Egyptian Odyssey: Cairo, the Nile and Lake Nasser

If you are only going to Egypt once, this is the program for you, especially if you are interested in Ancient Egypt. It combines land and river travel, and journeying along the Nile gives you a glimpse into the timelessness of Egyptian rural life.

Excellent trip. Our guide Mohammed Younis was outstanding and was excited to show us all the country he loved. It was like being with family the entire trip.

Excellent program. Highly recommend as an in-depth look at ancient and contemporary Egypt. Tour leader was extremely knowledgeable and greatly enhanced our experience. We felt safe the entire time. Cruising on Lake Nasser and Nile greatly added to experience.

This Road Scholar tour exceeded my childhood dream of visiting Egypt in every way and it was worth the wait. Our tour guide Amal Elfar recreated every facet of the ancient’s world and their dependence on the Nile. Her ability to read hieroglyphics opened even more doors into understanding Egypt throughout history. Amal brought together everything I have ever read about ancient Egypt with her extensive detailed knowledge about each location we visited. The itinerary and accommodations were excellent. The administration team, our guards, and drivers were all highly professional and friendly as well. We are telling everyone we can to book a trip to Egypt with Road Scholar today and ask for Amal and her team. Lynn

This was a wonderful way to learn about and experience Egypt- its rich history, people and enduring legacies! The program is well planned, organized and executed. Our guide, Safwat, was the best - knowledgeable, organized, patient and fun!! This was our first Road Scholar trip but hopefully not the last!

Best program ever! It was an amazing trip! Our leader Safwat made the trip! His knowledge brought ancient Egypt alive. Of the 11 plus trips I have taken with Road Scholar this is my favorite.

This trip to Egypt exceeded all of my expectations! I felt like we really saw so many sides to Egypt, past and present. The accommodations were lovely and you can't beat sailing down the Nile! The excursions and experiences were wide-ranging and each so special. It was a new adventure every day! Everything was extremely well organized and I can't express enough how lucky we were to have Safwat as our guide. He helped make this a once in a lifetime trip! He is organized, extremely knowledgable, and made sure everyone was taken care of and had the best trip ever.

I absolutely loved this experience. It was well organized, our group leader Safwat Gabr was great. He had excellent knowledge of the subject plus was warm and welcoming. Site highlights for me were Pyramids, Abu Simbel, Lake Nassar cruise, Valley of the Kings, Luxor (Karnac). The activity rating is accurate, we were keeping track on our step counters and were averaging 10,000 per day. Some days are long - but all well worth it.

This was a wonderful program. I encourage anyone interested in Egyptian to participate!

WE had a fabulous time in Egypt. Our guide, Safwat Gabr, was so far and beyond our expectations for a leader; charismatic, brilliant, kind, funny and extremely organized. If you go on this trip, make sure he's your guide. We loved him and he made the trip great. Wendy Peterson

Amazing trip and felt very safe. In fact, more safe than I do in some cities in the U.S., my own country. Really appreciated how our guide, George, informed us of the various scams to be aware of. A good mix of historical sites and things to do. It's not just all temples, tombs and pyramids. Took this trip in late October. It was a little hot at times but doable and it was perfect weather for sitting outside to watch the light show at Abu Simbel. Also, the sites weren't overly crowded w/people.

Egypt is awesome, and our tour guide did a wonderful job explaining what we saw, with both insight and a sense of humor. Highly recommended! egypt is awesome

Egypt and the Nile had been on my bucket list for decades and Road Scholars' tour to Giza pyramids, Abu Simbel, Luxor, cruises, and many tombs and temples, churches, synagogue, and mosques did not disappoint! Our Tour Leader George, a trained Egyptologist, was fantastic and put the sights and history in context of Egypt's people and its role in greater geopolitics present and past.

George Samir, our travel guide, made the history of Egypt come alive during this fast-paced trip. From day one to day 14 we were all hanging on his every word as he discussed his ancestors and their history. I also need to mention the RS rep at Cairo International Airport. Ryad made a very stressful process easy for us. He was the first RS person we saw when we got to Egypt and the last one we saw before we boarded our flights and left. He was a fantastic ambassador for Road Scholar.

This is an amazing trip we recommend to anyone interested in Ancient Egypt. George Samir is an outstanding guide!

Educational program that has made memories for a lifetime.

The trip of a lifetime led by outstanding Egyptologist, George Samir. What can I say? This was a bucket list, Trip I waited all of my life to go on. Egypt is definitely a different world than the United States. You only know if you go. The most outstanding aspect of the trip other than our wonderful group leader, George Samir, was seeing the great Pyramids and Giza. That was the first day of our trip and it fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine. Everything else felt like icing on the cake. The food was wonderful. The culture was astonishing. And our group leaders knowledge of Egyptology was completely blew my mind. We had a great trip and a wonderful group of people., After our long trip, we’re glad to be home.

Egyptian Odyssey was a trip I will never forget! I loved every minute of the tour and would not change a thing! The sites we visited, accommodations , food, transportation, and attention to details were top notch and anticipated every need. I would take a Road Scholar tour again !

I literally want to do all my trips w/ Road Scholar based on my experience.

This was an outstanding program filled with excursions to the sites of ancient Egypt. Our guide was a local resident with good English skills and extensive knowledge of the sites and local contacts. The accommodations were very nice and the whole experience was outstanding.

This was a great trip! Amal was knowledgeable and very attentive to our entire team of travelers we felt heard, understood and accommodated. One of the best trips and my first Road Scholar trip. It will not be my last! Progression from overview to timeline and being fully engaged throughout!! We learned so much and were able to see so much in a short timeframe! One of the best trips!!

