Muhafazat al Qahirah Travel Forum

Here is a very-very tentative itinerary I have come up with based on feedback I received, plus some research. Please scan and let me know if something sticks out as being completely off - base (since I am not familiar with areas and proximities to each other). Also, please do let me know if I am missing something.... (FYI - I will be travelling with parents - don't want it to be too crazy hectic for them, but at the same time, want to maximize our time there - in case we don't get a chance to go back).


Day 1

- Flight to Cairo

Day 2 (Cairo)

- Arrival into Cairo
- Check-in to hotel Longchamps, Zamalek (downtime / jetlag)
- Possibly see light and sound show at the Giza pyramids (pm)
- Dinner at Zamalek
- Possibly first trip to Khan El Khalil market

Day 3 (Cairo)

- Giza pyramids
- Sphinx
- Memphis, Sakkara
- (Dashur)

Day 4 - (Aswan/Abu Simbel)

- Early am flight to Aswan
- Connecting flight to Abu Simbel
- Temple at Abu Simbel
- Return flight to Aswan (pm)
- Felucca ride on Nile

Day 5 (Aswan)

- Nubian musuem
- A Nubian village
- Philae temple
- Unfinished Obelisk
- High dam
- Join Nile cruise (pm) or next day (am)

Day 6 - (Nile)

- Nile cruise to Luxor (Royal Lotus OR ....)
- Temple of Horus at Edfu
- Kom Ombo
- Tombs of the Nobles
- Workers village

Day 7 - (Nile/Luxor)

- Valley of Kings and Queens
- Queen Hatshepsut Temple
- Colossi of Memnon
- East Bank - temple of Karnak and Luxor
- Light show at Karnak temple

Day 8 - (Luxor) - on own

- Luxor musuem
- Temple of Denedra (by Lotus boat or by convoy)
- Hot air ballon ride over the VOTK
- Ferry to West bank (if not covered previously). Walk through local villages.
- Flight to Cairo (pm) or next day (am)

Day 9 - (Cairo)

- Flight to Cairo (am)
- Egyptian Museum
- Saladin Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque
- Islamic Cairo - Al-Azhar mosque and Ibn Tulun
- Al Azhar Park at dusk and have some light refreshments at the Lakeside cafe.

Day 10 - (Western Desert OR Alexandria)

- Optional overnight trip

Day 11 - (Cairo)

- Return to Cairo (am)
- Khan El Khalil Market & other shopping

Day 12 - (Cairo)

Return Flight


Thanks a bunch for your input!!!

I posted this question as a reply to my earlier post called "What do I see in Egypt", but I think this deserves separate attention.

Where do I start making reservations, etc???? I am so confused on tour companies. And if I try to arrange everything on my own, hotels I can figure out. The other side trips and places ets., I want to visit, do i need to arrange anything beforehand or is it advisable to go there and book???

Please advise.....

Could you help me to locate the portal of St. Andrew's church from
Acre (Hebrew: עַכּוֹ‎, Akko; Arabic: عكّا‎, Akka). The church portal was brought by Mamluks to Cairo as a war loot in 1291. As I know it is a part of some building now. I would be very happy if you can give me the street name or coordinates to find it on Google Earth.
Thanks.

I had a couple of questions about a trip I am planning to Egypt in December:

1) I am planning an 8-10 day trip to Egypt. I would like to keep at least 3 days for Cairo. I also plan to visit Luxor and Aswan. Are there any other must see places I should include in my itinerary?

2) Does anyone have any information on which Nile cruises are considered the best?

I will probably have a lot more questions later, but help me on these 2.... THANKS!!!

Well, I committed the provisional itinerary of our trip to Cairo to paper.
Any comments are welcome. Maybe other combinations work better?

Day 1:
• Arrival at Cairo airport, 14 o’clock
• Arrival at hotel, 17 o’clock
• Pyramid lightshow, 18:30 14 o’clock

Day 2
• Museum
Depending on how long we stay there:
• Papyrus museum of dr Ragab,
• A drink at the Marriott or the Nile Hilton
• Walking through Zamalek and have a bite to eat.
• Short trip on the Nile in a motor boat
Does anyone know if the Papyrus museum of dr Ragab is close to the Museum? I only have a street name, but it’s rather a long street. (Sharia Corniche el Nile)

Day 3
• Pyramids
• Sakkara
• (Dashur)

Day 4
( First plan was to do Islamic Cairo, but as it’s a Friday, that is probably not a good idea….)
• Pharaonic Village
• Coptic Cairo (hanging church, sta Barbara, the synagoge, maybe the Coptic museum.
Wander through the streets, have some tea.
Pictures make this area look very relaxed, but I doubt if that is the reality?
• Felucca trip

Day 5
• Citadel
• Inb Tulun moskee
• Wikala of al Ghouri
• Khan al-Khalili
(inlcuding the first floor of the wikala Silahdar, a pancake, tea somewhere, and so on)
Is the distance from the Citadel to Inb Tulun walkable?
And is the Wikala of al Ghouri close to the Mosque? I find it hard to judge by the map)

Day 6
• Have a lie in and hang out near the swimming pool.
• 12 o’clock, time to head to the airport.

