Hi - I'm looking for some more advice. We are booked for the Egyptian Voyager tour in August and have added on an extra day in Cairo before the tour begins. We are looking for suggestions on what to do with our extra time, something that won't be done on the tour or on an optional. My TA suggested that we book a tour through the hotel to Memphis/Saqqaura in the morning of the day that others in our group will be arriving. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Hi Kristin,

I think you’re TA has given you good advice. The Step Pyramid is a favourite of mine.

I had a look at your itinerary and it seems that the top two IMO – the Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids are included.

Other things you could do would be to visit Islamic Cairo including the Citadel with its centrepiece the Mohammed Ali Mosque and great views of the City. There are other mosques in the area as well.

You could visit Khan al- Khalili Bazaar, to haggle for wares or sit and have coffee and observe the everyday happenings. I found the merchants quite affable, no hassles.

Old Cairo is also interesting but IMO, not as appealing as areas already mentioned.

If the excursion to Memphis/Saqqara is only half day, perhaps you could do something else in the other the other half. Hope this helps.

Have a great trip
Yaya

quote:

Originally posted by Kristin O:
Hi - I'm looking for some more advice. We are booked for the Egyptian Voyager tour in August and have added on an extra day in Cairo before the tour begins. We are looking for suggestions on what to do with our extra time, something that won't be done on the tour or on an optional. My TA suggested that we book a tour through the hotel to Memphis/Saqqaura in the morning of the day that others in our group will be arriving. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Hi Kristin
We have just returned from the Wonders of Egypt tour and I agree with the suggestions Yaya has given. We visited Sakkara and Memphis as part of our tour and they were certainly something not to be missed. It was amazing to see the first pyramid built and the drive to Memphis gave you a different view of the countryside as well as having the opportunity to see an ancient capital. We went to the Cairo museum as part of the tour but found we needed more time so went back for another couple of hours. However word of warning they have no written guide books, labels non existent. I wish I had taken my copy of the Lonely Planet to the museum with me as it would have been very valuable. We also went to the Khan al Khalili(sp) Bazaar by ourselves and that was really interesting and worth a visit just for the experience.
Someone I know also went on a tour to the City of the Dead when they were in Cairo, they found that very interesting but we never went there. There is lots to do. I absolutely loved the whole trip. It was our first organised tour and we had a fantastic time.

Yaya and Explora Dora - thanks so much for your insights! Hopefully with our jet lag behind us,we will be up for Memphis and Saqqaura the next morning! And I just got my travel documents, so it's official - I'm going to Egypt! Can't wait! It sounds like you both had wonderful experiences - I'm hoping for the same.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the info. I have a couple questions.

I understand Egypt uses 220 volts for electricity. Did you find the standard USA 120 volts anywhere?

Also, how did people dress for dinner?

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by travelling duo:

Also, how did people dress for dinner?

Thanks

The same way they dressed for any other meal... tying laces, fastening buckles, pulling on unmentionables etc!