A phenomenal day in Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
It was a long and exhausting day for everyone involved, but also a phenomenal one in Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. A big thank you to Osman, who is apparently online 24/7 and answers every question immediately. Also to Nassir, who drove us safely through the wild Egyptian traffic and a very special thank you goes to Nasch! A unique and distinctive guide. He welcomed us with a big smile and with his warmth plus wit and humor guided us through the day and the sights in an excellent way. In Germany they say: That was really, really great cinema!
haikog852 · Sep 2023 · via Tripadvisor · Translated
Very good experience
From the day before they contacted us and the pick-up at the hotel, everything went very well. The comfortable and very new private transportation and the driver very attentive to us throughout the day, offering us fresh water and Coca Cola at all times.
The visits to the monuments are well organized and the guide is in charge of the tickets and management of everything. Our guide Ramada, a professor of Egyptology and archaeology, spoke perfect Spanish and had great knowledge of the Egyptian world. He explained everything to us in great detail and even helped us with the vendors at the monuments so they wouldn't bother us too much.
The local food restaurant is very good, with good food and the possibility of repeating. The drinks were priced like in Spain. The boat trip on the Nile was also nice, we had a boat to ourselves.
During the day there is a stop at a papyrus store where they explain how they are made and you can buy, you can also go to the bathroom for free (you have to pay at monuments) and they are quite clean. The other stop is at a supposed family alabaster factory, where they give you a small sample of how they work and you can buy figures made of different materials. In both places the prices are high, but you can haggle a lot. It is not mandatory to buy but if you feel a little compromised by all the attention from the moment you arrive.
In general the service with this agency was very good, also with our guide in Spanish Ramada and the driver.
sarasB8597VX · Sep 2023 · via Tripadvisor · Translated
Buena experiencia en general
Desde la recogida en el hotel todo fue muy bien. El transporte privado cómodo y muy nuevo y el conductor muy atento con nosotros durante todo el día, ofreciéndonos agua y Coca Cola fresca.
Las visitas a los monumentos están bien organizadas y el guía se encarga de las entradas. Nuestro guía Ramada hablaba perfectamente español y tenia gran conocimiento del mundo egipcio. Nos explicó todo con mucho detalle y nos ayudó con los vendedores de los monumentos para que no nos molestaran demasiado.
El restaurante de comida local muy bien, con buena comida y posibilidad de repetir. Las bebidas salieron como en España.
El viaje en barco por el Nilo también agradable, teníamos un barco para nosotros solos.
Durante el día se hace una parada en una tienda de papiros que te explican como se fabrican y puedes comprar, también puedes ir al baño de forma gratuita (en los monumentos hay que pagar) y están bastante limpios.
La otra parada es en una supuesta fábrica familiar de alabastro, donde te hacen una pequeña muestra de cómo trabajan y puedes comprar figuras de distintos materiales.
En ambos sitios los precios son elevados, pero se puede regatear bastante. No es obligatorio comprar pero si te sientes un poco en el compromiso por todas las atenciones desde que llegas.
En general el servicio con esta agencia fue muy bueno, también con nuestro guía en español Ramada y el conductor.
Sara_S · Sep 2023 · via Viator
Fabulous time
We spent 2 days in Luxor . Thank you for the best guide Abdul and perfect driver Ibrahim. The sightseeing and transportation was well tailored for us and very comfortable . The assistance of Mohamend via whatsapp was perfect , even 5 in the morning! I truly recommend this company . Comparing quality and the price it is also very good when you compare to other offers . If we come back to Egipt I would go stright to your company to ask for trips! The only thing I would change is lunch . It was not good. We prefer local traditional restaurants or even small bars , but after one day we changed it with our guide and i was perfect👍🏻
Voyager00730151662 · Sep 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Impressive excursion
As a family (with 2 11-year-old children), we made a strenuous but eventful trip to Luxor.
The organization from Germany via WhatsApp worked perfectly and without any advance payment.
We were then picked up by our drivers in a minibus at 3:30 am from our hotel Jaz Solaya (Marsa Alam) (cold drinks were available on the bus). Due to local regulations, the journey takes a detour via Safaga, where a security check takes place and then the buses are forwarded together. This meant that the journey to Luxor took almost 6 hours with a short stopover. Our tour operator Naschaat then joined us in Luxor. He organized the entire tour so well that we were always traveling countercyclically to the large tour groups (completely alone in the restaurant at lunch). So we were only with very few other tourists in the Valley of the Kings and sometimes completely alone in the burial chambers. From the Karnak Temple, to the Nile crossing, the Memnon Colossi, the Valley of the Kings and another temple at the end, Naschaat impressed us with his information and especially his knowledge of hieroglyphs and gave us a very friendly insight into Egyptian history in perfect German. With plenty to drink, the 46 degree outside temperature was bearable.
