MarsaAlam.com
Guide to hotels, flights, diving, excursions and more.
Luxor Precautions
December 2008 update - Daylight convoys are no longer required meaning that between 6am and 6pm you can travel from Marsa Alam to Luxor on a shorter direct route without having to sign up to a police convoy.
LUXOR EXCURSIONS -
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS.
Don't get me wrong. A trip to Luxor is often the highlight of any trip. There's so much to see and you'll find the locals friendly. It's also perhaps one of the most beautiful towns in Egypt. You can take time to stroll along the river bank and admire Luxor Temple and the sailing boats tacking up the Nile against the back drop of the mountains of the fabled Valley of the Kings.
However please be aware of the following
First, an excursion to Luxor means travelling in a limousine or bus via a convoy route, which is not the most direct, so it takes some time - normally around four hours each way. These convoys were introduced for tourist security after a terrorist attack in 1998 but today many consider them an unecessary handicap.
Second, Luxor is a tourist city where hundreds of bazars will be competing for your business and the promises of "No hassle in my castle" are rarely kept to. Just remember that you won't offend anyone by saying "no" so long as you say it with a smile. Also a shopkeeper will often feign annoyance - "You can't be British to offer such a mean price" -as part of his bargaining strategy. But once the deal is done everyone will be smiling.
Third, while your tourist guide might protect you from the hassle he won't necessarily protect you from high prices. Tour guides often benefit from a large slice of commission from shops they take tourists to. You might find it better to do your shopping on your own but do do some research on prices first. Don't listen to the "offer half of what anyone asks" advice. Just make an offer significantly below what is the cheapest price you hope you might get it at. And set yourself a maximum price.
Fourth, do take care of anyone approaching you offering you euros or cigarettes at below the market rate. It's one of Egypt's most annoying confidence tricks to which a small but significant number of tourists fall victim every holiday. The con artist takes your Egyptian fifty pound note and then, feigning annoyance, insists you've only paid him fifty piastre. Other onlookers give you a black look and before you know it, you've handed back the euros or cigarettes leaving the con man a lot richer.
Fifth, do allow yourself as much time as possible, especially in the summer as you'll find much of the day too hot for sightseeing. It's better to explore Luxor in the early morning and late afternoon. If you can arrange an overnight stay you'll enjoy the trip much better. Luxor has many hotels at all price ranges and outside the Christmas and Easter periods it's not usually too difficult to find accomodation.
Sixth, do be ready to insist your driver doesn't break the speed limit or take bends too fast. Make sure too that the vehicle is in reasonable condition and is tanked up with fuel. The roads between Marsa Alam and Luxor are among the most dangerous in the world. Slippery sand and stone surfaces can suddenly appear and road works are often left virtually unlit at night.
Drivers also seem all too willing to risk overtaking on bends. Beware also of over tired and over worked drivers ( all too common in Egypt ) who fail to keep a straight line along the road. Ask your driver how many hours he's been working.
LUXOR EXCURSIONS -
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS.
Don't get me wrong. A trip to Luxor is often the highlight of any trip. There's so much to see and you'll find the locals friendly. It's also perhaps one of the most beautiful towns in Egypt. You can take time to stroll along the river bank and admire Luxor Temple and the sailing boats tacking up the Nile against the back drop of the mountains of the fabled Valley of the Kings.
However please be aware of the following
First, an excursion to Luxor means travelling in a limousine or bus via a convoy route, which is not the most direct, so it takes some time - normally around four hours each way. These convoys were introduced for tourist security after a terrorist attack in 1998 but today many consider them an unecessary handicap.
Second, Luxor is a tourist city where hundreds of bazars will be competing for your business and the promises of "No hassle in my castle" are rarely kept to. Just remember that you won't offend anyone by saying "no" so long as you say it with a smile. Also a shopkeeper will often feign annoyance - "You can't be British to offer such a mean price" -as part of his bargaining strategy. But once the deal is done everyone will be smiling.
Third, while your tourist guide might protect you from the hassle he won't necessarily protect you from high prices. Tour guides often benefit from a large slice of commission from shops they take tourists to. You might find it better to do your shopping on your own but do do some research on prices first. Don't listen to the "offer half of what anyone asks" advice. Just make an offer significantly below what is the cheapest price you hope you might get it at. And set yourself a maximum price.
Fourth, do take care of anyone approaching you offering you euros or cigarettes at below the market rate. It's one of Egypt's most annoying confidence tricks to which a small but significant number of tourists fall victim every holiday. The con artist takes your Egyptian fifty pound note and then, feigning annoyance, insists you've only paid him fifty piastre. Other onlookers give you a black look and before you know it, you've handed back the euros or cigarettes leaving the con man a lot richer.
Fifth, do allow yourself as much time as possible, especially in the summer as you'll find much of the day too hot for sightseeing. It's better to explore Luxor in the early morning and late afternoon. If you can arrange an overnight stay you'll enjoy the trip much better. Luxor has many hotels at all price ranges and outside the Christmas and Easter periods it's not usually too difficult to find accomodation.
Sixth, do be ready to insist your driver doesn't break the speed limit or take bends too fast. Make sure too that the vehicle is in reasonable condition and is tanked up with fuel. The roads between Marsa Alam and Luxor are among the most dangerous in the world. Slippery sand and stone surfaces can suddenly appear and road works are often left virtually unlit at night.
Drivers also seem all too willing to risk overtaking on bends. Beware also of over tired and over worked drivers ( all too common in Egypt ) who fail to keep a straight line along the road. Ask your driver how many hours he's been working.
Precautions on your Luxor excursion.
Make sure your driver doesn't speed.
Beware your "guide" may get commission.
Beware of con men offering "cheap products"
************************
