Egypt Nile Cruise Tour Feedback, Stories and Reviews

Sean Taylor - from United Kingdom
Travelled: June 2008
Tour: Egypt-nile-cruise-tour
Comments:

An excellent introduction to what Egypt has to offer. From the initial contact with Lamia to the send-off from Cairo, everything went smoothly.

We (a party of two) were met at the airport and guided through the formalities by Fouad, then transferred to our hotel (Zoser) - all at one o'clock in the morning. The hotel accommodation was quite acceptable. I liked the way Fouad checked out the room to make sure everything was working (e.g. the air-conditioning - essential at this time of year).

Our visit next day to the Egyptian Museum was mind-blowing - you really could get up close to the Tutankhamun exhibits. By the way, there is much more at the museum than just this exhibition. Rasha was our guide and brought it all alive. Ayman was our driver in Cairo - possessed of nerves of steel. The air-conditioned vehicle was comfortable and roomy. The afternoon concluded with a visit to Gizah (Pyramids and Sphinx).

During the day we were taken to a papyrus seller and goldsmith...

We went to Aswan on the overnight sleeper. The sleeping compartments are reasonably comfortable and air-conditioned. Don't take too much luggage - there's not a lot of floor space! The evening and morning 'meals' provided by the train company are terrible - they would do better not to provide them at all: next time I'll try and get the hotel to make up a packed meal before we leave.

The train ran late. All the same, we were met in the morning and transferred quickly to our Nile river boat - a floating hotel called the Nile Admiral. We didn't have time to book in - but our luggage was taken and we went straight on to an air-conditioned coach for our first excursion. All the excursions were excellent and guided by a first-class guide (Maged) - all part of the Nile Cruise package (Presidential is the company). Be aware that the trip to the Valley of the Kings is not included in the package: it is well worth booking on the boat, paying the extra - you won't regret it. The other point to remember is the early starts required to avoid the heat of the day.

The cruise itself was really relaxing. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff. The room was comfortable, the meals (three a day, plus afternoon tea!) were excellent. Cruising down the Nile is something else; you leave your cares behind in the wake of the boat. After three days (you soon lose track!), it was time to take the sleeper from Luxor back to Cairo - the same comments as before.

We went on the Sights of Cairo tour, taking in the central market - a bit of an anticlimax, as it was Sunday and the shopkeepers are mostly Christian; so it was mostly closed. Better at night-time, too, I would think.

We did go to the Sound and Vision show at the Pyramids (late night sitting). This was an excellent way to round off our trip.

The next day, we were again escorted to the airport and speedily sent on our way. I shall definitely return, bringing others of my family with me.