Nine days is the length at which an Egypt trip stops being a dash and becomes a holiday. This 9 day Egypt Christmas tour gives you four nights in Cairo and four nights on a Nile cruise, which is enough to see the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum without an alarm clock, sail from Luxor to Aswan with a full day for every temple on the way, and still come back to Cairo for the Egyptian Museum and the old Coptic churches, which, in Christmas week, is the right way to end. Domestic flights, a private Egyptologist guide on every touring day, entrance fees and 20 meals are included, and you spend the festive week in a country where December means 22 degrees and blue skies.
We run the tour as a small group of no more than 16, with private departures on request. Choose between our Gold and Platinum hotel and cruise levels, and between triple, twin/double and single rooms and cabins. Departures run through the Christmas and New Year period, timed to the Nile cruise sailing days, so you can decide whether you would rather spend Christmas Eve on the river or in Cairo.
Inside the 9 Day Egypt Christmas Tour
The shape of the trip is simple: Cairo, the river, Cairo. You land, and the first full day belongs to Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, the two things everyone comes for, seen back to back so that Khufu’s boat and Tutankhamun’s treasures sit next to the pyramids they came from. On day three you fly south to Luxor and board your cruise ship, and the next four days are the classic Nile route: Karnak and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s terraces, Edfu’s complete temple of Horus, the double temple at Kom Ombo, and Aswan with Philae on its island. Then you fly back to Cairo for a slower last full day among the Egyptian Museum’s Old Kingdom masterpieces and the churches of Coptic Cairo, before your flight home.
What makes this the nine-day version rather than the eight is the second Cairo stretch. Shorter Christmas packages fly you straight from the Nile to the airport. Here you get a proper final day in the capital, and a night to rest before you travel, which after a Nile cruise most people are grateful for.
Everything is guided by an Egyptologist, in English, in a small group. Meals are mostly included: breakfast every day, lunch on all eight touring days, and dinner on the four cruise nights. Hotels and the ship are 5-star by Egyptian classification at both levels; the difference between Gold and Platinum is explained further down.
What Christmas Looks Like on This Tour
Egypt does Christmas twice. Hotels and cruise ships mark 24 and 25 December with trees, lights and a festive dinner for their international guests, and then the country’s own Christians, roughly a tenth of the population, celebrate on 7 January by the Coptic calendar. If your dates fall around either, you will see it: carols in the hotel lobby, decorated ships along the Luxor corniche, and, in the first week of January, the churches of Coptic Cairo dressed for their own feast. Day eight of the tour takes you into three of them.
The weather is the other reason to come now. Cairo in late December is around 20 degrees by day and cool at night; Luxor and Aswan are a few degrees warmer and rarely see a cloud. It is the most comfortable time of year to walk the Valley of the Kings, and the light on the river in the late afternoon is the best you will get all year.
Tour Highlights
Great Pyramids and experience an informative Cairo pyramids tour.
Visit the renowned Grand Egyptian Museum and its extensive collection.
Celebrate Christmas in the unique atmosphere of Cairo.
Enjoy a 4-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, surrounded by stunning views.
Discover the grand Karnak Temple and the historic Valley of the Kings.
Visit the beautiful and sacred Philae Temple.
Blend of festive celebration and cultural exploration throughout the 9-day Egypt itinerary.
Day by Day: The Full 9 Day Egypt Christmas Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo, Egypt
Any time: an Egypt Best Vacations representative meets you inside the arrivals hall at Cairo International Airport, holding a signboard, and helps you through visa and passport formalities. Private transfer to your hotel and check-in. The rest of the day is yours; if you arrive early your guide can suggest a first walk. Overnight in Cairo.
