Any advice or tips on a private or ship excursion when in Cairo to the pyramids.

[mozfoz]

We just booked a 2024 cruise that includes Cairo. While information on  excursions to Giza is vague at this time for Oceania Excursions, specifically their pricing, I am asking for any recommendations from those who have experienced them or can recommend a private driver and guide.  Of course indicating cost you paid would be helpful. We normally do not use cruise excursions and do our own private car and guides, we are concerned with the shady reputation that encompasses the area, though not all true.  We were wondering if a ship excursion is worth the piece of mind for safety and guarantee of not missing the ship, or if it is no worst of a concern compared to any other port. We prefer a private car rather than a bus, but either is acceptable if reputable.

[the more ports the better]

We have used both Emo and Memphis tours in Egypt, Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and even in the small villages further south up the Nile.  We were very happy with both companies.  We had private tours in each area.  Reasonably priced with well educated guides.  I would use either company again.

[the more ports the better]

Also, Egypt is very inexpensive.  I think our total cost was around $1500 to have a driver and guide for just short of three weeks, including airport transfers and we flew inter country so several airport pick up drop offs..  I think they charged $150ish for a single day.  Both companies have websites with pricing.

[Jancruz]

If I remember we were escorted by police..and we were on an Oceania tour..

I personally would not go private in Egypt..probably one of the few places but to each his own..

Jancruz1

[the more ports the better]

Jan, I wouldn’t count on the police.  A bit disconcerting but we were in a papyrus shop with a Polish group on a bus tour.  We left before them with our guide and driver when the police followed us to the car and thought they had kidnapped us from the group.  I thought, that’s nice, they are protecting tourists, but no, the police were demanding money to not report him authorities. Once our guys showed their  guide credentials and threatened to report them, the police were out of there very quickly.

 

That was our experience in Jan 2020 a year or so after Islamic State was defeated so things were really calm in Egypt and the entire region when we planned the trip.  Our military, I’m in the US, killed that Iranian general Solimani while we were staying in Giza so that was a bit worrisome.  It turned out, they really disliked him in Egypt and were celebrating the operation so it ended up being ok and calmed things down even more.

 

Now, I would be more cautious and probably wait and see what happens.  The Sunni Shia conflict is heating up again as is Islamic State.  I do think the large companies like Memphis and Emo are really cautious about protecting their clients and take security seriously.  We had our guide and driver on either side of us most everywhere we went, especially in crowded areas. We were fairly inconspicuous.  On a bus tour, I think you stand out as a group of tourists.  After, the attacks on the tour bus in Giza in 2018, I prefer to be under the radar.  Also, if, god forbid, you need to leave quickly, it is easier when it’s just the two of us, our driver and guide.

 

Unfortunately, it appears the Valley of the Kings may be closing permanently to tourists so waiting may not be an option if that is on the bucket list.  That is the most impressive site I have seen in the world thus far.

 

just my experiences but everyone should 100% plan what is going to make them most comfortable.  Some prefer “security in numbers”

[Jancruz]

12 hours ago, the more ports the better said:

Jan, I wouldn’t count on the police.  A bit disconcerting but we were in a papyrus shop with a Polish group on a bus tour.  We left before them with our guide and driver when the police followed us to the car and thought they had kidnapped us from the group.  I thought, that’s nice, they are protecting tourists, but no, the police were demanding money to not report him authorities. Once our guys showed their  guide credentials and threatened to report them, the police were out of there very quickly.

 

That was our experience in Jan 2020 a year or so after Islamic State was defeated so things were really calm in Egypt and the entire region when we planned the trip.  Our military, I’m in the US, killed that Iranian general Solimani while we were staying in Giza so that was a bit worrisome.  It turned out, they really disliked him in Egypt and were celebrating the operation so it ended up being ok and calmed things down even more.

 

Now, I would be more cautious and probably wait and see what happens.  The Sunni Shia conflict is heating up again as is Islamic State.  I do think the large companies like Memphis and Emo are really cautious about protecting their clients and take security seriously.  We had our guide and driver on either side of us most everywhere we went, especially in crowded areas. We were fairly inconspicuous.  On a bus tour, I think you stand out as a group of tourists.  After, the attacks on the tour bus in Giza in 2018, I prefer to be under the radar.  Also, if, god forbid, you need to leave quickly, it is easier when it’s just the two of us, our driver and guide.

 

Unfortunately, it appears the Valley of the Kings may be closing permanently to tourists so waiting may not be an option if that is on the bucket list.  That is the most impressive site I have seen in the world thus far.

 

just my experiences but everyone should 100% plan what is going to make them most comfortable.  Some prefer “security in numbers”

Wow that is some scary few minutes....I found when we went with Oceania the Police were very attentive and made sure we were safe..but I am with you..everyone should do what they are most comfortable with..I was just letting the OP know our experience

Have a great day..

