Day trip to Luxor- Can I bail on lunch?

[lissie]

I've just booked the 13 hour  Cunard cruise for our day in Safalaga. I've been to Egypt before and I know how far it is so the 3.5 hours each way bus to Luxor seems like a reasonable investment. The itinerary is: 

 

 

 Temple of Karnak 

Afterwards, savour a buffet luncheon with a soft drink, mineral water or coffee/tea at a leading hotel.

Then you’ll drive across the Nile to the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings, where 64 pharaohs' tombs have been found. You’ll have an opportunity to visit three of the royal tombs. 

In addition, you’ll make photo stops at the magnificent 5,000-year-old Colossi of Memnon, as well as outside the vast complex of the Temple of Luxor.  

 

I don't want to waste a  precious hour or more  having lunch. I also know my partner would love to see Luxor temple not just drive by it  (which is what I interpret a " photo stop:" to be. 

 

So my question would be is it reasonable to leave the tour at Karnak - skip lunch in favour of actually spending more time either at  the Valley of the Kings or  getting inside Luxor temple.  And pick them up again probably at Luxor? 

 

I'm guessing we'd be best off discussing this quietly with the tour guide and enabling his  cooperation with a bit of baksheesh. 

 

Has anyone done anything like this. I know Egypt is in your face and "developing". I can handle local cabs, local currency and will have a functioning cell phone so can contact the tour leader to make sure we get the bus back to Salafaga. 

 

Curious to  know if others use ship's tours as a means to an end rather than just stick  with the plan? 

[Lakesregion]

Tours in that part of Egypt are escorted by heavily armed security people. Doubtful if you would be accorded the same level of safety on your own.

[lissie]

1 hour ago, Lakesregion said:

Tours in that part of Egypt are escorted by heavily armed security people. Doubtful if you would be accorded the same level of safety on your own.

That's why we're doing the tour - the  security problem is the drive between the port and Luxor. 

 

Luxor itself makes a huge % of Egypts annual tourism income. They have heavy security, there were issues a few years ago, but now the UK  travel advisory is to be careful on the roads and the driving is nuts (I paraphrase) . 

 

I actually think you're less of a target when not part of an obvious group - and I've done a LOT of travel 

[LibertyBella]

 

Well, I was in Egypt as a poor independent traveler a few decades ago and I really enjoyed scrambling all over the ruins, but it can be very, very hot and dry.  An hour for a refreshing lunch break does not sound like a great loss of time as compared to the extremely long and tiresome bus drive you will undertake. And yes, I was very young and athletic then (not too bad now), but I would not skip a drink and meal because touring can be exhausting.

 

Usually photo stops let everybody off the bus for ten minutes or so.  Asking the tour guide to bend the rules for you may also make him/her uncomfortable, and may put his job in jeopardy and your safety at risk. Your trip is on a tight schedule, and you could potentially get lost or have a problem and then what would everyone do?

 

I actually took the train from Cairo to Luxor, and was able to spend a few days exploring.  In those times we rented a taxi driver for the day, but we started quite early.  I, personally, enjoyed Karnak the most. Valley of the Kings is spread out and the main attraction is Tut's tomb (small). Hatshepsut's temple is also a great site to see.  Don't try to see or do too much, or you may become lost in the quantity over the quality.  

[watsonbeau]

Personally I’d stick with the tour. You will be visiting Karnak in the heat of the day so you will need a rest and refreshments before continuing to VOK especially after a long drive - if you’ve been to VOK before you will know there is NO shade at all and you will be visiting at hottest part of the day. I’d just enjoy the tour and look upon it as a taster for going back to Luxor in the future to explore in depth and more at your own leisure. 
 

With a bit of luck the hotel refreshments will be at the Winter Palace - beautiful and historic - you can stand on the steps where in 1922 the announcement was made of finding Tutankhamen’s tomb.

 

A return to Egypt is on my list for sure !!
 

[lissie]

8 hours ago, watsonbeau said:

Personally I’d stick with the tour. You will be visiting Karnak in the heat of the day so you will need a rest and refreshments before continuing to VOK especially after a long drive - if you’ve been to VOK before you will know there is NO shade at all and you will be visiting at hottest part of the day. I’d just enjoy the tour and look upon it as a taster for going back to Luxor in the future to explore in depth and more at your own leisure. 
 

With a bit of luck the hotel refreshments will be at the Winter Palace - beautiful and historic - you can stand on the steps where in 1922 the announcement was made of finding Tutankhamen’s tomb.

 

A return to Egypt is on my list for sure !!
 

I don't count 3.5 hours in an aircon bus early in the morning as tirying - in fact as I was planning on sleeping on it LOL! 

