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Egypt in 2014?


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Hi, I"m wondering if anyone has traveled to Egypt recently or if anyone is considering or has a trip booked for 2014. If so, any concerns about security?

 

We're looking at an A&K Cairo and the Nile tour in Novemeber 2014, and my traveling companions keep sending me travel alerts from 2013. Is there a reason to be concerned this year? I'm not a timind traveler, but also I'm not looking to take any fool-hardy risks unnecessarily.

 

Any thoughts/input from you kind folks?

 

Thanks!

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we were in Egypt in early May, 2013 and everything was peaceful (although our egyptologist predicted the revelution in June after price supports were removed.). The people could not have been any nicer or appreciative of our being there. I would suggest that you closely watch what happens after the recent election to approve a new constitution. If calm, I would go, however, if unrest, I would pass. Also consider where you plan to visit. the unrest has mainly been in the 4 largest cities of Egypt with relative calm in more rural locations such as Karnak and Abu Symbol.

Edited by dabear
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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/16/us-blast-tourist-bus-egypt-idUSBREA1F0AW20140216 There is no way in the world that I would venture to Egypt right now. This is not one of those "oh, bad things happen everywhere" kind of places right now.

 

I agree 100%. I have spent a lot of time in that part of the world working. Egypt and obviously Iran plus parts of Saudi are places the US Military has as off limits to soldiers and contractors on R & R. If the US military feels it is not safe for their soldiers and contractors, why would a tourist think they are safe, PARTICULARLY a WESTERN tourist?

 

You will have a lot of people poo-poo the idea of staying away and tell you they had a WONDERFUL time in Egypt, the people were so nice, etc. etc. Sure, the people are nice. They are in bad financial shape and need hard currency. But does that mean they LIKE you? Does that mean they are going to defend you (not physically but keep you away from the crap) and look out for your well being? I will bet the average tour guide in Egypt would take off running if crap started. Now you are left to fend for yourselves without any US military presence, a very unstable government and a lot of people who TRULY HATE THE USA.

 

The Islamic terrorists have only to move from the Sinai into Cairo and it will get really, really dicey. They killed tourists in Sharm El Sheikh a couple of years ago, ransom kidnappings by the bedouins and terrorists have increased in the Sinai to almost the level in Mexico.

 

Go if you want. I'll take my chances working in Afghanistan with armed escorts and the US military surrounding me, as well as about 20 pounds of flak jacket and helmet. No need to put myself at risk on vacation.

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Frankly, I am glad we got to Egypt on a cruise a few years ago while Hosni Mubarak was still in power. I would still go to Israel today, but Egypt seems to be a perpetual powder keg waiting to explode. And later this year there will be some old style political trials that can only serve to inflame the region.

 

As for that bus explosion in the Sinai are that killed those tourists, I never did hear what tour agency they were using.

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Hi, I"m wondering if anyone has traveled to Egypt recently or if anyone is considering or has a trip booked for 2014. If so, any concerns about security?

 

We're looking at an A&K Cairo and the Nile tour in Novemeber 2014, and my traveling companions keep sending me travel alerts from 2013. Is there a reason to be concerned this year? I'm not a timind traveler, but also I'm not looking to take any fool-hardy risks unnecessarily.

 

Any thoughts/input from you kind folks?

 

Thanks!

 

FYI- There is an article on the MSN home page 2-17-2014 that states a Egyptian Islamic group is warning any foreign tourist is subject to attack after FEB,20 2014. The article says this is the same group that killed 2 South Korean tourists in a bus bombing last month. I would stay out of Egypt myself just in case the MSN article is correct.

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we just spent a week in Egypt and got home 2 weeks ago. We had planned a trip to Cairo and Giza but canceled because of troubles there. We did however spend a couple of days in Luxor and had an amazing visit, everybody was charming, we saw no trouble and felt safe for the entire trip. We are considering a return trip to Luxor in October. We travelled into the Sohag region to the Temple of Seti at Abydous and to Dendara Temple near Qena. Both were truly amazing and very quiet. The situation is desperate for many locals because tourists are staying away. We travelled with a fantastic local guide and private driver and appreciated seeing the 'real' Egypt. There was a strong police presence around the area (mainly tourist police) and check points on roads.

