Wonders of Egypt & the Great Pharaohs: 11-Days for History Buffs

We saw everything we wanted to see and more. Our agent was excellent and our guide was very good. The hotel in Cairo was very good. The hotel in Aswan was excellent — the best of the trip. The hotel on Luxor was a major disappointment LOUD constrction 9AM to 7PM and the room eas very dirty. The two restaurants were mediocre. This travel company took very good care of us in the airports we were glad they were there to help us. I did not like their US representative. He was pushy rude and petulant.

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.

Our Zicasso travel representatives met us every step of the way. The guides and drivers were exceptional, especially the Egyptologist who accompanied us throughout Aswan and Luxor, who was very well-informed, interesting, and a lot of fun!

The hotel in Aswan was remarkable. The hotel in Cairo was extremely nice. The only issue we had, which our travel agent handled beautifully, was that even though the hotel in Luxor was five-star, the rooms we were originally assigned were definitely three-star. The hotel bent over backwards and gave us a lovely suite, a reserved table at breakfast, and a felucca sailboat ride on the Nile. The hotel in New Cairo was okay because it was close to the airport for our return trip, but was basically a convention-type place; nothing special.

Outstanding customer service, attention to detail and prompt follow-up to any questions was a great start before we even arrived in Egypt. Our travel planner's 5 star service before we left the US was amazing. I feel very lucky that when researching a vacation to Egypt I found this travel agent. I don't think I could have asked for anything else. My family of 4 spent 9 days in Egypt. Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. My kids are 14 and 12 turning 13 on our trip and my daughter has type 1 diabetes. We were greeted in Cairo by a representative who was a wonder in the airport at getting our visa etc. He helped us 4 times during our trip which was very reassuring. Our guide for our entire trip really made the trip a huge success with his energy, knowledge and enthusiasm. We really saw the sites of Egypt in a way that not many get to experience. Traveling with our guide our trip was personalized and away from the crowds, catered to our family's needs and attention span. We feel like we really lucked out. 

I'm glad we spent a few days in Cairo before moving on to Luxor as we had originally talked about doing. Staying at the Mena House with a view of the pyramids was incredible for a first day. The Egyptian Museum is a must-see and it is incomprehensible the amount of artifacts it houses. We enjoyed eating at local restaurants and this is one of the reasons we decided not to do a Nile River boat cruise from Luxor to Aswan. We loved driving and seeing all the towns and people and we did not want to eat cruise food from the same kitchen for days. Plus we are able to stay at some outstanding hotels right on the Nile with gorgeous gardens and amazing pools for the kids. We felt safe the entire trip. 

I think a highlight for us in Luxor was entering Queen Nefertari's tomb. Definitely worth the extra money. If it is open you can not say no to this. It is like the walls were painted yesterday. AMAZING. And we were the only ones in it. Flying over Luxor in a hot air ballon at sun-rise was an incredible way to see the Nile and the contrast between green and desert. Landing in a farmers field was just as interesting (you never know where the wind with take you) and we were able to see up close the traditional farming methods still used today. We went to Luxor Temple at night. IMPRESSIVE. I would recommend going to one temple for a light show. They are so beautiful at night. 

In Aswan we stayed at a hotel and you could not beat the setting right on the Nile. You can watch the action of the Feluccas sailing the Nile or watch actual excavation taking place on the other side of the Nile. You have to pinch yourself that it is real. Philea Temple was interesting to approach by boat and see how it had been successfully moved when the damn was built. We all enjoyed swimming in the Nile which is clear and surprisingly VERY VERY cold in Aswan. I'm glad we went to the Nubian village and our guide avoided the real tourist traps of everyone riding a camel to the village. We had an outstanding meal off the beaten path. 

I really don't think we would change a thing. So many temples and tombs and cultural experiences. I was a bit worried that it would be too much for the kids but they enjoyed it as much was we did thanks to our guide.