Thanks in particular to Naschaat for this experience and Memnon Reisen for the good organization of everything!
Reisenator · Aug 2023 · via Tripadvisor · Translated
Fantastic trip
This was by far the best trip I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. This trip deserves more than 5 stars. Or rather, Memnom Reisen deserves this. I was a bit skeptical at first because it only has 5 star reviews. However, Osman the organizer, driver Chiko and our guide Naschaat proved that you can exceed any expectations. From the communication to the pick-up, the journey and the sightseeing, everything was perfect. Thank you again for the great experience. I always felt very safe.
Naschaat guided us in such a way that we were practically not exposed to any crowds. Listen to his advice and go for lunch early, it is definitely worth it.
Make sure you take a hat with you. I bought one after the first temple, but I think that was too late. After the Valley of the Kings, the effects of the sunstroke were very strong. Chiko, our driver, looked after me very carefully.
If everything wasn't perfect enough, there was always ice-cold water and cola in the car. :)
Osman, Chiko, Naschaad, thank you again for this great experience
We will book every trip to Egypt through Memnom Reisen in the future
normane854 · Aug 2023 · via Tripadvisor · Translated
Perfect day trip!
We booked our trip spontaneously the day before. Everything worked out perfectly and we enjoyed it very much.
The driver and the guide (Pola and Osama) were very friendly and knowledgeable.
We had a great, interesting day and can only recommend Memnon Reisen.
salzburger1492 · Aug 2023 · via Tripadvisor · Translated
Top organized - worth every cent!
Thank you for a wonderful day!
The trip was very well organized. Booking was done easily from home!
Our driver picked us up from our hotel on time. He took us safely through the chaotic traffic to the sights. Naasch, our tour guide was great. He introduced us to ancient Egypt with a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge. He responded to our questions and requests. We had very nice, funny conversations. A big thank you to him.
The food was also wonderful. The restaurant was a beautiful place on the Nile.
This trip is simply recommended!
2023-mm · Aug 2023 · via Tripadvisor · Translated
Premium excursions that are worth EVERY euro. THANK YOU for the great tours
(actually wanted to write something short...)
I was in Egypt for the first time in July 2023 with my 15-year-old son.
The plan was to see the Valley of the Kings and the pyramids in Cairo.
We also wanted to snorkel and dive in the Red Sea.
Comfort and a beautiful hotel complex should not be neglected.
The "classic" approach is a hotel in Hurghada (swimming & diving) and plan excursions from there.
We booked the trip from Hanover last minute with TUI Arabic Azure.
Every hotel offers excursions on site. The costs are in the range of €70-120 per tour & person, although this is usually organized in groups.
Prices are Egyptian day / weather / moon prices.
You then travel by minibus or coach from the hotel to Luxor or Cairo.
On site there is a visit to the sights. Of course, the whole thing is accompanied.
Advantage:
* Not too expensive
* Company... but you can't choose
Disadvantages:
* Hotel tour (picking up people)
* Medium to large groups
* Usually with "compulsory visits" to various shops.
* The "group" sets the speed (in both directions)
* Food more like a "hotel buffet"
We became aware of Memnon Reisen through Tripadvisor,
because they offer "exclusive trips".
I contacted them by email.
Within a few hours I received very nice reply emails in German.
The communication was great and made a VERY SERIOUS impression.
We were NOT DISAPPOINTED.
Everything was booked by email.
Payment is then made directly on site in cash when the trip begins.
Euros, Egyptian pounds or a mix were possible here.
In my opinion there was ZERO risk and it worked great.
We booked 2 large packages for my son and me:
1. Private tour of Luxor (320€)
2. Private tour of Cairo by plane (640€)
Yes, a lot of money, but worth every cent.
If there are 4 people, it is a bit cheaper.
For the flight, 50% must be paid in advance upon arrival at the hotel.
A driver will be sent to pick you up.
Memnon Reisen also offers a "private" shuttle service from the airport.
This costs 20€ per tour.
