going to the valley of the kings and etc

[denise bannell]

Hi
Dont go onthe trips you dont need to.
First take the local ferry , get to meet the people who live in Luxor on the trips you never will.
When you get off the ferry there will be many taxi drivers barter for the valley of the kings queens and Hatchit .It will be 8 Egypt pounds .
You will see many sights that you dont see in the coach .
The main thing is that you are not being held up by other people, and you can go where you please.. Tip take a good reference book and dont drink the tea that is offered you on the fuluca or on the water edge .
The water comes from the nile. Just say thank you but I have had many your hospitality is overwheming , and they beam happily.
This trip will cost 25 to 30 pounds sterling each if you do the coach trip and you will come back shattered

[mushtaq]

Thanks for the useful tips Denise, I am planning to go to Luxor soon, how long do you need there to see the sights without rushing it?

[denise bannell]

The main thing is to go in the morning because mid afternoon is gets too hot
I f you ge over there by 8:30 you should be finished by 1
dont forget you can always go back for the price you are paying , see how you go.

The othe tip is to see the see the sound of lights ask at the hotel when the english version is on and then depending where you are walk or take taxi.
to Karnak temple entrance to the show a couple of Eghptian pounds .To see this temple is a must both day and night.
The tours for this are about £25.oo You will do this for about £ 5.00

[RIK]

Hi Mushtaq.Denise is right.If you do your own trips you move at your own pace and save quite a bit of cash.A must to see and not done by tour Co's is Cleopatras Temple which is in Dendarah ? ( Spelling ) It's about 30 k from Luxor and by far the best temple that I have seen ( not having seen Abu Simbel )It is virtually intact and bigger than a Football Pitch.well worth the visit.Any Taxi will take you but of course fix the price first.

Ian

[denise bannell]

Yes it is wonderfull but be carefull because of the past conflict that has been a no go area for a long time. Edfu is a must as well.
And abu Simba wow

[mushtaq]

What's a good guide book to buy, if you plan to do your own thing? I don't like going on tours because I want to do things at my own pace, but that way you need lot more information, a sort of like a pocket tour guide.


(love these little pyramid icons )

[denise bannell]

their are plenty of books on the internet lonely planet was one that I can remember, their was a good book store next to the winter palace. So check the airport on arrival as well. If you are in England their are loads to choose. When are you going over it is important because of the heat. April it starts getting unbearable 140 deg in the vally of the kings. My Mother inlaw is going back for 3 weeks in April to bring back my books you could borrow one .

[katharina]

Originally Posted by mushtaq

I don't like going on tours because I want to do things at my own pace, but that way you need lot more information, a sort of like a pocket tour guide.

(love these little pyramid icons )

I like these pyramids, too... very cute. I don't mind the tours if they're doing activities I would plan myself, but that very rarely happens. I like to have as much information as I can possibly gather before any trip, but there are usually a few things that I didn't think about when planning. A guide book is wise no matter where one is traveling.

[tater03]

When I visit a new place I never really like to take the guided tours. Some are good but I don't like being on someone else's time schedule. I like to take my time and see everything there is to see. Thanks for all the tips.

[katharina]

Originally Posted by tater03

When I visit a new place I never really like to take the guided tours. Some are good but I don't like being on someone else's time schedule. I like to take my time and see everything there is to see. Thanks for all the tips.

I've done enough of the planned tours in my lifetime to be pretty much soured of them. I'm like you, tater03... I don't like to be told to be at a certain spot at a certain time. I'd rather decide those things myself.