Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan

Michael Corcoran   -  Traveled, March 2024

Alexandria to Aswan Excellent, well conducted trip Most Inspirational Moment so many - Abu Simbel and all the sights; and the activity on the streets Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent, well organised, knowledgeable and fun. Advice for Potential Travellers Stomach disorders are a fact of life for travel in countries like Egypt, no matter how careful you are. Take medication with you. Also, look carefully at airline prices to get to Egypt from UK and then subsequent taxi airport to hotel. British Airways are half the price of Egyptair; local taxi agencies compare favorably with Exodus quoted prices: $18 against $142! Suggestions On the whole, an excellent trip, very well managed

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/28/2024

Patricia Powell   -  Traveled, February 2024

Felt too rushed We saw a lot but much of the time it seemed we were being rushed through it all. We’d get a whistle-stop tour and explanation then be told we had half an hour or so to take any photos etc. This was particularly true in the old part of Cairo, which was effectively a 15 minute trot towards the bazaar with me being told to get a move on every time I stopped to take a picture. Even the paid for optional extra trips seemed rushed. I expected to see more of the Citadel than just the mosque, for example. I’ve done a lot of full-on trips recently, and never felt so short of time on them. In terms of the itinerary I would say that Alexandria is worthy of more than just a morning. The timing of the boat trips in Aswan didn’t work well. We arrived at the island for our ‘evening barbecue’ before 4pm, much too soon after lunch, and were gone again within an hour and back at the hotel just after 5. Edfu temple was incredibly crowded. For some reason every boat disgorges all its passengers for the same 6-7 am timeslot, then rushes on to Esna to sit in a queue for the lock for over an hour …. All the accommodation (with the exception of the overnight train) was very good, with excellent staff and food. Most Inspirational Moment Deir el Medina (the workers' tombs) and Haibu temple. We did these as an alternative to Valley of the Queens because the tomb of Nefertari was closed. Much quieter than the major sites, and still vibrant colours. They are well worth seeing. Thoughts on Group Leader As mentioned before, the tour leader always seemed in a hurry to get through the visits. Some of his explanations were rather perfunctory, and I sometimes felt he would rather have been somewhere else. I appreciate that he was fasting for Ramadan and needed breaks for prayers and to eat at sunset, which we were happy to accommodate. Advice for Potential Travellers ATMs are readily available, but if you draw a large amount at one time you are likely to get it in 200 pound notes that are quite difficult to get change from - that was certainly my experience with the ATM at the first hotel. You need 10s and 5s for toilet stops. Pack essentials in your day bag for the train journey, as the luggage is stored above the top bunk making it awkward to get at. Suggestions Maybe add Deir el Medina and Haibu to the list of optional visits?

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/26/2024

Steven John Haigh   -  Traveled, February 2024

Historical wonders at every turn This was overall very good, with so many wonderful historic sites to explore and gaze in awe at the immense pyramids/temples and intricately decorated tombs. For me, the Cairo part of the trip should be redesigned, and the number of optional trips greatly reduced (there are too many half/not full -even if described as such- days, with optional extras) with more incorporated into the trip. Most Inspirational Moment It is hard to pick just one. My favourites were probably the tomb of Seti in the Valley of the Kings and going inside the pyramid of Cheops (note that these were both optional extras but there were many inspiring moments in the standard itinerary) Thoughts on Group Leader Ahmed/Saleem was very good and clearly passionate about Egypt and it's wonderful history. He took very good care of the group overall . Despite his best efforts, I sometimes found it difficult to follow his explanations, and it is hard to know whether it was more him or the itinerary to blame for an issue at some sites when he would rush us around too quickly to take everything in, discouraging many photo's at that point, and then give free time to go back over a large area with insufficient time to take as many photo's as we might wish. He was not very well for several days but tried to ensure that this did not detract from our enjoyment, and he went out of his way to help when anyone had a problem. Advice for Potential Travellers Despite the likelihood that you might find some parts of the trip exasperating/exhausting, do not miss it! There are a lot of additional extras - optional extra trips, tips, meals which are not included etc came to around £400 each for us. Abu Simbel is well worth the effort - though there is no reason we could see for it to require the very early morning set off - we think the itinerary could be changed to allow an afternoon visit Despite the group leader (thankfully) dealing with most tips, there is still a need for tips virtually every time you go to the toilet and some difficulty keeping enough small change for this. Suggestions I would much rather pay extra and have more included in the trip. In Cairo in particular the optional extras were poorly explained - it was difficult to understand exactly what each consisted of and when it would be possible for them to take place. The Cairo food tour was chaotic/rushed, unhygienic, and not as good as it could have been, even if still enjoyable. The Citadel (which we only visited after the Exodus trip), and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (really good) - both in Cairo - should be included in the itinerary; also the unfinished obelisk in Aswan, and Queen Hatshepsut's temple in Luxor - none of which required significant detours. Abu Simbel can be visited in the afternoon - our guide said he had done so with a Canadian group - which would allow a much more reasonable setting off time. Rather than breakfast boxes there could be lunch boxes. The food was almost always very good and there was often too much - you really do not need 3 large meals (sometimes very large) a day, leading to waste.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/21/2024

