By: Tanya

Tanya — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:17:54 +0000

Hi
we went to Jordan and Egypt this time two years ago for a three week holiday although because we are a family of four-two teenage boys included- we did a combination private tour (for the Egypt part) and Jordan by ourselves which I think would be pretty lonely on your own. I can say though that we did much of what is on the Gap tour program. We stayed in backpackers, a cheap boutique hotel in Zamalek in Cairo recommended by Lonely Planet which was brilliant, a very basic bedouin camp at the bottom of Mt Sinai etc. We spent an entire day at Petra (which is an absolute must see a highlight of the trip and the place I would return to in a heartbeat even after seeing all the temples Egypt has to offer)from 7am to 6pm, using a guide book rather than a guide,and still didnt see everything we wanted to.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=14836&id=711058324&l=29185ae536
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16601&id=711058324&l=5805628385
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16606&id=711058324&l=8ffc05558f
We climbed Mt Sinai for the sunrise which you do in the dark (so bring a torch) and the rouse is to get you to leave as early as possible so you get cold (and in early January it is freezing!)and tired of waiting at the top and buy lots of hot tea from the vendors at inflated Im-at-the-top-of-Mt-Sinai prices and rent a camel blanket (it really is freezing!). It took us less than 2 hours (boys included) to get to the stalls at the top -including a couple of stops at the guides mates tea houses-on the camel track. Even the Russians breath still heavy with alcohol and feet unsteady on the stones made it up in good time.
We overnight trained to Luxor which was better than I expected although the food is pretty inedible so remember to bring your own or eat well before hand. Then we did a 5 night ‘cruise’ on the Nile which included 3 meals a day and a guide for the temples (our guide was so good we had returnees who had especially requested being in his group again)transfers etc. Our boat was a 3 star and not expensive and a lot more comfortable than the faluccas which look nice and romantic (we took one to Elephantine Island) but all the lying about didnt really suit what we were after in a holiday plus we’d heard horror stories about the food causing Cairo belly and with no toilet facilities on the boat…lets just say it wasnt a risk we wanted to take.
Food wise we ate cheaply often falafel and pita from market stalls, fried fish and eggplant from street vendors and beautiful fruit and vege from the side of the road. The fresh pita etc from the bread shops on the side of the main highways in Jordan are worth checking out too. We also ate and drank copious amounts of tea sitting on the floor of a Jordanians home between the Dead Sea and Aqaba.
We had a fantastic trip. I would be happy to answer any questions you have and or give you the links to our other pics if you would like…just sing out.
Happy planning
Tanya

Comments on: Egypt? Tour? What one should I decide on?

By: Tanya