 

I think it pays to be respectful and dress appropriately outside resorts. There are many Muslims in the area but they are moderate, also many Coptic Christians.

 

For me, the worst experience was running the gauntlet of the tourist stalls where everyone was begging you to buy. I would have loved to bought from everybody but bought from none because of the hassling.

 

If we wanted a guide book or similar our guide dealt with it for us. We loved the Luxor area and will be back, whether we visit Cairo will be dependent of the circumstances at the time.

 

Our trip was not a cruise but a cheap last minute trip to Hurghada on the Red Sea and we arranged the Luxor trip through a company called Tours from Hurghada who have a web presence.:) Our guide, Mohammed, was amazing!

Edited by susan191052
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I agree 100%. I have spent a lot of time in that part of the world working. Egypt and obviously Iran plus parts of Saudi are places the US Military has as off limits to soldiers and contractors on R & R. If the US military feels it is not safe for their soldiers and contractors, why would a tourist think they are safe, PARTICULARLY a WESTERN tourist?

 

You will have a lot of people poo-poo the idea of staying away and tell you they had a WONDERFUL time in Egypt, the people were so nice, etc. etc. Sure, the people are nice. They are in bad financial shape and need hard currency. But does that mean they LIKE you? Does that mean they are going to defend you (not physically but keep you away from the crap) and look out for your well being? I will bet the average tour guide in Egypt would take off running if crap started. Now you are left to fend for yourselves without any US military presence, a very unstable government and a lot of people who TRULY HATE THE USA.

 

The Islamic terrorists have only to move from the Sinai into Cairo and it will get really, really dicey. They killed tourists in Sharm El Sheikh a couple of years ago, ransom kidnappings by the bedouins and terrorists have increased in the Sinai to almost the level in Mexico.

 

Go if you want. I'll take my chances working in Afghanistan with armed escorts and the US military surrounding me, as well as about 20 pounds of flak jacket and helmet. No need to put myself at risk on vacation.

Agree,

It would be INSANE to go to Egypt these days. I lived in the Middle East for five years and studied the history, etc. I have been to Egypt twice. It is full of history and a great place to go, except that it is on the edge of a civil war.

 

Terrorists are now targeting tourists. YES, targeting tourists. The radicals are trying to destabilize the country so they can take over.

 

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/safe-travel-egypt-fco-issues-advice-christian-woman-180339779.html#y9ncEPu

 

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/02/18/egypt-extremists-target-tourists-who-behind-attacks/

 

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/it-safe-travel-egypt-fco-issues-advice-after-christian-woman-stabbed-death-1437472

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Writing from cairo and having amazing trip

 

We have a private guide I met in Luxor last May

 

We are spending 8 nights in cairo as a base for day trips, flying to Abu sim bel, taking a nile cruise and then ending with time in sharm el sheikh

 

Don't listen to those who have not been here

 

I feel perfectly safe. We have gone out at night. We were at tahrir square yesterday

 

The Egyptian people are so welcoming

Come before the crowds return

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rather foolish to say dont listen to any warnings ....there is a huge world out there....why go where there are definite warnings not to...

 

we were in egypt for 2 days, prior to the november uprising two years ago....with a very reputable tour company, with an amazing guide...even then there was a police escort with our bus and soldiers would stop at the bus doors everytime we exited waiting till we returned safely onto the bus....

 

they knew even then, that this kind of security was needed...without it, anyone could get on the bus, steal or leave something behind...

 

having said all that, we found egypt to be the most interesting place to see, not the most enjoyable, you cant say you enjoy a country in which you are in danger, even if that danger at that time not eminent....you cant say you enjoy a country in which so many are oppressed, a country in which there are many that for their ideology would kill you...

