AddictedToTravel.com

Hi Kelly,

Well you've picked a superb country. Egypt is a land of contrast for sure, with the rocky interior of the Sinai to the wonderful Nile Valley. Much depends on how long you've got and how much you want to spend. It's a cheap country so if you are backpacking you can probably get away with £15 per day all in - but that's a real basic trip - street food and crummy hotels, 2nd class trains etc. At the other end the sky's the limit!

You can either arrange it yourself or book a small group trip with a company like Explore, Intrepid or World Expeditions. This is often in the long-run easier and not much more expensive than doing it yourself. A DIY job though is a lot of fun and can be cheaper - you always need more time though as you have to make all the arrangements yourself. If you are just two people making an enquiry with an operator like Solar Empire (on this site) will be more expensive but will give you a really personal service and you can tweak the itinerary as you like - expect to pay £60 - £70 per day with everything but your meals included in a 3*/4* hotel. All depends on the money really.

You've mentioned you want to see ancient Egypt - if so you'll want to include places such as Minya, Beni Hassan, Amarna and Dendera - all in Middle Egypt. Given this you must take a tour as this area can't be travelled through by backpackers for security reasons. Explore's 'Temples of Middle Egypt" tour is a good one and Solar Empire can do a similar private itinerary if you don't fancy a group trip.

Here's a few tips:
You can get a visa on arrival at Cairo airport - around £15. You get them at any one of the banks before immigration (yep, from the bank). You might as well change a bit of money here too as the rates are similar wherever you go - count it carefully before leaving the counter! The visa comprises of two small postage-type stamps you lick and stick in your passport; these are then validated by the immigration guy with a rubber stamp.

Remember that baksheesh is a way of life in Egypt - accept it and pay it and remember its not to reward good service like in the West, it's just to get things done and to spread the wealth a little. You don't have to give much an Egyptian pound here and there. Keep lots of small notes handy - ensure you get small bills when you change any money up.

A ride from the airport into town costs between LE35 and LE60 depending on your haggling skills, the availability of taxis and the time of night.

£1 = around Egyptian Pounds (LE)9 or 10

Entrance fees have rocketed in recent years, so allow between £5 - £10 per site for the main ones. Allow for this when comparing a DIY option with the cost of a tour which includes them!

Cairo deserves at least 2 full days if you can - 1 for the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum and 1 for Islamic Cairo. You can get to the Pyramids by public bus but its more hassle than its worth. A taxi is LE 35-ish one way. Haggle hard but as with all things keep it in perspective.

You can take a sleeper train from Giza station to Aswan at around 8pm arriving the next morning 10-ish (around US$100 for a lovely sleeper berth, or opt for a reclining seat - around $30 I think). Air con in the seated carriages is fierce - keep warm clothes handy. Careful who you buy tickets from - you might get ripped off - avoid touts. Solar Empire on this site can arrange tickets for you and book transfers and hotels if you so need.

Aswan is a nice place for 2 days or so. Do visit Abu Simbel (by air if possible - the drive is 4 hours each way). Book the flight through a reputable travel agency and you'll be fine. Cost is around $150 pp.

In Aswan try to visit: Philae Temple, Elephantine Island, the Nubian Museum and St Simeon's Monastery.

You could take a felucca north to Luxor or arrange a Nile cruise (send addictedtotravel member "bilue7" a private message as I know he's done some research and can give you details, or contact Solar Empire who have some great contacts). If you opt for a felucca check with the Captain what food is included (ask for a menu) and if water is included. Agree the price of beer and check that they wash food and dishes in clean water (not Nile water). You might want to give "Khaled" a call on Mob:012 239 3505 - i've worked with him before and he's reliable and trustworthy.

In Luxor you'll probably want to visit the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. Tayeb Khalifa (Mob: 012 7438266) is a good Mr Fixit and can arrange just about anything. Try to get to Deir el Medina, Medinat Habu and Luxor Museum and DEFINATELY don't miss Hod Hod Soliman's balloon trip - Jennie is an English lady married to a local Egyptian guys and the outfit is the best in Luxor without doubt, with a 100% safety record - more than the others can say...

Depending on what your interests are you could head into the Western Desert or across to the Red Sea - Quseir is quieter than Hurghada. Ferries go from Hurghada to Sharm el Sheikh (see: www.internationalfastferries.com/html/schedual.html) and you can head to Dahab from there. If in the Sinai you could do worse than contact Embah Travel (on this site)- they are true Sinai Experts; there are lots of security hassles and travelling as a backpacker used to be a slow affair - anyone got more up to date info as its been a while for me? Embah will be able to smooth the way and have a great hotel in the form of the Coral Coast at Dahab.

If heading into the Western Desert try to book a mini-package through someone like Solar Empire or El Badawiya (www.badawiya.com)- much better than trying to organise public transport which is totally unreliable.

Anyway, that's about if for now. Some travellers may have more up to date ideas and suggestions. If pressed for time, i'd take a tour, if not - go for the DIY option. Don't forget to Blog your trip and upload a few photos/videos.

See ya