Travel Review: Luxury Egypt Tour, Cairo, Luxor, Nile Cruise, Camelback Pyramid Tour, Valley of the Kings Hot Air Balloon Ride

The reason why we picked this travel company was due to the recommendation. I am glad that we listened to these reviews and touched base with our agent who runs this operation.

We had an idea as to what we wanted to do in Egypt, i.e. do a Nile cruise and see the historic sites of the region, including the Pyramids. This company will happily make suggestions for your entire trip, but we did some research and decided to stay at a hotel in Cairo and do a Nile cruise. We also wanted to include a trip on a hot-air balloon across the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

We gave these details to our agent whom then gave us a few options for us to choose from, including the flights available. Once the schedule was confirmed and payments made (we used a bank transfer),our travel agency gave us our itinerary, along with some information about the region and travel tips (including useful information on tipping).

Once we arrived in Cairo, we had a representative meet us at arrival (before immigration) to help with the Egypt visa (USD 25 at arrival). The representative took us through customs and onto our local transport, which was a comfortable air-conditioned mini-van. The rep and driver were professional and polite, as were all staff working for our travel agency.

The hotel was welcoming and picturesque, with views on the pyramids. Rooms were comfortable and clean. In all honesty, there is no need to leave the hotel unless to go site seeing.

After a brief overnight stay, we were taken to the airport for our flight to Luxor where another representative was there to greet us. A local guide took over from there and he was a particularly cheerful and knowledgeable fellow. He took us to our ship, which was charming. It was the centerpiece of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, and it oozes with nostalgia: authentic 1908 piston engines with wooden decking with brass fittings and canvas coverings.  The staff was super friendly and appropriately entertaining. You were left alone if you wanted but you could always spark up a conversation.

Due to the current negative press the region is getting, coupled with the fact we visited in the low season (January), we were one of only 8 guests on board but even if fully booked, the staff would make you feel a million miles from home. The trip down the Nile was breathtaking and we could have easily spent two weeks more, watching mile after mile of spectacular scenery. Last but not least, the food on board was simple, healthy and delicious.

We must add here that the temperature was quite cool during the time we went. This suited us quite nicely but we wonder if travelling here in the height of summer may be too hot for some. We would advise a more temperate time of year to do such a trip.

We visited some of the main temples and tombs between Luxor and Aswan and ended up taking the train back to Luxor for an early morning hot-air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. Needless to say we took way too many videos and photos, but the memories will always be the most vivid recollection. It was a memory to treasure. You must do this when you are here.

We then travelled back to Cairo where a representative again greeted us and yet another local guide was there to show us around the sites, including the pyramids and the Cairo museums. Both are fantastic and the pyramids are just as

you would imagine them to be. We also got to ride in the dessert on a camel - very touristy but much fun.

As with all things, problems did arise, including cancelled flights and hot-air balloon cancellation. These things were out of the control of the travel agency, however, once informed, our agent was fast to respond and make alternative arrangements.

As you can tell from this review, we thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Egypt and the travel agency, in particularly our representative and the rest of their staff had a lot to do with it. This company is a professional organization that you can trust to honor their commitment in taking care of you.

The price offered by the agency includes most everything you do on the tour, but we did pay a little extra for a horse cart ride through the center of Luxor market. The price of the entire package tour was good value and all-inclusive.

The only extras you need to take into account are tipping for representatives and guides. In fact, it is customary to tip almost everyone you meet in Egypt that does something for you. This is simply the culture and also a much needed means of income supplementation.

Lastly, on a personal note, we stayed in Egypt and felt perfectly safe. In fact, the Egyptian people are the friendliest people I have encountered. It is a great choice for a holiday, despite what you may hear in the news.