Egypt 2020

[franski]

We have booked a trip to Egypt (with extensions in Israel & Jordan) in January 2020.  Thought I would start a generic thread for anyone who is booked next year - or perhaps has done this trip in the past and has some thoughts and/or suggestions about this itinerary.  I am sure that many of the questions and answers will be valuable regardless of who you are booked with!!  

 

I purposely did not post this on the roll call board, as we are not traveling with one of the mainstream companies for this trip - but feel that "group speak" and collective knowledge can be so helpful.

 

I am a "planner" - so all suggestions/comments are welcome. We can learn so much from our fellow travelers on CC!!

 

Fran 

[Barrheadlass]

I’m going to Egypt and Jordan with Overseas Adventure Travel in March, it includes a cruise on the Nile.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Thanks franski – I think this is a great idea and the right place for this thread.  Perhaps it would be a good idea if posters identified which line or vendor they are taking, as that will help shape the questions and comments.

[franski]

52 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Thanks franski – I think this is a great idea and the right place for this thread.  Perhaps it would be a good idea if posters identified which line or vendor they are taking, as that will help shape the questions and comments.

 

Good idea, Jazzbeau…  I see Barrheadlass has already done that!! 

 

Egypt has been a bucket list item for a few years now...  but, the political climate was a bit sketchy for awhile - and then the prices did start to jump.  Was looking for a package that would give us 7 nights on the Nile (hate packing and moving every 3 or 4 days if I don't have too....) - as well as some time in Jordan to visit Petra. I am concerned about the heat - but am hoping that traveling in January will reduce that risk for us a bit.  After Egypt, we fly to Tel Aviv - and then spend 3 nights in Jerusalem. Then, onto Jordan - 1 night in Aman, 2 in Petra then 4 in a resort on the Dead Sea. 

 

We are going with a small travel company based in Toronto (I know not to mention names here...) that is running an escorted tour.  We will be on a Movenpick boat on the Nile - the MS Sunray.  I must say - if the boat is half as good as the pictures portray it - it will be amazing!!  I do like the fact that (as with many cruises) the included excursions are primarily in the morning - when the temperature is cooler. 

 

We are traveling with friends (the same couple we went to Peru with...) - and are quite excited.  We only have 5 months to plan!!

 

Fran

[jklc123]

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Cairo and on the Nile in January of 2017. The weather was very pleasant throughout, even cool at night in Cairo, especially on the Giza plain. 

[franski]

1 hour ago, jklc123 said:

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Cairo and on the Nile in January of 2017. The weather was very pleasant throughout, even cool at night in Cairo, especially on the Giza plain. 

Thanks for that info...  What were the highs & lows (temperature wise) that you encountered?

 

Fran

[EllaDuChien]

18 hours ago, Barrheadlass said:

I’m going to Egypt and Jordan with Overseas Adventure Travel in March, it includes a cruise on the Nile.

 

Barrheadlass - I leave for this trip with OAT in three weeks!  Doing the Jordan pre-trip as well.  I will be sure to let you know how it went!  This will be my first trip with OAT so I am interested to see how they do things.

[jklc123]

12 hours ago, franski said:

Thanks for that info...  What were the highs & lows (temperature wise) that you encountered?

 

Fran

 

I can’t tell you for sure. Probably the high 70’s, maybe a little warmer at Abel  Simbel, and lowest, low 60’s with a cold wind at the pyramids at night. 

[jklc123]

I just remembered the Daily Programs we received while on the Nile. Lowest predicted temperatures ranged from 44 degrees to 57, which is certainly cooler than I remembered, to highs between 72 to 80. I did occasionally wear a light sweater as we started out on early excursions but soon left it in the coach. It must have been in the 50’s at night in the Cairo area.

[franski]

4 hours ago, EllaDuChien said:

 

Barrheadlass - I leave for this trip with OAT in three weeks!  Doing the Jordan pre-trip as well.  I will be sure to let you know how it went!  This will be my first trip with OAT so I am interested to see how they do things.

Will be interested to know how things go for you...  

 

We have some free time along the way - so any insights you can offer after you return will be very helpful.

 

Fran

[franski]

1 hour ago, jklc123 said:

I just remembered the Daily Programs we received while on the Nile. Lowest predicted temperatures ranged from 44 degrees to 57, which is certainly cooler than I remembered, to highs between 72 to 80. I did occasionally wear a light sweater as we started out on early excursions but soon left it in the coach. It must have been in the 50’s at night in the Cairo area.