Meals Plan: No Meals Included
Day 2: Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Morning on the Giza plateau with your Egyptologist: the Great Pyramid of Khufu and its neighbors, the panoramic viewpoint over all nine pyramids of Giza, and the Sphinx with its temple. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum, a few minutes’ drive away: the Grand Staircase, Tutankhamun’s complete burial treasure in its new galleries, and Khufu’s cedar boat in its own building. Back at the hotel, and overnight in Cairo.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 3: Fly to Luxor, Karnak and Luxor Temple, board your Nile cruise
Early transfer to Cairo airport for a morning flight to Luxor (about one hour). Your Luxor guide meets you outside the arrivals and takes you straight to Karnak, the largest religious complex ever built, roughly 100 hectares of temples, obelisks and the Great Hypostyle Hall. Board your ship and have lunch on the river. In the late afternoon, Luxor Temple in the middle of town, best seen as the lights come on. The ship stays moored in Luxor tonight. Overnight on board.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon, sail to Edfu
After breakfast to the West Bank. The Valley of the Kings with three royal tombs on the standard ticket, the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon on the road back. Hatshepsut began as regent for Thutmose III and went on to rule as a crowned king in full pharaonic regalia, with his regnal years still running alongside hers; her temple is where your guide tells that story. Back on board for lunch, and the ship sails south through the Esna lock during the afternoon. Overnight on board in Edfu.
Following breakfast, ashore at Edfu for the Temple of Horus, the most complete temple in Egypt, built by the Ptolemies between 237 and 57 BC and still roofed. Back on board mid-morning and sail to Kom Ombo, arriving mid-afternoon for the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris on its bend above the river, and the small Crocodile Museum beside it. Sail on to Aswan in the evening. Overnight on board.
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Aswan Tour: High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae
The High Dam and the view over Lake Nasser, the Unfinished Obelisk still lying in the granite quarry where its makers abandoned it, and a motorboat out to Philae, the temple of Isis rebuilt stone by stone on Agilkia Island when the dam flooded its original home. Afternoon free in Aswan and overnight on board.
Breakfast on board, then transfer to Aswan airport for the flight to Cairo (about 1 hour 20 minutes). Transfer to your Cairo hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
Begin in Coptic Cairo, inside the walls of the Roman fortress of Babylon: the Hanging Church, built over the fortress gate; the Church of St Sergius and Bacchus, where tradition holds the Holy Family sheltered; and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Continue to the Citadel of Saladin, founded in 1176 to defend Cairo against the Crusaders, and the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali that crowns it, with panoramic views over the city. After lunch, explore Khan el-Khalili, Cairo’s great medieval bazaar since the 14th century, for last-minute Christmas gifts of silver, spices, papyrus and lanterns. Return to your hotel.
Meals Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 9: Departure
Breakfast, then private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home, timed three hours before departure. End of your 9 day Egypt Christmas tour.
Meals Plan: Breakfast Only
What Our Guests Say on Tripadvisor
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Vivian H
Verified
Mid-tier Lake Nasser Cruise
Just finished the Lake Nasser Cruise mid tier with Egypt Best Vacation. Highly recommend. Food and service are better than 5-star hotels in USA. Had a wonderful relaxing time.
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Momaleoale
Verified
Family travel in Egypt
Thank you for this amazing trip! Everything was perfectly organized, from our arrival at the airport to the day we returned home. The Nile cruise was wonderful, our guide in Cairo was excellent, and we couldn’t have asked for anything better. The choice of restaurants and the excursions were also outstanding. Thank you for making this experience so special for our whole family! ❤️)
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Destination732328
Verified
Fantastic 8-day private tour of Egypt – highly recommended!
Fantastic 8-day private tour of Egypt – highly recommended! We recently returned from an amazing 8-day private tour of Egypt with Egypt Best Vacations, and we couldn't be happier with our experience! Our trip included Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, a 3-night Nile cruise, Luxor and Giza. Everything was organised in advance, including domestic flights, hotels, transfers, transport, entrance tickets and private guides. From the moment we arrived, everything ran smoothly. The drivers were punctual, professional and reliable, and the whole trip was very well coordinated. A special mention goes to our guide in Cairo and Giza, Mina, who was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and professional. He made our visits particularly enjoyable, sharing interesting information and answering all our questions. We were also very happy with everyone involved throughout the trip, including our guides, drivers and airport representatives, who helped make the whole experience so smooth and stress-free. Cairo Airport was quite chaotic, but having a representative from the agency there to assist us made the process much easier, and we really appreciated their help. Overall, we had a fantastic experience and felt well looked after throughout the entire trip. Everything was very well organised, allowing us to enjoy Egypt without having to worry about the logistics. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Egypt Best Vacations to anyone planning a trip to Egypt. Highly recommended – definitely 5 stars from us!
