Overview
** CAIRO, EGYPT TOURS **
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Need a more meaningful vacation? This is how I satisfied my longing for the same.
In April, I completed a 7-day volunteer assignment in San Juan, Puerto Rico with International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ). I paid $950 for the opportunity to work on an environmental sustainability project. My assignment took me to an urban garden (plant nursery).
I spent the entire week playing in the dirt! Digging, planting, weeding, and watering. I went home each day with a sense of fulfilment having had a hand in nurturing a tree that would one day provide fruit and/or shade on San Juan’s landscape.
IVHQ offers three additional volunteer opportunities in San Juan, PR: community development, volunteering with teen summer camps, and youth support (https://www.volunteerhq.org/destinations/puerto-rico/). It is free to apply.
Of the 3 cities I visited in Egypt, Cairo was my least favourite. The city is absolutely overwhelming and I did not appreciate how much I was harassed for everything ! I am well aware that people are merely trying to make a living, but I couldn’t really enjoy my time in Egypt without feeling awkward and uncomfortable. Also, Cairo traffic is a nightmare.
That being said, Cairo was the last stop on my trip and I only spent two nights in the city.
I visited the pyramids and the Sphinx but did not opt to enter the Great Pyramid. I could not not enjoy my time at the Pyramids as I was constantly harassed by locals who wanted to take my picture, tell me how to pose, or simply make comments about my appearance. This really ruined the experience for me.
Traffic in Cairo is also quite a nightmare, so bare this in mind when you are trying to navigate the city and get to/from the airport.
Overall, I would recommend one night in Cairo, and then move on to other cities in Egypt.
Cairo is overwhelming. Immediately after touchdown, you are being asked for “tips money” after any task such as lifting your bags onto the security belt, anything! It can be annoying and anxiety inducing. I wouldn’t associate relaxation with Cairo, but our stay at Marriott Mena House Cairo was relaxing!
Cairo is a fantastic city to start your journey in Africa and get a taste of the Middle East at the same time. Cairo during the day offers many opportunities to appreciate its history from the pyramids, the mosques, and Old Cairo to the opportunity to participate in one of the oldest bazaars in the world and enjoy a cup of tea while enjoying the buzzing of bartering between merchants and customers to the nightlife where you can enjoy a glass of wine while enjoying a cruise on the Nile River while enjoying entertainment such as belly dancing and Egyptian folk dance or enjoying the city skyline from Cairo Tower. These experiences are very affordable as is the accommodation. I recommend taking lodging in Pyramid Square where each morning you can get the best view of the Pyramids when you wake up while having breakfast.
CAIRO is definitely my favorite so far. This place is full of ancient history. Known as one of the 7 wonders of the world, The pyramids are a must see..As a solo female I traveled alone and felt extremely safe. I was greeted with much respect from the locals. They were extremely friendly and helpful. They were asking to take pictures with me. My tour guide Muhammed from Egypt tours was very professional, he spoke great English, he planned the entire trip out from start to finish. Vehicle was very clean he was very knowledgeable.
The con is that there were lots of people asking for money, also they dont have many restaurants/ good food choices.
You mostly go there for the history. They are a lot of beggars on the streets. It can be quite overwhelming, the pyramids are beautiful and unique. The food was disappointing, the locals and even the people who are meant to help you just want to rip you off. Honestly you don’t need more than 2 days in Cairo but definitely a place to visit
Cairo just go!
We had 2 days in Cairo. Our first day we got straight to it and went to Memphis, Saqqara and Giza. We had a private tour with a guide, transportation, ticket entry and of course history. We visited tombs, local market and the Sphinx.
I’d suggest, visiting a souk where you can see essential oils and make a purchase. You can barter for almost everything in Egypt. Also, ask your guide to take you to a papyrus making shop, it’s very interesting how it’s done. We also got to try authentic Egyptian food outdoors. Over an open fire near a goat pen – interesting.
Nighttime in Cairo – well, don’t drive, get a driver. Traffic in Cairo is unbelievable and scary. We were there on New Years Eve and New Years Day, so the nightlife was in full effect. Lots of fireworks. Lots of folks out in the streets. Great food and drinks.
Travelling while black – it is Africa, but when you’re there, there is a distinction between Northern Africa, which is more “middle east” than West or South Africa. We had no issues, it felt very welcoming. Just want to point out the difference.
Side Note – the air quality was horrible. Tons of smog. When we came back from Egypt we had bronchitis, just due to the poor air quality. We were there pre-covid, but if I went back, I’d wear a mask, have Vicks on deck and cough drops. Luxor and Aswan are better than Cairo, but still the air quality is not ideal.
We stayed at the Hilton Cairo, which was “okay”, heavy smoke smell and just overall very busy, but it was the time of year. Had multiple restaurants in the hotel to choose from.
Our tours were all booked through Travelzoo.
I’ve always been obsessed with Egyptian history. My tour guide was Hala Ahmed and she is the absolute BEST! We were able to visit the Sphinx & Pyramids. We went inside of a pyramid and saw the hieroglyphics. There were also plenty of museums and mosque to visit. Be sure to be fully covered ladies.Egypt is a history lovers’ paradise!!
I suggest doing a camel ride & Nile River cruise.
Cairo is very busy and never sleeps. We found nice restaurants that offer amazing views and hookah.
Honestly, I wasn’t crazy about any of the food we ate. There were fresh fruit stands that I did enjoy though.
Everyone will want a tip from you, even bathroom attendants so be sure to have cash!
EGYPT IS LOVE!!!!!
I highly recommend all Black people visit at least once in their life time. We had an amazing time back in April. I was welcomed and treated like a queen every where I went.
BE AWARE if you have small children traveling with you, locals will hug and kiss your small children. I suggest not bringing small children if this will anger you.
My tour guide was Mr. Brown Sugar. He was so amazing I sent some friends to him a couple of weeks later. I highly recommend him!
This is literally a history buffs dream. It’s everything that’s described in our text books and more. I stayed in Cairo for about a week, explored the city, went to the national museum where king TUT coffin is, the pyramids, the great Phinx.
My overall trip was free because i had United miles, but the typical round trip range was $1000. My hotel was $30 a night in a good area of cairo. DO NOT rent a car. The driving there is really wreck less. There is no lines on the ground for organization. They honk to merge. Another thing i did not like is that they are aggressive sales men, and will ask for a tip for everything.
I absolutely loved Cairo. I was only there for 3 days at the end of another longer trip but I am anxious to go back. The history in this city goes without saying but I think people will be shocked with how close modern western culture is to the ancient Egyptian culture. There are fast-food restaurants across the street from the Pyramids. Seeing that made me a little sad so it may be jarring for some people to see that. Nevertheless, the city offers many historical things to see and do. I don’t recommend “winging it” in Cairo. I suggest hiring a guide to take you around the city. There is a small fee to be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Giza. I recommend paying for it and having that experience. You will need to be in fairly good shape though as it is a steep climb in a small space.
Egypt was absolutely amazing! My sister and stayed 7 days and had a tour guide which I highly recommend. We had an itinerary planned for 7 days. First night we camp out under the stars, and it was nothing short of amazing. We had to take the PCR covid test 48-72 hours before our flights. The only thing I didn’t like was people selling you things. When sure when you’re shopping you bargain the price or Make sure your no is firm. I recommend bringing vitamins, tipping is highly recommended so make sure you bring US dollars (singles) or Egyptian pounds. I highly recommend getting a tour guide. I used Ahmed Mido (he loves black people lol). Find him and his company on Facebook at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/ahmed.mido.790693
Traveling black in Egypt was great except for Alexandria, Egypt. People pointed and starred. My sister and I were fully clothed and wore box braids but the stares and pointing made us feel uncomfortable. Other than that I highly recommend Egypt!
Cairo, Egypt is so historical. Seeing 1 of the 7 world wonders was breath taking, which is the pyramids. I stayed at the Marriot Mena House Hotel during the duration of my stay. I would suggest to eat at the Marriot Mena House, they have a restaurant and the drinks are quit good. Things you can do is go to the pyramids – the Great Pyramids of Giza are the 3 oldest pyramids in Egypt. Although Egypt has over 100 pyramids in the country, the ones in Giza are the popular 3 that you always see. While seeing the pyramids you can drive down the desert and get on a camel. Having dinner on the Nile river cruise was very interesting. If you book a nice Nile river cruise with good eats, belly dancers and entertainment you will have everlasting memories. Then I went to the Mohammad Ali Mosque which is beautifully made. One last thing I’d suggest to do is go ATV riding in Egypt!! ATV during sunset will be best so that way the heat is not too much and the beautiful view of the pyramids during the sunset is like no other.
If you’d like to see more you can always check my Egypt vlog on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRw54QC5Srs
5 things you should know before visiting Egypt:
VISA
With a U.K. (and I also believe a US passport) you are able to get a visa upon arrival. Just make sure you head to the visa desk before passing immigration. It costs $25 and the desk only accepts cash.
Drones
Do not bring a drone into Egypt. Drones are not only illegal to fly, but are not allowed in the country period. Law enforcement take this VERY seriously.
History
Before arriving in Egypt I would recommend reading up on some of the history of Ancient Egypt. I’d recommend listening to a few episodes of ‘The History of Egypt’ podcast.
Tipping
In Egypt it is custom to tip literally everyone. This ranges from your driver to the toilet attendants. This can quickly add up to a substantial amount of additional costs. Something to bare in mind.
Guides
I would highly recommend hiring a guide for navigating the different sites. Across my trip I had 3 Egyptologists and the knowledge they shared was invaluable. In addition, having a guide also adds a layer of safety. I will discuss more on this and my experiences as a black plus size female traveller in subsequent posts.
I visited Cairo Egypt in August 2020 (yes during a pandemic) and I will have to tell you it was the best experience. I currently live in Turkey and booked my accommodations with a local travel agent. Living in Turkey I flew Egyptair from Istanbul. The flight itself was a little over two hours. As this was my first International flight since covid, I was pleased with the cautionary measures the airline had taken to keep us safe. Upon hour arrival in Cairo, we were welcomed by Kareem our travel coordinator. He greeted us before passport control and I’m glad he did, because the one thing we forgot to do was get a visa. The visa was around $25 and was easy to purchase. The entire process was less than an hour for arrival, customs and retrieving our luggage. Exiting the airport all I could do was exhale as I honestly was still in disbelief that I was there.
Where I stayed: The Conrad Hotel . The hotel overlooked the Nile River, the staff were welcoming and the food and drinks were great.
Must See: The Egyptian Museum, Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Great Sphinx of Giza and Pyramids of Giza. I hate to sound selfish but the one thing about traveling during a pandemic that I am grateful for, is not having to worry about the long lines. There was never an issue with long lines or waiting to get that perfect picture. The Pyramids were breathtaking. I honestly couldn’t believe it was real.
Included in our package was the tours, transportation and private security. I’m not sure if this is with everyone or because we were military, but I felt extremely safe there my entire time. I only wish I was able to stay longer, as I would have loved to see more.
