xyz99, Go Luxor Tours arranged everything, including the balloon ride.

We also enjoyed the Cave Church and Garbage City on the way to it (separate from Coptic Cairo). Garbage City was a surprise and something I hadn't discovered in my research, but it and its history were so interesting.

That's good to know, I thought they were based in Luxor and only serve that area. It's easier when you have to deal with a single company to arrange things, thanks!

That's true, they are based in Luxor, but they serve the entire country. We met Michael, their owner, when we were in Luxor, but had another (very good) guide there because he was already booked. Our guide in Cairo, Francis, was fantastic and we still keep in touch with him. The drivers were also all very good and were always on time to pick us up. One of the things I liked about Go Luxor when I was researching tour companies was that when I gave Michael my ideas for sites to see/cities to visit, he made suggestions such as "you don't want to do x, but you do want to do y", etc. It seems logical that a tour operator would make those types of suggestions, but the others didn't.

Go Luxor sounds really like what we are looking for: not a cookie cutter itinerary that fits them, but something that we want. The liberty to make our own schedule and hotel reservations, and the comfort of pre-arranged transfers and local guides.
I always had this idea that Egypt is hard to do/impossible on our own, that we would need one tour operator to organize everything for us. I tried that, but the cost was too high. I always organized all prior trips, I see now that Egypt is not different. Perfect!

Brava, ellen75005, for all the info and lovely pix. Off to see you blog. Where to next??

xyz99, it's definitely possible to plan and do Egypt on your own, especially with a good tour company to answer questions and give suggestions. I'd love to look at your itinerary when you get farther down the planning path!

TDudette, we've cancelled Russia, China and a cruise to Antartica and I'm in the process of cancelling a trip to Paris and Edinburgh for December. Other than France next spring if we can travel by then (and I'm not counting on that), we haven't talked seriously. I guess Russia would be high on our list. My husband has been there and my daughter speaks Russian and has lived there, so they're anxious for me to see it. We haven't been to Italy in a couple of years and with France, that's always high on my list. Right now we have reservations to Portland, OR to spend Thanksgiving with our daughter and her family and with all the uncertainty, that seems like an eternity away!

I'll definitely post the itinerary and will look for feedback when I'll have one, and some firm plans of traveling. Needless to say, the covid situation will play a big part in that. We have a Galapagos trip booked for late spring, and I think it's very possible we might need to move that to 2022. We had to cancel Portugal, and could only get vouchers, so it's going to be Portugal in the fall of 2021. Egypt will be early 2022 or later...I miss traveling. Thank you!

I lived there
 

I lived in egypt for a year, it's awesome! thanks for the post

ellen, I have to protest about your planned trip (albeit probably cancelled), sorry cruise, to the Antarctica - why? It is a delicate ecostructure, no cruise ships (or travellers please)!

I have to stand up for my principles.

Likewise, someone else's intentions to travel to the Galapagos, leave these places alone - please!

So ambitious -but so lazy!
 

Ellen - Love your blog!
My boomer husband and I are planning to go to Egypt in October (2021) - we're thinking 4 weeks.
I know what I want to see and do ... I just don't want to do all the planning, driving, buying tickets, standing in line, etc.
I see you booked with Go Luxor - Could I send them my list (including a Nile cruise) and would they take care of everything - or do I do it ad hoc with them ... city by city?
Thanks in advance for your help
Here's to all of our safe/healthy travels ahead

Dorax1, glad you enjoyed the info and pix. We went to Iceland in June when they began to accept vaccinated Americans and I'm in Paris now. It feels good to be traveling again!

Thanks for your TR. Panning to go there January 2023. I will take a look at your blog.

yestravel, I'm glad you enjoyed it and I know you'll love Egypt! If you have any questions after reading the blog, don't hesitate to let me know.

Ellen

Add me to the list of folks planning a trip to Egypt and Jordan! I’ll be studying your blog carefully and trying to focus on what, exactly, we want to see and where to stay. Thanks for posting! And thanks, too, to yestravel, for bringing this thread to the top.

Thank you! I was just beginning to scope out how much time we will want in Egypt and it seems about 16-17 days will work for us. I appreciate your offer and likely once I get into full planning mode, will be back with questions. Based on your blog we have visited so many of the same places.