We are l aging Thursday for a little over a week in the Nile valley in Egypt. We are stoke. Our itinerary calls for hitting a bunch of the great archeological sites. I’m taking my Canon 5D4 with 24-105 and my 70-200. Plus filters, tripods, etc. wish me luck - this may just be this years calendar!

Good luck! Along with your Canon, take a Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Be safe over there. Years back I was at the pyramids of Giza, lots of history.

With all the unrest in that area of the world be very careful! Hope you have a wonderful and safe trip.

I'd love to them see at some point.

Have fun.

If you go for a camel ride in the desert, make sure you negotiate the price INCLUDING the return to the starting point!

Hey mister, you wanna go for a camel ride? $10. 5 miles later, the return ride is $$. True story.

Your not in Kansas anymore.
No way I'd go anywhere near there although I would have loved to see the sights.
Maybe 30 years ago.
See what kind of insurance policy you can buy for that trip and that'll tell you all you need to know.

Here’s wishing for a safe trip and return. Let’s share the pics when you get back.

I spent a week in Cairo some years ago. It is a fascinating place. For one thing, it makes Tijuana look like Beverley Hills.

The Pyramids at Giza are magnificent, as is the Sphinx, conveniently located nearby. You might enjoy the light show they stage each night. Every night it is several different languages. Be sure you verify which nights are English.

The British Museum was also worth seeing. My host, a native Egyptian, negotiated the terms of our guide’s service. This fellow might have known some of the pharoahs personally, judging by his aged appearance.

I’m not sure I would go now. I felt safe enough then with this host, who had been a General in the Egyptian Army, to keep me away from trouble.

Do not try to drive. It is wild bedlam. The drivers use horns instead of brakes. You will understand what “submission to the Will of Allah” means and what hold that idea has on the natives. Some streets are marked “One Way” but it is a matter of dispute which way that one way is. Extreme caution advised.

Not to beat a dead horse, but the only places I would feel safe in that neighborhood nowadays is Israel and Jordan (and not so much Jordan). I would love to get back there and to go to Petra as I missed it on my last trip.

Hope you have a great, and safe, trip.

The pyramids are in my Bucket List but I won't go to Egypt to see them at this time. I'll be 80 next month, so I am hoping that matters will calm down enough soon that I'll be able to see them before I die.

flashguy

My daughter (age 28) visited Cairo and the Pyramids earlier this year, had no problems. However, her company has an office in Cairo and she had locals to take her around.

FWIW, this was a side trip from a three-week work trip to Kuwait City.

I don't understand some of the comments in this thread. It was posted by Intrepid Traveler - key word is intrepid. I don't think he needs to be told it's risky or that some of you think he's crazy for undertaking such an adventure.

Intrepid Traveler, have a safe trip and enjoy yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
If you go for a camel ride in the desert, make sure you negotiate the price INCLUDING the return to the starting point!

Hey mister, you wanna go for a camel ride? $10. 5 miles later, the return ride is $$. True story.

My sister and BIL went there maybe 10 years ago and said the locals were pulling a scam like that where it was $10 to get UP on the camel and ride around, then $100 to get back DOWN.

Looking forward to the pictures and report of how the locals treated you.

So a few more details, and this will be the last I post until I get back.

We are being guided and driven everywhere. We'll have the benefit of a local "on our side" (or at least as much as possible).

We're traveling pretty much the full north-south length of the country, from Alexandria (at the Nile delta) to Abu Simbal (almost to Sudan). The Nile valley has a ton of great archaeological sites.

We've got some neat thingsbooked - hot air balloon, quad ride on the desert, felucca rides (ssmall sailboats), and lots of photography. All of these are booked and paid in advance, so no danger of a camel ride into the desert with no return trip!

As far as danger, the mideast has never been, and never will be, conflict free. But nowhere really is. I went to pick up my girlfriend to leave town and the police had the street blocked about 200' from her front door. It was due to a shooting.

As far as how I expect to be treated, I expect it will be very well. I've done a fair amount of travel, both domestic and international, and I am constantly amazed at how friendly and basically good people are. But then, I believe you get what you give too.

I'll touch base when I'm back! I'll have tons of photos to share, and likely this year's calendar will be Egypt photos (although it will probably be a little late this year).

Cheers!

Stay away from the mosques too.

Good luck, stay safe.

Egypt mosque attack leaves at least 200 dead, 130 wounded

Have a great trip,I were younger and could afford it I would do the same.

^ the updated number are 235 dead and over 109 injured.

egyptian source, in English

I doubt the OP will be visiting many Mosques, but it does give one pause.

Stay safe and enjoy.