I’ve always been interested in seeing the Pyramids for years. One of the greatest adrenaline rushes for me while here in Egypt have to be when you first get to witness the size of them while traveling to Giza. It’s an amazing site. The food here is ok not the best so I convinced myself I need to start up my own food truck business given the fact I’ll be here for years to come. The nightlife isn’t really that advertised but it’s here in full swing, from Egyptian only clubs to African only clubs. Yes most of them are segregated! Most of the pool clubs are where you can spend most of your time relaxing and rockn out, the Dj’s here get busy from trap,RnB, Afro beats you name it. Oh and Belly dancing, in my opinion Egyptian strippers lol. Most of the fancier hotels have great food and are mainly catered to expats which is great. And if your looking for one on one time with your significant other there are many places along the Nile that’ll set the scene perfectly. Overall it’s a place you have to visit at least once my only con about being here are the aggressive beggers and swindlers. To this day they still drives me crazy. So upon arriving make sure to do the math and find a guide you can trust. It might cost a little over a grand or more to travel here and with a previous purchased tour package that price could sky rocket. They’ll charge a G or more for a tour when in all actuality it’s damn near free to see the pyramids lol so be weary.
But overall the things you’ll learn about the Egyptian history will be amazing. But again I REPEAT NOW LISTEN, IF YOU PAY FOR ANYTHING OVER $150-$200 YOU HAVE BEEN ROBBED SO KEEP YOU ANTENNAS UP!!!!
I’m literally obsessed with Egyptian history (at around 7 or 8 I told my mum to call me Nefertiti instead) so for me going to Cairo to see the pyramids and so on was a no brainier. I actually stayed in Sharm el Sheikh due to the fact that it was meant to be more of a tourist area and I love a good beach so it made sense to stay there and do a day trip to Cairo. My friend am I booked a day excursion to Cairo. This included flights, a trip to the the museum of Cairo, transportation between tourist spots, pyramid of Giza, Sphinx food and drinks. I didn’t really eat any of the food but that was only because I was sick I must’ve had food poisoning or something. I only spent the day there and to be honest with you I think an extra day or two would have been better. I certainly wasn’t content about the amount of time I spent in the museum I think we had 2 1/2 hours or so I would have loved to spend way longer than that but unfortunately was not possible. One thing I would say whilst at the pyramids it didn’t really bother me because I experienced it in Morocco as well but they can be quite forceful when trying to sell you stuff you literally just need to be stern when you say no and if you do agree to buy something make sure you haggle. I definitely say my overall experience in Sharm was more adventurous and better but that’s only because I stayed there longer and I was able to do more stuff. So my biggest tip would be if you want the beach life and the luxurious life but also a bit of history don’t do what I did and just go to Cairo for one day at least go for two or three days that way you feel like you’ve really experienced Cairo.
Egypt is by far my top 3 favorite destinations. I went to Cairo, Sharm el Sheik, and Luxor. Cairo the hotel we stayed in I believe was the Sheraton. The hotel has a perfect view of the pyramids. You wake up to the view daily and it is nothing like it. You do not need more than two or three days in Cairo because outside the pyramids and the Sphinx it is not much else to do. We took the camel ride to see the pyramids and the Sphinx. Egypt is dry heat period so just anticipate to be hot hot hot AF. Sharm el Sheik is not typically on Americans list. This is like the Cabo to Europeans that travel here. It is nice hotels and more relaxing than any exploring. Here we had dinner in the desert with a full Egyptian meal and belly dancers. Such a dope experience. We also did a sunrise ATV tour throughout the desert as well. Dope experience too. Luxor was probably my favorite. Rich in history and lots to explore. We. did a hot air balloon ride which was amazing. The hot air balloon goes over the Nile River from the West Bank to the East Bank. You have to wake up and do this super early before the sun reaches its peak. Here we saw King Tut’s body and tomb. The Egyptian museum is here as well with so much history. I had no issues with the food while traveling but some people hate it. I suggest being openminded. Egypt is definitely for exploring and adventure because of the rich history. It is so much to see and do. If you want relaxation and luxury then def do Sharm el Sheik. When I go back I plan to hit other parts because it is so many places to see in Egypt.
What an experience, this was my first time on African soil and Cairo did not disappoint. The people are very warming and welcoming. However, they can be very aggressive when begging, especially by the pyramids. So much history here- from the pyramids to the museums, Cairo is a place of our history and knowledge. The food was amazing and very affordable. Remember to Negotiate everything! I would recommend 3-4 days max in Cairo as you can see everything very quickly. My only issue was with nightlife, i couldn’t find too many options to party. Most of the city is Muslim. Great trio all in all, would definitely recommend.
Egypt! Wow wow wow! 3 days and 4 nights. I arrived late on a Friday. I did use an expedite service for the airport and it was well worth it! My friend spent 2 hours getting out of the airport the night before! My hotel was about an hour away from Cairo city (In Giza) which was fine by me. I was about a 15 min drive from the pyramids!!!! So awesome! They have uber and it’s insanely cheap. Use it as it works well. The Hilton pyramids golf is amazing. I received an upgrade to the safari suite! 2 bedrooms and 3 baths! Insane. They have some spaces under construction but I’m sure once they are finished they will be excellent. They have an Italian restaurant, a snack bar and a local buffet place. I ate at them all throughout my stay and it was good. The pool is nice and is a good size for children and adults. Ramadan was the perfect time to go in my opinion less crowds but things are still open. And yes you can eat. Some places run shorter hours such as the Egyptian museum 9-2p. Instead of all day. I spent all day Saturday in Luxor. Had an amazing tour guide, Mansour, from Aladin Travel. They get great ratings on trip advisor. It’s a little hard to book as most things are done in email and WhatsApp but be patient they are worth it. He took us to all the sites and we even got to visit a few places not on the tour because we were quick about being in and out of locations. The tombs are very cool. Be prepared for the heat and lots of walking. We had a nice lunch at the tour company’s restaurant which was good, nothing fancy. I spent Sunday at the pyramids and Sphinx. What a sight to see! It was amazing. I didn’t go inside the pyramids. I hear it’s okay but those small enclosed hot spaces are not my thing. Be prepared to be harassed by people wanting to sale you any and everything. And camel rides! I opted against that too! Hahahahaha. But snuck a picture anyways. I relaxed by the pool the rest of the day and had a nice dinner. Monday was my departure and in my mind I was going to the museum but I didn’t want to lug around my luggage all day so I opted against this idea and chose the pool! Lol. The airport was much easier to get out than getting in and it was a breeze. Luckily it was because I got there within an hour of my flight. Mess. The pool was too nice to walk away from. I know better. And in the future I will #dobetter All in all a great trip and I would definitely go back. Especially in the winter when I’m looking for a warm escape. Last note: the lines on the road are simply decorations. Not real guides for how people should drive and stay in the lanes. They drive all over them and each other basically. The locals often play frogger crossing lanes anywhere. I had to catch my breath a few times. I think the Egyptians are my people secretly. ♀️royalty ! And one of the pics were some locals checking for your girl in the background. Men are the same all around the globe. Some of the Egyptians have the most gorgeous eyes. I almost got caught up a couple of times. And apparently women have come there, gotten wooed and married. Then the husband leaves them at home to look for more women! now what I won’t do is be foolish. Who gets married after two minutes in a country?!? Mess. Ain’t doing it no matter how pretty those eyes were. Ok heading off for the next adventure in a couple of days. 3 down and one to go this month! Yay! Happy to hear from you!
Cairo Égypte my worst world traveling experience.
Honesty you just need to go a weekend visit the pyramids and learn about the History that’s it you don’t need to stay a week in Cairo.
As a black man I remember calling a Taxi in my hotel reception (when the driver saw I am I black guy he told me directly I don’t drive for black peoples before left) maybe it just one taxi driver like that maybe there are all nearly the same.
The next day as a swimmer I went to a swimming pool. They don’t let me get IN.
If you plan to go to Cairo do it with agency with all including (it will me a bit more expensive but really better to visit – stay save and in Security)
If you stay just a weekend take hotel near the pyramid.
Egypt is one of my top rated destinations so far. It’s amazing to see all the things you’ve read about the Motherland finally come alive right before your eyes. Egypt is so rich in history and culture; from touching the pyramids, to climbing and crawling inside of them, to viewing mummies up close, and touching the very soil that our ancestors lay.
I visited Cairo for 2 days, as part of an 8-day trip. My travels started in Cairo, followed by a flight to Aswan for a 3-day cruise down the Nile River, then Luxor, and back to Cairo. Sailing down The Nile river is a beautiful and surreal experience on it’s own. So much historical events happened in those historical waters.
On the Nile River cruise we made stops each day along the way. On day #1 of sailing in Aswan I visited High Dam & Temple of Phiale. On day # 2 of sailing I stopped at Komo Obob to visit Sobek Temple & Temple of Horus in Edfu. On Day # 3 of sailing I stopped at the West Bank where I visited the Valley of Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut.
After 3 days of sailing I arrived in Luxor and stayed at the Sonesta St. George Hotel. The bathrooms in this hotel were so high tech, it took me forever to figure out how to flush the toilet lol. The shower had rain and waterfall effects, automatic doors, jacuzzi settings, surround sound stereo, and LED lighting to name a few! Luxor is a nice upscale city in Egypt where you can find high luxury hotels, high-end cuisine, and take a break from the hustle and bustle in Cairo. While in Luxor I visited the East Bank to experience Karnak & Luxor Temples, the Egyptian Museum, and the Bazaar market. The Egyptian Museum will help you gain an even greater appreciation for Egyptian art & the mummification process. You will be fascinated to see how after all these centuries the mummies still have many of their lifelike features preserved, almost as if they’re frozen in time. Many of the mommies still have hair, teeth, eyes, and nails.
After arrival back to Cairo I visited Memphis the home of the first pyramid “Step Pyramid,” followed by a camel ride down the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the Sphinx. Cairo’s a great city to get all you instagramable photos. Cairo is also a major city so it gets very busy. The traffic can get very heavy, so extra time must be allotted when traveling around this city. When going out shopping or walking around Cairo tourist need to be extra careful when crossing the streets, because the cars will NOT stop for you. Crossing streets in Cairo is like playing frogger in real life….If you are looking to do affordable shopping in Egypt is would recommend doing in in other cities like Aswan or outside of tourist attraction sites here hagglers congregate in large groups. You will find beautiful things to purchase in Cairo, but the prices tend to be hiked up in this area due to tourism. Outside of actual tourist attractions there’s so much competition among hagglers to get your dollars, that’s its very easy to haggle and get good bargains. They will literally follow you up to the temple door, to make a sale!
Traveling while black in Egypt is great, many locals will greet you as a brother or sister and treat you with respect. You are viewed as an equal. I received many complements on my skin and hair while there.
