Luxor in my opinion is a lot flatter and not rough under the feet. Cairo especially around the pyramids and Sphinx is very very uneven in places, the museum will be fine. If she is careful and walks slowely i cannot see a major problem. No good for wheelchair users though.

Hi Trace

The areas directly around the Pyramids and Sphinx are very rough and uneven and would probably not be suitable for you mum, however, there is a road that runs around the outside of the Pyramids and down to the Sphinx which would be ideal for you mum and she would still get to see both of these magnificent and truly amazing sights close up.

The temples in Luxor (Luxor Temple & Karnak Temple) are like most temples in Egypt not ideal for people with walking difficulties or disabled as the ground can be very uneven and rough.
The Luxor Temple is probably the best temple for your mum as it is relatively small and flat and doesn't involve too much walking, the Temple at Karnak is much larger and the ground is more uneven there, although it could still be possible to see a lot of it if your mum takes her time.

The museums both in Cairo and Luxor would be very suitable for your mum and the Tutankhamun exhibits in the Cairo Museum are a must see.

You didn't mention anything about visiting the Valley of the Kings or the Valley of the Queens but just incase I would have to say that there is a bit of a walk required for each of these over very rough / uneven ground and I don't think they would be advisable for your mum.

Graham

thanks for your answers... another questions - when you book with thomsons or travel company to go to either luxor or cairo by air, does anyone know if a guide goes everywhere with you or do the take you to the pyramids and then tell you a time to meet. Im just worried if they stay with you and walk too fast my mother may not be able to keep up

You have at least one fully qualified Egyptologist with you at all times who does generally go at the pace of the group and would wait on the slowest person remembering that there is a rough timetable to follow for flights etc.

You do always get free time at the end of the guided tour to do your own thing so there would be plenty of time to catch up and meet the group again at the end should your mum decide to let the group go on ahead.

Graham

We did the Cairo trip with Thomson recently. We had a guide pick us up from the hotel and took us through the airport and flew with us up to Cairo before handing us over to the Egyptologist at Cairo Airport. They then stay with you all day, we did our own thing at the Pyramids before meeting up on the coach and driving down the the Sphinx then had about 40 mins there before again meeting up on the coach. Egypt musuem we had an hour tour with the guide then about an hour free time and a meeting place. We also did the Citadel which was all with the guide. The guide was very good he kept an eye out for everyone and counted people back onto coaches so no worries on that score, the coach driver was also very good and helping you find the right coach so again no worries about getting lost - which did worry me lol!!. I don't recall ever feeling rushed or trying to keep up at any point so I think they do a steady pace so everyone can keep up. After the last stop you get handed back over to the guide from Sharm who takes you back to the airport gets you through there and fly's you back and back the hotel.

I know they are a little more expensive but I am glad I booked with Thomson as being fully escorted through the airports was really helpful.

hi did you book yout holiday with thompson before you went or while you were there? if anyone booked once there is it alot more expensive than buying before you go?

Hi, we booked in resort 2 days before the trip with First Choice who are now effectively Thomson and they combine for the trip. We paid the same price as they are advertising online for prebooking. Only word of warning don't pay by credit card as the exchange rate they use mean you will effectively pay around £10 more for the trip. Cash either English or Egyptian or Steling Travellers Cheques you pay what they say just Credit Cards you need to watch.

As Kim mentions you do pay slightly more if paying by credit card, for some reason Thomson / First Choice take the payment by this method in US $ and this makes the exchange rate different

Also worth taking a look through this excursion topic http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=10154 for more advice about the Cairo / Luxor excursions available from Sharm.
It is also worth taking a look at local tour operators in Sharm for an excursion as it usually works out cheaper and you get the same service with guides / Egyptologists etc.

Last Nov when we went to sharm we flew and had the Thomas Cook rep, we bought a trip in $ but the Thomson trip we bought was in Sterling, so for us it was the other way around Either way suffice to say it was definitely more expensive and we were not informed it was in $ either.

When booking trips in resort one thing to think about. If you are booking and travelling with a Thomson/first choice (for example) and have their insurance, then you are covered should anything go wrong.

If you book a trip from the seller outside of your hotel (Independent), still have (i.e) Thomson insurance, should anything go wrong, you will not be covered on your insurance with the company you travelled with, and they will not pay out.

If you have your own independent insurance from a broker back home, if you go on quads for example, check with them if you are covered by their cc and for diving for example.

If you have your own independent insurance and go on a trip anywhere, remember to tell anyone you know or made friends with you have gone ! The hotel will not know you have disappeared should there be any problems.

I would always recommend flying to Luxor/Cairo, its a very quick hour and the planes are very comfy. You get a light refreshment on board as well, included in the price.

Another thing to watch if booking independently is to check that your tour will be conducted in English. There are alot of Russians and Italians who holiday in Sharm and if you are one of only a few English people on the trip you may find it is catered more for other nationalities. Don't let this put you off booking independently as so many people do and have no problems - just a question worth asking when booking.

Cairo is a fantastic city and I loved the trip.

if you are staying at luxor,book the trip to cairo at jollies travel agent under the winter palace hotel.my wife and i went with them 2 years ago,i have heart problems and she needed a new knee.the guide stays with you all day and you can take as long as you want to see the pyramids and the sphinx and the museum,lunch is also included at a nice restaurant.we walked at our own pace and made it round the great pyramid and the sphinx.
organised trips walked to fast and we could not keep up with them they will collect you from the hotel and see on to the plane and meet you in cairo,no hassle at all.
jollies are very good and would recommend them everytime they are cheaper than the holiday companies.
have a good holiday

I would also recommend Jollies however in this instance Trace is only going to visit either Luxor or Cairo for a day.

One thing to remember if going to Luxor is,the heat is unrelenting,and often hard for those who are fit,yet alone the disabled !
The sites in and around Luxor,really are wonderful,and Luxor itself is a very easy town to get around in,but i shy away from using the Callesh (horse and carriages ) ,especially during the midday heat,those poor horses and donkeys really deserve to be considered please.