This looks like a reasonable itinerary to me, but remarks and tips are always welcome!

I'm looking for ways to get to Jerusalem from
Cairo. Are there buses available and if so what are the departure times, prices and how long does it take? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I read that the atmosphere at the famous Suq is very different in the evening.
Would it be safe for me and my 19 year-old niece to wander around in the dark?
I would really enjoy that! (I'm making my niece buy big-sized shirts for decent clothing....)

Wow, I hadn't thought of visiting this site yet, but I can see it's a treasure of information!!
I'll be digging up as much information as possible the coming days ^_^

Next month I'll be taking my niece to Cairo for a few days. We're staying at the Oasis hotel near Gizeh, and even though it's not an event I would normally visit, I'm thinking of taking her to the light show on our night of arrival. She will not have seen the pyramids by daylight yet.

do you people think this is a good idea? I'm hoping it will not take away the awe when we do visit the pyramids by day on our third day in Cairo....

I'm planning a trip to Cairo for 5 days starting Sept.29th. I'll be travelling alone.

I'm trying to decide whether to stay in a hotel or a hostel. Cost is not the real issue - The reason I was contemplating a hostel is because I thought it might be a bit livelier and easier to meet some possible tour companions while traveling solo in a hostel. The pluses on the hotel side are amenities and other obvious things like that.

Any comments or suggestions on hostels vs. hotels in Cairo?

Thanks in advance,
Simon.

PLZ quick help ! NEXT WEEK, I'll be arrive at Cairo airport early morning , then I d like to go to Alexandria . I heared they have a direct bus from Cairo airport to Alex. but takes 4 hours ? I don't know about bus timetable. OR should I take a train from Cairo city to Alex? about 2 hours ? need a reservation ? any best way ? -Arigato

I am planning on booking a day trip to Cairo from Sharm el Sheik and was wondering if any of them offered tours of the pyramids and of islamic cairo?

I will hopefully be in Cairo for 3-4 months starting October. I needed to know charges for accomodation. Are they any different from a family vis a vis a bachelor? Looking for good reasonably priced single rooms or a small flat for single person.

Thnx Ali

Where should I start & end (Cairo, Luxor, Jerusalem, Petra)?

I am planning a trip for the end of the year. I have a free flight that I have to take before the end of the year with American Airlines and I want to visit the following sites:

- Cairo (Giza and the Pyramids)
- Luxor
- Petra
- Jerusalem

I am not sure what city I should fly into to begin my trip. American can get me to either Tel Aviv or Cairo. From there I have had many suggestions:

- Take a train (at night) from Cairo to Luxor and then fly to Tel Aviv. After seeing Jerusalem, take a tour bus into Jordan (after switching buses) and spend a couple days in Petra then take a bus to Amman or back to Tel Aviv and fly back to Cairo for my return home.

Has anyone taken a train from Cairo to Luxor? If so, how was it?

Is there a train to Jerusalem from Cairo?

Has anyone taken one of the many tours from Jerusalem to Petra? How was it?

Any suggestions you could provide would be great!!

I have tried a couple travek agencies but they all include airfare and I already have the free flight that I have to use.

Thank you!

Hello, my parents will be going to Egypt in the spring/summer and will likely hire a car to take them from Cairo to Taba. Can someone please tell me what the current cost would be. Thanks.

Mike
Chicago

Hey guys!
This question doesn't really belong here in a travel forum, but you guys really know a lot, so why shouldn't you now an answer to this!?:
I'll be learning Arabic in Cairo in February and want to study as much as possible already back home - starting with the alphabet. Now what is the best way to do that? Do you think just stupid learning-by-heart is the only way to go? Or does someone maybe know a good site that has an interactive tutorial or sth like that?

Thanks so much alreay in advance!
Your
Ueli

Our first trip to Cairo is scheduled 3/09 for approximately 10-12 days. Is 3 days long enuf for Alexandria? Our base will be Cairo-we want to soak up all we can.Should we reserve a tour for most of the time - $$$ ??? How much can we do alone? Some have recommended "hiring" a taxi and driver thru the hotel for a few days in lieu of tour group??? Trying to figure out the $$$ part of this-ugh!

I understand bermuda length shorts are not accepted for women,correct? but is my husband also banned? What is proper dress code for evening dinner/shows etc?
He normally lives in shorts on vacation n dress pants for pm.
Where is the best place to xchange $$? Do we obtain our visas at the airport - or ahead of time? Is it OK to carry a small backpk all day for misc. stuff? Any trb. w/pick pockters? Sorry for all the ???'s but we are sooo excited and want to get our homework right!!
Thanks, pjnstuie

My stay in Egypt is limited (5 nights) for both Cairo & Alexandria. I do not want to miss the Nile River Cruise and would like to do it for a couple of hours only or maybe overnight, if available.
Can my VT friends give me an idea where I can book in advance or a website that I can make reservation. I will be in Cairo in October. Please help.

