I traveled alone to Egypt for the first few days until I joined my group to attend a spiritual retreat. More about my spiritual retreat later. But for now, I want to share with you why I highly recommend a travel guide and my experience. Hiring a travel guide in Cairo can significantly enhance your experience and provide numerous advantages, contributing to a smoother, more enriching journey. Here are some compelling reasons to consider hiring a travel guide in Cairo:
Local Expertise: I went to https://www.toursbylocals.com/ to book my tour guide for Cairo, and I used www.viator.com to book my guide for my long Layover in Qatar. For Cairo, I booked Alaal Neal. As a female traveler, I feel empowered to choose a woman guide to support their hustle.
Efficient Navigation: Your guide will provide the transportation to and from, which is all included in the price. The driver and the guide already know the best routes and feel assured during your transport. I was picked up and dropped off at my hotel. Alaal met me in the lobby of the hotel.
Cultural Understanding: Alaal was the best at filling in the cultural gaps. I wanted to visit the famous Khan el-Khalili, a famous souq in the historic center. I decided not to include this in my trip because I had seen some negative reviews on social media. I hate to haggle with vendors at markets and felt discouraged, plus I was intimidated by the whole thing. Luckily, the tour guide, Alaal, said I had nothing to worry about. She wants me to experience the beautiful culture. She was more than happy to haggle and translate for me. Am I glad I went? I made a few purchases, and the place was beautiful. She made the experience a great one.
Exclusive Access: We visited the Cairo Museum, and even though it was crowded, one advantage we had was that it was just us both, so that we could skip around the crowded areas. I had one-on-one attention with my guide, and I could ask all the questions. She didn’t mind taking pictures of me, and we took a few together to mark the adventure.
Safety and Security: There is value in feeling safe, and I felt safe with the guide and in the city of Cairo. It’s a beautiful city to explore, and I even discovered that Cairo has a tunnel system; who knew? I didn’t, but I am glad for the experience and finding out the gems off the beat and path.
Language Barrier: The tour guide managed the language barriers and helped me negotiate some items I purchased at the market.
Customized Experiences: During our tour, we made an extra stop not included in the trip that I enjoyed. We stopped by a papyrus store where they sell and educate you on the history of papyrus. She also recommended some great tea houses to visit.
Local Culinary Delights: Although we didn’t have time to stop and eat, Alaal provided great insight into the food cuisine and what I should try while visiting.
Historical Context:
Peace of Mind: If you are a woman solo traveler, I highly recommend Alaal; not only does she have the education background as an Egyptologist to conduct a tour, but she is also personable. We both shared that we felt like friends and that she was showing me her beautiful city.
Hiring a travel guide in Cairo facilitates a smoother travel experience and adds depth and authenticity to your exploration of this historically rich and culturally vibrant city.
Remember to tip; it is customary but optional. I tipped the driver and tipped Alaal for her energetic knowledge, companionship, and overall experience.
