Hopefuly this message will not be deleted by montiors because it Handels the truth.

I have traveled with Contiki, Last yr for 45 days.
oh yay it was. the price wasnt and now comparing still hasnt change by being expensive. Back then they ripped u off and still doing it now.

With The 8day Egypt tour contiki is quoting you is slugging you to the bone $1319. your paying Double and a half.
Tucan travel/Budget expeditions are and have always been quoting 22days Complete Egypt for $1500 (includeds meals and tipping).
when breaking that down per day please view
Contiki 8day egypt costs per day: $86.50
Tucan Trvael 22days costs: $68.20

You get way for your money if u went else were. Check for ureself. Tucan travel is also a 18/35yr group only as well. cept only differ is THEY DONT RIP YOUNG TRAVELLERS OFF!

Be smart. Go with Contiki if u wanna spend more on to be low qaulity no freedom be told what to do and must be there at that time or will leave with out u.
Or shop around be smart save your hard earn Money on items or the hot air balloon ride over a sunrise of egpyt have way to many waterpipes(sheisha's) with the crew.

Sorry if the monitors delete this information because "its not relevent for your information ON SAVING".

Think.about.it.
Just remeber im just a normal Backpacker Myself, like you slaving away to save every dollar for a bit of fun in the sun and dirt of egypt.

Meo how much research did you do before you booked that trip????

truth is in the eye of the beholder.

Err... alot. thats y i booked them and not ... CONTIKI....
Ive backpacked for 4mnths, and heading back for backpacking in less than 3mnths for 2yrs. Im a smart traveller. So of course "i do alot of research". Whom shares information thats what us backpackers do.

My Brother went on Contiki and Tucan Travel/Budget and he said Tucan/Budget Is the same as contiki yet cheaper and less strick with times. There u go, Proof to ure "smart thought to be unanswerd question".

Whom makes sence now.

hahaha have fun getting Ripped off in price as i can see in ure "Egypt and the Nile. not sure what date yet."

Oh thats right, ull prob get discount as others have to fork out the Large sum amount...

Glad u havent deleted me yet for others to View.

We don't delete messages unless they contravene our terms of service

ok i decided to do some research myself to find out if contiki is expensive and you can take the time to compare the rates
heres the info for contiki
HIGHLIGHTS
All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!

Included
Cairo: Shopping at the Khan El Khalili bazaar; Guided tour of the Egyptian Museum; Visit the Citadel, Alabaster Mosque and Sultan Husan Mosque
Giza: Guided tour of the Great Pyramids and Sphinx
Aswan: Felucca sailing; View the Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam; See the Botanical Gardens
Nile Cruise: View Kom Ombo, the Temple of Two Gods
Edfu: Visit Temple to Horus
Esna: Visit the Temple of Khnum
Luxor: See the the Colossos of Memnon; Guided visit of the Temple of Karnak; Guided tour through the Valley of Kings
Accommodations
2 nights in superior tourist class hotels, 3 nights Nile Cruise, 2 overnight trains in twin-berth sleeper couchette: Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo
Accommodation based on twin-share with private facilities
7 Continental breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L) and 6 three-course dinners (D)as per itinerary
Local taxes and service charges
Contiki Difference
Experienced, professional Egyptian Tour Manager
Coach transfers
Cruise the Nile on a superb ship featuring luxury cabins, all with private shower, WC, TV and air-conditioning
Cruise amenities: Swimming pool, sun deck, restaurant, lounge, bars, gift shop, disco
Optional Excursions
Cairo
Group Photo (US $11.00)
A great souvenir of your trip to Egypt. The pyramids and Sphinx make an exotic background to a photo of you and your new friends from the tour.
Cairo Sound and Light Show (US$25.00)
Facing the superb Pyramids of Giza and with the help of modern light and sound technology, you'll step back in time listening to the fascinating historical events which took place in Egypt thousands of years ago.
Aswan
Ramses II at Abu Simbel (US$226)
The temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel is more than 3,000 years old and is one of Egypt's most magnificent monuments. Modern technology was used to move it in the 1960's to a higher site, out of the way of the waters of the Lake Nasser dam. The excursion includes travel by plane to and from the site, which is often un-reachable by road. Not to be missed!
Luxor
Hot Air Balloon Ride (US$150.00)
Up and away on this early morning balloon ride over the West Bank of the ancient city of Thebes. Drift silently over the temples and tombs of the Great Kings and the mud brick houses of farmers and stonemasons.
Camel Ride (US$15.00)
A camel is the only way to travel in a desert! Join us on a one hour ride to take in everyday life on the West Bank of Thebes. Don't forget your camera.