That's great information - thank you!!  I would much sooner start the day a bit cooler even if it means wearing a sweater.  I can always put on an extra layer,  but there is only so much you can take off and still remain in the realm of decency!!

 

Fran

[Barrheadlass]

5 hours ago, EllaDuChien said:

 

Barrheadlass - I leave for this trip with OAT in three weeks!  Doing the Jordan pre-trip as well.  I will be sure to let you know how it went!  This will be my first trip with OAT so I am interested to see how they do things.

Oh, I can’t wait to hear about it!  Thank you!  As I mentioned in another thread, I’ve taken many trips with OAT and have never been disappointed.  I’m a solo traveler and have always had a great time.  I’ll be interested to hear your impressions.

[cormike1]

We went to Egypt  almost 2 years ago with Insight Tours and had an amazing time!  It far exceeded my expectations.  We were on an older ship which didn't bother us in the least....we weren't in our room very much anyhow....top deck when sailing.  If you are offered the chance to "hot air balloon" grab it.  I did it over "Valley of the Kings" as the sun rose, OMG, so, so stunning.  And then once we landed our mini van met us at the edge of the field and off we went to actually tour the Valley of the Kings.  So neat to see above and below.  Also Abu Simbel is not to be missed.  I chose Insight Tours because Abu Simbel was offered as a stop, not as an optional tour which many other companies offer.  You will be blown away by the beauty of Egypt.  Cairo is neat....look beyond the garbage and keep an open mind.  The people couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming....never felt nervous at all.  I would go back in a flash!

[franski]

19 hours ago, cormike1 said:

We went to Egypt  almost 2 years ago with Insight Tours and had an amazing time!  It far exceeded my expectations.  We were on an older ship which didn't bother us in the least....we weren't in our room very much anyhow....top deck when sailing.  If you are offered the chance to "hot air balloon" grab it.  I did it over "Valley of the Kings" as the sun rose, OMG, so, so stunning.  And then once we landed our mini van met us at the edge of the field and off we went to actually tour the Valley of the Kings.  So neat to see above and below.  Also Abu Simbel is not to be missed.  I chose Insight Tours because Abu Simbel was offered as a stop, not as an optional tour which many other companies offer.  You will be blown away by the beauty of Egypt.  Cairo is neat....look beyond the garbage and keep an open mind.  The people couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming....never felt nervous at all.  I would go back in a flash!

Thanks, Cormike -  We are traveling with Wheel & Anchor tours out of TO (realized I *can* mention the name... it isn't a travel agent!!)  Small group going - and as the package is built in parts, not everyone is doing the entire tour.  We are going for the entire 23 days - not something we could have considered before I retired. Abu Simbel is an optional, and we are doing that.   Even with paying for Abu Simbel,  the cost is still less than with anyone else we looked at.   

 

We want to do a hot air balloon ride - but not sure if that will be possible.  Apparently - due to an "incident" - the government has stopped all balloon flights over the Valley of the Kings.  There is no date given when they might resume, but we are hopeful they will restart before we go.  The Wheel & Anchor rep going with us is aware of our desire for a balloon ride, so has said he will monitor the situation and assist with organizing it if the bookings open up.

 

I also want to ride a camel - but think that opportunity should be available somewhere along the way... (Yeah, I know that is touristy - but still want to do it!! )

 

Fran

[cormike1]

56 minutes ago, franski said:

Thanks, Cormike -  We are traveling with Wheel & Anchor tours out of TO (realized I *can* mention the name... it isn't a travel agent!!)  Small group going - and as the package is built in parts, not everyone is doing the entire tour.  We are going for the entire 23 days - not something we could have considered before I retired. Abu Simbel is an optional, and we are doing that.   Even with paying for Abu Simbel,  the cost is still less than with anyone else we looked at.   

 

We want to do a hot air balloon ride - but not sure if that will be possible.  Apparently - due to an "incident" - the government has stopped all balloon flights over the Valley of the Kings.  There is no date given when they might resume, but we are hopeful they will restart before we go.  The Wheel & Anchor rep going with us is aware of our desire for a balloon ride, so has said he will monitor the situation and assist with organizing it if the bookings open up.

