**Our Experience:**
**Day 1**
- We were picked up from the airport in Aswan and went straight to the High Dam, followed by the Philae Temple. The visit was private, and we were always transported in a van. Our guide was good.
- We boarded the boat, where a representative from the organizing company gave us some information. He explained that the boat would provide the schedules, requested payment for tickets (we decided to buy them through the company), and discussed their tipping policy. The first issue arose here: the company asked us to pay some of the tips upfront and even decided the amount we should give, although additional tips were expected after the visits.
- On the first day, the boat stayed docked in Aswan, and we used the afternoon to explore the city.
**Day 2**
- On the second day, we woke up early (4 AM) to visit Abu Simbel, which was a 3-hour van ride to the temple.
- In the afternoon, the boat sailed to Kom Ombo Temple, which we visited at night.
The guide was ok, not great.
**Day 3**
On the third day, we woke up early again to visit the Temple of Horus. The trip included a horse-drawn carriage ride to the temple (around 3 km). **DO NOT DO THIS!** We requested a TukTuk instead, which was much better. The treatment of the animals was awful. The horses looked very skinny, and many were limping.
- The temple visit was good, and our guide was very kind.
- We spent the entire day cruising the Nile, heading toward Luxor. It was a great opportunity to enjoy the boat and relax in the pool. Once in Luxor, we explored the city a bit.
- At dinner, we were asked about our check-out time. However, the company had told us that the boat would provide all schedules, yet they were unaware we had a balloon trip booked. I had to message the organizing company to ask for the next day’s schedule because no one had informed us!
- We weren’t told in advance at what time the last day program would end (it concluded around 4 PM), so we ended up with flights only at 10 PM. To make it worse, they messaged me the day before saying, *“Dear, don’t worry”* after failing to provide any information.
**Day 4**
- We were picked up from the boat (we were 5 minutes late), and the driver began complaining and being rude to us. For context, in all previous pickups, we were on time and had to wait 10-15 minutes for them.
- We checked out of the boat, and they still asked for more tips.
- We did the balloon ride, after which we were dropped off at a café and told our guide would meet us there. We waited 30 minutes for her (which according to the guide was again misinformation on the schedules from the organization)
- When the guide arrived, she noticed I was upset with the disorganization and was very considerate. She even allowed us to rest in a café for 30 minutes before the tour to help us relax.
- We visited Hatshepsut Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple.
- Our guide was incredibly attentive, providing detailed explanations and going above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience.
- We rested on the boat from 4 PM to 7 PM and had a driver take us to the airport.
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**IMPORTANT NOTES:**
- The experience was good overall, as it provided a great way to see the temples with knowledgeable guides and smooth transport between locations. However, the organization was poor. The schedules were unclear, and at one point, the cruise reception had no information for us. The itinerary and timing should be provided before the cruise, not during or the day before.
- The cruise itself was okay. The smell of gasoline in the cabin was terrible (the windows didn’t close properly), the AC was always on and very cold, and the food was ok at best, with no proper vegetarian options. Breakfast was the best meal. (Honestly, I don’t know why people rave about the food.)
- Drinks were overpriced: a bottle of water on the boat was 80 EGP ($1.60), while it was 20 EGP ($0.40) at local stores. The same applied to other drinks.
- Every day, except for the last, we had to wait at least 10 minutes for our pickups, yet when we were 5 minutes late, people were rude.
- Overall, a Nile Cruise is a great experience, but I recommend choosing a company that is better organized.
Moustafa picked us up from Aswan airport and he was an amazing tour guide who patiently explained the history and showed us different sites in Aswan. Amazing guide!
This package was really good- they delivered everything mentioned in the Viator listing. Just two comments: Temple of Philae admission was supposed to be included but we had to buy tickets. Also, there are many kinds of cruise ships and while the one we received was ok it was old and not as glamorous as many others.
Salma was an exceptional guide who made our Luxor experience unforgettable. Her deep knowledge of Egyptology, combined with her ability to explain complex history in a clear and engaging manner, was truly impressive. We were captivated by her passion for ancient Egypt and her use of visual aids enhanced our understanding immensely. Salma went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction, especially considering my father's mobility limitations. Her attention to detail, from arranging local fruit to coordinating our transportation, was exemplary. We were so grateful for her friendly and accommodating nature. I wholeheartedly recommend Salma to anyone visiting Luxor. She is a treasure!
B5976GJsimonea
01 Jul 2024
Nossa experiência foi maravilhosa.
Como foi a primeira vez estavamos com receio mas tudo ocorreu perfeitamente bem, desde o primeiro contato até o último.
Antes de chegarmos recebemos uma mensagem para sabermos o horário que chegaríamos.
Meu voo atrasou no primeiro dia e cheguei bem tarde do combinado.
Mas eles mantiveram contato o tempo todo e nos buscaram no aeroporto.
Como perdemos o passeio de Felucca , eles foram super gentil e nos deixaram fazer o passeio no último dia em Luxos .
Todos os dias tivemos ótimos guias que nos encontrarmos no barco e nos deixava lá novamente, todos muito pontuais.
A comida maravilhosa, café, almoço e chá da tarde.
Bebidas paga a parte , e uma pequena taxinha como gorjeta para os garsons e ajudantes que pagamentos no final.
A comunicação nos deixou segura e confortável o tempo todo.
O wi-fi incluso funcionou muito bem.
O passeio de balão foi uma experiência maravilhosa.
No final nos deixaram no ônibus onde iriamos para o próximo destino.