Al Karnak Travel Forum

I will be staying at the Sofitel, Karnak for a couple of weeks in late June early July 2006. Looking for general advice about exploring in the area, the temples, across the Nile to Valley of the Kings etc. Also good restaurants/bars within walking distance of hotel.

Many thanks,

P.

hello Paul, you`ll find lots of tips and advice here, just use the search box [above and to the right]
you may have more choices if you search under Luxor instead of Karnak

It will be very hot then. Hope you are a early bird. You should be up and having breakfast by 6, then onto the sites. Most temples, tombs, sites open at 6am. I was there in early may and it averaged 42C every day and by 11 it was too hot to be bearable. Bring a hat. Where linen/cotton long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Drink lots of water. Baraka is the cheapest water, but is very heavy in the mineral content and it tastes like it. Might want to try Dasani or Nestle instead. Just take a taxi across to the Valley of the kings/queens, Hatshesput temple, the Colossi etc. Get a good guide book and do your own tour instead of hiring a guide. There are usually many taxis outside the hotels and you should be able to find one with a good command of english or which ever language you want. You might enjoy the show at the Movenpick Jolle. Its not cheap, but includes a sunset cruise on the nile, a robe to keep, full supper buffet, drinks and a show with musicians, belly dancer, sufi dancer and snake charmer. Book it through the hotel directly instead of an agent. It will cost you less.

Hi there! My husband and I stayed at the Sofitel for 2 nights when we went with a tour group right before thanksgiving. Ask for a room that has already been renovated!!!! The first night we stayed we were in a really shabby room with mold in the bathroom, very dirty carpets and worn out furniture. As this was the first hotel we stayed in when we arrived in Cairo, we just accepted this as being the norm for Egypt. But when we came back at the end of our tour and stayed there again we got a really nice room. Thats when we found out that they are redoing the rooms and we had been in the rooms not redecorated yet. Also, there is a very interesting view from the roof of the pyramids off in the distance (if the smog isn't bad that day!). The buffet was very good and safe to eat.

As we were with a tour, we did all the touristy things while there but I can't help you with the transportation issue, as we were bussed everywhere and VERY well guarded (on bus/tourist sites). Why are your going there in July? There is a reason tourists go in the winter!!! It was very nice weather wise while we were there, but when you will be going you are really going to suffer, especially at the valley of the kings inside the tombs! You might want to go to Karnak in the evening. The lighting is fantastic! When we were there it was a full moon and we shot alot of pictures with moon over the temple. Turned out great! The Cairo museum was very interesting but sadly the exhibits were not well presented in my opinion. They are supposed to be building a new building (hopefully better designed!). One thing I would have done while visiting the hanging church that I didn't was to walk in the cemetary outside the church. It looked very interesting to me.

I hope this helps a little!