This will be our first trip to Egpyt, we will be travelling from Dec 27 to Jan 6. I was hoping to get as many of my questions below answered:
1. I was told to expect temperature ranges between 20 - 25 Celcius however, I've gone online and found I should be expecting 10 Celcius...please confirm which is accurate.
2. We are trying to budget how much we'll need for the extra excursions. How much would it cost (approx) if we participated in every extra excusion? (we would take the bus to Abu Simbel)
3. Food: initially we were told breakfast was included everyday and some lunch and diners would also be included. I haven't been able to find any details on food in the dosier. What is included and how much should we realistically expect to spend in food and snacks?
4. Clothing: I guess this is going to depend on the weather. I've read different postings on this...is it very strict?
5. Is it better to have Egyptian pounds or U.S dollars? Should I carry extra money with me or use the ATM machines (any idea what the fees are?)
6. What type of voltage adapter will I need?, we live in Canada.
Thanks for your help!!
Re: Egypt - River & Reef Questions
Hello George,
I have not been on the tour you mentioned but I have travelled in Egypt at that time of year. Yes you may get some lovely warm days around 25C.....but you can also get cold days........& VERY cold nights...........trust me!!
2. I can't remember how much I spent on site seeing so not much help to you there. On your tour itinerary it does state "allow US$55 for sites included in the tour"....so maybe you could take that into consideration?
3. Food, I have gone into your itinerary & it states that all breakfasts are included, except for day 1. There are breakfast, lunch & dinners included on 3 days. So you just need to budget for lunch & dinner approx 5 days. Food in Egypt is quite cheap, so long as you are prepared NOT to eat at 5 star Hotels or restaurants. In fact a friend of mine once told me you could easily travel through Egypt on $25 per day.....I have never tried this though!!
4. Clothing....shoulders & knees should be covered....no plunging necklines.....this goes for men too! I would include some warm clothing...it can get quite cold. I would include a warm wind proof jacket/coat & 2 jumpers (fleeces/pullovers/whatever you like to call them). I usually take loose tshirts & slacks/jeans.
5. Money....when I began travelling in Egypt, I took Travellers Cheques in US$. Then I took US$ & finally I took no money & just withdrew Egyptian Pounds from the ATM. Can't remember what the fees were, but I don't think they were too horrendous!
6. I didnt take a voltage adapter, just plug adapters...Im located in Australia, if that's any help!
If there is anything else I can help with, please just drop me a line or 2. When travelling in Egypt, remember to pack an open mind & heart & your sense of humour!!!
Hoping you have a wonderful holiday, all the best...........Debbie
Re: Egypt - River & Reef Questions
Great advice as usual thanks Debbie!
Kate
Re: Egypt - River & Reef Questions
Hi George,
I returned from Nile Safari a few weeks ago so I can give you some extra details in addition to Debbie's great reply.
1) Debbie has this covered - do remember to pack at least one polar fleece or warm sloppy joe for nights. When we did the Philae S&L I wore a long sleeve shirt, polar fleece and a cotton scarf picked up at the markets as you do take the water taxi and you are on an island![[Smile]](smile.gif)
2) Not sure about budgeting for every excursion. Abu Simbel convoy by bus cost LE 250 per person if I recall correctly - that included site entry and guide. (I flew and that was about LE 960 PLUS entry LE 80 IIRC PLUS transfer to Aswan airport LE 25 I think)
I kept a diray of all my expenses so if you have specific excursions requests I can look up the prices from November...
3) Food is cheap. Just be careful what you buy and where![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Felafel was cheap (almost spare change when converted to Aussie!); Schwarma is cheap and yummy. Eating in a hotel - even not 5star - still costs as there is about 20% in taxes added to the base food price.
4) Debbie is right - shoulders and knees covered & no plunging necklines DEFINITELY for women; the blokes on our tour often wore shorts. I took a pair of comfortable walking boots and a pair of ECCO sandals. Could have left the sandals at home as they're not suitable for some temples as you'll kick your toes![[Smile]](smile.gif)
5) In the markets/souks they'll ask you what currency you want your price quoted to you in!!! I took a heap of Egyptian pounds that I ordered/bought in Aus. It meant I didn't need to find an ATM the first morning. You need some cash to get you going to pay the local payment and for the tipping kitty. Some people took US$ but then had to find a bank to change them. I took a Travelex Cash Passport card and it worked the first ATM I tried (Piraeus) but someone from London found their HSBC card only worked in one ATM machine in a supermarket in Cairo (the other half dozen in Cairo and Aswan didn't work). My fee was AUS$3 per withdarawl (regardless of amount) but it varies by bank and card.
6) You need the European adapter for Egypt - the one with two round plugs. I took one with me so I could recharge my camera battery and mobile phone.
A note on tipping: all the guide books tell you to keep a supply of small notes for baksheesh/tipping i.e. LE1, LE5. They're hard to come by. I tried to order some but the smallest denom I could get in Aus was LE50. Problem is, I arrived in Egypt at the hotel at 1am and had nothing to tip the hotel baggage guy. Before I left I had managed to get some small notes and gave it to him then![[Smile]](smile.gif)
But even the shops (airport even!) sometimes had trouble finding small notes! Don't panic about it, but keep them handy when you get some.
Have a fantastic trip - Egypt is mind-blowing.
Megan
Re: Egypt - River & Reef Questions
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all you help!! We are really looking forward to our trip!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!