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Eric E
Verified
Egypt Best Vacations is aptly named
We spent 10 days in Egypt with our friends. The entire trip was coordinated by Egypt Best Vacations. From the beginning, the communication was superb. We felt like we were coddled throughout the trip starting with Tarik who met us at the airport and facilitated and expedited the immigration process, to Karim who drove us safely everywhere around Cairo. Our guide Abdel was friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about Egyptian history, and made our experience very enjoyable. Seeing the pyramids in Giza, and visiting the new Grand Egyptian Museum was spectacular. We then flew south to Upper Egypt where Ahmed met us and guided us from Abu Simbel to Aswan and ultimately on our Nile River dahabeya cruise to Luxor. Kamal did a great job driving us in Upper Egypt, and we felt extremely safe along the way. Ahmed’s knowledge of Egyptian history is astounding, and he could easily be a professor on the subject. The entire trip was curated and coordinated by Essam who even came to meet us in Luxor, which was such a friendly gesture. We loved our Egyptian experience, and would absolutely recommend Egypt Best Vacations to anyone who is considering a trip to Egypt. There is no question that if we wanted to visit Egypt again, we would use this company and the entire crew again. This was a top notch company with top notch coordination.
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Debbie T
Verified
Wonderful Experience
Our tour with Egypt Best Vacations was truly an unforgettable trip. It was extremely well organized from airport pick up and drop off to getting us to every destination on a luxury bus. Our tour guide Essam was kind, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and friendly. He went above and beyond to help us understand Egyptian history, culture and traditions. The Nile River cruise on the Dahabiya was amazing with an outstanding crew making everyone feel welcomed. I highly recommend Egypt best Vacations.!
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Kirby M
Verified
Trip of a lifetime!
I truly cannot say enough wonderful things about this experience! From the moment we arrived in Cairo to our time in Luxor and four unforgettable days cruising the Nile River, every single detail was exceptional. Our incredible tour guide, Essam, and his associate, Ali, went above and beyond to make this journey extraordinary. Their knowledge of Egypt’s rich history, attention to detail, and genuine care for our safety and comfort made all the difference. The accommodations, the staff, the organization, and the seamless coordination of everything were absolutely outstanding. They even arranged unforgettable extras, including private ceremonies and a hot air balloon ride over Luxor, making an already magical experience even more special. I can say without hesitation that this was the best trip of my life. Egypt is a remarkable place, but experiencing it with this team took it to an entirely different level. I would recommend this company over and over and over again. Truly the trip of a lifetime!
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Galen H
Verified
Amazing tour!
Our tour was so Awesome and our guide couldn’t have been better, he knew the answers for every question I asked and made it fun with his sense of humor. We started in Cairo, flew to Luxor and then sailed on a private cruise to Aswan. Seeing all the history, Pyramids and temples was incredible. Highly recommend Egypt Best Vacations!
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Claudine F
Verified
O Voyage, incompetent provider for a Nile cruise in Egypt.
