Okay cruise, A+ Guide!
The cruise itself was okay. Staff on the boat was mostly super friendly but as a female traveler some of the looks and comments that individual members gave were inappropriate. Didn't feel like a safe space.
For people who attach importance to time management I'd rather not recommend. Most of the time we were behind schedule and even had to postpone a visit to a temple to the next day because we didn't arrive on time (which didn't bother me personally). I sometimes felt that communication was not ideal.
That doesn't count for our Guide Talaat, though. He always kept us informed about what was going on and strived towards giving us the best experience possible. He is super knowledgeable, I still wonder how a person can remember so many names and numbers ;o)
He didn't hesitate to help with any issue that came up, no matter the time and had useful leads for the cruise as well as for our trip in general. I highly recommend going with him!
B1816ZFandreas · жовт. 2024 р. · через Tripadvisor
Great, but slightly tiring trip
The trip was very well organised and the tour guides, for the most part were pretty good. They do a good job of efficiently showing Egypt's numerous sights in a short time. Elder travellers may have difficulty keeping up with the pace, but it's worth it if the effort is put in
willsZ1825DI · жовт. 2024 р. · через Tripadvisor
Best decision to go with Goegypt Tours in our 9 day vaxation to egypt
It was extremely well organised. We were so happy with the service. All issues and concerns werw immediately addressed
JETSETGO2018 · жовт. 2024 р. · через Tripadvisor
Recommend this good value tour packed with all major highlights and great guide
We had an overall wonderful experience with our great tour guide, Khaled El Saady. Our ship the M/S Al Nabilitan is an older ship and shows signs of its age and definitely in need of refurbishment but for what we paid for the tour it was acceptable; we didn’t pay thousands of dollars which is what you’d pay for the true 5 star luxury ships. The pool was tiny and there was no gym. The meals were buffet style and the food was actually quite good with freshness, variety and flavor. I especially enjoyed the soups and fish (although seemed they only used one type of white fish). The entire staff from dining crew to room attendants were courteous, friendly and attentive.
Our guide was highly organized and we always had car/driver waiting for us. Khaled was also very informative on all the archaeological sites and is wealth of knowledge on all things pertaining to ancient Egypt with two masters degrees in related subject matters and having been tour guide for many years. His passion for history and culture of ancient Egyptian times was palpable. We felt Khaled really tried to take care of our group, helping us negotiate with local vendors so we wouldn’t overpay (too much) the “foreigners” price. The 4 days was packed with sites and activities, some of which were optional and additional charges but these were all enjoyable like visit to Nubian village, traditional meal and felucca sail. All the promised tour visits were accomplished, including the balloon ride which was one of the highlights of the tour. Unfortunately, due to some delays (had to pick up other people and wait for approval to leave dock on boat crossing Nile) we arrived late and missed the sunrise part of the balloon ride. I would recommend reworking the last day’s schedule. It was very hot entire time of our tour and on the last day we were all tired and worn out and had jam packed itinerary in which we visited Valley of Kings and Hatshepsut Temple midday heat and didn’t eat lunch until 4:30pm. We should have had lunch break before visit West Bank attractions. We did some shops visits (silver/jewelry/spices and alabaster stone) that in my opinion took too long. Also because we were pressed for time some little things like supply of cold water was missed.
Tam_P · вер. 2024 р. · через Viator
Recommend this good value tour- high quality tour guide but ship is not 5 star luxury vessel
Our overall experience and the value for what we paid was very good. I will say first off that this was not a 5 star cruising experience. Our ship the M/S Al Nabilitan was an older ship that definitely showed signs of its age; all the facilities and staterooms looked worn and weathered. There was no gym; rather, the “gym” was little more than a closet with couple pieces non functional equipment. The pool is just slightly larger than the hot tub. This is a ship in need of refurbishment/renovation to dub itself a 5 star vessel. But, then, again we didn’t pay thousands of dollars for our tour. I think you can’t pay ground beef prices and expect to get filet mignon which is why I haven’t subtracted any stars from this review. I will compliment the staff and especially the galley crew because the food was surprisingly delicious. Again, this wasn’t formal plated, multi course dining experience you’d maybe expect 5 star cruise but buffet style dining. The meat was hit n miss but the soups and fish were always very good, although they always used same type of white fish.
