Has anyone ever been there? How was the experience, places that are must-see? Is it a safe spot for two ladies to travel to alone? Should we be worried about any political tensions in Egypt that may be a cause of concern? How is the weather there this time of year?
Re: Travelling to Egypt
Egypt is pretty much safe unless u behave like a European (white girls). Egyptian boys are awful, but simply tell him
Akhu (brother), ana muslim. Salam o Alekum (their reaction will immediately change).
Apart from giza etc, I'd recommed - must go to Luxor & see the History there. One full day trip to Luxor may be enough for glancing around, for good I'd recommend two days (one night staying in Luxor).
Still be careful, try not to use Taxis (apart from Cairo), public transport is cheap & not different from Pakistan, same style. Dont let anyone befriended to you etc etc. Bargaining is common. Like Pathans, they tell u 10 times more price. Anything they say 1000, tell them u will pay them 100 & u will end up paying around 300 or 350, if u speak arabic, then of course it can be 200 or 250.
Re: Travelling to Egypt
I visited some time ago and am planing to take my family in few weeks time. Here is what I know. Hope this will help
In Egypt the weather is nice (like spring in Pakistan) at this time. Places to visit depending on the duration of visit. starting from 3 days to 3 weeks. But can list few
Cairo
a) Pyramids (normally only two are open for inside visit) , Sphinx, Laser and Light Show,
b) Cairo Museum, Al Azhar, Jamia Hussain, Syeda Zainab, Khan-El Khalili (the famous Bazar) Fishawi (Old tea house)
c) Whirrling Darweesh of Ghauria Mosque (every Wed. and Sat.)
d) Papyrus Museum, Salah-uddin Fort, Mohammad Ali Mosque, Army Museum, Museum of Islamic Art, Old City and grave Yard
e) Coppetic Cairo , Old wall of city and Abdur-Rahman Mosque (The first mosque of Cairo)
e)Boat Tour of Nile (specially with Diner and Belly Dance)
f)Pyramids of Saqara (about 40 Km from Cairo City)
If you have time like a week or so then boat tour from Cairo to Luxor.
For Beaches Alexandria (about 2 hours drive from Cairo) , Hargudda and Sharm-El-Shaikh.
Normally it should be OK but sometime local men are trying to take advantage of ladies and offer their services as guide and then try to trap them. The best is to get a registered guide if you can and then it is no problem.
In Bazar a lot of bargaining like Pakistan or even more.
Re: Travelling to Egypt
Thanks for the input Najim and Bookworm. lol that doesnt really sound too safe! The thing is I was looking through a few guided tours and was wondering if they are a good idea. After what you guys mention I think it is better to travel with a registered guide to be on the safe side. I wanted to check out the Valley of the Kings. Is it common to find entrances to many pyramids closed in egypt? Also one last question...many of the tours include the Nile Cruise that can be a few days maybe..wouldnt that get boring?
Re: Travelling to Egypt
Yes but you can go to Luxor by boat and fly back soyou do not have to waste time. Not all the pyramids are open for public except some. Many time things work with Bakhseesh........
Re: Travelling to Egypt
No it wont be boring ... cos i live here and actually its not a bad place to be here if you come here as a tourist ... but if you come to live here then dont come ... but obviously your coming to visit. lol.
the places that have been mentioned are worth going to especially in Alex too where there are a few nice places to visit islamically and non.
Another place i would recommend is Hurghada nd ths also a good place to go and just on the outskirts of it is Mount sinai where Prophet moses recieved the ten commandments. its a site to see especially you start climbing it in the evening and you be there on the top of it in three hours if your fit and if not it could take a bit longer and you wana be there for the sun rise. and what a scene that is to see the sun right in your face ...
And the weather here in the past two weeks has gone warm and pretty hot. and if you do decide to come then come in the next two weeks coz after that its very hard to survive in trhis heat up untl october november time.
When you planning to come and where u comeing from?
Re: Travelling to Egypt
fbi786: im coming from new york. wow great so u live there....i'd still say lucky u. i was actually planning visiting around april/may since i have to schedule the trip with another girl but now you are confusing me. hey ive survived the dubai and the karachi heat. doesnt that help?
Re: Travelling to Egypt
yes then it does help if you ve survived .... well you ll most likely to go back to NY tanned very bad ...
yep am lucky ... studying ... koi holiday pe to mein nahin aaya ... parhney aaya hoon and hardly get time to go places. and i got another 2 years to go yet ... and then again maybe i am lucky ... i can go to these places at anytime i want.
well if you survive the heat then your most welcome. and ppl here are just like its been said ... just like pakistaan
Re: Travelling to Egypt
shweet,
let me know if you need some specific information. I know a lot of Egyptians.
Re: Travelling to Egypt
fbi786: what are u studying?
coolbreeze: thanks! I'll pm u soon...i might need to learn how to speak some egyptian words
Re: Travelling to Egypt
fbi786: what are u studying?
coolbreeze: thanks! I'll pm u soon...i might need to learn how to speak some egyptian words
Am studying BA in Islamic Sciences at Al Azhar university in Cairo
Re: Travelling to Egypt
I have been there once bout 6 months ago and planning to go again by end of March. Its pretty safe, except at times there have incidents of physical/sexual harassment of women in markets.