This trip was my first Road Scholar adventure. The size of our group was just 12 plus staff. Amal was our Egyptologist for the entire trip. She is thoughtful, intelligent on all subjects Egyptian, and very engaging. I couldn't imagine the trip without her! The accommodations were excellent. Since this was just at the beginning of the tourist season it felt like we had all of Egypt to ourselves. What an amazing trip! I look forward to many more. Lauri

The Egypt trip was just awesome! Our guide Amal was terrific! She is very knowledgeable and very easy going. We ere accompanied by RS staff for our protection. The program was tailored perfectly. It was hot but RS supplied the group with water the entire time. Had a wonderful time and will going back when the new Egyptian museum opens. Thank you RS and Amal for a great experience.

This trip to Egypt was a life long dream. I am so glad I was able to participate. Although there is conflict in the Middle East currently, I always felt safe. The tourism programs are important to Egypt, therefore, they had safety features and personnel in place everywhere we went. I also felt certain that Road Scholar was constantly in communication with the tour staff and would make sure our program went smoothly.

This was a trip of a lifetime. Each day was an adventure and our guide was with us each step of the way. The variety of locations, sights and modes of transport was second-to-none: air, 2 cruise ships, boat, bus, and horse-drawn carriage. All meals were excellent and 100% included.

Visit Egypt!! You wouldn't be disappointed. Egypt should be on every travelers list. A miss visit country!

Egyptian Odyssey ranks as one of the best Road Scholar programs that we have done. Our leader, Safwat, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the history of his country. We visited temples, tombs, mosques and churches and learned so much about Egyptian history and present-day society. The accommodations were all top notch and the lecturers were excellent. We never felt the least bit unsafe. We can highly recommend this program,

A dream of a lifetime. The only disappointment was not being able to replicate the picture taken of my great-aunt in 1911 on a camel at pyramids of Giza.

Lifelong learning meeting lifelong friends! A wonderful experience creating cherishable memories.

Mahel continues the high RS quality I've come to expect from guides. She's an genuine Egyptologist! (And a nice person.)

Everyone must go to Egypt!! It is rich in culture and history and will AMAZE you at every turn. Yes, it is safe. Road Scholar takes great care of its participants.

This trip was outstanding in every way. The sites will amaze you and the memories from your experiences will last a lifetime. Our wonderful tour guide, George Samir, was a knowledgeable Egyptologist who made this trip an amazing learning experience. In addition to his shared depth and breadth of knowledge, George was a kind, caring, and organized professional. We highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in Egypt’s past and present. 5 STARS

Egyptian Odyssey was a superior Road Scholar experience. We had full days, comfortable accommodations and an incredible encounter with significant parts of ancient Egypt. Our Group Leader, Amani Nabil, was incredible. The depth and breadth of her knowledge and her ability to relate it to us made this one of our most memorable Road Scholar programs

My trip to Egypt provided much-needed context that was lacking back in Western Civilization classes in school, namely the similarities between many political structures and the importance of religious belief in helping people understand the world around them.

Amazing experience . Everything was wonderful and road scholar did a fantastic job from beginning to end . Our tour leader Mohamed Younes was exceptional and made this trip a once in a lifetime experience.

This trip went beyond all my expectations! We visited almost all the most important monuments/temples/tombs. The information the tour guide provided greatly expanded my knowledge of this wonderful place. The accommodations and food were first class. Excellent security was provided on all legs of the journey. The tour guide was super knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I found out that the modern Egyptians are warm, love to laugh, and very helpful.....and their food is great too! I will definitely return some day!

Outstanding Tour. Greatly exceeded my expectations.

Pyramids, temples and tombs, OH MY! Photos don't do the temples and tombs justice because it's awe-inspiring to be standing in massive buildings and rock cut tombs that are thousands of years old looking at art on the walls representing royal or everyday life in ancient Egypt.

I highly recommend this trip for folks who are interested and motivated to learn about Egypt and it's history. It is a fast paced trip with lots of stimulating activity. If you go in the winter, take some warm layers of clothing. Be sure to get lots of exercise before you go and do lots of the recommended reading. If you haven't done some homework, your experience will be more of an overview and less of an understanding of our Western Civilization. Either way, Road Scholar does a great job of taking care of you and keeping you safe.

This was an unbelievable trip! Well organized, top notch guide, incredible experience. Words are not adequate to describe the sites and history of Egypt. If you take only one Road Scholar trip this should be the one!

This trip was excellent. Learning about ancient Egypt by visiting the historical sites and museums with our excellent guide, Bassem, was easy. I would highly recommend this trip everyone who loves history.

All Road Scholar trips are amazing, fun and educational... but this trip, this tour with this guide was truly, the trip of a lifetime. How can each day be more amazing than the day before? It was with this tour.

An exceptional program with an in-depth look at Egyptian monuments and history. First 2 days are exceptionally difficult but after that the schedule moderates. Bring extra cash and a debit card to get more as there are unanticipated expenses.

An excellent tour guide!

We have all heard about the pyramids, the sphinx and the Nile River ever since we have been little kids. Fulfill your childhood dreams and go on this tour. Explore the dawn of civilization and the monuments that immortalize it. You wont' regret it. Jed

This is an absolutely amazing trip. A good combination of education, fine dining and luxury. Once is a lifetime - at least.

What a well-designed trip. Standing inside and gazing at the tombs of Rameses V & VI in the Valley of the Kings, I couldn't help but compare it with the Sistine Chapel ceiling in terms of religious content, visual character and emotional impact. WOW! Even though the Abu Simbel light show was silly and melodramatic it was really fun to see the whole site lit up after dark. Cruising up the Nile in a leisurely fashion was perfect for getting to know fellow travelers, seeing the country and having time to process the sights and sounds of our daily tours. And we will never forget our most happy visit to sample the 'sasheesa' in Luxor. Plus, camel rides at the Great Pyramids, scores of ancient temples, incredible fresh food and seeing modern Egypt firsthand.

This was our first experience with Road Scholar, but it won’t be our last. We were completely satisfied with the organization and execution of the trip. Any travel snags we encountered were quickly overcome. Our guide made Egypt come alive for us and our new traveling companions were loads of fun. I recommend this program without hesitation.

