Frequently asked
Questions
A-Z
TOURS INTERNATIONAL
– Personal Travel Services
Camel
Rides and Safari’s:
Option for
entry into small pyramid and camel ride.
Short
Camel
Trek the Camel ride is great experience you don't need to
miss. It
is only 30-40 minutes or we can cut it shorter.. It is around the great
Pyramid
of Giza. You ride a big half circle in the desert to see the Pyramids
-9 of
them ,the 3 main pyramids and other small queen pyramids- from the
heart of
desert.. It is great also for taking unique pictures for
the 9
pyramids and the desert landscape. Including a memorial
group/Private
Picture with the background of the Pyramids
Desert and Oases
A huge part
(almost 90%) of Egypt
is desert. It is not wise to go off into the desert alone. It gets
very
cold at night and very hot during the day, everything has to be taken
with you,
including water, food, camping equipment and toilet facilities and
there are
still thousands of mines. If you run out of anything you are
out of
luck as there is no fast way back.
Other Treks can be done for 4
or 5 days
in Sinai
Camera Fees:
What
are ‘Camera Fees’ and how much are
they?
There are
no longer any fees for camera or video camera use. However, many sites
will not
allow you to take them in, and you may have to check them in at the
entrance.
If they do allow them they must be set to museum mode as they will not
allow
regular flash. This damages the artifacts. The rules do change
regularly. If
cameras are not allowed and you see others using theirs, please do not
copy
suit. This destroys the heritage of Egypt and many sites such
as the
tomb of Nefertari have already been closed to the public as a result.
Cameras
and
Videos can be used in the
outdoors.
It
is
advisable to have your passport stamped on arrival if bringing in a
Video
Camera or expensive Camera as proof you brought it with you on
departure.
Otherwise you could be charged customs duties.
Costs to
Enter places:
How much extra does the
Mummies room cost?
No guiding or cameras are allowed.
Agha Khan Mausoleum
The Agha
Khan
mausoleum is a restricted area. No one can approach by land. We can
only sail
around the Island and enjoy a nice
view of the
place. Due to the huge number of visitors they restricted the Visit
many years
ago. Now permits have to be obtained outside the country to enter.
Dates and Times:
When is the next Aida
performance?
The
show takes place at the Giza Pyramid, during October. It has been
cancelled
since ‘911’, and we will inform you if it should re-open.
What are
the Dates for
Ramadan and Feast of Ramadan?
Ramadan is held at a different time each year.
The feast is 3 days after Ramadan. During Ramadan, all sites
close two
hours earlier than usual.
How does
Ramadan affect tourism?
There
is moretraffic at Break Fast time around sunset. Depending on the time of
year it
does affect some restaurants and some early closings of sites. However,
these
are minor irritations and guides work around these when on tour.
Breakfast time is at sunset so everyone tries to get home for that.
(Break
fast not
Breakfast is when they stop fasting) Ramadan moves forward approx. 10
days each
year. You will also witness some of the celebrations and the
street tents
set up to feed those who cannot get home for Break Fast.
When
does the lock at
Esna close for maintenance?
The Esna
locks usually
close twice a year for maintenance - usually in June and for a short
period in
early December. During these periods the Cruises dock in Esna
instead
of Luxor
and
coach participants to the sites from there by Vehicle. The length
of the
Cruise is the same. The Nile Cruises are basically used as
floating Hotels
and the actual sailing time between Luxor
and Aswan
is 1 day and 1
night.
Is the Tomb of
Nefertari Open?
The
tomb is closed indefinitely for restoration.
Daytrips:
When do our daytrips
for sightseeing start, and end?
The usual
time is
around 9am to 4 or 5pm. You can arrange these times directly with your
guide.
Can
we do a
daytrip from Sharm to Cairo, to see the Pyramids etc.?
Yes it can be
done. As it is a 7 hour drive, to do it as a daytrip you will need to
fly each
way. We suggest you do it as an overnight, if possible, to get the most
benefit
from it.
Do Day
trips have
Single Supplements?
This
depends. If there is a group of 3 or 5, an odd number, there are no
supplements. If there is just 1 person traveling alone, yes we do
charge an
additional fee, to cover the costs of the driver,
transportation and
guide.
Is there a
charge for
children age three?
We do not
charge for Babies up to 2 years, when sharing
the room with their
parents. As
there is no charge for them no services of any kind are provided for
them. Any
services required for your baby, such as a crib, milk, or, special
meals, will
need to be paid separately directly by you.