I’m leaving this review under Cairo but I really stayed out in Giza and woke up to a view of the pyramids every morning on the balcony and it made for some awesome IG pictures! I was there for 4 days and the place I stayed at was gorgeous! Beautiful views, close to local shopping and restaurants where the authentic Egyptian food was reasonably priced compared to more touristy areas. If you decide to stay in Giza I would recommend going with people who know Arabic, the Uber drivers out there did not speak any English! But the host for the airbnb I had was very kind and helped set up everything from breakfast being dropped off in the morning to excursions to and from Alexandria for the day with a personal car and tour guide who was very knowledgeable about the history of the country. The wifi connection was great and the place was well taken care of. It was a little hard for the cab driver to find from the airport and is located about 40 minutes from downtown Cairo but it was an amazing experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I logged about the whole thing on my Youtube channel -eVaniwithaV if you want video footage of where I was staying! And if you search for this location on Airbnb it is under “Hi Pyramids.” Highly recommend. The hosts name is Eisa and tell him I sent you!
Egypt is a very beautiful place, motherland. The hotel surrounding the pyramids are beautiful not the best neighborhood but the views are well worth it. Most of the people helping us cross the street which can be very dangerous showing us the restrooms, taking a photo of us etc. will ask for money. Its kinda hard to trust that someone is helping you out of the kindness of their heart because nine times out of 10 they will be asking for money after. We stayed at the Pyramid Boutique Apartments. A very cool fact is that they celebrate Valentine’s Day for three days, the day before, the day after and the day of which is really beautiful. They set up most of their stores with hearts, balloons, flowers and teddy bears. They are really big on it. Yes they have Uber but the service is hard to find. One of our hotels stated they would have WiF but once we got there it was another story and the service was terrible. The food was good and very cheap and they have all kind. My fiancé is vegan and luckily we found one restaurant and he was able to go to back-and-forth. I couldn’t show too much skin at the pyramid because they fear we would do something nasty. A few years ago two Americas went to the pyramid and went all the way to the top and had sex and had it on film. After returning back home they post it and the people in Egypt was very upset so since they watched very closely to couples going to visit the pyramid. I had on a dress and had to cover up. Two young ladies came up with Way more skin showing and they let them in with no problem. They also said I look too dressed up. I will visit Egypt again. It’s different from where I live but that’s why I love it. I respect it and they love us, just not our president. I stayed in Egypt for eight days and I wish it could have been longer.
I stayed in Cairo for two separate nights. I had 22 hr layovers to and from Dubai. I highly recommend doing that if you want to add an extra stamp to your passport! In cairo, you can knock everything out that there is to do in 2-3 days depends on your flight times, where you stay, and how you plan. My first layover I stayed at an airbnb through xurio stays, 5 mins from the Great pyramids of Giza. You can see the pyramids out of your window. Your best bet when you going to egypt is to get a private tour guide that speaks english. Through this airbnb, they had one you can use. After I landed, I changed and went instantly to see the pyramids. The entry gates close around 5pm. You have a choice of riding a camel, a horse, or a horse buggy to the pyramids. I chose the camel because I never rode one before. It was a breathtaking experience for sure. On the camel ride over, the guide tells you all about the pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Be sure to bring a light jacket as it gets cold in the desert. After taking pics at the pyramids, we went out for a local egyptian lunch called Koshary and to get some souvenirs. That night, I did a dinner cruise on the Nile River. They had traditional Arabic food buffet, drinks, shisha, belly dancer, etc. The food was pretty good! Once the cruise was over, I went to a nightclub called Volt inside the Zayed Hotel. It got pretty packed. It was a local nightclub with a belly dancer. You are not allowed to take any video of her. Nonetheless, being surrounded by the culture and listening to their music was a blast! I danced the night away with one of my girlfriends. On the way back from Dubai, I arrived back to egypt for one more 22 hr layover. The only thing we had time to do after arrival was the Egyptian Museum. Once again, I hired a tour guide and stayed at the same air bnb. Their is soo sooo much history in the museum that you need at least 4-5hrs there. We hired a man to take us around the museum! He was sooo good and very very informative. If we did not hire him as a guide, our trip to the museum would of went by way faster and we would of missed everything before our eyes, even the exclusive pass to see King Tut’s artifacts. After 5 hrs in the museum, we were hungry. We went to a nearby spot on the nile river called the Fish Market. Food in Egypt, you dollar goes a long way. I ordered a meal that would be $20 up in the US and it was $10 there and sooooo good! I highly recommend the Fish Market. After eating, I was very tired. Once I went back to my airbnb, I could see the light show on the pyramids out my window. That is how I ended my 2 day trip to Cairo/ Giza. I would of only extended my stay 2 more days if I was traveling to Luxor for the Valley of the Kings. To visit the pyramids, do dinner on the nile, party, & go to the Egyptian museum, 2 days is enough.
Our adventure to Egypt i would say was a memorable excursion. Traveling to see the Pyramids that you read about in history book and having watched Prince of Egypt also results as a surreal adventure.
The Pyramids of Egypt are now known to be one of the Ancient Wonders of the World, built for the Pharaohs and the Consorts during old and middle kingdom.
We spent the first three (3) days in Cairo , then three (3)days in Cairo and the rest was two (2) days in Luxor and two(2) in Cairo.
A lot of individuals have asked whether we booked a tour , and YES we did. I felt a tour would be easier and we would get to see everything verse missing out on key sites or places, we weren’t there just for Instagram worthy sites and then call it a day.
When you do the calculations of doing everything on your own or getting a tour, the costs add up to the same. Being on a tour as well avoids being harassed as your guide will be there to ward off the hustlers who see tourists as walking banks , and you get a personal driver talk you everywhere.
That being said lets get to the Itinerary of the trip :
Cairo
Day One : Pyramids of Giza, Spinx , Temples , Abusir , Saqqara , Papyrus shop and an Essence shop.
Day two : Day trip to Alexandria, which is a two hours drive from Cairo. Alexandria is a city in Egypt that was build for Alexandria the great , therefore has Greek influences. Unfortunately Alexandria the Great died before he could see this city that was built for him.
In Alexandria we got to view the Catacombs, the Citadel and further Greek reminisces and we enjoyed a lovely lunch by the seaside.
Day three : Old Cairo, Museums , Old Cairo Markets and the Cairo Citadels.
Our next adventure we made our way to Sharm El-Sheik for a beach break by the Red Sea. The Red Sea would be known as where Moses split the ocean and freed the Hebrews , ahem Prince of Egypt moments and memories.
Sharm El-Sheik consisted of relaxing by the beach sipping on cocktails and looking cute of course. On one of the days in Sharm we went on a Yacht to Ras Mohammed National Park for swimming and snorkeling excursions.
There are plenty of other activities to do in Sharm El-Sheik like water-sports,Baudouin dinner , camel rides , horse riding and so forth. All these would be introduced to you by the staff at whichever resort that you stay at.
After three(3) days in Sharm El-Sheik we flew back to Cairo.
We took a flight in the early hours of the morning the next day to Luxor. The flights from Cairo to Luxor is about 45 minutes but the flights always seemed to be delayed that week
In Luxor we booked a tour with the Airbnb we stayed at that included lunch by the in house chef. We were collected and started the tour on the West bank first.
The Luxor tour consisted of :
East and West Bank : Valley of Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut ,Luxor Temple at night,Temple of Medinat Habu, Colossi of Memmnon ,Karnak temple and Luxor museum.
Lunch was spectacular and very memorable. Best meal I had on my whole trip in Egypt.For those foodies this was done by the amazing chef at the Airbnb with the rooftop view of the Nile River.
In conclusion Egypt was busy and interesting. We was amazing to see the stories we read about live and to see what history has been left behind.
Summary of our Experiences :
In Egypt they are hustlers and they hustle hard and to a point of irritation that one has to mentally prepare themselves when you leave the Airbnb/Hotel. Egyptians want a tip for everything , so they never do anything from the goodness of their heart (this is when i missed Bali), they want a tip for carrying you bag, asking for directions,using the loo and basically just greeting them.
We took a Go-bus to Sharm El-Sheik, a trip that was supposed to take six (6) hours took nine (9) hours because of the amount of security stops and having the military search your suitcases. So that was a never again experience, thought it was going to be like Morocco where the buses are easy and get there on time.But alias Egypt is another story on it’s own.
Egypt is very safe country, we never once felt unsafe. Everyone is very respectful and there are no issues or causes of concern with regards to safety.
Dressing for women: the first thing Bob our driver said to us that Egypt is both a Christian and Islamic country therefore we could safely wear whatever we wanted. His words were “you can even wear bum shorts to the Pyramids” lol , okay bum shorts are for the beach not the Pyramids. Therefore ladies you need not worry about having to cover up and so forth.
Ladies : this one is for us , carry roll of tissue with you because the public bathrooms there are no tissues, there is someone there to get like 3 sheets and either way you still need to pay to use the loo. But all I can say is CARRY TISSUES with you.
Student Cards = Discounts for entering the museums , temples and so forth. So I suggest you get a student card if you can.Lucky for us as Africans traveling to Egypt we got major discounts because of the AFCON.
ATVd through Sahara desert while watching the sun rise over the pyramids at an affordable price amazing experience. Camel ride is also a must. Have time visit museums and Nile River.
I stayed at the Marriott mena for 3 nights ($900 USD) because I wanted the view of the pyramids each morning which was amazing. I stayed on the 4th floor and I had one of the rooms with the best views at the hotel ( cant remember the room#). The shisha was pretty good and the food as well. Ny staying here you will be closer to the tours for pyramids of Giza/Memphis/Sphinx than if you were ti stay in the city. However, staying in Mena means you wre about 45 minutes from center cairo and the traffic is insanee to say the least. I felt it was worth it for the views and experience I wanted, but you may want to book a hotel in center cairo for a night if you don’t want to worry too much about the travel time.
I visited Cairo/Giza Egypt for 3 days. We resided at pyramid hotel! We ubered for 2usd to Giza pyramids. Please Uber everywhere it is very cheap!!!! Do NOT take a taxi they will overcharge you. We literally stayed directly across the street from the pyramids at pyramid hotel which was $75 usd very clean and amazing views. We got to go in side the pyramids warning it’s very tight in there with no air! Shopping is nice but please be careful when purchasing from the shops. They will charge you more if you are an American. We let our host from the hotel purchase our food. Also it is cheaper to buy souvenirs from off the street from locals or at the airport. The shops around the Giza pyramids upcharge and do not have prices on their items. We found the same items for pennies on the dollars being sold by locals within the pyramids. We visited the museum also went ATVing in the town which was really fun. On our last night we did a dinner cruise on the Nile full of activities and great food which was all purchase through trip advisor.
I visited Cairo/Giza Egypt for 3 days. The first day we resided at pyramid boutique apartments! This is the listing that has the jacuzzi in it with the pyramids displayed in the backgrounds! Selects pyramid 2 it is better upgraded than pyramid 1! We ubered for 2usd to Giza pyramids. Please Uber everywhere it is very cheap!!!! Do NOT take a taxi they will overcharge you. The remaining 2 days we stayed at the Cleopatra Hotel. It is literally directly across the street from the pyramids. We watched the night light show from the rooftop for free, where we also enjoyed hookah and wine! Please be careful when purchasing from the shops. They will charge you more if you are an American. We let our host from the hotel purchase our food. Also it is cheaper to buy souvenirs from off the street from locals or at the airport. The shops around the Giza pyramids upcharge and do not have prices on their items. We found the same items for pennies on the dollars being sold by locals within the pyramids.
