spokeswoman said the company is working to improve our processes and to better address the needs of each traveler whose trip was canceled or postponed due to the pandemic. These three temples are surrounded by satellite structures, including queens pyramids, mastaba tombs, and a workers village. By land and sea, we explore onand offthe beaten path with a resident OAT Trip Leader, immersing ourselves in local cultures, sampling unique modes of transportation, and staying in authentic lodgings that reflect the essence of your destination. 13 DAYS FROM $5,999 PP. Shop around for lower cost insurance. . It wasnt until 1859 that construction began on the canal the world knows today. It should arrive in 7-10 days. As for canceling a trip prior to a cancelation by OAT, a couple we were traveling to Egypt with canceled one day before OAT canceled . It was during this time that Lawrence developed a passion for all things Arabicoften living with nomadic tribesmen, wearing traditional Arab clothing, and going for long walks in the desert. I have been on 7 trips with OAT. That mummy was removed to a third-floor storeroom of the EgyptianMuseum; the larger mummy was left behind in the tomb. Any applicable refunds will be returned to you in a manner to be determined by O.A.T. in discussing my desire to cancel the OAT,agent asked if i would like to move my departure date to MAY 2023. you have got to be that "any reason" trip insurance ? In 1916 he joined the Arab forces under Faisal al Husayn and became a leader in their Great Arab Revolt against the Turks (who were allied with the Germans). Not worth the effort and if you are thinking of using this company, our word of warning, . Each of these rulers left their own mark (the Arabs, for example, transformed Egypt from a Christian country to an Islamic one). May 1, 2020. In the summer of 1493 BC, she sent a fleet of five ships to Punt (thought to be modern day Somalia). As travel companies now suffer a cash crunch, they are facing off with travelers over credits and refunds. Learn about the Egyptian pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of the first great women rulers in all of recorded history. THE FREEDOM TO PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE It should arrive in 7-10 days. We have worked with our 36 regional offices and more than 2,500 regional associates and Program Directors . The romantic appeal of the City of Lights inspired some of Cairo's downtown architectural treasures and was the start of Cairo's transformation from a quaint city to an urban hub. Pharaohs were considered the living version of the god Horus. It is obvious their needs are more immediate. Cruise . Airlines are sidestepping refund regulations established by the United States Transportation Department and the European Union, betting that negative press (and even class-action lawsuits) are still preferable to negative-balance bank accounts. Altitude can range from 10,000 feet or more. "The ships were laden with the costly products of the Land of Punt and with its many valuable woods, she says, with very much sweet-smelling resin and frankincense, with quantities of ebony and ivory . As Thutmose III approached age 21, however, it became clear that Hatshepsut was in no hurry to relinquish the reins of power to the rightful heir. We are either rebooking travelers on another trip or providing a refund. Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. ****************PHOTO DISCLAIMER********************** By submit 2023 Trustpilot, Inc. All rights reserved. With the blessing of Egypts government, French diplomat and entrepreneur Ferdinand de Lesseps established the Suez Canal Company with the express purpose of finishing the waterway once and for all. But Lawrence developed brilliant guerrilla warfare tactics to tie down large Turkish armies with an Arab force of only a few thousand and he eventually defeated the Turks. If womens rights were equal to those of men in that era of Egyptian history, why then did Hatshepsut go to such trouble to portray herself as a man? This isnt rocket science. Of the above, each offered insurance. 228 reviews of Overseas Adventure Travel "This company has the best trips and guides, at a fantastic price. Meet with the Nubian locals and learn about the struggles they have faced relocating their lives and the efforts they are making to preserve their distinct culture. Long before Hatshepsuts day, there had been several strong and influential queens who proved that women were just as capable in maintaining stability and order in the empire as men. We have traveled 11 times, spending more than $110,000 with this company---NEVER again!Booked our last trip with them to Egypt. Cancellation Charges for Land Tours and Land Adventures: Cancellation Charges for River Cruises and Small Ship Adventures: For more details, view our full Cancellations & Refund policy on our Terms & Conditions page . The next week, I learned via email that I had been rebooked on the same trip next year. Altitude can range from zero to 5,000 feet. British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa. was no longer offering refunds. This boy, Thutmose II, inherited the throne after Thutmose I died. Ancient Egyptians believed that the obliteration of all traces of a persons life led to a horrendous and permanent death ever afterwardand the belief was that that was Thutmose IIIs intent toward his stepmother. His animosity toward his stepmother appears to have been mutual. She changed her name to its male form, Hatshepsu, and