NOW HERE IS THE INFO ON THE TUCAN TOUR EGYPT EXPLORED
Inclusions

Accommodation: 6 nights in simple HOSTELS/hotels, 2 nights felucca camping, 2 overnight trains
Meals: 9 Breakfasts plus all meals onboard felucca
Excursions: From Cairo to the Pyramids and the Sphinx including transport, entry and Egyptologist. From Aswan to Abu Simbel including Transport and entry. In Luxor we have an Egyptologist guide in the Karnak temple.
Transport: private a/c coach & local transport
Group size: average 10-20, max 34
Age: 18-60
Staff: Tucan Travel Tour leader & Egyptologist
Exclusions
Local Payment
International Flights and Departure Tax
Tipping kitty: allow up to US$15 per person per week (see below for details). Please note the Tour Leader is not included and all tips are gratefully received if you are happy with the service.
Pre and post tour accommodation
Visas, travel insurance (compulsory), personal items, other tips, sleeping bag.
Airport transfers
Spending money - allow at least US$25-30 per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, entrance fees and any extras (see the relevant Country Dossier for advice on how to carry your funds). Please note that this does not cover Optional Excursions.
Optional Excursions - Please see our Optional Excursions Guide for a comprehensive list of optional activities and excursions available on this tour



THESE ARE ALL THE OPTIONS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED!
Egypt

Cairo

Egyptian Museum - transfer only: US$10
Egyptian Museum - entrance fee LE50/25: See the greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world at the Egyptian Museum which has over 100,000 objects.
Royal Mummy Room - LE100/50: Located in the Egyptian Museum, this room contains eleven of Egypt’s most illustrious pharaohs (some are over thousands of years old and still have white teeth, hair and toenails) including Ramses II, the founder of the temple of Abu Simbel.
Citadel - LE50/25: Visit the Citadel of Cairo, which was built by a lieutenant of the Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din between 1176-1183 as a royal residence and military barracks.
Solar Boat Museum - LE40/20: This Museum contains the famous 43-metre-long wood boat that came from one of five boat pits next to the pyramid. In ancient Egyptian theology, boats like this were used to transport the pharaohs through the underworld. The Museum also houses exhibits demonstrating the techniques used to build a solar barque, as well as some of the wood and ropes found in the pits.
Great Pyramid - LE100/50: Visit the oldest and largest of the three pyramids of Giza, which took approximately 20 years to build and was estimated to have been completed in 2560 BC.
2nd & 3rd Pyramids (Pyramid of Khafre/Pyramid of Menkaure) - LE25/15 & LE20/10: Entrance to the second and third largest temples in the Giza area
Horse or camel ride - US$15: Take a traditional ride on a horse or camel surrounded by Cairo’s archetypal pyramids and desert landscape.
King Zhosser's Step Pyramid - LE50/25: Visit this Pyramid in the Sakkara area.
Aswan

Philae temple and High Dam transfer US$10: Transfer to the Philae temple and High Dam.
Philae temple Entrance fee - LE40/20: The Philae Temple of Isis is on a small island in the Nile and is an ancient Egyptian complex that has survived the flooding of the River Nile over time.
High Dam Entrance - LE8/8: The Aswan High Dam is one of two dams on the River Nile that prevent the river from flooding each year during summer as waters from East Africa flow down the river.
Unfinished Obelisk - LE25/15:This is the largest known ancient obelisk (a tall, thin, four-sided monument which ends in a pyramidal top). Some have argued that the obelisk couldn’t have been made naturally due to the technology available to man at the time it was created, implying it is of alien origin.
Elephantine Island - LE25/15: Visit this island on the River Nile, which stands at the border between Egypt and Nubia.
Kitchener’s Island - LE10/5: A smaller island than Elephantine, Kitchener’s Island is full of gardens and is a great place to relax in or take a picnic to.
Nubian dinner plus Nubian show plus tattoo - US$25: Enjoy a traditional Nubian dinner and show. Nubian food is often spicier to what you will have tasted in Cairo and always very fresh!
Abu Simbel - By Air - US$160: Visit the site by flight.
Sound and Light Shows - Various Locations (excluding entrance fees) -LE100/50: There are many amazing sound and light shows at the attractions in and around Aswan. Be prepared for stunning strobes, energetic sounds and heart- stopping action!
Luxor

Hot Air Balloon (West Bank) - US$125:Take a hot air balloon and admire the view from the top.
Dandara & Abydos - US$25 (Dandara only LE25/15 & Abydos only LE25/15)
There are several temples at Abydos dedicated to Osiris and the concept of the afterlife. Abydos is the town where Osiris’ head was supposedly hidden by his murderous brother.
Valley of the Kings 3 tombs - entrance fee onlyLE72/37 - In ancient Egypt, the remote Valley of the Kings was the resting place of the New Kingdom pharaohs. By digging their tombs deep into the Theban Hills, pharaohs hoped to stop robbers stealing the priceless possessions buried with them.
Deir al-Bahri (Mortuary Temple) of Queen Hatshepsut - LE26/16: See the temple of Hatshepsut, an 18th-dynasty female pharaoh who was one of few female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs, and this temple is a testament to her incredible feat.
Valley of the Queens excl Queen Nefertari's Tomb - LE25/15: Named by Champollion, the Valley of the Queens is south-west of the Valley of the Kings and holds the tombs of many royal wives and children.
Luxor Temple entrance fee - LE40/20: The Luxor Temple was the centre of many ancient festivals, notably the Opet Festival which was celebrated annually in Thebes.
River Nile

