PETRA & THE PYRAMIDS

13 days from GBP1,679 to GBP1,839 including flights
Tripcode: AEJ

Countries Visited: Egypt, Jordan

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 11 reviews.

Corran McArthur

PETRA & THE PYRAMIDS

Written October 2011
A well-known British comic complains about overuse of the word "awesome" for trivial items and how it needs to be re-claimed. I claim it for this holiday!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
A trip that starts at the Dead Dea and ends at the Sphinx has a strong beginning and end... how to describe what comes in between? Wandering in Petra then relaxing with a sage tea in the Turkish Bath, jeep and camel rides in the peace of the desert, the moonlit walk up Mt Sinai, snorkelling above corals and fish of every conceivable colour, a well-deserved rest in the beautiful hotel at El Gouna, leaving Karnak temple to the eerie sound of the call to prayer at every mosque within earshot, eating local food out at the market, and finally the madness of Cairo where modern history meets ancient.
What did you think of your group leader?
Three leaders on this trip - all were excellent. They were different ages and had different expertise but all extremely knowledgeable, helpful and patient.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As with other reviews I've seen posted, beware the "leisurely" characterisation - there are days, particularly in Sinai, where the trip is anything but!

That said, the activities on our trip could be opted out of if anyone was struggling or feeling under the weather. The hardest day (or two!) was a delayed departure from Aqaba due to a ferry cancellation (outwith Exodus control) which meant a late arrival, some confusion over the visas*, and then a very late arrival at St Catherines (11.30pm), without the opportunity to eat. Luckily our guide organised us some food, because we had about an hour before we started climbing the mountain at 12.30/ 1am! Our guide advised us that it would be hard going as we had had no rest but half of us bit the bullet and went for it. We did great until about half way through the next day (also a long day) when the tiredness started to set in! But it was worth it!
*NB make sure to wait for the guide at Nuweiba - it's easy to be ushered into the wrong visa queue and be given the Sinai-only visa! These then have to be cancelled and new visas issued which cover the whole of Egypt. If arriving at Nuweiba in the evening, as we did, this can prove time-consuming.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Challenge your grey matter - can you remember the names of the all of the children of Amun-Ra?
Challenge the body - climb Mt Sinai by night and descend the White Canyon by day!
Challenge your beliefs - is this really where Moses laid eyes on the promised land and died after wandering all those years?
Challenge your perception - yes, the Great Pyramid really is that great!
Challenge your vanity - revel in the black Dead Sea mud!
Challenge your eyesight - in the Red Sea, can you find Nemo?
Challenge your tenacity - or do you really want to buy that alabaster cat?

Travel through epic movie sets, walk out of Cairo's antiquities museum and into living, breathing history. Add your be-robed Bedouin mountain guide as a Facebook friend.
Travel to two continents, the Arab world bridging Africa and Asia, and learn the friendliness and warmth of the Jordanians, the dark, eye-twinkling humour of the Egyptians and the peace and charity of Islam.
Travel by plane, bus, train, boat, jeep and camel. Travel by taxi - ten aboard!

Open the mind, otherwise it will never all fit in!
Vivienne Jenkin

PETRA & THE PYRAMIDS

Written September 2011
This was an absolutely fantastic trip! We managed to fit so much in to 2 short weeks, absolutely brilliant!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There are so many it is difficult to pick our favourite! Perhaps the first glance of the Treasury at Petra as we walked through the Siq, or maybe coming face to face with Tutankhamuns famous mask. There were so many more though - the sunset trips, the sunrise mountain climb of Sinai - too many to mention!!
What did you think of your group leader?
We were so lucky to have such fantastic leaders, in particular Ali in Jorda - absolutely brilliant, such great fun! Also Khaled in Cairo - we have never met such a knowledgable tour leader, made everything so interesting and made sure we really got to see all the best bits! Such brilliant fun as well!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Definatley do this trip!! Take part in every single optional extra - it is definatley worth it!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you so much for such a brilliant trip! we had brilliant tour leaders, a brilliant group and just the best time!
Teresa Barata

PETRA & THE PYRAMIDS

Written June 2011
An amazing holiday! Went to some really exciting places and meet some really nice people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
My top 3 are:
Visiting the tombs in the valley of the kings.
Snorkelling in the blue hole
Petra
What did you think of your group leader?
All three of them were very good. We were very well looked after and it was a pleasure to meet all of them. Hany, the Egyptologist guide was extremely knowledgable and it was an honour to visit the accient Egyptian sites with him.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for the police check points in the Sinai peninsula. I wasn't...
Avoid the overnight ferry between Aqaba and Muweiba...
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I really recomment this trip. Due to the recent troubles in the middle east both Egypt and Jordan were very quiet. It's the ideal time to visit if you want to beat the crowds.
Laura Slater

PETRA & THE PYRAMIDS

Written April 2011
Visiting Jordan and Egypt was great, very safe and Exodus organised everything very professionally to get around the odd difficulties travelling in Egypt immediately after the revolution.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Visiting Petra and climbing Mount Sinai.
What did you think of your group leader?
Overall our guides were very good throughout the trip: our guide and driver in Jordan were particularly friendly and helpful. The final Egyptian guide, Khaled, seemed more used to dealing with large tour groups and was not as committed or helpful as all the other, very good group leaders we had throughout the tour. We didn't see that much of Cairo and it would have been good to spend longer in the Antiquities Museum.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It can get very cold at night in Jordan, so remember to take a jumper.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was a really good trip and I would recommend visiting the Middle East to anyone.
Paula Sharpe