One
exception to the baby rule is flights. There is a charge for Babies for
any
internal flights.
Children
from 2-12 years enjoy a 50% discount as long as they share the same
room with
their parents. If internal flights are included a 40% discount is
available.
Children
over 12 years are considered adult.
Feluccas:
What are Feluccas?
Feluccas
are small
bare bones sailing boats, no bedrooms, no washrooms, nothing, except a
few
seats and a sail.
Where can
you sail on a
Felucca?
You can
sail on a Felucca in Luxor, Aswan
and in Cairo.
This is best as they are short sails of 2-3 hours. If there is no wind,
we
substitute a motor boat.
Do we have
a Felucca
program?
We do not
do overnight, or longer, Felucca programs, just the short day sails.
These are
bare bones, sleeping on the deck or on the side of the Nile.
This is an adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. We do not book these
trips.
Ferries:
When does
the Ferry go
between Sharm El Sheik and Hurghada?
These do
not leave every day, and, they take approximately 2 hours. Check the
current
timetable with Egypt
office.
When does
the Ferry go
between Egypt and Jordan?
The Cat
Ferry
leaves Nuweiba on a daily basis at 3:00 PM, and
arrives in Aqaba at 4:00 PM. It
leaves Aqaba on Daily Basis at 12:00 PM, and arrives in Nuweiba at 1:00
PM
The ferry
times do change so it is always best to check before departing.
Reservations
are required to guarantee a space.
Flights:
When are the flights from Sharm El
Sheik to Cairo?
There are
several flights a day, but as with all internal flights in Egypt,
most
flights are early morning, or late night.
Can you
fly from Tel
Aviv to Cairo?
Yes you
can. However, they do not fly daily, so check the schedules.
Can we fly
from Luxor
to Sharm El Sheik?
These
flights
do not go daily. It is more advisable to go back through Cairo, so as not
to interrupt your schedule,
or go by Ferry via Hurghada.
Guide vs.
Independent Travel:
Can I
travel
independently without booking a tour package?
While it
is
possible to travel Egypt
as an independent traveler, it is recommended that you book a package
tour, or
private tour. Here's why:
You will
get much more out of your trip if you have a tour guide explaining
things at
the sites, and answering any questions on Egyptian culture and history.
Package
tours, most times, work out cheaper than booking the individual hotels,
boats,
transportation and admissions, on your own. Transportation without a
pre-booked
tour is hard to arrange on your own.
Special
permits, or, government escorts and convoys are required, to visit some
areas.
A tour operator can easily arrange this in advance. In addition, of
course,
language and cultural barriers can make getting around difficult, and
more
expensive.
Guides:
Will we have one Guide
throughout our tour?
Guides in
Egypt
are all
licensed. Some are just licensed for their own city, some have licenses
that
permit them to guide in other cities. It will depend on the
availability of
guides at the time of your tour. Most guides are contracted by more
than one
company. We do have some guides that work permanently for us.
Can we
hire Guide
Services without booking hotels with you?
Yes you
can. You can hire as day trips, or as a ‘complete package’ program.
Holiday Supplements:
What are Holiday
Supplements?
Holiday
supplements are the price increases implemented by the
hotels, and other services, during their peak periods, Easter,
Christmas, and
New Years. We have no control over these supplements and do have to
pass them
onto the clients. Economy is usually around 15% more, deluxe around
20%, and
Luxury around 25%.
Hot Air Balloon Rides:
Can we take a Hot
Air Balloon
Ride?
Hot air balloon
rides are available only in Luxor
and will take you in the early morning, over the Valley of the Kings
etc. A
wonderful experience, but very expensive. Prices fluctuate.
They must be booked as an option, as it will depend on weather
conditions as to whether they will be available on any particular day.
Optional
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Hot Air
Balloons
Rides over Luxor
have to remain optional as they are dependant on weather conditions and
price
fluctuations. The price generally fluctuates and will be determined when booked.
The Flights depart early in the
morning. Please let the Egypt
office know if there is interest in this option.
Hotels:
What are
your Hotel Categories?
Economy –
basically tourist class – 3 & 4star
Deluxe –
The major chain hotels – 4 & 5 stars
Luxury –
these are top of the line hotels such as the Mena House, Grand Hyatt
etc. and, are
priced as per each request.
Can
we
request a specific hotel or cruise?
