Can I currently take by bike into Egypt?
 

Guys & Girls

we're now in Kenya about to head into Ethiopia and subsequently Sudan and Egypt. I have been told that the Egyptians are refusing foreign registered vehicles access despite holding a Carnet. Can anyone confirm/refute this?

Also, any recent info with reagards our route would be appreciated.

Goose

www.gooseontheloose.com

If you have a valid carnet then it's not a problem. I just met a couple who entered Egypt on a couple of Tenere last week.

------------------
A.B.
www.ShortWheelbase.com

I've entered Egypt via Asswan with a Carnet, no problem. You must buy insurance, and pay lots of baksheesh. When in Egypt do as the Egyptians do! Ride north to within 50 km of Cairo only in military convoy. Pain in the butt, but that's the law.

Werner, can you tell us more about this convoy: start, end, reason and other practical stuff. Are there other convoys in Egypt that travellers should know about?



------------------

On convoy in Egypt:
Assembly of convoy: every morning at about eight o'clock on the ourskirts of Aswan, or Luxor respectively. One police car in front, another at the end. The whole thing is a farce, since after about 30 minutes the convoy is strung out over 5km. But it's the law. South of Luxor, when there are no longer enough vehicles to make up a convoy, you will get a police escort at the first police checkpoint that stops you. They will take you from their jurisdiction to the next, where you wait for the next escort. A pain in the butt, but that's the law. Apparently, if you take the "Oasis Route" west of Luxor, there is no need for a police escort. Minya seems to be the centre of low-life terrorists. After a while you begin to hate the black Toyota pick-up trucks of the police. But there is nothing you can do about it. It costs nothing, and tourists in Egypt are an endangered species at present. And they need their cash!!!

Thanks for the info on the convoys, though what happens if you ride slower or faster than the convoys.

According to Goose's web site he bottled out and flew his bike from Kenya to Jordan as the Isiolo-Moyale road in Kenya was a little muddy. Chris

If the traffic allows, the convoy will go pretty fast. It has priority and it doesn’t stop in too many stop sign. If you go slower you’ll find the police truck in the back giving you a little helping push http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif. Not really, but they’ll urge you to go fast as they do. Most people find it quiet an experience http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif, but nothing major.

------------------
A.B.
www.ShortWheelbase.com

Egyptian Convoy:
Even if you plead with them, they can't let you go on your own. It would be against the law. But you can go anywhere else in Egypt without police protection. It's just that pesky stretch or road from Aswan to within some 50 km of Cairo where going with police is mandatory.