Shore Excursion: Day Tour from Safaga Port to Luxor

This was an amazing tour full of life time memories. The tour company, Reflections Travel, selected by VIATOR was an absolutely great choice! It is a three hour journey from Safaga to Luxor. The comfort and safety of you during this trip is of paramount importance. This tour company met it perfectly. We were greeted by a representative, holding a sign with our name, who pleasantly led us to our vehicle. The vehicle was comfortable and spotlessly clean. During our trip, the representative routinely asked us if we wished to have the air conditioner adjusted or if we needed a rest stop. Throughout the tour drive and time in Luxor, our comfort was of utmost concern by the company representatives. Once we reached Luxor, our guide entered the vehicle. He was pleasant and very informative. Right away he provided us a quick history of Egypt from antiquity to present day. His presentaion was informative and his delivery was factual, no bias. As we asked questions, he was happy to provide answers and thus provided us as much additional information on a topic as we wished. He was simply outstanding. From Karnak, we traveled through the cosmopolitan city area of Luxor, to a boat that crossed the Nile, and to a very nice lunch. After lunch, we proceeded to the Valley of the Kings where our guide provided us with a wealth of information about each tomb and the times of the Pharoh who was buried there. This was very important because the authorities do not allow travel guides to go into the tombs with their customers. Ahmet, our guide, was presenting the information in an interesting and easy manner that allowed us to keep up with all of the information he imparted. Next we went to a stone cutter factory where we learned the ancient way in which potters cut the stone and formed the urns and pottery in ancient times. It also provided us an opportunity to purchase items from a source which we knew to be authentic, Egyptian crafted items. Finally, we went to the Valley of the Workers instead of the Valley of the Queens. The tour provided us this option and we were pleased that the tour offered this flexibility. Concerned that we did not go to the Valley of the Queens, Ahmet, our Guide, provided us with a wealth of information so that we were familiar with what happened to the Queens when they went into the after life. The Valley of the Workers was an unexpected trip of amazing insights. The rock remains of the houses used by the workers are still standing. This site provided Ahmet a chance to inform us of the daily life of the workers who built the Tombs in the Valley of the King and Valley of the Queens. We then proceeded into the tomb chambers and were overwhelmed by the preservation of the tombs' art work on the walls. It was in significantly better condition then what we saw in the Tombs of the Pharohs, albeit on a smaller scale. This stop gave us insights into the life of construction worker of antiquity in juxtaposition of the life of a Pharoh. At the end of the tour, we felt so fortunate to have experienced Luxor with Ahmet. He gave us not only wonderful insights into the life of Egypt many thousands of years ago, but also the life of Egyptians today. One of our fun stops was at an ATM machine in a typical Egyptian neighborhood. Wow, my wife and I still smile as we recall our interaction with the Egyptians who were in line with us. This stop further confirmed how nice it was to have our own tour which allowed us to make adjustments during the tour to meet our own individual needs. Then it was time to return to the ship. Once again, we were pleased that our vehicle was very comfortable and that our drivers were professional, safe drivers. Driving at night through Egyptian roads is an exciting adventure. Our drivers were well up to the task. This tour was chock full of unique experiences. Like all tours, we saw the highlights of Luxor. However, our guide was exceptional in his ability to relate to us Egypt of the past and Egypt of today. The lengthy rides between Safaga and Luxor put a premium on the need for a comfortable and clean vehicle. The difference in road conditions and driving techniques between Egypt and home demand experienced drivers with commitment to safe driving. All of these were provided during our tour with Reflectiions Travel. We are so glad we booked this tour through VIATOR!

Driver and not so English speaking guide took us in an old beat up van on a wonderful adventure! The three hour drive to Luxor was full of amazing sights, like stepping back in time. The Nile Delta was full of photo ops with farmers and their wagons and donkeys, lovely mosques, and wild rides around narrow streets. When we got to Luxor we were assigned to a local guide that was very knowledgeable and spoke perfect English. Our boat ride on the Nile took us to the West Bank for a lovely buffet lunch with lots of local food.It's a long journey, but well worth it!