I visited Cairo for 3 days prior to going to Dubai. I personally wished I had more days in Cairo than Dubai. The people of Cairo were welcoming and very kind… they wanted photos with you and always admired us. I recommend the travel company Pharaoh’s Gate Tours as they picked us 4 ladies up from hotel every morning for tours. We felt safe and secure with the driver and Egyptologist who provided a highly valued understanding of Egypt’s history. I would recommend at least 5 -7 days in Egypt, as it was difficult to try to get in the most for 3 days.
The food is awesome. Our driver would take us to local areas to buy food in their “fast food” restaurant, even though the fast good is rather healthy. I made friends with others while drinking in the hotel and Kempinski hotel was our stay…. Nice secured hotel and cater to all of our needs. All items have to go through security machine before entering the hotel. You will also see military with assault weapons on the streets (and their finger looks like it’s close to trigger) but it was safe when I was there Oct 2018.
Let’s be honest if you’re looking for history Egypt is the place to go. Cairo in particular, the Egyptian museum is vast and can easily take a day (there’s also a new and even bigger museum being built as I type). The pyramids, the pyramids, the pyramids. I still can’t fully grasp that I saw them much less to explain it to you, you have to see it for yourself.
You can also pay extra to go inside but I don’t recommend if you’re claustrophobic or have back problems, it’s a tight space.
Stay at Le meridien, honestly don’t look anywhere else. Right across from the pyramids amazing view, beautiful pool, delicious and large breakfast Selections, 3 other on site restaurants, great spa. Book now, thank me later.
I will note that we (my sister and I) did get hassled more when it was just us versus when walking around with our male tour guide. Just to give my solo female travelers a heads up.
All in all if Cairo, or Egypt in general is on your list, book that ticket, you won’t regret it.
This was one of three stops this past October for my husband birthday. The weather was perfect as around this time is their cooler months so 80-90 degrees was perfect with out scorching heat It’s 45 mins to hour plane ride from Cairo. We booked with Nile Air round trip for about 350 dollars for two people. We absolutely love the atmosphere it’s the perfect place to relax we stayed at the Coral Sea sensatori it’s all inclusive if you choose we did just that had a family swim up all for ourselves it was an complimentary upgrade from the regular swim up. The beaches are beautiful, the Red Sea is immaculate, snorkeling was out of this world it felt like avatar when we did it so beautiful. The atmosphere gives you a Greece feeling as well the architecture, the locals are wonderful and polite. However when you get to Sharm it’s very different from Cairo so I would recommend to do both. Experience history then the luxury appreciate the essence of the place. We went to many restaurants some were better than others ..we enjoyed the private beaches and the pool parties as well. It’s the perfect place for relaxation and insta beautiful pictures.
I really enjoyed myself in Egypt. I went with my friend and we stayed at the pyramid hotel in Cairo we were there for 7 days. Not as much to do in Cairo besides the pyramids and that is something you can do in a day or 2. We did the camel ride which was super fun and the people there who run the camel rides are really good at taking photos. They do expect tips and will hassle you for more money from my experience but overall it was a good experience. The Nile River cruise is beautiful especially at night. I did hear the ATV tour at the pyramids is amazing but we did not do it. They hussle a lot there but it’s how they survive so I get it. Please don’t take anything they offer you as they will force you to give them money even if they put it in your hands. The Food was decent. I’ll be honest I wasn’t a fan. I ate at my hotel and the hotel next door for the most part because the one night I went out in the town to eat I did not enjoy the food. I am a huge foodie so super picky. Also the Traffic is CRAZY! They have no laws on the road so people drive crazy. We almost got into 2 accidents out there on a tour bus. Everyone I ran into spoke Good English and the crime seems to be low in Cairo but of course be smart the country is poor. Cairo was great overall and I would recommend everyone go atleast once.
The temples was amazing ? but I was emotional ? more because they greeted me with open arms feed me in there home ? and the way the welcome ?? me was everything they said welcome home my brother ?
There is a lot to see, so seeing everything would take you a considerable amount of time. If you want to see the main must-see places then 4/5 days would be a fine deal. The Giza Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum are on the top, but there are also:
Tour Coptic Cairo: see the Hanging Church, the Church of Saint George, Ben Ezra Sinagogue, Church of Saint Barbara. It is an interesting neighborhood, and where the city started, so you can have an idea of how much Cairo grew.
Khan el Khalili: this souk is one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East (dated back to the XV century). Walking around its streets is an experience in itself, and answers your question about where to shop. But be aware: you must bargain (nothing will be priced at what is worth and sellers expect you to bargain), and always have cash with you instead of paying with cards. Also visit Al-Hussein Mosque, that is located in the area.
My boyfriend & I spent 2 days, 3 nights in Cairo. We didn’t know what to expect as this was our first time in Africa. We stayed at the Marriott Mena House Hotel. It was roughly $1100 for a room with a view of the pyramids for 3 days. The hotel is an hour away from the airport. Our first full day in Cairo we hired a driver through our hotel for $100 for the entire day (yes quite expensive so I would recommend having a tour guide in advance). Our first stop was the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, beautiful place, totally recommend it. Then we passed through Khan El-Khalili to see what it was all about. I wasn’t doing any shopping so I didn’t care much for it. We then headed off to Al-Azhar Park. This park is absolutely amazing. The grounds are beautiful, relaxing and just a nice break from the busy, chaotic Cairo. To finish off our day we went to the light show at the pyramids. Honestly would not recommend this, as it was nothing special & completely different than what I expected.
The next morning we visited the pyramids. The pyramids are truly incredible & a must see. However, please go mentally PREPARED to deal with what seems to be borderline harassment from people asking if you want to ride a camel/horse/carriage. Definitely was a little aggravating and can take away from an amazing experience.
One of the best things about Egypt is learning about the history, however it’s not a place I would suggest traveling by yourself. Not to scare anyone, but I went with a travel group and we had security with us at all times. There are metal detectors in a lot of places. While you’re traveling be sure to only drink bottled water so that you don’t get sick. Our tour guides were from Memphis Tours and they were very accommodating especially if we wanted to do things outside the group. They helped get us private buses and security to make sure we were safe at all times. They also had a package for pictures and gave us a photo book which was a nice souvenir.
This place has plenty to see and do, so you’ll never be bored. The history of course speaks for itself but nothing beats seeing the history in person. Only take away is that the people here are very pushy and will try to take advantage of you all the time and it can take a away from a great experience. I would advice to be mentally prepared it can get very stressful.
Since this trip was a special occasion we were celebrating my gfs birthday we spent a little more than usual for the hotel. We stayed at the Mena house Marriot hotel rooms there tend to start at $160 a night. The hotel is walking distance to the pyramids and have some great views. While there we booked a driver through the hotel which was about $100 a day the driver speaks English and takes you anywhere you need to go and also waits for you at the locations you go to. We visited the Mosque of Muhammad Ali which was beautiful and only cost around $12 for entry.
We went to Al Azhar Park which is mostly known by locals and had lunch there which cost about $30 for 2 people. The park is a very quiet place in the middle of a hectic busy city and you can also get some great city views there as well.
We also went to the light show at night at the pyramids of Giza the entry for that is about $15 a person I wouldn’t really recommend going to that. Tho the show gives you some good history on the pyramids and lights the pyramids up at night, but overall it was boring.
We didn’t get any tour guides for the pyramids cause we tend to take our time looking at things and my gf likes to take many pictures.The cost to enter the pyramids was around $7 and you can buy a $18 ticket that allows you entry To go inside the pyramids. Nothing is left inside the pyramids but I feel like it’s still worth going inside.
If you like to travel for history With a country with a soul Do not ask yourself a question take your ticket and go to Egypt, it’s a destination rich in emotions, People are warm, I did not feel bad energy during this trip.I spent five wonderful days in Cairo visiting the breathtaking pyramid this is the most memorable monument I made, I booked my visit on Viator for a few euros With a guide, And for other activities that I Made during my stay I booked directly from my hotel because it was never expensive All my activities have never exceeded 30 € The advantage is that we pick you up at the hotel and we return you to the hotel, I also had the chance to do a dinner cruise on the Nile It was a great cruise! The food was ethnic and our tour guide was excellent! Thank you for a great time and sharing with us information about the Nile and about Egypt. The music provided during the cruise was fun and they seemed to enjoy themselves. The belly dancer was fun as well. The Egyptian dancers were very fun and humorous! We enjoyed ourselves immensely.Having dinner in a Nile cruise is truly an amazing experience. My advice is that you should take the 5pm time slot since you can watch the beautiful sunset then.
I was last in Cairo in 2012 and it was a beautiful trip i must say.
Rich in history and culture. My most memorable one was to the Great Pyramid of Giza where i was talked into a donkey ride that felt just like the movies. Just be more careful usually the people in this area entice you into something only for them to later bill you.
But it is a lovely country.
My experience is Egypt was overshadowed by how horribly I was treated. In the tourist areas (Giza pyramids and the Egyptian Museum) everything was cool.
It may have been more so that I was a woman with my child, but the treatment from the men left me with a bad taste. I was I comfortable with the “brown sugar” cat calls in the market. I’m not sure who told the vendors that’s going to help with closing a sell.
Make sure you have your visa before you arrive and any delivery men, have them leave your food at the door if possible. I’m the non-tourist areas, the glances and scoffs were noticeable and when we tried to make purchases we were ignored.
One of my best trips!!! To see lessons from my text books in their realistic form, was fascinating. WHEN YOU COME FROM GREATNESS, YOU ASPIRE TO BE EVEN GREATER!?????? OUR HISTORY IS VITAL TO US.
The Egyptians love melenated skin as well! The darker you are, the closer they felt you were to the sun which they affiliated with being closer to God.
To have the ability to ride a camel, check out some the oldest Egyptian tombs, climb and enter a pyramid, and take dope pictures with a the Sphinx in the background. Thise were my most memorable experiences. I had an amazing tour guide, who I can always refer. Cairo is a Must!
Had a great time visiting Cairo in order to see the Great Pyramids of Giza which had always been on my bucket list. In terms of activities to do Cairo doesn’t have so much going on, so I would recommend you keep your stay here brief (1-2 days max) before heading on to other places e.g. Alexandria, Luxor, Sharm El-Sheikh etc. I used day trips to Alexandria and the Red Sea via Airbnb experiences and Booking.com to add more activities. I stayed in a hotel next to the Pyramids which was great in terms of having a view of them from my bedroom, and being able to see the Lights Show at night, but beware that the area is incredibly noisy at night so you could have issues trying to get a lot of sleep. I faced no issues travelling while black, the vast majority of Egyptians were friendly and welcoming always calling me their brother, although near the tourist hotspots they might be a bit pushy trying to sell you stuff, nothing crazy though.