The O Voyages representative never showed up and completely ignored us; we were part of a group of 35 people who left from Orly, arrived in Cairo for a day, and then transferred by plane to Luxor for the Nile cruise. We spotted him at the Monte Carlo restaurant eating with the two guides since we were two groups of 35 people. No information from him. We saw that he was from O Voyages since he was wearing a black t-shirt with O Voyages on the back. Also, on 7/1/2026, we received an email from Leclerc Voyage indicating that our cruise was moved up by one day and that the flight plan was modified with an arrival in Cairo on September 4th instead of September 11th as scheduled in our program, stipulating that the services and visits remained unchanged. The other people in the group who had booked either through Leclerc Voyage or Carrefour received a new detailed program, whereas for us, we were told, "you are taking the program in reverse!!!!" Also, we left from Orly and returned to Roissy!!!! No information from Leclerc Voyage on this point, even though we had clearly stipulated that we had booked parking at Orly, so there were additional costs for a taxi on September 13th at midnight to take us to Orly to retrieve our car. Again on this point, the other members of our group had been well informed by Leclerc or Carrefour!!!! Regarding clothing in Egypt, same thing, Leclerc told us to wear clothes to the knee and keep arms covered for women, whereas all the tourists wear shorts even in the temples; the other people in our group had received the correct information again on this point!!!!! Non-existent costume party, and for the themed evenings indicated on the program, we had 2 groups of dancers 20 minutes before dinner. Visa indicated on the program at €48 while we paid €53!!!!! I do not recommend O Voyages at all, it is the 1st and last time I travel with your incompetent organization. positive point: our guide, fortunately, who raised the level of the trip but who seemed a bit lost regarding the program he had to follow with the changes made 2 months prior without a new program.
Posted on Tripadvisor
Giuseppe Z
Verified
Spectacular vacation... excellent service..
Spectacular 10-day tour... maximum availability from the agency in tailoring the trip to our needs. From our arrival in Cairo, where they welcomed us and helped us with visas, to our departure for the return trip, we were followed in an excellent manner... my wife and I had a great time... We asked for guides who spoke Italian; Abram and Amro were 2 exceptional, helpful, and very knowledgeable guides... we felt pampered and never alone... thanks for everything.
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AtlantaTraveller
Verified
An unforgettable and beautifully orchestrated Egypt experience
An unforgettable and beautifully orchestrated Egypt experience We just returned from an incredible trip to Egypt with Egypt Best Vacations, and it was truly one of the most memorable journeys our family has taken. Egypt can feel overwhelming at first — the airports, early morning flights, cruise schedules, temple visits, Cairo traffic, tickets, transfers, and the sheer magnitude of history everywhere you go. But Egypt Best Vacations handled the logistics with impressive precision and made the entire experience feel effortless. That allowed us to be fully present and enjoy the trip instead of constantly worrying about the next step. Our journey began in Cairo and then continued to Luxor, where we boarded our Nile cruise to Aswan. Luxor was absolutely extraordinary. Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon were all breathtaking. What made the visits even more meaningful was having a knowledgeable guide who could explain the history, symbolism, and significance behind what we were seeing. In Egypt, the right guide makes a huge difference — otherwise you are just looking at ancient stones without understanding the civilization behind them. The Nile cruise was another highlight. Sailing between Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan gave the trip a beautiful rhythm. Philae Temple was stunning, and Abu Simbel was worth every minute of the early morning journey. Standing in front of those monumental temples is humbling and almost surreal. Back in Cairo, we visited the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Coptic Cairo, the Citadel, and Khan El-Khalili. Each place had its own character, from the grandeur of the pyramids to the spiritual depth of Coptic Cairo and the energy of the bazaar. The itinerary was ambitious, but it never felt chaotic because the team managed the details so well. What we appreciated most was the professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine care from Egypt Best Vacations. They were punctual, organized, flexible when needed, and clearly experienced in creating a smooth experience for travelers. For a first trip to Egypt, that kind of coordination is invaluable. I would highly recommend Egypt Best Vacations to anyone planning to visit Egypt. They helped turn a complex itinerary into a seamless, enriching, and unforgettable adventure.
Price Per Person
Gold: Egyptian 5-star Standard = Western 3.5 stars
Triple
Twin
Single
$1,815
$1,965
$3,340
Cairo Hotels: Safir Cairo Hotel. Sonesta Cairo Hotel. Holiday Inn Citystars. Cairo Pyramids Hotels. Tolip Gardens Hotel. Ramses Hilton Hotel and more of the similar category.