If you request a
specific hotel or cruise, we would have to request it and quote you.
Prices
fluctuate and we base our prices for the tours, on hotels’ where we
have
negotiated rates. We may not be able to get your special request at
negotiated
rates. The prices are likely to be higher.
What does
triple accommodation mean?
These
could
be three twin beds, a double and single, a pullout bed or a cot. There
is no
set rule; it varies from hotel to hotel.
What about
hotels less
than 3 stars, are they cheaper?
Hotels
less
than 3 stars are often run down and dirty. We do not use, or book these
hotels,
as they do not meet western standards.
Are there
coffee and
tea facilities in the hotel rooms?
The short
answer is no. You will need to take a portable kettle if you wish to
drink
coffee or tea in your room.
What does
half board
mean?
Half
board
means, two meals per day, breakfast and then either lunch or dinner.
Are there
gym
facilities in the Hotels?
Many of
the
hotels now have gym facilities. The higher end hotels are more likely
to have
these services, along with spa treatments.
Instruction:
Do you
arrange Belly dancing lessons?
Sorry,
no,
we do not arrange lessons. There is belly dancing on the cruise and
dinner
cruise. Anything else, you will need to arrange directly, or sort out
with the
guide or hotel, on your arrival.
Internet:
Is the
Internet
available in Egypt?
‘Dial up’
Internet access is available at most hotels. Some of the higher end
hotels have
cable access. If not, Internet cafes’ are everywhere. Your guide will
assist in
you finding them. Internet for dial up is a free local number, but you
pay for
the phone calls.
Locations:
Where is Upper Egypt?
Egypt is a
little unusual. The South part
of Egypt is Upper
Egypt and
the North part, is Lower Egypt. This
is
because the Nile flows from the higher lands in the South to the lower
delta in
the North, and out to the Mediterranean Sea.
Luggage:
Do we have
to carry our
own luggage?
With one
exception,
we transport your luggage from the vehicles to your hotel, or cruise.
Bellboys
will move it from the lobby, to your room, for a small tip. You will
need to
carry your luggage onto the train if taking the overnight sleeper, but
again,
you can pay someone to carry it on and off for you. The cabin attendant
will
also assist in putting it up on the rack if you wish. We do suggest
using a
small overnight bag on the train, so you do not need to open your large
suitcase.
Is there a
place to
leave excess luggage we do not need for our trip?
Yes,
there
is a ‘left’ luggage department at the airport and it costs about $10 US
per
day, per suitcase. You can also leave luggage with your first hotel
concierge
and reclaim at the end. Of course, expect to tip them.
Luggage
allowance when traveling to Egypt
International
flights generally allow 2 pieces of luggage each person, plus one carry
on.
Each bag should weigh no more than 50 lbs (23Kgs) each bag for
check in
luggage and about 22lbs for your carry on. Charter airlines restrict
this
further.
For your
comfort and as you will be changing rooms frequently we recommend one
bag and
one carry-on per person otherwise you will find your luggage becomes a
burden. You
can always leave one bag in Cairo
at the Hotel while traveling in Luxor/Aswan. We suggest taking one
bag per
person plus your carry-on and then packing a fold up bag to use for any
new
purchases or as an overnight bag.
Marriage:
Can we get
married in Egypt?
Egypt is a
Moslem country and there are
no Ministers to marry you. In addition, many permits would be required,
and it
is expensive and time consuming to arrange. We suggest getting married
at home,
then having a reception or honeymoon in Egypt.
Money and Credit Cards:
What is
the exchange
rate and local currency?
The
currency is LE pounds currently ranges about 4-5 LE to $1 US. The rate changes
daily
against the US dollar.
Are there
any legal
restrictions or limits on how much money I can take into Egypt?
There are
no restrictions or limits on taking in money.
No, but
there may be limits on what you can take out of your own country.
Unless you
are investing using cash, this should not be an issue.
How much
money do you
recommend we exchange into Egyptian Pounds?
$200 US
per
person is the usual. We can arrange this for you on arrival.
Do we need
to have Egyptian Currency or should we take US
dollars
with us?
US
dollars
or Euros are great for buying souvenirs and such, but for the small
items like
snacks, bottled water, washroom service, you need to have some one
pound
Egyptian bills.
Besides
hotel
incidentals, can we use US dollars for
shopping?
Yes, both
the US dollar and the Euro are accepted everywhere.
