50 Things to Know Before Going to Egypt – Travel Travel Guide, Budget & Addresses
We have just passed 12 incredible days in Egypt. We have noted a number of things to know to makeyour future trip to Egypt easier, whether you want to do as we do (i.e. opt for a 100% customized luxury trip), or in a backpack/roots, or on an organized tour.
Before leaving
1. Don’t be afraid of insecurity
provided that you limit your movements in tourist areas (and recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). It is a country that has lost a lot of tourists since the Arab Spring Revolution in 2011 and they are trying to boost tourism. The security is reinforced, everyone is aware of the importance of getting tourists back and do everything possible to avoid creating a “bad buzz”. There are several routes that are done with military convoys to ensure maximum security, the police is present everywhere. There are check-points everywhere. More info on this point here
2. A trip without an organized tour, it’s in preparation
If you are planning a trip to Egypt in backpack mode (read our recommended program & budget here), don’t expect to arrive there with your hands in your pocket and find out on the spot what there is to do. We aren’t in Thailand, you have to inquire a minimum. The cruises do not leave every day, you may have to wait 3 days before the departure of a boat. To leave with an up to date travel guide, combined with recent elements picked up on the forums is ideal. Besides, Egypt has a very good 4G connection if you want to check some information on the spot. Don’t believe everything you are told, check the information (e.g. if someone tells you that it is impossible to visit the pyramids without the camels, then they are lying to you).
Here I explain how I planned my trip
3. You can’t make long car trips without declaring it
Because of the check-points everywhere, you cannot leave a city by car without prior permission. So if you want to go to Abu Simbel from Aswan for example, you have to book *at least* one day in advance so that your driver/agency has time to declare the trip and get permission. But if you travel by plane, no permission is needed.
So, before you come, prepare plenty of passport copies to give to your agency/driver the day before departure. They will need them to declare your trip.
4. The visa can be obtained on the spot
25$ or 25€, to be paid in foreign currency. As soon as you arrive at the airport, and before immigration, locate the bank counter. Go there to buy a tax stamp like this one to stick on your passport, before passing the immigration.
If you leave with the organized tours, they will make you pay more for a visa. And even if you have already obtained one before coming, they still charge an extra 30€. Read the asterisks on your contract.
5. As a woman, it’s best to cover up a little bit
Out of respect for local customs (almost all Egyptian women are veiled), and also to avoid sunburn and mosquito bites in the evening, come with loose, covering and opaque clothes. Here, Egyptians do not touch each other (0 kiss please), so especially if you travel alone, be careful not to give a “green light” in spite of yourself. Avoid hanging out alone late at night, wearing miniskirts, tank tops, sitting alone at the café. On the other hand, if you go to the Red Sea, you can be in a bikini on the beach of your hotel without any problem.
Here is the style of clothes I wear to visit the temples.
6. Even if it’s not too hot in winter, the sun hits hard all year round
7. No, Christmas isn’t the ideal time to visit Egypt
It’s really cold in the evening. The ideal times to visit Egypt : February/March and October/November, not too hot/cold, no sandstorms.
8. To put in your suitcase:
- Sunscreen SPF50++ in large quantities
- A big hat (I particularly like the one that is anti-UV and that covers the neck at Decathlon)
- Sunglasses
- A shawl to protect you from the sun, the dust, the cold (in the evening)
- A fleece for the evening (especially on the Nile)
- A few bags of smecta (hopefully you won’t need them)
- Very moisturizing cream (we are almost in the desert, the skin will be mistreated)
- A few euros (especially if you have excusions or hotels to pay on the spot – some prices may be posted and payable in euros or dollars); otherwise tell your bank that you are going to Egypt and withdraw the money on the spot. You can withdraw about 2000LE (the equivalent of 100 €) at a time. Be careful, ATMs are often empty. You will be more likely to find ATMs full of money near 5 star hotels.
