 6 - 12, a 45-minute GEM Children's Museum Tour has also been available. The 30-minute traveling Tutankhamun Immersive Experience was also included earlier in the year, however that show has now moved out of the GEM.
One of the upcoming exhibits that has captured the attention of many would be museum-goers is the King Tut Gallery. Artifacts and other displays have moved (or will be moved) to the GEM from the Cairo Museum as well as other museums within Egypt. Most of the artifacts that will be displayed were actually in storage, and have never been seen by the general public before.
Museum of Egyptian Antiquities
Frequently referred to as the Cairo Museum or Egyptian Museum, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is the largest of the city's fully open museums (and the largest on the African continent) as of the date of this article. In its current Tahrir Square location in downtown Cairo, the museum first opened its doors in 1902, but its history actually dates back to the early 1800s. Because the Cairo Museum is the oldest archaeological museum in all of the Middle East, it is thought (or maybe hoped) that museum-goers will want to visit all three museums.The Egyptian Museum currently is home to the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities. An interior gallery display is devoted to King Tutankhamun and includes some of his jewelry, his gold burial mask and his sarcophagus. In the days before the new GEM's opening, these items will join the remainder of the artifacts in the King Tut Gallery.
Although many of the mummies that had been housed in the Cairo Museum were relocated several years ago, the coffins and mummies of the great grandparents of King Tut, Yuya and Thuya remain. The tomb where the coffins and other artifacts were originally buried was discovered in 1905 in the Valley of the Kings and shipped to Cairo.
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
In Old Cairo (in the historic city of Fustat), construction began on the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization ("NMEC") in 2000. Seventeen years later parts of the museum were open, and the official grand opening was in April 2021.One of the most popular areas within the museum is known as Royal Mummies Hall. On the day of the museum's grand opening, locals, visitors and the press lined the streets to watch the three mile long "Pharaohs' Golden Parade". Each in their own "chariot", the remains of 18 kings (including Ramses II) and 4 queens paraded in chronological order through the city from the Cairo Museum to the NMEC.
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While the collection in the Cairo Museum is focused on antiquities, displays in the NMEC represent a much broader range of time - from prehistoric to modern-day. Because the NMEC is much newer than the Cairo Museum, it is said that it's easier to explore without a guide.
11. Mealtime in Egypt
If you are trying to make the most of your time in Egypt, you'll likely be starting your sightseeing days in the early morning. Consider selecting accommodations that offer breakfast (either included in the price or for a nominal extra charge) to help save time when you have an early morning start.If you choose to join any guided group tours, you'll find that many include lunch (often buffet-style). Although it's quite common for drinks to be excluded from the tour price, compared to beverage costs at restaurants in the US, prices are inexpensive. It is highly recommended that you do not drink any tap water while in Egypt - choose bottled water anywhere and everywhere.
Should you arrange a private tour, you should have more options for customizing your itinerary, including meals. If you aren't a breakfast eater, discuss the possibility with your guide of arranging an early lunch. Or, if you aren't a lunch eater, your guide may be open to scheduling a late lunch that may be enough to satisfy your appetite for the evening.
If your home country bans smoking in restaurants, you are in for a big surprise in the vast majority of restaurants in Egypt! Sheesh smoking is very common in restaurants - and not just those in outdoor settings. No matter where in the restaurant you are seated (even in the uncommon non-smoking areas), you'll likely feel the heat and smell the fumes from the pipes.
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12. Nile River Cruises
There are so many decisions to make when you decide to include a Nile River Cruise in your Egypt itinerary. While there are options for much longer cruises, most travelers choose those that are as short as three or four nights with some extending up to seven nights. The three night itineraries typically travel downstream from Aswan to Luxor with the four night options sailing in the reverse direction. (Although the included sights are identical, due to sailing upstream, the travel time from Luxor to Aswan is longer. Because of this, the itinerary is slower paced, more relaxed and there is more time to enjoy the amenities on the boat.) Even longer itineraries usually include Cairo and Giza sights.In addition to the cruise length, pricing for a Nile River cruise is impacted by the time of year and extras such as the ship's entertainment, dining and amenities. Most of the boats are rated as either standard, deluxe, ultra-deluxe or luxury and, as you would expect, the price increases for each comfort level. In addition to room and board, some itineraries include wi-fi, beverages, gratuities, entrance fees to select sites and tours led by an Egyptologist. Some of the boats have additional features such as swimming pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, etc.
In addition to sites like Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Horus Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Philae Temple Complex there is usually a selection of optional tours. Excursions that are popular add-ons include an early morning hot air balloon ride, an evening sound and light show at Karnak Temple, a horse and buggy tour in Luxor, visit to a Nubian village and round-trip transportation to Abu Simbel.
Due to the high temperatures, the summer months (June, July and August) are typically the least expensive months to cruise the Nile. Temperatures are the most pleasant in Egypt's peak season (from October through April), however cruise prices are also at their peak. The shoulder season months of May and September tend to be less expensive than the peak travel months with tolerable temperatures for most travelers.
In Summary
From dreaming to planning to feet on the ground, we truly enjoyed our 10 days of exploring a small part of this unique country. If your travel goals are similar to ours and you have a desire to "see the world", ten days is an excellent introduction to Egypt. For those with an interest in history, there aren't many places that can beat Egypt because the country has been in existence for far longer than most other countries around the world.
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Coming Soon: More on Itineraries for Exploring Egypt
We'll be publishing two additional articles later this year with more from our experiences in Egypt. Next up will be a deeper dive into what you can expect during a 4 night Nile River cruise. Following that, we'll share an overview of the itinerary for our 10 days in Egypt.More Questions or Suggestions?
For those of you who have previously visited Egypt, based on your experience, what would you add to this list to make it more comprehensive?For those who are considering a first visit to Egypt, what additional questions do you have to help you make a plan?
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