Have done 3 Road Scholar trips. ALL PERFECT! Going on another 3 week train trip to Australia next year. We met many of others who have done dozens of Road Scholar trips exclusively and we concur with them.

This was a wonderful trip. Our guide made all the difference, sharing information and insight, encouraging questions, and helping us to create a real friendship-group with our fellow participants, which greatly enhanced our experience.

Trip to Egypt was the best trip of my life. I encourage all to visit Egypt I have the best memories and experience in Egypt. Thank you Bassem and Road Scholar.

I can't say enough about how wonderful this trip was. We saw much more than expected. What an eye opener to history and the human race. Our leader was very knowledgeable and excited to share his history and country. The accommodations were 5 star and the people were extremely friendly. This is the second Road Scholar trip for us and will be looking forward to more, recommending them to everyone.

This was our first Road Scholar trip, The Egyptian Odyssey, and we couldn't have been happier. It by far exceeded all of our expectations. The accommodations and food was excellent along with the included local restaurants. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the history of Egypt. We saw and experienced more than we could have imagined. I would deficiently go on another Road Scholar experience and encourage others to do the same

The cabins in the two boats are too small

My wife and I were very impressed by the Road Scholar organization. On the two occasions where things went wrong, our flight in was delayed, and our bus broke down once, both times the problem was swiftly corrected and we did not miss any part of the trip. We were happy with the accommodations, food and guide, and we felt that we received very good value for our money. The trip was well laid out and the physical requirements specified for this trip were accurate. We would certainly recommend Road Scholar to others. The one disappointment that we had was a visit to the Museum of Civilization was not included on this tour. We would have preferred to visit this museum on our return to Cairo and visits to religious sites limited to perhaps The Hanging Church, and the Al-Rifa'i Mosque on the last day. Through this was a minor disappointment, it did not distract from a wonderful trip that gave us much to think about.

You hear the phrase: "A trip of a Lifetime." This was it. Plus, our exceptional, personable, well-organized guide, Mr. Bassem Samir, made the entire experience come to life and add meaning to it. I also wish to add I felt very SAFE in Egypt from Cairo all way south along the Nile River to the famous temples of Abu Simbel. Everything was taken care of from airports transfers with Road Scholar staff on site, travelling on first class busses and cruise ships and staying at exceptionally well located, classy hotels. Not too often you open the hotel curtains and you'll see the Giza pyramids or walking off the cruise ship and seeing the Luxor Temple across the street. The trip for me was basically seamless upon arrival to and departure from Cairo. So glad my wife and I made this memorable trip and the new friends we made.

It's impossible to overstate what a phenomenal experience Egyptian Odyssey is! We felt entirely safe at all times and are so grateful we made the trip. We trusted Road Scholar to assess safety, and were welcomed everywhere by the lovely Egyptian people. Our guide was exceptional--Bassem Samir is so knowledgeable, energetic, passionate, and entertaining. We were well oriented day by day, and each day was a stunning, beautiful immersion into Egyptian history and culture. The boats, hotels, and food were lovely, the group became very engaged with one another, the lecturers were great! If you're thinking of choosing this trip--do it!! You'll love it all.

This was a trip of a lifetime. First of all, I felt very safe in Egypt. Our tour guide Bassem was incredibly knowledgeable and went out of his way to show us Egypt. He also had quite a sense of humor. I recommend this trip.

Egyptian Odyssey: Cairo, the Nile and Lake Nasser excursion was amazing and provided me with a glimpse of a country and ancient culture that I have long been fascinated by. I was able to experience and often enter the pyramids, tombs, and temples of which I had previously only seen in books and documentaries. They are even more impressive in person. Our guide, Osama A., is an expert in Egyptology. He presented appropriate facts of the ancient ruins and artifacts that we viewed, including their place within the historical context, and the symbolic meaning of the structures, inventions, and aesthetics of what we viewed. His expert knowledge and guidance provided throughout the trip increased my enjoyment and safety. I highly recommend this as a bucket-list adventure.

This was a most informative and enjoyable educational trip on ancient and contemporary Egypt both. Site visits and lectures were well balanced with relaxing and more leisurely activities. Our guide for the trip was excellent. He was organized, very knowledgeable, most approachable and expert at building group cohesion. He scheduled our site visits to get ahead of the crowds and the heat of the day and his passion for his subject and general affability was most engaging. Overall he was a delight!

Egyptian Odyssey was a fantastic experience! We worried about safety beforehand but learned about Road Scholars continuous program disruption evaluation process and decided to trust it. On the tour we were accompanied by an armed security person, but never felt any danger. We often mingled with Egyptians, who were consistently positive toward Americans. There were no demonstrations. Egyptian police were in evidence throughout the trip. This trip helped us in many ways, including deepening cultural understanding. The benefit of our tourism for Egyptians was obvious. Egypt is a benign participant in the current conflict. It would be a tragedy if concern about a war remote from this tour suppressed enrollment. We're so glad we went!

I booked RS because of its reputation as the premier educational tour experience with the BEST guides and our 2 week trip to Egypt more than lived up to that reputation.

What an incredible trip! Our guide, George, was amazing: his knowledge of Egyptology and his skill in presenting the facts and adding personal stories created a learning environment that totally engaged the group. He was funny, too, an added bonus! The small number of people in the group, 15, was great and all were smart, interesting, interested, and very nice people. This is my third Road Scholar trip and I will continue to expand and enhance my knowledge of the world, its cultures, history and environment, by taking more Road Scholar trips. This is the way to travel!

Road Scholar put together a great itinerary that gives you a taste of Egypt and its 3000 years of history. It is hard to believe, but every day of the trip you see another iconic historical site.