Christopher East   -  Traveled, February 2024

Slightly Disappointed Some wonderful sights and experiences but some parts fell short of my expectations . The hotels and boat were excellent but not the felucca . Most Inspirational Moment Karnak Thoughts on Group Leader Generally alright but always in a rush to shorten trips. In Cairo to return to the hotel by 16:00h so he could go home and the rest of the time to finish early because of Ramadan Advice for Potential Travellers Avoid peak times Suggestions Disappointed not to see more of old Cairo and Alexandria. Not visiting the battlefield at El Alemain and visiting Edfu at a peak time and then waiting for hours for the boat to negotiate the lock. The overnight sleeper was awful

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/27/2024

Michael Bates   -  Traveled, October 2023

Egypt: money advice Alexandria to Abuu Simbel.: Egypt from top to bottom! This trip packed so much into 11 days, yet it never felt rushed. The archaeological sites are awe-inspiring, in terms of their size, antiquity and elaborate carvings and wall paintings. No amount of looking at photos will prepare you for what you see in person. Most Inspirational Moment Karnak and Luxor temples at night Thoughts on Group Leader Very good. Naiel had extensive knowledge of Egyptology - I still don't know how he remembers all of those dynasties. He was friendly and helpful throughout. Advice for Potential Travellers MONEY ATMs are readily available including in hotels. You can only withdraw Egyptian pounds (EGP), but get some (I needed about 80 GBP worth) for minor purchases, meals, drinks – and toilets, where you will be asked for a tip of 10 EGP (about 27p), so a wad of small notes is useful. US dollars (USD) are the most useful currency for the tip kitty, meals, hotel bills, optional trips and major purchases. They are acceptable almost everywhere, including street sellers, but there is no coinage in circulation and the price might be rounded up generously. You are likely to pay rather more than if you use EGP. Change, if required, will be in EGP. I got through around 350 USD. Sterling and Euros are not so useful. They may be acceptable in hotels and major tourist shops, but not generally elsewhere. Credit cards are fine for optional trips, hotels and major purchases. Suggestions Security in Egypt is tight, with armed police and some army much in evidence, as well as a security guard on the bus for parts of the trip. This is primarily to keep tourists safe, as they contribute about 1/3 of the economy. There are limited opportunities for going off on your own.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/28/2023

Richard Stafford   -  Traveled, January 2023

Illness forced me to cut the trip short. Unfortunately, I became quite ill on the fifth day of the trip requiring thAT I return to the United States. That portion of the trip in which I was able to participate was very good. The Exodus trip leader, Andrew, was excellent. Thoughts on Group Leader Andrew was very good.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/22/2023

