Cyprus Travel Forum

we fly to cyprus in 3 week. i heard that you can book a trip for the day to see the pyramids. is that true, and if so what possible cost per adult / child. i have my 12 boy who would love the surprise of going there on a trip.

be grateful for any advice on email jasonlloyd@blueyonder.co.uk

Hiya

Where on Cyprus are you staying? I think you’d fly from Pathos, even from Pathos it would be an early start from your hotel and a much earlier one from Aiya Napa. Either way a day trip might be hard work for a 12 year old, particularly in August, you’d be leaving your hotel in very early hours and getting back after midnight having spent a lot of time in airports and the legendary Cairo traffic. an over-nighter would be better, have a look at www.regency-travel.com/shortairbreaks.html

The least hassle would involve a ‘mini cruise’, you leave in the afternoon, get to Egypt the next morning, take an organised excursion to the pyramids, get back on the boat in the evening and you’re back on Cyprus the next morning. There is entertainment and stuff on the boat so the journey is a pleasure instead of being an ordeal. Have a look at www.louiscruises.com and www.cruisecyprus.com/

It’s going to be hot in August, very hot and if your boy is really into Egypt it may be worth weighing up what you’ll pay for a trip from Cyprus with the cost of a short break (from the UK?) at some other time.

Regards

Mark

Yes, you can do this.

It is offered by tour companies, and by the local daytrip agents.

You will need to book as soon as you can when you arrive: it is a very popular trip. I believe daytrips only go once a week (there may be more in high season). My flight was completely full.

The cost last Christmas was 100Cyprus pounds: there is very little difference in cost between companies/agents. Price included:

early pick-up from hotel (6.30)
return flight with Egypt Air (with meals/snacks)
tour guide/security cars/security guard for daytour of Cairo by coach
visits to Muhammad Ali mosque, Pyramids at Giza, visit to Sphinx, lunch in hotel, visit to papyrus/souvenir shop, visit to Cairo Museum (only time to see Tutankhamun galleries), trip on Nile with meal/entertainment, return to hotel at around 11.30 pm. All entrances were included.

Some tour operators may vary this itinerary.

It will be a tiring day, but packed with wonderful things (not least tthe sheer culture shock of Cairo and its traffic).

An alternative is to cruise there: more expensive, as you stay overnight(s) on the ship.

Egypt will be very, very hot when you go so prepare clothes, sunscreen etc accordingly.

I should have said that the flights go from Paphos airport, so the timings (and price comments) relate to Paphos hotels.

We did this trip a few years back. It is expensive and it is worth every penny! A really fantastic day. You can book it via the web,do a Google search but there were a number of tour companies in Limasol that offered this - If you're on a package deal the tour rep will help. We flew from Paphos. If you're planning to do this trip would suggest that you get some Egyptian currency as we had a an hour or so to spend in the kazbah - it is a long day - pick up at about 5am and back to hotel by about 1am the following day. There was some talk of also doing day trips from Cyprus to Valley of Kings - don't know whether this has happened. Remember to buy some bottled water to take with you otherwise you will get it sold on the bus - also wet wipes for the loos!

Interesting about currency: my trip did not require any at all, as all entrances & food were included. If people wanted to buy anything at the souvenir shop (I didn't) then Cypriot pounds (as it was then) were accepted along with credit cards. Euros would be accepted now, obviously. I just took a few Cypriot pounds with me, and spent nothing at all.

There was something offered (can't remember what..the boat museum at Gizeh?) which required Egyptian currency, but the guide announced this well in advance and did the exchange for those who decided they wanted to visit.

Check what is being offered by the various tour companies to see which best matches what you want: they will all go to the Pyramids/Sphinx and Cairo Museum of course. I suspect that they all use the same flight, so book early if you can (high season, so it will be busy) and expect a very long, very hot day.

Hi, what companies are recommended, what companies can you book online that fly or what cruise would you recommend.
I go on Monday and have been hunting high and low. It is sooooo expensive with the Euro now.

I really don't think there's anything to choose between them, to be honest. You'll still get the flight/tour/visit more or less the same places.

I don't think you will find them advertised online, as they are easily filled by the holiday operators via their reps (and spare places taken by the local tour firms).

Get out as soon as you can when you arrive to check the local tour operators. As the tours only go once a week (maybe twice in high season)the flights soon get full. There won't be a huge difference in price between any of them, though the ones offered by your holiday rep (if you have one) will be a few euros more than the local firms. Book as soon as you find one which suits with availability: no time for dithering in this situation.

On a similar note: my wife and I just booked the one-day trip from Cyprus to Egypt through Regency Travel. I had my large intestine removed a few years ago. Does anyone have any information about the loo/restroom situation at these sites?

There are loos at the airport, in the departure lounges, on the plane.

There are loos at the places (usually a hotel) you stop for lunch,and on the boat (if you get an evening Nile trip).

There are loos at the Cairo Museum.

I think there were loos at the Pyramids/Sphinx, but cannot be certain. I also think there were loos at the Muhammad ali mosque, but you may/may not visit that.

I don't think you'll have a problem, but it would be a good idea to tell the guide (who will be on the coach) when you arrive.