Can I use
MasterCard or
Amex instead of Visa to pay for my tour?
Yes you
can, but it not recommended. Our accounts are Canadian therefore the
card
company will charge you the exchange rate, plus a fee, in addition to
the 3.5%
we charge. It is best to use Visa as we have a US Visa account and
there are no
additional fees over the 3.5%.
Museums:
How long
is the Egyptian Museum
open?
The
Museum
is open until 8 pm.
New Years
Eve:
Does Egypt
celebrate
New Years Eve?
Yes, in
fact most hotels throughout Egypt
have a compulsory dinner that evening, and on Christmas Eve. The higher
end
hotels will have parties and entertainment.
Nile Cruises:
When do Nile Cruises depart?
There are
a
few exceptions, but these are the main departures.
Departures
from Aswan, on Mondays and Fridays
Departures from Luxor,
on Saturdays and Mondays
Where do
the Nile Cruises go from, and to?
Currently,
they go
between Luxor and Aswan, or reverse. The occasional
cruise
between Luxor and Cairo is done when repositioning
after annual
maintenance. This type of Cruise requires long term planning.
What size are
the rooms on the Nile Cruise Ships?
Rooms are the same size
as on
most cruise ships, small and compact.
With a private bath, all have outside cabins. Most ships cannot
accommodate
triples or quads, as these ships only carry 100-200 passengers.
When do we
board the
ship?
On
arrival
in Luxor or Aswan, you will drop off your luggage
on the
ship, and then proceed onto sightseeing. Previous guests need to depart
before
you can check into your rooms. Upon your return, around 1 -2pm, you
will join
the cruise for a late lunch, and, check into your room.
Do we have a
ship guide or our own guide?
It could
be
either, but usually, our guides are land based and will meet you at
each stop
for the sightseeing. On rare occasions
we use the ship guides.
Do we sleep
on the ship?
Yes. It
will be 3 or 4 nights on the ship, depending on cruise schedule.
Where do
the 7 night
Cruises go?
3 and 4
night cruises, from Aswan to Luxor have
actual sailing time of 1 night and
1day.
3 and 4 night cruises, from Luxor to Aswan have
actual sailing
time of 1night and 1day.
The rest of the time the cruise ship is a floating hotel dockside, and,
a base
for sightseeing in Luxor and Aswan. This
means, if you choose seven days,
you are simply reversing the same journey, duplicating the same stops
and
sightseeing.
Can we get
a room on
the ship with a balcony?
There are
only one or two ships with balconies, owned, and operated, by a company
for
their own groups. Some other ships that have large windows that open,
like
French windows, but these are not balconies.
How long does the ship
sail?
The ship
only sails for one day and one night, the rest of the time they are
dockside in Luxor and Aswan,
docked alongside other ships. Sometimes you will see as many as 6 ships
deep.
You will do your sightseeing while docked.
What are Lake Nasser
cruises?
Lake Nasser
is south of the High Dam in Aswan.
There are several high end luxury
cruises that operate on Lake
Nasser.
Sightseeing
includes Abu Simbul temples, and many other temples rescued from the
water when
building the High Dam.
Length of time to get
there and how long there:
How long does it take to get to
Dendara & Abydos?
This is a day
trip, out of Luxor,
and takes
approx 4
hours each way, by convoy. The convoy controls the length of time at
each site,
but usually, there is plenty of time to see the temples.
How long
does a trip
take to Bhahariya Oasis, and, how much time do we need to spend there?
The
Bhahariya Oasis can be either, 2 days and 1 night, or, 3 days and 2
nights.
The drive
is about 5 hours from Cairo.
This is where they have recently found the Valley of the Golden Mummies.
How long
does it take
between Dahab and Sharm El Sheik?
Dahab to
Sharm is a 3 hour drive, each way.
How long
is the sound
and light show, and when does it start?
The Sound
and Light Show at Giza
lasts approximately 45 minutes. Start times vary, as they show is
presented in
various languages. They rotate the shows on different nights. For
instance, the
English version usually starts at 6.30 pm and lasts approx 2 hours
The
artists
have masterfully created a spectacle show that draws you in as part of
history.
Our driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to Giza
or Karnak (in Luxor) at
the end of the show the driver will be waiting to take you back to your
hotel.
How long
do we spend at
the Bazaar and is the guide with us?
We
normally
allocate 1 - 2 hours, depending on how much time we have free. The
guide is
with you, but it is impossible to keep everyone together due to the
narrow
crowded streets. The guide will normally allocate a set place for
everyone to
meet at a certain time.
