Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The Cairo museum and the optional trip to Abu Simbel

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tito was excellent. He was very personable and he kept a very mixed group going well on an extremely full trip. He would adapt details to suit peoples needs whilst still looking after the whole party and made sure we saw all the key parts of every site we visited. His knowledge was impeccable. He told us what we needed to know but, when questioned, he demonstrated he knew even more just for the asking. He had to work really hard day after day with a group of 20 to lead through some extremely crowded areas and with lots of optional trips to lead as well but he did it indefatiguably and with unfailing good humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go well rested in the knowledge you will have time to catch up on sleep after day 2!

Most Inspirational Moment

For those interested in ancient Egypt, the sightseeing on this trip is sensational throughout, but you need to stay awake to appreciate it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tifa was charismatic, experienced and very personable, with good English and historical knowledge. He guided well, given the time constraints we invariably faced. Admin was mildly chaotic, especially over collecting money for optional trips, but we forgive him for that!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Exodus didn't make it easy to pay for optional trips, so we'd advise you carry US dollars to avoid having excessive amounts of Egyptian pounds (you should allow up to $250 per person for these options). Souvenir shopping in Egypt is uncomfortable for tourists due to the amount of hassle - this can feel very intimidating, especially to women. On the other hand, we felt safe everywhere we went, and Egyptians are very friendly, although they will require payment for rendering any kind of service, however minor!! The boat trip is enjoyable, with at least some time to relax and unwind. Unlike other Muslim countries, alcohol (particularly beer) is freely available and inexpensive (also on the boat).

Suggestions

In summary, if you can manage the sleep deprivation, this is a well guided and interesting trip to Luxor and Aswan, but one day (which only started at 11 am because of the overnight group flight) is way too short to even begin exploring the Pyramids and the rest of Cairo. We also thought that there were too many optional excursions - some of these should have been priced into the holiday. With hindsight, we would have booked a comparable but longer trip with another operator, but we did still enjoy many aspects of the trip, and the excellent company of our group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Karnak Temple and King Tut's tomb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent and very knowledgeable. Very personable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take small notes, 5, 10, 20's. You will need 5's for public bathrooms and smaller notes for tips. US dollars and Euros are also used widely but ensure they are fresh and non damaged notes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sites like Karnak, Philae, the pyramids at Giza and the Valley of the Kings lived up to all expectations. I also loved cruising down the Nile and watching the world go by - this was my first river cruise and I would do more now.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teefa was excellent - like having a friend guide you round the sights.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's not a leisurely trip - there are a number of very early starts and you cover a lot of sites in a week. February is a perfect time to go - it's a very pleasant mid 20s during the day, and cool in the evenings.

Suggestions

I really enjoyed the visit to the Al Azhar mosque in Cairo, a fascinating experience at sunset.

Most Inspirational Moment

When we entered Karnak Temple. It took Will's breath away. So massive and well preserved. I believe that was the first temple we visited, and as such, even left a bigger impressions on us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Achman was very well organized and obviously educated in ancient Egyptian history. He did an excellent job at explaining details, at the same time giving the group an overall impression of the historical, cultural, and religious themes. He also was attentive to special needs of individuals in the group. I have nothing negative to say our tour guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When haggling, start real low. My grandson did and met with success on numerous occasions. Don't worry about vendors getting mad. That's to be expected and part of the game. When passing through a market area on your way to see a famous temple, tomb, of pyramid, keep your head up, eyes on a straight course, and of course hide your wallet. Never let them know you even have a purse or wallet. And the smaller the camera you carry, the less the vendors will bother you. I had a big camera. Mistake. They measure you by what you are carrying and will set prides accordingly. Expect big crowds of tourists, and go with the flow...and don't worry if you have to pay a little to use the John. It's their culture and we are the guests.

Suggestions

Take this trip, by all means, and pay for the additional tours. Abu Simbel was one of the greatest temples we visited. In my case, I paid the extra so I could take photographs. To me, they are personal; Postcards, although likely cheaper, will not give you the memory of what your own photo would.

Most Inspirational Moment

Going up the shaft in the #2 Pyramid. Wasn't expecting what an adventure that would be.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing. Was a step ahead throughout.

Most Inspirational Moment

The monuments were fabulous... 4 thousand years old... still coloured, still there !!! Physically and mentally impressive.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Sayed was fantastic - enthusiastic, knowledgeable, friendly. He was even prepared to take a few of us out for extra walks in the evening and for meals in restaurants. He really did care. Great bloke.

Advice for Potential Travellers

DO NOT DO the light show at Phalae - its just rotten. This has not been updated since the day they put it in. Dialogue like some 50's Hollywood black and white film and just playing with the dimmer switch does not constitute a show.! Make sure you have plenty of small change for tips. Be prepared for constant hustling by people trying to sell you souvenirs almost everywhere. You do need to have Egyptian money as some places wont accept anything else but lots of places accept cards and other currency . You can change money on the boat, in hotels.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the pyramids and valley of the kings

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best group leader you could get

Most Inspirational Moment

My first sight of the Pryamids was breathtaking. The early evenings sailing along the Nile was so relaxing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed was so knowledgeable and a lot of fun to be around. He joined in on the fun and joking round but kept us informed of the schedule and was well organized.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the early morning departures.

Most Inspirational Moment

The tombs in the valley of the kings

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable, patient and keen to enable us to enjoy our holiday

Advice for Potential Travellers

Very early starts - necessary but tough

Suggestions

Felt the visit to the Nubian village was questionable. The boat trip was great but there was little to see in the village. The house we visited the people had a couple of adult and a few small crocodiles in a very confined concrete tank purely to show visitors and indeed handle the small ones. This didn't feel in keeping with the Exodus commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly communities,