Hi, Ru! I had a couple of questions I think you'll be able to answer for me. We're about to book the Egypt & Jordan Caravan leaving March 3rd of 2002.
1.) We're going to stay on to travel through Europe for a few months after the Egypt / Jordan trip. We'll have a travel pack and a piece of medium luggage with a handle that rolls. We've seen in the forums that this type of luggage would be fine. My only question concerns the Aswan segment of the trip. We arrive via Amy but don't spend the night in Aswan. We'd very much like to do the Abu Simbel side trip. Would we have a place to leave our luggage?
2.) Do you recommend flying from Aswan to Abu Simbel or taking the coach?
3.) Since we're flying out of Amman, we'd like to journey to the Dead Sea before flying out. We're booking an extra night (through you guys) and staying an extra day in order to have time to go to the Dead Sea. How difficult is it to get to the Dead Sea when you're not with a tour group (I don't think it's part of our itinerary with this particular trip)? Any advice? Would it be possible to join with another tour group from your company or do you know of any tour guides that do such day trips from Amman?
4.) Can we obtain the address for the King Hotel in Cairo? The Visa form requests the arrival address.
Thank you so much for your time and help! We are very excited about going!
Stephanie & Chris
Stephanie Langston
Hands on Spanish
stephanie@handsonspanish.com www.handsonspanish.com
770-856-0980
Re: Some questions about the Egypt-Jordan Caravan tour
Hi Stephanie & Chris!
Well it does sound like you have a very good few months planned...Now you're giving me itchy feet!!
Firstly. Yes, your 'luggage that rolls' will be fine for the Egypt & Jordan Caravan trip and shouldn't pose you any real problems when you go it alone around Europe afterwards.
On arrival in Aswan, whether you choose to take the excursion to Abu Simbel or spend the day shopping and sightseeing in Aswan, your main luggage will be secure and taken care of. Your tour leader will organise a 'day room' in a hotel for example where your bags can be locked away and stored.
It's difficult for me to recommend which form of transport you should take to Abu Simbel, purely as both have there 'pros & cons'.
I'll give you some comparisons on both, from Aswan to Abu Simbel and back:
By Road - 3 hour drive there, and 3 hours back.
By Air - 30 mins there, and 30 mins back.
By Road - 2 hours to look around the site
By Air - 1 hour to look around the site
By Road - "Costs"... US$25 per person (coach travel), US$10 per person (entrance fee including service of a local guide).
By Air - "Costs"... about US$70-80 and a US$40 booking fee (flight, Egypt Air -also includes complimentary transfer from airport to site), About US$20 for taxis between Aswan Airport and Aswan (return), US$10 entrance fee to site (including services of a local guide).
As you can see the flight would involve allot less travelling, but this is also reflected in the price, still reasonable by Western standards however.
I would definitely recommend a trip to the Dead Sea and should you decide to book an extra night with us this will cost GB
Re: Some questions about the Egypt-Jordan Caravan tour
Ru,
Thank you so much for your help! Your reply was very informative. We hope you have a great New Year, too!
Stephanie