A last minute trip that turned out to be a life changing experience. The history this city has is breath taking. The Egyptian museum brought to life things I used to only read about in school. The pyramids had me in awe! What a once in a lifetime chance it was to touch, feel and experience. While seeing the pyramids, a camel ride is a must! Our guide insisted on narrating our photoshoot which resulted in some surpassingly great pictures! The people have so much to share and their stories will stay with you forever. Make time to see it all! The Mosque, The Citadel, City Tour, The Museums, everything! Our tour guide was patient with us and very knowledgeable and kept us safe throughout our whole trip!
I visited Cairo, Egypt as part 1 of 2 of my birthday trip. I didn’t know what to expect from such a historical city. Cairo is very impoverished. There’s so many unfinished construction projects around the entire city, it’s almost unbelievable. While staying there, my friends and I found our spot on Airbnb, right across from the Nile River and in the distance we could see the pyramids. It was quite beautiful. Our host was so nice. While in Cairo I recommend hiring a driver opposed to using a taxi because you need a car to go everywhere and cabs are a rip off according to friends there. We met our driver in the most random way. We were looking for a taxi when we first arrived and since only about 10% of Egyptians can speak and understand English, the first driver walking toward us spoke perfect English and ordered to take us to our Airbnb. He then went on and let us know that he works for a car service company and that he would be delighted to do business with us. (I’ll leave his info at the end.) We showed us around the entire city. Took us to restaurants and markets; he was our unofficial tour guide. Since we went during Ramadan, things closed early so we didn’t get to experience any night life. We did visit the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. We were able to ride camels in the dessert and even climb on the pyramids. So cool! We drove about 1.5 hours out to the Red Sea to see where Moses parted it as mentioned in the Bible. But it turns out that it’s now a resort haha Our driver was so kind, he invited us into his home to have dinner with his family. They were so welcoming and loving toward my friends and I. When going into the temples or any place deemed holy ladies must cover up. I would also say if you want to do any tours look online at TripAdvisor to get better rates. Because trying to get a price at the door, they will rip you off. Also everyone there wants tips for anything. If you ask them where the restroom is, they’ll have their hands out wanting to be compensated. It’s really ridiculous. I did like Egypt for its history, culture and food. That’s it.
Ayman is his name. Here is his what’s app. Tell him I sent you.
+20 106 100 7803
Here’s the link for our Airbnb.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19422399
Egypt is definitely full of history which is to be expected we all heard of Egypt while in school.Egypt is definitely filled with so much to Do when it comes to history from the museum,Nile river cruise to of course the pyramids .I would suggest stay at a hotel across from the pyramids for at least one night so you can watch the light show at night .Egypt is affordable and filled with such rich history .
Cairo was a new experience for me i stayed at the renaissance mirage hotel and that was beautiful. It was very city like. There i visited the museum and did some shopping. The people were very persistent in talking my picture but they just wanted money for that. I also stayed in Giza and the pyramid tour, camel ride, and atv. While being black in Egypt they were very welcoming. They considered us cousins. The cost of things wasn’t bad either. Oct 2018 our 1usd was 17 Egyptian dollars. One thing I noticed that was unexpected was everyone wanted money. They were beggers and many hagglers. While i was doing my camel ride a lady on the street tapped my foot and asked me for money. In Giza I stayed at a local hotel wasnt fancy but it had a great view of the pyramids and the sphinx. Also uber is the best way to get around much cheaper. Do experience being in a tut tut its fun n quicker way to get around locally. I also stayed in Luxor at the hilton where the food was better and more “american”. Also a major thing if u want to take pictures they charge extra for that. If u dont pay and try to sneak in a picture and get caught the guards want a nice tip unless they threaten to call the police and take your phone away. My overall experience was great if i was to go back i would visit aswan, sharm el sheik, and Alexandria.
Egypt itself is AMAZING!!! The history is undeniable however. There are several things to do in Cairo as a visitor but my #1 thing is to visit the Pyramids. The fact that the architecture and knowledge of the past has been preserved so well in impressive but to know that we are witness to what our ancestors were such an intricate part of, makes you feel overwhelmed with a great sense of pride.
being among the pyramids, in Giza, the pharaoh in Memphis and step pyramids in Saqqara is quite a lot of history and knowledge of a time that has never been repeated and still baffle even the most brilliant of minds.
I for one have a HUGE love for Egypt and will be visiting for the third time in 2020 :)
I just came back from Cairo,Egypt. Most people that visit Egypt only stay in Cairo. Granted theres so much to do there from visiting the pyramids of giza, the pyramids night show at night, the museum, ATV and horseback riding around the pyramids. Get a horse buggy ride to the desert. Going to the Nile river, and if you have time I suggest you visit Alexandria its about 2 hrs away or so but it’s much different then Cairo and its breathtaking. Also if you’re able to book the excursions in advance on getyourguide.com because it’s much cheaper as opposed to you waiting to get there and book
So, I went to Egypt for my birthday in January and it was absolutely worth it. It was a short 4 day trip. I used a tour company called Memphis Tours which was very helpful. They had an itinerary sorted out which made planning easier. They received us from the airport and assisted with visa & customs upon entry into the country. The hotel was also included in the Memphis tour charge. During my stay I got to visit the pyramids( which was by the way very breath taking and absolutely worth it if you are big on history), visited the museum, tried local foods, visited other pyramids, perfume shops, Egyptian cotton stores and took a road trip to Alexander (which is another city in Egypt. The people are very friendly, I felt safe, I did not move around without the tour guides as advised and I enjoyed my stay. The weather was a bit cold (light jacket weather in January). Very affordable, I did not have to spend a lot of money besides tipping since I already paid the tour company. Definitely a must go! I will visit again. Check out my ig: @girlandaplane to see some of my cool pictures.
I stayed in Cairo for 1.5 days as a long layover en route to Dubai. We stayed at the Marriott Mena house which is absolutely gorgeous. It is walking distance to the pyramids and you can see them directly from the hotel property. They actually have tables set up outside the restaurant so you can enjoy the view of the pyramids while having breakfast or lunch. The nightly rate is between $110-$150 per night and everything is included with the rate. The restaurant has a combination of both Egyptian and western foods so there’s something suitable for everyone’s diet. You can schedule tours through the hotel concierge and they also offer a taxi service which will give you a driver for the entire day. A little pricey compared to other hotels nearby but you definitely get your money’s worth.
Many websites offer great tours with transportation to the pyramids, museums & near by cities. I stayed at an Airbnb at https://abnb.me/XrNXlxhfFW
The Half day tour of Cairo worked for me
Included a tour of the pyramids, camel ride & lunch!
https://www.viator.com/tours/Cairo/Half-Day-trip-to-Giza-pyramids/d782-19202P2
Viator also has a Nile cruise with belly dancing
https://www.viator.com/tours/Cairo/Dinner-Cruise-On-the-Nile-with-Belly-Dancer-Show-Includes-Pickup-and-Drop-off-Transfers/d782-26835P1#
Food. If you have a lifestyle that restricts certain foods, be prepared to eat the same things over and over again. I went with a group that’s mostly vegan and we ate falafels A LOT. The falafels were really good and not dry at all, but we ate those a lot. One of their delicacies is stuffed pigeon so that gives you an idea of how limited our food options were. I personally eat turkey and fish. There were no turkey options and I had fish once in 6 days and that was in Luxor on a day trip. We ate at the world famous koshery after as well.
Very affordable, was able to get a nice pyramid view hotel for $50(Hotel is the Hayat hotel in giza) a night which was split between me and a travel partner. Almost everything you want to buy from the street markets or activities you want to do can be negotiable.start low and try to bargin! Another tip: Uber is better than renting a car. A 43 min ride from the airport to Giza(Pyramid area) is about 160 Egyptian pounds(around $9).. rides around the city would probably cost like $1 or 2 per ride.. Enjoyed my time there!
Egypt is a place where you will be constantly pointed as a black person especially if you are alone and a women. When I visited the pyramids the kids called me and even sang to me which I could not understand why but at the mosques they were very aggressive and insisted at taking pictures with me. At the market they seem to not bother me and just look but no words were said to me. You never how you will be treated where you go and yes it was frustrating at time but I did enjoy my time in Egypt.
I spent 3 days in Cairo, My Sisters and I are on a quest to see all 7 of The New World Wonders, so with the Pyramids being one of them Egypt was our next stop. The hotel we stayed at was Ritz Carlton, located in down town Cairo. A strong suggestion is to take Uber, while on your trip we took one taxi cab that charged us 784 in Egyptian Pound 45$ in U.S Dollars So for the rest of our trip we took Uber. Its super cheap I think we paid around 5$ for and hour ride to the pyramids and most of the Uber driver’s spoke English and were very nice. Top place I think everyone must see on your visit to Cairo are The Great Pyramids of Giza of course, The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities FYI it is very crowed and Khan el-Khalili Market.
I just got back from spending 3 days in Egypt. I went there in an attempt to visit all the world wonders. While that was my sole reason, Egypt pleasantly surprised me as there are so many beautiful things to see and do. If you are a historian or is interested in history, then this is the place to visit as it is very rich in history. I travelled to Egypt from Amman, Jordan on Egyptian Airline. The flight time was about an hour. I did not have an arranged airport pickup since I tried booking one late and realized that I needed to have booked one 24 hours in advance of my arrival time. As such, I chose an airport taxi service that was in the arrival lobby. I paid US $35 to go downtown Cairo. If you are able to arrange pickup beforehand, please do so since it is considerably cheaper. Cairoshuttlebus.com (they use cars despite the name) charges US$19, but you have to book with them at least 24hours in advance.
In Cairo, I stayed at Hilton Zamalek which is located on an island in the Nile River. It is approximately 30 minutes from the airport, but it took me an hour to get there due to rush hour traffic in Cairo. Driving in Cairo is ridiculous! The roads are narrow and sometimes have 5 vehicular lanes. Cars switch lanes haphazardly and people just walk into the street without care. You’ll have to witness it to believe. I had many wide-eyed moments as it was the craziest driving I have ever seen. I had an amazing at the Hilton. The staff were caring and helpful, and the services and amenities were spectacular. I mostly ate there as the food was good and affordable. I did order KFC one night though since I was missing some westernized food. I googled KFC Cairo and saw that they delivered. You have to pay cash in Egyptian pounds though. The exchange rate was about 18 EGP to US$1.
I booked tours for my site seeing activities with Emo Tours. I had a good experience with them and the tours were personalized/ private – one guide per booking. This was a pleasant surprise, since I’m not really fond of large tour groups. The guides were always punctual, and they ensured that you see everything that you want to see. The only downside to the tour guides is that they discourage you from purchasing souvenirs in the streets since “they will take you to a place with better quality stuff”. Please don’t listen to them. Buy whatever you want when you see it. Negotiate though! You’ll be surprised how the price you pay differs from the original price quoted. These shops with better quality that the guides suggest are not negotiable and they lack the variety seen in the streets.
Overall, I find the Egyptian people and culture to be very welcoming. Sometimes it’s a bit strange to travel as a black person, especially when you see no one that looks like you, but this was a far cry in Egypt. I actually felt like I belonged there.