Road Scholar is a class act! This was our first tour, and I think there will be more. The food - There was a lot of delicious food, and always choices for everyone, impeccably presented; The accommodations - always clean and well appointed with attentive staff; The transports - spotless and well driven in hellish traffic; The learning experience - highest quality educational material backed with the amazing location; The Egyptologist - top quality information and an amazing person.

This is our 6th tour with Road Scholar and I believe it was the best. Road Scholar, your organization has absolutely outdone itself in creating this adventure. The trips, food, accommodations and Egyptian helpers along the way were the best. Not to take any compliments away from our previous tour guides but George Samir, the guide for our trip, is outstanding. A trained Egyptologist and consummate professional whose love for country and his incredible heritage were fully in evidence and transmitted to our group. He explained schedules fully in advance of each day and colorfully and fully explained sites and items so that all understood. George answered myriad questions with a smile and no signs of stress or upset. He kept our group of 21 together; a very disparate group of humans who got along amazingly well. Road Scholar, you deserve kudos for an incredible and unforgettable trip. Your planners excelled with this one.

Outstanding Egyptologist/Tour Guide in George Samir. Trip was everything I wanted.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Egypt and the cruise on the Nile. Our program director, Amani, elevated this experience with her professionalism, knowledge, and good humor. You can just relax and enjoy learning! The itinerary description is accurate: the sun is scorching and the terrain is uneven, etc., but if you're able to navigate the physical challenges, you'll discover so much more of Ancient Egypt than you ever imagined!

I am still processing the wonderful Nile Odyssey adventure. So much more than I would have seen, experienced and learned on my own. All the logistics were not only done, but done well. I enjoyed my time with our knowledgable program director, Amani and my tour mates who were all there to see the things I was also interested in. What a great experience.

One of the best trips of my life. As a new widow traveling alone for the first time I found a welcoming group of wonderful new friends, a guide who was caring, extremely knowledgeable, and funny. Accommodations for a single traveler were the same price as a double, transportation was comfortable and the depth of information so much more than just a trip. I have already booked another trip!

The trip to Egypt is a tiring but fascinating exploration of an amazing ancient civilization. I would recommend it to anyone with the energy for such travel. In addition, we had a very congenial group, enjoyed each other's company, and we all loved our tour guide, Eman, and would travel anywhere with her.

Road Scholar delivers the educational experience it promises. If you go to Egypt, sign up for Eman, who is remarkable. We heard from others on our trip that their guides on previous RS trips were also very good. Accommodations met and sometimes exceeded our expectations.

The Egypt trip was fantastic. You explore all the Egyptian pyramids and temples with an expert guide. Traveling the Nile from Abu Simbel to Luxor was an amazing experience. Anyone who loves history and wishes to explore a new culture should consider taking this trip.

The Egyptian Odyssey was the trip and experience of a lifetime; it was a dream come true. Our group leader, Sameh Ali Ibrahim, enhanced our adventure through his love and enthusiasm of his country and its rich history.

I cannot yet tell you what the impact of Egyptian Odyssey: Cairo, the Nile and Lake Nasser will be on me. Every day I get a new "hit" -- or two or three or five -- from the memories I've stored up.

An odyssey so super, superlatives fail.

Such a wonderful trip. So exciting to see images you only knew from books and magazines in real life. Thought the timing on visits to major tourist sites was very smart. We were able to avoid the worst of the crowds and hear our guide who was an encyclopedia of Egyptian history. He also let us know how to survive "sniper's alley" and reminded us to "not talk to strangers." Thanks Saami. Accommodations and food were all top notch. Too much food at times but all delicious. And safe if you were wondering. My only problem was with the very dry climate and dust causing a sore throat the first day--but I'm used to high humidity. And a "shout out" to George who welcomed us at Cairo Airport at the beginning of the trip and helped us navigate it again at departure when we were too bleary eyed to even read the signs.

This is a comprehensive overview of the ancient sites. The tour is as described re: physical activity. I was glad I did several of the recommended readings as they enhanced my appreciation of what we experienced.The contrast of old and new was fascinating.

I have read about Egypt, looked at pictures, movies and TV shows. nothing can compare with being there.

This was the fulfillment of a dream and a wonderfully informative program, but be prepared for some dust and heat as well as a lot of walking.

Egypt is an amazing place to visit. Everyone should spend at least a week in Egypt and a week in Luxour area.

We were very fortunate to have an outstanding guide, Bassem Samir, who managed all the logistics exceptionally well, provided us with in depth information about Egypt and showed the utmost patience and thoughtfulness with the group. Accommodations were excellent. The weakest parts of the trip involved aspects of the boats outside of RS control (such as entertainment). This trip is active. You’ll see a lot and learn a lot and it left us wanting to return to Egypt. Thank you, Bassem!

I had one of the most wonderful experiences of my life on the Road Scholar tour of Egypt and Lake Nasser. The tour was comprehensive and we had a wonderful guide. I highly recommend this exciting tour!

Wonderful trip! Fascinating country with mind-blowing archeological sites. Great accommodations! Great guide! Perfect weather in February. It can be fairly strenuous. Bring lots of singles and fives for tipping. Camel ride a treat!

RS program is excellent and Bassem Samir, our assigned guide did an outstanding job and really made the trip exceptional with his knowledge of Egypt and his charming humor. Egypt has a phenomenal number of monuments and this trip allowed us to see some of the most important of those found. While the program was very active, you really get your $ worth from the trip by getting to see as much as you can in 15 days. We travel in Feb - perfect weather - cool in Cairo and warmer in the south (Aswan, Luxor). This is now my new favorite RS trip! (See Discussion for tips)

I am 80 Years Old and I still could manage getting around this and other Programs I have been on Recently

Egyptian Odyssey was a wonderful, informative introduction to one wow! temple, tomb, monument after another. A word of caution though: if you don't like to get up early (usually 5 to 6AM), or can't get used to it, you might have trouble. Bring sleeping aids.