 

I wasn't planning on not eating and drinking - unless something very odd has happened in Luxor there will be zillions of places to eat and drink on the streets- which take  10min not 2 hours!  

 

Unless its over 35C we can manage the heat - long-sleeves, hats, umbrellas, suntan lotions, electrolytes. 

 

I agree if its a historic hotel that is of more interest. 

[lissie]

 

11 hours ago, LibertyBella said:

 

Well, I was in Egypt as a poor independent traveler a few decades ago and I really enjoyed scrambling all over the ruins, but it can be very, very hot and dry.  An hour for a refreshing lunch break does not sound like a great loss of time as compared to the extremely long and tiresome bus drive you will undertake. And yes, I was very young and athletic then (not too bad now), but I would not skip a drink and meal because touring can be exhausting.

 

Usually photo stops let everybody off the bus for ten minutes or so.  Asking the tour guide to bend the rules for you may also make him/her uncomfortable, and may put his job in jeopardy and your safety at risk. Your trip is on a tight schedule, and you could potentially get lost or have a problem and then what would everyone do?

 

I actually took the train from Cairo to Luxor, and was able to spend a few days exploring.  In those times we rented a taxi driver for the day, but we started quite early.  I, personally, enjoyed Karnak the most. Valley of the Kings is spread out and the main attraction is Tut's tomb (small). Hatshepsut's temple is also a great site to see.  Don't try to see or do too much, or you may become lost in the quantity over the quality.  

 

Defo not skipping eating and drinking - just skipping a hotel buffet. 

 

I used to get lost all the time - but thanks to google maps  I won't be lost.  I  will have a functioning cell phone - and I'm sure the tour guide will have one too. 

 

Are there rules that a group has to stay together? That's what I'm not sure of - I've rarely down organized tours so I'm really not sure what the "rules" are. 

 

I agree that the timing is awful - I'd prefer to have stared from the ship around 5am - but I suspect the 7am start is to do with dawn and timing of the convoy on the road. 

 

I spent about a month in Egypt in 1987 - that train from Cairo still counts as the worst I've ever been on - and I've been on a LOT of bad trains over the years LOL  Its my partner's first time though that's why  Iwant it  to be perfect for him. 

[Lakesregion]

In an area of the world not known for tourist safety, I would say that all on the tour will be required to remain on tour and not go off on their own. Neither the tour folks nor Cunard will care for the exposure to kidnapping etc.

[lissie]

3 hours ago, Lakesregion said:

In an area of the world not known for tourist safety, I would say that all on the tour will be required to remain on tour and not go off on their own. Neither the tour folks nor Cunard will care for the exposure to kidnapping etc.

I'm sorry but that is flat wrong and border line racist - there are areas of Egypt which are unsafe -but none of them are within 1000km's of Luxor  Source: Safety and security - Egypt travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

[gumshoe958]

No-one here can predict what an amenable tour guide will let you do on the day for a small consideration. There’s only one way to find out.

 

But officially I’m sure the answer will be a firm no, for all sorts of reasons: insurance, the implications for the rest of the group if you’re late, the risk of you suing Cunard if something happens to you while on one of their tours, etc. Not just in Egypt, but anywhere.

[lissie]

5 hours ago, gumshoe958 said:

No-one here can predict what an amenable tour guide will let you do on the day for a small consideration. There’s only one way to find out.

 

But officially I’m sure the answer will be a firm no, for all sorts of reasons: insurance, the implications for the rest of the group if you’re late, the risk of you suing Cunard if something happens to you while on one of their tours, etc. Not just in Egypt, but anywhere.

Why on earth would I sue Cunard if I left their tour -that's on me - clearly 

[Victoria2]

12 minutes ago, lissie said:

Why on earth would I sue Cunard if I left their tour -that's on me - clearly 

Clearly and absolutely, but unfortunately, not every clear thinking tourist will have the same views as you and the litigation culture being what it is i.e. it's not my fault so it must be someone else's,  it's a very fair point which might be factored into an excursion risk assessment.

I also don't think any words of caution are in any way racist, just sensible observations in a region which can be fairly volatile.

It's a few years since we were 'on the Nile' but the chaps in black who were with us on any road journey no matter how short, had suspicious bulges under their jackets. We were alarmed at first, but then became very comfortable with their presence.

