 tips. Although usually small tips, it gets bothersome. We would recommend you bring a stack of $1 bills.
Overall, an extremely great value, and if you have any interest in seing one of the seven ancient wonders, this is the only way to go... Travel Discounters through Travel Zoo provides exceptional service and support. The airline lost our luggage, and Binod from Travel Discounters helped sort through the mess at 2am in the morning.
One last suggestion, do the light show at the Pyramids at night... It is breathtaking seeing the pyramids at night as the sun sets to total darkness. It was magical, and brought my daugher to tears seeing the Pyramids.
I have no affiliation with Travel Zoo or Travel Discounters. Should you elect to go, Binod (travel agent) can put you in touch if you have any questions. NOW is the time to go before it gets crowded.
I checked Egypt off my bucket list, and have recommended to many of my friends.
ONE LAST THING... SHOULD YOU BOOK this trip, ask them to have Hamada be your tour guide in Luxor and the Nile cruise. Hamada is getting his Masters in Egyptology, and he spent evenings on the cruise teaching us how to write and read Heiroglyphics... You will also learn a lot about Egyptian life, customs, politics etc. A real eye opener and changed many of my perceptions of the Middle East etc.
Our little group of 4 adults just returned from Egypt travelling with Travel Discounters. They work with another company called Blue Sky that meets you at the airport and guides you throughout the tour. There were different people at each airport but we were always informed who would meet us. The Egyptologists, (2) were very knowledgeable and gave us such insightful information. One guide took us to the bazaar which was not included but we asked and he provided transportation and took us to Khan el Khalili. We wished we had more time to visit a Mosque in Cairo.
Its probably the best time to go as prices are low, the sites are not super crowded and its very safe. We saw tanks and lots of armed guards around the Egyptian Museum and were informed that the security was necessary to protect the museum. We had a difficult time deciding our favorite place, either the pyramids, museum or the bazaar. They were all amazing! Seeing a whole room of King Tut's belongings including the golden mask was breathtaking in Cairo. Imagine with huge crowds how long it might take. We also joined a caravan the last day to see Abu Simble. The camel ride to the Nubian village was also very enlightening. The cruise down the Nile was awesome and a guide stayed with us the entire time showing us the temples, high dam and the Valley of the Kings. The food was varied each night with a wide selection. We enjoyed the fish and vegetables most. Service was outstanding. The boat, the Semiramis needs some updating, but it was clean and the staff wonderful.
We wanted to tip fairly, but we decided by the time we arrived on the ship, that we would contribute a fixed amount to the guide and he would take care of tipping. He explained what he did and was accountable for the money we gave him. It made our trip more enjoyable not to worry if we gave enough or too much. If you go, take lots of small bills for tipping. We converted $200 to Egyptian money for use in Cairo, then used lots of 1, 5, 10 dollar bills and for gifts in the nicer stores, used a credit card. The exchange rate is excellent and so it is a perfect time to visit the pyramids!
It is a fantastic tour!
It is a fantastic tour & one that I will share with all my friends.
I also would be more than happy to be a reference for you for any clients who have concerns or questions.
Overall it was fantastic!
Oh, how we all loved the trip! We were greeted upon arrival each time with a wonderful guide. The sites were amazing and fascinating! We felt safe and when there was a military presence, the guide explained what was going on.
The tipping was as you suggested, but we asked our guide to collect the amount we needed and he took care of it for us. He told us how much he tipped for each occasion and it made life much easier for us. The 2 guides, Waleed and Achmed were both outstanding! We learned so much and we intend to let others know how much we enjoyed the trip and how safe it was. Abdul was also wonderful and he took us to the bazaar one evening. Overall it was fantastic!
Thanks so much for arranging it all!!!
Now is actually the best time to go!