Nile Cruises: MS Carnival. MS Ruby. H.S Radamis I. MS Princess Sarah. MS Nile Dolphin. MS Semiramis II. MS Nile Shams. MS Le Sarah and more of the similar category.
Platinum: Egyptian 5-star Deluxe = Western 4 stars
Triple
Twin
Single
$2,165
$2,365
$4,020
Cairo Hotels: Hilton Nile Tower Hotel. Concorde El-Salam Hotel. Hilton Cairo Heliopolis. Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel. Tolip Family Park Hotel and more of the similar category.
Nile Cruise Ships:MS Nile Paradise. MS Blue Shadow I. MS Blue Shadow II. MS Nile Premium. MS Nile Style. MS Tower Prestige. MS Lady Carol and more of the similar category.
Price Includes
Meet & assist service upon arrival and departure
All transfers as per the itinerary by air-conditioned vehicles
4 nights in Cairo on a bed and breakfast basis
4 nights on a Nile cruise ship on a full-board basis
20 meals: 08 breakfasts, 08 lunches, and 04 dinners
Hotel picks up and drops off
Entrance fees as per the itinerary
Domestic flights as per the itinerary
Licensed English speaking tour guide
All service charges and local taxes
Price Excludes
International flights
Arrival visa
Gratuities
Meals and drinks when not included
Any optional tour
Travel insurance
Things to Know
Pricing Policy
All our prices are in USD per person per trip. You can also make your payment online through a secure payment gateway with no additional fees or surcharges. We accept USD, Euros, GBP, CAD, AUD and NZD. The starting price is for one adult in a triple room on a group tour. There’s a single supplement for single accommodation.
Tipping
Tipping is not included in our tour packages and is left entirely to your discretion. While it is not mandatory, it is greatly appreciated by the people who assist you during your journey.
Here is a suggested tipping list:
Driver – full day $3-5 per person per day.
Driver – transfer $1-3 per person per day.
Tour guide – full day $15-20 per person per day.
Tour guide – half day $10-15 per person per day.
Representative / tour leader $3-5 per person per day.
Nile cruise crew $5–10 per person per night paid at the end of the cruise.
Children Policy
Children from 0 – 2 years pay 30%
Children from 3 – 5 years pay 40%
Children from 6 – 11 years pay 50%
Children from 12 years pay adult price.
Deposit and Payment
A deposit of 25-50% to secure your booking through a payment link. The remaining balance is also will be wired through payment links sent to your email.
Cancellation Policy
We do not charge cancellation fees for tours canceled due to ‘force majeure’ events such as natural disasters or other uncontrollable circumstances. However, if you cancel for personal or business reasons after we have incurred booking costs on your behalf, these costs will be charged to you.
From the date of booking up to 75 days before the date of your arrival, 15% of the total tour price will be charged.
Between 74 and 61 days before your arrival date, 25% of the total tour price will be charged.
Between 60 and 30 days before your arrival date, 50% of the total tour price will be charged.
Between 29 and 15 days before your arrival date, 75% of the total tour price will be charged.
Between 14 and 08 days before your arrival date, 95% of the total tour price will be charged.
Between 07 and 1 day before your arrival date, 100% of the total tour price will be charged.
Travel Insurance
We don’t provide a travel insurance. We recommend to buy it beforehand if you want.
Extra Expenses & Additional Entry Tickets
Our tours do not include entrance fees for special archaeological sites such as:
Walking inside the pyramids.
Tombs of Seti I and Ramses V in the Valley of the Kings
Entering the Tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.
These attractions require an additional fee. Please contact us if you would like to add or adjust anything in your itinerary.
Other personal expenses during your trip may include:
Food tours and alcoholic beverages.
Tipping for guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
Visa fees and recreational activities.
Additional transportation.
Unexpected costs due to bad weather, flight cancellations, or extra hotel nights and meals.
9 Day Egypt Christmas Tour: Your Questions Answered
Which days does the 9 day Egypt Christmas tour start?
