Best of Egypt: 7-Nights Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Nile Cruise with Flights

Hamdy was a fantastic mentor! Everything he explained to us was wonderful. The tour covered a lot of ground. They travel to several locations to learn about Egyptian culture. I would strongly advise making a reservation.

Eslam was an amazing tour guide, very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Egypt. The lunch provided during the tour was delicious and we loved the great view of the pyramids from the restaurant. Special trips did a great job organizing this tour and we couldn't be happier with our experience. Thank you for a memorable day!

There were three elements to this package. The hotels, the cruise and the local organisers, Orbital Travel, who could not be faulted. Brilliantly organised, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable beyond belief. Adel, our guide and mentor on the cruise element, has a PhD in Egyptology and had worked on some restoration, having guided academics and well known figures; we could not have done better in that area. The cruise was a mixed back of the stunning Nile and delightful staff/crew (the usual warm Egyptian welcome) and so very disappointing elements. We spent 4 of our 7 nights on the river as the meat and 3 or 5 boat sandwich. The cabin windows of the vessel next door 5 feet away and little natural light, in spite of being on the highest level. No privacy, no view and due to the idiotic lighting in the cabin, no reading either much of the time. The lights were either All ON or all OFF. One meant ceiling mounted spots directed the pillows! If one wanted to read and the other sleep, it was impossible. Our party consisted of well educated people used to reading a contract but still misunderstood the drinks policy. Apart from breakfast (tea/coffee) and an hour in the PM (tea coffee) all drinks were chargeable, including bottled water, which was necessary even to clean your teeth as the water is not potable under any cicumstances. The optional all inclusive deal was expensive. The cabin otherwise was OK (Stretching the definition of 5 star a bit I think) and the food was fine. The boat had a bit of the happy campers/ Butlins about it and it was mostly a wine free fortnight for me as I was not willing to drink what was on offer; the Steigenberger Nile Palace in Luxor had the same poor offering as the boat (unlike the same company’s hotel in Giza, which had at least one nice bottle and was a nicer hotel generally, albeit out of Cairo center.) In Luxor, the NP was less appealing; think Las Vegas conference centre and it was full of conference attendees and noisy. Egypt and its people were, as ever, a real pleasure but any return to the Nile would need to be on a smaller, more exclusive vessel, even if at greater cost; it would be worth it.