Egyptology

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Andrew Pollard

  EGYPTOLOGY

  

  Written April 2008

  Amazing historical sights but not hassle free 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Balloon ride over the west bank at luxor, cruising down the nile.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Generally very good in running a complex itinerary. Hit the right balance in stopping short of information overload.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  You will spend a lot of money. I spent £600+ of which only c£100 was presents etc. This is partly due to a number of extras such as balloon ride, abu simbel, extra 1/2 day trips etc and partly due to the locals' ruthless determination to extract money from every situation- the level of hassle was greater than on previous trips to latin america and india, and sometimes took the shine off things. In practice you do not get 2 days cruising the nile, but one day followed by a day at anchor in luxor to make up the 3 nights. In my view the trip notes are misleading in this respect. By studiously avoiding the salads only 2 or 3 people got ill. The sleeper train was perfectly comfortable though the meals on it were poor.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I'm glad I've seen the great historical sights(there are lots of them!) but its not my favourite country.

   
• 

  Julian D Routh

  EGYPTOLOGY

  

  Written March 2008

  A very good holiday, just as promised very focussed on the Egyptology but for a fortnight this is fine and easier to see the relevence of all than a few standard sights. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Probably the Temple at Karnak for its scale and completeness.

  The Valley of the workers had some little jewels with beautifull and well preserved paintings which gave a better impression of what the major sites may have been like.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader was a major part of the holiday always knowledgable on the sights and very helpful on all other aspects. He always seemed in complete control which for Egypt is a major achievement.

  I believe the holiday was greatly enhanced by his presence.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Ask the group leader to manage the tipping for the group activities, travel etc as suggested in the notes, it removes a great deal of worry for these and eases the way.

  A bottle of sterilising hand gel gives some confidence as away from the major sites the facilities are somewhat basic.

   
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  Lorraine Tresnak

  EGYPTOLOGY

  

  Written March 2008

  A fantastic experience, can't recommend it highly enough!  Be prepared to be blown away. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Impossible to pick just one!  Abu Simbel, Karnak and Valley of the Kings were great.  Loved Edfu as well but visit was rushed.  If you get the opportunity, the balloon ride is well worth it and one of my highlights.  The Tomb of the Workers was a gem - stunning paintings and very complete - don't miss it!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Rami was excellent.  Very knowledgeable.  Always looked after our best interests.  Wouldn't have been the same without him!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  As always go with an open mind.  Take snacks for the sleeper train!  Fly to Abu Simbel don't go by road - you don't have to get up so early.  Take hand gel for washing hands - you don't need water or towels - vital for some of the temples.  As mentioned by Julian, take up the opportunity of having the group leader manage tipping - makes life so much easier.  Be aware that trips ashore on nile cruise are very rushed - usually only an hour at each site.  Having said that I loved the cruise - take time to watch the people on the shore go by.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Be prepared to become totally obsessed with all things Egyptian!  You'll want to go back to see everything again.  It's a fascinating country and this only the first of many visits.

   
• 

  Sue Tucker

  EGYPTOLOGY

  

  Written February 2008

  All that I wanted of Egypt - and then some! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The whole trip is packed full of amazing experiences - the first glimpse of the pyramids at Giza through the city haze; the quietness of Saqqara & Dashur; standing in awe at Ramses feet at Abu Simbel; the Cairo museum (oh, to have a few days in there!); the wonderment of the architects' & builders' skills - not just those who built the temples in the first place, but then those who moved and rebuilt so many of them; seeing the history that I'd learned about at school (many years ago!) come to life; gazing at King Tut's feet; floating across the Nile valley in a hot air balloon (you have to do it!) ...

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Awesome! Khaled absolutely made the trip. His incredible knowledge of the history, architecture, theology, archaeology, mythology, politics, etc, etc of both ancient and modern Egypt was exceptional. His years of guiding experience gave him the ability to modify the itinerary when circumstances require with a minimum of fuss, and to our benefit every time. And along with that, he was fun to be with, gave great eating, drinking & shopping tips, catered to the whims of the group and generally made our time in Egypt a delight - a true professional.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  - Take a variety of credit/debit cards - not all cards work in all machines.

  - Take small packs of handwipes/antibac gel.

  - Take notes! It's all too much to take in at the time.

  - Do some pre reading of ancient Egypt - Lonely Planet was good for me.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  - You will spend more than you think, particularly on meals, most of the hotels are a way out of town so you will probably eat most meals in the hotel at their prices rather than in local restaurants.

  - If you're watching your budget - the road trip to Abu Simbel is fine - most of us slept all the way there.

  - Don't expect a full 2 day cruise - you will spend several hours berthed waiting to go through the lock at Esna, and will get rushed through the temples at Edfu & Kom Ombo to keep with the cruise schedule.

  - Do the balloon trip at Luxor.

   
• 

  Bruce Hislop

  Hot stuff

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Visiting all those sites you have seen on so many documentaries and being able to apreciate their true size and grandeur is something I will remember for a long time.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our leader was excellent and knew his subject he also knew all the unvisited highlights the average visitors didnt go to.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you think you can stand the 49C go in july and you get many of the sights to yourself but the heat saps your strength and ability to take in the vast amount of information you are given.

  Also take time to visit some of the sites not on the itinary such as the nubian museum and the pharonic quarry both in Aswan. 

  Plenty of wetwipes and sanitising gel are also an essentialfor the trip if you want a fighting chance of avoiding an upset stomach 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The only real negative to this excellent trip was the overnight train all our group ended up upgrading to the sleeper as we couldnt face a return journey.

   
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  Alison Farquhar

  I'll never forget the mobs of tourists at the Pyramids and wonder where they all came from and rathe

  

  Written January 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing the Temple at Kom Ombo at night was special, and going back to the Luxor Temple at night which is rather magical.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  I've been to Egypt before and I thought our leader gave excellent explanations of the paintings and carvings in the temples. In the past I've travelled independently with a group so knew what to expect but Louka helped to make the trip enjoyable for the rest.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Try to get to sites early before too many tourists arrive and try to pick sites which aren't too popular and that way you miss the crowds.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  In Luxor although the Sheraton is an excellent hotel I think it might have been better if we had been closer to the centre of town and could have wander around more on our own.

   

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