Explore Egypt’s Treasure Trove of History

My husband and I just returned from an anniversary trip to Egypt that we booked with our matched travel specialist. Mahmoud was so easy to work with throughout the planning process. He responded almost instantly to all of our emails and requests to discuss things over the phone, and he planned an amazing 9-day trip for us. He was also completely flexible when we wanted to push our trip back by two months (we thought the Covid situation may be better, turns out it wasn't). We started in Cairo with our guide Sultan, who was great! He showed us around the pyramids, Saqqara, and downtown Cairo. He shared a lot of information with us at each site!

We then traveled to Aswan and Luxor where we had Essam "Sam" as our guide for 5 days before flying back to Cairo. Sam was incredible! He had such a fun personality and shared many stories and so much interesting information about the temples and tombs that we visited. We loved his positive energy! 

While in Aswan with Sam we visited Philae Temple, sailed on the Nile to a Nubian village, and took a day trip to Abu Simbel. Then we visited Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple on our way to Luxor. In Luxor, we visited the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens (these spots were some of our absolute favorites!) as well as Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple at night! We took a day trip to visit Abydos Temple and Dendera Temple as well. We really lucked out at all of our sites-we essentially had each place to ourselves. 

After our time with Sam, we flew back to Cairo to spend one more day with Sultan touring the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel, and the Bazaar. We had such an amazing time on our trip, and our travel specialist made sure everything was perfect. They also added some special touches for our anniversary, which we really appreciated! We absolutely recommend this travel company. If you are hoping to travel to Egypt, this travel company is who you want planning it for you!

We had the great pleasure of traveling to Egypt for 14 days from mid to late March 2018. We were accompanied by an outstanding guide,from this travel company.  We were led to this travel company by Zicasso.  The entire trip was built with the help of the company's founder. We worked with our travel agent several months in advance of our departure to figure out a trip that would allow us to see many spectacular sights from Cairo to Alexandria to ask one and Luxor. My husband and I were traveling with my 83-year-old mother. This was a trip of a lifetime for all three of us. Our guide made sure that we paced ourselves comfortably, while seeing everything that was on our travel itinerary. he was always on the ready with cold water, chewing gum and Kleenex! In addition to being a highly knowledgeable guide and expert Egyptologist, our guide possessed wonderful sense of humor and was a delightful travel companion during our two weeks in Egypt. In Addition to leading us to breathtaking archaeological sites such as the valley of the kings and queens and the temples of Karnak, Dendra, and Komombo, he also led us to several wonderful shopping spots including an aromatherapy establishment  in Luxor, a Galabia  shop in Cairo, and several high quality jewelry stores in every city we visited. We even went to store in Luxor which created hand carved alabaster pieces. We would highly recommend this guide no matter what the length of your trip is. Among our many trip highlights was taking a three day cruise up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor.  The boat was small, the food was delicious, accommodations were lovely and service was outstanding. We were invited to attend a Galabia  party and to watch a Nubian dance. We also visited a Nubian village and market which possessed every spice one could imagine! Our travel company attended to every detail and made travel from start to finish a breeze.. Overall, our trip was exactly what we had hoped for and we would recommend this company without any reservation.

Our travel agency did a fabulous job with our trip to Egypt and Jordan. When we stepped off the plane in Cairo, our agent was at the gate with our visas. We whisked through customs in no time. It was a great start to a memorable trip.

Our first hotel was disappointing. Its website suggests a hotel from a by-gone era. In reality, it is a new Marriott. It was clean, safe, well kept, and literally across the street from the pyramids. The staff was wonderful, but it was not what we hoped it would be. Food was mediocre.

We had a great guide who accompanied us throughout our stay in Egypt. He was knowledgeable, personable, and just plain nice. He was a great ambassador for Egypt who was a pleasure to spend a week with. He was punctual, and patient. He provided great knowledge about ancient Egypt with a passion for his country’s heritage. He did an excellent job.

The hotel in Aswan was splendid. It exceeded our expectations. The location was beautiful. The food was very good. The restaurant was a bit stuffy especially when nearly denying admission because I wore hiking shoes. The food was very good, not great, but the room was great.

Next stop was the hotel in Luxor. It was well located, and had a great staff, but it was not quite as good as Aswan. Nonetheless, there is no question that we would stay there again. Luxor is an unbelievable place. The Valley of the Kings was awesome, but there is no better site than the tomb of Queen Nefertari. The murals defy description.

Alexandria was next up on the journey. The accommodation was a great hotel. The citadel and library were worth a day trip. The city itself had an edge, an impression that no doubt resulted from the 2 fist fights we saw during our afternoon there. We, however, never felt threatened there or anywhere in Egypt. Americans need to ignore that suggestion that the wonderful country is unsafe. It is safe, welcoming, and hospitable. Go to Egypt. You won’t be disappointed.

We next traveled to Jordan for 4 four days. What a place. We stopped at Mt. Nebo on the way to Petra, which defies description. You need to be in shape to enjoy all that Petra offers unless you decide to ride a donkey to the monastery. We hiked it-13.9 miles and 138 flights of stairs. There is a lot to see, and the view from the cliffs overlooking the Treasury is stunning, and quite steep. Petra by night was a dud. We spent 2 nights at the Movenpick on the recommendation of friends. it is a great choice at it is immediately adjacent to the entrance to the Petra. 

Wadi Rhum was next on the agenda. We spent a few hours with our guide whose Bedouin family was wonderful. The area is beautiful. It is no easy to understand by T.E. Lawrence loved the country after touring here. Next time we will stay at least at night here.