Hello guys,
I'll be going to Cairo for a 4-month-stay to learn Arabic, and I have a question about the legal age in Egypt:
Here in Switzerland where I live, legal drinking and driving age is 18, and you also can get into every night club once you're 18.
I read that this is 21 in Egypt, so does this include buying beers and wine as well? And will I be able to go to night clubs at all? I'm 19 at the moment and I also will be once I'm there.
Thanks for your help!

I know that photography is not allowed in the museum anymore (sad because I'm headed there in 6 months).

I've also heard that the gift shop does not sell CDs with photographs. DVDs yes, but CDs with photos, no.

Does anyone know about this? I'd love to have photos even if I didn't take them.

My husband and I are visiting Cairo (and doing a Nile cruise) in a few weeks time. It's our first visit to Egypt and we've a couple of questions for the experienced visitor....

1) what are the top 3 things to do in Cairo?

2) What are the best restaurants to eat in (both lunch and evening meals) in Cairo?

3) what is appropriate dress for women in Cairo - my understanding is that I should wear a long skirt and keep my shoulders covered - is this right? ANd also while on tours from the cruise - could I wear shorts or would this be inappropriate?

4) any other tips?

many thanks
Karen

I'll be flying Delta from NY. What is the process once I land. How do I clear customs, obtain a visa, exchange money. How does my guide find me?

I have confirmed a 5 night stay in October in this hotel. I have read some negative review after I made reservation and did the payment. Anyone of you guys stayed in this hotel? Please let me know your views. I am thinking of cancelling my booking thru gtahotels.com
I need your advice. Thanks.

Hello everyone!

We are going to Cairo arriving the night of Sept 24 THUR - and leaving SUNday the 28th...

I know we are going to Giza for the pyramids. Is there any 4 day great itinerary to follow??
Thanks!

Hi, i wonder if anyone can help me, has anyone used the car ferry from Aqaba to Nuweiba? All travellers will have British Passports, will have a car and the intention then is to drive to Cairo, will welcome any advice on the best way to do this. How easy is it to obtain entry visas into Egypt at Nuweiba? How long roughly would it take then to drive from Nuweiba to Cairo?

my parents in their 80's are going to fulfil a lifelong desire by Visiting Egypt in the 1st week of December . They have been offered Hotel Casablanca Delta near the pyramids . Is this too far & out of the way ? Can they use the metro to commute to the rest of the tourist sites . How does the hotel rank in general ? Where can i get a map of the metro with links to the important tourist places . thanks and best wishes from Dr Anuj Delhi INDIA

Me and husband (were Australians) would like to spend a Christmas vacation in Egypt (19Dec-27Dec).We opt not to go for travel agency as it's expensive and we would like to have a bit of adventure by travelling and finding place by our own. Got some question here:
1. Is it good to travel at this time of the month?? If not can you suggest a country to travel.
2. Can u give us lists of cheap accomodations? (don't need a fancy ones..)
3. Good food?
4. Best tourist spots?
5. Do u have a contact number of a "dependable " tourist guide? (someone who will not rip you off)
Thank you and cheers!

Hi
We have hired a car and driver to take us, a party of five from Cairo to Taba leaving mid-afternoon. I have read that you need to travel in conveys around some areas in Egypt. Are we safe traveling in this area and at this time of day it will be after dark when we arrive in Taba or should we look to travel with others.
Many Thanks Dave.

Hi fellow travelers.
We are traveling to Petra for 2 days and was going to use the Israeli border from Taba and return the same way but an Eqyptain working as a Manager at the hotel I was staying at in Oman said that he was 100% sure that I would not be allowed to return to Egpyt if I used this border.
I have a Egpytian multiple entry visa issued in Australia.
Comments Please.
Dave.

Hello fellow travellers. I will be in cairo in 7 days, and I am wondering if anyone has spent much time in the KanKali market. Would I be able to buy a light jacket there for a decent price, or should I bring my own? Same with things like shirts and other apperell. What is the main trading items in the market?

Hi you guys,
I am thinking about a city visit in Cairo in the end of this year. Except the normal information I do not know too much on Cairo (yet) - except those things you get by TV documentations once in a while. I would love to get in contact with someone(s) who would like to tell me some things about life and what's going on in Cairo. I am very much interested in architecture, art and culture. When travelling I love to mix up with the people rather than heading from one tourist highlight to the next.
Which are nice parts in town that you like the most? Where do you like go for a good meal? Who are your favorite Egyptian poets, writers, artist, architects, musicians? What is "in" in Cairo? What do I have to do and where to go to get a good feeling of Cairo?
I just started a book of Nagib Machfus about the "Midaq lane" cause I think it's nice to get into a place by reading (not just travel guides...). What are your fave books or (maybe contemporary)writers (dealing or playing in Cairo)?
I am very much into architecture - so I am pleased on any hints - modern or historical.
Shukran;-)
Chris.