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»» A MESSAGE FROM KUTHUMI
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As I was walking down a road in Luxor to do some shopping I was suddenly given a vision of lines of light joining many countries, but especially the United States of America with the Egypt. I was told by Kuthumi that for every one who feels any concern or fear about travelling to a Middle Eastern Moslem country, and puts that fear aside and comes anyway, will create a line of light like the flight paths on an airline map. I was also told that the effect of these lines of light would be greater than we could imagine. We have been guided to do this conference in Luxor, Egypt for many reasons but it wasn't until Kuthumi showed me these lines of light did we realise that simply by coming to this event would be an enormous healing for the planet. As the time draws closer to Wesak 2008, all those involved are getting a deeper and deeper knowing of the magnitude of what we are doing by holding this celebration in the ancient land of Egypt. I, (Christine) can absolutely tell you that there is no cause for fear. It is safer here to walk the street and leave your front door open than most places I know in the U.K. or U.S.A |
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FLIGHTS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM By far the most economic and easiest way to travel from the United Kingdom to Luxor is via a charter company. There are two that do this trip, Monarch on a Monday and Thomson (0870 1900737) on a Wednesday. A package deal may be cheaper than buying flight and accommodation separately, but there are a full range of hotels available to book through the conference web site if you find a really good deal on flight only or book a scheduled flight. British Airways, KLM, and Egyptair fly from the UK to Cairo. The domestic flight from Cairo to Luxor is one hour and costs about £70 return. |
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FLIGHTS FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA I typed the name of major international airport and Cairo into Google and came up with a lot of possibilities. (E.g. flight Washington Cairo). There is a tremendous difference in price. For example flying out of Washington was over half the price of flying out of Chicago. There is a direct flight into Cairo from JFK with Egyptair. This is the easiest way. The flight from Cairo to Luxor is one hour. A good site for flights is www.expedia.com and a new one just gone on line www.travelnow.com . The cheapest way to travel is to get a cheap transatlantic flight to the UK airports of Birmingham, Manchester or London Gatwick and there pick up a charter flight straight into Luxor with Thomson. Go to www.thomsonfly.com or phone the UK (0) 8701900737. The Thomson charters fly on a Wednesday only. |
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There is no need to get a visa before arriving in Egypt. All these are purchased on arrival at the airport. The visa takes the form of a sticker which is bought at a bank counter located in the arrival hall on arrival. Dependent on the exchange rate these will cost about $15, just under £10 or about €12. Payment in cash is accepted in these currencies. You simply stick the sticker in your passport and proceed to passport control. |
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CAIRO. If you come via Cairo you will have to change from the international terminal to the domestic terminal. If you arrive at International Terminal 3 you simply come out of the main entrance, turn right and walk down the hill. You will see the sign “Domestic Flights”. If you arrive at Terminal 2 you will need to get a shuttle or taxi for the five-minute ride. The shuttles are free, just follow the signs. A taxi will be about 30 to 50 Egyptian pounds. The driver will be happy to take the equivalent in dollars, pounds sterling or Euros. You will have to barter to get the right price. LUXOR. There are no shuttle buses from Luxor airport. If you have bought your accommodation through our web site and sent your arrival time and flight details to Karen (the person organising accommodation and trips through the web site) she will arrange to pick you up. Look out for the board with your name on. If you come as part of a package deal from the UK (e.g. Thomson) transfer from the airport to your hotel will be included. If you book independently and have no prearranged transfer you can either get a taxi; they are plentiful (50 to 60 Egyptian pounds for a hotel in Luxor and 100 Egyptian pounds to a hotel on the West Bank, for one to two people.) These prices are approximate and negotiable. Agree the price before taking the taxi or contact Julie to pre-book a taxi. (fares about the same) |
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If you do not wish to book independently then there is a full range of hotels and accommodation that we can recommend bookable on this site. Go to the accommodation and trips button on the homepage. |
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An amazing range of trips to the main temples in this area, the Valley of the Kings, the Great Pyramids, the Western Sahara desert, day cruise and fun activities are viewable and bookable on the conference web site. Go to the accommodation and trips button on the homepage. WE ADVISE BOOKING EARLY FOR THESE AS THEY WILL BE VERY POPULAR. (PLEASE NOTE: the prices are special for us) |
