JinFO

Just returned from my second visit to Egypt in 12 months, my first experience being so incredible that it prompted a more comprehensive visit. Both times we used Memphis Tours - we couldn't be more pleased with our selection. Ahmed Shalpy was my online consultant He was completely professional and responsive to all my questions during the planning stage of our trip, always with a "can do" attitude and prompt response time in customizing our itinerary. At our request, our tour representative in Cairo was Hamada Roshdi (who always wears a big infectious smile), our guide Ameni, and driver Sayed. We stayed at the 5 star Fairmont Nile City and took the 4 day Luxor-Aswan Nile River cruise on the Sonesta Nile Goddess. The days were filled with sightseeing, shopping (at our request) and eating. For 3 of us, this was our 2nd Egypt trip, and for 3 the first. But for all of us, this was a totally top notch, amazing experience. Our Memphis team was completely flexible in adjusting our daily plans and working in personal requests, very knowledgeable, and knowing what foodies we are, found us the best restaurants and local snack places. In our 10 days, we managed to visit the pyramids at Giza, take a camel ride, take in the light show, tour Sakkara and Memphis, take a day trip to Alexandria which included the Citadel, the Philae Pillars, Catacombs, tour the Alexandria library, fly to Luxor for the 4 day Nile cruise to Aswan (temples at Karnak and Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Horus temple @ Edfu, Kom Ombo), take a day trip to Abu Simbel (Memphis even provided day rooms at a hotel in Aswan to rest in until our evening flight back to Cairo), tour coptic Cairo (the Hanging Church, Abu Sirga Church, first Synagogue), visit Mosques, the Citadel, shopping in Khan al Khalili bazaar, tour the Egyptian Museum, and have the most wonderful Egyptian meals - and probably so much more than I can remember. Our days were packed from morning to night, our Memphis team putting in long days with us. Anyone visiting Egypt with any tour company will see all the wonderful sights we did, but Memphis Tours made our visit a memorable and fun trip. We could not have had a better experience. In reading some of the complaints filed on TA, I would point out that no travel is completely without some mixups and problems. It is how the problems are met and resolved the makes the difference. Memphis is eager to try to resolve any problems and constantly asks for feedback in order to improve service. While everything is booked thru Memphis, not all things are under their control; e.g., the hotel, the cruise and the food and guides provided by the cruise. I would not hesitate to use Memphis again (and probably will). I am all about service, and can say Memphis Tours does not disappoint. A first class operation at a very reasonable price. Tips: Go to a bank and get a roll of coins (50 piastres or 1 pound) for bathroom tipping (about 5 to 10 cents). If you plan to shop in local markets, do exchange for Egyptian pounds. You will get a better price since the vendors will round off the exchange when setting the price - you can always use spare pounds at the end of your trip in your tips to the driver and guides. The service charge included in your restaurant bill, does not go to your server(s). If you wish to leave a little something for the wait staff, it will be very appreciated. Shukran, Hamada, Sayed, Ameni, Achmed and all the other wonderful members of our Memphis tour team! Achmed, so sorry to cause you such distress in trying to keep us all safe while wandering the bazaar and streets of Cairo. Miss you all already.