I Visited Egypt Back In October Last Year And I Stayed At The Sheraton Cairo. That Property To Me Was Amazing. It Sat Directly On The Nile River And It Was Centered In The Middle Of Everything, Making Transportation From And To The Econimical. Also If You Book Tours, Being That It’s Centered ,Most Tours Pick You Up Directly From The Lobby And Drop You Back Off In The Lobby. The Food Was Amazing All Over Egypt And Room Service At The Hotel Was Literally Dirt Cheap.
Upon Arriving In Cairo. We Had No Prebooked car services. We met a random licensed cab driver who ended up being our tour guide the entire trip. And his prices were Literally Dirt Cheap.
Just visited Cairo in January. This trip to Eygpt was all because of my husband who is very much into Egyptology. I am so happy we went because this has been my most educational trip to date.
We pre booked a guide for our trip which included airport pick up and drop off, tours to the pyramids, museum and even a boat ride on the Nile river . I found Mina on Instagram whilst searching for a tour guide for Eygpt. I must say best decision we made to book his team for our three day trip to Eygpt. The booking process was simple as we communicated through WhatsApp and also pick ups were on time .The tour guides were also very knowledgeable and we learnt so much about the history of Eygpt that I don’t think we would have learnt without a guide. His Instagram handle is @eygptourguide.mina.samir. So my first advice is to get a guide for the museum and pyramids.
Secondly, check the weather before you visit because we went in January and it was pretty cold which we were not prepared for. Third, ensure your tours start early because traffic is crazyyyyyyyy . Worst traffic I have ever experienced in all my travels.
The only annoying thing about my trip was that everyone expects a tip….don’t let anyone take a photo for you because they will follow you around till they get paid ?.
Eygpt is very safe, food is cheap and people are very helpful (for a small fee ?). Will definefly go back to visit Luxor.
When I stayed in Cairo, I stayed at the Sofitel Hotel. Sofitel’s are all over the world and they are actually 5 star hotels. Everyone in the hotel was nice and absolutely anything we needed and/or asked for, someone was always there to help. From our balcony, we were able to look over the city, however, I was unable to see the pyramids from my side of the hotel. The pyramids and all of the other touristy things were definitely not far at all. If you go, this is a great place to stay! All of the people were great and so was the food. Also, if you love hookah like me, they have hookah in as well! This hotel also sits on the Nile River.
Capital was a nice city. Large and partially developed due to the large population (19 Million). Giza is the main attraction here with the pyramids directly outside of the city. 3rd world vibe with 19million very active Arabs. Black friendly but not entirely. They will try and hustle you for everything. In particular if you visit the pyramids they offer guides, horses, camels, etc. they will attempt to charge 400+ Egyptian pounds but let me tell you, 200 is the most you actually should have to pay. And that’s generous. It’s a great city if you don’t mind bargaining or being upcharged a little for services.
So, unfortunately, we went during Ramadan as well during a brief layover back to the states. After being for lack of a better word “finessed” into paying a local outside of the airport to take us to Giza during the Ramadan period which is about an hour away for 100 USD which is about 1700 Egyptian pounds we prayed as we began the one day journey. The traffic on what is suppose to be a highway was crazy! No lines to separate the lanes, people walking across and you haven’t seen bumper to bumper traffic until Cairo to Giza. Upon arrival, we got to see the pyramids from outside the gates because around 3/3:30 everything closes. So the point of this post was too remind people to be very aware of the time of year you go to certain African countries as well as the Middle East because of the holiday. All in all, you will definitely get another Cairo review!
Egypt is where all black people need to go just because the worldly people don’t press the understanding that Egypt is in Africa. Me & my girlfriend enjoyed Cairo which is where we saw/experienced the pyramids, Egyptian museum, and Nile river. The Nile river wasn’t as expected like we thought. It was very dull and the water wasn’t as clean or token care of.
The lifestyle in Cairo is much more different from Hurghada. The poverty is very real in Egypt which is sad but true so you will be pressure and asked for money a lot but hold your anger in because that is there world you’ll be walking into. The pyramids are still as beautiful and the children in that area will love you just because they see you’re black and they look up to the way you are vs them which was all love. We used tour guide for Cairo which was okay but I’d say choose something different and more explainable for black culture even though we still learned a lot. Most of all Egypt was a very great trip and want to go back!
I currently live in Egypt. It is a common misconception that Egypt is the end all be all for black people. And while yes the population was black hundreds of years ago that is no longer the case. Unless you visit the South of Egypt you will not see locals that look like us. They have been mixed with many things and now look more Middle eastern and some even look white. You will not encounter any problems while traveling here because of your skin but if you have more Afrocentric features you may be treated differently until people hear you speak. There are many people from Sudan and South Sudan who live here and are not treated the best. One positive to being black is that people will assume you don’t have money like your white counter parts so you might be harassed less by beggars and children on the street. Another positive is that no matter where you go people will remember you so make a good impression and they will treat you like family. If you wear your natural hair out people will be curious (although their natural hair texture is close to ours before they perm it) but more than likely will not come up and touch you without permission. Men can be very forward and will not care if you say you have a husband as I’m sure he too has a wife. Overall it’s a good country and I have no problems in day to day life. I love being here and think everyone should visit at least once.
I travelled to Cairo from Hurghada. It was supposed to be a 20 hour trip in total, however it ended up being 24 hours. Despite this i don’t regret the journey, because the experience was amazing.
There is so much history to learn about Egypt. I’d definitely recommend a trip to Cairo if you visit Egypt. I didn’t encounter any problems being black in Cairo.
I can’t comment on the romance, nightlife or relaxations as i only visited Cairo on a day trip. However there is so much to learn and do here.
I always dreamed of going to Egypt ??. Cairo is one historical place.. I got the chance to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza which was breathtaking, the Great Sphinx of Giza, the Mosque ? of Muhammad Ali, the Cairo tower, and the Valley Temple of Chefren. The food was pretty good. Besides the main attractions you can definitely tell it’s a 3rd world country. The city of Cairo looks run down. The people will harass you for money on the streets or will harass to sell you stuff. Besides that I really enjoyed Cairo.
For me this trip had the most lost or distorted History which had been explained to me in grade schools as lies. To find out so much about the culture and history of blacks in Egypt was astounding! I know now days you can google and find things but even google doesn’t give enough of a history lesson as seeing it. I totally suggest doing the camel ride through the pyramids and to go inside the pyramids and other places that they allow you to go in. Also it’s like a must to get a tour guide if need help you can dm me on Instagram I’ll be glad to share my guide she was really helpful and has us literally on the go as soon as we landed and checked in. I stayed in Giza preferably because our view outside was literally right in front the pyramids. To wake up to that every morning was a blessing itself. You can find the apartment on Airbnb if it’s available. I suggest the museum and Memphis as well for more history. The reason i say your guide because it makes the experience that much more than taking pictures in front of statues that you see today as replicas and you see how much of the things we still use and do today based off the artifacts. Your not allowed to take pictures of the mummies but hey I did (Kanye shrugs) you’ll see all the high priests and Kings at the museum downtown Cairo. They are still in tact you’ll see that women wore the same wigs that you slightly see today and how small the people were back then it’s crazy. Again if you need a guide don’t hesitate to message me. Also you’ve got to go to the citadel mosque it’s amazing itself. Last tip, tips are a big thing here to get pictures inside the Pyramids it’s courteous but your not obligated keep that in mind and don’t let them pressure you into big tips. Other then that you’ll love Cairo.
I booked a solo vacation with Memphis Tours in May 2016. Stayed at Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel and Spa. You could see the pyramids from the pool area, there is a nice breakfast buffet, and the spa area is cute. I felt safe here, because there was security checkpoint at the car and xray scanner machines before entering the hotel. Visited the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, rode a camel, and the Egyptian museum. Half day or full day needs to be dedicated to this museum. I ran out of time marvelling at everything. I also visited the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra synagogue, and Khan el Khalili bazaar. I bought most of my souvenirs here and tried hookah for the first time. I did not run into any problems at the market. Egyptians were thankful for visiting their country. Took a flight from Cairo to Luxor, to visit the Karnak, Luxor temple, Valley of the kings, and more. I was surprised to see hieroglyphics in such a good state, palm trees, and flowering roadways. Went on a Nile river dinner cruise. Went mainly for the entertainment, the food was okay. If you’re in a temple and a local starts explaining things OR offers to take your photo… keep in mind that a tip is expected. You will see poverty there as well, with older people crawling in the streets. I would not rent a car here, because the drivers seem to make their own rules. Be sure to take a battery operated fan, because it’s hot. This was a trip of a lifetime for me because I enjoyed learning about Egyptian history in school.
1st place I visited was Khan el-Khalili, a shopping market. Some of the vendors were kind and open but some were cold towards us..2 black women. Yound boys were verbally sexually abusive to us and called us SAMARA which am told refers to black thing, it got worde in the evening as we were waiting on our uber that a couple of them surrounded us wanting to throw things at us chantting samara and other things n arabic and all along people stood and ust watched aid except an old man who came and chased them away.. I was traumatised so bad that I had nightmares that night. Day 2 we headed to the pyramids.. it was nice as it was a tourist area with alot of security. I cant quite remember the entry free but it was somewhere aound 160 Egyptian pounds that is excluding enty to the main great pyramid of Giza which costs an extra 300 Egyptian pounds. Once in the pyramind area some tour guides will approach you and offer to take you around and tell you the history of the pyramids, watch out as they dont offer the services for free and dont tell you up front only to overcharge you at the end.. Ask the price at the begining and bargain.. it should not cost you more than 500 pounds.. I paid 1500 because I was not informed and got ripped off so dont make the same mistake I did. The is an option of either taking the camel or the horse carriage to move around cause walking under that heat can kill you..I would adivise you to take the horse carriage as it more affordable when for 2 or more. We were told that in order to go for the long tour to see thespinx and the other carriages would cost us 1200 pounds each but I bargained to 800.
