Ancient Egypt / Nile Have I left it too late?

Don't go in our summer months, it's boiling hot. Friends of ours went in August and needed to get up at 3.00a.m. to see the sights, we went March, still warm but not too hot. Crusing along the Nile is wonderful, do go.

I went with my ex husband back in January 1987. I used to struggle with the heat so went in January for that reason - then Egypt experienced a heatwave! The Valley of the Kings was about 40 degrees. We spent a few days in Cairo where we visited the pyramids, sphinx and some museums then we flew to Luxor, cruised to Aswan and flew back to Cairo. Obviously much younger then so mobility not an issue. Climbing up inside the great pyramid could be an issue as could entering some of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings where there are lots of steps. We also went out in a small boat (Felucca) at Aswan which was tricky to get on and off - I embarrassed myself by splitting my dungarees right across the top of one leg making this manouevre!
There was an optional trip to Abu Simbel which we didn't do due to the extra cost, though I wish we had been able to afford it.
The biggest problem we had was that the whole tour group got sickness and diarrhea during the cruise so be very careful of the food and drink! Hopefully standards have improved on that front! Make sure bottled water is sealed as we suspected the boat owners may have refilled the bottles they supplied the water in!
I'm sure it should be possible with a tour which makes provision for people with mobility issues as long as you have the right support and don't try to do absolutely everything. Do the research and g
o when it is cooler if possible.

I took meds in case of upset tum - I was absolutely fine. Food on board excellent, same in the restaurants our tour guides took us to

Hello. I’m here now. We live in Cairo. So nice to see some positives about Nile cruises . I’d say it’s all fine if you book a good co. I think they are used to dealing with all sorts. You don’t have to go on all the tours from the boat & you can pace yourself
Yes the heat is dire right now. Never known it so bad so better to come at a cooler time of year . What a shame not to try something you’ve always wanted to do . Honestly you can stay in the comfort of the boat & enjoy the Nile vistas if it all gets too much
Good luck 👍

We never know what is round the corner. If Egypt is special to you then I would make the greatest effort to go while you can, but spend time checking out as much as possible about where ou are going and any up to date info from people who have been on that trip. I have lived abroad, travelled a great deal and that was long before mobile phones or Lonely Planet books. I prefer to do my own research. Some people have mentioned Saga which my father used to be a bridge tutor on, and I know they are quite good but also quite pricey. I have very recently travelled on Fred Ohlsen ships and give them 100% for good food, excellent staff who know when to offer help and when to stand back. They are well geared up to suit all sorts of people, so I have just been up to the Arctic circle with them leaving from Newcastle. The range of passengers was wide. People with no mobility problems, people in wheelchairs and quite a lot of people with the smaller mobility scooters that could be used on the boat. Excellent talks ,by well qualified people covering where you were going and many other things. We had a group of whale watchers on board who gave lots of information etc. They also had a genuine library with a good choice of books, a great card room with good tables , which offered lessons from beginner bridge to more advanced levels etc. These cruises are particularly popular when you have a person with their carer. It enables the carer to have a breather and do something they want to do, and to go back to being part of the relationship they had before caring rather takes over. I saw a lady who has some type of dementia with 2 daughters so they were able to take turns being with her, all enjoy time together etc. They have a small swimming pool etc etc. I think they are excellent and give very good service . I used to be in charge of a large amount of staff , and have done quite a bit of trouble shooting at various times and can definitely say they were the best I have seen. Again being smaller ships they go to places that the huge cruisers cannot reach and the amount of passengers aboard does not overwhelm the places you visit. I hasten to add I have no connection with them other than as a very satisfied passenger, and believe in speaking as I find. also as I live in the north of england am pleased to be able to begin a cruise at Newcastle or Liverpool or Rosyth instead of traipsing down to southampton. Well whatever you think is special go for it . I urge you as there are places i could no longer manage to visit and am just so pleased that I went when I could. Enjoy yourself and best of luck

Labadi0747

Hello. I’m here now. We live in Cairo. So nice to see some positives about Nile cruises . I’d say it’s all fine if you book a good co. I think they are used to dealing with all sorts. You don’t have to go on all the tours from the boat & you can pace yourself
Yes the heat is dire right now. Never known it so bad so better to come at a cooler time of year . What a shame not to try something you’ve always wanted to do . Honestly you can stay in the comfort of the boat & enjoy the Nile vistas if it all gets too much
Good luck 👍

Still researching! but 1 Nile cruise I have looked at for a reasonable price and seems a slower pace and cooler time (February) doesn't go to Cairo, it's a round trip from Luxor. Is it worth missing out the Cairo experience?

Perhaps a river cruise? All worked out in advance.

Some really good tips and advice on here but I am surprised that only one person has made what is surely the most important point that the Middle East should not even be considered as a holiday destination now.
Yes Egypt is one of the safer countries at the moment but that could easily change if the war spreads.

