Join for Free ! ADULTS 18+ ONLY Shortcut to xAlexandria xAswan xDowntown Cairo xSuburban Cairo xGiza and the Pyramids xDahab xLuxor 5* Hotels xLuxor 4* Hotels xSharm xSiwax x10 best ways to find sexx or xGay Guide to Tunisia. GAY GUIDE TO LUXOR Once you've read this guide why not browse our new gay Luxor message board - click here ! Or post a personal on our x Gay Middle East Bulletin Boards ! This is a guide to some of the best meeting places for gay men in Luxor. Where any hotel or meeting place is mentioned below it is not meant to imply anything about the attitudes of management or staff. With its low hotel prices and friendly young men Luxor has become a very popular gay destination especially in summer when the weather becomes too hot for the conventional sightseers. In their place comes a large number of single men and women looking for male companions. But beware that the weather can be intolerably hot if you get out of bed anytime before sunset. But don't worry about going in winter if you can afford it - you'll still find plenty of willing Egyptian friends. THE CORNICHE The Corniche is very popular with gay tourists but beware of many gigolos who sometimes resort to unscrupulous means to extort money. Also beware of the "jallibaya police" and of a few Egyptians who work as "guides" for the police providing them with information about gay tourists and visitors in Luxor - especially those who come on a regular basis. KALESH DRIVERS You are likely to attract the attention of passing kalesh drivers soliciting for trade. "Only twenty pounds for an hour's ride !" Most of them, even the younger ones, have sun weathered faces, from perching for hours on top of their equally battered horse drawn carriages. But should you see a handsome one, and there are several, you might ask "tariif makan hady ?" "Do you know a quiet place ?" Locals know that many of the drivers are a ready source of sex and marajuana. The drivers know all the quieter relatively secluded areas for either indulgence, although without riding atleast ten miles from Luxor it's impossible to find somewhere entirely safe. So, if you don't mind a quickie in the back of a horse stable or between the sugar canes, a kalesh driver may be for you ! But while locals and kalesh drivers may conspire for mutual relief from the frustration of Egypt's sexual apartheid, visitors will probably have to pay or atleast make several expensive purchases from papyrus or souvenir shops. And don't reckon on these lads living up to their appearance as a bargain basement of male Luxor. They're very experienced at "dealing" with tourists. Remember you are taking a very serious risk whenever you have gay sex in Egypt ! FELLUCA MEN Fellucas are the small traditional sail boats that ply the river but while they used to be crucial to Luxor's ancient economy, now their only trade is tourists. Felluca touts, especially those hanging out on the Corniche near the Winter Palace and opposite the Luxor Temple, are adept at recognizing and befriending gay tourists. Once aboard they may request you to read a letter from a European "girlfriend" or male friend and either can be a great opportunity to break the ice. But be warned that, even at night, sex in fellucas is extremely risky as the river police regularly patrol the sand banks and reed islands along the West Bank. If you need to find a relatively safe place the best bet is to rent a flat which might cost anything from 300 to 1000LE (Egyptian pounds) or more a month but you should still be careful and discreet. If you enjoy the company of the Felluca guys, the West Bank is probably the place to look but otherwise the City Centre offers the biggest choice and the best amenities. Another possibility is to sail the felucca further upriver to somewhere more secluded but you should still be very careful. Banana Island, just to the south of Luxor, is certainly not entirely safe as everyone knows about it's reputation. Another problem with the island is the habit of youngsters stealing your clothes. You will probably be given the opportunity to buy them back but if you don't have enough money you may be forced to return to your hotel naked. You can decline such excitements in a polite yet cheeky way such as - "I love Egyptian banana but there are too many people - it's too famous !" You are best advised to sail as far from the town as possible and use some covering such as a blanket to cover any groping. However quiet and secluded a riverbank may seem, there are usually people surprisingly near by. In a desperate attempt to ensure privacy some people have even attempted to have sex inside the small raised wooden bow of the larger feluccas but you won't find it at all easy. Another