Full-Day Private Tour of the Abydos and Dendera Temples

My wife and I really enjoyed the tour and temples were fascinating. Although the drive to the temples were about 3 hours, it was worth the time to see the small towns and villages along the way. We stopped at a forced vendor stop outside of the Abydos temple, I say forced because we were not told and had to wait for about 1/2 hour before we can leave and while waiting being bombarded by the shop keeper and any other vendor that walked up. Maybe it was overdone because of the low tourism, but it was a headache. Lastly although we never felt unsafe, but when leaving the temples, we were escorted to a certain point by the Egyptian police. Not sure why and never got a clear answer. As a side note and this applies to anything you do: take plenty of money for tipping, does not have to be a lot, but tips definitely help the people who work in tourism.

We have been perfectly satisfied with the guide proposed by the agency. Hussein a very discreet, perfectly French-speaking young man, very qualified Egyptologist, and very reassuring young man.
It was important for us to have somebody qualified and especially who is capable of respecting our rhythm and the need for silence and for meditation which allows to penetrate into the historic sites of Egypt. Ex-archéologue and real lover of places, we never had to explain nothing to him, everything was very naturally made from a warm and very respectful listening from him.

A detail which says a lot about his kindness towards us, many times he took care directly of the street hawkers, ruling out them of us, selecting those who were worth it, negotiating the prices of really interesting articles, never for more than 100 5 directly from his money .... I returned with a CD of 3000 photos bought 2 by himself!!!
I know that it is commonplace to make the special offer of his guide, but frankly Hussein is a pearl!
About the agency, Imperial Egypt, the quality is there it is certain .... Go to Abydos when we have never put the feet in Egypt is an adventure, and Imperial Egypt does not laugh at you. Impeccable vehicle, all the route is reassured with the police, we felt at ease always very, in any event.
Small criticism, I think that the price is exaggerated. Approximately 50 more expensive than if you looked on the spot by yourself what I did not want to make, especially to go to Abydos who is at 3 hours driving from Luxor!. What really saddens me is not the spent money, but the fact that the guide will not affect half of the wanted price list. If Impérial Egypt had been cheaper, I shall have continued with them for the Valley of the Kings instead of negotiating with the taxis of the hotel.

This said I repeat, the quality is, in any point of view there, and it is more important for me than 100 of savings