How long
does it take
to travel from Aswan
to Luxor
or reverse?
It takes
approx 3-4 hours either
by road or by train. Unless there is a group of
5 or
more it is more cost effective to travel by Train. There are 2 stops on
the
train, and it leaves Luxor
at 6am and 6pm.
Pyramids:
Can I
meditate or stay
overnight in the Great Pyramid?
This is
not
possible unless you have managed to negotiate a special permit with the
department of Antiquities. These are not regularly permitted and you
must have
a special reason for doing so. We cannot assist with these.
Going into
Small Pyramid
Going
inside the pyramids is more to say you have been in a pyramid than
anything
else. It is claustrophobic and not recommended for anyone who is
- you
walk down steep steps into the main chamber and return the same way.
The
ceilings are low, and you have to bend in some spots. There is a larger
space
once your reach the main chamber but basically it is a narrow corridor
with
people coming both ways. It is hot and humid as there is no ventilation
inside.
These were built as tombs not for people coming and going.
The smaller two take about 10-15mins and
the large one only permits 100 people
twice a day and you have to line up yours self for that one as they
will not
allow guides to buy tickets. For the small ones no problem, they rotate
the two
smaller pyramids frequently so we never know exactly which one it will
be. As I indicated many people wish to do it to say they have
been inside
a pyramid. No cameras are allowed inside.
(There is an Option for
entering the large pyramids for a charge. and only sell 150
tickets twice a
day, the guide will take you to the line if you are interested and you
can
purchase the tickets at that time.)
Regarding
Climbing Pyramids
on the
large
Pyramid you can climb a little way to the main entrance, where all the
tourists
are allowed, but you cannot climb any of them other than this, and it
is not
wise to even try, there are police at every pyramid and they take no
nonsense. An Egypt
jail is not where you want to spend your vacation. Don't even try
as if
you do and you don't stop and come down when asked the Police
can shoot
you. These are protected historical monuments and they do not take any
chances,
and there are no exceptions for anyone.
The King's
Chamber in the Large Pyramid
The
King's
Chamber is the burial place of King Khufu and YES it is inside his
Pyramid. They only sell a set amount of tickets a day, and you will
have to
line up with your passport in hand either early morning or around noon
in order
to get tickets. Guides are not allowed to purchase tickets.
Red Sea:
What is the
water temperature
of the Red Sea during winter?
It is warm,
between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius during the winter time, which is
December to
February. It is much hotter during the rest of the year.
How long
do I have to
wait to fly after diving?
You
should
wait 24 hours to fly after diving.
Safety in Egypt:
How safe
is travel in Egypt?
Security
is
especially tight, and, all hotels have metal
detectors, and Police, at the
entrance. People are only allowed to come and go through one or two entrances.
Media hype exaggerates what is happening. Egypt
is safer than most cities in the USA.
Tour
Operators are required to give your itinerary in, around and outside Cairo, to the
authorities.
In addition they have to provide a list of names, passport numbers and
nationalities for all individuals and groups. This allows the police to
secure
the areas they visit, beforehand.
Visas:
Can we get a Visa on
arrival?
United
States, Canada, Visas are now available online for unrestricted countries.
Western
Europe, UK,
Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand,
and Japan
all can obtain a visa on arrival. Other countries need to check with
their
nearest Egyptian Embassy.
Do I need a
Visa if arriving by cruise ship for a short visit?
Permission
for foreigners arriving in Egypt
on board a cruise ship is granted a permission to visit the port of
arrival for
24 hours. They must return to their ship at the same port. One may have
permission to enter the country for a visit, not exceeding a period of
3 days,
before catching their ship at the port of arrival, or at any other port.
Check
with
the Purser onboard your Cruise.
Is a Visa
required if I enter the country via Sharm El Sheik or Dahab?
If you
arrive, and depart, from Sharm El Sheik or Dahab, a 14 day Visa is
issued,
without charge, to visit Sharm El Sheik, Dahab, Taba, Nuweiba, and
St.Catherine. If you wish to visit Cairo,
you must obtain a full paid Visa.
Entry
Visas to Egypt
If you need a visa on arrival we hire the security services
to meet our clients prior to
customs to
assist with visas, and luggage and escort them through to the
arrivals
hall where they meet with one of our staff members. We charge do charge a small fee to coveer the visa and this service.
