D2955DOcatherinem
05 Nov 2024
Our trip with Luxor and Aswan Travel was truly impressive. From the moment we first contacted Hany to arrange our journey from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, we felt we were in capable hands. Hany efficiently booked our flights, a Nile cruise, and a day of sightseeing in Cairo before our departure, ensuring a seamless experience. He was quick to respond to any inquires we had within 24 hours (given the time difference). We mostly communicated by texting through WhatsApp.
After arriving in Cairo, we spent one night at Le Meridien Cairo Airport Hotel (which was connected to the airport, very convenient and lovely), before flying early the next morning to Luxor, where our 5-day Nile cruise awaited. We opted for the Premium Nile Cruise, which, though not overly luxurious, provided us with attentive service, very friendly staff, and delicious meals. I'd recommend upgrading for a touch more comfort, but the premium level was still quite pleasant. Importantly, we stayed healthy by sticking to bottled water, even for brushing our teeth. To my knowledge, no one on our ship got sick, and our guide assured us of the high standards for preparing food. However, we had seen so many travel blogs warning us about this, so we erred on the side of caution, only eating hot cooked food and drinking bottled water. We also requested a mid-ship cabin to avoid the diesel smell from other ships that are docked next to each other and continue to run for power (even when docked).
One of the highlights was our private guide (just for my dad and me) and Egyptologist, Mohamed Mahmoud Abd El Ghany, who told us to call him "Mo" and by the end of the trip I called him, "Mo-tastic!" Mo went above and beyond to make our experience exceptional, treating us like family, arranging extra excursions, providing water and snacks, negotiating prices, taking iconic pictures of us, and offering unparalleled insight into Egypt's history. His deep knowledge, warmth, and excellent English added so much to our adventure. I was traveling with my dad who has some mobility issues, and I felt like Mo was always making sure my dad was comfortable and taken care of, offering us places to sit in the shade while he gave us a history lesson. Most importantly, he made us feel safe and welcomed in his country. He was outstanding.
Our days were packed with visits to iconic sites, including Karnak, Luxor Temple, Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple. All of this was included in the tour without us having to arrange the itinerary. We did add on Abu Simbel, a 3-hour drive, but absolutely worth it, thanks to Mo's arrangements and suggestion. The optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor was another extraordinary experience we’d recommend.
After our cruise, we returned to Cairo, where Waled Elsharkawy, our guide, was equally wonderful. Patient and informative, Waled, like Mo, took care of every travel need we had (food, pictures, banking, shopping, etc.) during our short time in Cairo and offered us extra sightseeing options and made sure we did not miss out on anything we desired. Waled also had a very warm and welcoming demeanor that made our day with him at the pyramids special.
If you’re traveling with Luxor and Aswan Travel, I’d recommend requesting airport escorts for both arrival and departure, especially through Cairo’s Terminal One (domestic departures and arrivals), which was chaotic and confusing to navigate. When we left Cairo for Luxor it was unlike any other airport experience. There were no clear lines and several security checks and very crowded terminals that made it confusing on where to go for checking luggage and boarding. Somehow, we were able to get where we needed to go, but I saw many people lost in the shuffle. I was relieved when our escort was waiting at Luxor airport for us with a driver that Hany had arranged. From there it was smooth sailing and all our rides were pre-arranged from that point.
I would also recommend taking time to organize cash withdrawals/banking needs and planning ahead for tipping. Tipping is suggested/expected in many instances and I was not prepared for not being able to use my debit/credit card in many circumstances. Withdrawing Egyptian pounds is limiting as most ATMs only allow for about $80 US at a time (this could change drastically with the fluctuating value of the EGP). However, I found myself making withdrawals from an ATM more often than I had planned because most vendors, drivers, staff, and guides preferred to deal in cash. All costs are very affordable, and our guides were helpful with finding us ATMs, but just be sure to pencil in some time to figure out where to get the cash and how much to give to all the staff that is helping you, daily bathroom allowance, shopping allowance, etc. It helped to google suggestions on appropriate tipping amounts. I felt a little disorganized in this matter. Side note: the Wifi connection on the ship could be better, but it was also nice to disconnect and take in the sites. When needed, our guides provided us with their hotspots.
I did want to mention that as an animal lover, it was tough for me to see the neglect and suffering of dogs throughout my journey in Egypt, as well as some of the horses. This is true of every part of the world, but it seemed to be in abundance in Egypt. I loved so many things about Egypt, but I feel it is important to mention this so you might be able to emotionally prepare yourself. It was tough. I researched and found animal rescues in Egypt that take donations.
Lastly, this is not a relaxing vacation. I suppose you could skip seeing some of the sites to relax by the pool on the ship, but there are so many ancient treasures to see that make your heart swell! With a limited amount of time on the 5 day cruise, it felt like we were always on the go. This is not bad thing, but just be prepared to get up early to explore and to be exhausted when you are back on the ship.
All things considered, Luxor and Aswan Travel, with Hany’s planning, and Mo and Waled’s outstanding guidance, made our trip extraordinary. This was a beautifully organized experience with incredible guides who truly care about your experience. Thank you friends for an unforgettable journey!