3 slow resort like days in Luxor
We stayed in Steigenberger Resort Achiti
1) Guide - highly recommended for west Bank and Karnak temple. NASCO tours - 180$ for the both of us, premium car with a experienced guide and all tickets included. My wife loves history and the guide did a great job with that, but 👇
never trust the guide when he says he knows a alabaster/gift shop, its 100% scam. All those stores in West Bank, they put up a fake show and jack up the prices like hell. I did end up buying something from the store just to get out of there, my mood was off for like the rest of the day.
And It wasnt like I booked a cheap guide and hard bargained with him and that motivated him to make extra cash by taking me to a affiliate shop.
2) Cabs - InDrive is the way, fair negotiation and pay by cash. Used it at 2AM in the night from airport to hotel and felt safe. Airport Cab guy started at 20$ and came down to 300EGP. Indrive guy asked 150 EGP and 30EGP for airport entry fee. I was generous with my tips to all InDrive guys.
3) Cash - I used Banque Misr ATM thrice, wasnt charged a single transaction fee or exchange fee. I used DCU debit card its a USA bank. Maybe my bank Perks helped here.
For example I wanted 4000 EGP, the ATM asked if I wanted the card to be charged 4000 EGP or 80 USD (inclusive of all fees). I clicked 4000 EGP and my statement said 76 USD.
4) I realized a polite no thank you is a mistake. You need to act like you are deaf for the vendors to not bother you.
5) Highly recommend visiting Luxor temple right before sunset and spend some time after it is all lit-up.
6) Early in the morning for Karnak will give you good pictures and less crowd ( like 7 AM would be perfect )
7) please carry a ND filter for your phone camera as the harsh lighting will kill your images. Just buy a normal one from Amazon.
8) dont buy gifts, lamps, statues in Luxor, official museum shops at Cairo had better prices and I felt more confident with the quality, selection and brand there. FYI I bought a couple of stuff in shops at my resort after hard bargaining and they were priced almost the same if not less in GEM and NMEC museum shops.
Ask me anything and I will try to answer your questions.