Nile Cruise
I am very happy to give Hady 5 stars. His extensive knowledge and instruction on Egypt have been both interesting and fascinating.
Hady has kept me completely captivated and gave me clear instructions.
Hady was also very helpful in making sure we arrived at the boat on time. Great use of WhatsApp.
Thankyou Hady fabulous
Teresa739 · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor
Excellent Tour Experience with Hady
We had a wonderful experience on this tour. Our guide, Hady, was extremely responsible, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the entire trip. He explained the historical background clearly and in great detail, which made every site much more meaningful. Hady was also very punctual and well-organized, and we always felt well taken care of. His passion and dedication truly enhanced our experience. Highly recommended!
Happiness02661040452 · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor
Swiss Colombian family around the world
Our family—Swiss by roots and Colombian by heart—had the extraordinary privilege of discovering Aswan, the Nile, and Luxor under the guidance of Hady from Imperial Egypt, and we can say without hesitation that this experience exceeded every expectation we had. As a family that deeply values punctuality, quality, precision, and organization (very Swiss traits), but that also loves warmth, laughter, and passionate storytelling (our Colombian side), we could not have asked for a more perfect guide and human being than Hady.
From the very first moment, when Hady personally coordinated our pickup at the Aswan airport, his professionalism and attention to detail were evident. After a long international journey traveling with children, the last thing any family wants is confusion or delays, yet everything was seamless. He was already there waiting for us with a warm smile, calm energy, and a perfectly organized plan. The transport he arranged was immaculate, comfortable, and safe—something we especially appreciated traveling with kids. That first impression set the tone for the entire journey: we were in the hands of someone responsible, experienced, and genuinely committed to making our trip unforgettable.
What truly distinguishes Hady as a guide is his rare combination of deep academic knowledge and extraordinary emotional intelligence. Egypt is not an easy destination to fully grasp, especially for children and for visitors coming from a completely different cultural environment. Yet Hady has a gift for translating thousands of years of history into fascinating, accessible stories for both adults and young minds hungry for knowledge. His explanations of ancient Egyptian history, mythology, and culture were precise, filled with accurate dates, meaningful context, and captivating details that made temples and monuments come alive. He could explain complex dynastic timelines to the adults while simultaneously enchanting the children with stories of gods, pharaohs, and legends.
His patience is truly remarkable. Our children asked endless questions—sometimes serious, sometimes wonderfully random—and Hady responded to each one with kindness, humor, and enthusiasm. He never rushed, never dismissed curiosity, and never made anyone feel like a question was unimportant. Instead, he encouraged that curiosity, turning every visit into an interactive learning experience. It felt less like a tour and more like traveling with a passionate professor who also happens to be incredibly fun.
Throughout our time in Aswan, every visit was perfectly organized. From the Philae Temple to the High Dam, from boat rides to local markets, Hady demonstrated impressive logistical skills. Managing a group is never easy, especially a family with different ages, interests, and energy levels, yet he handled it with calm efficiency. He carefully watched over each member of our family, making sure no one felt left behind and everyone could enjoy the experience at their own pace. He respected our different rhythms—when the kids needed a break, when the adults wanted more historical depth, when someone wanted extra time for photos or simply to absorb the atmosphere.
One aspect that deserves special recognition is how smoothly Hady managed everything during Ramadan. While we were eating, drinking, and enjoying the intense Egyptian heat as tourists, he and his team were fasting. Despite this, his energy, positivity, and patience never wavered. Not once did we feel any discomfort or limitation because of it. On the contrary, he remained attentive, cheerful, and fully present, guiding us through long days with impressive stamina and grace. That level of dedication speaks volumes about his character and professionalism.
Hady’s sense of humor also made a huge difference. Traveling can be exhausting, especially in a country so rich and intense as Egypt, but he always found ways to keep the atmosphere light and enjoyable. He knew when to share a funny anecdote, when to give us space, and when to step in with useful information. His personality created a relaxed environment where everyone felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely happy.
Another remarkable quality is his transparency and honesty. He gave us clear guidance on everything—from historical facts to practical details such as local customs, appropriate behavior, prices, shopping advice, and how to interact respectfully with local vendors. This kind of insight is invaluable in a place where tourists can easily feel overwhelmed. Hady never pushed us toward any specific purchases or experiences; instead, he provided objective information so we could make our own decisions confidently.
The Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor was another highlight made exceptional by Hady’s coordination. Every transfer, every stop, every temple visit along the way was timed perfectly to avoid crowds and maximize comfort. The quality of the transportation and services he selected reflected his high standards. We never had to worry about logistics—everything simply worked. This allowed us to focus on enjoying the magic of sailing along one of the most legendary rivers in human history.
As we moved north toward Luxor, visiting extraordinary sites along the Nile, Hady continued to demonstrate his extraordinary ability to adapt. Some members of our family preferred in-depth historical explanations, others were more interested in photography, and the kids sometimes just needed space to run and explore safely. He balanced all these needs effortlessly. That flexibility is rare and incredibly valuable.
What also stood out was how respectfully he approached cultural differences within our group. Being Swiss-Colombian, we carry two very distinct cultural identities, and Hady navigated that beautifully. He appreciated our love for punctual schedules while also embracing our spontaneous, joyful side. He never imposed a rigid structure, yet everything remained perfectly organized. It felt like traveling with someone who truly understands people.
By the time we reached Luxor, we realized that Hady had done much more than guide us through monuments—he had helped us connect emotionally with Egypt. He shared not only facts, but also pride, context, and humanity. He showed us how ancient history still lives within modern Egyptian culture. He helped our children see the world with wider eyes. He transformed what could have been a standard tour into a deeply meaningful family journey.
