Egypt 8 nights:Cairo,Luxor,Aswan,Abu Simbel,Nile cruise,Balloon

Posted By : 558edwynf
Mahmoud was amazing during the tour. He was attentive to detail, kind, and friendly to myself and the group I was with. He has a vast amount of knowledge that helped with understanding this history of ancient Egypt. I very much enjoyed my stay and am grateful to have had him as my tour guide. Thank you for the great time and I’ll definitely be recommending others to visit Egypt with his guidance.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-12-19 12:53:38

Posted By : ximie
Our recent Egypt tour, including a Nile cruise on the Opera, was a remarkable journey thanks to the expertise and hospitality of our guide, Ahmed Abass. His knowledge and passion for Egypt's history brought every site we visited, from the Valley of the Kings to Cairo's landmarks, vividly to life. 

The Opera provided a comfortable and clean base for our Nile exploration, with delightful local cuisine adding to the authentic experience. Nour, our tour organiser, was instrumental in seamlessly coordinating every aspect of the tour, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.

We recommend choosing the Steigenberger Tahrir for accommodation in Cairo for its excellent facilities and prime location. Additionally, flying from Cairo to Aswan was a convenient and efficient alternative to train travel.

Our journey through Egypt, guided by Ahmed and facilitated by the dedicated team behind the Opera, was both enlightening and memorable. For an authentic and insightful Egyptian adventure, this tour is highly recommended. Thanks Ahmed!?


Rating :
Posted On : 2023-12-12 11:11:22

Posted By : Kristine W
This company is amazing, they made me feel as if I was a VIP at all times. From the moment Yousry, my driver, picked me up, to the moment he dropped me off at the airport for my return trip home, he was very courteous, respectful, and informative. He wanted to make sure I took all the photos I needed and saw everything I requested. While on my cruise, my tour guide Owfi, was very knowledgeable and made sure I understood everything. I had a couple other guides, I can’t remember their names, but they were all well versed in the history of the areas I visited.
I would highly recommend this company to all travelers visiting Egypt, especially the solo traveler. My only suggestion is that the company better prepare the client for the onslaught of people demanding tips. Every time I turned around, someone was trying to do something for me, that I could do for myself, so they would get a tip.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-11-28 20:10:31

Posted By : Ivana_L
I went to Egypt with my sister for her birthday. The country's hospitality is wonderful, the people are warm and kind.
Bassant, led us through our trip checking in on us from the moment I booked the tour. She made sure we were happy each and every day. Communication with all of the staff was extremely easy, I am a regular WhatsApp user, and it truly came in handy. I would recommend having the app installed and purchasing an e-SIM card so you can easily communicate with everyone involved with your trip.
We were picked up by Mohamed at Cairo's airport and we were brought in to the hotel in Giza. The location of the Pyramids Oasis hotel was quiet which was exactly what we needed.
The staff in the hotel was extremely helpful, breakfast was included and quite delicious!
We toured Alexandria (added tour) and Giza pyramids with Farouk. He was kind, knowledgeable and was a pleasure to have around. His tours were fun and informative. Farouk also made sure we knew exactly where to go, the carriage number of our train etc. We felt helped and secure the whole time.
The train we took was very clean and comfortable. Phone chargers at every seat. They offer dinner but it's not included, however you can purchase snacks/food to bring onto the train without issue.
Upon arriving to Luxor, our guide asked if we wanted to go to a hotel for a few hours till check in, we said YES! As we had arrived in the middle of the night. We slept a bit, which was wonderful.
We were able to check in a little early to the cruise. By 11am we were in our fabulous room. Extremely clean, great amenities, fantastic staff. We couldn't have asked for a better cruise, the LaFayan ship is beautiful.
Buffet for lunch was excellent, most dinners were a la carte- about 2 to 4 choices per course.
Our tour guide Mohamed (not the same one as Cairo- remember this is a very common name in Egypt like Brian in the US) was so amazing. Sweet disposition, extremely knowledgeable and fun. We spent 5 days of tours with him and he made sure we were happy and taken care of the whole time. He is wonderful at his job, we had a very nice experience throughout the whole cruise. I feel extremely lucky to have had him as our guide.

My only suggestions are about the horse ride in Edfu and tickets. As per the horses, the carriages injure them and you can see open/bloody sores on their legs. While I understand this is part of the culture, a lot of us in the tour were taken back by it. I would suggest maybe arranging tuktuk rides instead.
I wish the tickets had been included so we didn't have to worry buying them. Some of our tickets failed and wouldn't scan- the ticket failing is no reflection of the tour company though. This, again, is a mere suggestion.

