bizkitgto

Hey guys - I was hoping to get on a tour to see the highlights of Egypt (Cairo, Giza, Luxor, etc), I'm 32/m, travelling solo. I'm looking at the Memphis Cairo to Luxor 5 day trip, but would love to know if anyone can recommend a good tour operator or share any experiences. Thanks!

Link to Memphis Tours: Cairo to Luxor

michele_d

We are just finishing up our 10 day trip today with Memphis Tours in Egypt. They are outstanding...highly recommend them. They handle every tiny detail, from whisking us through immigration to supplying us with unlimited bottled water.

There are a lot of logistics involved with a trip of this sort. A Memphis rep or guide was there every minute to guide us through all the details. Our guides briefed us at each stop about safety, vendors etc for each particular site. We very much appreciated the additional info and safety concerns.

It was just myself, my husband, our driver and guide for the Cairo portion. There were 7 of us for the Nile portion, which was fantastic. We felt very safe and taken care during our entire trip. Memphis helped us plan our free time also, with suggestions of additional activities. They were always ready to answer any questions.

Our guides, which we highly recommend were Mohamed Abdul Salam in Cairo, with driver Abo Ziad, and guide Mohamed Emam for the Nile cruise.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at mdorner0 at yahoo.com.

Happy planning!

bizkitgto

Thanks for the recommendation!

idlechater

Wow!

We've been working with Memphis Tours for our Egypt trip in mid-April. We'll be in Cairo, Luxor, and a dahabiya cruise to Aswan. So far they've been great and from your report it seems we're in good hands.

Thanks!

michele_d

You are in very good hands!! Have a great trip.

idlechater

Did you visit any markets?

michele_d

We did not visit any markets. We walked through hordes of vendors at every site. Our guide told us how to deal with them. I asked about the markets and he said they are just a nightmare for the tourists. I supposed if you really want to go to a market you can. Dealing the onslaught at the sites was more than enough for me.

katyakate24

Thnx for info

Aboehmer

Hello Michele, did you post a trip thread? I'd love to read it. We are looking at possibly October this year.

How did you feel over all safety-wise. I am talking with a friend from work whose wife is from Egypt. They feel it is fine as long as you take normal precautions.

Any info or link to threads would be awesome! Happy you had a great trip.

michele_d

We felt very safe during our trip to Egypt. There is a very large police presence and numerous security checks to get into tourist sites and airports. There were three security checks just to get into Cairo airport, and another two inside prior to boarding our flight. There are security gates to go through at all hotels and then security inside.

We normally travel on our own, without tours, but felt for safety reasons we would go with a tour, hence our booking with Memphis Tours. We really loved them. They work extremely hard and always put your needs first.

ToujoursVoyager

Another vote here for Memphis tours. We went in 2011. They were outstanding

kazimpinoy

Tour operators can guide you more and you can get more out of your tour, but I think exploring it on your own is more productive and fun. You can easily find some local guide at the spots which will give you a tour around

Aboehmer

I planned our trips to Germany/Austria/Switzerland as well as one to Spain and Paris on my own. But I tend to like the wandering approach. I do think I waste more time since I don't know the area as well and my girlfriend likes hitting the major sites.

Last trip to Romania and Istanbul we used Tours by Locals which was awesome. They are 1-1 tours which cost more but were very flexible. They knew the culture and were happy to advise or just drive and provide commentary.

With Egypt being so crowded we'd like make use of what time we have.

idlechater

We're currently in Luxor.

We've been working in-person with Memphis Tours guides and drivers and they are exceptional. They are handling literally everything. Our thrip has been an unqualified success and it's all due to MT. WE are seeing everything we want to see and many things we never would have thought of.

For instance, on our way to the Winter Palace from the Luxor airport tonight, our rep suggested we meet for a late carriage ride through Luxor, and have some coffee. We rode around a lively downtown including a fascinating souk used by locals. We would have never thought of this let alone find our way to this souk. This is the kind of service we've had from Memphis.

If noone has told you, the traffic in Cairo is terrifying. Memphis driver are expert in navigating a automotive malestrom that would render the most skilled and gifted western driver apoplectic.

Earlier today, while still in Cairo, we had asked to visit the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Center - a weaving school my wife is familiar with. This place isn't a part of their regular itinerary options, and our guide wasn't at all familiar with it, but they happily accomodated us.

They took us shopping for a replacement power converter. Ours had quit.

They picked excellent restarants we would have never found ourselves.

At Saqqara they stepped up to get a guard to rid us of a particularly pushy photo-bomber.

Going with a tour service like Memphis was the absolute best thing we could have done.

xcountry