David Richards   -  Traveled, February 2023

A cut above other Egypt tours. A very well planned and operated trip, one of the best I’ve been on with Exodus. We were a capacity group of 20 and were provided with a superb 40 plus seater luxury coach throughout which greatly enhanced the long often slow travel journeys, particularly in Cairo where our elevated viewing position above the traffic mayhem was a delight. The hotels used and the cruise ship were all of a very high standard throughout the tour. I found the staff welcoming and helpful, particularly on our cruise ship MS Style. The cuisine on the cruise ship was exceptional, and breakfast buffets in the hotels were all very good. My one criticism is that where packed breakfasts were provided these were singularly unimaginative, being heavily bread based, with excessive non recyclable plastic packaging. The Hotel Metropole in Alexandria is an Art Nuveaux time capsule and a real experience to stay in. The Luxor Iberotel Hotel is superbly sited with beautiful gardens and a swimming pool overlooking the Nile; great for winding down at the end of your holiday. Most Inspirational Moment At the end of my Egypt trip I leave with these, among many other lasting memories: - Best modern wonder - The National Library at Alexandria, - Cairo is outstanding for its diversity, and vibrant culture despite huge social deprivation and awful urban infrastructure. - Worse tourist experience - Abu Simbel, although a fabulous archeological site preservered through one of the worlds most successful engineering projects, impossible to view properly. - Best archaeological site - Temple of Horus at Edfu. - Dancing with Nubian musicians at an evening barbecue on the banks of the Nile. - An impromptu performance by young music students at the multi faith House of Arts and Culture in Cairo. - Most poignant memory - the shared tombstone of two unknown comrades from New Zealand, “ Known to their God”, in the Al Alamein war graves cemetery. Thoughts on Group Leader Our tour leader Sayed Mansour was knowledgeable, caring, helpful and compassionate. He went far beyond the usual tour leader duties to give us a real experience of his country which I could tell he has a passionate love of. This tour visits Mosques, Catholic Monestries and multi faith war graves. As a Muslim Sayed gave me an insight to his own faith and its relationship with other faiths in Egypt current and historical that will remain with me/ Advice for Potential Travellers As others have repeatedly commented this is not a leisurely trip: it’s full on from start to finish. Even if you don’t take up the optional excursions there are lots of very early starts: if you are aware of this they don’t spoil the holiday. This trip with its' extra time in Cairo and Alexandra is in my opinion far superior to the shorter options as the extra time in both cities is well rewarded. Alexandra would be worth a visit to Egypt in itself just to see the New Library . Three days in Cairo was a real experience to sample its vibrant culture, and have plenty of time to view the National Egyptian Museum and the Pyramid complex. Sadly the New Egyptian museum hadn’t opened, but our hotel was close enough for us to enjoy views of its remarkable architecture. The only disappointment in Cairo was the food tour, which was just a lunch at a cafe and a takeaway for tea, not the informative hands on cooking demonstration I’d hoped for. Our visit in March was in the middle of the peak tourist season. I asked our Leader Sayed if there was any time when sites might be even a little less crowded and apart form August which is too hot for most people, he suggested November at the start of the tourist season. Suggestions The biggest disappointment to me on this trip, which is completely outside Exodus’s control, was the visitor experience generally at Egypts Archaeological sites. There appears to be virtually no visitor management being operated at these sites run by the government, to the extent that visiting them is often a very unpleasant and potential dangerous experience. Sites are crowded to the extent that the precious archaeological elements are in serious danger. There seems to be little if any control of visitor numbers, or timing of access: a situation compounded by the cruise boat itineraries which discharge the contents of dozens of boats at precisely the same time. Abu Simbel is one of the worlds greatest engineering achievements and it’s archaeology is world class, but the actual experience of seeing it is a nightmare: so ridiculously overcrowded that nobody can stand and stare and appreciate its content. The visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu from the cruise ships is a Health and Safety disaster waiting to happen. The ships all moor overnight at Edfu and dispatch tourists to the temple visit at around 6.00am so everyone can enter when it opens at 7.30 am so as to be back at the boats for them to sail at 9.30 am. The result was hundreds of people rushing to get through the one small entrance with barriers and a security check when it opened. There was a real danger of a fatal crushing accident and I’ve never felt so unsafe. I leave with real fear for Egypts precious and irreplaceable archaeology which is widely at risk from inadequate visitor management. This has to change.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/17/2023

