Egypt holiday with my son

Hello Frank and welcome to the Forum!

Eight days is not a lot of time in Egypt, I spent about that time in Luxor alone and struggled to see everything within the area. I would think you would need 2-3 days in Cairo/Giza/Saqqara, 3-4 days in Luxor (absolute minimum) and 2 days in Aswan/Abu Simbel.

I would strongly recommend adding Dendera to your attractions - it is a day trip from Luxor. The big benefit of Dendera (it was back in 2002) is that you are able to walk on the roof and descend into the crypt - great fun for kids both big and small. Also, if you have time to see two other museums, consider the small but beautifully presented Luxor Museum and the large, and equally beautifully presented Nubian Museum in Aswan.

As for suggestions to the places you are already seeing, you are on a tight time frame, so here are my suggestions as to the best bits of each area.

In Saqqara I'd recommend the tombs of Ptah-hotep, Mereruka and the Mastaba of Ti. There are some stunning high-reliefs in this area. Whilst in Saqqara, you may be able to go inside of the Red Pyramid.

In the Valley of the Kings, I liked the Tomb of Ramses III, and to a lesser extent those of Tawosret/Sethnakht and Merneptah), but found the tombs in Valley of the Nobles (especially those of Menna, Nakht, and Sennofer) are of much better quality. However, the best of them all is the Tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens - this outshines any other tomb by a very large margin, so if it is open to the public, then you must see it.

Also, whilst in the Valley of the Kings, hike across the hills to the Temple of Hatshepsut (bring water) - it is a great high vantage over the temple as you close in on the temple.

If you are hiring a car and driver, be very sure of what you are promising to see, and be wary of what they tell you. For example, the taxi driver I negotiated with for a day trip to Saqqara tried to tell me that the Tomb of Ptah-hotep was closed. He did this so because he wanted us to return to Cairo quicker, thus he would get the same money for less time. However, I had spoken to other tourists in the area, and knew it was open, so after insisting we must visit "just in case it was open" you could imagine my pleasure (and his obvious disappointment) when we arrived to an open tomb, and so I spent a lot of time in there just to prove my point.

Finally, instead of a Nile Cruise maybe take a sunset felucca trip in Aswan. Only lasts for an hour or so and it is great value, but haggle hard. Reply to this

I would also add Abydos which you may be able to see along with Dendara in the same day some of the preserved colors and reliefs are spectacular. In Luxor do not miss Medinat Habu and Luxor temple especially when it is lit up at night and open to wander around unlike the pay light show at Karnak. If possible get one of the tickets to go inside the great pyramid. Standing in the grand gallery and felling the weight of thousands of tons of stone that it has supported for 5000 years gives a sense of the engineering expertise of the ancient Egptyians. Lastly, the red pyramid at Dashur is the first true pyramid and well worth a visit as you may have it all to yourself. You may not have time but I would also mention the statue of Ramses the great at Memphis and the temple at Edfu as being worth seeing. Reply to this

Vincent, I concur with Abydos - it is equal to my favourite temple. Its high relief carvings are unmatched in colour, and the artistry is amongst the best in Egypt (thus a compelling combination) - the quality of the carvings is almost equal of the exceptional and intricate work at the the Pavilion of Sesostris I at the Karnak Temple (it is in the Open Air Museum) - however, this latter has no colour at all.

However, back in 2002 I required an armed escort to get to Abydos, and the whole experience of travelling to and from Luxor by train, then waiting for an armed escort and stopping at many checkpoints - meant it took a whole day just for this one temple. The only reason I left it out is the tight time frame, but if one can combine it with Dendara, then please give the details. Reply to this

Get your certification in Dahab not Eilat as it will be cheaper and the diving and snorkeling is better. A side trip to mount Sinai for the sunrise is unforgettable. If you had more time I would also recommend a trek with the bedouin in the mountains of Sinai. Near Sharm Ras Mohammed is amazing and depending on your cert level you may be able to see some of the shipwrecks of which the Thistlegorm is the most famous. Reply to this

Any suggestions on WHICH dive center to study with? Reply to this

I hope I could go and visit Egypt too some time soon.. Reply to this

I spent 5 weeks in Egypt in October/November in 2008, great time of the year to be there, all the summer tourists are gone and the weather is perfect.

For the original poster 8 days is pushing it, I think 2 days in Cairo, one day travel, 3 days in Luxor/Valley of the Kings, one day travel, one day Cairo is more appropriate. Don't miss Karnak Temple and Medinit Habu in Luxor, it is probably the best preserved temple there, you can still see much original paint on the ceilings.

I highly recommend seeing the Pyramids at sunrise - you have to get up at around 4am (have your hotel/hostel arrange a cab the day before) arrange a camel or horse at the stables (I prefer camel, you are in Egypt after all) and set off into the desert in the dark with your guide. You will arrive at a small corral where they have a family making tea, watch the sun come up and the pyramids materialize out of the night. Magical. After a while you will head back to the stable and be at the gate to the actual pyramids and Sphinx at 7am when it opens, and you will probably be the only ones there. It is incredible to walk around by yourself, everything is quiet and cool. At about 8:30 at least fifty tour buses full of people will arrive on cue and it turns into Disneyland Cairo, awful. Thats when its time to leave.

I skipped Aswan and Abu Simbel, something about the fact that the temple being relocated kind of bothered me.

For the diver I spent a couple of weeks in Dahab, really fun place. I did my AOW with Octopus Divers and it was great, especially the night dive. Khaled was my instructor, he takes the course seriously (a good thing). You can arrange a trip to Sharm from Dahab, they take you down there the night before, you sleep on the boat (very luxurious) and head out in the wee hours of the morning. Dont miss diving the Thisltlegorm (the reason I broke down and got the AOW) that is one of the best wreck dives in the world, you penetrate the whole thing and can see tanks, motorcycles, trucks and a room full of boots! The typical package is two dives Thistlegorm and a third dive in Ras Mohammed, really nice. Sooo much cheaper than going to Sharm and arranging it.

The Nile cruise is nice but for me one afternoon was plenty. You can just walk down to the docks and arrange a dhow ride on the spot for about $15 or $20. While the sights in Egypt are incredible I really enjoyed wandering around Cairo and Luxor and especially Alexandria, having a relaxing afternoon shisha and turkish coffee after a big koshari lunch. I recommend making some time for that stuff as well as the big attractions.

Dominick Reply to this