That evenng I went to Carreffour shopping mall in Maadi to buy ice cream cause I was craving some. I took 2.. can you imagine when I wanted to pay the cashier bluntly told me in my face that the ice cream was too expensive for me that I cant afford to buy 2 I should take 1 back… the shock on my face.. the my bill was 350 ponds…350..I cant afford cause am a black woman..I left everything and left went home. Day 3 we went to the meusem.. to was interesting… they also have tour guides there.. to should cost 300 pound for an hour which is enough to get informed about the imortant things.. after you can walk around by yourself but get the tour guide atleast for the 1 st hour.. I later went back home cause I was to scared to walk in the city due to the verbal abuse towars black women. Day 4 we took a train from Cairo to Alexander..the train station is chaotic.. everything and I mean everything is inn arabic.. no english. Ask around and get directed to the cashier to buy tickets.around 54 pounds. Book in advance as the trains are usually booked out. Alexandia is completel opposite to Cairo, they are more open and welcoming, I felt safe all through my stay there. There are alot of cafes and shisha joints. The city has alot to offer like the lighthouse of Alexandria, ancient greek opera, Catacombs grave which is very interesting, the citadel of Qaitbay which is by the Res Sea that is breath taking… entry tickets for all vary around 40 -120 pounds. On the last day I was in Cairo my aunt covinced me to go eat out with the locals. We went to one of the boat resturants at River Nile. Despite it being at the..lets say upper class side of Cairo I still felt that they looked down on us due to the colour ouf our skin.. worse part is when they look at you then start whispering amongst themselves… terrible.. We had some sea food which cost about 1200 pounds for 3 plates. The food was good but I just didnt feel comfortable being there henve I didnt enjoy it much. Its good to note that not all boat resturants or cafes are for everyone.. some state..British only, German only etc.. I dont know if that is a good or bad thing. Egypt has alot to offer but going there as a black person especially a woman is not something I would recommend unless you only stick to the tourist areas like Hurghada and the sightseeing spots cause out there you will be treated terribly.. Also expect people to stop you on the road and ask to take photos with you.. especially the men. I didnt go out partying as I just felt unsafe. If you dont have a personal driver use uber, its much safer than taxis and most of them can aleast talk english which comes in Handy when you have to pay cause as I said, everything is in arabic..also your bill
IG: Sexi_tenderoni
My friend and I went to Cairo for the weekend and it was just enough for the weekend, unless you want to explore different areas of Egypt! My friend and I goal was to learn about the roots, party, and explore! We went through a personal tour guide (IG name is above if you have personal questions) but he was awesome! His company picked us up from the airport and was really protective of us! I felt comfortable and went all the places we wanted to go and more. The Pyramids are BEAUTIFUL . This was my second place on my bucket list, but it wasn’t as clean as I thought, but I was worth the experience!
In June this year me and my friend went to Egypt to relax and do some fun stuff. We live in The Netherlands. When we told people that we were going to Egypt, people asked us if weren’t scared. I was like ‘no’. People go to Egypt every year, I never heard something negative/bad. Anyway…we went for 3 days to The three corners Sunny beach resort in Hurghada. The flight was 5.5 hours from the Netherlands to Egypt. We experienced Egypt very positive. The people are all kind and willing to help with whatever. The resort was nice and clean. We stayed 4 days at the resort and the other 4 days we took some trips. There is a lot to do in Egypt. We did a boat trip 2 times. The second time we went to one of the island, Orange Bay (with the swings in the water). The islands are very beautiful, with clear water, white sand. We also went to the city. We didn’t think there was much to do over there, but it was nice seeing it. One of the last days we went on a Fun Safari, where they take you to a village where people live, you can ride on a camel over there. And after that they take you to a desert where you can ride on a quad. That was a lot of fun. We didn’t see the piramides, because that was a 6 hour drive from where we stayed.
I did a full day excursion to Cairo from Hurghada, this excursion included pick up from the resort, flights, entrance to the museum of Cairo and meals.
The traffic in Cairo is crazy, in the evening it took us about an hour to get from one point to the other.
The Pyramid of Giza were a amazing an really impressive to see in real life, it gets really hot so make sure you have a scarf or hat; You can also do a Camel ride while in there I personally did not do it because I preferred to walk around the pyramids.
The museum of Cairo was also good however I recommend if you are not going with a guide to get there really early as it gets really busy; note that you need to pay extra if you wanna go in with you camera, also to get into the mummies rooms.
We booked the tour with http://egyptexcursions.co.uk/ it approximately cost £120 for all the above.
** Down part of the tour was being taken to markets, they were are part of the itinerary, the sellers werea bit pushy – they will make you believe that the items are 50% off however the selves don’t have the prices listed therefore you can’t really check if you are truly getting that discount.. so I will say buy souvenir from places where you can see the price.
Cairo is a busy area with some of the craziest traffic that you will ever see! There is a lot of air pollution in the sky because of it and you will see a lot of litter in the streets, However Cairo is in a lane of its own and it is an amazing city with great history! We took a tour with Memphis tours and stayed at an awesome hotel called Le Meridien. Some great things to highlights in Cairo include: seeing the pyramids, going to the Muesam and seeing king tuts mask and childhood items, go to hanging church and the mosque, Also going a Nile river cruise! People of Cairo are very hospitable and they do like being tipped in American dollars as the Egyptian currency is a lot less, only tip if you feel like someone gave you good service, I did notice some people wanted tips for any and everything, so just be aware of this as a tourist. Cairo will be an adventure that you will not forget and I loved my time there.
Egypt | IG: Que.Hal
This country brought the child out of me. 2nd grade doing projects about the Sphinx, pyramids, pharaohs, Nile River, Africa, and camels then fast forward to adulthood and basically asking yourself are you going to wait for the world to come to you or are you going to go out and see the world? I’m having chills typing this. Seeing the Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx was number one of my list of attractions to see and do! They did NOT disappoint. Its hard to put things into words because everywhere we went had various huge significance. Staring up at large tombs to being face to face with THE solid gold King Tut burial mask. Riding ATVs at night with the pyramids as your back drop to riding camels over a sand mound then Great Pyramids are in your view sparking of gold with a clear blue sky in the background. And simple things such as learning to tie a scarf around your face to being mistaken for Egyptian because you favor their kind. What’s cooler than catching the sunrise in a hot air balloon overlooking Hatshepsut Temple or having a dinner cruise down the Nile River? Truly great trip that satisfied my childhood dreams of hoping to visit a place of this magnitude. I got to see the last remaining 7th Wonder of the Ancient World and I’m proud of that.
For $800usd per person (it was 5 of us)(not including airfare) we were shown major attractions, camel rides, ATV rides in the Sahara, Egyptian Museum, lodging, travel cost to Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Hot Air Balloon ride, food, Alexandria, Luxor Temple, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple, the Citadel, catacombs, partying with locals as they qualified for the World Cup and many many more things! Our tour guide was awesome (Ahmed Mido via facebook). Anything we had an issue with (accommodations, food etc) he corrected. Some other people were brought along for certain tours and they meshed with us.
Some downsides to the trip were that he food wasn’t great, traffic was terrible, the city is congested but you put all that to the side to soak in what you’re witnessing and that well preserved history in the continent of Africa! We were there a week. If done over, I’d do 5 days instead of a week. I would also fly to Luxor from Cairo instead of 16hr RT bus rides. Saves a ton of time. The trip felt very long and was exhausted come trips end. We constantly moved around. If possible, experience it and step to other places beside Cairo. Luxor is amazing.
In 2017, I had the pleasure of turning 40… and with 40 comes your dream trip, and bae did not disappoint. He whisked me away for a surprise 40th birthday trip which included Egypt as our first stop (We went to Dubai, Jordan and India after). Let me tell you this, Cairo is busy, I mean it’s really busy. And the traffic!!! There is so much traffic and people to appear to drive according to any rules, there are not many stop lights and people drive soooo fast it is literally like playing Frogger trying to cross the street.
Cairo is a city full of history, it is really neat to hear the guides talk about the different streets and areas. How they relate to the history we have been taught. I must say you need a guide. All guides are run by the government and cost around the same amount. All guides are pretty official and speak several languages.
First we went to the most famous thing that everyone comes to see…. The Great Pyramids, and it did not disappoint. Seeing that these were constructed in ancient times, it is crazy to even imagine this being done without any modern type machinery. The Pyramids are located in Giza which is a drive from Cairo. We arrived at 6am so we booked our guide to pick up us, take us to the hotel to drop off our bags and check in, then straight to Giza. We got there before it opened which allowed us to sit on a roof top, have tea and an birthday cake (It was actually my birthday on this day) to gaze at the wonder. Now it is really dusty which, is too expected since it is the beginning to the Sahara Desert. The day we arrived we were told there was a major sand storm so it was really dusty (but not hard to breath). The guide took us in and told us all about the ancient rulers and the people (it’s a little different than what we are taught in North America). It was amazing to hear a different side of history. We got to take several photos and go inside the Great Pyramid, which consists of a long narrow ascending tunnel in 30 degree heat to the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu (of course, the mummy isn’t there it is just the room). After that we visited the other Pyramids and then went for a camel ride into the desert to get a different view of the Pyramids. (Note: Pictures are AMAZING from this area – so spend some time here) You do have to pay a local guide. There is also a museum that showcases the Solar Boat and some other artifacts that you do have to pay to go inside. We paid, didn’t think much of it but was still cool to see. The Sphinx is awesome to see but is much smaller than I thought.
That night we went to the Nile Maxism – it’s a love night boat cruise that included dinner and a show. The food was just ok but it was more about the fact it was a cruise on the Nile. After the 3 course dinner and show, they played music and we danced until the boat docked. The ride was approx. 2.5 hrs. After this we went to some clubs which were right in the same complex. There are a lot of clubs, casinos etc, in this area. They played mostly techno/house music. We sat at the bar drank and had hookah, met some expats, and just enjoyed the evening. I will be honest, being 2 black people at the club, we were met with a lot of looks and stares until people realized we were “North America” (people assume we are American, but we are Canadian), is when we got better service, but we did have security come over to the people we were talking to ask if we were bothering them, until we spoke English, which at this time we got a major apology and the manager came to give us free drinks. I mean this happens in a lot of countries but you would figure Egypt would be used to black people ….
We attended the market place Khan el-Khalili. Huge market with all kinds of things. It’s like any market, there are streets and streets of booths. We walked around, tested food, bought stuff and just generally enjoys the sites and sounds of the city. We then sat down for mint tea (OMG which DELICIOUS) and shisha at El Fishawy Café. This place has been around since the 1800’s. It’s in a weird spot but ask around and you will find it. There were local mean playing flutes and playing chess. It was really amazing to see.
We did a Nile sunset cruise which was nice. You go a boat that plays local music. The guides speak to you about the history of The Nile and plays some local music. We did a private tour, which is a little more expensive but you can also do a public one. It’s a good time….
The next night we did Egypt at night, which is a show that explains about all the Pharoah’s and the history. There is also a light show. The show is VERY dated, maybe from the 50-60’s. It was just OK. It was very chilly in Giza at night so make sure you bring a sweater for desert nights. You can rent a blanket for around $10.
All in all Cairo is inexpensive. We took Uber everywhere, not paying more than $5 USD per rider. It was cheap. Food was really inexpensive and there are a lot of local places you can choose to eat at. Of course if you do tourist stuff it is a little more pricey. If you love history, you will love it there. I will return so I can go to the City of the Dead…
Look lets not get things twisted, Cairo is an absolute sh*thole. Anything pretty much goes in the traffic, the place is dirty and you get harassed at every street corner by someone trying to sell you something. However, once you get to the Pyramids in Giza – it all becomes worthwhile. Just the historic significance alone left me in awe. Even seeing the Sphinx in real life, right in front of me was just plain magical. The rest of my trip was spent at the Steigenberger Al Dau resort in Hurghada which was absolutely beautiful but I feel is very removed from the realities of Egypt. Still, I would go back. The service was superb and I 100% recommend the all inclusive package.