Mark Poelstra   -  Traveled, January 2023

Egypy Amazing. Most Inspirational Moment The People and the organisation,all perfect. Thoughts on Group Leader First Class Advice for Potential Travellers Book now Suggestions Thank you for your profesionalism

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/16/2023

Christy Evilsizor   -  Traveled, December 2022

Nice trip We had a most excellent guide in Andrew who was very knowledgeable and experienced. This trip offers many of the highlights along the Nile. Most Inspirational Moment Nefertiti's tomb well worth the price. The Valley of the Queens is a must-see. Seeing the Pyramids at last. Thoughts on Group Leader Amazing. I'd follow him anywhere. Advice for Potential Travellers December is colder than you think. I felt safe everywhere. Stock up on provisions if lunch isn't provided. 3 days in Cairo in an outlying hotel is a weak spot in the itinerary. Uber works well for getting around on your own, nothing is walkable from Giza Pyramids Hotel. Suggestions A good trip with a well-travelled group. Very glad we finally got to go!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 01/13/2023

Hilary Gallagher   -  Traveled, November 2022

Review A fabulous trip with a great group. Top to tail of Egypt, seeing the sites with a great tour guide. History, culture and fun. Most Inspirational Moment Pyramids at Giza and Saqqara - awesome! Thoughts on Group Leader Sayeed Mansour was excellent - probably the best guide we have had on our Exodus trips. Inspirational, knowledgeable, relaxed, in control, entertaining, humorous, caring and patient. Sayeed became a trusted friend, making us feel safe and secure in for us strange surroundings. Sayeed guided us through the wealth of antiquities and monuments. He was sensitive to when we were flagging a little and provided a boost when it was needed. His explanations of what we were seeing and how it related to other places we had seen/would see meant that we learnt a lot. We understand better some of the political, cultural and economic challenges that Egypt has managed in the past and is facing in the future. Advice for Potential Travellers As always, read the trip notes. Take the advice on not buying Egyptian pounds before you leave - take US Dollars and Euros. Don't expect a good nights sleep on the train but do enjoy the experience. Come to terms with haggling early on. Be ready for "bakshish" (tipping) but good news - the tour guide has most of it covered with the team kitty. Suggestions Only one disappointment, first night Cairo Heights hotel room a bit shabby but changed after one night for an improved room.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/15/2022

David Paraschuk   -  Traveled, September 2022

gypt - a 7000 year journey to the past My first trip to Africa was a revelation! The history and archeological monuments of Egypt greatly exceeded my expectations. The culture is very different from North America and took a bit to get use to. Fortunately our Guide, Andrew N. , did a superb job of bridging the gap between our reality and theirs. Andrew was so much more than a guide , he is academic Egyptologist. We learned so much. Thank you Andrew. We visited over twenty major attractions in the 14 days, each one special and unique. We felt safe every step of the way and I have no problem recommending this trip to those who revel in ancient Egyptian and are not afraid to experience African culture . Most Inspirational Moment The major archeological sites. Giza pyramids, Luxor and the valley of the kings, Aswan with the monuments of Abul Simbel. Thoughts on Group Leader Andrew N. was excellent in every way. He has been doing these tours for 20 years and knows all the tricks, short cuts and the best things to watch for at each site. 11 out of 10 stars. Advice for Potential Travellers Be careful about eating uncooked foods except at the best restaurants. We caught a stomach bug that threw us off for a few days. The guides have antibiotics in case. Take some plastic baggies and a soft sided lunch bag, as you are allowed to make a simple lunch at the provided breakfast. Often the tour does NOT stop for lunch. Suggestions Egypt was a bucket list item for me. Egypt is a very safe for tourist country whose star is rising. Tremendous development is taking place which is nice to see in an African country.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/14/2022

