The pyramids of Giza are the last remaining Wonder of the World. Traveling to this ancient land is on most people’s Bucket List. Who wouldn’t want to cruise the Nile? To walk among the ruins of Luxor? Or to view the treasures of Tutankhamen in his own land? Unfortunately, turmoil in this country has made travel to this area a frightening proposition. Your friends and family are concerned, asking you “Is it safe to travel to Egypt?” So where can you find safe travel to Egypt? Our experience is that you might feel more secure in your travel if you go with a reliable tour group, like Abercrombie and Kent. This luxury small group tour allowed us to feel confident and safe as we explored Cairo, Giza, and sailed down the Nile.
We had the opportunity to travel with Abercrombie and Kent in 2012. This trip will remain one of our most memorable ever. Our tour included a week on the Nile as well as 4 days in Cairo. We looked at competitive travel companies, but decided on this tour based on several of the opportunities only A&K offered – a morning in the Egyptian Museum before it opened to the public, and, most exceptionally, a visit to Queen Nefertari’s tomb in the Valley of the Queens.
A few weeks before the trip we received a package with luggage tags and a leather travel folder containing a personalized itinerary. The folder included information that we could share with family who would inevitably worry about us. We copied that page, sent it to Mom & Dad, and began packing.
Tips for Worry Free Travel – ideas for peace of mind for you and your family
An easy arrival in Cairo
We flew into Cairo from Jordan where we’d spent five days exploring that country. A smiling A&K representative met us at the airport and helped us navigate the luggage retrieval and other customs technicalities before delivering us to our hotel – the Four Season First Residence.
The Four Seasons was lovely. Our room was as large as my daughters NYC apartment!
We met our group that evening for drinks. Our guide, Hesham Abdullah, introduced himself and got the conversation started. There were 20 of us in the group, most from the US, and most retired or almost retired people. It was immediately apparent that we’d enjoy the group.
In the days that followed we had our early morning visit to the museum, a day in Giza at the pyramids, and a day in Memphis. Hesham was outstanding, with a deep knowledge of history and archaeology. But what mostly impressed us (besides his good humor!) was how open he was to discussing the unrest in Egypt. He didn’t shy away from discussing politics or his personal hopes for the future of Egypt.
During the time in Cairo, we became aware that our group was well-guarded. When we saw heavily armed men accompanying us, we were at once startled and comforted. It was great to see that our security was a priority to A&K. There was never a time that these men had to step up to protect us, but it was good to know that they were there.
And then we were off to the Nile! We flew a commercial plane to Aswan. Then on to Abu Simbel and the Aswan high dam before arriving at our boat, the Sun Boat III.
Cruising the Nile with a luxury small group tour
The boat was beautifully appointed. Our stateroom, though small, had a canopied bed and well designed storage areas. The service on the Sun Boat III was first class and the food excellent. The top deck featured cabanas surrounding a plunge pool. Perfect for whiling away the day as we cruised the Nile.
Back in Cairo for a few days to tour the Islamic and Coptic Christian parts of the city. This time we stayed at the equally sumptuous Four Seasons Nile. Soon it was time to say our goodbyes and head home.
This was our first trip with A&K. We had high expectations and the company exceeded them. The accommodations in Cairo and on the Nile were excellent, our guide was knowledgeable, kind, and easy to be with. We highly recommend Abercrombie & Kent for your Egyptian travel.
Interested in Traveling to Egypt? Read more!
A Dream Journey, Egypt and Jordan
Books We Recommend
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MYSTERY – easy read | He Shall Thunder in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters An easy introduction to Egypt starring the ever-popularAmelia Peabody in a pre-WW2 mystery. Kindle copy available |
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FICTION – literature | Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz Family saga set in Cairo during the British occupation. [Mahfouz was the winner of the 1988 Nobel Prize for Literature.] |
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MEMOIR |
Down the Nile: Alone in a Fisherman’s Skiff by Rosemary Mahoney |
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FICTION – easy read |
The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran |
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