Egypt and the Eternal Nile tour from Odysseys Unlimited

Here are notes from our 17-day “Egypt and the Eternal Nile” tour, Feb. 22-March 9, 2008, from Odysseys Unlimited (Newton, MA). The cost from New York was $8,210 for two.

After checking out many tours to Egypt, we chose this company for the following reasons: 1) the itinerary included two river cruises; 2) the group size was 24 maximum; 3) all tipping was included except for tips to our tour leader and tips on the cruises, and 4) good value; all the important sightseeing tours were included, with very few optional tours to purchase (ex., hot-air balloon ride).

We toured at a fast pace as do most tours of Egypt. There is so much to absorb, one trip is not enough to fully appreciate Egypt.

We were warned about uneven walking surfaces, which we have experienced all over the world at historic ruins, but it was the nonstop steps and climbing that we found challenging. With no facilities anywhere for handicapped people, Egypt can be difficult.

Our riverboat on Lake Nasser, the M/S Kasr Ibrim, was a real highlight, although it had to be reached by walking down five flights of stairs, then along a precarious, narrow, uneven path for 150 feet with no assistance.

The ship itself is a beautiful, carefully rendered facsimile of a 1930s riverboat, down to the tiniest detail, immaculately maintained and offering fine food and service.

The tour’s second riverboat, the M/S Hamees, was not too desirable.

Hotels were well located and had good food, including the Semiramis InterContinental Hotel in Cairo (within walking distance of the Egyptian Museum and good restaurants), the Sofitel New Cataract Hotel in Aswan (lovely, with a large outdoor pool, a nice garden restaurant and good-sized balconies from which to watch feluccas on the Nile) and the Montasah Sheraton Hotel in Alexandria. Also, our last hotel, the Mövenpick Heliopolis Hotel at the Cairo Airport, was an excellent place for our farewell dinner.

As guests of the New Cataract Hotel, we were able to visit the historic Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel next door. (Note: the Old Cataract closed in May 2008 for a projected 2-year refurbishment and will reopen under the new name Sofitel Legend.)

Our excellent guide Hanaa, the wondrous ruins, the history, art, markets, shopping and people all contributed to a wonderful experience, and Odysseys Unlimited delivered all we had hoped for and more.

I’d like to suggest a book, “Art and History of Egypt” by Alberto Carlo Carpiceci (1996, Bonechi Books. ISBN-10 888029086X — 192 pp., available from Amazon.com for $37 new or for less used). It’s excellent, with maps, charts and illustrations to help make understandable all the information received while touring.

By the way, we flew into Cairo and found Customs and security the easiest we have experienced in a long time. We got our visas ($15 each) on the spot in minutes and proceeded to luggage. There was no need to get our visas ahead of time.

BETTY SILANDER

Ludington, MI