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If you are quick, two weeks is plenty, but it depends where you are flying to and on your visa needs and advanced prep. As an example say you went into Eilat and out Cairo: Petra in a day, rest in Eilat a day, bus to Cairo (1/2 day), leave Cairo to end, South to Aswan (1.5-2 days with Abu Simbel), Luxor (1.5-3 days depending on how involved you get with the tombs), back to Cairo (3 days), day trip or overnight to Alexandria, desert tour (1-3 days depending on your interest and how far in / west you go (further into dunes or to Siwa will take longer)). You can cruise/felucca up the Nile for varying portions of the way.
If you prefer you can go to Sharm el Sheikh and take a ferry to Hurghada (I think) ehich only runs certain days. Then on to Luxor / Aswan and back to Cairo. You can also take a multi-day desert tour back to Cairo. Reportedly there is nothing to see at the Suez Canal so don’t bother. If you take the bus to Cairo from Eilat/Sharm you go under the canal. If in a rush or traveling alone where you risk the full cost of a scheduling/other screw up, book a tour from there just for Luxor and south as well as any desert excursions. Cairo and north is easily doable alone and better at your own pace. It pays to be a bit pushy there. For example, on the Cairo-Alex train, they won’t sell you second class ticket even though it is fine. Get on and buy on board. Some conductors might try to charge more one way than the other…just correct them and they will oblige. Egypt is the only place I’ve seen t-shirts that say something to the effect of “I live here so stop treating me like a tourist.” The flip side is many Egyptians are very hospitable (and at least some are not doing it for a tip).
Cairo highlights: Coptic Cairo can be interesting, City of the Dead (get out before sunset), Giza and surrounds (skip the horse/camel rides), various mosques if your into it, street market (crowded and mainly junk but worth a look), Egyptian Museum, non-Giza pyramids and the like.
Be careful in the markets when they are crowded in the evening, especially south of Cairo. There tends to be more desperation and tourist targeted pick pockets, etc. I caught a guy red handed with the grand prize of a glasses case which he in disbelief gave back (he opened my bag while I walked…knowing I had nothing I played along). A market vendor said it happens a lot. If it happens, find a tourist cop, and he’ll find one who speaks English.
Expect to be endlessly hassled about tips, ripped off with foreigner prices, and crowds relative to infrastructure that only Italy could top. You will enjoy it and will either be hooked on or sick of all the mummies, tombs, etc. at the end. Consider the weather. The humid heat is the worst according to the locals. Drier summer heat is hotter but more manageable. I forget exactly, but December shouldn't be bad. Drink plenty of water and I would drink only bottled water for the entire trip.
If it is an issue you can go directly from Sinai to Jordan by ferry. Jordan is costly. Egypt is cheaper. Wadi Rum in Jordan isn’t worth it unless you have the time or are into that. Your driver could take you there just to look at it.
Your biggest time waster will be the Egypt to Jordan to Egypt travel. There is no way to make things go faster unless there is an airplane route for this.
posted by 69.112.185...
, Mon, 8 Dec 2008 18:17:41, Tue, 9 Dec 2008 11:48:02
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