My husband and I are interested in seeing Egypt and the Holy Land in 2009. I usually arrange things myself, online, but don't feel comfortable trying this one. Can anyone recommend a tour that we could take? This would be our first ever "tour", as we really aren't into that sort of travel. But, language barriers, politics, etc. are a concern.
Also, as an aside, what is the currency value vs the US dollar?
Any info would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Louise

I cannot help with a tour. We did a 2 week trip to Egypt in 2006 and planned it ourselves. One thing to bear in mind is that Egypt is incredibly touristy and if you are used to independant travel you may find that being on a tour is an additional irritation. I know I was glad we were on our own.

I would recommend going in the cooler part of the year if possible. We had a couple of nights in Cairo, several in Luxor and Answan and a 3 night Nile cruise. We also did a trip to Abu Simbel. We tried to cram in too much in too short a time and if I were to do it again would add at least a week to it.

Maybe others can give you suggestions for tours.

Hi Lou - I completely agree with eliza - my husband and I just finished a 17 night tour of Egypt and Jordan - initially I felt as you did but I found a guide in Cairo who I worked with and developed a completely independent trip using private guides/drivers/escorts the whole time. WAY better than a group tour.

There's a link to our blog under my signature - halfway through Jordan now - also here's an outline of our itinerary

January 14-18

* Cairo - staying at Giza to gaze at the pyramids from our room! Lots of day trips to the sights in the area and Alexandria

January 18

* Aswan for one night (staying at Old Cataract - remember it from the movie "Murder on the Nile"?) and taking a quick flight to Abu Simbel before we board our Nile Cruise

January 19-22

* On Board the lovely Oberoi Philae - sailing from Aswan to Luxor - lots of pyramid and temple visits along the route

January 23

* Luxor

January 24-26

* One night back in Cairo and then on to Jordan - 2 nights at the Dead Sea staying in a gorgeous new Kempinski Resort - visits to some amazing sights including Mt Nebo (where Moses first gazed at the Holy Land) and Crusader Castles

January 27-28

* Petra! Liz is very excited about Petra - we'll also visit Jerash (well preserved Roman ruins) at the end on our way back to Amman

Happy to answer any questions you have - the guide we used is Ahmed Hamed Yousif and his email address is ahmedhayo@yahoo.com - his price was really good and his service was outstanding.

In Cairo, the hotel arranged a guide and driver for us to see the Pyramids at Giza and other sites. This was a private tour and was 'cheap' by my standards, around $50 for the day. Then we took a 5 day Nile Cruise and the tours from the boat were split into English and French speaking groups.

We would probably only have time for a 2 week trip, including getting there and back....Would you recommend making the Holy Land a separate trip from Egypt?

Thanks,
Louise

quote:

We would probably only have time for a 2 week trip, including getting there and back....Would you recommend making the Holy Land

Absolutely, I could spend two weeks in Israel alone and still need to return.

Lou, if you can, make the trips seperate.

Keep the information and time tables in history seperate.

Keep your impressions seperate.

I know of a couple who are booked for a 10 day trip to Israel with their Rabbai for Israel's 60th anniversary. I am not sure if they will actually make the trip - she is rather dramatic - but I hope they do. What an occasion, what an experience. W.

A group from my synagogue is in Israel right now. As you say Wendy, an exciting time to be there.

quote:

Also, as an aside, what is the currency value vs the US dollar?

It would be different for Egypt and whichever other countries you visit. Here is a handy conversion link posted right here on ST.

I thought this was funny. We were walking around Cairo, not far from our hotel, and a street vendor had 'papyrus' pictures. He said 6 for 30 pounds (Egyptian currency) which was (around $5) so I said OK. He thought we were from the UK so he said, "No, 30 UK pounds." I laughed and said forget it. Then he went back to 30 Egyptian pounds. I know I even overpaid for that but I did get 6 pictures and only 2 were the same.

Another factor to keep in mind, if I am correct you might need to go to Israel before Egypt if you combine the two countries. Something about stamps in passports and conflicts. Others here would know if that is still true or not.

Actually, the real problems, if any, occur the other way round. When entering Israel from Egypt overland you will have to fill in an additional form. But several Arab countries will refuse entrance to anyone with an Israeli stamp in their passport. Egypt, however, isn't one of them (nor is Jordan). It has signed a peace treaty with Israel and has no problem with Israeli passport stamps. Here's some basic info from the Israeli tourist office, though it doesn't list the countries that will give you problems.

Thanks KT, I knew that if we were to go to Israel and then Libya we would not be admitted, of course on that one as an American we wouldn't be allowed in - we were looking a cruise with 2 stops in Israel and 1 in Libya.

Thanks

Anyplace to recommend finding reliable and reasonable guides? How would you do Egypt alone? Could you take public transit? Thanks!