 

would we go again under todays conditions and warnings?..absolutely NOT.....

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I am here now

Just spent 9 fabulous days in cairo from which we travelled all over

In Aswan tonight after flying to Abu simbel

Board nile cruise tomorrow then to Luxor and sharm

It is perfectly safe

We walked all over cairo and went out at night

The Egyptian people love us. Most gracious and welcoming

Believe the folks who are not here or those who are. Lol

Edited by pacheco18
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The Egyptian people love us. Most gracious and welcoming

Believe the folks who are not here or those who are. Lol

 

Quit fooling yourself. A LARGE percentage of the Egyptian population does NOT love us. Do you REALLY think if they loved the Western way of life they would have elected a radical like Morsi?

 

Sure, they act like they love you. They desperately NEED YOUR MONEY. And one move the wrong way could easily end your life without warning by someone who not only hates you but wants your money too.

 

I have been to Egypt a couple of times. Dirty, crappy country if you ask me compared to a lot of the rest of the Middle East other than around Sharm. There is so much more to the Middle East than Egypt.

 

Try going to Kuwait during the National Day celebration where they actually DO LOVE US. National Day in Kuwait (freedom from UK rule) just happens to co-incide with the day the US ran Saddam's army out of Kuwait. The first time I went to Arab Gulf road on National Day (it is one 8 mile long block party with everyone cruising in their cars-Moms, Dads, little kids, teenagers) I was a little scared. In reality, I was DAMNED scared (and I had just left Iraq for work and I was more scared on Arab Gulf Road than I was in Tikrit or Baghdad).

 

We had a 25 year old kid with us who was hanging out the sunroof of the SUV. He was flirting with all the girls. I was looking for an escape route. Pretty soon, a car full of guys about 18-25 pulled up beside us. I thought-oh no, here it comes!!! I was going over the median into wrong way traffic-didn't care if I wrecked the car just so I could get away. Eric started talking to these guys. They kept asking where Eric was from. I kept telling him-CANADA. He said Arizona. They asked-Arizona-like the USA??? Eric said yes. All I could think of was oh S***. Next thing I knew, these guys and a whole lot more around us were sitting in the windows of their cars holding their hands in peace signs out the window shouting USA, USA, USA. Never in my life have I been so proud to be an American!!! We helped an entire nation and they are still grateful over 20 years later.

 

I leave this week for a month in Afghanistan. I'll take my chances there long before I will go to Egypt as a Western tourist. It truly is safer!!!

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Quit fooling yourself. A LARGE percentage of the Egyptian population does NOT love us. Do you REALLY think if they loved the Western way of life they would have elected a radical like Morsi?

 

 

 

Sure, they act like they love you. They desperately NEED YOUR MONEY. And one move the wrong way could easily end your life without warning by someone who not only hates you but wants your money too.

 

 

 

I have been to Egypt a couple of times. Dirty, crappy country if you ask me compared to a lot of the rest of the Middle East other than around Sharm. There is so much more to the Middle East than Egypt.

 

 

 

Try going to Kuwait during the National Day celebration where they actually DO LOVE US. National Day in Kuwait (freedom from UK rule) just happens to co-incide with the day the US ran Saddam's army out of Kuwait. The first time I went to Arab Gulf road on National Day (it is one 8 mile long block party with everyone cruising in their cars-Moms, Dads, little kids, teenagers) I was a little scared. In reality, I was DAMNED scared (and I had just left Iraq for work and I was more scared on Arab Gulf Road than I was in Tikrit or Baghdad).

 

 

 

We had a 25 year old kid with us who was hanging out the sunroof of the SUV. He was flirting with all the girls. I was looking for an escape route. Pretty soon, a car full of guys about 18-25 pulled up beside us. I thought-oh no, here it comes!!! I was going over the median into wrong way traffic-didn't care if I wrecked the car just so I could get away. Eric started talking to these guys. They kept asking where Eric was from. I kept telling him-CANADA. He said Arizona. They asked-Arizona-like the USA??? Eric said yes. All I could think of was oh S***. Next thing I knew, these guys and a whole lot more around us were sitting in the windows of their cars holding their hands in peace signs out the window shouting USA, USA, USA. Never in my life have I been so proud to be an American!!! We helped an entire nation and they are still grateful over 20 years later.

