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Originally posted by Mr_Cunard:
He told me that security was VERY tight and police escorts for all the PAX was essential for viewing the pyramids and even body guards were employed!

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This is Not new. In 1997 a number of tourists were shot and killed at the Valley of the Kings. Fortunately I'm not aware of any major incidents in recent years.

The security is to protect the safety of the tourists, although it has the effect of making one feel more threatened.

we had this with the ASTOR already in 1998. All excursion-busses left together in a line, escorted by police in front, back and on the sides.
Also during the visits, passenger-groups were always surrounded by policemen.

1. Going, with security procedures in place..per this posting.

2. Going it alone, and taking your chances.

3. Not going, and not seeing worthwhile things.

Police escorts are a requirement outside the cities, to all the sites, where coachloads of tourists are headed. They don't want another '97. If you are travelling alone it's your choice to have protection or not, but police will insist on escorting groups.

I have not been to the Pyramids, only Cairo itself, which I enjoyed for the short stay I had. This was before '97 and the airport even then was a barricade, with sand bags surrounding & armed personnel everywhere. They are protecting the visitors and welcoming them.

Many Israelis were there celebrating or holidaying the Jewish New Year in, so it was in october 2004. Many people were killed, and a wing of the hotel collapsed.

Maybe this was the reason security at such high profile monuments as the Pyramids, was tight.

I was in Cairo, Upper Egypt and Nubia in 2001. I never felt a moment unsafe.

We visited the Pyramids, and the Egyptian Museum and a tour of Cairo with a taxi with chauffeur. At the pyramids we walked alone and visited the inside of the Mycerinos pyramid. There were possible guards or police but not really intrusive.

The busses to Abou Simbel from Aswan went in convoy (40 tourist busses in the early moment through the nubian desert !), and every bus had an armed guard.

Excursions made from the (Nile)cruise ship were unescorted apart from the guide, but I seem to remember two armed guards were on board.

Everywhere in the country you could see little houses on a pillar, with an armed soldier in it. It made me not feel safer.

The Nile cruises are also an ideal way of separating the rich western tourist from the poor Egyptian, you hardly see each other, and certainly not in the day-to-day conditions, only on tourist sights. I had the impression the Egyptian government liked it that way.

Cairo, Gizeh and a Nile cruise are anyhow certainly worth the effort !!

If we sit at home scarred to go anywhere the terrorist have won. None of us are gifted enough to know where terrorist will strike next, be it in Egypt or your home town.

I’ve said this before if you look at the statsistics, the biggest risks to you life are firstly your diet and secondly you car, terrorists are way down the list!

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Originally posted by Johan:

However, it must still be a vacation, and in a place where you have constantly to check...

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I know what you mean, but you could conatantly be scared in NY, London or anywhere these days! It is not as simple as "if I go to Egypt I'm in danger but if I go somewhere else, or stay at home, I'm not'.

Two aunts + uncle of me will be on the same Lirica-cruise you are going to do next week. Who knows, you'll meet eachother

Have a great time!

Kind regards, Rob

[ 10-26-2004: Message edited by: RobHolland ]

Have a great time Henri, & I look forward to hearing about your Egypt experience [with lots of photos if possible] on your return.