When
does the sun lights
up Ramses statue
The
temple was aligned so that twice a year, on
February 22 and
October 22, the sun's rays penetrate the length of the temple and flood
the
sanctuary with light - lighting up the face of the statue
Internet
Cafes
There are
internet
cafes everywhere in Egypt
and most 4/5 star Hotels offer internet service and business centers.
Prices
vary depending on the Hotel. There is no internet access on Cruise
ships.
Shopping in Cairo
there are
numerous
shopping options in Cairo,
the Khan El Khalili is the bazaar, then there are numerous perfume,
papyrus and
souvenir shops. In addition Cairo
now has several new shopping centers where you can shop as you would in
the
west. If you have a preference or are searching for something special
then let
your guide know.
Sleeper Trains
The
sleeper
train has individual cabins with two bunk beds one up and down, a small
washbasin and a place to store luggage. You will be served dinner in
your
cabin, a pretty basic one and then they lower the bunks for sleeping.
The
washroom is at the end of each carriage, two of them. No showers. It is
a bumpy
ride and there is nothing to see until early morning as it is of course
dark
all the way. Breakfast is served in your cabin on the train. It arrives
in Luxor around 6am and in Aswan around
9am. Some people enjoy it for
the difference.
The alternative is the plane which also leaves in the early hours of
the
morning, so whichever way you choose that night will have limited
sleeping
time. Either way you need to get a good nights sleep the night
before.
Why we need passport
numbers
for security reasons, all foreigners are
checked into the Hotels and
Cruises
with their passports, this is standard throughout Egypt as the Hotels are
required to
register everyone with the police. We give the Hotels the info on
advance.
However if you prefer you can leave the numbers out. Either way I would
advise
you to bring copies of your passport with you so that you can give them
to the
Hotels so they don't keep them overnight to copy, also on the Cruises
they keep
everyone's passports in the pursers office until they depart this is
standard
on any Cruise worldwide.
Ancient Quarries
Most
ancient quarries have vanished. The few
existing ones are not
accessible to the Public or are so far away that reaching them in the
desert is
a major task. They are not considered tourist destinations.
The Granite quarries in Aswan can
be easilyvisited with the regular day trip in Aswan.
The other famous one is Chain
Mountain for the
sandstone and can be easily seen
from the cruise ship in the area between Edfu and Kom Ombo on the west
side of
the Nile.
Christmas and New Years in Egypt -
Compulsory Gala
Dinners/Events
Christmas
and New Years eves are celebrated in Egypt
at the Hotels and on Cruises;
they put on Gala dinners and entertainment. Unfortunately they
make these
occasions mandatory for all guests whether you attend them or not, they
still
charge. This is throughout Egypt
and we have no control over it. The sites stay open as usual. The
majority of
Egyptians are Muslims and do not celebrate Xmas or New Year,
however they
readily acknowledge that this is a western holiday and do their best to
ensure
tourists are able to celebrate. Egyptian Christians (the Coptic
orthodox)
celebrate Xmas on January 7th. These Gala events vary in price.
Solar Boat Museum
The Solar Boat
Museum has a
separate entry fee and is NOT included
in the cost of the entry fee to the Pyramids
Alcohol in Egypt
Alcohol is
not readily available in Egypt.
There are restaurants, bars
and mini bars that serve alcohol. If you buy alcohol to drink in
your
room, then please make sure it is sealed on arrival in Egypt
and that you are discreet
about leaving bottles out in the open in your room. Muslims are
not
allowed to purchase alcohol.
Duty Free
shops at Cairo and Amman Airport
Will
there be an
open duty free shop at the airport in Cairo
when
flying to Amman?
- Yes
will there be an open duty free shop at the
airport in Amman
when flying to Paris?
- Yes
Duty free
shops are regularly open for purchases for international flights.
Evening Nile
Dinner Cruise
The
Nile Dinner cruise is a buffet style meal,
with live
entertainment. A 3 or 4 piece band with singer, belly dancer and a
whirling
dervish. These are regularly utilized by locals for weddings, birthdays
etc.
You can of course go out on deck as well. They are somewhat
commercialized but
the whirling dervish makes the evening. They take about 2- 2 1/2 hours
and
usually have two seatings one early and one very late. We book clients
on the
early sailing.
St.
Catherine’s Monastery
the
Monastery is
Closed on Fridays, Sundays and Religious Holidays like Xmas and so on.
