Ancient Egypt and Nile Cruise with Exodus Adventure Travels - September 2024 - Business Class with Egypt Air

My sister was my travelling companion on this trip. She had wanted to see the Pyramids and cruise the river Nile for years.

Looking for a tour that combined the Pyramids in Cairo, with a Nile Cruise starting from Luxor or Aswan, I noted that most used the overnight train for the transfer from Cairo to Luxor.

I did not really fancy the idea of spending a night, on a train, in a reclining chair and found the 'Ancient Egypt and Nile Cruise' tour offered by Exodus was one of the few that offered the Cairo to Luxor bit by air, and was in our price bracket, so booked it. 

September 20th 2024

Flight Manchester to Cairo with Egypt Air 

Arrived at Manchester airport by train and proceeded to Terminal 1 to fly with Egypt Air to Cairo. At check-in we were given a £5.00 voucher each, as the flight was late.

Aspire Lounge

The lounge was serving lunch; choice of macaroni cheese or chilli. A good selection of salads/ dips/olives. wine, beer and spirits were free, there was an extra charge if wanted prosecco. There was a good view of the runway from the comfortable seats.  

The flight was due to leave at 14.30, but did not depart until 16.30. Boarding was very orderly.

Despite the poor reviews on line, Egypt Air exceeded my expectations. The seats on the Airbus 321 Neon were large and comfortable with a large screen and noise reducing headphones. The in flight meal, served shortly after take off was one of the best I have had!  

As we approached Cairo I saw the most spectacular red moon. Then a full view of the pyramids on approach to Cairo airport. 

Arriving at Cairo airport at 22:55. We went to the bank of Egypt counter and purchased a tourist visa for $25. Taking the visa to passport control, an officer took us to an office scanned in the passports and stamped the visa. 

The bags were on the carousel and we joined a slow line for a passport check to leave the airport. As it was now 01.45 I hoped my per booked taxi would be waiting - it was!

It was a hair raising 1 hour 15 minutes, taxi journey to the hotel and we were thankful to arrive alive at about 03.00. 

Check-in at the Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel was fast and I was happy that I had booked a full day before the tour would start so that we could have a lazy day tomorrow.

September 21st 2024

The phone was ringing at 07.30 and it was the tour operator from Exodus, he wanted to meet me in the lobby, so I wearily made my way down to see him. He gave me a sheet of paper with the joining instructions on - I already knew this!! 

So awake now, the we checked out the view from the room- it was great:

Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel, Cairo 

Breakfast was served until 10.30 and was very good. Then we had a very lazy day pool side ending the day with a delicious Moroccan buffet  for $25,00 per head. 

September 22nd 2024

Up early for breakfast as we had a group meeting at 07.00 in the lobby. 

Exodus used the local tour company South Sinai Travel and we met the tour leader, who checked our insurance details.

The tour was sold out with 17 of us. A mixed group of couples, solo travellers and family - I was the only person who has been to Egypt before.  

At 08.30 exactly, we set off in a large, new coach, accompanied by an armed, plain clothed police man as well as our tour guide / Egyptologist. First stop was the Pyramids. 

We visited a few stops around the pyramids, then visited the Temple of Khafre and the Great Sphinx.

Then we moved onto the old Cairo Museum. 

I had been before, but this time the experience was so much better as a new museum is being built; (opposite our hotel, but not open during our tour) due to this new building, a lot of the contents that were crammed into the old Cairo Museum have been relocated. 

This has had a positive impact on the old Cairo Museum, as it is not as cluttered / or busy as before. I had time to gaze in awe at the Tutankhamun collection, taking it in at a very leisurely pace, as well as enjoying many of the other artefacts on display - the old Cairo Museum was the highlight of my holiday. 

Following lunch we visited a mosque, and the bazar. Our guide advised us not to get anything at the bazar as the shopping was better in Aswan, this was incorrect and I wish I had got some bits and bobs at this point. 

Back at the hotel, it was time for a swim and dinner, ready for the early morning flight tomorrow - wake up call at 03.00!

September 23rd 2024

We left the hotel at 04.00 and it was an hours drive to the airport. 

Check in for the flight to Luxor was very easy, and we boarded the flight at 06.30, and took off at 07.15 landing at 08.00.

Collecting the luggage at Luxor Airport was a challenge! 

Then it was onto the coach and a short drive to Karnak Temple. 

The avenue of sphinx has been restored since my last visit, its magnificent. 

Lunch was on board the Nile boat, The Nile Style. 

Then a visit to Luxor temple at sunset. 

MS Nile Style. 

This boat exceeded my expectations, we had a twin room on the same floor as the lobby. It was quiet, clean, with a good en-suite bathroom, comfortable beds and tea making facilities. Bottled water was provided each day. The top floor had a swimming pool, plenty of sunbeds and shady areas. The food was outstanding, freshly cooked at all times and a fabulous selection. The drinks were very reasonably priced. And, the staff were just so good, friendly and pleasant and very hard working. 

September 24th 2024. 

The early starts continue as we were up early to visit the valley of the kings, where we had tickets to visit three tombs.  

Following valley of the kings we visited an Alabaster factory and there was an optional tour to the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Once back on the boat for lunch, we set sail for Aswan. We stayed up to watch the boat going through the locks at about 21.00.

25th September 2024
Waking up, we were docked at Edfu and visited the temple of Horus. 

Edfu Temple 

Then cruised to Kom Ombo with its mummified crocodiles. 

Then just enjoyed the boat and views of the Nile,  getting ready for the gallabiyah party and BBQ on deck that evening. 

MS Nile Style 

26th September 2024

Most of the group departed at 04.00 on an optional tour, by road, to Abu Simbel.  I had been on a previous visit and my sister had decided that she did not want to make the long journey, so we had a free day. 

We walked to a market by the station; meeting the Minister for Tourism with his very large entourage along the way, he wanted to know what we thought of Egypt!

Then we went for afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel. Just wonderful as always, such an iconic building. 

27th September 2024

We checked out of the MS Nile Style today 😒

Then visited Aswan high dam and Philae Temple. 

Then checked into the Basma Hotel, the hotel was just OK, and a bit of a let down after the boat, service at dinner was awful, as was the food! It did improve the next day. The wifi was good. 

28th September 2024

A lazy pool day, followed by a wonderful sun set felucca sail on the Nile around Elephantine Island, and fabulous end to the tour. 

29th September 2024

Time to go home, we left the hotel at 0500 to get the 07.00 flight to Cairo.

The Aswan to Cairo business class was good, especially for such a short flight. 

Cairo airport was very busy, passport control painfully slow. So we didn't have time to linger in the airport as it was time to board the aircraft for the 10.00 am Cairo to Manchester flight. we said a quick farewell to our companions - it had been a great group.   

Again the flight was good, and I remembered to take photos this time!

The service was slower as business class was full. The food was still plentiful and very good. 

Egypt Air A321 Neon Business class 

Egypt Air A321 Neon Business class 

Egypt Air A321 Neon Business class 

Egypt Air A321 Neon Business class 

Egypt Air A321 Neon Business class 

Egypt Air A321 Neon Business class 

Egypt Air A321 Neon Business class 

Egypt Air A321 Neon Business class 

Overall thoughts;

Egypt & The Nile was, as always, wonderful, it never fails to amaze me. Despite the trouble going on in the region I felt safe at all times. 

The tour is intense and busy, Exodus use a good tour company on the ground, and our guide was very good. The group was fantastic and made for an enjoyable holiday. If you haven't been, put it on your list- truly one of the wonders of the world. 

Waiting for the flight