All the drivers and tour guides not mentioned were also fantastic. The team is truly great. An honorable mention to the hot air balloon ride! So so cool.

I highly recommend this tour. A fantastic value for the money.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-11-06 16:30:34

Posted By : serena_d
This is the most unforgettable tour so far. I've been to over 50 countries, and Egypt definitely is the most unique one. We were taken good care of every single step since we landed in Egypt. Mona, the tour manager did a vey job to arrange our tour and make sure we're happy about our experience . The only reason I give 4 star is because the tour company raised our price by $300 per person 1.5 months before our departure after we had booked our tour half year ago.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-11-05 19:25:55

Posted By : Dvictor2323
Honest review of Here Egypt Tours and Egypt by a Filipino American

Finishing our trip today, I wanted to give an Honest review to help my fellow travelers with the 8 Night Egypt Tour. It’s IMPORTANT to know the pros and cons with this company and Egypt as a whole.
Pros
1. Nile Cruise Tour Guide-Ahmed Abass. He is amazing and if you make your way to a Egypt, I 10000% recommend him. Please message me if you need his contact info bc he deserves all the business in the world.
2. The Nile Cruise is comfortable and lots of amazing stops.
3. I was frequently checked on by Bassant, a worker at Here Egypt Tours that made sure my trip was going smoothly every day. Very good and very professional.

Cons
1. Expect to be upcharged by everything. i.e. I booked a $80/pp city tour with Here Egypt Tours only to find out that it is about 2-3x cheaper with other companies. That $80/pp also did NOT include the entrance fees. Also, don’t be dazzled by the cheap tour price. Expect to pay a lot more when it’s all said and done.
2. DO NOT use any camel riding service with them. DO NOT! We were brought to a sketchy back alley where we were sold the camel ride. Towards the end of our ride, the guide brought us to a remote part of the desert away from the pyramids with no one around and complained of his $10 tip. My wife and I feared that we were going to be left there and no one was around so he swindled us for $40. It’s the only time I felt UNSAFE in Egypt.
3. I asked a worker if I could pay for a tour with Egyptian pounds and American dollars. They said yes, but when I went to pay, they would not accept. It’s bc the American dollar is stronger in Egypt and they will say that they don’t accept euros or British pounds, when in fact they do, they just want to force you to pay in American dollars so they have a stronger exchange rate.
4. Police officers will ask for tips. They will escort you to the train. Tip. Will offer to take your picture. Tip. Watch out for these guys.
5. In Cairo, you will be put in a nice hotel, but there is nothing around it, so you’re forced to eat at their rooftop restaurant. The food was decent but overpriced. Plus side is that you have a nice view of the pyramids.

Would I recommend Here Egypt Tours as a whole? I would Not Recommend. Also know that Here Egypt Tours is under an umbrella company and has a few different names that it operates, so do your research before booking whether the company is trusted or not. If you need a guide for Egypt along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, I would say get Ahmed as your tour guide because he will make learning about Egyptian history and mythology fun, otherwise it’s been a bittersweet experience in Egypt.
Overall, beware of scams. Expect to tip more than you’ve had your entire life. And if you end up in Egypt, don’t be afraid to speak up because tourists get scammed so bad and the locals/company know that, so they will try to squeeze every bit that they can. Beware. Safe Travels.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-11-03 12:28:32

Posted By : ArseneDebris
We were greeted by Zakaryah in Aswan and he stayed with us for the time between Aswan and Luxor. The whole tour from Cairo to Aswan and back was seamless. Zakaryah was our guide for much of the visit. He has a laid-back way of introducing the various sites, spending time orienting you on the journey and then giving the essence of the historical significance. Then he lets you spend time yourself while he's discreetly waits for you. He's easy-going and friendly and didn't let us get lost on the way. The tour covers all the main sites in Egypt and you don't feel part of a large group, rather individually or in small groups. You also feel protected from the touts. The cruise staff were fantastic and hospitable and the boat luxurious. Highly recommended. Individual attendance and adapted to your time and preferences.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-11-02 08:05:06

Posted By : 635magsc
Had a wonderful time and highly recommend this trip to anyone who loves the ancient world. Mona was very supportive before we flew to Egypt and all the time we were here. She ensured everything went smoothly for us. We visited some fabulous places with Youshi in Cairo and Zakarya in Aswan and Luxor. The cruise ship was also a very pleasant experience with nice rooms and lovely food
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-11-02 07:57:24

Posted By : Leanne_D
This was the best managed tour we have ever been on, with no detail overlooked (we have visited 22 countries and 46 U.S. states & territories). From the moment we stepped off the plane, in the middle of the night at that, our driver, Yousry, was there waiting to pick us up, and he took excellent care of us throughout our travels, even waiting with us a few hours for the night train to Luxor. He did this at his own request, not ours, just to make sure we heard the announcement for our train, which is only given in Arabic. Yousry is a wonderful person and a great driver. On that note, definitely upgrade to a sleeping car. Best money you'll spend!