We wholeheartedly recommend Hady and Imperial Egypt to any traveler, especially families visiting Egypt for the first time. If you value professionalism, punctuality, safety, knowledge, patience, organization, humor, and genuine kindness, you will not find a better guide in Aswan or along the Nile. Hady is not just an excellent guide—he is a remarkable ambassador of his country.
As a family that truly appreciates precision and excellence like good Swiss citizens, and that also loves joy, laughter, and unforgettable experiences like good Colombians, we can say that traveling with Hady was the perfect balance of both worlds.
Thank you, Hady, and thank you, Imperial Egypt, for giving our family memories that will last a lifetime. We arrived as tourists, but we left feeling like we had gained a friend in Egypt.
Highly, wholeheartedly, and sincerely recommended.
867centroc · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor
Great cruise with excellent guide ( Hady)
An absolutely fantastic cruise with wonderful staff. Very helpful staff but not pushy and do not harass you. Great food and surprisingly clean rooms. An okay selection of alcohol with fair prices and a very nice lounge to enjoy it in.
One of the best parts was our great tour guide Hady. He was patient, funny, kind and shared impressive knowledge of the sites we visited. We were always on time and didn't feel rushed. He didn't pressure us to buy anything and never tried to cheat us.
I strongly recommend taking this awesome cruise and ask for Hady as your guide.
X430XBmikep · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor
Nile Shams successful family cruise
4 intense days to discover the jewels of Aswan in Luxor on the boat Nile Shams. A steady pace (wake 3:30/4:00 every morning) but rewarded with wonders (visit with our 3 teenage children). A perfect option to see as many sights as possible in the best transport conditions (the boat was rustic but with charm and good value for money), beautiful entertainment (Eastern evening) good and varied food on board (Egyptian and delicious Eastern evening) and timing of excursions trying but perfectly right considering the load of the program. I would like to thank and highly recommend our English speaking guide Talaat Abdo. Energy, positive, patient (family rhythm not simple, especially with such an ambitious program), always smiling, considerate and helpful, generous in advice and attentive to needs. He allowed these 4 days to go smoothly.
I would also like to stress the great kindness of the Nile Shams' onboard staff, always attentive and delicate (attempt to speak in French, preparation of rooms with fun attentions, attentive table service etc.).
In short, a successful cruise, with good value for money, at a (very) fast pace but whose accompaniment was impeccable (Talaat Abdo, onboard staff and drivers)
Sightsee28459030210 · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor · مترجم
It was great
Talaat Abdo was our tour guide he was a great uide so funny knowledgeableand attentivewe had a great time with him as a tour guide and we really enjoyed our trip we highly recommendhim
Thanks talaat
milagritosc2024 · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor
Sleepless on the Nile
We recently completed the 5-day MS Liberty Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan, and unfortunately, it did not live up to the “5-star luxury” experience that was advertised.
The ship is described as “newly renovated,” however the floating floor they installed is quite literally floating. There were soft, squishy areas throughout the ship that you could feel shifting under your feet while walking, which was concerning and far from luxury.
The biggest issue was the constant noise. There are speakers located directly in the hallways outside the cabins, playing music loudly throughout the day until 9:30 pm. The volume is so high that you can clearly hear it inside your room, even with the TV on. Nightly shows and disco parties don’t begin until around 9:00 or 9:30 pm, which wouldn’t be a problem, except if your cabin is above the lounge. The music was so loud at one point that our floor was literally shaking.
On top of that, every single night when the ship docked, workers were yelling and shouting outside in the middle of the night. This happened nightly, not just once. With tour departures starting at 7:00 am and the Abu Simbel excursion beginning at 4:00 am, sleep deprivation quickly became a serious issue.
The cabins themselves were decent. The shower was small, which is expected on a ship. The beds were quite firm, but I personally didn’t mind that.
The food was okay. There wasn’t much variety and overall it lacked flavour.
The employees were friendly, but the service felt very unorganized, almost as if many were still in training. Getting service by the pool was nearly impossible.
The pool area itself was pleasant, though there are not many loungers. If you were lucky enough to secure one, it was a beautiful place to sit and watch the Nile as you cruised.
They advertise WiFi, but do not clearly state that you only receive 1GB before having to pay for additional data. They also advertise free coffee, tea, and water with meals, yet we were charged every time. At the very least, water should be complimentary.
The laundry facilities were broken during our sailing, so we were unable to wash any clothing. After already spending five days in Egypt prior to boarding, this would have been very helpful.
Housekeeping was also suboptimal. The beds were made daily and the towel animals were a nice touch, but surfaces were never properly cleaned. The same stains remained on our sink for the entire cruise.
Thank goodness we booked through Egypt Portal Tours and had Omar as our guide, he was exceptional and truly saved the experience. Without him, this trip would have been incredibly disappointing.
Overall, the staff were kind and the scenery along the Nile is unforgettable. However, this is not a 5-star luxury vessel as advertised. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this cruise.
Adelia M · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor
The best trip with the best toyr guide talaat
We were a couple nd talaat abdo was our toyr guide this man made our trip really i reallky recomend him for anyone wantd he was very funny knowledgeable and honest
He k iwa everything about the egyptian history
Thanks talaat
Flyer46812707084 · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor
Exceptional Guide
I had an exceptional experience with our guide. From the very beginning, he was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the history and culture. His explanations were clear, engaging, and full of fascinating details that you wouldn’t find in books.
He was also very patient and happy to answer all of our questions, making sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying the experience. His storytelling truly brought the sites to life and made the visit unforgettable.
279fayza · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor
Culture immerse
Good experience on the boat. Enjoy the visit. Need to get up quite early but can see multiple temples on the way. Our guide Talaat Abdo was very knowledgeable and flexible if you want to take more photos and skip part of the tour. Highly recommended!
Cruiser629712 · فبراير 2026 · عبر Tripadvisor