began referring to herself in writing as both he and she. She took to dressing in mens clothing, had herself depicted as wearing a kings royal headdress, and even donned a false beard! Called 4 times and stayed on hold for a total of 8 hours 43 minutes? If you do . Her imposing mortuary temple stood empty. Watch your fellow travelers' favorite films & videos. Arrive early or stay later, or stopover in a popular international city After we filed with BBB OAT said they would refund our money however they said it was given as a voucher and would take 30 days to send to us. Discover why one out of four travelers join us independently. Her father also had a son, but it was by another queen. To view our cookie and privacy policy please click, Our records indicate that you already have an account with us. The Valley of the Kings story is still being toldexcavations are still taking place after over 200 years. You raise an important point. i liked that the trip was on a small ship with a cap of 25 fellow travelers . Traveler Reviews (388) 91% Traveler Excellence Rating. As of 4/5/23 at 11am EST. Maximize your discoveries with optional pre- or post-trip extensions i was informed that the corinth canal is closed and that instead of making the transit to delphi by ship , it would be done instead by a 7 hour bus ride over mountainous terrain. Some got total refunds, while others (including you) received partial refunds or continue to wait for certain fees and sums to clear. *You must reserve the main trip to participate on this extension. my first return to international travel since covid. Other travelers looking for refunds may have a better chance if theyre dealing with companies headquartered within Hawaii, Washington state, Illinois or California. And who was the other one? by this time , i had researched the status of the corinth canal and had discovered that the corinth canal has been closed since january 2021and that the authorities have indicated a re-opening of the canal in summer 2023. They will insist that you buy travel insurance at the time you book your trip. Bakeries and sweet shops sell toys made of sugar syrup for children, and the people participate in street processions with chanting, singing, and drumming. Situated in the desert, Egypts temperatures remain relatively warm year-round, but the winter months usher in more mild weather and a chance of rain. Discover the extraordinary life of British military officer T. E. Lawrence. This was a blow to Lawrence, too, and he refused to accept war medals from the British king. Around 17,000 families were displaced as a result of the dam and relocated to another area. As a full-fledged pharaoh of Egypt, Hatshepsut ushered in an era of peace and prosperity, and just may have been the first truly great woman ruler in all of recorded history. Anyone can read what you share. Hatshepsut herself tells us about the success of the voyage in inscriptions on the walls of her temple at Deir el-Bahri. After all, Egypt was still a male-dominated society. Adventure Travel Planning Guide within 7-10 days. New! Egypt & the Eternal Nile by Private, Classic River-Yacht. Certainly, there have been many extraordinary women rulers throughout history. Hatshepsut had surrounded herself with a network of advisors whose loyalty she trusted. Share the O.A.T. California, with some of the strongest consumer protections in the country, requires cash refunds for undelivered services within 30 days from whichever date is earliest: the scheduled departure date, the date the refund is requested or the date the service was canceled by the travel company. And I love that there is no single supplement. In a large pot, bring water and a pinch of salt to boil. She succeeded quite well in that regard. If anyone had lingering doubts about Hatshepsuts ability to carry out the same duties as a male pharaoh, seeing her at the head of an army surely must have cured them. **This information is not currently available for this trip. In Illinois, the Travel Promotion Consumer Protection Act was created in the 1980s to safeguard against travel scams that promise too-good-to-be-true deals. I feel I am being held hostage by O.A.T. Thutmose III was not pleasedbut more on that later. 11 Breakfasts, 1 Be My Guest, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners. She then became regent for her seven-year-old stepson, ruling the kingdom on his behalf. Sicily's Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions. Their service has improved greatly!" Yelp. As the saying goes, you just cant keep a good womanor a great onedown. 349 Reviews. had i not cancelled when i did , allianz would be offering me a 100% travel voucher. Reviews of OAT's Egypt cruises on different forums have been varied. Considered Egypts national dishif not just its most famouskushari is a vegetarian meal that could clear out the pantry. To strengthen her claim to the title of pharaoh, Hatshepsut began blurring the gender line. He went on to write his war memoirs, The Seven Pillars of Wisdomwhich was inspired by the stillness and beauty of the desert landscapes he witnessed and the Bedouin people whose lives he shared. Sort by: 4,220,210 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified. Options, Sharing Your Travel Videos, Slideshows & Photos, Cancellations & Refund policy on our Terms & Conditions page, Covid-19 Health & Safety: Land Adventures, Grand Circle Cruise Line & Grand Circle Travel. And he famously rode hundreds of miles across the desert sands with Arab fighters to take the