We then traveled back to Amman where we stayed at the resort which was great. I realized that I forgot my coat at Petra, but our driver and city guide, made a call to a fellow guide who brought it back to Amman with him; just one of those little things that distinguish a really good tour company. He took us on a great trip through downtown Amman at night. Once again, not a worry about security. We sat outside waiting in line at Habibahto sample kanafehwhen a couple of middle aged guys struck up a conversation with us, another example of how people throughout our trip were genuinely friendly. Our last day in Jordan was highlighted by a day trip to Jerash. Do not miss it. Our guide was great, and took extra time to be sure that we saw everything.

The owner of the Maryland based tour company, put together a comprehensive, insightful, and undeniably memorable trip. His attention to detail was exceptionable. His integrity was evident when he deferred involvement in our last stop, Istanbul. He candidly acknowledged that he did not have a network established there. That he encouraged us to book this part of our trip with someone else speaks volumes for him.

Our agent's involvement did not end when we left Amman. Shortly after we arrived home we received shipment of a table that we purchased while in Jordan. It was not what we purchased, and not what we wanted. When he was informed of this problem, he immediately had his people in Jordan intervene. He was responsible for a full refund of the purchase price. He did not have to do that, but he felt it was his duty to do so. Trust us, as travelers who arrived in Kathmandu around 9:00 am. on April 25, 2015, we know the importance of a tour operator, and this agent is a really good one. 

Go to the Egypt and Jordan, and book with this travel company; you will not be disappointed. Go to Egypt and Jordan because they are safe, welcoming, and incredibly interesting. Don’t listen to naysayers who exaggerate dangers that are ubiquitous. It is a journey that will not disappoint.

Before I begin, I want to thank our travel planner for arranging a spectacular trip for our family.  From the beginning, I knew we chose the perfect travel company to arrange our family vacation to Egypt.  When I first spoke to our travel planner, I felt like he knew exactly what we were looking for our trip.  He asked about our interest, and came up with an itinerary that was perfect for our family of four.  Our tour of Egypt included travel to Cairo and Luxor.  I traveled with my wife and two boys, ages 15 and 9, to Egypt at the beginning of January 2021.

Upon arrival, our airport representative greeted us shortly after landing in Cairo.    He guided us through the entry process into Egypt, which made it incredible easy and stress free for us during every arrival and departure of our trip. The hotels were amazing and luxurious.  We stayed at the Four Seasons, which was awesome! We spent our first two days in Cairo with our guide.  Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable with Egyptian history. He took us to the Great Pyramids, The Sphinx, on a food tour through Cairo, and we spent the end of our day drinking Turkish coffee sitting outdoors on the streets of Cairo. 

On Day 3 we took a short flight from Cairo to Luxor.  Our first evening in Luxor, we met with our guide for the next few days.  He is just a happy person.  He loves what he does and enjoys sharing his knowledge of ancient Egyptian history with others.  We had so much fun in Luxor! He took us to the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Abydos, The Dendera Temple, and the Karnak and Luxor Temples just to name a few.  We enjoyed an amazing lunch at a local restaurant where we ate chicken shawarma and stuffed pigeon (yes it is delicious)!  We visited several local shops, where you have the option of purchasing various items, such as hieroglyphs and paintings on papyrus paper, Egyptian clothing made from Egyptian cotton, essential oils and perfumes, jewelry, and local pottery made from alabaster and other items.

On the day before departure back to the US, we flew back to Cairo to enjoy our last day at the Egyptian Museum and an afternoon shopping at the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar.  My family enjoyed the Museum. The exhibits are impressive, and there are many ancient statues, mummies, and many other antiquities to be seen.  The Bazaar was fun. It is a great place to find deals from local vendors and souvenirs to bring home. 

In summary, our trip was perfectly planned.  Everything is as advertised.  Everything our travel planner said would happen, happened and they delivered. My wife loved it, my kids loved it, and I loved this trip! Words just cannot describe the experience of what it is to visit in person and witness the incredible structures, art, hieroglyphs, scenery, and hearing about ancient Egyptian history from an Egyptologist.  The entire staff was amazing, and the people of Egypt are amazing.  This was a trip to remember, a trip that my family and I will never forget.  Thank you to our travel planner and his company for providing my family and I the opportunity to experience Egypt this way. 

I have to say that from the beginning the company was professional. My travel agent took our conversation over the phone and made it into my vision and  my dream trip. He customize the trip exactly to fit me. Once in Egypt It was crazy, fun, exciting, majestic, amazing, educational. from my guide in Luxor and Aswan to my guide in Cairo ( the egyptian google) the trip was out of this world. We americans tend you magnify order countries problems and because of this we have trended away from this NOT so hidden treasure. This is where everything in the world got started. Believe me you will have a great time and see some of the most amazing  ancient art-facts ever. Make sure you try Egyptian food down in the Khan El Khalili Bazaars in Cairo. My guide (the Egyptian Google) will be more than happy to take you to one of the small shops that serves great food. Turkish coffee and if you like Hookah will fix you up with that also. Don't stay in your Hotels when you get back from your tours. Venture out in the cities. You will be very very happy. You will be ask to buy everything in site but its great how they go about it and funny. Specially in Luxor. Once you get to Aswan they are more calm and will not bother you as much. The Sonesta ships are beautiful little river boats that are Cousy with friendly staff. They keep you entertained. I will do this again