9. Everybody understands Egyptian Arabic, but not the other way around
If you plan to learn Arabic, it can be a “profitable” apprenticeship since you can express yourself and make yourself understood in many Arab countries… because Egypt is the Hollywood of Arab countries. But you won’t understand the answers. Egyptian Arabic is different from modern Arabic, so pay attention to the Arabic courses that you can find on the Internet. Learnhow to say “no thanks” (la choukran) because you will repeat it all day long to the beaters. Then download the Arabic dictionary offline on your phone (Google Translate). And ask for a business card at your hotel so that you can show the address in Arabic to the cab driver when you want to return home.
10. Egypt is expensive
The cost of living is very low, but they have fun with the tourists on the entrance tickets, between 5€ and 50€. 10€ on average, I let you calculate! There are so many temples, tombs, sites and museums to see that it represents a small budget. The cruises on the boats aren’t given. Gasoline is expensive everywhere in the world, and when at least ten people are at your service on the boat… well that makes the bill go up.
However, it is possible to go independently, according to our estimated travel budget for Egypt (2019 ):
- for 965€/person (without cruise), in a backpack
- 1600€ with an organized tour cruise ship
- and from 2200€ in dahabiya (luxury, a traditional sailboat, 14 people max).
ALL INCLUDED (plane, local fees, tip, visa etc.)
The ideal program: I highly recommend finishing in Cairo because it has NOTHING to do with the rest – the day by day program and budgets in backpack/independent mode here, in luxury mode here
- arrival in Luxor and visit of the surroundings of Luxor. If you have time to spend an extra day in Dendera and Abydos
- cruise on the Nile to Aswan (or by car if you don’t have a lot of money/time)
- round trip to Abu Simbel from Aswan (by car or plane). We strongly advise you to spend a night in Abu Simbel and visit the site at sunrise.
- flight to Cairo and we finish in beauty with the visit of the Cairo museum and the pyramids. If you have time, spend an afternoon in Saqqarah
Excursions, Cruises and Tours
11. For organized tours, please read the small *
There is no shortage of all-inclusive tours for Egypt. But read the list of included excursions and optional tours carefully. It isn’t uncommon, if you *not* opt for the optional tours, to do nothing for one or two days because those days have been specifically reserved for the optional tours. It is important to list and compare everything. Like what I did with this Excel file (feel free to leave a comment if you want to receive my pre-filled Excel) . The web version is available and online here
12. A one-day guided tour (private or group) can easily be booked
It is advisable to visit the country accompanied by a guide. On the one hand, the presence of a local guide will help you to be less bothered by the many beaters. But on the other hand, the guides will give you a very interesting and more complete insight than paper guides.
The important thing is to choose a good agency that will send you a good guide and a nice driver. Thus, you can opt for private tours, without having to resort to all-inclusive group tours, and choose your own hotel, book your own plane …
You will find the contact details of the boss of the Egyptian agency we went through (Mohamed) at the end of this article
13. Hotel excursions are more expensive
Hotels rarely have their own tour desk. Do not go through them to book an excursion, the price will be more expensive because they add their commission to the price charged by travel agencies. Instead, book online, or contact one of the many agencies in the city.
You need a real guide, and if possible, an Egyptologist. Many “fake guides” will tell tourists anything. In addition, many experienced guides have changed jobs as a result of the fall of post-revolutionary tourism, they have been replaced by junior guides with very random experience and skills.
14. Thereare 5 types of cruise ships in Egypt
- Feluccas(felucca in English): old sailing boats, which travel rather in the direction Aswan – Edfu*. The comfort is Spartan because there is no room, you sleep on the deck with other travelers, dock on the shore for toilet breaks (camping atmosphere) and you wash yourself in the Nile (there is no crocodile, don’t worry). This is the cheapest option. I was told about a more luxurious felucca: www.nilebreeze.com but I have not tested it personally. Les Gréements du Nil also offers some. Price: between 350€ and 500€/person. The proposed cuisine is Egyptian, homemade.
- Modern cruise boats (200 passengers), faster, more comfortable but more “club med”. These boats will moor for 2 days in Luxor, without moving, so that you can visit the temples and the Valley of the Kings. Be careful, many excursions aren’t included in the basic price. Price: between 300€ and 450€/person + 250€ of additional excursions (minimum). The proposed cuisine is international.
