Country #16: Egypt “Where it all begins”
Seeing something out of our history books is always fascinating. That too The Great Pyramids of Giza.
Things you should know before you travel to Egypt. This is based on our recent experience.
Visa Requirements and general facts:
1. Egypt has both sticker visa and e-visa for Indians. Both require tour operator guarantee letter, infact with e visa, your tour operator must be present at the immigration to help you clear. We opted for e-visa and it took us 5 days to receive the same as we took a tour and had a smooth immigration. A couple with e-visa was stopped as they were travelling without a tour.
2. For sticker visa also, tour guarantee letter is required (Delhi Consulate). Consulate is responsive and can answer all your queries over a call.
3. Egypt has such a long and rich history that its almost imperative to travel with a guide. Without a guide giving you proper explanations about the historical sites, it would be just pile of rocs and statues. Once you get to know the history behing such huge monuments, it becomes really interesting.
4. Also, Egypt is full of scams for tourists, including pyramid scams, shopping scams, horse rides scams etc. Having a guide just really saves you a lot of money and hassles. Even a small thing such a coke was being sold at 3 times the price at a super market.
5. We opted for Ibis Tours, the reference of which I got through this group only. Overall cost was approx. 1100 USD pp for 8 days including 4 star hotels with breakfast, internal flights, lunches, transportation, guide and driver, visa assist at immigration etc. We compared the prices with Thomas cook and MMT but this was the best deal.
The tour was really informative and everything was on spot. Guides were really informative and we had an amazing time hearing to all the stories and history behind the ancient civilization. You can contact Adham from Ibis Tours at +201119274199. In case you want to avail just the guide facility in Cairo, you wont find anyone better than Mr. Ahmed (+201062642691). He will explain you everything in so much detail that one starts feeling fascinating by such an ancient civilisation, and ofcourse makes you try the local Egyptian food which is such a treat after a hectic day.
6. Egypt is not a backpackers destination. It doesn’t have those vibes, it’s a bit restricted and don’t have that open culture. So one should plan Egypt with a group, families, friends etc.
7. There are lots of veg options and Indian restaurants for all taste buds, so food isn’t a problem.
8. Egypt offers one of the most affordable hot air balloon rides @ just USD 50 pp for a 30-40 min flight in Luxor. One of the best experiences we had.
9. As mentioned before, there are two types of prices at all shops, local price and tourist price @ 4x the local price. So beware and save your hard earned money by purchasing snacks and drinks from supermarkets only.
10. They even charge for washrooms (Approx 20rs.). Even at airports, they try to charge you by handing over tissue papers and asking for money in return.
Flying experience:
1. Flew from Delhi-Cairo with Gulf Air via Bahrain. There was a very strict document check by the airline staff at Delhi. Visa, cash, hotel bookings etc. all were check very thoroughly. Del-Bahrain flight was full of Haj pilgrims and the service was almost non-existent. Bland food was served with same bland looking crew without any expressions. Bahrain airport is relatively large and lots of space to lounge around. Bahrain-Cairo was a Boeing flight and much better in every terms, crowd, staff, food etc.
2. Came back from Cairo-Delhi via Flynas. Was a bit apprehensive flying through Flynas via Saudi but Saudi was such a breeze, even better than Bahrain. Airport is extensive with multiple food options, duty free shops and no restrictions as such on women. One can easily spend 4-5 hrs transit in Riyadh. Flight experience for Cairo-Riyadh was good and even a snack and water was served but as usual Riyadh-Delhi sector was full of blue collared jobs and nothing was served. Fly with Flynas only if you are tight on budget and don’t mind sitting on a plane with no facilities.
In this 7 days itinerary we have covered almost all the main places to visit in EGYPT. Hope this will help you to plan your trip.
1. Day 1: Landed in Cairo, directly headed to see sound and light show at the pyramids.
2. Day 2 : Alexandria
Took full day Alexandria tour. Takes around 2 hours from Cairo one way.
Started our day trip, scout Alexandria the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea, we were blown away by the different culture while visiting Cata Comb of Kom ElShokafa, Qaitbai Citadel, and Alexandria Library.
3. Day 3: Giza
Start the sightseeing tour of the Pyramids of Giza. Visit the three Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus, then move to see the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple. Proceed to the Egyptian Museum, the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, which houses the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world. We conclude the day by visiting Old Cairo's famous Hanging Church, and Ben Ezra synagogue.
4. Day 4: Luxor
Take early morning flight to Luxor. Explore East bank visit the magnificent temples of Karnak and Luxor Temples.
5. Day 5: Luxor
Early morning hot air balloon ride over west bank (USD 50pp). A must have experience. Have the chance to soar over Luxor city and watch the sunrise on the sky, feel ravishing with Aerial view of luxor, then start your trip in the west bank, walkthrough Valley of the Kings, head out towards the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and visit the magnificent Colossi of Memnonand transfer to Aswan (3.30 Hrs drive).
6. Day 6: Aswan to Abu Simbel
Early morning to Abu Simbel, walk through the stunning temples there then transfer back to Aswan and visit the High Dam, and then head towards the Unfinished Obelisk, then take ast stop will be to the Philae temple.
7. Day 7: Back to Cairo
Take morning flight to Cairo. Spend your day visiting local marketand have a Sheesha at a local restaurant.
8. Fly back to India.
We flew with Flynas via Saudi and it was such a breeze, even better than Bahrain. Airport is extensive with multiple food options, duty free shops and no restrictions as such on women. One can easily spend 4-5 hrs transit in Riyadh.
Bon Voyage!