tim martin   -  Traveled, November 2022

Egypt Tour The trip is really interesting and we definitely learnt a great deal about Egypt’s history. Starting in Cairo my disappoint came from the choice of hotel. We stayed right on the outskirts opposite the new museum (not open yet) with a great view of a Pyramid opposite. The hotel was of an acceptable standard, but overall, the lowest of our trip, but so far from the city it was difficult to venture out for sightseeing or dinner. The group all agreed that our trip to the museum was too short and as we arrived back at our hotel quite early, we could have stayed longer as there is so much to see. We travelled to Alexandria from Cairo via El Alamein and visited the war museum which is not particularly good. The old colonial hotel in Alexandria is a great spot with a superb rooftop terrace & restaurant. The local fish restaurant was poor quality although it had a great view, so a different venue would have been better. The following morning, we visited the castle which was good, but then on the road again to Cairo for our sleeper train. The round trip took over 9 hours by bus for a one-night stay and although I wanted to visit Alexandria 2 nights would have made the round trip more worthwhile. The sleeper train to Aswan went without hitch and better than I expected for a developing country. Aswan was great and the activities were good with one small issue in that we had a really great meal on our Felucca trip and in the evening a Barbeque on a Nile Island which was much too soon after. The cruise to Luxor was very good quality and my only comment would be lack of language training of the waiters which I think may be due to Covid disruption, although our guide ate with us and was always there to help. The temples were incredible and certainly lived up to or were better than their reputation. The engineering fete of moving 22 ancient monuments is almost as incredible as the original build and Abu Simbel really shows this. A word to would be travellers, this trip is full on and with many early starts to beat the crowds or comply with the Tourist polices schedules. The tourist police are very apparent throughout the trip and in fact on our trip to Alexandria with had an armed guard on the bus who was I have to say was pleasant guy. All in All, the trip was well organised and ran smoothly. Most Inspirational Moment The sheer scale of the temples and the relocation of Philae & Abu Simbel Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader Andrew was brilliant, his explanations were very and kept to a reasonable amount so as not to confuse us too much. It becomes apparent the Ancient Egyptian history is not an exact science with time gaps and the translation of hieroglyphics has a long way to go. Andrew switched our trip to Abu Simbel to the following day as otherwise we would have had a disrupted night’s sleep on the train and then have to get up at 3am the following day, which was great move. Our small group was following only ten strong so Andrew really became a friend within the group. Whatever we needed Andrew would sort out and if we suggested something we would like to do then he would try and arrange it, if there was time. without doubt 10/10 Advice for Potential Travellers Be ready for cold evenings especially in the north and be ready for lots of early morning starts. Suggestions Unless you are particularly interested in Alexandria I would not recommend going, it’s a huge journey for little reward whereas the Pyramids and the temples of the south have much more to offer. I thought the Pyramids would be the highlight of my trip, but he temples of the south to me were fantastic

