I'm hoping for some advice on how much money to take with me, and what currencies. I figure USD, but how much? Also, should I get any Egyptian pounds here and take them with me, and if so, how much?

What have people typically done on past trips? What are some people going planning on doing?


Thanks for the advice!!!

Cheers,
Robert

posted this earlier that hopefully sums up most of the questions:

'I wouldn't use traveler's checks, it will be difficult to exchange them. Instead, bring about $300 US cash, and exchange it at the bank next to the Oasis Hotel. ATM's are frequently out of money, so are unreliable. However there are enough around that you'll find one that works, just keep in mind to have a decent buffer. It's a lot easier to put everything on your credit card, and worry about it when you get back (every hotel has a tab, and you can pay for the optionals with a credit card.)

I spent about $1000 total for the whole vacation.

~$200 souvenirs
~$400 optionals
~$100 first day before tour started
~$200 food/drinks
~$100 misc

Our tour partied and drank a lot so I spent a good deal on drinks.'

I think all the optionals were paid with by credit card. I did them all (every member of our tour group did everything, except for 2 that didn't do the hot air balloon ride.)
Abu Simbel is something you shouldn't miss. The hot air balloon was also really neat, but if you've been on one already then there was nothing awe-inspiring about it. As for the sound/light show and camel ride, they were both rather lame. You'll do an additional camel ride around the pyramids, it’s an unlisted optional, so it was sorta been there done that. Also if your tour guide is Sheriff he'll take you on a walk around the non-toursity parts of Esna. We all ignored the sound and light show, but it was an opportunity to see the pyramids for the last time before leaving. My advice, if there is something better going on for the camel ride and light show, skip it. But chances are you'll just be hanging around the hotel, so you might as well go.

This is a huge help. Thanks so much!