Our tour guide, Khaled El Saady, was great. It was evident that he had a lot of knowledge on Ancient Egyptian history, culture and language. He said he holds 2 masters degrees one of which is in ancient Egyptian languages (which is why he can read hieroglyphics) and has been tour guide for around 30 years. He was very informative and his passion for Ancient Egypt shows. He does have a pretty strong accent when he speaks English so we occasionally had difficulty understanding him especially the Belgian family in our group for whom English is not their first language. Khaled did a great job organizing the tour - drivers were always ready and waiting for us; the ticketing process at archaeological sites was pretty seamless as in many cases tickets had already been purchased; and he gave us heads up day before what we’d be doing next day and kept to schedule. We also felt taken care of by him as he helped negotiate prices with vendors so we wouldn’t be paying exorbitant “foreigners” prices. There were a few “optional” tours at extra charge that caught us off guard. As with all things in Egypt you may want to negotiate the prices for these extras. We knew the museum fees were not included in tour price and the amount we prepaid to Khaled coincided with actual cost plus additional 3% credit card transaction fee. We also prepaid gratuity for all staff on boat as well as all land based services providers (ie, drivers) which was $30 p.p for entire trip which seemed reasonable. We liked this approach as Khaled handled tipping for us as a group so we didn’t have to individually deal with it. I (and Khaled) will caution that despite this approach and people know tip will come from guide doesn’t preclude them from asking for tip. This was one of the great annoyances we found with Egypt - the constant barrage of Egyptians trying to squeeze money out of foreigners but it’s a poor country and they lose nothing by asking/trying.
We felt the 4 days tour was really packed with many sites visits and activities, especially the last and final day. I do feel the schedule for the last day can be improved as we didn’t eat lunch until 4:30pm and by then we were all starving. I think we should have had lunch after Karnak visit and before visiting Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple.
Overall, we are very happy with our tour experience and tour guide, Khaled.
Tpanonymous · вер. 2024 р. · через Tripadvisor
Really adventurous trip
The trip was very nice and informative. We went to Aswan and several archeological sites. The boat ride was very nice and pleasant and our guide Khaled El saady was very knowledgeable about history and a very nice person
563andrev · вер. 2024 р. · через Tripadvisor
Great guides made our trip memorable
This was one THE BEST experiences I have ever had! Everything was excellent from the rooms, the staff, the food - just overall exactly what you need for a wonderful Nile cruise. They take care of everything you could possibly need and are always one step ahead of you in figuring out your needs during the stay. One would think that they are packing in A LOT in a short time, but their schedule is so well planned that you get sufficient rest and relaxation time without compromising on experiencing the landmarks they have listed.
A special and big shoutout to Hajjaj Amin and Michael! THE MOST knowledgable guides I have had the pleasure of meeting. They give you all the information you need and their passion for the history, story and architecture of Egypt is evident in their interactions. Both are very jovial and make learning about Egypt a lot of fun! They guide you not just through the temples and tombs, but also make sure you are protected from scammers at local markets. Their attention to detail is praise-worthy. Be it providing bottles of cold water as needed, making atm stops or sharing much-needed information on the tipping culture, which can be confusing to tourists otherwise.
We had a bad experience with a different tour company on our first few days in Giza, where guides take tourists to stores that in turn scam you and from what I understand, share a % of it with the guide. But Haggag Amin and Michael renewed our faith in the good people of Egypt whose sole intention is for tourists to have wonderful memories of their country, to share the immense history and culture of their land, and give this more importance than making a quick buck.
Highly recommend this company. And HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Haggag Amin and Michael! We will definitely be telling our friends to specifically ask for them.
H5044BBjimmyd · вер. 2024 р. · через Tripadvisor
Very good experience
Very nice trip, the landscapes and temples are beautiful.
As for cruising, the boat (the Nabilatan) is very good, clean cabins, swimming pool and jaccuzi really add a plus to the trip. The staff was very attentive to us and always smiling.
The guides on the tours were very friendly, passionate and helpful. The organization between the guides and the boat was good we felt safe. I recommend.
Just one small remark. We had never done a cruise before and we thought that the boat customers made the excursions in large groups with the same Guide but in fact it is go tours egypt who organizes our excursions that sends the guides to each stop who pick us up at the reception of the boat and drops us off there at the end. And who passes the baton to the Guide after. We would have just liked to be explained to us at the beginning or before the cruise because we were a little lost.
Thank you so much for this great trip.
L8744XVnathaliek · вер. 2024 р. · через Tripadvisor · Перекладено
Very nice cruise from Aswan to Luxor
It was a very nice cruise from Aswan to Luxor. The boat was comfortable and the food fine. The guides of Go Tours are very experienced and know a lot about all the temples and the other Things to do. Highly recommended!
232marjaa · серп. 2024 р. · через Tripadvisor · Перекладено
Amazing trip around the masterpieces of Ancient Egypt
We spent amazing days visiting all the masterpieces between Aswan and Luxor, from Philae Temple to Edfu Temple, from the Valley of Kings and Karnak. All people of the cruise crew were kind, always eager to sarisfy our needs. Also the tour guides were amazing, in particular Mina and Abanoud; all of them were clear and exaustive, withouth being overwhelming. Food on the cruise was accettabile.
veronica p · серп. 2024 р. · через Tripadvisor