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The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. (Tied in value to the US $.) At the time of writing there are approximately:-
Dollars, Stirling, and Euros are easy to change into local currency at any 5* hotel, bank or exchange bureau. ATMs are plentiful and pay out in the local currency. Most 5* hotels only take Dollars, Stirling, and Euros but also credit cards. To give you some idea of how much to bring. You will get a very nice meal for about $10 / £5.00 in local restaurant or you may want to splash out in a hotel for about $16 / £8.00 to $20 / £10.00 |
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During the whole time I have lived in Egypt and on my many visits I have never experienced any digestive problems from eating the local food. It is fresh, mostly what we would certify as organic and freshly prepared and cooked. A vegetarian diet is easier in Egypt. Egyptian food includes salads, humus, tahina, rice, pasta, pita bread, cheeses, olives, lots of vegetables and fresh luscious fruit. The meat is very good, chicken, lamb, beef, buffalo, pigeon etc. Fish is fresh from the Nile or Red Sea. The local tap water is drinkable but most people prefer to buy the bottled water which is readily available. |
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The Egyptian people are some of the most friendly and happy in the world. It is a Muslim and Christian country at a ratio of about three to one. The only impact to the visitor of visiting this Muslim country is the romantic sound of calling prayers floating over on the warm air, and a polite sense that it is not appropriate to walk around in very scanty clothing. Visitors may find it more comfortable to respect local traditions and wear clothes that cover their arms and legs. As the bartering for goods and services is the way of life here, you may feel hassled to buy goods, take taxi , or a ride in a "calesh" (horse and carriage). The Egyptian way is to say "La Shokran" (no thank you) with a laugh, joke and a smile. If you are buying goods from the local market, the asking price may be two to three times the value of the goods. This is part of the culture. (Have you seen the film “Life of Brian”). Play the game of bartering or give the stall keeper what you feel the product is worth for you. If you are wishing to buy papyrus, jewellery, alabaster or statues we have local Egyptian friends who have very good products. There will be information about where to find these at the event. Egyptian people instinctively know the spiritual truths that we in the West are trying to remember. This is beyond any religious beliefs; it is what they know from the land and the truths held here. |
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Healthcare is not sophisticated in Egypt but there is a local hospital and the pharmaceutical stores near the 5* hotels have many Western medicines. It is of course advised that if you have any medical needs that you bring these with you. The only health issues that I have experienced whilst living here have been the symptoms of clearing due to the special energies here. Vaccinations are down to individual choice and health care philosophy and we do not take any responsibility for your decision. If you wish to look at the official recommendations for Egypt you will get this from your doctor, or your individual embassy recommendations. We would like to offer the following perspective. I have travelled around the world including India, Peru, Borneo, Indonesia, Nepal and Tibet and feel that vaccinations are unnecessary. I also believe that the principal of vaccinations are based on a false medical premise and in fact compromise the effective functioning of the immune system. You may experience some kind of digestive disorder whilst in Egypt, but this will only be some days of mild diarrhoea, and due, as I have said earlier, to the energies that are here. There are no vaccinations available to prevent this. A good resource for an informed choice:- "Vaccination 100 years of Orthodox Research" |
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April is one of the best times to come. The sun always and shines here and in April it is not too hot during the day. The anticipated average would be the high 80s. It can get cool on an evening so very light garments would be useful. The conference venue will have air conditioning and I sometimes find this a little cool. |
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Taxis are plentiful and cheap but there is no metering or set prices. As a rough guide expect 10 Egyptian pounds for what would take you 20 minutes to walk. Sample prices A Kalesh (horse & carriage) tend to charge 5 Egyptian pounds more than a taxi. Crossing the Nile on the public ferry (accessed near to the entrance to Luxor Temple) 1 Egyptian pound, by motorboat 5 Egyptian pounds for up to three people and 10 for more than three people. Please note that all of these prices are approximate. |
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Is not available and not needed. |
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