 

I also want to ride a camel - but think that opportunity should be available somewhere along the way... (Yeah, I know that is touristy - but still want to do it!! )

 

Fran

Hi Fran

I haven't heard about that tour company but sounds great as it is a small group.  We had 4 couples from the U.S. and us and our Egyptian guide and that was it and so much better than huge tours groups.

 

Glad you are doing Abu Simble....it was one of the things I wanted to see after reading a lot about moving it to where it is now.  Just amazing when you see it and know what it took to get it there.  If you don't know about the move, it is neat to read

about it before you see it.

 

I think it was a couple of weeks after we got home that a balloon got caught in the wind and crashed into the mountains at Valley of the Kings.  It was the same company that took me up.  I believe in fate so if it is your time, it is your time, no matter where or what you are doing.  I think the tourists were from Switzerland that were killed.  So sad to have that happen.

 

I did a camel ride at the pyramids.  Notice I am saying "I" for a lot of these things lol.  My husband is not as daring as I am.  Your guide should be able to negotiate for you as you can be ripped off.  They say $10 U.S. and then they won't let you down unless you pay $20.  Our guide took our money ahead of time and made the arrangements so we didn't get ripped off.  I am telling you I was more afraid on the camel than the hot air balloon lol.  Hang onto the horn and lean forward going up and lean back going down.  I just had him walk me to the wall in front of the pyramids for a picture and said let me down....did not do the walk around the site....just too scary haha.

 

DO NOT TAKE PICTURES OF THE ARMY PERSONNEL AT THE ASWAN DAM!!!!!  You know for most of us Canadians, we aren't used to seeing machine guns and army personnel guarding things eh.  Well they were checking all cars and buses crossing the dam and I took a couple of pictures of the dam with the cars crossing it and also the army guys.  One came right on the bus and asked our guide to show him the pictures I had taken. Our guide only showed him the 2 I had taken of the cars going across and said I didn't take any of them.  I think they knew I had but let it pass thank goodness.  That was the only time I was really scared (aside from the camel ride).

 

You can use Canadian money there to....the vendors and guides, ship personnel, etc. are allowed to take any currency to the bank and change it to Egyptian pounds.  Just don't leave our loonies and toonies lol.  No coins.  I brought about $200 in U.S. one dollar bills and used that for tipping but I could have used CDN as well.

 

If you have any other questions, or anyone else out there, ask away and I will try to answer them.  Also there are great reviews with lots of pointers that you can read on CC and that is how I got a lot of my information before I went.

 

Take care!

[franski]

2 hours ago, cormike1 said:

 

If you have any other questions, or anyone else out there, ask away and I will try to answer them.  Also there are great reviews with lots of pointers that you can read on CC and that is how I got a lot of my information before I went.

 

Take care!

  I will!!  You have been a fount of information so far - and I am sure there will be other questions...

 

Good info about the pictures at the dam.  My friend takes ++++ pics - so will make sure to tell her to be discreet with her camera. 

 

There should only be about 20 of us in our group.  Love small groups...  There were only 16 of us on our trip to Peru with Avalon - and it was awesome.  And, I hear you about the "I" vs "we" in the travel.  DH has no interest in a camel ride. He has already informed me he has no intention of doing a polar plunge (if it is offered) when we get to the Arctic Circle in October.   Although, he did get in and swim in the Amazon with me in March - so, I haven't given up on him completely!! 😁

 

Fran

[YoungDubFan]

I did Egypt in 2009 & am so glad I did it when I did. We booked through General Tours and had a group of 8 women and a private guide. I think our entire trip was 10 days and included a 5-night Nile cruise. There were obviously more groups on our cruise but our group had our own table in the dining room for all meals.

 

We rode camels at the pyramids and i agree with having your tour guide negotiate prices before leaving. At the time, the camel operators were notorious for taking you out and refusing to bring you back without more money. 

 

Another great thing that our guide did was he flipped the timing of our excursions. If the ship was doing Valley of the Kings in the morning, we did it in the afternoon. We had the Valley almost to ourselves. I was in a tomb by myself. It was an amazing experience. By flipping the timing, we had significantly less crowds at all sites. 

 

We did the typical things in and around Cairo - went to a carpet weaving school to see how the carpets were made - about half of our group bought carpets and had them shipped home. We also went to a papyrus shop. We saw how it is made - again most of us bought something. Our guide presented all of us with a papyrus along the way that had our names written in hieroglyphics along with our zodiac sign. What a great memento. We also went to quite a few of the bazaars. In either Luxor or Aswan, we went to the bazaar that the locals go to, not the touristy one. That was a great way to see the difference in how we were treated. 

