15 Day trip to Egypt - the travel notes, by Seafun

[shadowdiver]

Question for you Seafun, On my 8 day itinerary it shows some optional tours that are not listed in the optional tours list when I booked.

example DAY 5, Saturday - Cruise to Luxor

This afternoon, sail via Esna to Luxor, known in ancient Egyptian times as the city of Thebes

Optional Shore Excursion: Ptolemaic Temple in Edfu (AM)

Overnight: Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Sunday - Full Day in Luxor

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Luxor. The premier destination in Upper Egypt, Luxor features an array of ruins and monuments and is often considered the most extraordinary open-air museum in the world. The city is also known for its horse carriages, called caleches, which offer a charming way to enjoy the area's many sightseeing opportunities

Optional Shore Excursion: Necropolis of Thebes, Colossi of Memnon, Valleys of the Kings and Queens, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (AM)

Optional Shore Excursion: Temples of Karnak and Luxor (PM)

Optional: Luxor Sound and Light Show (PM)

Overnight: Cruise

Meals: Breakfast

 

The tours that are listed above for day 5 & 6 was not in the tours listed when I booked.

 

My question is do they offer tours that are not listed on the optional tours list that you can preorder when you book your cruise?

 

Oh and the optional Luxor sound and light show listed above for day 6 was on the list so I orderd it when I booked but the 2 others are not on there list .

[Benita]

You might want to reconsider the Karnak Sound and Light show - it was difficult to understand and the lighting was not very good. It is much prettier to walk around the Temple of Luxor in the early evening - they light it up beautifully.

[MVPinBoynton]

The Karnak S&L show is a complete waste of time. It was my biggest disappoitment on the trip. But Karnak itself is just awesome.

[seafun]

I'm sorry but I don't quite understand your question:

My question is do they offer tours that are not listed on the optional tours list that you can preorder when you book your cruise?

 

They offered more optional tours once we got to Egypt than they did when I booked the tour. I took most of them. :)

Definitely DO book the tour to the Temple of Horus (Ptolomeyic temple in your decription) in Edfu, Day 5 am. It's a beautifully preserved temple with lots to see. (photos 101 - about 130 on my photo link below) This tour usually includes a horse and buggy ride to and from the temple.

Also both tours on Day 6, Valley of the Kings, etc. in the morning, and the temples of Luxor and Karnak in the afternoon. (You won't want to miss a minute of that day -- well maybe the over-rated Colossi of Memnon..) You MUST do both of those tours that day. No excuses! :D

I did not do the Karnak sound and light, but here's my recommendation. Even if you paid for it already and can't get a refund, just skip it and, as noted above, go wander around the Luxor temple before, during and after sunset. I took hundreds of photos there! The different lighting as the sun goes down over the Nile, and then once the temple is lit up is (here's my favorite word again... spectacular! (far better than any of the reviews I've seen of the Karnak sound and light show.)

There will undoubtedly be more tours offered once you get to Egypt. Almost all of them will be worthwhile.

Get reading in those guidebooks, :) and be ready to sign up for most of them. Do not try to skimp on the money spent on this part of your trip!

Okay, there's my two cents worth for tonight! :rolleyes:

[seafun]

Let me echo MVP, because I may not have been clear... You MUST go to the Karnak temple -- it is wonderful, incredible, huge, awe-inspiring, etc.

It's just the sound and light show we suggest you skip.

[Benita]

Seafun - Were the visits to Karnak and Luxor, as well as the Valley of the Kings OPTIONAL excursions? Who in the world would want to go to Luxor and not see those places? It would be like going to Cairo and missing the pyramids (or was that an optional excursion, too?).

[seafun]

Benita,

It seems to me that many more of the "optional" trips were included on my trip. I think I paid around $120.00 more for a combo that included the full day in Cairo (pyramids, museum, bazaar, etc) and all the side trips along the Nile (Edfu, Esna, Philae, Aswan Dam, etc.)

Abu Simbel was optional and, I recall, $249.00 more. And the side trips in Hurghada were extra. But the vast majority of everything in Cairo and along the Nile was lumped into one reasonably priced add on.

Here's a link to the current Gate 1 15 day "optional" trips:

http://www.gate1travel.com/egypt-travel/egypt-red-sea-escorted-15degrs7dc09.aspx

 

Looks like they are charging for a lot more now. :( I still feel like it's fairly reasonable -- just not the great deal I got as one of the "first year guinea pigs."

[Hydrokitty]

Seafun - Were the visits to Karnak and Luxor, as well as the Valley of the Kings OPTIONAL excursions? Who in the world would want to go to Luxor and not see those places? It would be like going to Cairo and missing the pyramids (or was that an optional excursion, too?).