 

 

 

I leave this week for a month in Afghanistan. I'll take my chances there long before I will go to Egypt as a Western tourist. It truly is safer!!!

 

 

Hi there.

 

Although there is an element of truth to what your saying (re Egypt) your post shows how terrorists work and the results it provides. Carry out one or two missions to raise your profile and then threaten to do more. Result, people scared! Now what I've said is also an over simplification of the problem, but that just goes to show how complicated the problem is.

 

Given the choice most Egyptians will provide for their family, carrying out acts of terrorism is done only by the very few.

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You reap what you sow

 

It is fabulous here.

 

Let's keep the naysayers away. They don't help our relations with the Arab world

 

 

Enjoying breakfast now from the terrace of the legendary old cataract hotel in Aswan, setting for Death on the Nile

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And my country has sent me in harms way more than once. I don't need to be doing it on my own accord. The Great Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings are on my bucket list but unlikely to be scratched of as ahving been done anytime soon. There needs to be some medium to long term stability before I'll go.

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Hi there.

 

Although there is an element of truth to what your saying (re Egypt) your post shows how terrorists work and the results it provides. Carry out one or two missions to raise your profile and then threaten to do more. Result, people scared! Now what I've said is also an over simplification of the problem, but that just goes to show how complicated the problem is.

 

Given the choice most Egyptians will provide for their family, carrying out acts of terrorism is done only by the very few.

 

You make a good point. BUT it is only the few all over the WORLD that actually participate in acts of terror. Believe me, I have spent the last 8 years in and out of the Middle East, particularly Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, working as a logistics planner for the US Military making sure our soldiers had all the food and "sustainment" items they needed.

 

Did I feel safe around the general populations in Iraq and Afghanistan? As a general rule, yes. But I always was hyper aware that one of those women or one of the men could be a terrorist with an IED, an AK or other type of bomb that would kill me. So it only takes ONE.

 

But when you have a large percentage of the underlying population NOT liking Westerners period (like in Egypt, definitely in the older population of Iran, parts of Saudi, obviously Yemen, Somalia, etc. etc), you are in even more danger because you can't ever believe that the local group you may be associated with even has any empathy for you as a human, let alone a Westerner.

 

ENTIRELY different mind set in the Middle East for the most part about a lot of things that are completely foreign to most of us. Everyone needs to read and understand all the UNDERLYING political intel and the basic tenets of Islam (NOT the radicalized parts), NOT just the headlines. One thing that surprised me more than anything-IF there is a car wreck, a bombing, a heart attack, someone hurt for whatever reason, you DO NOT help someone in any way, shape or form UNLESS you are a first responder or family or very close friend.

 

It is Allah's will what happens to that person and if you are an Infidel or even a stranger Muslim, you can be jailed, executed and very probably beaten up by family or close friends for even offering help. I don't know how many times I saw little kids, particularly in Afghanistan, that were hurt, bleeding from bombs, gun fire, getting hit by a car, etc. etc. I wanted to at least give them a hug. One time, we came upon a scene where my armed escorts had to physically hold me back because this little girl (about 3) was just screaming, screaming, screaming with her Dad dying in the street and she was bleeding. I wanted to help at least get her away from her Dad. One of my Triply Canopy guards actually picked me up over his shoulder and started running to get me out of there. A VERY different world in parts of the Middle East.

