It looks like Abu Simbel is $300US per person. We'd rather not carry that much around on top of the rest of our cash if we don't have to.

Thanks!

You will more than likely have to pay that in cash in local currency. I would assume that the TM would take some travelers checks which would be somewhat safer than carrying cash. But on most tours its payed in local currency. You might have to call Contiki on that one. Ask CMD she recently went and so did Ed G.

I don't know from personal experience, but after reading all the other posts, people say that this is different than the other Contiki trips and you can pay the optionals with credit card. Just do some searches on the board and you will see.

It depends what options you pick, its all paid to your to your tour guide in US$ as thats the currency they prefer in Eqypt, so your eurodont mean a thing there, its cheaper to buy things once your there, (besides the optional excuriosns ) in the dirty Egyptian pounds, Seriously wash your hands when touching the money. if you dont believe me take a wiff of the stuff.. peeuuuwwww... but its all worth it, i had my 21st there, do all the things you can theres... it may be hot but its so so worth it.

I bring greetings from Egypt (was on the Apr 12 tour).

Before leaving I spoke to someone from Contiki about this, and what they told me was exactly how it was there in Egypt: pay however you like. You can pay with Traveler's cheques, credit card (yes, they take credit cards, Egyptian pounds, USD, even Euro is you're so inclined. No worries.

They do collect some money near the end (if you want photos, if you joined for meals at a couple restaurants, stuff like that) which was about 40USD, so keep that in mind.


Enjoy your trip!

On this tour there are essentially 4 optionals -
A camel ride the cost really depends on what the tour manager can negotiate for that day, Abu Simbel(USD 226),Group photo(USD11) and the Sound and light show (USD 25)at the Giza plateau.

There is a compulsory tipping fund that needs to be paid on the first day of the tour.Its USD 25 and optionals like Abu Simbel and the light show has to be paid then.The local rep from Spring tours has preference for USD, then the major credit cards.

On the overnight train the tour manager Sherif will then collect the cash for the camel ride at the giza plateau and also lunch at one of the local restaurant stops.(There are 2 on this tour-on the First full day and on the last full day).The lunches cost less than 10USD for each of them, but drinks are excluded.

Yes Egyptian money is really dirty especially the 25 and 50 piasters which are used mainly for the toilet attendants - so you can imagine their condition.
A handy trick is to use a seperate money pouch for the Egyptian currency to prevent wrecking your favourite wallet.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Praha335Ci,

i was told by a contiki travel rep that you can use USD for the options.. but i would double check.. and i thought the Abu Simbel is only 260usd? did it change??