Our adventure started in 2019 when we sought to travel – two school friends from the junior days. We both had Egypt as a bucket list item and discovered that it would be possible to take this adventure to the next level in January 2020. The research began… the travel agents contacted. We asked 100’s of questions and were fed information and sadly a little mis-information too (travel agent was not on point with all the details!)
It was our first trip with On the Go Tours, not to mention our first as travel companions. This too compounded by people such as consulates, social media and friends cautioning us against the safety aspect of traveling to Egypt. We did the King Tutankhamen 9 nights 10 day tour of Egypt and were delighted to find that not only were we able to check the bucket list item off but also were safe and experienced the tour with little cause for concern.
On the Go Tours representative met us at Cairo airport and assisted with the acquisition of the e-visa. Then he escorted us to meet the transport to the Hotel for check-in. Our first hotel was the Holiday Inn Maadi – I was very impressed with their service and cleanliness.
Ahmed (On the Go Tours – Operations Manager) met with us at the hotel, advised us of the land arrangement costs, and tip kitty arrangements.
Later in the day, we met our Egyptologist Mohamed Saiid (MoMo) who during the tour passionately and enthusiastically took us through the history, the architecture, the politics and egos of various Pharaohs and their family members.
MoMo has a unique approach to guiding a tour group by making us part of his “family” – he did this ensuring the as at all times knew the call meant we needed to focus on him – he certainly made sure we experienced both the local cuisine and cultures as well as the tourist hot markets and shops.
Tour Highlights:
- Great Pyramid and Khafre’s pyramid at Giza – seeing a number of other pyramids in the plateau, exploring the Necropolis of Saqqara (stepped pyramid) and visiting the Egyptian Museum to see a vast array of treasures as well as King Tut's tomb, mask and thrown.
- Although the overnight train was played down on the scale of enthusiasm it was still a hoot and added to the adventure
- Aswan - take a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island to explore the romantic Philae Temple, Check in to Aswan Tolip
- Nile felucca cruising - sail the River Nile on board a traditional felucca and spend two nights on board
- Coach to Luxor
- Luxor - roam around the colossal Temple of Karnak and take an optional tour of the beautifully illuminated Luxor Temple at night
- Kom Ombo - visit the Nile side Temple of Kom Ombo
- Luxor West Bank – (Thebes) discover exquisite tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the towering - Colossi of Memnon and the beautiful Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Luxor to Cairo over night train
On our last day and a half in Cairo, we had a free to do whatever we wished. This provided a chance to explore Cairo city without papa bear “MoMo”
We did felt safe – the people of Cairo and Egypt are as helpful and hospitable as possible – if approached for directions and info they were always friendly and tried their best to help.
Thank you to the people of Egypt for your warm hospitality.
I look forward to visiting the New Egyptian Museum and hopefully next time get a chance to see Abu Simbel and do a Nile Cruise.”