Having been, forget Cairo it’s a horrible dump, Luxor is lovely, Valley if the Kings does need walking over uneven paths a river cruise would be no problem.

Go with a tour group you should have no problems, you will be escorted, maybe with an armed guard ( we were) but it is worth it.

Maybe it's just me but I would not feel comfortable traveling anywhere in or near the Middle East

I travelled solo to many Middle Eastern countries - including Egypt, Syria, Iran, Lebenon and Jordan. I always wore hijab and was never bothered by local males as I simply blended into the background. The problem is that such countries are not often well adapted for less mobile travellers although individuals that you meet may be kind and helpful.

biglouis

*Maybe it's just me but I would not feel comfortable traveling anywhere in or near the Middle East*

I travelled solo to many Middle Eastern countries - including Egypt, Syria, Iran, Lebenon and Jordan. I always wore hijab and was never bothered by local males as I simply blended into the background. The problem is that such countries are not often well adapted for less mobile travellers although individuals that you meet may be kind and helpful.

Cover your legs and wear a scarf as a sign of respect is the way to go.

Go over Christmas or new year. Perfect weather and we did it with teenagers as I was tired of the Christmas hoohaa.

gigi1958

Maybe it's just me but I would not feel comfortable traveling anywhere in or near the Middle East.

Same here- things could get very serious at anytime. I mentionned Cyprus some time ago and was laughed at. But I wouldn't go there either. Far too close and far too militarily linked to the 'West'.

I'VE BEEN!
Thank you everyone I've just come back from the most wonderful,magical trip down the Nile. Tired now but so glad I did it.
I won't bore you with all the details!

mrsba

I'VE BEEN!
Thank you everyone I've just come back from the most wonderful,magical trip down the Nile. Tired now but so glad I did it.
I won't bore you with all the details!

Please do!

I won't be going so tell me all about it

Just booked last minute, cruise from Luxor to Aswan and back, lovely temperature only about 25 degrees. Everyone was so kind and helpful, I was intending to just sit on the boat all week, but chatting with the guide gave me confidence that I'd be able to cope with some of the trips, between everyone in our group and of course husband I was helped all the way up and down any awkward steps. so a dream come true saw the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatsetshup, temples of Karnak and Luxor and some other smaller trips. Well worth it

Lovely to hear your news mrsba. My first Nile cruise with late DH was just after my mother died. I’ve had two more since then, one with my sister.
It’s a trip one never forgets, absolutely magical.

mrsba

I'VE BEEN!
Thank you everyone I've just come back from the most wonderful,magical trip down the Nile. Tired now but so glad I did it.
I won't bore you with all the details!

I am so glad to hear you decided to go and that you enjoyed it so much. I too would like to hear more when you're rested

Great update, thanks mrsba
It’s a fantastic way to see the wonders and experience something if Egypt

Been there, loved it. Didn’t go into the Pyramids as we were told it was very difficult , bending and claustrophobic. Did the usual touristy things, camel rides, museum etc.

We spent a week at Luxor with dds and my mother, who was then about 80. She was still reasonably mobile and managed the tombs etc. We did the Valley of the Kings (with the tombs) in the morning, an early start before it got too hot, and spent much of the afternoons in the gardens/around the pool. My mother enjoyed sitting in a chair under a tree and reading a book.
We stayed at the Old Winter Palace, which was lovely, and despite being a ‘single’ my mother was given a nice big room with a big balcony.
Afternoon tea (or G&Ts!) on the terrace, watching the sun go down over the Valley of the Kings was a lovely feature, too.

All this was quite a while ago, though.

PS, IMO it’s a mistake to try to cram too much sightseeing in. Even the most spectacular tombs just become ‘samey’ if you see too many. Shortly before that holiday I’d seen an American on some travel programme about Egypt, saying that it was all too easy to get ‘tombed out’, which to me sums it up nicely.

Well done, mrsba.

Didn't see this when you first posted.

I had to smile at the title: "Am I too late for ancient Egypt?"

Only by about 3000 years!

JackyB

Well done, mrsba.

Didn't see this when you first posted.

I had to smile at the title: "Am I too late for ancient Egypt?"

Only by about 3000 years!

😄

Witzend

PS, IMO it’s a mistake to try to cram too much sightseeing in. Even the most spectacular tombs just become ‘samey’ if you see too many. Shortly before that holiday I’d seen an American on some travel programme about Egypt, saying that it was all too easy to get ‘tombed out’, which to me sums it up nicely.

Yes, totally agree with this, trying to sort through my 100's of photos trying to remember which is which!I don't think I could have coped with any more tombs and temples, whilst the guide was full of knowledge I found I couldn't take it all in and just wanted to look in my own time.