Hi, my husband and I will be arriving in Cairo on Oct. 27 and have 2 free days before our tour starts. I was wondering if in Cairo are there taxi's or tour guides for hire that you can pay to take you on day tours? When we were in several parts of Asia this was quite common. We would rent a driver/tour guide for the day. Is this common in Egypt and is it recommended? Thanks!! Also, is anyone else taking the Nile Safari on Oct. 29, would like to chat if you are!!
Nile Safari..Oct. 29/00
Re: Nile Safari..Oct. 29/00
Hi Tracy,
It is not easy to arrive in any new city and try to arrange a sightseeing trip, especially in Cairo.
I would suggest you book a guide and driver before you depart. We can make all the arrangements and it will be plain sailing for you. You can do this through your agent.
I honestly cannot recommend any agency in the city as doing so would be an endorsement of their services, which I cannot vouch for. However there are many located in the large hotels who do organize day trips with guides and transport. This means one day lost off the two free you have, to search for an agent then to book for the following day.
If you want to go it alone, you can hire a local taxi for the day. This is simple and they are plentiful. You get a suggested cost for the sites you want to visit and bargain to a satisfactory price.
Only pay when the journeys complete, and avoid being taken to any shops along the way.
In Cairo there are no guides at the sites, well no qualified ones anyway.
Cheers
Marty
[b]The Imaginative
Traveller Online[/b]
Re: Nile Safari..Oct. 29/00
Hi, thanks for the reply. That is what I really had in mind, just a taxi to take us around Cairo, drop us off and pick us up and then take us to the next place. Don't really need to hire a guide. Would you happen to know what it should cost for a taxi say for 4 or 5 hours?? Is is pretty well safe to wonder around Cairo alone...have heard many different opinions. What kind of location is the King Hotel in Cairo? Can't find it on the internet. Anyhow thanks alot.
Re: Nile Safari..Oct. 29/00
Hi Tracy,
Some examples:
AM: Depart hotel to Memphis & Sakkara.
Entrance Fees 34le
Taxi return (with two 1/2 hours at sites) 60le) These are approx. prices.
AM: Visit the Khan El Khalili Bazaars & surrounding mosques and markets.
Taxi one way, 25le, to wait and return (not worth it, the markets are too big and you will want to spend hours shopping or wandering the back streets)It's pretty easy to get a taxi back>
The King Hotel is located in an area called Dokki. It is about a 15 minute walk over the Nile to the center of town and the Egyptian Museum. About 30 minutes from the Giza Pyramids. Behind the King hotel is Dokki market. A local street market open daily, except Fridays.
You and your husband will be very safe wandering round Cairo. Don't bother with the hawkers and the well dressed and charming boys who have letters in English for you to read for them, but first lets have a coffee in my uncles Perfume shop!!
Have a great two days of adventure and have an amazing trip.
Cheers
Marty
[b]
Imaginative Traveller Online
[/b]
Re: Nile Safari..Oct. 29/00
Thanks again for the reply. I did find a website for the King Hotel. Don't think I have any more questions, but will let you know if I do. We'll figure out what we will do when we get there, just as we always do when we go somewhere new, but it is always nice to get the opinion of someone who has been there before. Looking forward to our trip in a few weeks.
Re: Nile Safari..Oct. 29/00
Great, have a wonderful adventure.
Marty
[b]
Imaginative Traveller Online[/b]