This was our tenth Smartours trip and as usual, the guide, organization and accommodations were superb. I would recommend more time in Cairo. The tour group was there for one day only--the Cairo Museum and the bazaar--and is not enough for this wonderful city. We stayed five extra days and saw many other things that could be included if the tour were longer. We do not like the shopping/sales stops, but I have heard that all tour companies include them. Even so, including three of them, (cotton, alabaster and papyrus) seems like too many for six busy days of activities. (Of course saying on the bus is an option, and I did that for two of them.) Besides the time difference (jet lag), the schedule was grueling, in that our wake-up calls were at 3, 4, or 5 o'clock most every day (even on non-travel days). I realize this may be unavoidable, but it caused perpetual fatigue. However, we would recommend this trip with those caveats. I so appreciate that Smartours goes to Egypt now. Nice job!