Excellent in every way. Tour Director, Hosam was wonderful and so kind and informative and added so much to my adventure, thank you Hoosam

I have been on 28 RS programs, so I know how these tours are supposed to operate. While many of the folks in our group seemed quite satisfied, I felt that this program did not live up to the standards that RS represents. Hesham El Haddad is the worst group leader I have ever had. After two weeks, he did not know anyone's name. He knows about the ancient monuments, but otherwise, his knowledge of other aspects of his country are poor. He did not inform us about daily schedules, except on the cruise ships, when it was required. For example, when he knew about a 3 AM departure from the Giza hotel, he didn’t inform us until before dinner at 8 PM the night before. He told us that nobody knows how they built the pyramids, but I found several theories by simply googling the question on my computer. He complained that no-one in the group had responded to his initial email, when he knew that we had internet issues at the hotel, so most folks couldn't get online. He did not distribute a hard copy of the roster - he sent it electronically as a blurry photo - nevertheless, we all managed to learn the 24 names. Frequently he would allow vendors to hawk their wares on the bus, when we were all loaded up and ready to depart. We asked about everyday life of ancient Egyptians, and Hesham never had any solid information. He would expound on something else, but did not answer our questions. For example, someone asked about how they handled sanitation, and how they lived in community groups. He had no answers, or even hypotheses. Apparently he has led numerous RS trips in the past, but I don't think the organization should hire him anymore. There were several first-timers on this program, and his poor leadership skills might leave those folks with a very negative impression of RS tours. We know he is not representative of so many wonderful RS guides we've had on other trips in the past 22 years.

I have now done 28 RS trips, 10 of them have been foreign trips. I cannot recommend this trip for a number of reasons. My judgement may be influenced by the fact that we had a poor guide (Hesham El Haddad), who was well versed in what was written on the tomb walls, but didn't know anything about about the civilization that built the monuments. Of course you may luck out, and get a different guide, but the following items will not change. 1) The group size was 24 participants, which was twice as big as it should be. In a group this large it is very difficult to ask questions in the mob scene that is present at every tourist attraction. 2) We were in a tourist bubble, and never able to interact with regular Egyptians. Either the hotels were in the middle of nowhere, or we were so tightly scheduled we didn't have time to wander the streets and interact with Egyptians outside the tourist bubble. 3) I thought the educational component lacking. We only had two lectures that gave us information about the people, geography, and government of Egypt. These were both excellent, but I wanted more. We visited many many tombs, but they were all the same. All the artifacts were gone, and all that was left was the writing on the walls. After I saw ten tombs, each filled with faded drawings and hieroglyphs, I had seen enough. I didn't need to fight the crowds to see ten more. It did not increase my understanding of the civilizations that built these monuments, or what led to their downfall. I have friends who went to Egypt with other tour companies, and they had better experiences.

Memories of a lifetime!

We had a great group of people of only 20 people, we all got along very well and our guide was a real pro!

This trip fulfilled a lifetime dream for me. I was able to get up close to Egyptian antiquities and also had adequate time to relax on the ship and watch the Egyptian landscape flow by.

The perfect way to experience Egypt. Lovely accommodations, great food, knowledgeable tour guide. Well organized. Never had to worry about anything. The proper amount of security. I never felt unsafe. Everything was taken care of from the time we landed until we boarded our departure flight. A lovely experience. We will book Road Scholar again.

We were blown away by the in-depth "study" with which we were "entertained." Quite honestly, being our first trip with Road Scholar, we weren't expecting the grand accommodations and the variety of activities presented to us. AND, Bilal is the BEST! We were expecting some professorial type to give us lectures and then we would be presented with a tour of sorts. NO, he was with us every step of the way, providing on site "lectures" with each and every stop. The "Cruise Ships" were a pleasant surprise also. Hadn't expected the "luxury" that we had. Food was excellent.....a little too much perhaps, but that was our choice. Our only "I wish we would have known moments" had to do with the "tradesmen" at each stop....That was exhausting! And, even though Bilal cautioned us and guided us through the "Gauntlets," it was still somewhat disconcerting. Not sure anything can be done about it, they're just trying to make a living, but it was the most unfavorable part of our trip. Also, we didn't understand that we would need small bills all of the time. We know it was stated in the practical info, but it needs to be emphasized because we figured we would be able to get smaller bills from the ATM's. We finally found one that gave us 50 pounds, but that was the smallest. Again, Bilal to the rescue as he exchanged as many 200 pound notes as he could. All in all, a GREAT EXPERIENCE. Respectfully, Ken/Bonnie Mumm

You don't sit back and relax with this Road Scholar program. You participate, you learn and you grow with your fellow travelers. You don't just learn about the past. You become familiar with the challenges of Egyptian society and plans to meet these to meet 21st century life.

Loved this trip. It was strenuous, but the spa onboard was great after a long day. The Egyptologist, Sam, was excellent and had great tidbits about the local areas and people. I traveled as a single and found the small group of 22 welcoming. Egypt is one of the places I would do a shorter repeat trip to.

Excellent program with a strong group leader who negotiated some complex situations well. The accommodations were very comfortable. All met or exceeded expectations. The trip was somewhat more rigorous than I had anticipated, but everything was manageable. My only quibble was remaining on the riverboat in Luxor when the Luxor Hotel was so very comfortable and convenient. The young man who met us at the airport in Cairo was cheerful and very helpful - the kind of young man that everyone wanted as their son. The connections in Istanbul were tight and we really had to hustle to get through the airport on time, but the flights were comfortable. Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone wanting to visit Egypt.

Take this trip of a lifetime and learn all about the Egyptian heritage!

This Road Scholar tour is wonderous, and then some. It takes some stamina, but is well worth the push.

Our tour guide, Bassem Samir, made the trip to Egypt a once in a lifetime experience.

This was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime journey filled with eye-popping historical sites and a thorough understanding of Egyptian history. I wholeheartedly recommend this trip.

