Jordan and Egypt

rf134a wrote: ↑ I've been to both during the Arab Spring, so my info is a bit out of date.

Due to the time I went, I wouldn't recommend going solo and and winging it. The extra you pay is for the local knowledge of what's going on, where to go and where not to go. Some of our plans, such as the trip to a Coptic church, were completely scrubbed. We also took the night train from Cairo to Luxor, something that isn't offered today due to security concerns. We also flew from Luxor to Abu Simble at a cost of US$200 or so. Taking the overnight bus costs around $50 but when I went, some of the buses left the police escorted caravan and were subsequently diverted to Sudan where they were promptly relieved of all valuables.

As Talamasca said, be aware of your surroundings and plan escape routes. Every kid knows an uncle who has an amazing restaurant or store with amazing cheap products located in a back alley. Don't follow unless you want to be robbed. This is similar to the Saskatchewan beating incident. You're no Jackie Chan, so don't think you can beat up a few dozen kids who sees you as nothing but an ATM.

Egypt is one of the few places where I felt my personal security was at risk.

I did Jordan by myself and another random American I met on the Egypt tour. The vendors definitely know English. Unlike Egypt, Jordan seems much safer. I stayed at a hostel near Petra where the owner shuttled people to/from the bus station and to the entrance. For around $20-30, you can ride away from The Treasury down the Siq, just like Indiana Jones. There's no need to go to Little Petra unless you want to do some hiking.

After visiting Jordan and Petra, don't watch Transformers. You'll be disappointed after seeing all the places in person.

BananaHunter wrote: ↑ Damn....G-Adventure sold out for the time period I wanted. I think I will do some research and post my plan for you guys to comment. Then compare my plan to perhaps another tour operator.

Talamasca wrote: ↑ There's a fantastic Youtuber named Karl Watson, who posts TV episode-like videos of his trips. He recently posted his Egypt trip, which he did solo, so I'd recommend you watch it. Very interesting insights from him on what Egypt is like nowadays. I was there 10 years ago pre-revolution, so I'm sure certain aspects of travelling there have changed significantly.

ETA: found it! He also went to Jordan on this trip and will be uploading the Jordan episode soon.

amz155 wrote: ↑We are also planning on getting PADI certified while we in Hurghada.

Arrgh wrote: ↑ You can do the course work beforehand, at home or anywhere, parts of it online. Then do the 4 OW dives elsewhere. That way you don't need to spend your vacation time doing the studies. May also save money because in some places they can charge high prices for the certification.

amz155 wrote: ↑ @BananaHunter Have you considered visiting the sights on the east bank and West Bank while you are in Luxor? Maybe one day East bank sights and one day West Bank. Or does the cruise include seeing those sites before departing from the group?

Travel Talk, Magic Egypt, Over Egypt Tours, Memphis Tours are some companies I have short listed.

If you're a female, there are LOADS of suggested companies and guides named in the Girls Love Travel FB group. Too many to list here.

BananaHunter wrote: ↑ I am thinking a trip to these places in November. The first thing I need to decide is solo or with a tour. I was considering the 15 day G Adventure package which is over $3k, with approximately 1 week in each country. Some random questions in no particular order.

Has anyone tried the G Adventure Jordan/Egypt package? Comments? They also have a package with Israel but the price spikes rather sharply if Israel is in the mix. I have 2 weeks so Jordan/Egypt seem like a good choice. Debating if I can do both solo and would I actually save money...

Is November a good time to go?

Is language a serious issue? Do people in each country know a little bit of English? What about signage? Are there any English signage at least in the main tourist areas?

How hard are these places logistically if I go solo? Let's say I budget 1 week (similar to the G-Adventure plan) for each country, is replicating that same plan feasible for a solo traveler? What method of transportation makes the most sense? I want to hit the main attractions (definitely Wadi Rum, Dead Sea and Petra for Jordan).

How is the safety? I'm a guy so I shouldn't be a prime target.

Also, is haggling normal?

BrunetteGirl wrote: ↑ Darn I really want to go back! When did you go? I think I’m pretty adventurous too but your post is exactly why I haven’t.

I was there in 2007 for 10 days with a big group of family but we stayed in Sharm El Sheikh. We went to Giza but had so many other things we didn’t get to see but did some side trips in the Red Sea area. Second time we booked it the day before and flew with my cousins who were working for an airline at the time from Italy (believe we stayed in Hurghada and it was only an extended long weekend). My family who continues to go to the Red Sea area treats it like a AI beach vacation since it’s relatively inexpensive (resorts are EMPTY these days) and a short hop from Italy but they don’t leave the resort anymore.