We came into Egypt early and stayed over after, so we purchased the Cairo, Saqqara, and Alexandria pre- and post-trip add-ons, which were well worth the cost. We ended up with private tours those days (driver + guide), and it was amazing! All of the included tours, as well as the optional ones, were phenomenal (we did them all, plus a few not mentioned on the website that you can ask about).

Every day in country, Mona checked in on us to ensure we were enjoying our trip and that we didn't need anything. The guides were 100% on time for tour pickups and all provided their WhatsApp contact info and kept everyone posted throughout. They were extremely knowledgable about the sites and always asked if you needed to stop for water, or snacks, to use the ATM, etc. I have never met more welcoming and genuinely kind guides and driver. Several even checked in on us after we got home to make sure we made it back safely. They really became our friends during our days together!

Ahmed is an incredible guide for the Luxor sites - a true gem even amongst ALL the wonderful guides we had! He takes the time to ensure you understand all the information about the sites and has not lost his sense of wonder, despite it being his job to visit these sites everyday. Same with Omar - phenomenal! Every guide was great!

We visited Egypt at what turned out to be an interesting time (the Hamas attack on Israel and first week of the Gaza War). Everyone associated with this tour reassured us and ensured we were kept informed and that our safety was paramount. I cannot say enough good things about this tour and the tour company. Everyone goes the extra mile (or TEN!) to ensure you have a great experience.

A few recommendations and/or things to know:

Yes, there are additional costs for the optional tours. The cost is super affordable considering what you get, and the experiences are second-to-none. Definitely do all of them if you are able! The Nubian Village tour was so wonderful and unique (thanks, Omar!) that it should be part of the included itinerary IMHO. Mona - please ask management to consider squeezing it into the main tour package.

There are a number of shopping stops (some people like that, and some don't), but the merchants and craftsmen are not pushy if you don't want to buy anything. You have stops for papyrus, jewelry, perfume, alabaster, carpet (if you go to Saqqara), and teas. The quality of the goods is excellent if you do choose to purchase something.

The Nile Cruise accommodations are excellent. The ship is spacious, exceptionally clean, well managed, and has most everything you need. Afternoon naps will help combat residual jet lag and fatigue from the hot, dry climate. The food is good enough, but quite repetitive day-to-day, so you might want to get some snacks to supplement. This is no fault of the tour company and is typical of what you get on any cruise.

Tipping is part of the Egyptian culture, so please budget for it. Everyone who serves you gets a tip, and they are not shy about expressly asking for it. Understand that this is a cultural norm that may be different from that in your home country. If you find yourself getting a bit annoyed, consider that the average salary in Egypt is $3,600 US per year, but essential goods cost on par with prices in the U.S. Egyptian people are hardworking and kind, and your tip dollars can actually make a meaningful difference in the standard of living of the wonderful people who are taking such exceptional care of you. Also, keep in mind that wait staff don't split tips, so if more than one person waits on you at a restaurant, hand the tip to each person individually. If you put the entire tip with your check or on the table, only the one who picks it up will get any. (During the Nile Cruise, tips are consolidated and paid into the reception desk on the last day.)

When in Giza, opt for the camel ride and take the "long route" for the best view of all the pyramids. It was the only part of the tour that was pricey, but we got a breathtaking view and an interesting experience riding the camels. It was worth it.

Abu Simbel is a long drive, but don't skip it. It totally was worth it. The sunrise on the way there was phenomenal. The sunrises and sunsets in Egypt rival those of any other place on earth, even better than Santorini!

The hot air balloon ride was so fun! Be sure not to skip it. We met several people who were afraid of heights, and they bravely went anyway. They did fine and said they were so glad they did it! The baskets are large, heavy duty, and safe. The balloons all looked brand new and were in excellent condition.

Drink LOTS of water, especially on the day you go to Valley of the Kings. We are from a hot and humid climate, but the dry heat of Egypt really sapped our energy, despite efforts to hydrate frequently.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-31 12:53:15

Posted By : Daydream66573049080
Zakarya is a great guide. Friendly, fun and very informative. We enjoyed our time on the tour, the sights and the guide.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-29 06:40:37