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Let's keep the naysayers away. They don't help our relations with the Arab world

 

 

Glad you are enjoying your trip. But your statement above is very, very naive. Too much underlying political stuff that needs a very deep understanding of the history of the area going back 1000's of years. And right now, the one thing the US is talking about is taking military aid AWAY from Egypt. That would be a MAJOR blow to the area as a general rule and would leave Egypt just another poor, poor country ripe for takeover by Al Queda, lots of other radicalized groups and maybe even parts of the Taliban. If some of the more conservative groups have their way, women would either not be allowed schooling, could not drive and would be wearing burquas

 

At present, the military is the ONLY thing holding Egypt together. Otherwise, it will be a civil war with those with terrorist leanings eventually winning without US monetary support.

Plan on another Syria with 1000's killed and many, many homeless and refugees if the US doesn't support the military interim government.

 

It truly is a shame that the kids who started the Arab Spring uprising in Egypt had NO PLAN to govern AFTER they actually won their revolution. If you win, you HAVE to be able to form an immediate government and GOVERN. Because of lack of planning and foresight, the outlawed for well over 50 years Muslim Brotherhood was the only political group that had the clout and the plans to actually govern. And they are Sunni, but with VERY close ties to Iran (who are Shia).

 

Sure there were a lot of other political groups that TRIED to have a candidate for office. They all lost because they truly had very little for plans. Think back to our own Revolution. Our forefathers HAD a PLAN. And they knew how to implement it IMMEDIATELY to form our great country. Such foresight and planning is sadly lacking in most of the Middle East.

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  • 6 months later...

I have visited Egypt 5 times, both before and after the revolution. I would not hesitate one moment about returning and hopefully I can do so early next year. The Egyptian people are the friendliest people I have ever met anywhere in my world travels and they are dedicated to protecting their tourists.

 

Mostly I have used Grand Circle Travel for my trips to Egypt due to their low cost, excellent accommodations and itinerary. Unfortunately due American's fears they have had to suspend their tours to Egypt.

 

My first trip to Egypt was in 2004 and people tried to talk me out of going even then. Please do not let people frighten you. Egypt is the most amazing place on earth and I guarantee that you will not regret visiting.

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  • 4 weeks later...
We are leaving for Egypt in five days! So so very excited! Any last minute tips? Bee and Jer

 

In some place the vendors can be aggressive, not threatening but just very persistent, particularly around the pyramids. Try not to make eye contact, just keep walking and say no thank you, in Arabic it's "la shukran". Don't be put off by it, just laugh it off as part of the experience and walk away. If you want to take a camel or horseback ride, have your tour guide arrange it for you.

 

Most of the other sites the vendors are restricted to certain areas and aren't a problem. If you want to buy something, haggling is expected, it's part of the culture. Around 50% of the initial asking price is what you can likely expect to pay.

 

The Egyptian pound is only worth around 14 cents U.S. Most people will expect a tip of some sort, "backsheesh" in Arabic. So handing out a 5 pound note for small favors won't break the bank. The exchange rate is set by the government and most hotels have a bank where you can convert your dollars, which I do recommend. You can use dollars most everywhere but in the long run you'll save money using Egyptian pounds.

 

Use only bottled water, even for brushing your teeth. Toilet facilities away from the hotel are adequate, but very often toilet paper is in short supply. Take some from the hotel, fold it and carry in your back pocket or pocket book. It can come in handy.

 

Have a wonderful trip and talk to the people, you will find them to be very friendly and almost everyone speaks some English. If you have any questions about something in specific just ask.

 

Oh, please do tell me about your trip when you return.

Edited by hawkeye1947
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We are leaving for Egypt in five days! So so very excited! Any last minute tips? Bee and Jer

 

If you haven't already done so, take a decent guide/history book with you and read up on what you're about to see. If you know something about the history and culture of Ancient Egypt, you'll get so much more out of your visit. My screen name reflects my interest in Egypt - look out for statues of my namesake, especially in Karnak if you get there.

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Hawkeye1947: Thanks for the tips!!! Glad you mentioned about the shopping and buying, because I do plan on mingling with the locals. That's the best part. You are so fortunate to have visited so many times. I will report back on our trip. :-) thanks!!! Bee and JER

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