 

I loved this trip. Have a lot of dollar bills to use for tipping. We also all took our own roll of toilet paper with us for every excursion. Even though we “paid” to use the public toilets, having our own toilet paper ensured we had enough - not the few measly sheets that were provided. I don’t know if this has changed in the 10 years since I was there. 

 

You will enjoy this trip immensely. 

[EllaDuChien]

Hi all, I am currently in Jordan on the Pre-Trip with Overseas Adventure Travel and having an absolute blast!

 

Today we toured the Citadel in the morning,

Stopped at a local falafel place for lunch, a street cart for Kunafeh

 

 

a walk through the old town in the afternoon, including the ampitheater and the Friday markets for local goods/fruits. 

 

 

For dinner this evening, we broke away from the group to meet a friend who lives here so our experience was different from the group but a super fun "fusion" restaurant where the local hipster crowd hangs out.  Really interesting! 

 

Tomorrow we head to Jerash and Ajlun before heading back to Amman for our home hosted dinner.  

 

Any question...ask away! I will try to get them answered!

[franski]

On 9/13/2019 at 3:40 PM, EllaDuChien said:

Hi all, I am currently in Jordan on the Pre-Trip with Overseas Adventure Travel and having an absolute blast!

 

Today we toured the Citadel in the morning,

a walk through the old town in the afternoon, including the ampitheater 

Tomorrow we head to Jerash and Ajlun before heading back to Amman for our home hosted dinner.  

 

Any question...ask away! I will try to get them answered!

Looks beautiful...  Where in Jordan were these pictures taken?  

 

Fran

[EllaDuChien]

On 9/16/2019 at 12:12 AM, franski said:

Looks beautiful...  Where in Jordan were these pictures taken?  

 

Fran

 

Fran - These were taken at the Citadel and the Roman theater in downtown Amman.

[franski]

Apparently there has been some lifting of restrictions of the Hot Air Balloon rides...  We may get to do that yet!!

 

Fran

[EllaDuChien]

On 9/20/2019 at 2:35 PM, franski said:

Apparently there has been some lifting of restrictions of the Hot Air Balloon rides...  We may get to do that yet!!

 

Fran

 

Did the hot air balloon ride yesterday!!!  Totally amazing!

[franski]

On 9/23/2019 at 2:58 AM, EllaDuChien said:

 

Did the hot air balloon ride yesterday!!!  Totally amazing!

Awesome!!  Details, please...  Did you do the "traditional" sunrise tour over the Valley of the Kings?

 

Can I ask what the cost was?  This isn't included in our package, so want to make sure I am prepared...

 

Fran

[EllaDuChien]

1 hour ago, franski said:

Awesome!!  Details, please...  Did you do the "traditional" sunrise tour over the Valley of the Kings?

 

Can I ask what the cost was?  This isn't included in our package, so want to make sure I am prepared...

 

Fran

 

Fran,

 

Yes, we did the sunrise tour!  We were picked up at our hotel (Winter Palace in Luxor) at 4:15am and we took a felucca across the Nile to the West Bank.  Then we all stood around until the Aviation Ministry determined whether we could fly or  not.  Once we got the go ahead we inflated the balloons and took off...around 5:30am. 

We flew for about an hour, not directly over the Valley of the Kings, because that is on the other side of the mountain, but the Valley of the Queens and Hapshutsut's temple.  

 

It was absolutely one of the highlights of our trip so far!  As far as cost goes, I am not entirely sure because this ride was a gift and paid for by someone else, but I believe they run around $200-$250....but don't quote me on that.  Do bring a few American dollars to tip your chase crew at the end though...like $2-$4 per person is plenty.

[franski]

8 hours ago, EllaDuChien said:

 

Fran,

 

Yes, we did the sunrise tour!  We were picked up at our hotel (Winter Palace in Luxor) at 4:15am and we took a felucca across the Nile to the West Bank.  Then we all stood around until the Aviation Ministry determined whether we could fly or  not.  Once we got the go ahead we inflated the balloons and took off...around 5:30am. 

Wonderful pictures!!  Sounds like an awesome experience... Here's hoping we will be able to do that when we are there.   Just about 4 months until we leave.

 

Fran