 

Throwing in my two cents: Really, it's very surprising that Valley of the Kings would be optional....Benita is right, it would be like going to Cairo and missing the pyramids....also agree with Mike and Seafun: DO NOT MISS KARNAK....it's one of the reasons you're going!!!! I didn't do any of the light shows and dh did Philae. To be fair, light shows are just not my thing...I enjoy things in their natural beauty, therefore I agree that if you want to see a light show at Karnak, save your money and arrange to be at the temple at dusk...you'll see beautifully subtle lighting to compliment the natural shades of setting sun. If you can't do that at Karnak....do it at Luxor, temple there is beautifully lit at dusk as well and within walking distance of the ships and many of the hotels in Luxor. Dh agreed light show at Philae was nice, but not worth the money.

[shadowdiver]

Thanks Seafun, Hydrokitty & Benita, Great info and yes seafun even though you might not have understood my question you answered exactly what I was wandering. On my Gate1 8 day there's a few tours they offer that can be purchased at the time I booked on gate 1's web sight I booked all they offered on there sight. But the others that you mentioned was shown on my itinerary but not available for purchase so I thought maybe those's could be bought on the river cruise. I'm glad to here they are. I agree with all of you I want to do as many tours as they offer this might be my only shot at Egypt so I want to see as much as I can. And Seafun I have already bought the 3 books that you recommended to me and have started my home work.:D

[seafun]

I know that reading books isn't mosts people's idea of a pre-vacation, but I have always found that doing "homework" before a trip in guidebooks, is MORE than worth it's weight in gold. :rolleyes:

You''l find things that you know you MUST see, and maybe some things that you can live without. But once you get there, you won't need to be herded around like a sheep, because you'll already have an inkling of what's most important to you.

And on a side note.... it will be interesting to hear how President Obama's speech is received in Cairo! I wish I was there!!

[seafun]

I hope you enjoy reading these... :D

[tnsauerkraut]

I agree about Karnak - it can't be missed, it was so awe-inspiring. I would also recommend EDFU. It's where I learned how temples are built, based on parts of the human body and I learned that most temples are built based on Edfu's design. Absolutely fascinating.

[seafun]

This is the thread you asked me about... It should answer your questions. Let me know if I can help. :)

The trip to Egypt was a lifetime dream of mine and I feel was worth every penny.

[Benita]

I've enjoyed this thread, both before we went to Egypt and now that we are back. comparing stories. I did post a review of my trip but the powers that be at Cruise Critic deleted it - even though it was in response to somebody asking about it. I guess only certain companies are allowed to be complimented on this forum. On the whole, cruise critic is pretty well balanced and I have learned a great deal and if you mix together Cruise Critic, Fodors.com, and TripAdvisor, you can plan out some great trips.

[tnsauerkraut]

Benita,

 

I'm not sure I understand what you meant...we all post our trips with recommendations afterward...

 

Seafun??

[Benita]

Many people might do that - I have in the past as well, but my review of my Egypt trip was deleted within a day of my posting, without any explanation. It would have been a shame if the Cruise Critic people deleted Seafun's review because he praised Gate1 - we all gained so much from it. The only explanation I can think of, in my case, is I was asked under a different thread, to post a review and started a new thread, as the original thread was about the Valley of the Kings and really did not pertain to a tour review. I guess the moderators on CC don't read all the posts to know it was requested and therefore their deletions can be pretty arbitrary. It does say, on the top of each of these pages to not start a new thread, for a review or recommendation, so I guess if you want to post a review, wait for somebody to ask, then post it on the same thread - we might wind up with the world's longest thread, that has nothing to do with the title or original posting, but rules are rules.

On the whole, the good of CC, far outweighs the bad.

Edited June 21, 2009 by Benita

[smeyer418]

Many people might do that - I have in the past as well, but my review of my Egypt trip was deleted within a day of my posting, without any explanation. It would have been a shame if the Cruise Critic people deleted Seafun's review because he praised Gate1 - we all gained so much from it. The only explanation I can think of, in my case, is I was asked under a different thread, to post a review and started a new thread, as the original thread was about the Valley of the Kings and really did not pertain to a tour review. I guess the moderators on CC don't read all the posts to know it was requested and therefore their deletions can be pretty arbitrary. Oh well, the good of CC far, far outweighs the bad.

laura sterling <community@cruisecritic.com>

 

email her and ask why.

[Benita]

laura sterling <community@cruisecritic.com>

 

email her and ask why.

 

Good idea, I think I will. I spent a lot of time working on the review, trying to repay all those who helped me in the past, by posting our experiences and hate to waste my time.

[tnsauerkraut]

I agree. Ask why. reviews are what this forum is all about...

[Benita]

I received a nice reponse from Laura, which I pasted to follow:"As you mentioned, we require that all recommendations for tours and tour operators be in response to someone asking the question. The correct location would have been in the discussion you saw the request. An alternative location would have been a general discussion about what to do in Egypt, or even if someone asked "Know any good tours in Egypt". I understand your review is legit, but if I allow you to post outside of the guidelines it only gives others license to do so as well."