This itinerary provides an excellent introduction to the highlights of Ancient Egypt--from the pyramids of Giza and Dashur to the rescued temples of Lake Nasser, key temples of Edfu and Luxor. Be prepared for lots of walking and climbing steps in blazing sun! It concludes with visits to the Coptic and Islamic sections of Cairo, an enormous, noisy and smoggy city of 22 million. The vistas--sunrise and sunset--on the Nile cannot be forgotten. Our tour guide and Egyptologist, Hesham ElHaddad, was wonderful. He answered all of our questions--about logistics, local culture and life, religions, ancient history, artifacts--without hesitation. It was apparent that he takes his studies seriously because he was up to date on recent finds and their implications. One of his most effective strategies upon arriving at a site was conducting a role play with us--calling us by name to take the various parts of (for example) Hatshepsut, Thutmose, Ineni to explain lineages and actions of the ancients. Hesham was also extremely well-prepared, providing daily schedules the evening before, making decisions about the most efficient way for the group to access various sites, and having contacts everywhere. He took us into an elderly woman's home in Cairo so we could better understand living conditions. He was sensitive to individual needs (health issues or specific interests). We also had free time in both Luxor and Cairo; however, he made us cognizant of the safety issues in both places. RS took extra care to make sure we were safe. Our guards were with us every day but unobtrusive. The bus drivers and boatsmen were friendly and professional. Our guide helped us deal with the hordes selling items at every location. It may be that we had a unique experience, but everyone in our group enjoyed interacting with the others and sharing our reflections about what we learned each day. I believe our team leader was responsible for the group's cohesion and our outstanding experience.

Excellent trip - Great time of year to go (spring) . Our guide Bassim was amazing - very insightful and willing to answer every question asked. We had plenty of time to discuss and learn about what we were seeing - I never felt it was just seeing one tomb after another. Bassim really helped us understand the bigger picture and spent time helping us to understand the Egypt and the Egyptians of today - their successes and the things they are working on. Loved everything, but want to tell you that after being in the desert for days and days the Pavillion Winter Luxor Hotel was SUCH a wonderful respite - with the endless gardens. It was so welcome - don't change that hotel! :-) The trip exceeded our expectations!

I would highly recommend Road Scholar for their outstanding program and educational opportunities. As a solo traveler. I always felt safe and made new friends along the way. Road Scholar made it easy.

It was a terrific program and our Guide Basim Samir was the best in all areas.

This is a great program that really hits all of the highlights of ancient Egypt, Coptic Christian Egypt and Islamic Egypt. For someone who has wanted to visit Egypt since grade school, this fulfills that dream!

Egypt was more than I ever imagined. This is the trip of a lifetime. I went inside a pyramid, rode a camel, cruised the Nile, and walked in the footsteps of an ancient people with the most amazing guide and a pack of adventuresome fellow travelers. The museums were world class. And every field trip left you awestruck.

Egypt had been at the top of my bucket list for years, and this Road Scholar trip far exceeded my expectations! We could not have had a better tour guide than Amal El Far. Her comprehensive knowledge about ancient Egyptian history made the many sites we visited come alive. She easily explained some subtleties of the beautiful Egyptian art, and even taught us enough about hieroglyphs so that the symbols and writing on tomb and temple walls became a little less mysterious. The accommodations were first class all the way, and the included meals were all delicious. Finally, the other guests on our tour were friendly and extremely curious about all things Egypt, and we all got along very well. My wife and I are already looking forward to our next Road Scholar trip!

Simply put, you won’t regret taking this Egyptian Odyssey Tour. All of what you remember seeing and reading in books and magazines will come to life ! Our Egyptologist guide Amal El Far was amazing with her knowledge of ancient Egypt. Her enthusiasm reflected her true feelings for her country. Her warmth and attentiveness to each member of the group was most appreciated.

This trip extended my expectations and beyond. I learned so much about Egypt .Amal our tour guide is an exceptional guide who has extreme knowledge and enthusiasm about her country. She made each day of the tour a fantastic adventure which I will never forget

You need good walking shoes and a sun hat for sure. We kept track of our “mileage” and the average was 2.8 miles a day.

More people need to know about the quality services that you provide.

Egypt is a MUST destination for those who travel to learn. We found it to be very, very safe and felt RS did an excellent job keeping everything organized and were very helpful getting through the airports with all the security checkpoints and Covid paperwork requirements.

Would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in the history of this region.

This is an exceptional program and learning opportunity. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our experiences on this tour.

Just got back from Egypt - a 12 day adventure including ships on the Nile & lake Nassar and stays in Giza, Luxor & Cairo. It was a fantastic experience. Ghada, our guide, was outstanding. It felt like a vacation and a course in Egyptian History mixed together. Now I need to lose the 5 lbs. I gained eating at all the wonderful buffets.

I enjoyed this trip very much. One of the highlights was our trip leader & Egyptologist, Bassem Sameh. He is an outstanding leader, very informative, and clearly cares a great deal about doing a great job for the people in his group.

Even though I would have liked to spend more time at many of the sites, this trip has been one of the best I've ever taken! The overall organization, guide(s), accommodations, and food were all excellent.

I’ve wanted to visit Egypt since I was a little kid — admittedly, a very long time ago. I’m glad that I finally made the trip and very glad that it was with Road Scholar. Our guide was very knowledgeable and the tour group were very well travelled and educationally oriented. We visited a variety of ancient sites - my favorites were probably The Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel. It’s hard to describe how I felt when I saw sites in person that I had previously only seen in pictures. We were also on 2 boat, one on Lake Nassar and one on the Nile River. Both were good, although the one on Lake Nassar was really nice. It was nice to have time to watch the desert landscape and shoreline as we travelled from site to site. The hotels where we stayed were excellent and the food, for the most part, was very good too. I love that the trip took me a little out of my comfort zone a few times -like riding a camel and walking down into a tomb. I didn’t feel that the pace was too difficult — other than some of the logistics that involved some early morning flights and somewhat lengthy bus rides. But most of these logistical issues can’t really be avoided if you want to see the major ancient sites. Plus, Cairo traffic is outside the control of Road Scholar. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is fascinated by ancient Egypt and enjoys travelling to a country that is very different from the US. I never felt unsafe — but I also was aware of the precautions that were being taken (police escorts, etc). Go for it!

