Roll Call for GCT Egypt on 10/14/08

[schlansky]

We are looking forward to our trip to Egypt and cruise on the Nile with Grand Circle on the Nile Stephanie. We've always met fellow travelers through these boards, and are looking forward to doing this again. Anyone else going?

[paul929207]

We took this trip in March 2006 and loved it. Have a wonderful time. Make sure to go to Abu Simbel, it is worth the money.

[schlansky]

We've traveled with Grand Circle and OAT many, many times so we know it will be a great trip. We booked too late for the Abu Simbel optional, but will try to find a tour we can get on once we get to Aswan. We saw something on viator.com. Do you remember how long you spent in Aswan and if anyone in your group went independently?

[paul929207]

We spent at least one night in Aswan.

 

No one in our group went independently to Abu Simbel.

One guy did book it while we were there. I think he talked to the Program Director when we got to Cairo. He was able to get the flights.

[schlansky]

We'll try this. If not we found a minibus tour that goes either at 3:30 AM or 10:30 AM and takes nine hours with the driving across the desert, which we don't mind. Do you think there will be time for this? Marilyn

[schlansky]

We'll try this. If not we found a minibus tour that goes either at 3:30 AM or 10:30 AM and takes nine hours with the driving across the desert, which we don't mind. Do you think there will be time for this? Marilyn

[cherylakers]

Marilyn

 

We were on this tour this past January. There wouldn't be time to drive to Abu Simbel. You fly out very early in the morning and get back to the boat around 11:30 a.m. I think I remember the boat leaving early afternoon. With our cruise though several people cancelled so maybe if that happens on your trip you could take their spot. They are not as strict traveling within the country when you fly and when flying overseas. We didn't even check in. Our tour directors got our boarding passes for us and then we went through a very lax security and boarded the plane. It was a 45 minute flight I believe. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Hope you can go.

 

Cheryl

[schlansky]

I sort of suspected this, because this particular trip is a reverse itinerary, but your suggestion is a good one. It's pricey to fly, but an Egypt buff friend of ours says it's not to be missed.

Marilyn

[paul929207]

I sort of suspected this, because this particular trip is a reverse itinerary, but your suggestion is a good one. It's pricey to fly, but an Egypt buff friend of ours says it's not to be missed.

Marilyn

 

Abu Simbel is definitely worth the cost.

[2travelers]

We've traveled with Grand Circle and OAT many, many times so we know it will be a great trip. We booked too late for the Abu Simbel optional, but will try to find a tour we can get on once we get to Aswan. We saw something on viator.com. Do you remember how long you spent in Aswan and if anyone in your group went independently?

 

Hi Schlansky: We are booked for GCT Egypt trip for April 18th. We recently received a letter from them advising us that the Abu Simbel trip is now by bus. I was disappointed because the bus trip is three hours and I assumed that we would be leaving early in the morning. I am not upset about the hour, just disappointed that we will be spending about 6 hours in a bus when the plane ride takes 45 minutes. They said it was so that more people can go on the trip. I wonder when this change goes into effect. You might want to call them and ask about the change. When I inqured if we should book early - they told me that now we can book the trip on site. I am still wondering if we aren't safer booking now....:confused: . That is one optional I don't want to miss.

Ronnie

[schlansky]

Sorry to take so long to reply. We've just moved from NY to Mass. and we're still living out of boxes. GCT will switch to the bus option in 1/09 because it's cheaper, but it doesn't do us any good. I will say, though,that we went to Morocco with OAT last January and the 3 days spent in the Sahara were incredibly beautiful, so I personally would have no trouble looking at the desert again for several hours. You may also possibly get to spend more time at the site with the bus option. The flying option leaves you with only about an hour there.