Egyptian Legacy tour

Absolutely incredible trip to Cairo and Luxor with Encounters travel and Lady Egypt. Everything was organised to perfection from the minute I landed. The guides Mustafa and Tayeb were brilliant - so informative and highly entertaining and also great personal photographers. All the staff were so helpful and went above and beyond. And I felt safe and cared for at all times. I had such a wonderful and memorable trip and would love to return again some day soon.

Our Egypt Tour was life changing! we took the express tour, we were greeted on arrival by a company member in Cairo airport with a company sign, then escorted to passport screening and check ins, we were taken to the first hotel then escorted the group to check ins at the hotel lobby .. they made check ins easy.. first day we hit the Giza Plateau, on our way to the pyramids our tour guides (Ayman Kenawy) and (Ashra fbehairy) explained what to expect and took care of us the entire tour.. the pyramids were amazing, Ayman and Ashra explained the history, personal prespectives and highlights of the pyramid location with great detail.. we were in complete awe.. they got us our tickets and guided us to the great pyramid entrance. after we checked out the great Sphinx went on camel rides they helped take pictures, SECURITY was present and tentative.. we felt SAFE the entire Tour! Second Day Ayman guided us on a tour to beautiful Cairo! to the Muhammad Ali Mosque.. wow this place is a true MARVEL.. most gorgeous architecture and history.. Ayman explained the purpose of things and the history of Muhammad Ali and purpose of this Mosque, this place i will not forget.. the gorgeous chandeliers and design on the ceiling , the energy there was captivating, just wow .. Ayman explained Islam to us, Mecca and the pilgrimage.. Thank you Ayman! We visited Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church of mary.. another life changing experience! afterwards The guides took us to the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar.. Security walked with us as we shopped Next day we headed to Aswan by flight, in the day we journeyed to Abu Simbel .. our Guide Ashra Gave us a time frame about a hour to freely check out the temples.. on the way Ashra explained the the Story of Abu Simbel.. Thank you Ashra! we ended the day on a Felucca cruising the beautiful Nile.. we slept in ethe felucca overnight.. it was comfortable and really nice.. starry skies over head and tranquil experience. next day we hit the Temple of Philae, rode a small boat to the temple the sights and river was worth every photo and video you can take! the details on the temple walls here are something else, an incredible sight! also the history of early Christianity here very worth noting.. Part of the tour was also shopping for Natural egyptian Oils medicined, perfumes and papyrus along with local food spots.. worth noting, if there was anything we NEEDED the tour guides were very well connected and will get you what youre looking for.. I.E medicine in case you are not feeling well or where the ATMs are located.. The Following locations were The valley of the kings, Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep, Luxur and my absolute favorite stop, Dendera's Temple of Hathor! this temple added the cherry on top of our trip.. we were in amazement of the tressure this place truly is. so much detail here.. you do NOT want to miss this location.. Ayman explained the history and the zodiac here! a true Marvel.. last stop was a day tour to ALEXANDRIA with our tour guide Ashra, we visited the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.. this place is eerie and trippy.. but definitely worth the visit , we hit Pompey's pillar, The famous library of Alexandria and were treated to a great sea food restaurant overlooking the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea.. Thank You Ashra! The Tour Guides kept us SAFE, fed and exited for the next stop .. the entire tour i felt SAFE.. the security staff was cool and followed close to the group.. met some amazing People and made priceless memories, THANK YOU TOUR GUIDES!! cant wait for our NEXT CHANCE TO VISIT EGYPT , WE LOVE YOU and GOD BLESS .

This was an amazing trip, not only because of the things I saw but because the trip was exceedingly well planned and executed. Encounters Travel's reps were informed and helpful and friendly, particularly Tom, who met me at the Cairo airport and made sure everything was perfect - to the point of texting me when I was on the ship between Luxor and Aswan to make sure everything was going well. The trip begins with two days in Cairo at the Mena House hotel - one of the most amazing places I've ever stayed. The concierge gives tours of the hotel in the evening and it's completely worth it. Then an early plane on the third day down to luxor and a tour of Karnak and Luxor - if you have a little extra time, make a stop at the museum in Luxor; it's quite lovely and they have some interesting statues and art well displayed. The first night is spent on the boat then the next morning seeing the valley of the kings and various other sites on the west bank - do the balloon trip; yes you have to get up early but seeing the sunrise kiss the hills and cliff faces and temples and statues from the air is completely worth it. Then two days down the Nile to Aswan. Another early morning for the optional day trip to Abu Simbol but again, completely worth it; our excellent driver got us there as one of the first vehicles in the convoy and we saw the sun up on the huge statues of Ramses. On the way back we stopped at the high dam and then went to Philae and took another boat to one of the Nubian villages. Then another early morning flight back to Cairo. I opted for the city tour and we saw the Citadel and the Mohammed Ali mosque and one of the main Coptic churches. I took the optional extra day at the end of the trip and the optional day trip to Alexandria. A word about my guides: in Cairo and Alexandria, I had Hamdi, an Egyptologist who was knowledgeable and entertaining. Highly recommend him. In Luxor, I was met by Aboudi who accompanied me from there to Aswan. He was exceptional, very personable and knew many many people. I felt like I was his American friend and he was introducing me to his friends as well as his country. He is knowledgeable about the history and culture but passionate about the art. Hamdi was less interested in the art than the stories represented by the art - the paintings and sculpture - and the stories it tells. Aboudi was enthralled by the lines and the colors and the craftsmanship. Anyway, highly recommend both of these guys. And, indeed, highly recommend the trip. It made me want to go back. Also recommend Encounters and their people, both in England and in Egypt. They were all friendly and helpful and accomodating. When I go back, I will definitely go through them and insist on working with Tom and Hamdi and Aboudi again. One last word about safety: Egypt is in turmoil. But at no time did I feel unsafe. Partly this is due to the wonderful people mentioned above tasked with taking care of me, but also due to the Egyptian people themselves who are warm and funny. And also because everyone wants tourism to continue and thrive so there is a great deal of security everywhere. Not intrusive so much as present. So, big thumbs up to Encounters for a wonderful trip and thanks again to Tom and Hamdi and Aboudi.