Egypt. The land of the pharaohs. Home to the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Wonders of the Ancient World.
For many, this distant and mysterious country beckons us to explore its pyramids, mummies and ever-shifting sands of the Sahara. I’ll even bet an Egyptian pound that many of you reading this have Egypt on your bucket list. I know I do. Especially after visiting with two women who visited this country, located in the northeastern corner of Africa, with its Sinai Peninsula extending into Asia, in March.
In the wake of some personal losses by both Susan Karther and Gwen Henry—of Edmond and Chandler, respectively—the longtime friends reconnected and began discussing their respective plans for the future. It came to light that both had long longed to visit Egypt—a dream they determined they would now pursue.
Susan, a Certified Public Accountant who had traveled many parts of the world with her parents and her husband, looked to Prime Time Travel, with whom she had enjoyed previous experiences, for advice and help.
They selected the Secrets of Egypt & the Nile package, which began with a three-night stay in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, followed by a seven-night roundtrip Luxor Nile River Cruise via AmaWaterways, concluding with a final night in Cairo.
Calling the all-expenses-included experience “worth every penny,” both women raved over the trip of a lifetime. Among the highlights: exquisite cuisine (at the 5-star Ritz Carlton Hotel in Cairo and on the boat), extraordinary service from AmaWaterways staff both on and off the boat, and guided tours by knowledgeable Egyptologists, who helped make the ancient world come alive for them.
Among the sites visited by Susan and Gwen and their fellow travelers (both women loved the fact that this was small group of only 36, which allowed everyone to get acquainted and develop new friendships): the Temple of Luxor, the Temple of Horus, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Great Sphinx, and the three Pyramids of Giza.
They also enjoyed a private tour and lunch at the Abdeen Presidential Palace and visited the Grand Egyptian Museum (including King Tut’s treasures), among other sites and activities, including a memorable visit to a Nubian Village. Thanks to Prime Time Travel, Susan and Gwen also enjoyed a complimentary high tea at the Cataract Hotel in Aswan, inspiration for Agatha Christie's novel Death on the Nile.
“It was so amazing—so much history—and the cruise ship itself and the people who took care of us were amazing,” Susan said.
“We were near the Red Sea and Jordan, but I did not feel unsafe at all. We were with someone at all times. And yes, Cairo is large, with millions of millions of people, so there’s a language barrier, but we were taken care of from the time we got off the plane to our return.”
During their on-shore excursions, the travelers were separated into two buses, Susan noted. “Each group had their own tour leader and Egyptologist, who described the history, what it’s like to live there, the population, the agriculture, and so on.” [Ed’s Note: Potatoes are the main crop of Egypt, while cotton, known for its long, strong fibers and luxurious quality, is grown in the Nile River Valley region, watered by irrigation.]
Gwen, a retired Registered Nurse, echoed many of the same sentiments as her friend and fellow traveler.
She said two things especially stand out in her memory: the visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum—“to be in the presence of artifacts that were around before Christ … it was an indescribable experience”—and the tombs.
Visiting the latter, Susan said, “So many questions go through your mind, like how did they do what they did without today’s technology, and you reflect on their lifestyles and beliefs that they would survive into the next world … it’s all so fascinating. Now when I watch documentaries on Egypt, they have so much more meaning for me. It’s such a unique and beautiful culture. It’s very different to just read or hear about Egypt; you have to actually see and experience it to make it real.”
Both women noted that while the tours do involve a lot of walking, those with physical limitations or disabilities are well-accommodated.
“I feel like almost anyone could take this trip,” Susan said, noting that the travelers were also provided with unlimited complimentary bottles of water. This was especially appreciated since the area was experiencing a heat wave during their visit.
Both also suggested considering the weather when planning their trip to this country, as the heat can be an issue. They recommend linen clothing and hats or other sun coverings.
Susan and Gwen’s favorite recollections:
- On Day 4, Susan said, the Nile Cruise moves from desert to “green and lush.” As they had paid extra for a room with a balcony, they were able to see, close-up, the vegetation and native animals. “It looked,” Susan says, “like it must have a long, long time ago.”
- On Day 8, the travelers departed the boat for a visit to a Nubian village, where Susan danced with the native peoples, and both enjoyed local food and music, as well as a visit to one of the simple homes. “It was very colorful, lots of blues and yellows,” she recalled, noting that the people were all very friendly and that the accommodations were “nice, but very modest compared to in the United States.”
- Susan also loved visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Tombs and The Citadel, a massive medieval Islamic-era fortification.
- Gwen shared many of Susan’s “likes,” but added to that list their private tour and lunch at Abdeen Presidential Palace, a 19th-century Cairo palace built by Khedive Ismail and served as the Egyptian royal household's primary official residence from 1874 until the July Revolution in 1952.
- Gwen also called the AmaWaterways cruise itself, where “they made me feel like a queen,” a highlight of the trip. She was charmed by the “fun pirates”– entrepreneurs in small fishing boats who pull up close to the cruise boat to hawk their wares with interested passengers. “They were fun to haggle with,” she said.
With a friendship deepened by shared travel to one of the world’s most exotic destinations, the two are making plans to share further travel adventures in the future.
If Egypt is on your bucket list, they say, go ahead and make plans to mark it off your list. It ticks off all the important checkmarks on any travel list: it’s fun, entertaining, safe, educational—an experience like no other.
About Prime Time Travel
Prime Time Travel has been located in downtown Edmond for 45 years. The agency has spanned the evolution of the travel industry—from the days before the internet to today’s digital age. It is a full-service service travel agency; they handle all aspects of travel, including air, cruises, beach resorts, theme parks European packages and more.
“We offer expert guidance, tailored itineraries and support before, during, and after your trip. We don’t just book travel—we create seamless, worry-free experiences that reflect our clients’ unique needs and preferences,” said Mendy Kooi, Prime Time Travel president and travel adviser.
To learn about this cruise and other travel opportunities, visit Prime Time Travel at www.primetimetrvl.com or call 405.340.1120.