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/26/2022

Ginny Clover   -  Traveled, March 2022

Magical and busy The trip was varied, and stimulated all the senses. It introduced us to many sides of Egyptian life, modern and ancient. The variety of transport allowed us to experience a variety of views from the bustling markets in the side streets and traffic jams of cities, to the beautiful coastal front of Alexandria and its nearby crystal blue sea, the green farmland near the Nile, the epic pyramids and temples, whether it be by bumpy ride on a camel, a rickety ride on the overnight train or a slowly-bobbing felucca. Most Inspirational Moment In Luxor, watching about 20 hot air balloons rise slowly at down from our cabin on the Nile cruise. Driving through the curving sandy landscape towards the Valley of the Kings. Waking up on an overnight train from Cairo to gaze at palm trees, having left the urban bustle behind. Arriving after 4 hours of sunrise driving, at the epic Abu Simbel. Finally, the atmospheric Metropole hotel in Alexandria with breakfast pastries and omelettes that were immaculately presented, delicious and homemade. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader, Tifa, was very knowledgable, kind and protective. He managed our expectations before we arrived at each site and had good tips as to which highlights were worth paying extra to see. He made sure the group moved as one but allowed us time for photographs and free time in the markets. It was reassuring having an Egyptian guide who knew the customs and language. On occasion, we wanted more time in a location but the schedule was very busy. He was always available and discreet if someone had lost something or felt unwell. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for early morning starts, but not on all days. Bring tipping money in Egyptian pounds - ATMs are easily found everywhere. Get used to tipping, as it is expected, even for loo visits! Be aware of paying for extra excursions, pyramid entrance fees or tomb visits - these have been mentioned in a general way in the paperwork before the trip. They are well worth doing, though! For the overnight train trip, wrap up warm as it gets chilly in the night, and perhaps bring a silk sleeping bag liner. Alexandria and Cairo were colder than expected in our mid-March trip. Bring jumpers, socks and perhaps a light jacket. It was much warmer in the southern locations of Luxor and Aswan. Suggestions Hats, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes were key. Pack lightly as suitcases are constantly being unpacked and packed. If you are taking a large camera, small fees to enter a site or museum are often expected but it is worth it for good photos. Earplugs might help if you find car hooting and train wheel motion sounds a bit distracting at night! Though, for a light sleeper, I mainly nodded off fine. The last hotel in Luxor (Iberotel) had noisy rooms street-side - so do request that this hotel is changed. It had a beautiful swimming pool on the Nile, though. The first hotel in Cairo, has changed from the Pyramid Park Hotel to the Sonesta and this was very comfortable and welcoming, as were all other hotels on the trip, bar the Iberotel!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/29/2022

Chrys Tremththanmor   -  Traveled, February 2022

Good fun and a bit tiring Thoroughly enjoyed this trip. We had a great variety from ancient Egypt to modern (such as the library at Alexandria). Our guide was terrific, always attentive and prepared. The Nile cruise was a highlight. There were more early starts than I might have liked, but that was dictated by distances we needed to cover. The hotels were rather bland (except for the wonderful one in Alexandria), but no doubt chosen for their cleanliness and safety. The overnight train was a real adventure, although most of our group found it hard to get any sleep. We had an armed guard with us for most of the trip, which was both reassuring and a bit alarming! Most Inspirational Moment Going down into King Tut's tomb. What fun! Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent. Cared deeply about the group. Advice for Potential Travellers Be aware of the many early starts.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/23/2022

Swee-kit & Terry Stillman   -  Traveled, February 2022

Didn’t want the trip to end! This is our 11th trip with Exodus and this is the first time there were no significant criticism. We felt all fellow travellers gel very well as a group with lots of laughs. We made new friends which is always a bonus. The itinerary is jammed packed with a few early starts but we went with the flow. Perhaps an extra day would help. We saw lots, exceeding our expectations. From the ancient pyramids, temples, monasteries, Nubian culture & hospitality, bazaars, crazy Cairo traffic, visit to war cemetery, sailing on the Nile, hint of a glamorous era in Alexandria, funeral treasures in the Cairo museum, lunch on a felucca experience, camel rides to Egyptian cuisine – we enjoyed it all. Most Inspirational Moment On day 11 after the Valley of the kings, Tefa recommended we stop at Masaman restaurant for lunch and this place is wonderful. It allowed us to have a glimpse of rural Egyptian life. There were farm animals, horses to look at. The restaurant also operates as a hotel. It has basic but charming Egyptian decor. Would love spend a night there. We also enjoyed the typical Egyptian lunch. There was also a shop there which sold Egyptian cotton scarves, wraps and ornaments of good quality at a reasonable price. The awesomeness of the temples & tombs were also an inspirational highlight. Thoughts on Group Leader Mohammed aka Tefa looked after us really well and always mindful of the group’s needs. He was knowledgeable on Egyptian ancient and not so ancient history. He was impartial and unbiased in tackling any political issues. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for early starts. Go with an open mind. We went in March so the weather especially in Cairo can be chilly. The overnight sleeper train was quite cold, so just be prepared to have a few layers on. Suggestions The Iberotel in Luxor was not good. We had to change our rooms twice. The first room the air conditioner was too warm, there was only 1 set of towels, the shower was erratic in temperature and water pressure was weak. They showed us a downgraded(smaller) room but this room was worse with the taps loose and toilet seat hanging off the hinges and hair dryer missing. Eventually another room was found (upgraded- same grade as first room). Generally the rooms were very tired . Our room faced the street and it was noisy. Ear plugs helped though. On the plus side, the pool was great, breakfast was good and there was a nice garden.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/20/2022