[2BACRUISER]

6 hours ago, lissie said:

I'm sorry but that is flat wrong and border line racist - there are areas of Egypt which are unsafe -but none of them are within 1000km's of Luxor  Source: Safety and security - Egypt travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

That it maybe but we stayed at the HYatt at one of the red sea resorts, security into the hotel compound was tighter than a gnats ass! X-ray machines in and out, concrete barriers and bollards out front to stop risk of car bombing. We only ventured out of the hotel once on our own and as a white, blonde woman i felt very unsafe despite being with my husband, the cat calling and harrassing was blatant and felt threatening. We never left the hotel after that other than on an organised trip. #justsaying

[Photo Andy]

Actually been to Egypt 2x - cruise to Alexandria and bus to the Pyramids with armed guard on the bus and accompanied by troops in jeeps then staying in Luxor.

1st visit was to Luxor staying in a hotel, able to walk around but seeing machine gun emplacements on the Corniche was very disconcerting until you realise they are to protect the tourists. Walking around the Temple of Karnak was wonderful archaeology  but very irritating with people continually pestering you. I am a keen photographer and having people stand in your way unless you paid was irritating. Visited the Valley of the Kings and Queens on a coach trip and definitely stayed with the trip. Visiting the Temple of Hatshepsut was interesting but  2 months later this was the site of a terrorist massacre  - very open ground and no where to hide. When walking around just be careful and if a woman  cover up otherwise expect lots of unwelcome attention. Agree with 2BACruiser  comments and have sympathy. 

The Pyramids -  lots of hassle from locals and was grateful for our armed guard (submachine gun under his L / armpit, very similar to the film Lethal Weapon 2). Again trying to take a photograph and lots of hassle, ways around it though (autofocus etc). Travelling on the bus from Alexandria to Cairo a Roman Road the Pyramids get bigger and bigger as you get closer,  an awesome site!

Stick to your organised tour, if you want to walk around Luxor actually stay at a hotel in Luxor,  you may then walk to the Temple of Karnak  and local museums of antiquities quite easily, though I lost 1lb per day due to loose bowels and unpalatable food.      

[lissie]

9 hours ago, 2BACRUISER said:

That it maybe but we stayed at the HYatt at one of the red sea resorts, security into the hotel compound was tighter than a gnats ass! X-ray machines in and out, concrete barriers and bollards out front to stop risk of car bombing. We only ventured out of the hotel once on our own and as a white, blonde woman i felt very unsafe despite being with my husband, the cat calling and harrassing was blatant and felt threatening. We never left the hotel after that other than on an organised trip. #justsaying

The Sinai is not Luxor -its an entirely different part of the country and has a very different vibe - even back in the  80s.  

 

Yup as a white blonde women  becareful that your husband doesn't auction you off  but its all noise - they aren't going to lay a hand on you. I just tell them to behave themselves in the local language 

[2BACRUISER]

28 minutes ago, lissie said:

The Sinai is not Luxor -its an entirely different part of the country and has a very different vibe - even back in the  80s.  

 

Yup as a white blonde women  becareful that your husband doesn't auction you off  but its all noise - they aren't going to lay a hand on you. I just tell them to behave themselves in the local language 

I don't think so after almost 40yrs he'd get a lot for me. Lol. And I defo felt unsafe but if you're happy to put yourself at risk in these uncertain times well...............🤷‍♀️

[AspirationalFlyer]

Hello lissie,

 

I’ve spent around 15-20 nights in Luxor in the last few years, all of them at the Sofitel Winter Palace. I’m hoping I can help. 
 

Some thoughts:

 

1. Karnak and Luxor Temple are quite a long walking distance from one another, but doable if you have two full hours. 
 

2. If you take a taxi or kalesh from Karnak make sure you negotiate and agree the price in advance. 
 

3. As an alternative, you could walk down part of the Avenue of the Sphinxes which runs between Karnak and Luxor Temple - watch the videos online! 

 

4. If you do go off alone, make sure you have the tour guide’s mobile number. The phone signal was always pretty solid in Luxor on my iPhone.

 

5. There are plenty of small shops and similar to get cold drinks, as well as street vendors. There is also a McDonalds very close to the Luxor Temple if you’re in a rush and want a safe option. 
 

6. There can be a lot of hard sell and hassle, but I’ve never had any real problems. 
 

7. I don’t think going to the Valley of the Kings early is the best option, but just my opinion. 
 

Hope that helps. 

[lissie]

32 minutes ago, AspirationalFlyer said:

Hello lissie,

 

I’ve spent around 15-20 nights in Luxor in the last few years, all of them at the Sofitel Winter Palace. I’m hoping I can help. 
 

Some thoughts:

 

1. Karnak and Luxor Temple are quite a long walking distance from one another, but doable if you have two full hours. 
 

2. If you take a taxi or kalesh from Karnak make sure you negotiate and agree the price in advance. 
 

3. As an alternative, you could walk down part of the Avenue of the Sphinxes which runs between Karnak and Luxor Temple - watch the videos online! 