- Dahabiya: renovated traditional sailing boats (10 to 20 passengers). We have travelled on a boat like this one (see our travel diary) with Les Gréements du Nil (which I recommend). Price: between 750€ and 1200€/person. The proposed cuisine is Egyptian, homemade by a chef.
- Sandal: it is an old sailing boat, used to transport materials (6 to 8 passengers). It is smaller than the dahabiya while offering similar comfort (private room & bathroom). But who says smaller says more expensive. TheNile Rigging also offersthem. Price: 750€ to 1000€/person or more. The proposed cuisine is Egyptian, homemade.
- Steamboats are also the most expensive option. In “Murder on the Nile” mode. Price: within 2000$/person. The proposed kitchen is half Egyptian, half international.
* big boats usually leave from Luxor, but small boats like dahabiya and feluccas don’t go to Luxor, they will moor at Esna (dahabiya, sandal) or Edfu (felucca). However, all the cruise companies that depart from/stop in Esna will offer you free car transportation between your hotel in Luxor and Esna.
15. We can still take steamboats
finally… who still use diesel, but the look is nice: The historic Steam Ship Sudan (which now goes to Dendera). We can also mention the boat M/S Eugenie (which travels on lake Nasser).
16. There is no cruise Cairo -> Abu Simbel
From Cairo, there are very few cruises to Luxor, but we can offer you a short trip of a few hours by felucca (not recommended because it is less beautiful than in Luxor). Because of the dam in Aswan, it isn’t possible to make the trip from Luxor to Abu Simbel on a single boat, you will have to get off and change boats in Aswan.
That’s why most of the cruises you will find go from Luxor to Aswan and vice versa. The few cruises that go to Abu Simbel offer you another boat that sails on Lake Nasser, including the visit of Abu Simbel. This other boat is more robust to counter crocodile attacks on Lake Nasser. By taking this boat, you can sleep more, while those who take the bus from Aswan often leave at 4am and stay only 2 hours.
17. You can visit the same thing as the cruise ships by car.
Contrary to popular belief, the sites visited by Nile cruise ships are accessible by car. However, some of the stops served by the *sailing boats* aren’t easily accessible by car.
So if you have a small budget, visit the temples by car (drive from Luxor to Aswan in one day with two stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo) and for a leisurely ride on the Nile, opt for a one-hour felucca ride in Aswan (15€/person).
18. Lake Nasser
Visits by cruises on Lake Nasser are only possible by boat (except Abu Simbel which is accessible by car/plane).
Cruises on Lake Nasser are carried out with large boats or, more recently, dahabiyas. Beware there are crocodiles on Lake Nasser so do not jump off the bridge 🙂
19. The dabahbiya and sandals have an emergency tugboat
When we do Luxor – Aswan, we go up the Nile. In the other direction, we go down the Nile. Dahabiya boats can sail up the Nile with sails, but if there is no wind, they can sail with a tugboat. This allows to have less noise (than having an integrated engine).
20. The dahabiya do not all have the same “values”
Beware, a dahabiya with an engine on board isn’t a traditional dahabiya (dahabiyas being more expensive, some have found the trick and create “modern” dahabiyas, where the sails are open only to take pictures). The mention “no engine aboard” should reassure you. If the boat goes up the Nile in 3 days, you have to ask yourself questions (ask the agency). The two dahabiya companies that have very good returns are : Les Gréements du Nil(with whom we traveled) and Nour et Nil.
Here is a list(not exhaustive) of the names of traditional dahabiya and sandals. We left with the boat EL KHEDEWI, a marvel!
21. Gratuities to crew members & guide aren’t included
Whether you are on a large cruise ship or a small sailing boat, you must take into account the extra tip to be given to the crew and the guide. This varies between 50$ and 100$/tourist, depending on the number of staff, service etc. If you don’t know how much to give, ask your agency. It is inconceivable not to tip at the end of the cruise.
