HELP!! I cant decide on which tour to do. I'm torn between Beyond the Pyramids and Jewels of Egypt both look fantastic and can't quite see why its more expensive apart from the better cruise down the nile and the hike on former sounds fun.
Any advice on which people would recomended would be fantastic for the record I'd be travelling on my own in my mid 20's and male.
I'm also very allergic to nuts would this cause an issue while I'm out there? I went around Asia with Imaginative Traveller (Charlie was my leader) and it wasn't a problem at all.
One last question looking at flights most seem to arrive the day the tour starts but just after midnight that morning would it still be possible to get into a hotel at that time? So might need some help with booking flights.
Thanks very much for all the help and information
James x
Re: Which tour
Hello James,
I cant comment on the Beyond the Pyramids tour, apart from saying I agree with you........it looks great!!
I can however tell you I thoroughly enjoyed the Jewels of Egypt tour. It is an amazing blending of sight seeing & relaxation/pure indulgence!! Those days onboard Melodie are just so soothing to a tired body!!! Plus you get to enjoy the delights of swimming in the Red Sea.......... bliss!!
Perhaps the costs are higher due to the fact that the J of E tour uses better quality Hotels than the B the P tour & perhaps the J o E tour has more included in the package, ie more meals & more sites. I havent checked out the prices for both, so this is only my own thoughts.
Which ever tour you choose there will be no problems being a solo traveller, so dont let that worry you. I have done a few tours in Egypt with Im Trav & have always travelled alone!
The only comment I can make in regards to your nut allergy is to make Im Trav totally aware of it & just be very vigilant with your meals. I cant say that I have ever notice alot of nuts used BUT I havent been looking for it either, so I may be leading you up the garden path!! I believe that seeds such as Sesame, pulses, etc are used more than nuts.
As far as Im aware there shouldnt be any problems with accessing your Hotel at that time of night, I think that it happens quite often!!
Hope you have a wonderful time. All the best............Debbie
Re: Which tour
Hi efc_james,
Thanks for your questions.
The main difference between these two tours, other than the cruise on our own cruise boat on the Nile, is that Beyond the Pyramids is an Adventurer style tour and Jewels of Egypt is a Traveller style tour.
Traveller style tours include all entrance fees to sites visited as part of the itinerary whilst Adventurer tours do not. They also use slightly better transport and stay in slightly nicer hotels, not that there is anything wrong with the Adventurer category tours at all. This explains the difference in price.
Flights from the UK and indeed from most of Europe normally arrive into Cairo mid-afternoon or just after midnight (typically early on day 2). Whichever flight option you choose somebody will be at the airport waiting for you and you will not miss any part of your tour.
If you do arrive late on day 1/early on day 2 your tour leader will meet with you over breakfast the next day to go over the tour briefing again with you or may even postpone the meeting until day 2 when everybody has arrived.
All of our tours attract travellers of all ages and indeed everybody (18+) is welcome. I would say that Adventurer style tours (i.e. Beyond the Pyramids) tend to have a lower average age of traveller overall and there are more likely to be people of your own age on that tour rather than Jewels of Egypt but I also wouldn't base your decision solely on this.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Brendan
Re: Which tour
Thank you both for your replies still not quite which one to do but leaning more towards the more rugged adventurer one.
So next questions...Are there many places left on the trip? Do I need to sort out a visa before I go? In terms of budget trips, food, beer(!) etc does around
Re: Which tour
Hi James,
It's always difficult to give an idea of how much travellers should take with. Everyone is so different! Some don't buy many items, others buy huge amounts!
Food & drinks are very cheap in Egypt, so long as you are prepared not to eat at 5 star Hotels or similar!! I believe the local beer is very cheap, but as Im a non drinker, I cant really comment on value for money either!!
I have always gotten my visa before I leave home, but that is my own personal preference. I would hate to fly all the way from OZ & then for whatever eason but stopped at the border!! That would be horrible!!!
I have found it a very quick & easy way of clearing customs on arrival & if you are flying from a long distance, I dont think anyone wants to be held up by having to gain a visa on arrival. Again just my own thoughts.
I have heard that its very easy to get a visa on arrival at Cairo & that it is in fact cheaper than it is here in OZ. But I will always ensure I have a visa before I leave home.
I think I would lean towards a tour that had more inclusions, but again that is just personal preference. I just like to be all organised before I leave...my hubby tells me Im a control freak!!!![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
But I just like to know what Im doing before I leave home!!!
Anyway, whichever tour you decide on, have a wonderful time. Egypt is a beautiful country to travel in, one I just cant get enough of!! All the best...........debbie
Re: Which tour
Hi James,
I did the "Jewels of Egypt" last Year February and I just liked it.
The Visa on the airport in Kairo was no problem and someone was waiting with a Im-Trav-Sign and brought me to a taxi, which took me to the hotel.
The
Re: Which tour
I was going to do the beyond the pyramids one on october 7th, but it was fully booked so had to go for the jewels of egypt one. cost me a bit more, but at the same tiem theres a bit more included meaning less hassle i suppose, plus it goes to alexandria and you get to be on a boat with toilets!
Re: Which tour
Hi James,
Wow, it's a small World!
In answer to your questions, you can check availability in a flash using our online availability facility at [url=http://www.nilemonitor.com.]www.nilemonitor.com.[/url]
Re: Which tour
Hi
I went on the Jewels trip last year and would highly recommend it.
I also have a nut allergy but did not have a problem. I did tend to stick to western food though such as omlettes, pizzas etc just to be safe (I am vegetarian as well) but I did not have a problem with any of the Egyptian food I did eat.
On the boat there were always lots of plain and gorgeous dishes to eat so you wouldn't have a problem with those. There were a couple of desserts the chef cooked with coconut. He was very upset to find I couldn't eat them due to my allergy and make sure there was always something I could have so I would just make sure you let him know in good time. Get your tour leader to help you just to be sure he has understood.
Are you taking an epipen with you?
Have a great time. I wish I was going again.
Lyn