8 Day of Egypt Tour Pyramids Cruise and Hot Air Balloon

Hot Air Balloon In Luxor Fixed My Fear Of Heights

I am terrified of heights seriously I avoid balconies. But everyone said you cannot come to Luxor and not do the balloon. So I went. The basket wobbled when we took off and I grabbed the edge so hard my knuckles turned white. But then we went up slowly and the whole city appeared. The temples the green fields the desert mountains all in golden morning light. I forgot I was scared. The pilot was Egyptian and very calm he pointed out the Valley of the Kings from above. The admission was not cheap but it included hotel pickup tea and a small certificate. The flight was around forty five minutes. The atmosphere was peaceful up there no noise. The crowd was about sixteen people in our basket. The staff on the ground were organized. Best for anyone who wants to see Luxor from a different angle.

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Sound And Light At Giza Is Cheesy But I Cried

I know these shows are old fashioned. I know the voice acting is dramatic. But sitting in the dark with the pyramids lit up behind the narrator and the music swelling I actually teared up. Something about the permanence of these structures and the impermanence of us. My wife laughed at me then admitted she also got emotional. The admission was extra but we booked it through the tour. The show lasted one hour. The atmosphere is theatrical and nostalgic. The crowd was mostly older couples. The staff directed us to good seats. Best for romantics and sentimental people.

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Sleeper Train Is The Right Kind Of Adventure

I took the sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan because I wanted to save a night of accommodation and try something different. Honestly I was expecting dirty sheets and bad food but it was actually fine. The bed folds down from the wall and it is wider than I thought. Dinner came on a tray and it was hot rice and chicken. I watched the lights of small villages pass by from the window and slept better than I expected. The attendant woke me up for breakfast thirty minutes before arrival. The admission fee was included in the tour package so I did not pay anything extra. The length of the visit was one night. The atmosphere inside the cabin was private and quiet. The crowd size was low because everyone stays in their rooms. The staff were professional and did not bother me. Best for solo travelers who want efficiency with a bit of charm

Response from the operator: Dear valuable solo traveler, it's our pleasure that you have enjoyed your experience on the sleeper train with the delicious food and professional staff

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I Bargained For A Galabeya And Won

I wanted to buy a traditional Egyptian galabeya from a shop near Khan el Khalili. The starting price was triple what I expected. I remembered our guide saying offer half and be ready to walk. So I did. The shop owner gasped. He called me a pyramid robber. I walked to the door. He called me back. We settled at sixty percent of his original price. He shook my hand and offered tea. I wore the galabeya to dinner that night and the cruise staff all complimented me. The admission was just my bargaining skills. The whole negotiation took maybe ten minutes. The atmosphere in the shop was fun not hostile. The crowd in the market was busy. The shop owner was a professional salesman. Best for shoppers who enjoy the game.

Response from the operator: Dear valuable customer, it's really our pleasure that you have enjoyed your shopping experience in Egypt with the professional salesman. So funny when the cruise staff complimented you after wearing your galabeya (Egyptian dress )during your Egyptian dinner and night on the cruise ship.

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Saqqara Step Pyramid Feels Like The Beginning

Giza is grand and polished. But Saqqara feels older more原始. The step pyramid is not as tall but you can see it was the first attempt. The necropolis around it stretches forever. We walked to a less visited part and saw tombs with hieroglyphs still bright. No one else was there. Our guide said these are the ancestors of the Giza pyramids. You feel the experimentation. The admission was included in the Memphis ticket. We spent two hours there. The atmosphere is open and archaeological. The crowd was light in the outer areas. The staff at the entrance were efficient. Best for people who like origins.

Response from the operator: Dear valuable customer, it's our pleasure that you have enjoyed your tour to Saqqara necropolis the ancestors of the Giza pyramids, you are that type of people who like origin so you are very welcome to Egypt .

via Tripadvisor