Any Advice on Egypt

jennron

going down the Nile in feb ( end of) any helpful advice, money changing !cost of things !weather! . what not to bring ect ect

thanks

jenny

saveapenny

take plenty of hand gel and a good hat or a brollie for shade
Use the gel each time you handle anything. The money is filfy so use it anytime you touch the money.
Weather should be about 75-80 on average but feeling alot warmer aroun the temples were very little or no shade

asea

be respectful of Egyptian culture - cover up & remember that you are in a Middle Eastern country

Don't carry large amounts of cash with you

You can (& are expected to!) barter



Take a brolly for any temple/outdoor visits

Keep lots of small change (in one Egyptian pound notes) you are expected to tip nearly everybody

have a nice trip

Voyager2002

Is the boat on the Nile a cruise? It will have a bar, but with very high prices. If you like a drink (or three) then try to bring your own supplies. Even better, if you have a case of beer and are willing to share then you will be the most popular person on board (at least with the passengers).

luxor4t

Take a look at the Tripadvisor Luxor and Nile River Valley forums, there is plenty of excellent advice there!

My best tips:
- take water onto the plane because they ALWAYS sell out and you will need it for the coach to the boat

- buy your Visa at the banking kiosks at Luxor Airport for £10 sterling, you should get some change back. Buying visas from the Consulate in the UK will cost approx £25.

- change your currency in Egypt for approx 10% more . In August the UK rate was almost LE10 to £1, but in Luxor it was LE11.3 to £1.

-check out Martin's tips re ACM cards but bear in mind the ACMs are only in Luxor and Aswan & may be in arabic if not in a hotel.

- wash hands regularly, always wash before eating, use hand gel, avoid ice / unpeeled fruit /salads etc unless you are SURE they have been washed in mineral water

- drink loads of bottled water to avoid dehydration. Sun hats , high factor cream etc etc The heat is dry, so it is bearable.

- don't waste money on UK medication for 'holiday tummy'. The local stuff is more effective, and may be free on the boat!

- the boats operate a tab system, you pay at the end. We kept a running total (just in case) and bought bottled water before going back to the boat. In the hotel shop it was LE2, in the bar it LE10 for 2 litres. we also bought soft drinks in 2 litre bottles for around LE5.

- don't try to 'window shop' unless you can keep moving while you look(mirrored sunglasses are great), expect to be 'hassled' to buy and enjoy haggling!

- always count your money out as you pay so that you don't give anybody chance to 'flip' a note (eg you give LE100, they say it is LE10) Rare, but does happen sometimes.As the money has Arabic and european numbers it can be confusing

- pack light as the boats have great (cheap) laundry services

- take pens, boiled sweets etc for the kids as they love to practise their English. Begging is forbidden but kids will offer you small packs of tissues for LE 1 (10p)

I love the country, and would go back in a heartbeat, so ENJOY!

jennron

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Is the boat on the Nile a cruise? It will have a bar, but with very high prices. If you like a drink (or three) then try to bring your own supplies. Even better, if you have a case of beer and are willing to share then you will be the most popular person on board (at least with the passengers).

Im all inclusive so trhe booze should be free!!!!!!!!!! I will make sure |I bring pens for the children.

bristol_pilot

You should take one item of fairly warm clothing. It gets chilly in Feb at night in the north (I wore my fleece one night in Cairo in Feb) and at night in the desert.

Best not to swim in the Nile, but if you do swim enter the water from the boat away from the bank where the current is flowing, not close in around the bank where the nasties are concentrated.

Opinion is divided on whether you should bring pens/sweets etc for kids, personally I am against it. Certainly it wasn't EXPECTED when I was there, unlike tipping adults for services rendered which is. If you have paid for an all-inclusive holiday that includes a pre-paid allowance for tips, unfortunately this money often does not get to the people who actually do stuff for you and tipping on top will be expected. (Personally I will not book with a company that collects for tips in advance as this money often just disappears into someone's pocket).

If you get a free day in Luxor and a chance to do an independent tour of some of the tombs outside of the big groups then go for it, it's a great experience. Try and see the tomb of Nefertari if possible, it is quite special.

Many shopkeepers are highly educated and knowledgeable about Egyptian history. Worth talking to, whether you buy or not. I never got any hassle in a shop, only some street traders but even then it was all very friendly. To say 'no', don't just say no as this can be taken as a bargaining ploy (you don't like the price) - say you don't have any money and they go away.

Egypt is pretty safe compared with many other places, enjoy!