This was a great trip in every way: flights, hotels, Egyptologist, transfers, food and basic itinerary. The fact that there were only 14 on the trip was an added plus. The reading list needs to be updated. Toby Wilkinson's "The Nile " should be on it. He also wrote others about ancient Egypt. "The Nile" is a great read at any time. It was very beneficial to have an Egyptologist not just a "tour guide". Mostafa is a treasure-he was able to tell stories about ancient Egypt and interpret what we saw. Besides seeing the temples and tombs, we experienced carriage rides, a Felucca ride and a camel ride. The cruise boats were great. The Lake Nasser boat was a bit more spacious than the Nile boat. Thank you, Holly P

Wonderful and Fascinating Trip! Excellent guide who was knowledgeable, warm and humorous and covered amazing amount of history and culture, both ancient and modern. Two different cruises on Lake Nasser and then on the Upper Nile were the perfect way to get to remote sites and time spent on deck was serene and beautiful. The thirteen other travelers were all incredible well traveled and fun. Memorable two weeks!

This tour provided a great way to learn about and experience Egypt. Our guide, Sameh Ali Ibrahim, was a fantastic teacher and gave great directions and advice as we traveled the waterways and stayed in three beautiful hotels in two cities. He provided extensive information about Egypt's history, but also helped us to see and experience Egypt in present day.

This program was an amazing experience! A great itinerary: We saw many of the most beautiful sites of ancient Egypt and admired gorgeous landscapes along the Nile river. The two ships and the hotels were very comfortable. Our group leader was friendly, very well organized, and shared with us his passion for Egyptian history and antiquities. From the moment I landed, the airport pick-ups and departures, the bus rides, and the ship transfers were flawlessly organized by Road Scholar. I highly recommend this trip!

This is an outstanding way to experience the highlights of an amazing part of the world and be deeply immersed in both the ancient and current civilizations of Egypt. The diversity of lodging - excellent hotels plus two lovely ships - adds to the adventure. Our guide negotiated every location and transition with incredible savvy and insider knowledge. His explanations were outstanding and we were filled with wonder and mentally challenged as we viewed the sights together. Our guide made sure we felt 100% safe and personally adjusted our schedule and free time so that we got the most out of each opportunity to explore with a minimum of hassle. We found laundry to be easy and very inexpensive so packing light is possible. The weather in Nov/Dec was absolutely perfect. Highly recommended.

I was disappointed with the group leader on this trip. She was distant, irritable, and very defensive if challenged in any way. While she seemed to be very knowledgable, her people skills are sub-par. I think perhaps, she has simply been doing this work for too long, and is burnt out.

The small group experience we had on the "Egyptian Odyssey: Cairo, the Nile and Lake Nasser" trip exceeded all of our expectations. The leadership of our local Road Scholar staff made our experiences feel up-close, personal, safe and rich with learning. By the end, we didn't want to leave and were eager to learn more about Egypt, it's culture and history!

All you have been taught about Egypt wasn't enough! This program fills in all the empty spaces in your knowledge about Egypt.

This was a wonderful, well balanced trip combining lake, river and ground experiences in a fast but manageable pace.

Egypt is AMAZING! If it’s not already there, may I suggest the you put it on your travel wish list.

This was a great program. It covered all the main highlights of Egypt with an excellent guide and lectures. I appreciated that everything was included in the price such as all admissions, all meals, and all gratuities.

1. Tour leader: Outstanding! Amazing knowledge, charming personality, complete attention to all details, seemingly infinite patience dealing with seniors. She was terrific! 2. Tour arrangements: Fine overall except, a. Ridiculously early departure from Giza for the airport and flight to Aswan, followed by long boring bus ride to Abu Simbel. Why couldn't we just have flown directly to Abu Simbel at a decent hour?? b. Scheduling of lectures. Should have been earlier in the tour and earlier in the day so the information would have helped us understand what we were seeing. 3. Accommodations: Fine. Ships had very good cabin service and really good laundry service. 4. Meals: Buffet meals were better. Meals at "local restaurants" had too much food and took way too much time. Wasted food and wasted time = frustration. 5. Suggestions: a. Provide Purel or other hand sanitizer for people to use every time they re-board the bus. b. Improve the bus toilets! c. Provide small Egyptian pound notes in exchange for our large bills so we could give the expected small tips. Hotel and ship reception desks seemed to have no small bills available. d. Don't schedule lectures just before meals.

The website is probably one of the best, easiest to use.

This was my first Road Scholar experience - the trip was everything they promised and more!

I hate to use such a trite and overused description, but this was truly a trip of a lifetime. I had always wanted to visit Egypt and this trip fulfilled nearly all of my expectations. If you have a visit to Egypt on your "bucket list" there is no better time than now to fulfill that desire. At NO time did I feel unsafe or threatened. Yes, we had an escort with us for most of our travels, but they did not interfere with any of our scheduled activities and provided some well needed assistance in the crowded city streets. The Pyramids were fantastic and far better in real life than in picture books or travel guides. We visited numerous temples along our route and toured the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings, including a stop at the house Howard Carter occupied during the excavation of King Tut's tomb. Our Egyptologist guide and tour leader, Hassan Bar, was nothing short of fantastic. His knowledge and his ability to impart that knowledge to us really made the trip for me. The trip is well organized and the Egyptian people are friendly and courteous. The highlight of the trip was meeting the Egyptian President, el-Sisi, at Philae Temple near Aswan. The accommodations, both in hotels and on the boats, were luxurious and very comfortable. The food provided (most all of the meals in hotels or on the boats) was well prepared, well presented, and very tasty. I only regret that we did not have more of an opportunity to eat at more local restaurants and sample more of the traditional Egyptian cuisine. In short, if you have always wanted to visit Egypt this is the time and this is the tour for you. Tourism is making a strong comeback in Egypt so get there before the crowds return. This tour does require quite a bit of walking and standing so I would not suggest it for anyone with a mobility issue.