PETRA & THE PYRAMIDS

Written March 2011
A jammed packed trip with major highlights. All the better for being one of the first visitors after the revolution, nows the time to go if you want to access areas easily and avoid queues. I stood in front of King Tuts bruial mask for 5 minutes before anyone else came into the room, speaking to others who have queue to see it, this was a luxury. We didnt see any problems and felt like welcome visitors. I also felt it a privilage to be there as history is changing, the people are so enthusiatic and want you to go. I expected to come away knowing lots about ancient history but I also know more about recent Eyptian history which was an eye opener to say the least.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The NILE! I have never appreciated what water can do...
Petra, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
What did you think of your group leader?
On other trips I have only ever had one leader and driver, on this trip there were 3 leaders. I found two excellent very knowledgable and friendly basically the level you would expect of a Exodus guide.
The second guide was not proffesional, and upset a number of the group. However I have taken this up with the team directly.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you have flip flops or sandals to get into the dead sea, its quite sharp under foot until your in. It can be windy (we went in March) and cold in Jordan so make sure you have enough layers. Also make sure you spend your Jordanian money, Egyptians dont want it! It also seems very hard to change larger notes in Egypt so get smaller denominations if changing money in the UK. Dont be over concerned about giving your passport up on the ferry from Jordan to Eygpt, it all seems to be chaos but it works.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Great taster and we would have like to stay at some stops longer - such as St Katherines and would also suggest if its cold the night camping may be changed to a hotel (it was flipping cold). The ferry crossing if possible should be replaced by a flight, its seems to be irractic and runs to the owners timeschedule which can be unessarily stressful for holiday makers and guides. We loved the hotel on the Nile it was a fab ending. Please go and support these lovely friendly people.
David Miller

PETRA & THE PYRAMIDS

Written March 2011
A great tour, you could not fit much more into 2 weeks. Jordan and Egypt both similar in some ways but so different in others. Planes, trains, automobiles, camels and boats, we did the lot. There is somthing for everyone on this tour.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The trip was so varied that i am sure each member of the group will have a different moment but for me it was the night climb of Mount Sinai for the sunrise. Eight of our fourteen set out at 01.00 hrs talking exitedly and constantly blinding each other with our head torches, passing shadowy figures of camels and their riders each offering to take you part way up. We made it to the final tea house for 04.00 and bunkered down with a hot mug of tea to help fight off both the cold and the sleep deprevation before heading up to the summit around 05.15 for the sunrise which was fantastic and worth every bit of effort.
On a practical note, good walking trainers or boots are fine. The track is mostly firm stone / gravel surface untill the final bit which are steps cut into the rock. Torch or head torch is a must. A good layer system with gloves and wooly hat is advisable as we were told it would be -4 on the summit.
What did you think of your group leader?
I cannot speak highly enough of our guide in Jordan who was Sadam Al King. He was very helpful at all times and encouraged everyone to join in with all of the activities in a positive way without being pushy. He was very knowledgable especially when guiding us through petra. His pride in his country and enthusiasm was infectious.
Our Egyptian guide for the Sinai area was not so good and lacked the basic interpersonal skills required and expected to be a guide of a mixed age / interest group.
Our second Egyption guide who greeted us at Hurghada airport was proffesional and aproachable and instantly gained the confidence of the group. He was helpful at all times and went out of his way to ensure everyone was informed of what was happening, how it would happen and when it would happen. When it came to the Egyptology he had an engaging and interesting presentation that kept the groups attention at all times. When all was chaos around he remained an oasis of calm.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Tour start 07/03/11 Jordan was sunny but cold due to wind chill especialy night in camp at Wadi Rum, take wind proof layer and a good fleece, Egypt was warmer.
Visit to Dead sea is in a secure resort area with swimming pools, shops and cafe all very nice. Take cash in as mud experience as shown in brocure is extra. Take wash gear as there are showers in the toilet block which you will need if you do the mud. You can hire a towell there.
Most restaurants in Jordan are dry, make your request to the tour leader if you want one that will serve alcohol but be prepared for the price, we paid about £5 for a can of beer.
We were not allowed to take main bags to Wadi rum camp and had to just take basics because you leave the mini bus behind and get into the jeeps, make sure you take a head torch, it's dark in the desert.
The ferry times from Jordan to Egypt vary dramaticaly, we went from a possible 10 hour delay to actualy going 1 hour early, tea coffee and snackage on the ferry is very cheap but basic.
It's a good idea to arrive in Egypt with Egyptian pounds of very small denominations as getting change is a nightmare at every point. Our rate was £1.00 = EP 9.2 Get rid of your jordan Dinar before Egypt as despite the guide saying that it would be accepted it was'nt. We found it difficult to get currency in the Sinai area before Sharm el sheikh but this was possibly in part due to an unhelpful guide at this point. Always keep small change and notes in your pocket as every toilet requires at least 1 Egyptian pound.
Snorkel gear we hired when visiting the blue pool at Abu Gallum was excellent, no need to take your own.
The best phrase to stop the sellers was "If i want i will ask, thank you" sounds a bit harsh but believe me, you will break!!!!!!!!!!!!! resistence is futile.
All of these comments are intended to be helpful and are not intended as negatives, book up now, you will have a great time.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
An extra day at Petra would be good as we were made aware that there is a hiking route between "Little Petra and Petra", the scenery was fantastic and lunch could be carried for a picnic out in the wilds before walking up through Petra and seeing the Treasury at the end of the day saving the best to last so to speak.
Michael Bebb

PETRA & THE PYRAMIDS

Written March 2011
Although you do a lot of travelling, You get to see all the classical sites
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Visiting tutankhamun tomb
What did you think of your group leader?
There were three Leaders.The leader in Jordan was very good,The leader in Sinai was not up to the standard that I have come to expect from a Exodus Guide, the third guide was very good
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
When we went to swim in the dead sea the rocks were very sharp, suggest you take a some shoes you can use in water
Is there anything else you would like to add?
wonderful trip