Memnon Reise waived the airport transfers for me as a "bonus" because I had booked the big tour and the driver had to come anyway because of the "prepayment".
Many people have already written about what the tours are like.
Therefore, “just” a short list of the highlights:
LUXOR:
Top-maintained car
Nice driver (English)
Plenty of cold drinks in the car
TOP German-speaking Egyptologist
Great conversations (including private things, etc.)
Very, very great tour of the Karnak Temple
Cool Nile cruise (... yes, own boat for 2 guests 😉)
Great Egyptian food
Valley of the Kings: Very, very beautiful wall paintings
The guide knew EVERYTHING and was very happy to be there.
A really cool day. Worth EVERY EURO
CAIRO:
Transfer to the airport by car (see above)
We were taken to the counter
We were picked up at the airport in Cairo
No bus for the two of us
TOP German-speaking Egyptologist
Great conversations again (including private things, etc.)
Small tour through rush hour in Cairo (was really cool)
The guide told us everything about Cairo
At the pyramids around 9:00 a.m. (it wasn't too hot yet)
Great tour, explained EVERYTHING
We could decide what we wanted to see and for how long
Really kept the "traders" away from us
Egyptian Museum was very nice, but hot (no air conditioning)
A super great tour that showed us and explained the important things there. Thank you
Highlight: Tutankhamu
Then a great Egyptian lunch
Cairo tour (various buildings, mosques)
The alleys through Cairo (market)
The guide knew every corner and details about the buildings.
At the end, Egyptian tea break “somewhere”
Tiring but unforgettable day.
TOP
SPECIAL SERVICE
I asked if they could get me cell phone cards when I picked them up.
Sure: €15 per card and I didn’t have to queue ;-)
Unfortunately Felix got sick on vacation… everything had to be replanned.
I was in contact with Mahmoud via WhatsApp, who replanned EVERYTHING… free of charge.
We thought that was great.
On the return flight from Cairo, unfortunately a plane broke down… we got home 3 hours late.
Memnon took us from the airport to the hotel accordingly later (1 a.m.!). AND: Because everything was already closed, the driver had put together a bag with dinner for us (toast, spread, etc...) GREAT.
On the day of departure we wanted to go out to eat before the airport... the luggage was to stay in the car for 2 hours... No problem. THANK YOU
In summary:
1. A++ service
2. Very nice and competent team
3. ABSOLUTELY recommended
4. Worth EVERY euro
5. Others can do it cheaply 😉
TIP for tips (my guide told me): On day trips, at least 10€ per person is usual for the guide. You can give the driver 10+€. I was happy to give it more. Egyptian income: 300-400€ per month.
Of course a few euros for the boat... the food... etc. that's just how it is 😉
Thanks to the Memnon Reisen team for 2 great trips and great service on vacation.
952markoh · Aug 2023 · via Tripadvisor · Translated
Highly Recommended Trip
24/7/23
Did the private tour to Luxor, Valley of the Kings from Hurghada.
Collected promptly by our guide (Momen) and 2 drivers from our hotel.
Bottled water supplied all day (and it was cold!) which was very much needed as the temperature was 45 degrees.
The guide was fantastic and a big shout out to him (Momen), he was knowledgeable, fun, interesting and fanatical about Egyptology.
Karnak Temple was so impressive and definitely one of the trips highlights. Valley of the Kings was also great, the tombs are jaw dropping when you are actually stood inside and you can witness the intricacy of the hieroglyphics, the colours and you also have the option of seeing Tutankhamun!
The excursion includes a visit to Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon. The 1 hour Nile cruise is more like 20 minutes. We were not on a felluca boat but a small boat with a motor. It was pleasant enough. Momen sorted out the tip for the captain of the boat so we didn't need to.
Lunch was a traditional Egyptian meal (chicken, beef or veggie option). This was really nice. Drinks are not included in the excursion cost and can be expensive.
You will also stop off at a Papyrus shop and an Alabaster shop who will try to sell you everything at highly inflated prices. I'm sure if you said to tour guide you would rather not visit these places then this could be arranged. If you do visit, please barter and be prepared to walk away.
Take some small EGP/Euro currency as you have to pay to use the bathrooms as the stop off points.
If you visit in the height of summer, I would advise umbrellas to help shield you from the sun, high factor sun screen, hats and to wear loose fitting clothing - ideally that cover your arms/legs as you will be outside for the majority of the day.
Beccie246 · Aug 2023 · via Tripadvisor