David Holmes   -  Traveled, January 2024

Alexandria to Aswan commencing 26th January 2024 A great introduction to Egypt, with a fantastic guide who really brought it to life. Always on the move, and two or three really early morning starts. Perhaps a day to long in Cairo and the food tour in Cairo was a bit disorganised/rushed. Stops on the way to Alexandria were underwhelming. Most Inspirational Moment Karnak Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent, but the representatives of Sinai Travel, the in-country travel company, were pretty useless. Advice for Potential Travellers Do not change currency before coming to Egypt. Bring small denomination bills - USD and £ sterling. Suggestions Some of the hotel rooms (more specifically the bathrooms) (Cairo and Alexandria) were tired.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/27/2024

Christopher Harris   -  Traveled, February 2022

Ancient Egypt is great......modern Egypt is broken...... We wanted to see the wonders of Egypt and got them mostly, although expect to pay extra to see them. I would say that having 8+ optional trips that you have to pay lots extra for means the basic trip is not as good as you think. For instance you WILL NOT see the Sphinx (and other pyramids) as part of the trip despite being in Cairo 4 days unless you EACH pay an extra £50. So do not fall for the false advertising pictures of the Sphinx as part of the trip. As for the modern Egypt, Greta Thunberg should start there. Rubbish everywhere, literally everywhere and you can watch them add to it as you travel. Cairo traffic is horrendous and the pollution dreadful, expect to be in a coach though this cannot be avoided to see the sites or get to hotels. Most Inspirational Moment Karnak, Sphinx, Abu Simbel and Pyramids. Awesome. Inspiring and as they rightly are, a Wonder of the World. Almost too much to comprehend with the sheer amount of temples and tombs. Thoughts on Group Leader Tefa was good, though Exodus need to allow the guides more flexibility to change things. For instance a late flight and getting to bed at nearly 01:00 and getting up the next day at 06:30 is not great when the very next day you get a late start at 09:00, why not swap them? Or have the tour designer change it properly. Advice for Potential Travellers When approached every 5 seconds as you approach the sites through carefully crafted 'run the gauntlet souvenir alleys' say 'No, Thank You' as they are generally polite and usually then stop, if they hassle you further then reduce to 'No' but still politely. This is NOT a relaxing trip, I run marathons and found it exhausting, apart from two of the days. Early starts are required to get around some of the sites, but all operators are doing the same so don't expect it to be to avoid crowds. Suggestions Expect to pay tips everywhere, have the individual £65 of group tips not explained and pay TOURIST prices at 10x local prices for everything. This trip is expensive, and hard to justify when to locals it is a lot cheaper. Exodus will claim this is to be a responsible tour operator but then take you to the below. Exodus need to get this responsibility back and actually do it properly rather than lip service, I have been on 9/10 trips with them and they are getting worse with each one. There is a trip to a supposed Nubian village/house, this is poor and in my view utterly unacceptable as we were told to drink and meet at a place keeping Alligators in tiny cages. UNACCEPTABLE. The Nubian village is just another souvenir selling trip other than that.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/13/2022