port of Aqaba from the Turks in July of 1917 without firing a single shot. At its heart is the Great Pyramid, which was built around 2560 BC by the Pharaoh Khufu (also known as Cheops). Learn how to make a traditional Egyptian vegetable dish with this recipe. At the time of her death, she was not only the longest-serving female ruler in Egyptian historyshe was also one of the most effective. Unbeknown to me, the stated policy had changed: O.A.T. . So Egypt was familiar with having a woman as a rulerbut as a pharaoh? Cancellation Charges for Land Tours and Land Adventures: 90 days prior to departure or more: Trip Price refund. cancelling because OAT made a consequential change to the itinerary does not qualify.so if you dont have a qualifying reason , allianz will issue a travel voucher w/OAT for a future trip w/OAT for the balance of what i had originally paid minus the 35 % reimbursement from OAT. Egypts prime location between Africa and Asia made it a target for conquerors, beginning with the Persians in 343 BC, and followed by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, and Europeans. Adventure, Value, & Discovery on the Road Less Traveled Karnaks walls and even its very foundations tell the stories of more than 30 pharaohs who contributed to the complex. He had statues of his stepmother smashed and her cartouches and images erased from all monuments. . Those 6,000 years of history alone would have made it an astounding trip, impossible to wrap one's head around. . Customers don't mean anything to these people or company. Just say no to their travel insurance offer no matter how hard they push. To get the best experience on our website, please consider using: Wherever and whenever you choose to travel with O.A.T., reserve at no risk: If you cancel a reservation at least 90 days prior to your departure, you will receive a refund equal to your Trip Price. Answer: Yes. Unlike their contemporaries in Mesopotamia and Greece, Egyptian women enjoyed the same legal and social rights that Egyptian men did. In Hawaii, consumers have the right to a cash refund (minus previously disclosed cancellation fees) within two weeks of requesting one. They do a great job of handling all the arrangements, and I've had an excellent experience talking with their customer service representatives. With the Allied victory came bitter disappointment when Arab hopes for independence were betrayed, with Great Britain and France sharing the spoils. Hatshepsut wasnt even Egypts first female rulernor would she be the last. The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled. Among them was Senemut, whom some Egyptologists believe was also her lover. Maritime Jewels of the British Isles: England, Wales, Northern Ireland & Scotland, Learn More About Your Our Activity Level rating system ranks adventures on a scale of 1 to 5 to help you determine if a trip is right for you. So, in 1473 BC, she took the bold step of proclaiming herself pharaoh. See Visas. Walks typically last for 3 or more hours at a time. See the descriptions below for more information about the physical requirements associated with each rating. . Its a time when the local markets come alive with bustling people and stalls stocked with produce, livestock, and other goods. 2. The 63 tombs underneath the sand range from a hole in the ground to sprawling underground complexesone named KV5 has over 120 chambers. If you're abroad and you need . We have not even left for our trip and now really worried that they will not perform as promised during our trip. Plus, view our Vaccine Requirements and updated. Choose your air preferences Then our columnist intervened with the Boston-based tour operator Overseas Adventure Travel. In a separate skillet, heat two tablespoons of oil. Labeled Verified, theyre about genuine experiences.Learn more about other kinds of reviews. Shameful for a service business to not prioritize its customers. Even modern-day emperor Napoleon Bonaparte contemplated canal creation in the early 19th centurybut he, too, abandoned the idea when faulty survey measurements suggested that locks would be required to make up for a 30-foot elevation difference between the Mediterranean and Red Sea. Thats some pretty high praise for someone who considered himself just an ordinary man. But most would agree that Lawrencewho came to be known as Lawrence of Arabialived quite an extraordinary life. We recommend upgrading your browsersimply click the button below and follow the instructions that will appear. 29 days-departure: 100% of your . Simply look for the date your tour is scheduled to start (minus pre-nights and pre-tour extensions) and find your tour name. December: In the third month of the Islamic CalendarDecember 1 in 2018the people of Egypt celebrate the birth of the prophet Muhammad during a holiday called Mawlid. The project took almost five years and millions of dollars to complete. Travel. Share your trips with fellow travelers. It could also boast civic and social advancements that were thousands of years ahead of their time, especially with regards to women. He had royal documents revised to make it appear that he had inherited the throne directly from his father. After all, he was the head of the army, a position granted to him by Hatshepsut herselfand one from which he could have launched a coup, if he had wished it. 87% of travelers personalize and tailor their adventures On our return home our tickets on American Airlines on our final leg were cancelled by British Air. At the same time as step 3, bring another pot of salted water to boil. if you are considering travel with them I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO RUN FOR THE DOORP.S.