Cyprus-Forum.com

[Pekousek]

Hi all,
just thinking about small ship trip to Egypt, but all offers seem to be rather "sprint" through many historical sites than relaxing and enjoing trip. Has anybody got any experience with similar action?
It might be better to book hotel and to make a trips by ourselves.
What do you think?

Thanks

[Sotos]

All cruises to Egypt that I know of have a trip in the Pyramids included. If you want you can just stay in the ship of course. If you want to relax then better go by plane to a hotel. Don't let the cheap prices of the cruise fool you. The cheap ones are for not so good cabins. Definitely not ideal for relaxation.

[villawagen]

yes i would like to do a trip to Egypt at some point !!! i have always wanted to see the pyramids. its one of those things you should see before you croak it

[Sotos]

Pyramids are cool. I went in one I want my grave like that too!!

[G.Man]

fly to egypt from larnaca... then get a tour in a taxi for the whole day, around £50.. total cost £90 for flights pp and £50 for a good taxi with aircon... then the cost of the trip around the pyramids...

If you need an english speaking taxi driver with aircon, let me know...

[Svetlana]

I have no great interest in Egyptology but I found Egypr totally fascinating: a week in Luxor, then a (interesting!) drive down to the (Russian built!) Aswan Dam, then 7 days cruising ip the Nile visiting all the Temples and Tombs.

Then 'did' Cairo and its amazing Museum, together with the Pyramids and Sphinx, on a 2 day Cruise from Cyprus.

The downside: the poverty, the beggars, people pursuing you along the pavements trying to sell you something and the risk of attacks by Islamic militants - I remember 60 tourists being murdered at the Temple of Hatshepsut in 1997.

Lana

[Pekousek]

Thanks all

Of course, the only resaon why we want to go there is to see the pyramides, but I'm not sure if 2 days are enough, when we spend more than half of this time on the ship. I wouldn't like just run around the Sfinx and rush to other places.

[CatSitter_Limassol]

I would suggest spending at least 2 nights in Cairo as the Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids is really worth a visit, just for the atmosphere alone.

If you can get a flight to get you into Cairo for the show on the first evening then you will have plenty of time to see the museum, pyramids and solar boat museum. You will also want to see the citadel and the bazaar should not be missed.

However, you may also wish to take the train for a visit to Alexandra to see Pompeii's Pillar and the catacombs or to see where the faros lighthouse was said to have stood.

I have booked an itinerary to Egypt in May, travelling from Larnaca to Cairo with Egyptair then taking another flight straight to Aswan. We arrive around midnight in Aswan then will stay for 4 nights at the Isis Aswan (we arrive on Monday evening). On Friday straight after breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and then embark for a 3 night/4 day cruise from Aswan to Luxor. The final night is spent on board in Luxor after visiting the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsuts temple, Valley of the Nobles etc and the next morning we will check into the Sonesta St George hotel in Luxor for 2 nights (Mon & Tues). We check out of the hotel on Weds and have decided to take the overnight sleeper train from Luxor to Cairo (arriving early on Thur morning), which will give us almost a full day in Cairo to visit the museum, Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum before going to shop in the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Our return flight to Larnaca leaves around 5pm for the short flight back home. The whole cost comes to around C£750 (per couple).

The cruise is $60pp per night and includes half board and all excursions in Aswan and Luxor, hotel in Aswan is $35pp pn, Luxor hotel is $45pp pn and the flights (booked on Expedia.co.uk) are approx £200 Gbp per person. The sleeper train is $55pp.

The above itinerary was put together at great length and much time spent searching the internet and is cheaper than a similar package (for only 8 days) offered by a local travel agent..... (not the agent mentioned below).

I also found an agent on Episkopi base offering some packages just now, taking in Cairo and Luxor with prices starting at Cy£315pp for 5 days/4 nights but I am sure they will be able to extend the duration for you if you wanted to stay longer in Luxor. The agent is Petri Travel - Tel: 25 211550

We have been to Egypt many times previously and the only part we have missed out on is the cruise between Aswan & Luxor. We love Egypt and it's our next favourite destination to Cyprus so if you need any more info - I will be happy to provide it.

[G.Man]

Thanks all

Of course, the only resaon why we want to go there is to see the pyramides, but I'm not sure if 2 days are enough, when we spend more than half of this time on the ship. I wouldn't like just run around the Sfinx and rush to other places.

Believe me when I say, 3-4 hours is sufficient for a camel/horse ride around the pyramids and sphinx..

Much more and you will fry...