Beware many organized tours don’t talk about it, since it’s a kind of local etiquette, but now you’ve been warned!
22. Drinks aren’t always included on cruise ships
It is thus a (small) budget to be planned in addition because some boats forbid tourists to bring drinks on board. Read the asterisks!Attention: with the Gréements du Nil ( our sailboat in any case), drinks (non-alcoholic) were available all daylong.
23. Electricity isn’t available 24/24 on *sailing* boats
So no excessive air-conditioning, but traditional boats are made not to need it precisely. During our cruise, a generator (which makes noise and pollutes) was on when we woke up (to have hot water) and after sunset until 10pm (to have light). On *cruise boats*, you have electricity and Wifi H24.
24. 4G is fast
If you absolutely need Internet on your sailboat, it is possible to buy SIM cards in Luxor (or Cairo). Avoid buying it at the airport, but rather go to Vodafone stores, the price will be 2 to 3 times cheaper (more info here). The speed is excellent and we have never seen areas without network (except in the desert between Aswan and Abu Simbel).
25. Visiting Egypt based in Hurghada? Find out first!
Many travelers jump on the all-inclusive offers in Hurghada (hotel only), with the intention of then making day trips to Luxor or Cairo. Please inquire well in advance. The flight from Paris to Hurghada isn’t direct and lasts between 7:30 and 9:00 am (unless you have direct charter flights). Here is an example of rates for 2 persons, one week, flights included
Forday tripsfrom Hurghada to Cairo, you stay on site for 1h30 to 2 hours maximum because the car ride (round trip) already lasts 10 hours + shopping stops of one hour.
If possible, take a 1.5 day tour with overnight stay. I read on the Internet that you can, through travel agencies in downtown Hurghada, spend 1 day in Luxor and 2 days in Cairo (including overnight stay) for 120€/person with an English-speaking guide (2018 rates).
You can also book online an excursion in French from Hurghada to Luxor (64€) here or for 42€ (no entrance fee) here, or a journée jusqu’au Caire (64€) ici, without overnight stay.
Transport
26. Uber exists in Cairo
and it will save you endless negotiations with cab drivers. If you don’t have Uber yet, use the code uberUBERTOP to get a 5 € credit. Needless to say, it’s better to have 3G with you all the time, which implies that you need to buy a SIM card as soon as you arrive (we advise you to buy in town and not at the airport).
27. Always negotiate before getting into a cab
Cabs will try to rip you off. Agree on the fare because there is little chance they will put the meter on. Sit next to the driver, like a real Egyptian (only if you are a man), and don’t be surprised if he takes other people on the road. If you are a woman, sit in the back seat. And don’t forget, before getting out of the cab, we tip (10 to 20 pounds). More info on scams in Egypt here
28. The metro exists in Cairo
even if it does not go directly to the pyramids (you have to get off at the Omm el-Misryeen station (line 2) and take a mini-bus). There are cars reserved for women.
29. You can go around the pyramids on camel back, on horseback or in a horse-drawn carriage
You’ll hear about this because everyone around the pyramids has only one goal: to sell you this ride. Be aware that the animals aren’t very well treated (and the horses aren’t at all adapted for this type of ride), and negotiate the prices BEFOREhand.
It would be annoying to be taken hostage on the back of a dromedary (and not be able to get off), just because its master wants to scratch you some extra money. FYI, we paid 25€/30 minutes/person for a camel ride. But the real price had to be 10€/30 minutes/person (+ 1€ tip).
Tickets
30. There are tickets/fees to be paid in addition
The basic entrance to the sites usually does not allow to visit the most famous/exceptional things, for example the solar barks at the pyramids, the tomb of Sethi I, the mummy rooms at the Egyptian museum… for this, you have :
- or combined tickets: what they call “pass”. ask for information before the visit, it is the case for example of the Egyptian museum and the pyramids
- or tickets in addition: it is the case for example of the tombs of Tutankhamun (I do not recommend), Ramses VI (I recommend, it isn’t expensive in addition, 5€), Sethi 1st (oh that yes! 50€ for a wonder!), Nefertari (yes yes yes! it is the best tomb of all Egypt, 60€).