I am glad she let this thread run, but if anybody wants to post a review of their trip, I guess they should delete the name of the tour company, unless somebody asks. Seems a little like a game of semantics, but rules are rules and we are invited guests to their forum.

[tnsauerkraut]

Well, I don't know if it will help, but I would like to read your review and would like to know the name of your tour group and how you think your trip went. I have a friend who is going next year and is looking for a group.

[wanderinggirl]

I also want the review as I am going next October and love to read about everyone's experiences. I like to plan, plan, plan--sometimes that is even better than the trip.

[next trip?]

I would also like to read Benita's trip report. We were planning our trip at the same time last year and we don't go until this Nov. I love to read all reports since they are so helpful stating the positives and negatives!

 

Still not sure why it was deleted!

next trip?

[Benita]

Well, since you asked, I guess I can answer. We went on a two week trip in May, to coincide with my 50th birthday - I was feeling kind of old, and figured compared to the 4500 year old pyramids, I was just a tot.

We went with a company - don't know if I can post the name unless somebody asks (hint, hint). As it was off season, I did not expect a large turnout for the tour, and was pleasantly surprised when we found out we were the only two guests. The tour guaranteed departures, as long as there were two of us. We had our same guide, Sam, with us throughout the tour - even on the river boat cruise and on all flights, even to Abu Simbal.

Funny enough, Sam is the same Sam, who was a guide on Seafun's trip. I gather that most guides are independent contractors, but tour companies request the ones that they like. Sam does quite a bit, both with Gate1 and that nameless company that I used (Laura, the Cruse Critic editor will be so proud of me). He likes the large groups (lots of people tipping), but also likes the flexibility of the small groups. As an example, the first day, in Giza, there were sand storms around the pyramids and the sky was murky. The next day, it was beautiful, so he took us back to the pyramids for awhile, instead of going straight to Memphis.

We choose an itinerary that spent several days in Luxor, as we really wanted to have more of an opportunity to spend time in the tombs, as well as see more of the temples than most of the tour itineraries allowed. We had 2 nights in Giza (Mena House), four nights in Luxor (Steigenberger) three nights on the cruise ship (Royal Lotus), two nights in Aswan (Movenpick) and two more nights in Cairo (Marriott). Our tour included a la carte dining in the hotels (or restaurants), with only beverages excluded.

May was a great time to go, in retrospect. No crowds, anywhere - the hotels were half full and the river boat about 40% occupied.

There were no optional tours - included were the climb inside the Great Pyramid - great experience, but our thighs did not let us forget it for several days, the Mummy room at the Cairo Museum - worth it just to see the henna in Ramses II hair), the tomb of King Tut in Luxor - imagine the trill of standing next to his mummy, which has laid there for over 3000 years, and Abu Simbal - which is worth a trip from anywhere.

We had normal flight times - 5pm from Cairo to Luxor, 8am from Aswan to Abu Simbal and 4pm from Aswan to Cairo - no middle of the night wakeup calls - those flights only cost a little more than the 5am ones, but it is a way for tour companies to save a little money. Try to book a tour that flies to Abu Simbal - three hours each way on a bus is not a fun way to spend the day and Egypt Air has it down to a science, even including the shuttles to the temple.

The only extra we did, against Sam's advice was the Light and Sound show at Luxor - he was right, it is a disappointment.

Ours was not a shopping trip. Sam did take us on a horse and buggy ride around the local market in Luxor - you drive right through the middle of it - a great photo opportunity.

The best place for shopping - for cartouches, tee shirts, etc. was in Luxor, in a huge store called Radwan, right near our hotel. No hassles and very little bargaining.

Bring along a small, battery operated fan - I had one that clipped to my vest and every shopkeeper tried to buy it from me, but it certainly came in handy when it got too hot.

Don't eat anything that has not been cooked - including those enticing salads on the cruise ship. No ice, anywhere. Bring along Imodium and Cipro, or something similar, just in case. We took along Tamiflu, but the swine flu had not reached Egypt.

I did post some of our pictures on my husband's web site - I posted the link in a thread a few days ago.

Seafun's review was so thorough, that I do not have much to add, but would be happy to answer any questions.

The link to the photos is http://www.pbase.com/michaelblum/egypt__2009

Edited June 23, 2009 by Benita

[seafun]

You answered several questions I had -- and made me extremely jealous! No middle of the night wake-up calls, Sam all to your self, the Radwan store (I never found that one), and the ability to customize your tour. Here's a "green with envy" smile :D

I commented to someone the other day that "I will go back to Egypt." Maybe in five years or so, when the new Antiquities Museum is open, maybe sooner... But nothing will be like that first wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing your observations! Tom