Footprints of the Pharaohs

Customer Reviews

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  Andréanne

  · August 13th, 2024
  We loved everything about the itinerary, but we appreciated a little less the visit of Alexandria. It was a lot of travelling for one day and we didn't see so much great things except the Catacomb. The overall organization and communication with Seif and the others was impeccable. Great job ! We loved some guides more than others. We loved when the guide was able to explain the site information and mythology together. It was great to see pictures before entering the sites when the guide couldn't come with us. It is essential to have a little visuel support.
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  Planet Tours commented on this review

  Hi Andréanne thanks for the feedback , the guides are restricted by the tourism authority as to where they can explain, especially in the Valley of the Kings where they are not allowed to explain inside the unground temples so as to avoid blocking the... Show more
  
  Trip date: July 2024
• PB

  Parminder

  · October 4th, 2023
  Overall the tour was comprehensive and quite good, but a few issues need to be brought forward: 1. I wish somebody had offered me the opportunity to go from Aswan to Abu Simbel and back by air so we could have saved one day and avoided the discomfort of 4 hour bus travel each way. 2. The bus was too small and uncomfortable in terms of leg room. 3. Luggage storage on the inside at the back of the bus was unsafe. It was not even tied down leaving the potential for it becoming a missile if the bus had to break suddenly and injure people. A bigger bus with more leg room and with luggage storage outside the passenger compartment is essential. 4. The approach to safety for clients for the entire trip was inadequate in that even on the Nile cruise there was no safety drill on boarding the cruise - no discussion of alarm signal, fire safety, evacuation protocols, gathering points, rescue boats etc. 5. The guide needs to carry a flag high up so he can be easily spotted in a crowd as at times he was far ahead of the group. 6. Occasionally the information about various aspects of the monuments was provided outside and not by the actual location inside - this can be overwhelming and we would often forget it and unable to relate it to the paintings inside. I am aware that the guide is not allowed to talk inside SOME monuments. 7. It would be helpful if Planet tours could provide a link to their clients before the tour for a document they could maintain explaining in brief important facts and a synopsis of each site we visited. Also a visual depiction of the timeline of Egyptian civilization and various dynasties of Pharoahs - especially the 19 -20 dynasties. This would help to generate interest and clients retain more information. 8. It is difficult to fill out an evaluation form in a moving bus at the end of the tour - especially the comment section. It is unfair to ask us to evaluate a guide, and even the tour, when he is the person we are going to return the evaluation to. Better to do it by email later or to have it returned in a sealed envelope next morning before departure for the airport at the end of the tour. 9. The trip to Ain al-sukhna was a waste of time in terms of the beach facilities available at the hotel and the trip involved. Can be easily eliminated from the tour as it adds nothing to the overall experience. 10. The horse cart ride in Luxor was marred by one of our group left feeling vulnerable at the risk of being abandoned halfway during the ride or having to pay a large tip to the driver. You should only contract with someone who agrees not to demand a trip during the ride. Ahmed Sary and Karim were knowledgeable and very helpful. Quite pleaseant to deal with overall.
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  Planet Tours commented on this review

  Hi Parminder , many thanks for your feedback I am sorry you felt some aspects were not upto your standards and we shall certainly take on board your comments. Please note that the transport is booked according to the number of passengers travelling and... Show more
  Trip date: September 2023
• JL

  JAMES

  · December 23rd, 2022
  1) The web site provides ample amount of choices for traveler to choose; 2) Great design of the web site; 3) After the trip has been chosen, the operating agent contacted me immediately. This action warms my heart; 4) The tour agent, Plant Tour Egypt, communicated with me through emails in a timely manner; 5) The entire trip was well coordinated and we were accompanied by both either a tour guide or a coordinator, and a designated driver most of the time except flying time within Egypt; 6) Tour guides always stated the schedule of the day and asked if there was any issue and opinion. 7) Tour guide, or coordinator, always told us the pickup time next day. 8) Provide an airport coordinator whenever our travel involved flights. And in particular case, the last airport coordinator when we were leaving Egypt was absolutely helpful by assisting us with all necessary procedures and steps. Only weakness we felt was: A) The 12th Day of the 14-day Footprints of the Pharoahs had a lot of time being waisted, or not very well organized. We ended up spending more than six precious hours of the day waiting for our flight in Aswan Airport.
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  Planet Tours commented on this review

  Dear James thanks for your comments, we are glad you enjoyed your tour with us. The day12 is a long day because of the distance between Abu Simbel and the airport over 300 kilometers which we have to travel by official convoy (set times) and the flight... Show more
  Trip date: November 2022
• CS