possibility is to jump into the water once the boat is moored near the river bank. The felluca lads often do this themselves, especially in summer. It's a great way to cool off. A playful splashing of water can lead to a lot of mutual cavorting around and possibly more. But beware if you accidentally touch a guy's arse this will be regarded as much more insulting than accidentally touching a guy's cock. Also beware of the strong currents once you are out of the shallows and of the small but significant risk from the serious river borne disease Bilharzia. Back on shore you can arrange for a several day felluca trip to Edfu, Esna or even Aswan [ in 2002 prices ranged up to £E75 ] which can be a great opportunity for sleeping out with a handsome felluca captain under the stars - perhaps on one of the Nile's ocassional islands. You will need a police permit. Don't give your passport to the Felluca captain as he is likely to use this to guarantee your booking while he looks for others. You have to make it clear to him that you won't accept other passengers and equally that you won't accept a different captain. Some of the Felluca men may be more interested in making a quick commission than in taking you themselves. You should also be careful to chose yourself any other companion you want in the boat. If you are forceful enough you should be able to persuade him. If not there a plenty of other Felluca lads to approach. Remember to take a torch, warm clothes, mineral water, condoms and lubricant. For an account of an encounter between a 19 year old Felluca lad and a tourist on another website please click here. Use the back button to return to GayEgypt.com CAFES AND HUSTLERS Hustlers sometimes hang out at the Awaha Cafe opposite the station (Take care !) and at Salt and Bread also on Station Square, and contacts with Egyptian men (often commercial) can often be made in Awaha around the pool tables upstairs if you are willing to take risks. It is advisable not to sit near the entrance if you are staying a long time as the police might jump to an assumption about your interest in staying in Luxor. The same is also true about several cafes in this area and along Station Street [ Sharia Mahatta ]. None of them welcome gays but gay men and hustlers often hang out in them. The drinks tables fronting the Corniche outside the Etap hotel (and before they were taken away - the seats outside the Emilio Hotel) are also places where contacts with Luxor locals walking past can sometimes be made. Local words for gay which you might hear include "dardum", "agala" (sometimes pronounced "ajala" and meaning bicycle) and "makina" (meaning machine). Many tourists talk about the existence of a gay brothel not far from Television Street where the owner goes to a local cafe to find willing young men who match the desired descriptions given by customers. As it would be too risky to name names as I do not know the truth of these claims and you would be well advised to stear clear of such organized activities as they are criminal and you might also be at some personal risk. Another cafe on Television Street popular with gays is ElTakia. Ocassionally you can see foreign tourists here but it is more popular with Egyptian gays. SOUK The souk runs for almost 2 kilometres along a street which runs north-south through the centre of Luxor and roughly parallel to the river. The first few hundred metres of Souk Street from it's beginning at the corner of Station Street are the most commercial. Here many of the shopkeepers are the most skilled and savy you are likely to find anywhere in Egypt. Watch your money ! However, if lucky you may receive an invite into a back room of a shop which can often be an opportunity for intimate dialogue and perhaps more. If you're not shy you can start by saying you are looking for a gift for your former boyfriend or alternatively by saying quite openly that you are more interested in making new friends than buying souvenirs. Confidence and eye-contact are crucial but use your discretion to assess your chances. They will be at their best if the shopkeeper is on his own. He will probably not wish to risk anything if he is with a colleague. Beware of the handsome "cigarette sellers" and "money changers" in Souk Street, who are also on good terms with some local police officers. A young man may offer you cigarettes or to exchange foreign currency at rates which seem too good to be true. An assistant, usually older, stands near by ready to distract your attention at a crucial moment and then after one quick unseen move by the young man, as skilled as any good conjurer, you part with your wallet intact but just a few Egyptian pounds lighter. NIGHTLIFE With regards to