visiting the pyramids

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 08:27

I think i may have read something here last year .



has anybody any ideas on a 3 or 4 day guided tour of the pyramids ,nile cruise etc .

can you fly ,or is it sail from larnaca .



anybody been (whilst being on holiday in nc)

any problems ,or hidden costs



would you do it again? is there a tour operator in nc



kav

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 08:44

RE msg 1, kavenkoy: click this link and you can read all about Egypt published on this board.

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 08:50

have no forgot link DC ?



kav

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 08:53

O boy! Sorry, Kav, too early for me... Here it is: http://is.gd/4bla0

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 09:42

We sailed from Larnaca about 15 years ago on the trip to Egypt and Israel. Entertainment and food on the ship was excellent. Drinks a bit pricey. Only thing we found was that we never had a minute to ourselves, getting bused around . Highlight was the Cairo museum and the Tutenkhamon exhibition the pyramids were lovely to see but only for a few minutes. We went in August and it was boiling so I couldn't actually go into the pyramid because of the heat. Beware of the kids hanging about there wanting to take pictures of you with your camera. They then pester you for money and are very hard to shake of. And I am saying nothing about the camel ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 10:22

I've visited Cairo - glad I did it once, but I'll never go back there again. All bad touristic stories come true there. ALL.

I mainly went there to visit medieval venues and Saladin's home base ( http://allcrusades.com/CASTLES_COUNTRIES/castles_egypt_overview-1.html ) and was not disappointed.

But the pyramids near Cairo (annoying Egyptian people everywhere, ripping off a common practice), taxi's (at least 40 years old with holes in the floor - ask for the price before you enter), water in small bottles which you shouldn't trust when they are open already when served (common practice). And if you stay in Cairo, check the area where your hotel is located - some travel agent in Girne booked me in an Islamic area (definitely not safe for foreigners in the evening) in a non-alcohol hotel. Great, arriving at one o'clock in the night, after traveling from Larnaca to Cairo in the heat, where my suitcase was missing - and I finally asked for a beer in my hotel...

bodidly24


Joined: 08/12/2008
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 10:59

Hi Kavenkoy



Go and see Eren at Ankara travel. we went on a Cairo/Nile cruise in august through them for 7 days, i dont want to put you off but it is quiet an experience to say the least. Good and bad moments .

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 11:16

=> More about Egypt (Cairo and possibly other places): Wash your hands wherever you can and dry your hands in your own paper handkerchiefs (never ever use a public towel - if provided...). In a survey on an Egyptian banknote 900 different bacteria were found. One of them probably made me very sick for days... (Montezuma's revenge, not funny).

=> Egyptian Museum: buy a book before you go (catalogues near the Museum are available but at real rip off prices). Everything is there, but it's an overwhelming chaos from the entrance. The Egyptians have not yet understood that looking at a statue of Ramsesos XXIII is more interesting when you can read something about him and his era.

Bertie


Joined: 15/04/2008
Posts: 155

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 11:57

we thoroughly enjoyed Egypt even allowing for 'the revenge' take a couple of small bottles of the antiseptic hand cleaner and use everytime you handle money or someone shakes your hand.there are lots of people offering individual tours of pyramids etc and they are very good, book in advance if you want to go into great pyramid as they only allow a ltd no people in every day.We stayed in a hotel opposite the great pyramid a wonderful sight in the moonlight. give the perfume factory and carpet making a miss. Luxor and three day nile cruise definately worth doing and if possible book a flight to Abu Simnal about half hour flight if my memory serves me being there as the sun comes up is a wonderful sight.Enjoy!

mia100max


Joined: 19/03/2008
Posts: 404

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 11:58

I did this trip from Larnaca going to both Israel & Cairo. It certainly is an experience! I wouldn't go again but it was amazing visiting Jerusalem, the Wailing Wall and the Museum. You do get hassled a lot and on the coach you will get taken to (most probably the driver & attendant's relative's) gold shop to buy rather tacky items.

All in all, worth a visit as it is interesting visiting places that took me right back to "Jesus of Nazareth" !

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 13:32

thanks for all the responses so far .



the stories ive head all appear tru then ,lol.



kav

Cyprusquest


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 428

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 14:37

I think that you should look at the following link I heard through the grapevine another board member was on one that the tours that tom runs to Egypt. http://www.flightholiday.co.uk/fh/Egypt_Tours.php She took one last year trouble is I cant remember who it was but I got the feeling she thought it was great.

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 14:52

Kavenkoy. A group of us went earlier this year to Luxor in 5 star hotel for 4 days and then on the Nile for 7 days and we had a great time. Only one of our party took ill and then only for a day.

The cruise on the Nile was great. Food on the boat and service can only be described as excelent.

As part of our holiday we had 12 tours round various sites ie Valley of the Queens etc. A tour of a nature reserve and the obligtory camel ride. we did not do all the tours but selected the ones we thought would be of inerest to us and using the time to go out round the towns. The boats are very very good and could be described as floating hotels.

Would we go again ? Yes.

Care has to be taken when in Luxor as the touts will have you to every shop they can but with a bit of common sence there is no problem.

We flew from Larnaca to Cairo where we had to change flights to Luxor.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
10/10/2009 18:38

Kavenkoy, we did the trip that you are talking about and it was just fine, we enjoyed it very much so, as did our friends that went with us. We went inside a pyramid, our friends didnt as little bit scared, we went around 15 yrs ago, they came home and regretted not going inside. This mini trip gives you a taste of Egypt, we went back for the week on the nile, week in Luxor, simply fab, about 10yrs ago.

Do as others say, take precations and enjoy. Cairo museum was a wonderful insight into the Kings, dont be put off by the price as its a lifetimes experience. The valley of the Kings is awesome, as is all the past culture of Egypt. Enjoy, can recommend, but not for the faint hearted....