  Cindy H

  · November 27th, 2021
  It was a wonderful tour. Planet tour was responsive, informative and very accommodating with customization. The Cairo representative, Islam, painstakingly worked with our flight ordeal and always took extra efforts to help us. Airport greeter Ramos was friendly and efficient. Michael was superb and shared enthusiastically his love of Egypt. Shenouda walked every step with us in all temples, explained images by images, gave us a thorough understanding of history and symbolism. He gave insightful suggestions to enrich our itinerary so that we got to avoid the crowd and visit more places in the best hours. I have two concerns: 1. When I made reservation on Tourrador website, it said there were 6 more spaces which translated to there were 4 other people in the group. It turned out only two of us. The outcome as a private group was exceedingly satisfactory. However, precise information may be courteous for future visitors. 2. On the itinerary I paid for, the day to Alexandria, included “......we will return to Cairo , stopping at Wadi Natrum a fortified complex of Christian monasteries that date back to the 4th century”. However, we could not go since it was not included in the itinerary the guide had. He said the office didn’t include this and it took permission to visit. I was disappointed. All and all, it was very very good.
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  Planet Tours commented on this review

  Hi Cindy , so glad you enjoyed the tour and thanks for your comments. Originally the tour you were booked on was our Legends tour which you then changed to Footprints which we then personalised for you with extra excursions and night in Luxor so as it... Show more
  Trip date: November 2021
• NH

  Norma Anne

  · November 22nd, 2021
  Planet Tours & Travel welcomes you to Egypt Thanks for booking your tour to Egypt with us, we are really looking forward to greeting you here in our amazing country You will be met at the airport by one of our tour leaders who will accompany you to your hotel. On the drive to your accommodation he will answer all the questions you have about the following days on your tour, and will do the check in process at the hotel for you . The following day you will meet up with the rest of the travellers on your tour and then your fantastic Egyptian Adventure will start. Until then here are a few tips on visiting our wonderful country. What clothes should I bring ?: Remember that Egypt is in the North of Africa and surrounded by desert so for most of the year our climate is generally hot and dusty. Wearing loose fitting clothes made of breathable materials will help you deal with the heat. We recommend closed shoes for visiting monuments as often these areas are unpaved and very sandy. A hat and a good pair of sunglasses are essential items as well as a good sunscreen. If you visit a religious site in Egypt either Coptic Christian or Muslim you may be asked to cover your head , shoulders and knees as a sign of respect. Most Churches and Mosques ask people to remove their shoes before entering. Visiting times during the cruise : due to the often high temperatures we try and make the most of early mornings and late afternoons to do your visits , keeping you away from the sun’s hottest hours . Visits will generally start very early in the morning to get your back to boat before lunch time and will restart again in the late afternoon to avoid being out in the midday sun. Your actual pick up times will be always confirmed to you on a daily basis by your tour guide. Some tours such as Abu Simbel require a very early start to arrive in time to see the Temples. Tips : When booking your holiday you will have been asked to pay tips at a fixed price . These tips cover the obligatory cruise ship gratuities which are charged to each and every traveller who embarks on a Nile cruise ship. These are basic tips and do not cover guides or representatives . Tipping in Egypt , as anywhere , is voluntary and your participation is totally up to you. However do be aware that tipping is prevalent in Egyptian society so many Egyptians will ask for tips as it is part of their culture to do so . Taking money in small bills or taking spare coins with you is a good idea. Drinking Water : We highly recommend that you only drink bottled water. Tap water in hotels and on the cruise boats go through a verified purification system however this is only good for basic hygiene and is not apt for drinking. Photography: Photography maybe limited in certain sites , especially indoor ones where it is essential to the preservation of hieroglyphics to avoid camera flash . Most sites allow photographs taken on your mobile phone but do always check with you tour guide first . Street Vendors : At most touristic sites in Egypt you will find the inevitable street vendor who wants to sell you his best wares at “discounted” price and “only for you” and while you might feel you are getting a bargain most of the items sold like this are generally not of good quality and the vendors can be quick at spotting a “mark “ so be careful entering into any bargaining and if you do buy check your change! Your guide ,to avoid scams will recommend to pay no notice to them and help you learn the Arabic word for no . Planet Tours looks forward to greeting you in Egypt and helping you make new Egyptian friends.
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  Trip date: November 2021
• J

  JennyReeve

  · June 23rd, 2021
  An amazing tour , We loved Fady your guide in Cairo and Alexandria and Tony on the Cruise was great so full of knowledge and just amazing explanations , like having a walking encylopedia on Egypt. Ain Sukna was a fun day too and we really loved having a break on the Red Sea. Thanks to Planet for making our long waited holiday in Egypt so special
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  Planet Tours commented on this review

  Dear Jenny , we are so pleased to have be able to participate in your anniversary celebrations and are glad to see that you all had a great time on the tour. Will pass on your comments to Tony and Fady .
  Trip date: June 2021