They
also book private events for their own purposes and will close on these
occasions as well. The itinerary should take into account these
closings if you
wish to visit the Monastery; it is a small site and can readily be
visited in
15 - 30 minutes.
How difficult is it the climb at St
Catherine’s? It takes about 3-4
hours to climb the 7,498-foot peak following the Path of Moses, a
stairway of
nearly 4,000 steps.
What type of physical condition does one
have to be in? You need to
be strong enough to hike in the middle of the night for the 3-4
hours hike
to the peak to see the sunrise. It also gets very cold so you need to
take
gloves, hat, warm jacket and a flashlight.
You
can taste the experience by hiking for an hour enjoying the
sunrise from that point and then walking back. You can also rent a
camel
to take you to the top.
St.
Anthony's Monastery (Deir Mar
Antonio’s), and St. Paul's
Both are
two of the oldest inhabited Coptic Christian monasteries in Egypt.
Hidden deep in the Red
Sea Mountains
and relying on
springs for their water supply, both still observe rituals that have
hardly
changed in 16 centuries. Both are
accessible by special tours from Cairo,
Suez
or Hurghada and a stay in either monastery can be arranged in advance.
Swimming
with Dolphins in the Red Sea
It is
possible to
swim with Dolphins directly in the Red Sea,
but of course they are fish freely swimming in the ocean so there are
no
guarantees they will be there. The locals usually have a good idea
of
where they are, but this is not something you can book in
advance -
when you get to the Red Sea please
talk to
your guide, the hotel or locals for more information on where they can
be
found.
Dust Storms
During
March & April the wind gets stronger
and at times can
whip up the sand in the desert to create dust storms called Khamseen.
If this
occurs then itineraries will be moved around to accommodate this
and
ensure any outdoor sites missed as a result will be organized for
alternative days.
Evening
Light and Sound
Shows
There are 3 light and sound shows
- Giza Pyramids, Karnak Temple,
and Philae
Temple.
The seating is open air, the show is conducted with lazer lights and
historical
information is narrated in English and they have shows in various other
languages as well. They last about 45 minutes.
Electrical
Two prong round, and sometimes 3 prong. Current 220. You will need an
adaptor
from North America
unless your appliance goes
110 to 240.
Solar Bark Museum
This is a
4,000 year old boat discovered alongside the pyramids and is situated
in a
separate museum on the Pyramids site. The entry fee is
paid
separately on site - the Boat
Museum
should be done as
part of the Pyramids tour otherwise an additional entry fee for
the Pyramids must be purchased again.
Step Pyramid of Djoser’s
Sarapeum Mastaba of Ti Pyramid of Unas
These can
be included as part of the trip to Sakkara
but
will require additional entry fees.
Manyal Palace
(Prince Mohamed Ali Museum)
Built
as a private residence by Prince Mohamed
Ali Tawfiq, the
palace is set in the Midst of a delightful garden with a collection of rare
trees from all over the world, the rich collection of Jewelry, Carpets &
Ceramics can be seen
in this
exquisite architectural masterpiece
deemed among
the most important of historic museums.
The Mummy Room
The
mummy room
in a separate section within the Egyptian
Museum
containing some historical mummies of pharaohs - this exhibit requires an
additional entry fee.
Stomach Ailments
Please
remember all products that contain water even when boiled can cause you
stomach
problems, so if you are not sure ask if the water is filtered. If you
should
suffer from stomach problems we highly recommend going to a local
Pharmacy as
they are well aware of the problems and the
treatments and can usually supply
you with a quick acting solution. If it persists, please have the guide
take
you to a doctor. Please ensure you check out any medications and
that they
do not conflict with any you are already taking. Medications are
very
reasonability priced and so are doctors visits so please make use of
them if
necessary, also if you have insurance the costs will be recoverable.
Where
is the Western Dessert
West
of Cairo -
Bhahariya and Siwa Oases are in the western desert
Galabia
Parties
On the
cruise ships there will be a Galabia party one evening. Galabia is
a long
gown worn by both men and women, and can readily be seen throughout Egypt.
They can
be bought locally anywhere or from many of the shops on the Cruise
Ships..
Shorts - clothing
Regular and
long shorts are acceptable throughout Egypt. Any attire is
acceptable at
the red sea resorts, however Cairo/Luxor and Aswan are far more conservative and
ladies in
particular should note this if they do not want unwanted glances from
the
locals.
|