Trip Comments, September 2025
I appreciate the information shared on this topic, but would like to update and address some of the questions raised in the past.
- Security: Both countries use metal detectors and bag xray machines liberally. In addition, the airports have multiple stages of security, and pat downs of everyone after passing the metal detector. Be prepared to quickly pull out your cell phone and take off your watch, and stash it in your backpack/purse to go through the xray machine at the airports. At the historic sites and hotels, you can pass your camera/phone/watch around the metal detector in a small tray on top of the machine. Jordan seemed very safe, but we still had a low-key security guard on most of our trips. Egypt is more serious, and our security guard (sometimes 2) was armed. We saw no problems at any time. One guest did have a credit card compromised.
- Alcohol: Both countries are about 85% Muslim, and most Muslims do not drink alcohol. Imported wine is taxed by Egypt at 500%! Egypt does make wine. The Egyptian white wine is bad and the red wine is terrible. You can buy shots of liquor, and ask them to add soda and a lime, for example. Do not expect the bartender to know anything about cocktails. The Egyptian beer (Sakara) is passable, in my opinion. There was poor communication about the availability of wine and beer on the river boat. Our tour director told us on day one that no alcohol would be provided with meals, but this seemed to vary.
- Shopping: This is not a good shopping trip. You can look online at the types of souvenirs available at the bazaar, and you will get an hour to shop there on the last day. The hotels have very limited shops, and most are in a walled security perimeter isolated from local shops. The only exception was lunch at the Ritz Carlton, which has a good jewelry store and Egyptian cotton clothing store. Side note: I lost my USB cable on the way over, and was unable to replace it for the duration of the trip. The tour director was not helpful.
- Packing/unpacking: Because of the trip's use of shuttle flights to various monuments, you will sometimes spend a day without your suitcase. Our tour director would sometimes tell us to put all valuables in our carry ons, sometimes in our suitcases. We were warned about the risk of suitcase break ins, which just raised the anxiety level. No one had any theft problems from luggage. The buses were secured during our tours, and we could leave valuables on board.
- Trip pace and schedule: This trip packs a lot of destinations in the 12 days. We were all getting tired towards the end. There are some afternoons off, but only in a secured resort setting. Our tour director often changed the 'on the bus' time daily, trying to beat the crowds at the more popular sites. This was not communicated well, and only verbally. Our tour director was very rigid about the schedule, and only allowed 15 minutes at the Ritz Carlton, the only good shopping location.
- Food safety: Our 'small group' was really small, only 13 people. 4 people had gastrointestinal issues around day 10 (Egypt). Be careful! I suspect the salads in my case, but who knows?
- River boat: This was one of the highlights of our trip. The rooms were luxurious, and the crew was wonderful. It also allowed us to unpack for a few days. The laundry service on board is very good.
It was a thrill to visit these ancient, famous monuments. I'm glad I went. I hope this information helps others to enjoy their trip.
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Comments
Photoblue Great feedback for future travelers. I was on this tour right after the pandemic when things were starting to open up. I think we had 12 people in our group. It was as if we had a private tour for every site. There were NO crowds. It's amazing when I look at my pictures of these wonderful places and there is no one in the background...my pictures are like post cards. I'm glad tourism is almost back to normal levels. I will return in the future because unfortunately the GEM hadn't opened yet during my visit. My TD was Debra Grant - she was awesome and very accommodating.