Edfu Temple entrance fee - LE40/20:Visit the sandstone Ptolemaic temple on the banks of the River Nile. This temple is the second largest temple in Egypt and is dedicated to the falcon god, Horus.
Temple of Kom Ombo entrance fee LE25/15: Built during the Ptolemaic dynasty, this double temple has one side dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world, and one side dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris.
Moses Mountain St. Catherine - LE 20/10

SO YES THERE IS A BIG PRICE DIFFERENCE BUT AS SOME SAY YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR..since the contiki tour is a superior tour and the tucan tour is a backpacker tour there will be differences and as for me i would rather stay in a hotel and not in a hostel.. plus all of the entry fees are paid for so i dont have to worry about having all that extra money on me..

quote:

Oh thats right, ull prob get discount as others have to fork out the Large sum amount...

I'd just like to add that, as moderators, we do not get any discounts or special privileges with Contiki; we do this voluntarily.

Amen PinaI! I wish we did get a break i'd do more tours LOL

Hey,

Great post maggie. I too checked out Tucan Travel after reading the topic. I'm wanting to do an Egypt tour at the start of 2009, and looking at the tours on Tucan, I don't think they really compare to Contiki. I hear Sheriff (think that is how his name is spelt) is a great tour guide and very knowledgeable so he is probably worth the extra few hundred bucks to have around, as well as all the other things included.

If moderators got freebies I'd try to sign up tomorrow!!! lol

While I appreciate your efforts to try to get us to "save money" Meo, there are certain ways to go about things.
Is it just me or was his post extremely hard to make sense of??

Tegan

i have already booked my egypt tour and am beyond excited to go.. as for the few hundred bucks well its better to pay it and have a great tour than not to pay it and have and okay tour..
and yes i feel that meo's comments were extremely bias and only posted to try to get ppl to go on tour with tucan. if they decide to go with tucan and not contiki than its their bad

another thing MEO i must say that you did not do enough research because the 1319 price that you quoted is above any price that i could find on contikis website and i did not pay that amount for my tour. so a few extra moments of looking info up and your ramblings might seem valid but nothing i have read so far has been near the truth..

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

wow forgot about this one didnt i
hehe...
trust me im glad ure going on contiki... think about that...

?err i dum how is contiki better priced than other company. plain simple please blonde here.

I did the Contiki Egypt trip a couple years ago, and I thought I might as well throw in my two cents.

I think the main reason for the price difference is accomodations. The Contiki Egypt trip is a superior trip, while the Tucan trip isn't. The hotels on Contiki are very nice, and upsale, and the three night cruise up the Nile is on a nice ship which serves an amazing buffet for all your meals, and has a bar, pool, and sun deck. On the Tucan trip you sail up the Nile on a felucca, which is a small ship. You actually don't have a room on the felucca, but lay on mattress on the top deck, and I could be wrong, but I don't believe they have toliets/showers on board. Also, for the train rides Contiki has you in sleeper cabins (so bunk beds bascially), and I think on Tucan you're in seats for the night (or at least that's how it used to be).

I didn't think that Contiki was a rip off for my trip, and I really enjoyed it. Plus Sherrif is fantastic and he definitly made the trip that much more amazing!! I agree with MEO that you can find cheaper trips, but I don't think the Contiki one is a rip off, becasue the extra cost comes with extra benefits.

your right Meo i am beyond glad that you picked another touring company to go to egypt with, i hope that you enjoy your budget trip, and as for me i will enjoy the superior tour that contiki offered. its very simple i did not want to backpack thru egypt, maybe europe but not egypt so i went with a tour that offered me nicer hotels rather than hostels and a lux cruise.. it a matter of different tastes.. so enjoy your trip as will i

i went on the 45 day euro last yr. people went to egypt for 7days said *with proof to video* they did not have cabins they where in chairs. killer ay. i go for the trip not the materials.
American Beauty. Its not a Budget trip, i get to see more of egypts secreats than u.

The 10 day Egypt and the Nile trip spends the night in sleeper cabins on the train. If you're doing the longer Europe vacations that visit Egypt, then you're on reclining chairs on the train. I believe the longer Europe trips are budget, while the Egypt trip is superior. Meo, you're comparing two different trips there.