BananaHunter wrote: ↑ Thanks for sharing the Karl Watson vid. I watched it in full. I'm going to do substantially the same thing minus the scuba stuff. Dahab and the resort seems a bit too touristy for my taste. Here is my first draft of a plan. It looks like a lot of stuff is actually better done with a tour. Seems both more economical and it comes with explanations.

Day 1: Looked at some flights. Seems I will get to my hotel at night. Check into accommodation.

Day 2: Book a full day (full as in 8-10 hours) pyramid tour. The evening/night I try to scout for some food.

Been debating to add a day here for an Alexandria day trip with a tour. Would also be a full day tour returning in the evening or late afternoon. I can decide this depending on the Jordan portion. I don't see Alexandria getting the same degree of enthusiasm and my trips are always tight on time.

Day 3: Egyptian Museum and city exploration on my own. Catch the overnight train to Aswan. The day I take the overnight train must be the day I do city exploration so I can ensure I don't miss the train.

Day 4: I should arrive in the morning. I'm trying to see if a tour operator can pick me up from the train station and take me to Abu Simel. Can I trust them to carry my luggage on their van all day?

Day 5-8: 4 Day 3 night cruise from Aswan to Luxor. This includes a range of activities and includes accommodation and thus saving me the headache of booking accommodations and figuring out logistics. Plus a cruise should be nice and have all my meals and logistics covered. I see that some tours give you the option to see Abu Simel OR the Kom Ombo stuff. I want to see both and hence why I spend day 4 with Abu Simel. I believe I should be able to catch the overnight train back to Cairo where I can take a plane to Jordan which is the next leg of the trip.

So basically rather than having the ENTIRE trip planned out by a single tour operator, half the time I am on a cruise and most of the other days I am also with a tour...

Any comments or recommendations on good tour operators at good prices?

rf134a wrote: ↑ I think I was there at the same time you were. The security was definitely fluid in 2007.



This is almost exactly the same itinerary I had. Giza really only takes about 2 hours. We did a camel ride around the pyramids and a 1/2 day in the Egyptian Museum. We also went to Saqqara at the very last day of the tour. The tour I went on allowed for both Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo. We also did a 1 hour tour of the Aswan High Dam. During the cruise, we went to the Valley of the Kings and did a hot air balloon ride.

Consider a short flight from Luxor to Cairo.

hierophant wrote: ↑ I can't comment on Egypt as I went 15 years ago but I did go to Jordan solo 2 years ago in December -highly recommend it. Absolutely LOVED it - super friendly and hospitable people. Don't waste money doing a tour - it's safe and easy to travel (I rented a car). English is limited but shoulnd't be a problem especially in the travel industry (hotel, restaurants). Feel free to ask me specific questions about Jordan. Weather that time year isn't the greatest but it also means less tourists.

BananaHunter wrote: ↑ Thanks! I have the bulk of my Egypt plan ready. Haven't booked anything. Asking around tour operators for a few details and comparing prices. I need to work out Egypt first as the timing affects how many days I have in Jordan. I might have to adjust something in Egypt because the cruises don't depart daily. Right now I have about 6 days in Jordan.

For Jordan, the thing with me is that I absolutely loathe driving. My past destinations have primarily been in destinations with good public transit (mostly in Asia). I'll never drive on a vacation and would pay to not drive lol! But private drivers are probably expensive and not sure about safety. Can anyone comment on hiring drivers? I think for Jordan I am ok to do some sections without a guide but I need a driver. I can do Jerash and Mt Nebo days without a guide. But Petra and Wadi Rum I feel like I need a guide to do the desert camp and jeep tour.

I'm still working out what I want to do in Jordan. Let me break down what I have in mind right now.
-Day 1 Amman city: This is my arrival day so I don't want to book anything. Explore city on my own. I expect to arrive around noon based on the flights I am looking at. How easy is it to navigate the city of Amman (without car rental)?
-Day 2 Jerash/Ajloun/Umm Quais Tour: This is a day trip. Returning to Amman
-Day 3 Mt Nebo/Madaba day trip. Returning to Amman (this is not a long trip. returning quite early)
-Day 4-5: Most of the Petra/Wadi Rum tours are 2-3 days. Basically first day in Petra. Sleep overnight in Bedouin camp. Wake up and explore Wadi Rum. Go back to Amman. The 3 day ones aren't really 3 days. Seems like day 1 is just an arrival day they advertise to make the trip seem longer. They throw in Dead Sea at the end.
-Day 6: Between days 1,2,3 I probably have enough time to explore Jordan. Got a full day here and not sure what to do. Suggestions? Aqaba is off season in November right? This rules out the 3 day Petra/Wadi Rum/Aqaba tours.