Rijul Anand’s Egypt Journey with Thrillophilia: 11 Days Across Pyramids, the Nile & the Red Sea

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PNR: BKDPNMQ2X8C
Rating: ★★★★★
Traveller: Rijul Anand
Trip Duration: 11 Days
Destination: Egypt
Travel Date: 20 Nov 2024 to 30 Nov 2024
Package Booked: 11 Days Private Tour to Egypt

Rijul Anand had been planning his Egypt trip for months, and he had a long list of things he wanted to get right. The Pyramids of Giza were a given, but he also wanted to sail along the Nile, explore ancient temples, visit Alexandria, experience Luxor from above and leave enough time to simply enjoy the places he was travelling through.

That meant the planning mattered just as much as the destinations. Rijul had countless conversations with Akhil Pareek, our Egypt Destination Expert, while putting the trip together. It required fine-tuning everything from the hotels and connecting flights to the Nile cruise and experiences he wanted to add along the way. He even had a special birthday request in the middle of the trip.

But all of that planning was about to meet the real Egypt, the one where the Pyramids suddenly appear in front of you, ancient temples rise beside the Nile, and a hot-air balloon takes you above Luxor just as the sun begins to rise.

And that is where Rijul’s 11-day Egyptian adventure began.

Cairo Started With a View He Had Waited Years to See

Rijul's first evening in Egypt set the tone for everything that followed. After arriving in Cairo and checking into his hotel near the Pyramids, he headed out for the Sound and Light Show.

As the sky darkened over Giza, the pyramids were illuminated against the night, bringing thousands of years of Egyptian history to life through the show. Seeing these enormous monuments glowing against the darkness was an unforgettable first glimpse of the country.

The next morning, Rijul finally got to explore the Pyramids of Giza up close. Standing before the Great Pyramid, with the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure spread across the desert, was a very different experience from seeing them in photographs. He also visited the Sphinx before exploring some of Cairo's famous local experiences, including a papyrus shop, perfume factory and cotton shop.

Later, he made his way to the Egyptian Museum, where centuries of Egyptian history unfolded through statues, artefacts and royal treasures. The day ended among the colourful lanes of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, where traditional shops, cafés and bustling streets offered a completely different side of Cairo.

Alexandria Brought a Different Side of Egypt

Rijul's Egypt itinerary soon took him beyond Cairo.

An early morning drive brought him to Alexandria, Egypt's famous Mediterranean city. The change in scenery was immediate as he moved away from Cairo's desert surroundings towards the coastline. He explored the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, one of Alexandria's most fascinating ancient sites, before continuing to the Roman Theatre and Pompey's Pillar. He also stopped to admire the Citadel of Qaitbay from outside, standing along the Mediterranean coast.

After a full day exploring Alexandria, Rijul returned to Cairo. It was a long day, but it added another dimension to his Egyptian adventure by showing him how dramatically the country's landscapes and history could change from one city to another.

Then He Traded Roads for the Nile

The next chapter began with a flight from Cairo to Aswan, where Rijul boarded his Nile cruise.

Before setting sail, he explored Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. The temple, surrounded by water, was particularly striking, with its ancient stone structures creating a beautiful contrast against the Nile.

Once aboard the cruise, the pace changed completely. Instead of packing and unpacking between destinations, Rijul could simply wake up to a new landscape and watch Egypt unfold from the river.

The cruise took him towards Kom Ombo, where he explored the temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus, before continuing towards Edfu. The combination of ancient temples, quiet river views and evenings spent aboard the cruise created some of the most relaxed moments of his trip.

Abu Simbel Took the Journey Even Further Back in Time

One of the biggest highlights came during an early morning excursion to Abu Simbel.

Rijul travelled to the enormous temples built by Pharaoh Ramses II, where four monumental statues dominate the entrance. The scale of the structures was extraordinary, and stepping inside revealed detailed carvings and ancient scenes covering the temple walls.

After returning to the cruise, he continued sailing towards Edfu and later Luxor. Each stop introduced another remarkable piece of ancient Egyptian history, making the Nile journey feel like a moving passage through the country's past.

Luxor Gave Him a Morning He Would Never Forget

Luxor was perhaps the most dramatic chapter of the journey. Rijul woke before sunrise for a hot-air balloon ride over the city. As the balloon rose, the landscape below slowly came into view, revealing the Nile, surrounding villages, desert and ancient monuments from a completely different perspective.

Later, he explored the Valley of the Kings, where tombs hidden within the desert mountains preserve the stories of Egypt's ancient rulers. He continued to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon before visiting the enormous Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.

Hurghada Swapped Ancient Stones for Blue Waters

After days spent surrounded by temples and archaeological wonders, Rijul's journey took a completely different turn in Hurghada. The desert gave way to sandy beaches and the brilliant blue waters of the Red Sea. With a day at leisure, he could slow down and enjoy the coastline, sunshine and relaxed resort atmosphere.

After such a packed journey, this pause was perfectly timed. There were no temples to rush towards or early morning departures to catch. Just the sea, the beach and some well-earned time to unwind before returning to Cairo. His final days in Cairo gave him another opportunity to explore the city at his own pace before heading to the airport.

Why Rijul Credits Thrillophilia and Akhil for Making His Egypt Trip Special

For Rijul, the person behind this carefully planned journey became just as memorable as the journey itself. He credits Akhil with staying involved from the first stage of planning through the entire trip, making sure every detail matched what had been discussed.

In Rijul’s own words:

“For me, the Thrillophilia company is Mr Akhil Pareek. He is a man of his word. For me, the entire sales process to after-sales service of Thrillophilia is Mr Akhil Pareek. No words can match his hard work, his dedication to a single deal, his efforts to ensure the smoothness of my trip, and his out-of-the-world efforts to ensure I got whatever was discussed while buying the package. His after-sales service can't be matched by any other sales guy I have ever met in my life. He ensured I got better than what was committed to me.

He understood the pulse of my trip and the purpose of my trip so well that he designed the entire trip in a tailor-made style so that I could cover every spot with full energy, sufficient time, and perfect relaxation without getting tired on a 12-day-long trip. He went out of his way to ensure I got everything, whether it was hotel check-in, room type, connecting flights, cruise selection, or suggesting an add-on, the White Desert, to my trip on my birthday.

I must say, this boy has a long career ahead of him in Thrillophilia, and I am looking forward to great promotions and success for Mr Akhil Pareek in Thrillophilia or the tourism industry. He has dedicated more than six months to satisfying a single client query with so much ease and calmness. He deserves a great treat from my side, and I have promised Mr Akhil Pareek that I will visit his Jaipur office to meet him personally and thank him for all his endless, sleepless efforts for my trip.

Thank you, Mr Akhil Pareek. Thrillophilia, to me, will be only you, for the most memorable trip of my life.”

As Thrillophilia, words like these mean more than a five-star rating ever could. They are a reflection of the trust our travellers place in us and a reminder of why every journey deserves our very best.

Also Read: Nainita’s Egypt Trip with Thrillophilia