Seeing Abu Simbel, Karnak, Luxor were highlights of the trip for me. Warm, sunny days were an added bonus. Our guide, who has a Master's degree in Egyptology, was a wealth of information. I wish I could have taped her daily comments as we learned lots; remembering it was another challenge.

A trip of a lifetime. Perfect mix of seeing amazing antiquities and floating down the Nile watching the world go by.

As a university student majoring in art, had always hoped to get to Egypt. Just a matter of time. Egyptian Odyssey fulfilled my longings. However, this program is not a walk in the park, or a picnic with family on a Sunday afternoon. Depending on time of year the environment, and terrain can be demanding. So in all practicality, be prepared with the right wardrobe, and especially good shoes. Do some research, realistically evaluate your physical abilities, and you will be rewarded with a rare discovery over 5,000 years of time. I feel blessed that this program was beyond my expectations. By the way ~ our guide, Fouad Berto, Egyptologist made all the difference. Traveled March 19-Apr 02, 2019

The Egyptian Odyssey tour that I took in February/ March 2019 provided a comprehensive visits to the ancient temples, pyramids, and tombs along with a series of lectures by local scholars diverse topics such as monument restoration, religion, and social issues. The hotel and riverboat accommodations were the best available, with the Winter Palace in Luxor and the Conrad in Cairo being Five Star. Throughout we were accompanied by the experienced and personally affable guide Fouad Berto, who became a friend to us. And the Road Scholar travelers I was with added to the experience. There were many new experiences.

Road Scholar assembled a program about ancient Egypt that was thoroughly enlightening and entertaining. This was our first experience with Road Scholar, and several fellow participants have enjoyed other programs. So our experience and others' testimonials are so positive I'm convinced it won't be our last.

Our experience during the Egyptian Odyssey was everything we had hoped it would be. Getting to see the iconic Egyptian sites fulfilled a lifelong dream. Our guide was supremely knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. He opened our eyes to both the history and the current issues facing modern Egypt. We felt very safe throughout the experience. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who has dreamed of learning firsthand about Egypt.

If you are thinking about it, GO! If you are not, you should. Egypt is safe and not as crowded as it will be if you put off going until later.

An amazing trip --- going back in history 5000 years. Cruising Lake Nasser was a delightful experience. The temple of Abu Simbel is not to be missed.

A wonderful view of an amazing ancient culture that can't be comprehended by pictures alone. It helps to have a trip leader who has an encyclopedic knowledge of these times and can interpret them for us. Quite strenuous, about 4 miles per day, with some rather rocky stretches.

This program was a wonderful comprehensive program. Our program provider was outstanding . The group was congenial, interesting and cohesive. The size was perfect.

What a superb experience this particular Egypt trip was. Well rounded, both rural and urban, with cultural, archeological, visual and educational experiences in spades! Organization was great, Lake Nasser and Nile cruises were fun and vital to the learning. Our Guide and Egyptologist, Tarek, could not have been finer, and we can't say enough good things about these two weeks

Our trip to Egypt was exceptional. The guide, always well education and had a strong ability to convey information in a pleasant clear manner. Although Egypt may be considered an unsettled political environment, we never felt unsafe or vulnerable. Very well done. I would not advise going without a tour like Road Scholar.

Great program, I was surprised by the historical content and the amazing sites that we visited.

Marvel at the architectural and engineering feats the ancient Egyptians accomplished (as well as the modern day movement of several monuments). Enjoy listening to the latest interpretations of the reliefs and ancient life from Egyptologist, Michael Makram. The schedule is demanding, especially days 1 through 5. Tips: Consider arriving a day or two early if you wish to see the interior of a pyramid (day 3) which involves climbing 300+ steps up and down. Also, there is a 2:00 am wakeup call on day 4 for the flight to Aswan. We're already counting the months until we can return to Egypt to see Alexandria and the New Egyptian Museum!

My spouse and I have just returned from a 15 day Egypt tour. It was marvelous. Lectures plus great tours of ancient sites.

A great introduction to Egypt. If you have been waiting to go, now is the time.

This program really delivered everything that was scheduled as well as additional surprises that were unexpected but appropriate. The security that was provided was excellent and I felt very safe from beginning to end. As this has been a lifelong dream to visit Egypt, I can say that I was not disappointed in any way!

This was an amazing trip. My husband and I both loved it. We felt safe throughout (something friends asked about). Security was provided. I saw another review that suggested bringing $30 in one dollar bills for tips and little trinkets. I'd say that (and maybe a bit more) is a great idea. The bills should be in good shape (not torn or overly wrinkled) as the bank won't take damaged currency from the sellers. We used US currency for most things so there isn't a need to get a lot of Egyptian money (at least we didn't have that need). Tipping was expected at restrooms but was sometimes handled by our guide. Make sure you carry a little toilet paper and consider a little container of hand sanitizer. Tipping on the cruise ships would be nice by not necessary. Water in sealed bottles was provided in your hotel/ship room and at each meal (you may need to ask at breakfast if you don't drink coffee) and before each field trip so water wasn't really a problem for us. The Egyptian people were very friendly. Women should bring a scarf to wear when entering the mosques. We didn't see any bugs so I wouldn't worry about that. Sunburn could be a problem, though, if you don't either cover up or wear sun screen. We got tickets to many of the sites so we took a picture of the ticket before starting to take pictures of that site so we could remember later which temple was which. Again, this was a great trip -- enjoy.