Egypt Experience Tour Oct 10 to 23rd 2009

This was certainly an experience. My Wife and I are not historians but have an interest in the different cultures around the World and the nearest we had come to this sort of experience was in the Yucatan Peninsular of Mexico, rich in Mayan culture. We knew a little about the Pyramids and the Sphinx plus the Valley of the Kings but the number of Temples and the size of them took our breath away
Our group comprised 2 couples from the UK and 1 couple from California. We were named the Lovely group by our excellent guide Mohamed Said. I think we lived up to the name as we gave him no trouble, were on time and didn’t fall out. We all flew out of Heathrow to Cairo although our American friends arrived late in the evening so we did not meet up until the following morning. Our Hotel was the Mena House which as close as you can get to the Pyramids, giving you spectacular views form in and around the hotel. Our rooms were in a new annex. Well appointed, very clean and spacious. We had been promised 5 star treatment and this was a good start.
We ate in the Hotel. Food was of a good standard and fair priced. Drinks were fairly expensive but no worse that London This was to be the pattern throughout the Tour. Good hotels, good food and service.
We were kept on the go for 7 days taking in Cairo and the 2 Pyramid sites, museums, the Citadelof Salah-din,churchs, markets and numerous temples, I think it was 6. We saw the High dam at Aswan, cruised the Nile, endured temperatures up to 42C and were thankful of a few days rest in Hurghada on the coast.
The whole tour went smoothly, thanks to Mohamed and the reps from each location. We did have a problem on the train in that it was about 4 hours late so we effectively lost half a day. More on that in a moment.
There a few pointers I would like to mention. We are all different so what is right for one couple would not necessarily be right for another so bear that in mind from my observations. Firstly, take a few dollar bills for tips when you get there. Whatever you think about tipping it’s a way of life for these people. I could not get small Egyptian pounds notes here but in the hotels there were banks that gave very good rates for sterling as well as dollars. Take cash its easier. When out and about be prepared for hassle. I got a bit rattled at first but you learn to smile and say no but there are some times when it really gets to you. Don’t accept what might appear to be a gift, trust me its not. You will get hassled for money. If they offer to take your picture its only because they expect a tip.
The Train journey to Aswan was a trial. We were advised by Mohamed to eat well before the trip although the dinner and breakfast are included. Trust me the Dinner was awful and the breakfast passable but we only ate the bread. The restaurant car was full of smoke and not very comfortable. Take plenty of water. 15 hours we suffered this and unlike some members of our party we did not sleep very well. I would recommend flying to Aswan.
Our Hotel in Aswan was the Isis Island. Only accessible by boat it was in a superb setting out in the river. It was not quite up to the standard of the other hotels used but Mohamed did say that it was Aswan 5 star, in other words you don’t get better. But no problems and it was only for one night.
The food on the boat was very good and they make great efforts to ensure that the hygiene is at a good level. You do hear of problems on Nile boats but the Jaz Jubilee that we were on was fine. Would have liked a bit more cruising during the day but much of its done at night and during the day when they are moored up at Luxor you are off sightseeing. But it was a worthwhile experience. The boats are well appointed, the stateroom size was big considering these are river boats.
Our hotel stay in Luxor was at the Nile Palace. Situated on the river our stay was very short really but again the hotel was excellent. Lovely room with a view over the central courtyard. This is where you visit the famous Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
We had originally scheduled a Balloon flight but they had been cancelled although I understand they are now running again.
The journey to Hurghada was a bit laboured and not very scenic but the Sunrise Garden Resort was very good with good facilities and a variety of restaurants. We tried to Italian, the Egyptian and the Mexican. The service was very good and the choice of food was good. We did not care for the main buffet restaurant which we tried on our first night. We did pay 5$ each for breakfasts in the Italian which suited us and was far more relaxed than standing in queues at the Buffet breakfast. We did enjoy the All Inclusive facility here. At least there was no drinks bill at check out.
The journey back to Cairo was long and frankly rather boring. There was a bit on Red Sea coastline but at 7 hours it was too long and I did regret our choice and for me it would be a flight.
There was not much day light left when we got Cairo for our stay at the Semiramis Hotel. This is a very large hotel in the City and right on the river. We had a short walk along the river before our evening meal but the excessive traffic, noise and constant Taxi offers soon drove us back inside to the sanctuary of the Hotel. We are not City dwellers I am afraid. Our room on the 20th floor gave us an outstanding view of Cairo and once again it was a good size, a big bed and well appointed.
The transfer arrangements on the final day went smoothly although there was a 3 hour delay on the flight. Being a Friday the traffic in the City was quiet so the journey to the Airport was uneventful, that made a change. Our thanks to Paul and his team from Egypt Uncovered for making sure the whole trip ran smoothly.
To sum up we both enjoyed the trip even though it was tiring. Mohamed was amazing with his knowledge and he was well organised. It was an advantage with only 6 of us. I have deliberately left out the details of the Temples, Valley of the Kings, Pyramids and the Museums as they are amazing and to my mind are best enjoyed without too much prior knowledge.
We are pleased that we chose Egypt Uncovered for this trip. I don’t think we could have done better. If anyone wants further info then please contact me and I will do my best to help.
I have included a set of pictures although Hopefully Alan Fritter will have also sent in a set. Alan did a video as well and we are all looking forward to that. With his expertise it should be very good.
David and Rose Burr