- i wish i could have gone with zero stars. During her 22-year reign (including her term as regent for Thutmose III), she was a prolific builder of magnificent temples and monumentsincluding one dedicated to herself. At its heart is the mighty Nile, a true oasis in the desert and the life-blood for Egypts enduring history and culture. Find out how we combat fake reviews. . This is also often referred to as the Golden Age of Egypt, a time when military conquests of a succession of pharaohs had turned it into the most powerful empire the world had ever known. It should arrive in 7-10 days. Traveler Resources, Visitor Centers. He was back in England at the outbreak of World War I, however, and because of his knowledge and familiarity with Arabs, he was assigned to the intelligence section of the British Army in Cairo. Bait and switch tactics. I will not travel with them again! Walks typically last at least 1-2 hours at a time. Watch this video showcasing what makes this country so unforgettable. Hear of a mothers fight to keep her daughter in school despite her fathers wishes to marry her off. Your O.A.T. We hope to see you soon on the road less traveled. Customers traveling within the next 30 days are not provided higher priority than someone traveling 4 months from now. . High Temp 45 days . If we wanted to get home we had to pay $650 for tickets on the same flight that OAT had already booked us on. T. E. Lawrence later returned to the armed forces, hoping to serve in anonymity under assumed names. No email. Thank you for requesting O.A.T. In recent years, Egypts ruling class has been in turmoil once again: the Arab Spring unseated longtime president Hosni Mubarak in 2011, and his successor, Mohamed Morsi was removed from power just two years later. Set along the most enchanting stretch of the Nile, Aswan is an ancient frontier town that Egyptians used as a base for incursions into Nubia and Sudan. No phone number. Africa & the Middle East - OAT Tours and the Luxor Massacre - This message is being posted November 17, one day after the murder of 60 tourists near Luxor, Egypt. Even though people cant travel right now, many of us are continuing to dream about our next trip and that means making conscious and subconscious decisions about which companies to spend money with once the pandemic has passed. Altitude can range from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. How are they allowed to keep my money? April/May: To mark the beginning of spring, Egyptians celebrate Sham al Nessim. This SCREAMS: We have your money, and we dont care to service your needs.I had to resort to the numbers available on the website. With the . 6,731 talking about this. You're in control with You Should Know: Abu Simbel is an optional excursion on these Egypt cruises . In fact, during the first few years, tens of thousands of peasants were forced to dig the canal by hand under threat of violence, and some 120,000 laborers are believed to have died in the process. Explore treasured sites on this private Travelous Tour of ancient Egypt and Jordan. One Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Than $100,000, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/25/travel/coronavirus-refunds-overseas-adventure-travel.html, and life expectancy dropped citywide by 4.6 years. Concerns a trip to Turkey that Overseas Adventure Travel scheduled for April, 2022. Experience. Heat one tablespoon of oil in skillet. Ancient Egypt & the Nile River. The flight was not cancelled--only our tickets. OAT canceled the trip. As conspicuous as Hatshepsut was in life, in death she was the opposite. The automated response was that someone would respond within 15 business days. well it turns out that you do have to have a reason and the exclusion list of coverage is longer than the inclusions . BEWARE of Overseas Adventure Travel's refund policy and overpriced travel insurance. Add the lentils and cook until they are tender, about 20 minutes. When hot, add cumin, coriander, paprika, and chili powder. Dear Tripped Up, My trip to Egypt with Overseas Adventure Travel was scheduled to depart in late March. In 2015, I booked a trip to Japan and OAT cancelled it. To contact the emergency services call 122 (police), 123 (ambulance) or 180 (fire). Reviewed 2 days ago. It spans eleven countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan, but it is widely regarded as the epicenter of Egypt. During their dynasties, these rulers left indelible marks on the Egyptian landscape. A. T.: In a follow-up note a few weeks ago, you said that you feel the company provides a good travel service. But, you wrote, pushing all the risk of uncertainty onto the client by refusing a refund makes me fearful to ever do business with O.A.T. "Unsatisfactory Customer Service with OAT". Could no longer stay on hold, as I had to attend a meeting. It goes against our guidelines to offer incentives for reviews. Eventually, forced labor was banned, and the Suez Canal Company changed tactics, using custom-made machinery to complete the excavation. Morocco Sahara Odyssey. Although travel has stopped and is only starting up again slowly and in only a few destinations the aftershocks of that screeching halt, brought on by the coronavirus, continue to reverberate. Adventure Travel Planning Guide. This box bearing her cartouche, or seal, also contained a single chipped molar that was a perfect