azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Make sure you are well guarded by guards with submachine guns. Egypt is rife with terrorists!

skipwv Loc: West Virginia

We did a similar trip in 2010. My thoughts: your lens choices are good, with the 28-300 being sufficient for most things, although a really wide angle is good for some pyramid and Sphinx shots. You will NOT be allowed to shoot inside most tombs, unless they have loosened up in ten years. Lighting is good inside, however, if they do allow it. (We were told to leave photo gear on the bus or not take it with us at all on visits to the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids.)

I used no filters. "Maybe" a light neutral density filter could be handy sometimes, but I had no trouble with sun and exposures.

There is a lot of light pollution around the Sphinx and Pyramids since they all are floodlit at night. The lights of Giza and even Cairo tend to brighten the night sky, too. You might get lucky but I never saw a good night sky on the Giza Plateau. Dust is a consideration, too, since it frequently blots out the sky with a brownish haze.

Dust-proofing your gear is something to think about. I used a gross of zipper baggies when we were on the move, and I tried to avoid changing lenses except on the bus. Your two zooms will help a lot.

Since you are taking a Nile cruise, plan to do lots of shooting from the boat. Life along the Nile is fascinating and I have some wonderful shots of people, animals, farms, etc., on the banks. Pay attention to the people around you and look for good character shots (and be prepared to offer some baksheesh!).

Egypt was a most interesting country. Enjoy your trip!

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

When we were there the Pyramids were lit at night. Not conducive for Milky Way photography.

Hsch39 Loc: Northbrook, Illinois

9 years ago my wife and I were on a 4-week self-drive trip in Jordan and Egypt.
I had a Canon 5D II and used only a 24-70mm f/2.8 throughout the trip. My wife used a
Canon Powershot G 12. On your first question, I can show one example where you need a fast lens.
Since you will be on a Nile River Cruise, you will be stopping at the Kom Ombo Temple and the
Crocodile museum. As you can see in the metadata of the top image - 1/30 sec, f/2.8, and ISO 1600,
that a fast lens will help. 2nd question: I only used a clear filter. On your 3rd question about the Milky Way with pyramids, I only can tell you there is a lot of light pollution. Cairo is only 3-4 miles from the pyramides, and Giza itself is not a small City. You also would have to find out if you can enter the park at night.
Have a great time, you will enjoy Luxor, also Petra is a wonderful place to visit.

(Download)


(Download)

slammer99uk

I did this with my daughter 7 years ago - You will not be allowed to take pictures in the the tombs in the VotK - Do not flout the rules, you may end up with a large fine, deletion of your pictures and possible confiscation of kit. Dont bother with King Tutankhamun's tomb, it's empty and an extra cost - Take your guides advice on which 3 tombs to visit (when we were there you purchase a ticket to visit 3 in the valley)

You will be fine in the outside temples during your stops along the Nile, Kom Ombo, Luxor etc.

We didn't do Cairo, as at the time it was particularly dangerous. However I hear the Cairo Museum is a must visit if you are there anyway.

Shooting at sunset from the boat produces some good results.

Enjoy your trip and stay safe.

(Download)

Guzser02

Good news-have a great trip.
Some of the tombs are not well lit and those that are have fluorescent lighting. Try to use auto white balance. DEFINETLY take a good headlamp. The texture and detail will make you pause.
Filters: A good CPL will cover you both in abundant and poor light.

History: familiarize yourself with both the history, terminology and geography. You'll be two steps ahead of the game.

Take a good lens cleaner. [Microfiber cloths and lens wipes.]

CAUTION: many strangers will offer to "take your picture" with your camera.---DON'T. It is never free, and you might not see your camera again. It sounds silly to say it but its the convincing smiles that persuade you to do the unthinkable.

Enjoy the trip and the spiritual journey.

Robg

You are in for a fabulous trip! I was there in March of 2019. While wandering around the pyramids in Giza the wind suddenly started blowing, kicked up some sand, and we were in our own mini sandstorm. Unfortunately the sand got into my zoom lens and killed it. So be forewarned!

Our tour had an armed tourist policeman with us everywhere we went. He had his own seat at the front of the bus, and when the group got out to walk around, he would always ensure that he was behind everyone so that he could keep an eye on all of us. I managed once, and only once, to get behind him so that I could take the picture below.

Egypt instituted the tourist police a number of years ago in recognition of the importance of tourism to the Egyptian economy.

Below are a few other pictures, including the Nile in Cairo at night, a panorama of the Valley of the Kings, and a Nilometer (looks like a well) that was used, in this case, to measure the height of the water table as related to the nearby Nile river.

Egyptian Tourist Policeman


Cairo: Nile river at night


Valley of the Kings


Nilometer

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Eye-catching, beautiful shots
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Beautiful, but Two is a real winner
💎💎💎💎

Robg

Thank you!

Judy795

I was there in Oct 2019. Loved it all, wish I could return. Most of my shots were with Nikon D750 and 24-70 f/2.8 NR. Not much in the tombs. Wish I had day and night at Wadi Rum and overnight at Petra. Very hard to do pyramids at Giza without a private driver who stays with you the whole time. If you are on a group tour (we used Abercrombie and Kent) your leader could find one for you. We had to follow a schedule and many times didn’t feel safe going out on our own. There were only 10 in our group and we still had to be careful. I would love to do a photography expedition of Jordan and Egypt.

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

No it's thru Vantage. We've traveled with them before with no complaints from our end. I've heard a lot of good things said about O.A.T. though.

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

Thank you for your suggestions. Other hoggers have suggested some of the same.

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

Oops don't like the back issue. I've had problems over the years. I'll be sure to bring Ibuprofen.

wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

Great suggestions. I was thinking of taking a hot air balloon ride if one is offered. Now I'll plan on it if available.