the best night club don't bother going to Tutotel any more which used to have a very liberal policy regarding who it allowed in when it first opened. A much better bet is Sinouhe Discotheque almost opposite the Sonesta on Sharia Khalid Ibn Walid. Sinouhe charges 20LE for most Egyptians but tourists never seem to be charged although they must buy a drink. It opens at about 10am and finishes about 3am or 4am and like most places is busiest on a Thursday night. THE WATER TOWER Egyptians might want to try a small cruising ground in the shadow of a water tower by the railwayline alongside the road to Sawake el Siake. Turn right as you leave the main exit of the station and go straight ahead, keeping the railway line on the right until you reach a T junction. Turn right, pass through a small vegetable market and cross over the railway line and turn immediately right again. This is the road to Sawake el Siake. After a few hundred metres the road narrows and turns sharp left away from the line. It's at this point that you will see the water tower. Look out for a metal gate where you will ocassionally see locals jumping over. Often they are merely taking a short cut across the railway line but sometimes, especially in the evenings, you will encounter other gay men. But as always you must be careful and not disobey the law. A sexual act in public is very dangerous and may well result in your arrest or possibly a beating from angry locals. Any non-Egyptian tourist seen jumping over the gate in this seldom visited part of Luxor will quickly draw unwelcome attention. TOP FIVE MEETING PLACES FOR GAY EGYPTIANS 1. The City Club (Nadi el Medina) on Sharia Medan Manawara. 2. Crazy Ball - a cafe with computer with unusual degree of privacy for those wanting to access more interesting sites and also two poole tables and one billiards table. Sharia Mohammed Farid near the Town Centre. 3. El Bistro cafe on Television Street on the roundabout. Small but students from the near by arts college often go there. 4. Cafes on Television Street. 5. Cinema in Station Street (evenings) for back seat action. Two to three pounds for seat in stalls or balcony. No roof. Old Egyptian or sometimes European films. More interesting is what goes on between the spectators. December 2002 update: - now said to be closed. Please confirm by emailing info@gayegypt.com TOP SIX PLACES FOR GAY TOURISTS WISHING TO MEET EGYPTIANS. 1. Cafes near to the Station. 2. The Corniche especially near Winter Palace Hotel and Luxor Temple. 3. Cinema in Station Street for immediate action but be very careful. December 2002 update: - now said to be closed. Please confirm by emailing info@gayegypt.com 4. King's Head Pub on Sharia Khalid Ibn Walid. 5. Sinouhe Discotheque - also on Sharia Khalid Ibn Walid. 6. Take a service on Television Street heading out of town towards "Mawqef" but not "Mustashfa" (hospital). Best afternoons when the Mawqef (bus stop) is at its busiest. Now you've read this guide why not browse our new Luxor gay message board - click here ! FOR A GUIDE TO BONKING ON THE CAIRO-LUXOR OVERNIGHT TRAIN - SEE THE ADVICE IN THE ASWAN SECTIONX CLICK HERE. For our comprehensive guide to hotels in Luxor please click on either Luxor - Five Star Hotels or Luxor - Four Star Hotels or Luxor - All Other Hotels RENTING A FLAT If you book into a hotel you will find your freedom to associate with other young guys strictly limited by rules which forbid you inviting guests to your rooms. What is worse you will also find it impossible to book in any Luxor friends into a Luxor Hotel. Their passport or identity card will give their place of birth. Anyone born in or near Luxor is almost never allowed to stay in a Luxor hotel. It is very rarely indeed that you can find a receptionist who will "look the other way." The perfect way around this is to rent a flat which will usually enable you to invite whoever you wish to your new home. You may even find one or two handsome men waiting outside your door when you return from a stroll. Skip to xAlexandria xAswan xDowntown Cairo xSuburban Cairo xGiza and the Pyramids xDahab xLuxor 5* Hotels xLuxor 4* Hotels xSharm xSiwax or x10 best ways to find sex Warning: Gay sex or any homosexual activity puts you at risk of arrest, deportation or imprisonment and all sexual encounters are undertaken at your own risk. For information on Luxor's tourist sites, history, hotels or weather please click on any of the following links - |
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| - 5 star hotel - book a room with Pride-Holidays. |
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| - 3 star - for other hotels click on our hotels page. |
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