Running daily over Christmas and New Year. The itinerary will redesigned around the Nile cruise departure; Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays. Private departures on other dates can be arranged.
Is Christmas Day spent on the cruise or in Cairo?
It depends on your start date. Start on 22 December and Christmas Eve is your first night on board in Luxor, with Christmas Day in the Valley of the Kings; start on 19 December and Christmas Eve is on the ship in Aswan; start on 24 December and Christmas is your first day in Cairo. The departure table shows where each date puts you.
Is this a group tour or private?
A small group of no more than 16 people with an Egyptologist guide. If you would rather travel privately, with your own guide and vehicle throughout, we can run the same itinerary on any date at a private rate.
What is the difference between Gold and Platinum?
The hotels and the ship. Gold uses 5-star standard properties, about 3.5-star by Western standards; Platinum uses 5-star deluxe properties, about 4-star, with a larger cabin on a Deluxe-class ship. Itinerary, guides, flights and meals are identical.
Are the gala dinners included?
No. On 24 and 31 December most hotels and ships charge a compulsory festive dinner. We quote the exact amount for your dates when you book, and it is paid with your balance so nothing is collected on the spot.
How many meals are included?
Twenty: breakfast every morning, lunch on all eight touring days, and dinner on the four cruise nights. Dinners in Cairo are left free so you can choose where to eat.
Can we add Abu Simbel?
Yes. On day six an optional Abu Simbel excursion by road or air can replace the free afternoon; it leaves Aswan before dawn and returns around 14:00. Ask when booking and we will price it for your group size.
What is the weather like at Christmas?
Cairo is around 20°C by day and 10°C at night; Luxor and Aswan a few degrees warmer, with almost no rain. Bring layers for early mornings and evenings on deck.
Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities can buy a 30-day tourist visa on arrival for $30. Our representative meets you before passport control and helps you through it. Some nationalities must apply in advance; tell us your passport when you book and we will check.
Vivian HVerified
Mid-tier Lake Nasser Cruise Just finished the Lake Nasser Cruise mid tier with Egypt Best Vacation. Highly recommend. Food and service are better than 5-star hotels in USA. Had a wonderful relaxing time.Posted on TripadvisorVerified
O Voyage, incompetent provider for a Nile cruise in Egypt. The O Voyages representative never showed up and completely ignored us; we were part of a group of 35 people who left from Orly, arrived in Cairo for a day, and then transferred by plane to Luxor for the Nile cruise. We spotted him at the Monte Carlo restaurant eating with the two guides since we were two groups of 35 people. No information from him. We saw that he was from O Voyages since he was wearing a black t-shirt with O Voyages on the back. Also, on 7/1/2026, we received an email from Leclerc Voyage indicating that our cruise was moved up by one day and that the flight plan was modified with an arrival in Cairo on September 4th instead of September 11th as scheduled in our program, stipulating that the services and visits remained unchanged. The other people in the group who had booked either through Leclerc Voyage or Carrefour received a new detailed program, whereas for us, we were told, "you are taking the program in reverse!!!!" Also, we left from Orly and returned to Roissy!!!! No information from Leclerc Voyage on this point, even though we had clearly stipulated that we had booked parking at Orly, so there were additional costs for a taxi on September 13th at midnight to take us to Orly to retrieve our car. Again on this point, the other members of our group had been well informed by Leclerc or Carrefour!!!! Regarding clothing in Egypt, same thing, Leclerc told us to wear clothes to the knee and keep arms covered for women, whereas all the tourists wear shorts even in the temples; the other people in our group had received the correct information again on this point!!!!! Non-existent costume party, and for the themed evenings indicated on the program, we had 2 groups of dancers 20 minutes before dinner. Visa indicated on the program at €48 while we paid €53!!!!! I do not recommend O Voyages at all, it is the 1st and last time I travel with your incompetent organization. positive point: our guide, fortunately, who raised the level of the trip but who seemed a bit lost regarding the program he had to follow with the changes made 2 months prior without a new program.Posted on Tripadvisor
