Egypt

Becles

We're looking to go to Egypt and we're a couple with 2 boys who are interested in seeing the Pyramids, Valley of Kings etc.

Ideally looking for flights from north east to Cairo/Luxor with a 2-4 day stop.
Travelling to Luxor/Cairo for 2-4 days.
Travelling to Sharm or other resort for a week on the beach, then flights home.

I'm not keen on the Nile cruises as they all seem to have included excursions to the sights. I hate being on a 'tourist shuffle' being rushed through by a rep, and would rather have our own time there with a personal guide, so you get to appreciate the bits you really want to see.

Where is the cheapest to book such a holiday - package or DIY? We'd also consider flights from Manchester or London if it was easier/cheaper.

aliasojo

No idea Becles......but I just wanted to say I'm jealous, lol.

I've always had a thing for Egypt, never been there but always wanted to go.

Hope you have a great time.

se999

Hi,

Egypt is on my wish list too. I'm starting to look into things, came accross a site called https://www.bootsnall.com

They seem to specialise in budget 'adventure' type trips, and they do a 13 day family egypt tour. It includes the basic sites, but is a bit different. Max. group size is 12. An example of the difference is transport, the list is: train, bus, plane, donkey, felucca, taxi, metro & camel!

I know it doesn't fit your original plan, but my sons would have loved it when they were younger.

Trips don't include flights to/from UK.

Going with children, I'd want to check the company out a thoroughly first!!

fatboyonadiet

Think package will be cheaper, a friend went and found that the case, they went to Sharm and got the coach to Cairo but wouldn't recommend using that method again

Debt_Free_Chick

I don't know about cheapest, but Kuoni have possibly the most experience in arranging exactly the trip you're after. I did it in 1990 - a week in Cairo (perhaps too long) then a week in Luxor. Did everything ... Museum, mosques, markets & pyramids in Cairo. Flight to Luxor then Valleys, temples, day trip to Aswan.

Kuoni would certainly be able to organise personal guides for you either on the ground when you get there or in advance.

Whilst your kind of trip would often be cheaper DIY, I would take a look at Kuoni as this is exactly the type of thing they offer, as a package. Or any of their packages can be tailor-made. Why not try them so you can benchmark the price, which you can then use for comparisons with others.

Website here

nelly_2

Been looking myself as a backup plan if newyork falls through, erm anyway

found this hotel, a real cracker from the looks of it
http://www.enjoytours.org/En/lemeridianpyramidscairo.htm

Becles

Thanks very much!

It's a honeymoon. We would have liked Mauritius but it was too expensive, so looking for something cheaper!

govenor

DIY is the only way to see Egypt. The last time I went was about 3 years ago, we flew to Luxor, stayed a few days, went to Cairo by train and stayed in a 5* hotel for a couple of nights, train back to Luxor, went on a 5 day cruise to Aswan and back including flight to Abu Simbel, then a few more days in Luxor. The whole 2 weeks cost just over £400 each for everything.

alanrowell

What about this

http://www.explore.co.uk/familyadventures/moreinfo.jsp?tourbroxid=12321&xl=1 - £460 plus flights or £660 inclusive

If you give them a bell they'll tell you how to extend the trip to include Sharm.

Personally I'd book flights to Sharm for 2 weeks, travel to Alexandria (or Cairo) to meet up with the group taking time to visit St Katherines & Mt Sinai, then back to Sharm on day 9. Unless you are willing to pay for flights between Cairo & Sharm you are stuck with the bus / taxi

Eliza252

If you dont like the idea of Nile Cruises and your going DIY and your up to going a bit basic - consider going down the Nile on a Felucca?
They are traditional Egyptian sailing boats, you can hire them to take you down the river and visit all the sights on the way temples etc (1-2 days), they stop where and when you want them to stop - so no rushing back to the boat if it takes your fancy to stay a bit longer - they provide the food (which was very good if basic, one of the only times i didnt have a stomach upset while travalling there!) and you sleep out under the stars. It was one of the most amazing things I did - sailing down the river peacefully on the open deck watching all the glitzy flashy tourist boats go past. Plus the crew on board were really friendly and knew all the locals on the river banks so we actually got to speak to some 'real' people if that doesnt sound a weird thing to say!
- Its not luxury traval though, i.e there is no toilets and no below deck and you MUST make sure you book via reputable traval company!
Just a thought hope it helps!....

se999

Becles - Congratulations, best wishes for wedding and honeymoon plans.

Eliza252 - Please can I have more information on how to book these Felucca's - other than the sites, sailing on the felucca's is top of my wish list.