Private

This was the second tour I booked with Encounter travel. The first one was in Egypt and we had such a fantastic experience that my family and I went directly to them again for Southeast Asia. Our agent was Anthony... he was organized, attentive and very patient with us for all our questions, concerns and requests. He always responded in an excellent timely manner. Our 3 guides in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand were AMAZING!! Phong, Santhou, and Pramote made the experience so wonderful. All 3 were very knowledgeable about their own countries and cultures, we learned so much from them, they were attentive and very friendly. Both the guides and drivers gave great service and greeted us with with bottled water and wipes every day. By the time we left each country, they weren't just our guides, they were friends. My family and I loved this experience so much and have nothing but great things to say about Encounter Travel!!

Recently returned from Temple and Tiger Tour in India. A great trip around the golden triangle and Ranthambore National Park. Did not see a tiger but saw other animals and scenery was great. Our driver was Param who was great. Helped us out with finding atms and some shops. As only myself and husband were on the tour we had local guides at all the places we visited. All were very well versed in their knowledge and very friendly. Please note you stay in some heritage hotels, one in particular was very old so do not have all modern conveniences. Electricals were a bit dodgy. Power would come on and off at irregular intervals. The hotel we stayed in Delhi was a bit basic. Had to ask for toilet paper as insufficient in room. Breakfast very basic and when we turned up one morning at 7.30 am only part was set up and not ready with all options for us. We did not think 7.30 am was too early for breakfast as we were leaving at 8.30am. As there was only 2 of us on the tour we did not use the train option to return to Delhi but company arranged for the driver to stay on and bring us back via car. This was an added expense but quite reasonable. If there was a group of us would probably have taken the train option with all looking out for each other. Company may want to make this a regular option when only 2 people on the tour. Apart from Delhi hotel food good at all others. I feel this is a great tour as an introduction to India. Had not used Encounters Travel before but found them very well organised and may look at using them again. One issue when we arrived was expected to have cash to pay for entrance fees to Tour Organiser but we did not have sufficient rupees on us. We arrived quite late and next morning had to find atm. This needed to be made clearer in the information on the tour. You cannot bring rupees into India so maybe suggest have your 90 USD per person ready to handover on arrival. You can bring in USD. Cheers

If you want to quickly see some of the most amazing places in Egypt, curated and escorted by knowledgeable staff, that doesn't break the bank. This trip is likely for you.
40 y/o male who went with a good friend in May. Here were a few things we liked:
- the quick pace of the tour. It allows you a large amount of the main attractions over the 8 days.
- add-on optional tours for more customization.
- trains/boats/ automobiles!
- Nubian village experience was truly unique and unforgettable
- the staff! Incredibly knowledgeable, patient and protective.

A couple things that weren’t so great:
- logistics regarding transportation/ pickups/ hotels could be a bit more buttoned up. There were some unfortunate long waits at the train station and miscues with hotel check-in times.
- the accommodations were average at best. Perhaps there is an opportunity to source other hotels, at least within the Cairo portion of the trip.

Overall, I had an amazing time and would happily recommend this tour to someone looking for a similar experience.

Daniel

We did the Cairo and Luxor tour, but it did not include the river cruise.
Loved being met at the airport before security and escorted through the process. Not speaking the language airports are scary for me. This was such a huge plus.
Our guide in Cairo the first day was very informative, but did not point out bathrooms and scheduled no time for lunch. We mentioned it to Saul and when we returned to Cairo on the last day we had a good experience with the same guide who made sure to ask what we wanted and paid a lot of attention to our facial expressions commenting when he thought we weren't having a good time and adjusting to fit our needs. It was such an improvement and we truly appreciated the quick action that was taken to make sure we were enjoying the trip.
In Luxor we had a fabulous guide named Saadoon.
When he found out we were taking the sleeper train he rearranged our schedule so we could check into the hotel first thing in the morning and rest and shower. He knew the sleeper train did not go well for tourists. It was very hot in Luxor 105 and he made sure to stop in the shade any time he was talking for very long. He rescheduled a start time earlier when I was not doing well in the heat and added rest breaks. He even got a restaurant to open up their air conditioned dining room instead of having us eat outside. We stopped for drinks throughout the day and when he found out our train back to Cairo was at 8pm he arranged for us to check out of the hotel at 6pm instead of the 9am that was planned. It was fabulous to get to rest and shower after the tour and before getting back on the horrible train.
The two things I would change have only a little to do with Encounter travel, one was I would go in November or December. October may be the beginning of their cooler season, but it was way too hot for me. The other would be the sleeper train and the reason I give the travel agency 4 stars, not 5. Our guide in Luxor was well aware that people don't get much sleep on the train and to expect us to spend all night on the train without sleep and then to hop off and start the day touring without at least checking into the hotel and getting a shower just does not work. I was surprised they set up the tour that way. Also you spend the whole day touring before the train until 3 or 4 pm then come back to a hotel where we were checked out and just sit in the lobby for 2 to 3 hours until time to go to the train. I actually called the office asking about the train and the optional upgrade to a flight with hotel instead and was told nothing negative about the train. I think they should be aware of how hard the train is on tourists not used to the rough ride and at least allow check in at the hotel on arrival or offered a recommendation to upgrade. I was so on the fence about the train ride and mentioned I get motion sick and was worried about not being able to sleep on it. One single word from them and I would have upgraded. Although I enjoyed the trip and appreciate the great service of our guides, the two nights on the train with no sleep and last day trying to take in everything without a rest break or shower after the train definitely interfered with my enjoyment of the trip.