hi northernstar
I have just returned from nile cruise and spoke to people off of Orchid which is First Choice all inclusive and they said they paid extra for a tour package, so I would check whats included with First Choice.
You will need a pair of trainers or walking shoes that are really comfortable as you do a fair bit of walking over very dusty uneven ground. I took lovely new white trainers and open sandels and was really glad I put my old trainers on to travel in and wore them all week, as I did not wear the others, and they got really filthy with the dust. Any type of clothes are ok, you can wear shorts and vests during the day, on the boat smart casual was what most wore, just not swimwear in the resturant in the day or shorts in the evening, like most hotels.You will probable need a jumper for the early morning starts, we were out before the sun rose a few days and it was rather chilly, but that was January, I dont know if that would be different later in the year.
We did not spend much, we paid on board to do the flight to Abu Simbel which was £105 and a ballon flight which was £70 each person.£5.50 to get in the Luxor museum and £3.50 for the mummification museum in Luxor. We also spent £12 on 2 galabans and headgear for the party on board. Haggling felt like you had fought a war so we didnt go souveniere shopping, but generally you could divide the starting price by about 7 to get the lowest price.They would start at 200E and end up 30 - 50E depending how committed you are to haggling.They had a fixed price for post card photos at Abu Simbel they were 20E =£2 and at valley of Kings 3 books of 10 for 10E =£1 and we brought necklaces and scaves for £1 each. So things were cheap, you just have to keep your wits about you and be firm about what you want to pay.
Our pre paid excersion package was £80 each and included the temples and Valley of the King and Queens etc. but they are a must, and the tour companies have got the trips timed like clockwork so you're not waiting about and everyone gets a chance to see the most important bits with an egyptologist to tell you what you are looking at. You could do most of it independantly cheaper but I dont think you would enjoy it so much without the explanations and you need the early starts to get there before its too hot and busy.
Hi Northernstar. Have just returned from Nile Cruise and Stay in Hurghada. Balloon trip from Jolleys Travel Agency, near Winter Palace Hotel...on shore front at Luxor was £40. Tour Rep. was asking £70 for same trip...Don't miss it...Brilliant! Also Sound and Light Show at Karnak was £10 at Jolleys and Rep. wanted £20. The show was good but would have been great if they had Actors depicting the scenes. I felt that even £10 was an over-charge!
