We (my husband, our 10 year old son and I) spent 8 days in Egypt in early August, 2007.
After months of trawling around Travel Agents, none of who could offer my perfect package, I discovered a company called Ramses tours on the internet. From day one they were fantastic. I told them what I wanted to do and they were so accommodating. I could start my trip around Egypt any day of the week, so I could really hold out for the cheapest flights. I found this flexibility quite surprising since i was boarding a cruise ship on day 2. I assumed they would leave on set days - but apparently not.
Ramses Tours booked in my sleeper train from Aswan to Cairo and an internal flight to Hurghada form Cairo. They also created an individual itinery for us and included all sights that we were keen to see, including booking us on a hot air balloon ride over Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
I changed all Train travel to Air travel and requested to stay in the Le Meridien Pyramids, Cairo and in Sonesta
St George Hotel, Luxor. It still came out very reasonably priced in comparison to quotes I received in the U.S. A. We paid roughly around $1,062 (excluding $175 for the hot air balloon ride and 120 Egyptian pounds for camel Ride in Giza). A few days prior to our departure, I confirmed the arrangement with them (even though I thought that they would have emailed me a conformation packet of some sort). I was glad I printed my own itinerary and made copies of all our documents. After meeting us at the airport, their services throughout the trip were very courteous, professional, customer oriented, and punctual.
Camel Rides (purchased at Giza by our tour guide at our request, 40 Egyptian pounds each, I think we overpaid). That was worth it.
Visit to the Perfume Museum
Lunch
Step Pyramids and the Fine Tombs at Sakkara
The Statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx at Memphis
Flight to LUXOR, meet and greet in the airport, transfer to the hotel by van
Day # 3: LUXOR Van Tours to Dendera and Abydos Temples (3 hours each way). Very long day.
Day # 4: LUXOR-
Visit Karnak and Luxor Temples
Transfer to the Boat, M/S Regency (see pictures from their site below)
www.travcotels.com/cruises_regency_deck.htm
Lunch and Dinner on Board, still in LUXOR
Day # 5: LUXOR
Visit the Valley of the Kings and visit 3 tombs.
Visit the Hatshipsut Temple at El Deir El Bahary
Visit nearby Alabaster Store
West Bank of the river Nile to visit the two colossal statues of Amenhotep III (Colossi of Memnon).
Sail to Esna
Day # 5: ESNA and EDFU
Esna Temple
Edfu Temple-- transferred by horse drawn carriage
Sail to Kom Ombo
Day # 6: KOM OMBO and ASWAN
Kom Ombo Temple
Aswan
i. High Dam
ii. Granite quarries and Unfinished Obelisk
iii. Island of Egilka and Philae temple
Day # 7: Roundtrip Flight from LUXOR to ABU SIMBEL, flight to Cairo, we were met and transported to the hotel
Day # 8: Cairo Sightseeing tours
Citadel of Saladin and Mohammed Ali`s Alabaster Mosque.
Old Cairo and old Coptic churches, and the fortress of Babylon to the Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili bazaars and Old Market.
Egyptian Museum of Antiquates
Day # 9: Departure
Our experience in Egypt was very unique. I spent months planning and packing all needed items like bug sprays, sun screens, linen clothes and getting visas and recommended shots for the family.
After all, at arrival in Cairo we discovered that our bags got lost by Alitalia (never again!!!), and for the duration of our trip we did not have our luggage except for the last day. We got lucky I had our camera in my hand bag. Please be sure to travel on the airplane in the most comfortable traveling attire in case your luggage gets lost. In the beginning it made our trip and bit stressful, but after losing hope of finding the luggage, we purchased everything needed in Luxor with the help of our Luxor tour guide, our Ramses Tour rep and the driver. My clothes even got altered.
Our tour guide, Ahmed, was the best guide we ever had. He was very knowledgeable, personable and very friendly. We spent 5 days in his company, and we felt like we made a friend for life. He got us a local cell phone with prepaid card, so I was able to make local and international calls, and, of course, to follow up on the status of our luggage (it was found at that point but could not be delivered to our sailing location). Our Cairo Ramses Tour Reps had our bags in their possession until our arrival back in Cairo. Ahmed assisted us with getting the best price and often suggested reasonable price ranges for the items we wanted to buy.
Overall, our trip was great. The heat was brutal, but we had private air-conditioned van and water at all times, and when we sailed we sat in the pool. My husband and son were using local sun screen, and I did not use any. None of us got sunburned, and we had a healthy tan. None of us got bitten by bugs. We all had a mild case of upset stomach on the 4th day, but with locally purchased Antinal we were OK in a few hours (5 Egyptian pounds per package). I just wish I did not schedule so many sightseeing tours, so we could enjoy ourselves more and sleep longer in the morning.
I am glad that we flew to Abu Simbel, as it was extremely hot there, and I do not know if I would entertain sitting on a bus or a van for 5 hours straight one way. It was the best experience Ive ever had, and I am hoping to talk my husband into going back. It was too hot for him there. Our son said that we visited too many temples. We had fun sightseeing, bargaining, smoking hookah and buying different items at the local bazaars. Get silver jewelry, perfumes, and papyrus there!!!
If you have kids, I strongly recommend asking for 50% discount on whatever possible. Enjoy your time in Egypt! It is a beautiful country with great people and history Maria
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Welcome to Ciao - a very good first review but perhaps your last paragraph - the actual review part would be easier to read if you gave headings/paragraphs to break it up.. hope this is of some help. I'd be happy to re rate if you make changes. Sue
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Advantages: a testament to the genius/talent/skill of the ancient people. Lovely weather Disadvantages: the men are extremely rude, the temples are not given the respect they deserve
sekhmetscat 07.12.2002 ·
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Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: a testament to the genius/talent/skill of the ancient people. Lovely weather Disadvantages: the men are extremely rude, the temples are not given the respect they deserve
sekhmetscat 07.12.2002 ·
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Review of General: Egypt
Advantages: Close to the Egyptian Museum and other interesting places Disadvantages: Compared to the other hotels it was on the expensive side - but well worth it
Steven_Holroyd 07.06.2007 ·
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Review of Nile Hilton, Cairo
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