I just came back from the Discover Egypt tour which I booked through Travel Discounters. They do exist and they are completely competent & are in fact a legit business. I would have no hesitation booking any other tours with them. Ask for Binod; he is wonderful to deal with. On the ground in Egypt the local tour group was Blue Sky Travel and they were amazing. Extremely competent and reliable. I realize Egypt can be a little unstable, but we always felt safe and never at risk.
Things will start improving once the elections occur at the end of May, however, I would not travel Egypt on my own. I think going with a tour operator is the best way to visit this exciting, diverse, beautiful country. Now is actually the best time to go as there are not too many tourists around and therefore you can see all the sites more easily.
Everything about the trip was fantastic!
We toured Egypt from April 30 - May 8, 2014. We had several days in Cairo and a Nile River Cruise. Everything about the trip was fantastic! We were always picked up, checked-in, checked-out and taken to our hotels and sites in nice air conditioned vehicles. We were apprised of the following days agendas and times the nite before.
Our Egyptologists, Wallid and Hamada, were always with us and were extremely knowledgeable, interesting and so nice. They were the best! Despite the political situation, we did not feel unsafe for one moment, and in fact, seeing the Army and Tourist Police was comforting. The amazing sites in Egypt are not to be missed! Our trip could not have been better in any way.
A wonderful vacation experience!
I want to thank for arranging a wonderful trip to Egypt from April 30 to May 8 for me and my husband. The upgrade to Mena House was a wonderful and much appreciated exchange for the cancellation of our flight to Abu Simbel. Our trip could not have been better nor run more smoothly. We were always picked up, checked-in, checked-out and comfortably taken to our hotels and sites. Everyone was so nice and so helpful and kept us informed of the next days agenda and pick up times.
Wallid, our Egyptologist in Cairo was awesome; so knowledgeable, so interesting and so nice. Hamada, our Egyptologist on the cruise and balance of the tour was also absolutely terrific and both made our trip not only interesting but very enjoyable and fun. We never felt unsafe for one moment, in fact, seeing the Army and Tourist Police was comforting. The amazing colossal sites in Egypt are not to be missed!
I thank you again for a wonderful vacation experience.
We just got back Friday and had the most excellent vacation in Egypt! You were right, Blue Sky Travel never forgot us, they were so efficient and punctual all the time - they were awesome.
Everything was great, the MovenPick, the Semiramis, the Marriott. The drive from Luxor to Hurghada and all the domestic flights, those agents were right there on time and ready to help.
We never felt threatened however I would not like to be in Cario without a tour guide. All the egyptologists were fun and knowledgeable as well and spoke perfect English.
We were so happy we did not chicken out and switch to another tour or use our trip cancellation policy as Egypt was always a dream vacation and now we have realized that dream.
Our trip to Egypt was fantastic!
We just wanted you to know that our trip to Egypt was fantastic. Everyone we dealt with through Blue Sky Travel was professional, caring and took care of our every need and then some. Our Egyptologist Tour Guides were professional, knowledgeable, personable and sociable. They were very engaging and true historians dedicated to the history of Egypt with a passion. We learned so much and got a true feeling of life in ancient Egypt. The hotel accomodations at Movenpick were superb. The trip on the cruise ship MS Semiramis ll down the Nile was relaxing and it was wonderful to see the countryside and some of the people along the river on the cruise. Accomodations and the food on the cruise ship was good, both the hotel and the ship it would have been nice to have some bottled water available to us in our rooms since we could not drink the tap water. Over all it was a wonderful experience for us and a trip we will never forget. Thank you for all of your help to make this a trip of a lifetime for us.
Just wanted to write you to thank you and Irene for setting up the best trip of my life. Your patience in answering any pre-trip questions I had was much appreciated. From the time I touched down in Cairo till the last minutes in the wonderful country of Egypt I could not have been better taken care of by your team there. The tour Reps, Guides and Drivers were all top notch. The Mena House hotel was a wonderful magical place to stay. The staff there could not have been friendlier and ready to take care of your every need. To sit on your balcony