Considering an Egypt Tour...

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

hey nessa,

i have gone with both im-trav and geckos on tours.

i went to egypt first with geckos. then i went to turkey with im-trav.

the reason i went with im-trav to turkey was because they offered the best itinery with all the places i wanted to go within the time frame that i had.

there isn't much to worry about. i have found that there really isn't much difference between these 2 companies.

the age groups on tours with both companies are varied and pretty much similar. you are looking at the 20-50 yr old age range.

i don't want to promote or disrespect either company. both have their pros and cons.

but after comparing tour companies for ages before i went on my last trip, i would highly recommend either im-trav or geckos.

all the others i wouldn't even bother to look at (that is my opinion anyways).

but it depends what you are looking for (i.e. budget, local tour leaders, specific places, fun drunk times over cultural stuff, etc.)

if you want more detailed info, just message me.

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Thanks gezbelle. The Geckos Adventures tours all don't seem to fit the timeframe of my available dates being April 22-May 6. Plus, I do like the itenerary of the "Jewels of Egypt" ImTrav tour and the fact that it doesn't spend too much time on the beaches but actually spends time in Alexandria and Mt. Sinai. The only concern I had was with the 7 night nile cruise that does seem long. Is it usually just the nighttime sleeping and travelling on the water and in the daytime we can leave the boat with time to go siteseeing?

The only other tour that I was considering was GAP Adventure's "The Egyptian Journey" tour. I haven't been really able to find any reviews at all about GAP Egypt tours, whereas I've been reading a lot of positive reviews of ImTrav and Geckos.

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Ni Nessa,

Just to confirm, the 7 nights on board our (privately operated) and air conditioned Nile cruie ship, the MS melodie, are not just spent sailing and sleeping! You travel by boat between Aswan and Luxor and there are mutliple opportunities to get off and explore at places such as Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor.

Think of the boat more as a place to sleep (and party if you like) in the evenings; a place that also gets you from A to B without ever needing to leave your hotel. It's also a place where all of your meals are provided throughout your time on board.

It was an interesting discussion that you had about us and our competitors; I'm glad that we came out of it with plenty of credit!

Regards,
Brendan

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Hi Nessa,

I went on the Jewels of Egypt in October last year. I too wondered about the cruise down the Nile, but ended up not wanting to leave the boat on the last day!

It's just spectacular cruising the Nile. There are plenty of other places to go other than what is on the itinerary and you're tour leader should be able to suggest some good museums and markets to visit at the different towns. I believe every day the boat docks, although some days the majority is sailing, which is awesome in itself

I hope this helps in making your decision, but I would highly recommend going on the tour with Im-Trav (I loved it so much, I'm going back this year)

Loza

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Hi Loza,

Thanks for backing me up

I'm glad you enjoyed your tour last year. Which tour are your opting for this year?

Regards,
Brendan

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Hi Brendan,

I have booked The Western Desert & Tresures of the Nile Valley.

Really looking forward to it

Loza

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Hi Loza,

Well you are not the first traveller to have fallen in love with Egypt Thanks for choosing us again for your tours this year!

Regards,
Brendan

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Hello all.
The tour under the microscope is in the Traveller category, and as such, you would be with an older demographic. To travel with younger people you should consider trips in the Adventurer category. One thing you will find on tour are a lot of repeat offenders. I think ImTrav have found a balance that appeals to a broad cross-section of the travelling public, and keeps them returning for more.

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Hi,
When I went the tour had a wide range of ages, myself being the youngest(19) with 7 or 8 others being only a few years older than myself and the rest being 40+. I found this was a good range of ages - although you never know who you're going to be spending the tour with.

Loza

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Hi guys,

I think you've hit the nail on the head Wayne although everything can be considered a rule of thumb when it comes to average ages of our travellers since people of ALL ages can and do take part.

It's true that Traveller style tours do tend to attract more of our older clientele but it's not always the case. Likewise, older travellers are more than welcome to take part in Adventurer tours and as Loza says, you never quite know who you are going to be joined by on your tour - something which, in our opinion, adds to the anticipation and excitement.

Whenever I take an Imtrav tour I like to not look at the list of other travellers, even though I could, since getting to know everybody whilst we are travelling around is one of the most rewarding parts of the experience for me.

Thanks for all your contributions to this topic!

Regards,
Brendan

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Thanks everyone your your input so far. Yeah. I wouldn't mind going on an Adventurer tour either but I really like the itenerary of this Traveller tour. And when it comes down to it, thats what should matter most liking the right trip and not choosing something based on what ages people are. The Jewels of Egypt seems like it will be a great trip and from this message board seems like one of the popular Egypt trips.

I'm potentially looking at going on this tour with 2 other people so this information is really helpful and will help give me some backup to sway my friends to agree with me and go with Imaginative Traveller!

Even though I noticed the IM Trav tours to be a little more expensive then other tours (ie. about $300 CAD) it does seem that more stuff is included such as all the entrance fees and more food compared to other companies.

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

I went on a traveller tour. Most of us were in our 20's-30's, there was one guy who was 19 and one woman who was 60ish.

I did a tour with GAP Adventures in another area of the world and had a great experience. I did Egypt/Jordan with Im Trav because I liked the itinerary better. Also, GAP had one night on a felucca vs. 4 nights on the MS Melody. I wasn't opposed to spending time on the felucca (despite lack of bathroom facilities), however I though "the more time on the nile, the better". And I'm glad I made that choice. Some of my favourite memories and best photos of my trip were of the scenery along the nile.

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

hi,
i went on the "turkey land and sea" tour with im-trav, which is also traveller type (if i remember correctly).

the age range we got on this tour was varied. youngest was 21, oldest was probably 60, quite a few in their early 30s.

i'm in my late 20s and found i got along with everyone in the group.

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

hello Nessa,

I did the Jewels of Egypt tour in December 2003 & just loved it. This was pre Melodie days. I finally got to enjoy a tour onboard Melodie in November last year....yay!!!!

All my tours in Egypt have been with Im Trav. I have found Im Trav tours to be extremely well organised. The tour leaders know their stuff & will do their very best to ensure each tour member enjoys the holiday of their lives.

I spent 40 years planning my first trip to Egypt. When I finally arrived in March 1999....well I was bitten by the Egyptitis bug!!!

I wouldnt hesitate in recommending an Im Trav tour to anyone, no matter what their age.

I would be happy cruising the Nile for 14 days!!!! This has to be one of the most beautiful memories i have of Egypt, in fact the Nile River at Aswan has to be one of the most serene scenes a person could ever lay their eyes on. It's like a spiritual event, I can not imagine visiting Egypt & not travelling to Aswan!!

By the way Bendan, I'm planning to go back in March!!!

Hope all this is useful, even in a small way. If you'd like any more info, just drop me aline. Kindest regards.....Debbie

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Hi Debbie,

Back in March hey! Good for you.

I was wondering if you had read this topic, thanks for your input. How are you doing any way?

Regards,
Brendan

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Just to let you all know because you have all been so kind and helpful... my friend and I are planning to book our tour today!

Re: Considering an Egypt Tour...

Hi Nessa,

That's great news! I'm sure you won't regret it.

Regards,
Brendan.