These extra tickets are to be bought at the entrance, you can’t think and then buy the ticket in front of Sethi 1st’s tomb for example.
If you are going on a tour package or day trip and want to take these supplements, find out if :
- they are provided for in the program
- or if you have to pay them yourself
- if you have enough time to visit them (usually not, but you can skipper one or two tombs included in the basic ticket to spend a wonderful time in the tomb of Sethi 1st – a marvel)
31. You can visit the inside of the pyramids
for an extra charge. You have to choose which pyramid you want to discover the entrails and buy the corresponding ticket at the entrance of the Giza site. The great pyramid costs 300LE (we recommend!), the other 40LE. Pictures inside are strictly forbidden and don’t count on your tip to bribe the guards, the other guards might report you (or you’ll have to water everyone). You aren’t allowed to climb the pyramids either. Here is a picture of the inside of the Great Pyramid (found on the Internet).
32. There are two entrances to the pyramid complex.
The first entrance (where there are mainly Egyptians and a very long queue) is right next to our hotel Egypt Pyramids Inn (link Booking). It is 10 meters from the Sound and Light entrance. The other entrance (where there is never anybody, reserved for tourists) is right next to Mena House (link Booking). I recommend you, if you are backpacking/travelling independently, to try the Egyptian entrance but very early in the morning (7h-7h30).
33. We can now take pictures *without flash* inside the graves
(at the Valley of the Kings and Queens) – except the tombs of Seti I, Nefertari, and Tutankhamen. The right to the photos will cost you 300LE, in addition to the entrance ticket. The control is systematic so buy this ticket at the valley office.
34. Photos can be taken for an extra ticket
for the Egyptian Museum (50 LE), in Abu Simbel (300 LE), in Saqqarah (300 LE)
Photos inside the Pyramids are FORBIDDEN.
35. Weekend in Egypt starts on Friday
and finishes on Saturday. There are a little less people and beaters on Fridays, especially during the noon prayer on Fridays, but they come back in force on Saturdays.
36. Students pay 50% less
Entrance tickets are half price for students with an international student card. Remember to ask for it before your trip.
37. There are passes for Luxor and Cairo
They are valid for 5 days to visit all the archaeological sites (or museums) in Cairo or Luxor. Some monuments (which require an additional ticket) are included in these passes. It is advantageous if you stay several days in the same city. It’s a bit hard to find these passes, they are sold in a small hidden office in Luxor (I don’t know where exactly). I only have the rates before November 2018, in my opinion, after November 2018, it has increased again.
38. RATES November 2018
- A small bottle of water at the supermarket: 5LE
- A large bottle of water at the supermarket: 10LE
- One SIM card + 12Go : 215LE (more info here)
- Dish at the restaurant: between 50 LE (tourist restaurant) and 200 LE (high end)
- Drinks at the restaurant: between 20 LE and 3$ (or 60 LE). This rate applies to organized tours where the dish is included in the price, but not the drinks
- Drinks at the restaurant: à la carte, between 10 LE and 25 LE only.
Be careful, the entrance fees have been strongly increased recently, to match the fall of the Egyptian pound. So pay attention to the prices you get on the Routard, Lonely Planet or others. My prices are from November 2018 (the most recent ones). Unfortunately, I only have rates for the monuments/temples I visited. Not the sites I haven’t visited, so it’s a bit restricted, sorry.
[ninja_tables id=”23106″]
Spoiler Alert: Egypt isn’t Disneyland
39. Pyramids aren’t in the middle of nowhere in the desert
but in the immediate vicinity of the city of Cairo – And the Sphinx has been staring at PizzaHut for a few years (with greed?). Fortunately for tourists, the other side remains desert, just to take pictures on the back of the camel and pretend to be in the middle of the desert . For more information about the pyramids, click here
40. Nothing is free in Egypt
Expect to be asked for a tip for the slightest gesture and advice. If someone gives you something and says it’s free, don’t believe it, it’s never free. The culture of tipping is very strong in Egypt, everyone is waiting for you to give them something in addition to the advertised price: from the waiter at the hotel to the driver, the temple guard, the suitcase carrier and the chambermaid. There are more or less recent articles on the amount of tip acceptable to give everyone. In any case, in order not to have to distribute 1€ coins to everyone (useless for Egyptians because they can only exchange bills), equip yourself with small Egyptian bills (5LE, 10LE, 20LE) which corresponds to less than 1€.
