I just booked "Wonders of Ancient Egypt" - leaving 4/14/08 (so I can get into Tut's tomb before it closes in May!) I know that there has been a lot of discussion about ATM's being better than TC's, but what about during the cruise down the Nile? (I'm sure that there are ATM's in Cairo.) If anyone that has recently taken one of these tours could offer their advice/opinion I'd appreciate it. I've learned so much already from previous Egypt postings, and I can't wait to go! Thanks, PLT

PLT...
The Trafalgar tour you picked is a good one!

As for Tut's tomb, you may want to let the TD know very early on the tour that you want to visit the tomb. With the new limit of 400 per day, it may be tough!

As for ATMs on the tour, ask your TD. Also, the hotel should have an ATM and a currency Exchange or two.

On the boat on the Nile, you will be able to get money.

Thank-you so much for your information - I have read your previous posts and have already gotten so much help from you! I am looking so forward to this trip and King Tut's tomb is a must see for me. I'll be sure to mention it to my TD as soon as we meet! PLT

Just in addition to PLT's question, what is the best kind of currency to carry in Egypt?

As I am from Aus, I will probably be carrying AUD and/or EGP.

Also I have heard exchange rates are far better in Egypt, is this true?

Get just enough cash for your daily or 2-3 days needs from the ATM. You really don't have that much need for it when you are on the boat.

PLT,
I got back from Insight's 13-day trip to Egypt/7-night Nile cruise last night. I'm definitely on Cairo time right now. We found that people at restaurants, shops, on the ship, and even some of the solo street vendors were willing to take Egyptian pounds and US dollars. (Actually, given the dollar's problems, it was nice to see that some people actually wanted US dollars. Quite different than what one find in Europe these days.) ATMs were in our hotel(Marriott hotel and casino). However, there was not one on our boat, the MS Giselle. Some people were anxious to find an ATM, having run out of money. They were not as immediately accessible at certain stops; however, there was a working one (and one not working)across from where the boat docked in Aswan. There might have been some other places, but there wasn't time for stops.

I would love to hear more about your trip as that sounds like the trip I am doing in July, only I am with Trafalgar. I would love to hear any dos or don'ts or advice.

Thanks

Yes, Trafalgar was on the ship with us. The tours are very similar; we would have taken Trafalgar if the dates had worked out.
We had a wonderful time, but be prepared to pay an Egyptian pound everytime you need to use the toilet. They hand out small amounts of toilet paper( we had our own travel toilettes). There might have been two places where we didn't have to pay. Also, it sometimes seemed as though everybody had a hand out for a tip. Little courtesies that we'd just accept at home--someone holding the door or helping you cross the street-- are usually attempts to get a tip. It gets tiring, but it's part of the landscape.

I do recommend going to the travel doctor and getting the recommended shots and meds just in case there are any stomach problems. A few people on the tour, myself included, had quick( a day) bouts with diarrhea. I took the Cipro my doctor prescribed and was fine within the day. Someone else used medicine the TD had. I would not want to give the impression that such discomfort is inevitable, as most people did not get ill, but, as our TD told us, some of the ingredients in some foods are unfamiliar and can cause the runs. He warned us not to eat too much butter; he noted that they use certain fertilizers for vegetables that can upset our stomachs because we are not familiar to it. I am a major league germophobe and carry bottles of Purell around with me at home in the states, so I think some of my problem was mental. I can just look at things and get ill. The money is quite dirty and I just dreaded touching it.
But these are the only negatives I'd have to say. It's a great tour.
We were kind of disappointed because Insight booked an 18-member family on our tour. This family had about 8 kids(cousins etc) under 16-17, and 4 or 5 very noisy little girls who were 5-7 yrs old. To some of us, having 18 of the 33 people on the tour from one family set a tone that took away some of the group experience we're used to on tours. The TD said that such a booking was an anomaly cased by the holidas. This family, which required vegetarian meals(the ship's chef made rice curry) for the two elders who didn't eat meat, and generally didn't mix with the rest of the group, almost needed its own TD. Some of us made a point of never getting behind the family when it came to getting in line or heading of to see sites. They got friendlier toward the end of the tour, though. Even they didn't spoil the tour. The sightseeing was amazing.

Thank you for your great information. Travel toilettes?

I have Cipro down on my list to get a prescription from my doctor. I was told by one place to get the Typhoid shot/oral and that would be all I would need?? Any information on that would be appreciated.

Well I work with children seven days a week and as much as I love them, am kind of hoping that there are not tooo tooo many on my dream trip. No offense!

Hi Travelgreece girl, My primary Dr. and local health dept. recommended that I have the typhoid immun. (I choose the shot), the Hep A shots and Hep B series (which thankfully I had already had), and finally have the tetanus up to date. Since I'm going in April, I'm ready to go! Good luck, PLT

Travelgreecegirl,

The infectious disease/travel doc I saw recommended typhoid, tenatus, Hep A (she said Hep B was more necessary for long stays), and a polio booster shot for two reasons:1) there have been some polio outbreaks in the area; and2) they're giving the booster shot to middle-aged adults as a matter of course as a precaution because a disease somewhat like polio has shown up in the US and the view is that those of us who had the polio shots when young could use the more potent modern version.

Toilettes: Great stuff. They're sort of like WetOnes or Handiwipes for that special part of the body. Also, we have this little toilet on a roll to go that work great too.

Thanks for the great information. I have Hep A and B already, up to date on Polio and Tetanus, so should just be Typhoid.

Hmm not sure we have toilettes here in Canada? anyone know? Hmm toilet on a roll? trying to visualize.

Travelgreecegirl, I went to my suitcase for some specifics.
The portable, pull-out dispenser is "Charmin to Go." It is 1 ply tissue and comes with 55 sheets.

The wipes are Cottonelle and are called "flushable moist wipes."
It has 10 wipes to a pack. They are flat and fit into the purse easily, as does the dispenser.

Never knew I needed these things, but now I'd always take them with me.

Thanks I have made a note and will try to look for these items in my shopping around town.

I have just applied for a Visa card and was accepted so now I will have my Visa and Amex for my trip in July. Things are falling into place. I feel I still have so much to learn and tips to gain from all of these wonderful people on these forums.

Thanks to everyone so far. I have only been a member a few days but love it.

You won't be able to use your AMEX card at many places in Egypt. If I recall correctly, the Insight rep specifically said No American Express" for paying foroptions. There were some places that took it, but generally Amex is harder to use.