The planning started out well with Gehad, but then there were long breaks between responses (over 1 week at times), and there was also confusion on how we preferred the payments to be provided. We were then put in contact with Khaled. He was much more prompt and assisted in every way possible. The only part that was a challenge was a seeming communication issue between Khaled and the KimKim corporate office. We asked for a detailed pick up times and flight info which the KimKim site says...
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The planning started out well with Gehad, but then there were long breaks between responses (over 1 week at times), and there was also confusion on how we preferred the payments to be provided. We were then put in contact with Khaled. He was much more prompt and assisted in every way possible. The only part that was a challenge was a seeming communication issue between Khaled and the KimKim corporate office. We asked for a detailed pick up times and flight info which the KimKim site says would be provided before departure and he seemed confused and only provided the general itinerary.
The rep that picked us up at the airport, Mohammed, was friendly, however we felt rushed and he advised he would return at 10am to go over our trip details and he never showed up. We attempted to contact him multiple times on Whatsapp but got no response. Later that day, our driver for the show was 45 minutes late, and then got lost in Cairo (semi understandable getting lost), which made us arrive exactly at the start time of the show only after we got out of the car and walked the remaining blocks.
The tours with Mohammed Samir and the driver Rafat were amazing and flawless. Best part of the trip without a doubt. The only other glitch in Cairo was that we requested a dune buggy ride which was confirmed by Gehad, but then we were told they only had a 4*4 for fayum. But that driver in the safari and sand board was also amazing.
The arrival and start to Aswan went well. We were very disappointed that the Nubian Village "cultural" experience was little more than a market/tourist trap and not cultural almost at all. There was another communication gap where the itinerary showed Luxor and Karnak on one day with Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut , and Valley of the Nobles on the next day. Due to the Nile cruise timing with the lock, we had to do it in one day. This turned out fine but there was no advanced notice that this could happen which would have reassured us that timing wouldn't be an issue. Ahmed did a great job adjusting and making the experience enjoyable. We the. Were transferred to Hurgada. They booked a small sedan, which was fine aside from not anticipating us having two large suitcases that barely fit (had to have two men forcefully push them into the trunk). The driver was very kind but definitely not a professional driver. The 4 hr drive had several times where it felt like he may have drifted to sleep and jerked the car back to the middle of the road or made very abrupt adjustments, including very late and hard stopping/slowing. This is partially just how Egypt driving is but certainly not what we experienced with our other drivers.
Hotel Review
Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo
Cairo
Great hotel, great room, great food.
Authenticity & Character
Na
Location
Perfect location for most Cairo and Giza sites. Quieter than staying in Cairo proper.
Staff
Very kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Activity Reviews
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Driver was friendly but the trip from Luxor to Hurgada felt very unsafe.
We booked a room with a single king bed over 6 months in advance and were told on site they only had a room with two single beds available. The drive there was also a little scary even though the driver was friendly and timely.
Quality of Experience
Driver quality and booking the room type requested.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quality of driving skill.
West Bank of Luxor (Valley of the Kings, Queens - Hatshepsut Temple - Colossi of Memnon)
Luxor
We thought there would be a little more time to walk the full fally of the kings, but it didn't feel overly rushed. See main comment and Luxor comment for more details.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ahmed was great. The driver was very nice but not the best at driving (see main comment)
Transport
Quality of driving. Driver was otherwise very nice and timely.
Visit Edfu temple & Luxor temple and Karnak temple
Egypt
Lack of clear communication between the Egypt Promotions company, KimKim, and us about how the potential timing would work due to the locks and time for the boat would have made it much less stressful than it ended up being.
Food
The staff on the Dahbiya boat was incredible.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit Abu Simbel temple and Kom Ombo temple
Aswan
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk & Nubian Village
Aswan
Nubian Village is advertised as a cultural experience but was little more than a shopping trip to a tourist trap. The boat ride was OK, and the guide did give some info about nubians. No time really provided to walk any of the shops that were in the village. He may have been trying to protect us from haggling, not sure.
Quality of Experience
Be more transparent with what will be experienced
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Visit to Al-Muizz Street & Khan el Khalili bazaar
Cairo
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Over day Fayoum & 4*4
Cairo
We were told by Gehad we would have a dune buggy but they only had a 4*4. However, that guide did a great job.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Grand Egyptian Museum tour
Cairo
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pyramids, Sphinx, Sakkara & Memphis
Cairo
Mohammed and Rafat were incredible
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Al Tannoura Egyptian Dance Heritage Show at Wekalet El Ghouri
Cairo
Driver was 45 minutes late and almost made us miss the show. He also seemed to drive like he was drunk or lost. Driving very slow on the far right of the highway, missed turns several times. Even the guide didn't like the driver.
Quality of Experience
Advise guides to be slightly less focused on going to stores that were not asked to go to. If the client wants to just go back to the hotel or go get food, just accept it and go.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Have drivers that will be close to on time (within 5 minutes of planned time)
Transport
Be on time and have better quality drivers
Great pick up experience, but felt rushed. Advised we would see our point of contact at 10 Am but he never showed up or answered on Whatsapp. (See main comment)
Quality of Experience
10 am follow up for trip details was a no show
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Make things feel less rushed. Follow through with timing and what is said will happen.
Transport
Great arrival transport vehicle.
Local specialist: Khaled Ali
