International Flights
We have flown Cairo-Melbourne/Sydney
with various airlines over the years and have always found
Singapore Airlines to be the best for service and comfort.
Through our travel agent we are able to obtain savings and
special deals on international flights thanks to our group
bookings. Participants from outside Australia need not fear
- our agent will complete all necessary bookings for you
too, and we will meet up with you in Egypt. Find out more
about Singapore Airlines by visiting their web-site (click
on the image below).
Singapore Airlines
offer a deal for short stop-overs in Singapore (transport
and site-seeing) so maybe you would like to take advantage
of their deals on your return from Egypt (a great way to
break the journey!). Let us know if you want more details!
Click on the image below for more information.
Flights Within Egypt
We will
be using EgyptAir for our internal flights within Egypt.
These will be Cairo-Aswan, and Luxor-Cairo. The flights
are only around 1 or 1.5 hours each, and service is somewhat
basic. Refreshments (not meals) are served.
Road Transport
'On the ground' transport in Egypt
is much cheaper than in more developed countries. Costs
(for such services as taxis, buses and mini-buses) are difficult
to estimate. Much depends on the condition of the vehicles
available, the number of people willing to share, the distance/time
they are required etc. You will need to be prepared to 'pay
your share' for such transport arrangements as we make our
way to various sites/cities. As a guide, in 2008 our participants
paid around AUD$340 in total for on-the-ground transport.
This included transport from Aswan to Abu Simbel, from Kom
Ombo to Luxor, from Luxor to Dendarah, airport transfers,
as well as all local trips (such as from Luxor to the West
Bank, Cairo to Giza, Saqqarah and Dashur, and Aswan to the
High Dam and Philae). When travelling longer distances we
are required to do so as part of a police escorted convoy
(see our Security page for more
information).
Depending on the size of each tour
group and the length of the journey we select either mini-buses
or large coaches. On longer day trips we like to hire coaches
with toilet facilities.
An example of a mini-bus
we hired in Luxor, 2008
An example of a coach
(with toilet) we hired in Cairo, 2008
On the Nile
In visiting various sites in and
around Aswan we use small, local, diesel ferries when we
must (such as when going to Philae or Kalabsha Temples)
but whenever we can we travel by local felucca sailing boats.
These majestic lateen-riggged craft cruise the Nile like
graceful white butterflies. From their decks you can hear
the rush of the Cataract and the 'smack' as fishes jump
- and return - to the water of the mother Nile. There is
nothing to compare with the overwhelming sense of calm one
gets when floating in a felucca on the Nile!
Feluccas on the Nile, Aswan
Hantours
Hantours are a kind of horse-drawn
carriage, usually decorated with bells, tassels and metal
plaques. They are very popular in Aswan and Luxor. Ideal
for short rides along the Corniche (main riverside road)
in both towns care must be taken to ensure that you have
agreed a price for the trip before it starts. Always check
the condition of the horse and only ride with a driver who
takes care of his horse. For more on this issue see our
Animal Care in Egypt page.
We will take a 'convoy' of hantours
to Karnak Temple on our visit there.
Click of the image above for a short video
clip of a ride down the Luxor Corniche. © C.Thomas
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