Jancruz1

[Vineyard View]

We had a stop in Cairo in late 2018. (HAL). We almost always book private guides when we do not DIY. We did a private (8 passenger) all day in Cairo. It is the only place and time when I was truly frightened. We had an armed guard and his weapon with us at all times, but it did not stop what happened. 
The day went very well and we saw a lot as private tours will most often do for you. It was the journey back that went sideways. We boarded our van with our guard and waited 45 minutes for the driver to go someplace for his daily prayers. That’s fine, but it put us behind our comfort level on a timely return to ship.(we literally sat there watching the ship tour busses leaving). As we were leaving Cairo proper, we were all of a sudden surrounded by local men all brandishing guns. They would not let us leave and were demanding something from the guard and guide ( likely money). Finally the police showed up and after verifying with driver/guide they were legit, we were released. Once we reached the entrance to the port, the authorities would not let us pass through for an unknown reason. We were delayed over an hour in the dark.  By now we were likely missing the sailing. Finally released from that nightmare, we arrived back to ship post departure time, but the captain had held the sailing and we literally ran to get to the gangplank. Once on board, we were told that multiple announcements had been made looking for us. We have never been so grateful to a captain in our lives. We missed our scheduled sailing window, and were held in port for a bit longer, but it was a horrible experience. 
This was a well researched tour company. At that time, we were only the second ship in port after a long closure to cruise ships. When I contacted the tour company and explained what happened, they responded that we were never at risk of missing the ship and denied what happened.
So long story short, no, I would not recommend a private tour in Cairo. This might have been a one and only time this happened to anyone, but I do believe that the lesson for us was in some parts of the world, it’s just better to be in a bus of people that, at that time,  all had police escorts. 

[Jancruz]

32 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

We had a stop in Cairo in late 2018. (HAL). We almost always book private guides when we do not DIY. We did a private (8 passenger) all day in Cairo. It is the only place and time when I was truly frightened. We had an armed guard and his weapon with us at all times, but it did not stop what happened. 
The day went very well and we saw a lot as private tours will most often do for you. It was the journey back that went sideways. We boarded our van with our guard and waited 45 minutes for the driver to go someplace for his daily prayers. That’s fine, but it put us behind our comfort level on a timely return to ship.(we literally sat there watching the ship tour busses leaving). As we were leaving Cairo proper, we were all of a sudden surrounded by local men all brandishing guns. They would not let us leave and were demanding something from the guard and guide ( likely money). Finally the police showed up and after verifying with driver/guide they were legit, we were released. Once we reached the entrance to the port, the authorities would not let us pass through for an unknown reason. We were delayed over an hour in the dark.  By now we were likely missing the sailing. Finally released from that nightmare, we arrived back to ship post departure time, but the captain had held the sailing and we literally ran to get to the gangplank. Once on board, we were told that multiple announcements had been made looking for us. We have never been so grateful to a captain in our lives. We missed our scheduled sailing window, and were held in port for a bit longer, but it was a horrible experience. 
This was a well researched tour company. At that time, we were only the second ship in port after a long closure to cruise ships. When I contacted the tour company and explained what happened, they responded that we were never at risk of missing the ship and denied what happened.
So long story short, no, I would not recommend a private tour in Cairo. This might have been a one and only time this happened to anyone, but I do believe that the lesson for us was in some parts of the world, it’s just better to be in a bus of people that, at that time,  all had police escorts. 

I am so sorry that happened to you..and so happy the Captain waited..

Thank you for sharing your story it may give the op food for thought..

Love the area you live in, we are in southern Cal..but my kids and grandkids are up near you..

Jancruz1

[Vineyard View]

Love where we live - have been up here 40+ years.  Very familiar SoCa as my parents were in Redondo Beach for 50+ years, and it’s a special place as well.
I don’t want to discourage someone from doing what they truly want to but Cairo was a huge reality check for us. At least on that day at that snapshot in time. Alexandria, same tour company, went fairly well, but I wasn’t comfortable all day long based on the day prior experience. 

[JoePDX]

High praise for Ramses Tours.  https://ramsestours.com/  We used them in Safaga for a Luxor overnight in 2017.   Everything from preplanning to the tour itself was handled professionally.   We had a super guide, name of Dida.  It was also very cost effective.   Cost included guide, driver, guard, five star hotel stay on the Nile, all meals except dinner.   I think it was around $250 a person.

 

Joe

[cruisemom42]

9 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

So long story short, no, I would not recommend a private tour in Cairo. This might have been a one and only time this happened to anyone, but I do believe that the lesson for us was in some parts of the world, it’s just better to be in a bus of people that, at that time,  all had police escorts. 

 

What a harrowing story!!!

 

I have done private tours in Egypt (none since the Arab Spring) and everything ran to plan, but a report like yours does make one think...

[Vineyard View]

19 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

What a harrowing story!!!

 

I have done private tours in Egypt (none since the Arab Spring) and everything ran to plan, but a report like yours does make one think...

We didn’t see the Cairo situation as so real beforehand, but it certainly became one. Hopefully it was a single situation.  I do think if I were asking this question on CC, I would want the good and bad to make my decision. 

[LouChamp]

Aloha. When it comes to Egypt I have a few thoughts if I may. We did not take a large ship voyage. Rather we flew to Cairo for a few days toured, saw King Tuts tomb etc and then a several days Nile River Cruise.  All in all a 14 day immersive vacation.  My thoughts are that I would be concerned to take a private tour in Egypt because anything can go wrong and if there is a delay in the return to the ship, it can be an issue of course.  If you take the ships tour you are protected in case of delays.  Perhaps in other countries or cities a self arranged tour would be ok but I would have reservations about Egypt. All in all the people are wonderful, the sites are priceless to see and it is a wonderful experience. Enjoy!

[Acrusa]

Year was 1997 Royal Caribbean Sun VICKING arrive Shanghai 8 am Ships tour leaves due back ship 4 pm ship to leave 5 pm. Long story short train breaks down buses sent to pick up tour passengers got back to ship 10 pm. 6 couples on prvt tours hitched ride back with tour group almost got Shanghai hide