Sue Clark   -  Traveled, October 2019

Amazing, inspiring trip! This trip is not for those who are looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday. Lots of early starts made the most of the opportunities we had to get under the skin of this brilliant country. There is a lot to see and while some of the trips are optional, it’s worth trying to add several to your itinery, so budget accordingly! We had a great group of travellers and a brilliant tour guide who was funny, patient (I had lots of questions) and always kind – thank you Ahmed! When you make short stops, particularly early on on the tour, leave everything except your camera (and maybe a small amount of money) in the tour bus – there are often crowds and there are hawkers everywhere – there’s always an opportunity to buy souvenirs in Egypt! The vegetarian food is adequate, but not always super interesting – the food tour of Cairo, the Nile boat and the Nubian fellucca ride were hi-lights! Take the tour leader’s advice – he was usually right! Most Inspirational Moment The fellucca ride on the Nile, together with lunch on the boat - the food was amazing and the boat ride was magical! I was very keen to see inside the tombs in the Valley of the Kings - King Ramses VI tomb was brilliant! Hatshepsut's temple was just as impressive as it looked on TV - definitely a must! The sleeper train ride was great fun! The one that surprised me (in a good way) was the war cemetry at El-Alamein: it's beautiful, peaceful and quiet. Thoughts on Group Leader Ahmed was great! He was kind, helpful, knowledgeable and funny! He kept us going, looked after everyone (we had a group from 23 to 76!) and tried to answer our numerous questions! Advice for Potential Travellers Take lots of £ or $ (make sure it's all notes - particularly small values) you will get good exchange rates with the local traders! Take an extra bag - there's a lot you can buy and will want to buy! Go with an open mind and a willingness to learn. If you are blond and female you will get lots of attention! Suggestions The people are friendly, the traders are pushy but will give up if you make it clear that you are not interested. Be prepared to barter - it's part of the fun! There's so much to see and do - you might need a holiday at the end to recover (in a good way!). Show less

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/18/2019

Tong Feng   -  Traveled, December 2021

one of the best tour I had so far I and my wife visited Egypt in this tour with Exodus during Christmas holiday 2021. We have been travelling quite a lot with Exodus and other tour companies. All I have to say, Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan is one of the best tour we had so far. Egypt is a fascinating country which you have to see and to learn. The tour we had worth every penny we paid for. Our guide, Andrew was absolutely helpful and knowledgeable. Very effective and efficient. I have learned a lot from him about ancient Egyptian culture. He opened my eye. Thanks Andrew. The only thing not satisfactory may be the overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan. Our cabin was so cold and the heater was not working. They, the train staff certainly can do it better but they seems just don’t care. Overall the tour is good and again very knowledgeable for everyone who has a passion to learn. If you travel in winter and use the overnight train, my advice is to take some warm covering with you. Most Inspirational Moment Valley of the Kings Thoughts on Group Leader As I have said above. Advice for Potential Travellers As I said above. Suggestions I hope Exodus will let the overnight train staff know their service need to be improved.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 01/23/2022

Alan Jordan   -  Traveled, November 2021

Don't expect a lie in! This trip has lots of early starts, in fact most days and long days on the road. Reasonable quality hotels are used throughout, excluding the overnight train which was basic first class. It was disappointing that the best hotels had the shortest stays. Trip content was good but often intense, sometimes it felt like too much was being crammed in, but I would argue that the time devoted to the Cairo food tour was excessive, in fact I used it to get a better look at Misra St. Maybe there is room for some rescheduling here, particularly given that the day leads up to the overnight train journey. After the train journey, although the long days continued the intensity relaxed a bit enabling the highlights of the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel to be enjoyed. Although the Nile cruise was relaxing, I was not prepared for the convoy of cruise boats, although I understand that this is to enable better security for this stretch of the Nile, it does detract from ‘cruise’ element. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the temples that had been moved from the area to be flooded and appreciating the work that went into the deconstruction and the ensuing reconstructing on a site that looked as though it was the original setting. Thoughts on Group Leader The local tour leader was efficient and considering this was the first departure for this company (Exodus) for a long time, did an admirable job. My only criticism would centre on a curious dialect in pronunciation, eg 'city tour' = Seti Tomb! Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for long hot dusty days often sat in traffic jams, also be prepared to roll with the flow, do not expect good timekeepng or explanations as to why something is late or not happens at all. Suggestions There is scope to look at the scheduling on some of the days in control of the company, eg days 2-4. Also not sure if the current content for the Nubian day could be tweaked to help the flow of the day.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/14/2021