Egypt was EVERYTHING! We took a day to explore The Great Pyramid, the Sphinx, the Cairo Musuem and Old Cairo and it was wonderful having our tour guide by our side to inform us about the rich history of this country. The cost for this tour was $95 a person. Including picking you up
From the airport and dropping you off. My friend actually found this tour guide on Facebook. His name is Mina
My trip to Cairo, Egypt was full of history! From riding around the Pyraminds of Giza to walking inside of the tombs where kings were mummified, Egypt was a jaw dropping country to see in person.
Cairo is a city filled with plenty history. On my trip to Egypt I wasn’t sure what to expect beyond my basic knowledge of the Pyramids at Giza. My week there included a visit to the pyramids, Sphinx, the Nile River and a few museums. There is so much culture in this one city, please go and see for yourself! If you can, go horseback (or camel) riding in the desert, it’ll make for some of the best memories. My only regret is I wish I stayed longer.
In terms of safety, many of my friends and family were concerned about traveling here. But as long as you stay alert and aware, you should be fine!
Cairo,Egypt was by far my favorite trip. I got to see first hand everything I read about in school. From my history books to right in front of my eyes. I felt like I was on the Magic School bus. I had so many I remember reading about that moments. I recommend a tour guide. We used Smile travel Egypt. Our tour guide Hassan was amazing. Here’s a list of things to do while in Cairo: Dinner Cruise on the Nile, Pyramids of Giza Sphinx Sakkar pyramids and tombs Memphis, Egyptian Museum Citadel in Cairo Coptic City. We also went shopping in old Cairo Bazzar.
Cairo was amazing! I went to Cairo during Thanksgiving 2016 (left NYC Tuesday night and returned Sunday). Although it was a short trip, we were able to do and see a lot. Traffic in Cairo is pretty bad, so it took a while to get to places. We were able to explore Khan-al-khalili (don’t buy jewelry from there lol) and old Cairo. We did the ATV tour of the Pyramids of Giza, which took us on the streets of Cairo, a fun ride over the sand dunes and a stop for a photo op of the pyramids. However, it does NOT give you a tour of the inside of the pyramid complex, so I would recommend booking a tour for that separately. We also hired a driver to take us to the red and bent pyramids in Dahshur. The driver was very informative and taught us a lot about the history of Cairo. These pyramids are hardly visited by tourists, and so we were the only ones there. You’re allowed to climb down into the red pyramid and explore the inside. The tour guide waited for us outside. You do this backwards and bent over. It can get really claustrophobic and tiring, but I thought it was worth it. It was where Sneferu was buried.
We also visited the Egyptian museum and visited a local restaurant called Fasahet Somaya. Very small, cozy, family owned (I think) restaurant. The food was homemade and the let us try the food before we ordered lol. We had the curry chicken and pigeon and one other dish. The food came up to about $4 total. There will be a wait since only about 10 people can be seated inside the restaurant at a time, but it is well worth it. We also went to a local Egyptian heritage Sufi Dance show in Cairo.
I would also recommend visiting Coptic Cairo and Memphis if you have the time.
Side note: Cairo is hands down the most inexpensive cities I’ve been to. Definitely recommend for anyone trying to travel on a budget.
Egypt has do much history!!!! Visiting the Pyramids of Giza was the highlight of the trip. We visited the Egytian museum and was amazed at all of the evidence that has been collected from acient times. We stayed at the Fairmont Nile City hotel which was facing the Nile River… the customer service was impeccable and the food was good. I will advise no one to eat street food (you will get sick). Egypt overall is a must visit county.
My trip to Egypt was the trip of a lifetime for my husband and I. We booked a travel package that included our hotel stay in Cairo, 4 night Nile river cruise, domestic airfare in Egypt, airport and hotel transportation and guided tour for our 8 day trip. It was a fantastic experience and I would recommend that if you are heading to Egypt to have a tour guide for majority of your stay.
In Cairo we stayed at the Le Meridien which has a fantastic view of the Great Pyramids. We took a day to explore The Great Pyramid, the Sphinx, the Cairo Musuem and Old Cairo and it was wonderful having our tour guide by our side to inform us about the rich history of this country.
Our 4 night Nile river cruise started in Aswan, Egypt so we were able to take the 3/4 hour drive to Abu Simbel (a must see), we also went to the Temple of Philae and saw the Nubian villages. Throughout the cruise we explored the Temple of Komo Ombo, the Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut’s Temple. It was very convenient that our Nile river cruise also included breakfast, lunch and dinner and had fun activities for guests to do at night. I truly enjoyed my stay on the Radamis II and would recommend this cruise ship to others who are looking for an affordable and relaxing Nile River cruise.
Cairo is an adventure! You won’t be confortable the entire time but it will be worth it. So much history and the people are very sweet. The pyramids alone are so worth it. Take a trip down the Nile as well. All you need is 3 days but you’ll be glad you made it out there.
Magnificent ancient wonders, boundless waves of golden sand and the pleasant, welcoming hospitality of the Egyptian people made Egypt an awesome travel destination for my family and I.
Spending time in Cairo and Aswan, we were immersed in the ancient history of our royal ancestors, and in awe of the wonderous structures and traditions which are solely unique to to the land of Egypt. During our stay, we were escorted by a private tour guide to the ancient Pyramids of Giza, The Great Sphinx, the Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Neferteri. The sights that Egypt has to offer can’t be found anywhere else.
Our tour guide also allowed us to experience the modern day culture of Egypt by taking us to restaurants, souks and bazaars for shopping, and fellowship with the local people. In general, most goods and services in Egypt are fairly inexpensive. The U.S. dollar is also fairly strong in Egypt; therefore, we were able to get the most bang for our buck. Haggling is key and is expected within their culture.
Most shop owners greeted us with a glass of tea or coffee which is also a welcoming sign of hospitality. Even taking a small sip of a beverage is seen as a respectful gesture, while refusing to accept a beverage that’s offered to you, can be seen as impolite and rude. This simple interaction also plays a large part in shopping and helped us in getting a better price for our purchases. Tipping is also an esstential part of the modern culture; however, as a tourist, you must be mindful that every gesture of goodwill and every offer of assistance, may not be deserving of a tip.
The city of Cairo is a very old, and ancient city. Some parts are unclean and underdeveloped; however, they are building and gentrifying various parts of the city, while still leaving historically significant monuments in tact for future generations. During our trip, we fed our mind with the ancient history and the culture of the people, our body with exotic and delectable dishes, and our souls with the knowledge of self. If you’re looking for history and adventure, the land of Egypt is the place to be, as it went well beyond our expectations.
It’s a Muslim country beer and alcohol will be hard to come by but if you find it, you have to try Mister the mango beer and Sahara. You’re Welcome!
After reading several previous reviews of Your Egypt Tours and wanting to visit Eqypt, we decided to communicate with their offices and arrange a trip. We are scheduled for a 8 night/9 day tour later this year for a complete tour of the country. Our contact at Your Egypt Tours is Mona. From the initial inquiry to the completed itinerary Mona has been the main contact for us and has been absolutely the best source of information. All our questions about the tour were answered within a day or two. We made many changes and each time our request was met with total cooperation and a quick and cordial response. We are now looking forward to an amazing trip with the total confidence that we made the best possible choice in tour agencies to guide us through our adventure. Mona is the best. We highly recommend Your Eqypt Tours if you are planning a visit to Egypt. Our booking experience has been amazing and we are sure our tour will be also.
16hrs in Cairo.
So my friends and I were on a mission to see the 7 wonders of the world, and since Jordan and Egypt were fairly close we decided to combined the two. Being on a time restriction, we spent around 16hrs in Cairo and thought it would be cool to share. We arrived late, around 11:20pm to Cairo and headed to our hotel, after much confusion we got there around 1am. Because we were on a time restriction we opted for a hotel close to the Pyramids and checked into Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel. Let me say though Cairo is a BUSY city, and everybody’s trying to make a buck. Be careful and whatever you do NEGOTIATE everything! if they offer something for $10 tell them no $3, start low and work your way up. We were blessed we had a local friend who connected us with a taxi driver to drive us around the next day. He only asked for $40 but we ended up giving him $80. The next morning we went to Pyramids and spent the morning going into the various Pyramids and took a camel ride around the area. After we did a quick pit stop at the Cairo Opera House we did a quick walk through then headed to El-Tahrir Square were we saw the Cairo lit up just a few yrs earlier. It was def a moment to take in, the emotions people felt as the fought for the their freedom, probably one of my favorite spots. From there we did a quick pit stop at Khan el-Khalili do to some shopping then headed to the airport to Jordan :) where the adventure continued :)
CAIRO EGYPT !!! Wow wow wow it’s took my breath away such a powerful place. Yes it has a bad reputation but look past that. Egypt has to be one of my top 5 favorite city’s in the World. If you want to get around to all the sites I would highly recommend Mohamed Ashmawy wonderful guide. I was traveling solo and he picked me up from the front of my hotel and took me all around Cairo. His WhatsApp number is +20 122 892 6950. The Only thing I could say about Egypt is GO GOO GOOO !! I stayed at le meridien pyramids hotel Egypt. Nice hotel with a perfect view of the pyramids every morning.
What Cairo lacks in partying and nightlife it makes up for in a rich history. Nothing beats seeing the Pyramids at dawn. The food was phenomenal and very affordable. If you’re looking for an American or European style nightlife experience you may not be able to find it here, particularly if you are intent on partying with the locals.
I visited Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh September 2017 solo. It was an amazing trip!! I hired a tour guide for Cairo who made me feel extremely safe, never left me, took all my pictures and told me about the history. From the pyramids, shopping in the markets, dinner cruise, I didn’t have a dull moment. Absolutely beautiful! They are now building a new museum which I was told would be the largest in the world but won’t be complete for another year or 2 so make sure you visit then! Sharm El Sheikh is the perfect beach location if you want to get out of Cairo. The red sea is breathtaking and great for snorkeling. I also did a sunset quad ride in the desert. As for nightlife, not much besides smoking shisha (hookah) but still entertaining.
Landing in Egypt was just like landing onto a page in your history book from grade school. It was surreal! Of all the places I’ve been, Egypt has been the most fulfilling. To see pyramids built thousands of years ago still standing and to even go inside was amazing. The Egyptian Museum was pretty cool too as it housed many mummies including those of Egypt’s past Kings and Pharaohs. Every where you turned was something embedded with so much History. I stayed at the Sofitel located along the Nile River, so merely walking onto my balcony every morning, there was history all around me. I’d recommend Egypt to any and everyone. I did feel safe but I also understand why some would have their reservations. Regardless, I hope that everyone can go at least once in their lifetime.
I visited Egypt 2 years ago and stay in both Cairo and Luxor. Exploring the history in Egypt was my main purpose for the trip. My experience in Cairo was a mixture of overwhelming joy and discomfort. I was overwhelmed by the spectacular pyramids and history museum, however the haggling from locals was a bit distracting. Luxor was my favourite place as I visited ancient remains from the valley of the kings, where kings and queens where buried. The atmosphere is Luxor was more relaxed- I really enjoyed my stay there.