 

4. If you do go off alone, make sure you have the tour guide’s mobile number. The phone signal was always pretty solid in Luxor on my iPhone.

 

5. There are plenty of small shops and similar to get cold drinks, as well as street vendors. There is also a McDonalds very close to the Luxor Temple if you’re in a rush and want a safe option. 
 

6. There can be a lot of hard sell and hassle, but I’ve never had any real problems. 
 

7. I don’t think going to the Valley of the Kings early is the best option, but just my opinion. 
 

Hope that helps. 

Thank you so much - that is exactly the info I wanted!   You've confirmed what I  suspected - its still Egypt- there will be lots of hard-sell and hassle but no real danger. I will do the normal stuff of wearing conservative clothing, concealing my passport and cash/cards, and practicing "la shokran" without breaking stride. 

 

Ithink the Ave of the Sphinxes is new since my last visit will check out the videos.  

[roscoe39]

On 2/7/2022 at 12:23 PM, lissie said:

I've just booked the 13 hour  Cunard cruise for our day in Safalaga. I've been to Egypt before and I know how far it is so the 3.5 hours each way bus to Luxor seems like a reasonable investment. The itinerary is: 

 

 

 Temple of Karnak 

Afterwards, savour a buffet luncheon with a soft drink, mineral water or coffee/tea at a leading hotel.

Then you’ll drive across the Nile to the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings, where 64 pharaohs' tombs have been found. You’ll have an opportunity to visit three of the royal tombs. 

In addition, you’ll make photo stops at the magnificent 5,000-year-old Colossi of Memnon, as well as outside the vast complex of the Temple of Luxor.  

 

I don't want to waste a  precious hour or more  having lunch. I also know my partner would love to see Luxor temple not just drive by it  (which is what I interpret a " photo stop:" to be. 

 

So my question would be is it reasonable to leave the tour at Karnak - skip lunch in favour of actually spending more time either at  the Valley of the Kings or  getting inside Luxor temple.  And pick them up again probably at Luxor? 

 

I'm guessing we'd be best off discussing this quietly with the tour guide and enabling his  cooperation with a bit of baksheesh. 

 

Has anyone done anything like this. I know Egypt is in your face and "developing". I can handle local cabs, local currency and will have a functioning cell phone so can contact the tour leader to make sure we get the bus back to Salafaga. 

 

Curious to  know if others use ship's tours as a means to an end rather than just stick  with the plan? 

Hi Lissie...

 

this is exactly the sort of thing that I would do as many on here would attest to me doing. I often skip the lunch and take off on my own.... but with provisos and I always err towards making sure I know exactly where and what time to meet. I got left behind in Guatemala in 2020 because of the agent not keeping to the arrangement. (they came back!)

 

Ive been to Egypt 9 times now and know it pretty well. Being independent there is a hell of a lot of fun you can have wandering on your own  but you have to be confident and know exactly where and how much things should cost when doing anything on your own. You are very safe in Egypt. They are very respectful of tourists and to mess with one or to rob or hurt one is not worth the trouble as the government knows that 89% of their income is obtained through tourism.

 

I had done this Luxor tour with Cunard a few years ago, the restaurant for lunch changes, and depending on which bus you are on will depend one which restaurant you go to because sometimes they may fill more than one. More than likely they will not be able to tell you when you get on the bus which restaurant you are at. Although...it will be a nice 5 star one.

 

The 5 star restaurants and hotels the ships excursions use are usually further along the cornishe,, the movenpick , the Steigenberger, the Sonesta etc, These can be out of the way of the interesting sites in Luxor such as the market which is way down the other end of town,  and its a long walk to the Karnak Temple. I know...Ive done it!

 

The guides are very reluctant to let a passenger off, they are responsible for their charges and hell hath no fury if they were to lose one,  so my experience has been to only be let off the lunch and a promise to be back in time for the bus to leave and keep in mind the other passengers will give you hell if you're late and hold them up!

 

I would not attempt to go back to Karnak for an hour, there is far too much to see there and you will not even get an appreciation of it that is worthwhile to spend only 20 minutes  therewhich will be what it comes down to. 20 minutes each way plus 20 minutes to view would be a reasonable timeframe.

 

To cross the Nile at the beginning of the buses lunch and do the Valley on your own for a first timer is not something I would recommend with the amount of time you will have, without good negotiating skills and knowing a little of the culture it will take you to long to get there before the group you left before lunch.  You have to negotiate transport across the Nile and then transport to the Valley, plus getting into the site. You will more than likely take as long as the tour will to get there and they would have had the advantage of lunch!