Small denominations are a bit difficult to find in Egypt (we tried to make change many times but restaurants don’t necessarily have any), so before leaving, it’s worth asking your French bank to give you some change: about fifty 1 dollar bills
Here are the tips I gave, as an indication:
- suitcase carrier at the hotel: 5LE to 10LE
- cleaning lady: 20LE/day (I leave money on the coffee table)
- private guide for one day: 200LE to 250LE for two (if he didn’t take us shopping)
- private driver for one day : 100LE to 150LE for two (if he didn’t take us shopping)
- tips for the crew and the boat guide: each tourist gives a minimum of 50$ (question to ask your agency)
- at the restaurant: 20LE minimum, otherwise 10% of the bill
- cab: round up, or 10LE if it was nice
- camel ride: 25LE/tourist
- temple/tomb guard: if he ever granted us access to a forbidden part or allowed us to take pictures without flash: 20LE. If he just follows us to show us things without interest: nada!
In Egypt, everyone expects a tip, but it must be done discreetly. The Egyptian technique (which you will learn to use): fold the banknote(s) in four and put it in the palm of your hand. Shake hands to thank and as if by magic, the banknote will disappear 🙂
For the cruise, we decided to put the tip (in euros) in an envelope and gave it to the captain at the last dinner, entrusting him with the responsibility to share it equitably.
41. Behave like a walking ATM
In the beginning, we were quite stressed and bothered by the fact that we had to constantly give money and especially to find small change (it was too difficult to change it). Fortunately, I had a small collection of 1$ that I distributed to everyone. And when I put myself in the mode “I’ve already taken these tips into account in my budget”, right away, the mentality changes.
We are less bothered to contribute a little to the Egyptian economy and round off the end of the month for poorly paid employees. On our blog, for all our budget estimates, we have provided a small “tip” envelope for you to take into account in your calculations.
Note: Be prepared to be asked for a lot on the street. If a cab or a guide calls you and asks you for your plan for the next day, tell them that you already have a guide or that you are going on an organized tour (even if it’s not true :D), it’s the magic phrase to get them to leave you alone.
42. Be prepared for lots of shopping stops
If you pay for a private tour, tell your driver & guide right away that you don’t feel like shopping (in this case, increase their tip). This will avoid them to stop 2 shopping stops before and after the pyramids visit and make you lose time (1h to 2h easily). It will also save you the embarrassing moment when the store clerk gives you a long explanation / demonstration, doubles the kindness, offers you a drink… Hoping that you will go to the checkout when you know you’re not going to buy anything. If you like shopping, you should know that the prices at the papyrus and perfume museum are exorbitant. If you want to buy some, either go to the Cairo Bazaar (very touristy anyway, negotiate severely) or to the airport.
My favorite addresses in Egypt
43. There are hotels very close to the pyramids
And I strongly recommend you to opt for a hotel near the Giza Pyramids (instead of sleeping in the center of Cairo, very polluted). In some modest hotels, you can see the Pyramids from your window for only 80-100€/night (the price of the view! The night in a 5-star hotel with a view of the pyramids is around 400€).
The terraces of these hotels are ideal to see the Sound and Light show in front of the Pyramids, without paying the entrance fee (a saving of 12.5€/person). The one I recommend (we spent two nights there) is Egypt Pyramids Inn (link Booking, where I took the picture below). The hotel is very recent and we can feel that the team is discovering the hotel business but it is largely compensated by their kindness, their desire to do well and the very reasonable price for the place.
These modest hotels are next to the entrance reserved for Egyptians (where it is always crowded) and the Sound & Light show.