match for a gap in the upper jaw of the larger corpse. NEVER at any time or in any correspondence did an OAT representative offer any information regarding the canal. Please note: To complete your registration, check your emailwe sent you a link to create a password for your account. They could even divorce their husbands and live alone if they chose to. This, too, was not exactly conventional behavior for a woman in ancient Egypt. Hatshepsut and Thutmose II had one daughter, and when Hatshepsut was apparently unable to produce a male heir, Thutmose II turned to a minor wife, Isis, who did give him a son: Thutmose III. The majority of applicable refunds are processed within 90 days of receipt of your cancellation. Tours) Overseas Adventure Travel offers unique small group adventures worldwide to Americans over 50. Traveling through Egypt on Overseas Adventure Travel's (OAT) Ancient Egypt and the Nile River Tour took us to all the highlights on a person's bucket list: Egyptian Museum check; Step Pyramid check; King Tut's mummy check; Karnak Temple check; Valley of the . They have our money and can you imagine the fiasco trying to cancel and get it back? Then you will learn that it is VERY overpriced. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and theyll be displayed as long as an account is active. The other was of a much larger, more buxom woman, found lying ingloriously on the floor. Adventure Travel Planning Guide for Ancient Egypt & the Nile River. Adventure Travel Planning Guide for Egypt & the Eternal Nile by Private, Classic River-Yacht. Lake Kariba Cruise: South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana, South Africa & Eswatini: Yet, once again, OAT has the exact same problem. Overseas Adventure Travel is part of Grand Circle Corporation, a family of travel companies based in Boston. We first travel to Memphis and Saqqara, chronologically the two most important sites in all of Egypt. log in. Never before in Egyptian history had such an expedition been launched, and traders returned with splendor and riches that helped establish the 18th Dynasty as an era of prosperity. go look up this trip on their website . But even when individual consumers know their rights, they have few options at their immediate disposal when a customer-service representative usually the only public-facing proxy for a companys official or unofficial policies refuses to relent on refunds. There is no chat feature on their website, nor the ability to send an intranet email. #356 of 444 things to do in Boston. 10 9/28/2020 9/29/2020 9/29/2020 9/30/2020 9/30/2020 9/30/2020 10/1/2020 10/2/2020 . ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT WAS NOW SO CLOSE TO THE DEPARTURE DATE, CHANGES WOULD NOW BE AN ADDITIONAL $$$. Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) is now part of the Boston-based Grand Circle Corporation, which also includes Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line. Fly to Luxor, once the capital of the Middle Kingdom, explore this fabulous city and its ancient monuments before sailing to the glorious Temples of Horus . Combine and tailor your experience But the nicer weather also means more tourists have already begun flocking to the popular locales, creating larger crowds. We signed up based on getting the discount! Along with Niles life-giving waters, the river also serves as a major transportation route, particularly when the basin and surrounding roadways flood. Drowning in the desert sands, the only visible features of Abu Simbel that caught Burckhardt's attention were the heads on the King Ramses II statues. In fact, evidence of canals linking the Red Sea to the Nile (which empties into the Mediterranean at its northern-most point) date back as far as 1850 BC. His name will live in history. Walks typically last for at least 2-3 hours at a time. Consumer Affairs Review of Overseas Adventure Travel. Could no longer stay on hold, as I had to attend a meeting. June 10, 2022: called 800-955-1925 at 9:01 am, on hold for 2 hours 8 minutes. I would appreciate any thoughts. As the city increasingly became ancient Egypts political and religious center, Karnak became the singular expression of royal power for each passing pharaoh. BOSTON, April 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. 18 March 2023. Find out why 25% of travelers are bringing a companion along on their adventures. Thank you for your interestyou may view your Egypt Travel Planning Guide below. ). June 8, 2022: called 800-221-0814 at 9:03 am, on hold for 2 hours 14 minutes. Under the water lies exotic marine life, colorful coral reefs, and a world-renowned marine sinkhole called the Blue Hole. Sprinkle the mixture with oil, salt, and pepper. Your Adventure. Temperatures start to climb between the springtime and the start of summer in Junebut travelers during this time must be aware of the Khamsin Wind, a blistering hot sandstorm that sweeps across the country for a few days in April and May. Adventure Travel Planning Guides contains more than 80 pages detailing everything you need to know in order to make the most of your next adventure, including: A detailed hour-by-hour itinerary with suggestions for off-the-beaten path . Even though the river no longer floods due to the building of the Aswan High Dam in 1970, the Egyptian people still recognize the river and its importance with a festive, two-week celebration in early August called Wafaa El-Nilmarked by boat and flower parades, water sports like rowing or windsurfing, and picnicking along the Nile.