 

If the stop in Egypt is overnight, and I'm not sure which trip there you are talking about and if it is , then you could try  doing it on your own which could give you some flexibility.

 

here is a letter I wrote home of one such adventure in Egypt that I did independently off the ship where we actually ended up in a jail which - (I  thought hilarious....but my travelling companion was not as amused) which might give you an idea of what could be possible but also what could have gone wrong.

 

https://roscoesseafever.blogspot.com/2015/02/blanche-and-muriel-do-egypt-on-their-own.html

 

(sorry its a little long...but it was quite the adventure!)

 

If I can be so bold, if you only have the opportunity for the Luxor day trip, then I would stick to their itinerary and if its your first time, yes skip lunch for a short time  if you are close tot he Cornishe for a walk but otherwise stay with them. Egypt is such a wonderful and exciting country, you should use this brief trip as a taster and plan to come back and spend a decent amount of time there. The excursions particularly to Egypt are planned to see as much in as defined a time that is possible and is efficient as they can get it.  You will see more quickly than you will see on your own, but that's what return visits are for.

 

Please go and enjoy, it is the most exciting wonderful colourful thrilling country on earth. 

[lissie]

4 hours ago, roscoe39 said:

 

If the stop in Egypt is overnight, and I'm not sure which trip there you are talking about and if it is , then you could try  doing it on your own which could give you some flexibility.

 

here is a letter I wrote home of one such adventure in Egypt that I did independently off the ship where we actually ended up in a jail which - (I  thought hilarious....but my travelling companion was not as amused) which might give you an idea of what could be possible but also what could have gone wrong.

 

https://roscoesseafever.blogspot.com/2015/02/blanche-and-muriel-do-egypt-on-their-own.html

 

(sorry its a little long...but it was quite the adventure!)

 

If I can be so bold, if you only have the opportunity for the Luxor day trip, then I would stick to their itinerary and if its your first time, yes skip lunch for a short time  if you are close tot he Cornishe for a walk but otherwise stay with them. Egypt is such a wonderful and exciting country, you should use this brief trip as a taster and plan to come back and spend a decent amount of time there. The excursions particularly to Egypt are planned to see as much in as defined a time that is possible and is efficient as they can get it.  You will see more quickly than you will see on your own, but that's what return visits are for.

 

Please go and enjoy, it is the most exciting wonderful colourful thrilling country on earth. 

Haha  is it a Kiwi thing - we're just not good with being organized?  I've gotta say I've never ended up in a gaol though... I would have found that hilarious - my partner not so much - perhaps it would be best if we never abscond from a shore excursion together LOL 

 

I do take your point that it may take a bit of time if we negotiate an independent trip across to the Valley of the Kings.  I personally didn't find that the highlight of the  area - I much preferred the temples in Luxor 

 

Unfortunately it's not an overnight - its the  QE re-positioning cruise Barcelona-Australia in October and we  only have one day/stop in Egypt at Safaga.  

 

It's not my first time in Egypt but first time nearly 30 years.  Do you really think the excursions are designed for efficiency? I've always thought that they are designed to make sure money was spent with local businesses including the lunch place and usually a "factory stop". I do admit though I've never done a cruise excursion - most of my  day trip experience is from Asia. 

 

Thanks for  the info on the location of the likely hotel stop - I may have just googled that and found its only 10min by taxi back  to Karnak.... I know I'll pay over the odds getting a taxi from outside a 5 star  but .... 

[AspirationalFlyer]

10 hours ago, lissie said:

Thank you so much - that is exactly the info I wanted!   You've confirmed what I  suspected - its still Egypt- there will be lots of hard-sell and hassle but no real danger. I will do the normal stuff of wearing conservative clothing, concealing my passport and cash/cards, and practicing "la shokran" without breaking stride. 

 

Ithink the Ave of the Sphinxes is new since my last visit will check out the videos.  

 

Well do shout if you need more and please report back. Hope it goes well. 

 

The hassle can be annoying, but I think you just have to take it with grace, good humour and not get stressed. As you suggest, always best to dress modestly, minimise or avoid expensive watches/jewellery etc and keep valuables in zipped pockets. I’d also suggest taking a small amount of Egyptian pounds if you can - small shops might not accept USD or you will get a (very) poor exchange rate. If you get stuck, there was a couple of places to exchange money around the main square opposite the Luxor Temple. 

 

Finally, make sure your phone is fully charged, you can switch data roaming on and you have the driver/guide’s mobile number (maybe a fellow passenger’s number too).