However, the 5-star hotels, and especially the mythical Mena House( booking link , 200$/night) is right next to the entrance reserved for tourists (where there is never anybody, but a bit far from the Son & Lumière show – 15 minutes walk). This hotel is extremely close to the Great Pyramid (you can see it from the hotel’s gardens) and has been quoted in many books and comics.
At the time we went to Egypt (November 2018), the historic wing was closed for work. So inquire before paying the high price to hear hammers.
44. It will take a lot of money to imitate Agatha Christie
The two very famous hotels where Agatha Christie stayed are : Winter Palace in Luxor (link Booking, 120€++/night) and Old Cataract in Aswan (link Booking, 250€++/night). Please note that these hotels have been enlarged and have modern vs. antique parts. You should choose the old building (Winter Palace, not the new Pavilion; and Old Cataract, not the New Cataract).
It was at Winter Palace that Agatha Christie wrote her novel “Murder on the Nile”. And François Mitterrand had his quarters in Old Cataract. These two hotels (with swimming pool) are so beautiful that you feel like you are in a movie.
45. I recommend the following restaurants:
- in Luxor: Maxim (Egyptian/international restaurant) or El Saltana (café, very nice), both owned by Sara, who is also the owner of our Nile Rigging boat. From Winter Palace, you can pay 30 LE to go there by carriage.
- in Cairo: NaguibMahfouz in IslamicCairo. Be careful when you enter you will come across the café, you have to ask to settle down at the restaurant which is on the right when you enter. The stuffed pigeon is to fall. Count 20€ to 30€/person
- in Aswan: ElMasry, not far from the souk, Egyptian dishes to fall.
46. My favorite contacts :
- Les Gréements du Nil(link to their site) The best luxury cruise company. Opt for a dahabiya or a sandal at Les Gréements du Nil, it’s to be quiet and spend a luxury vacation with a superbly done program. It is also to have a well paid, well treated crew, and to participate indirectly to the improvement of the living comfort of the locals. We recommend you to go directly with them, without any intermediary, this will allow you to exchange directly with Sara, the boss, and to have all the information you want. Read the detailed notice about our cruise with them
- Following many requests (by private message and in commentary), the Egyptian agency with whom we left is held by Mr. Mohamed Zakaria (more information about this agency at the end of this article)
To know more about it
47. Agatha Christie doesn’t only write detective novels
Agatha Christie was married to archaeologist Max Mallowan and followed him on many excavations. In the story Come, Tell Me How You Live (1946), translated into French by The novelist and the archaeologistshe told the story of how the expeditions were conducted. Highly recommended reading, especially if you plan to visit the Valley of the Kings/Valley of the Queens.
48. The pyramids may not be royal tombs
There areother theories.There is another highly recommended read for those who visit the Sphinx and the pyramids and who are sensitive to the spiritual: The secret Egypt of the writer Paul Brunton who spent a night in the Great Pyramid and had an “out-of-body” experience.The documentary The Pyramid Code on Netflix explains why some people think that thepyramids were giant batteries and that ancient civilizations had access to electricity.
49. To be consulted :
Visit the site http://www.thebanmappingproject.com/ the map and photos of all the tombs in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor
50. Check out our blog!
Read all our travel diaries as well as the program and budget detailed day by day here
Day 1: Arrival in Luxor, the Winter Palace Hotel
Day 2: Valley of the Kings & Queens + Luxor Temple and Hatshepsut Temple
Day 3: Karnak Temple & start of the Nile Cruise
Day 4: El Kab and Temple of Edfu
Day 5: Visit of two Egyptian villages
Day 6: Career + Walk
Day 7: Kom Ombo Temple, visit of Daraw
Day 8 : Temple of Philae
Day 9: Temples of Abu Simple + unfinished obelisk
Day 10 & 11: Cairo Museum, Giza Pyramids & Saqqarah
Day 12: Islamic Cairo
In short: Egypt needs you! You have to go to Egypt at least once in your life, it is an extraordinary journey that awaits you! Have a good trip!