My friend and I will be taking the Nile Valley and Red Sea tour at the end of February - could someone tell us what to pack - taking into account the customs of the country (any head scarves?) and also the weather - any jumpers - since it may get cold at night?
Also, is wearing a pair of shorts or short skirts allowed?
Should we pack our stuff in suitcases or backpacks for this particular tour? This is the first time either of us is touring with Imag-Trav, and while we look forward to the tour itself, we don't quite know how to go about the little details...
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
Peri
Re: packing for the Nile Valley and Red Sea
You are in for a treat! we did the Nile Vally Red Sea, it was oustanding. We can honestly say that I had never heard of Imaginative Traveller until they were suggested by a friend. I had traveled with Explore and Dragoman for years before I knew these guys. I know it was many years ago, but, I have never had a holiday like it. never!
I have looked at the tour online today and its no different to we did on the Doma boat all those years ago.
Pack a backpack, no suitcases on this tour trust me, A great mix of people, Dutch, Aussies, Irish, NZ, and more. but travelers not tourists.
Shorts are cool as I cannot remember going anywhere that we had hassles because of our dress. Head scarves? not that I remember but in one place during the nile safari we had to cover up, cant remember where that was.
We went in April and it was warm, wonderful actually, but going by the chart they have online I would say get some night time clothes would be required.
Trust us, this tour is the best, you should return home with a sense of achievement and
having done a trip that was a FAB experience.
Great to find Imaginative Traveler on the net, hope to be able to keep in contact with you guys from now on. XXX Kim-Danny
Re: packing for the Nile Valley and Red Sea
Thanks - I'll take all you've said into account. I think my friend and I have some shopping ahead of us - particularly two backpacks!!
cheers
Peri
Re: packing for the Nile Valley and Red Sea
Hello Peri,
Knee length shorts are ok but not "short shorts" T shirts with sleeves to elbows ie no open fronts or bare shoulders. Egypt is an Islamic country & personal modesty is the norm. If you want to have an enjoyable trip, it is best to dress modestly, as unwanted sexual advances are not pleasant.
I would take a cardigan or the like as evenings on the Nile can be cool, especially if there's a breeze. A backpack is good, as is a bag on rollers. Make certain you carry plenty of bottled water, this can be purchased almost anywhere in Egypt.( check that seals are intact) If your tour includes the overnight sleeper train I would wash my hands & clean teeth with the bottled water not the water onboard. Take a couple of boxes of tissues & some wet wipes with you.
Have a great time & enjoy all that you experience. Hope this helps. Wish I could join you!
Re: packing for the Nile Valley and Red Sea
Hi Peri,
You will be able to find a full luggage checklist as well as all the other important information relevant to your tour included in your pre-departure booklet (don't leave home without it).
If you have not yet received your pre-departure information please contact me directly (click on my name below) and I'll look into it for you.
[b][email]chris@imtrav.co.uk[/email][/b]
Re: packing for the Nile Valley and Red Sea
I just did this trip in Dece. and I wished I had packed better. Apparently it was quite cold for there, but if you had a sweatshirt (jumper in Brit Speak) and light jacket, you were fine. But, as a woman, it is not comfortable to walk around in shorts, no matter how long, unless you are in an all tourist place. If your shoulders and legs are showing you will get stared at even more and have a lot of proposals. I ended up buying a wrap there to cover my legs whenever I went out. I don't think it's a matter of insulting the customs of the country, but of not wanting to be leered at. It's a little better in Aswan and Luxor, but don't go out in Cairo without covering your legs. No one wore head scarves. A nice long, light comfortable skirt and a loose sleeved button up shirt would be a good thing to pack.
And you don't need a backpack. I spent money buying a collapsable bag and it was a pain. A roller suitcase is fine, and then have a small backpack for carrying around each day.
Helpful hints. The nice wool scarves they have there seem to be cheapest in Luxor--I got mine for 20 Egyptian pounds, though most people paid 25-30. Get the cool spice packets in Aswan--they don't have them in Cairo. You get about 10 spices and can usually get 2 or 3 for an Egyptian poud.
Re: packing for the Nile Valley and Red Sea
Oh. I forgot something I WISH I had brought. Pens! Apparently they are really big items there, and you will be constantly asked for them. It helped me in buying some items to throw in a pen, and I gave all but the one I needed away. Go and pick up pens at stores and such that have their advertisements on them--those seem to be the most valuable, though my cheap Bic was accepted. bring a bunch and give them all away to the kids, police, everyone. It's such a simple thing.