Aswan Travel Forum

I am trying to organise an independant visit to Egypt for early Sept but am getting totally frustrated with the logistics of it all. Bascially we are flying into Cairo and hope to spend a full day sight seeing. From there I would like to do a 4 night Nile cruise and then spend the remainder of a 14 days holiday in Sharm.
My problem is no matter what way I research this all I seem to be doing is spending my time going to or from Cairo airport.
Has anyone tried to fit all 3 areas into a two week break and if so how. Personally I'd prefare not to go with an organised travel agent as I like to be able to move around as I wish.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Take the night train to Aswan and you won't have to fly. We did a two week tour which started in Cairo for 2 days, then overnight train to Aswan for two nights, then 3 night cruise to Luxor, a couple of nights there and then we went to Hurghada instead of Sharm for a few days. We took the bus to Hurghada.
Can't help you out about doing it on your own as I was on a tour but it should be do-able, somebody should have information for you.

It is difficult to fit all 3 areas in 2 weeks. it is tooooo exhausting.Some people do it but I can't. You did not tell us where you are from but There are direct flights to luxor from UK. You can then take the nile cruse from Luxor to aswan. You can then travel to Sharam and may fly home from there.

Remember that Ramadan is gonna start around September 1st and it is gonna last for the entire month.

If you are interested I know a 'Fair Trade' tour operator, if interested let me know I will put you in touch with the organization. You will definitly not regret dealing with them as several people who have been going with them were abso;utely delighted.

Also Esamh, who is a VTer has delt with them.

You can fit these 3 areas through them -easily- in two weeks and even more.

Very few information is provided about alternative tour operators in Egypt.

Regards
Mongy

I fully understand your frustration. We always travel independently and attempted to arrange a comprehensvie trip within Egypt on our own for some time. Eventually I gave in and used a Travel in Style to arrange a fully private tour for us. Egypt is very confusing and complicated when trying to see more than just one location. TIS did a great job for us.

If you don't want to have them set up the entire trip consider using them to arrange your transfers and perhaps a day trip in Cairo and Luxor. They will do wonderful job for you I am sure. We could not have been more pleased with our 26 day tour with them.

BTW, 2 weeks is plenty of time to see Cairo/Giza, Luxor and Sharm for sure.

Gottagocit

I have been to Egypt 8 times by now. Did trips from 1 week to 18 days. Last trip was 13 days.
We were in Cairo 2 days. Than by Abela to Luxor for a 4 day cruise. From Aswan to Marsa Alam by minivan. We stayed 4 days in Marsa Alam, by minivan back to Cairo for our last day in Egypt.

We tend to avoid the overcrowded touristy places, so that is why Marsa Alam in stead of Hurghada. Or Dahab in stead of Sharm on a former trip.

I have a friend in Egypt who arranges everything for us to our liking. The last trip he did everything except Marsa Alam but I got an excellent deal with a local travel agent: 125 Euro's for 4 nights All Inclusive!

He did former trips.
17 days: Cairo, cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel followed by a cruise from Aswan to Luxor, 4 days in Dahab.

Or 16 days: 3 days Cairo, 8 day cruise Luxor/Aswan vv., 1 day Denderra-Abydos, 3 days Alexandria.

It can be done!!

His e-mail:
bahaa94@hotmail.com
m.bahaa2@usa.net

www.cairo-overnight.co.uk

Good luck, Dora.

We are doing the same for this December although we will be taking 3 weeks and I understand your frustration. We also like to travel independently and so far we have found that you really need to play with your dates. I was in Cairo 2 years ago and found that no matter what pricing I got in advance of my trip - it was cheaper to arrange once I arrived. This time around we are planning a loose itinerary as follows:
Arrive Cairo - spend 3 days to allow for sightseeing and booking of Nile tour (4 nights/5 days starting in Luxor). The last time I did this I went around to 3 different agencies and then back to my hostel who then beat the best price by 15%.
Night sleeping train to Luxor - more expensive than the regular overnight train with the seats but last time I took the overnight train it was freezing cold (open windows wouldn't close) and they left all the lights on so I never did get any sleep
Cruise - Luxor to Aswan
Fishing Lake Nasser - 2 days
Night sleeping train to Cairo
Cairo to Dahab - I was going to book with the East Delta bus company to get from Cairo to Dahab but when I contacted the hostel I stayed with in Dahab the last time I was there they advised that they run a mini-bus service for 100 Euros and it takes only 6 hours - regular bus is 7 to 8 hours. Price is for the van regardless of how many people are in it and as there are 6 of us it works out cheaper than tickets on the bus line.
Dahab - 7 nights
We will arrange all of our tours for snorkelling etc from Dahab as again - it is cheaper. When I contacted my hostel in Dahab about organizing a tour into Jordan for 2 days to see Petra/Dead Sea they quoted me a price of $335.00 per person - the best price I have gotten so far. Competition between the various hotels/hostels in these tourist areas is fierce so you will get the best price once you are there.
Dahab - Cairo - again we will book the hostels mini-van

I found that by contacting the hostels I plan on staying at I can get free pickup from the airport, free van out to Giza to see the pyramids and since they are right downtown we can walk to the museum and main bus terminal.

Logistical problems come up when booking the Nile cruise because they don't have departures on every day of the week. Aswan to Luxor cruises depart on Friday and Wednesday and run 3 night/4 days. You may have to vary your schedule to accommodate this. Luxor to Aswan cruises depart on Saturday, Monday, Thursday and are 4 nights/5 days. Pricing that I've received from enquiries are Luxor-Aswan 370 Euro per adult and 170 Euro per child / Aswan-Luxor 320 Euro per adult and 160 Euro per child. Like I say, if you give yourself a bit more time in Cairo to make arrangements you can get a better deal. Also, when booking the sleeping train you will get the best price by making your reservations with them beforehand and then picking up the tickets when you arrive (tickets must be picked up 24 hours before the departure date).
Any travel companies I've contacted about getting tickets on the train in advance have tried to charge me almost double the going rate! Buyer beware. A big point to remember is when booking your cruise, find out if entrance fees, transport to and from the site and guides are includeed in that price. Many offer low prices but don't include these and they can really add up.