While I arrange a variety of tours for families, solo travelers, and private groups, there are some special groups that I just can’t resist joining myself! I love spending time with my guests, sharing in the adventure and looking at Egypt through new eyes. On these trips I also bring along my top Egyptologist guides to make sure every moment is rich, personal, enjoyable, and memorable.
These are the dates and links for the tours I have scheduled so far. I keep my groups small so early booking is advised.
DATES:
- 2025 Nov 15 – 29 Group Tour with Mara – 14 nights
2026
- 2026 April 9 – April 23 Group Tour with Mara – 14 nights
- 2026 July 7 – 18 Egypt for Children – A family holiday with a child-orientated itinerary. Places limited to 7 families approx. If you are interested lets chat. Email me at maraegypt@gmail.com
- 2026 Sept 5 – 18 (13 nights) Spiritual Tour with private time in Gt. Pyramid, etc. A Sacred Journey Through Egypt’s Chakras
More dates for 2026 will be published on this page soon – most likely for Sept and Nov.
2027
- 2027 August 2nd is a full solar eclipse over Egypt. I will be organising programs for our guests for the week prior to and after the 2nd August. Mara House is currently fully booked for the eclipse and days surrounding it. However, I have a wait list in case of cancellations, so please contact me if you are interested either in accommodation or tours in Luxor, Cairo, or Aswan.
More dates for 2027 will be published here on this page soon, probably Feb, April, Sept and Nov.
Something Different and Personal
Years ago I became totally interested in several historical series which you can find here https://marahouseluxor.com/resurrection-ertugrul-must-see-film-series/ Recently I decided I would like to take a trip to Turkey and visit Topkapi Palace and some other places in Istanbul that are in these tv series. If you have any interest in joining me in my adventure to Turkey please email me and lets see if we can get an agreed date for a group of us to explore these sites in Istanbul together maraegypt@gmail.com
Book directly with Mara here maraegypt@gmail.com
The 5 star service, accommodations and experiences without solid gold prices!
TOUR MANAGER Ahmed:
* Collected us from the airport and looked after us all and treated us like family daily for almost 2 weeks!
* Ahmed, who completed the ultimate sacrifice and tried KFC and McDonalds before we arrived so he could advise us accordingly!
* Ahmed, whom pulled off a surprise wedding – with band – wedding of the century – in less than 24 hours.
* Ahmed, no request is too big, too small or too weird
* Ahmed, who is loved by all and is totally worthy of our adoration.
* Ahmed, we left more than just f.r.i.e.n.d.s.
TOUR GUIDE Mohamed:
* The ever knowledgeable, always endearing Egyptian gentleman.
* Mohamed who has so much wisdom and is never boring.
* Mohamed who stole the bride’s heart from the moment she met him, and stole the men’s hearts too.
* Mohamed who learnt that ‘stop jinning’ will get the ladies moving.
* Mohamed, the Redbull scout.
MARA – IRISH QUEEN OF EGYPT
* Mara has spent 19 years making Mara House Luxor what it is today.
* Literally built from the ground up and every piece has been lovingly chosen, made or found.
* Everything about our experiences had Mara’s personal touches.
* The information and guidance she provides even before we have left home.
* The Hotel and tours in Cairo.
* The shows and entertainment.
* 7 night Nile Cruise on a 5 star ship.
* The people she has chosen to work for her.
* The off the beaten track experiences.
* Food glorious food. Amr @ Mara House is an amazing chef.
* Lots of tours but also so relaxing – Busy but lots of down time
This tour planned and arranged by Mara starts with the Giza Pyramids and camel ride but somehow each day after was better than the day before!
MARA HOUSE LUXOR, I can’t wait to go back and next time spend a week just at Mara House.
MAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!!
Traveled with friends. Booked Mara House Nov 2019 Group Tour. Reviewed on Tripadvisor Jan 2020
Fantastic tour with Mara and her Associates
My husband and I went on a small group tour with Mara of Mara House Luxor. We had a marvelous time with seasoned, knowledgeable guide Mohamed and fantastic, miracle worker tour manager Ahmed. We are usually solo tourists, so it was a pleasure to have everything taken care of, including the transportation and tickets to all the sites, and the luggage handling. In addition, we were provided with local information and tips on how to not be taken advantage of when we decided to venture out on our own.
Ahmed is acquainted with the people who work at the sites we visited, so he knew exactly who could provide a safe, reliable service, especially for the camel ride at Giza and the horse carriage at Edfu.
His wonderful contacts got us front row seats at the Sufi Dance performance we went to, enabling me to take fabulous photos of the event. If we wanted to buy a specific souvenir, he knew exactly where we could obtain it and provided very helpful bargaining tips so we could get the item at a fair price.
Mohamed knew every crook and cranny of the sites we visited and could answer questions about the history of every site we visited. This enabled us to keep ahead of the other tour groups because he could guide us to parts of the sites where it wasn’t so crowded. He did his best to educate us about everything we saw even though we weren’t the best pupils at times!
We were lucky enough to sit with Mara during meals on the cruise, and she regaled us with many entertaining stores of her extensive experiences running a guest house in Egypt.
We wished that we would have had more time at Mara House itself, because it is so peaceful and beautifully decorated, but we had to get back to our real lives and work obligations. We really enjoyed the one night we had there, and all the drinks and snacks are very reasonable priced compared to the hotel and cruise ship.
In addition, we were offered the famous feast, which was absolutely fantastic. The breakfast at Mara House was just as good, and it was included in the package. If you are looking for a wonderful, hassle free tour of Egypt you can’t go wrong with Mara House Luxor.
Couple. USA. Nov 2019 Mara House Group Trips Reviewed on TripAdvisor 11 Dec 2019
This woman has put together the Egypt trip of a lifetime! I am forever grateful my cousin found this tour, I cant put into words how happy my family and I are (aged 22-41). Our lives have been enriched and refreshed. We just finished the 14 day tour this November.
Everything was perfect – the accommodation (hotel, ship, Mara House) all fine quality, the destinations (hidden treasures without tourists), the service/care given to each individual, the educational guides through each location. Wow, wow, wow. I cant fault it.This was exactly the holiday I needed from my busy/stressful life.
Traveled with family. Australian. Nov 2019 Mara House Group Trips Reviewed on TripAdvisor
I joined a small group tour during Nov 2019 with Mara House tours. Everything was taken care of in such a great way. The tour included a wide variety of experiences. The tour manager Ahmed and tour guide Mo really spoiled us with many surprises and were always available to support us in any way needed and more! Ensure that your tour include a stay over at Mara House in Luxor for at least two nights for a special Egypt experience.
I felt safe at all times. The security in Egypt is of very high standard. Apparently recently voted second best in middle east and eight in the world. They also have a special Tourist Police unit which is very visible and caring towards tourists.
Do yourself a favour and visit Egypt with Mara from Mara House to plan and organise your tour.
Traveled solo with Mara House Nov 2019 Group Tour – Reviewed on TripAdvisor
We are just finishing our tour of Egypt with Mara, Ahmed and the team. What an amazing tour it has been. Thank you so much for looking after us and showing us Ancient Egypt, medieval Egypt and modern day Egypt. You have given us a holiday of a lifetime. Diane and Frank Abbley
Traveled as couple with friends. Booked the Mara House April 2019 Group Tour. Reviewed on Tripadvisor.
We have just finished touring Egypt with Mara from Mara House Luxor finishing with dinner at Mara House. Mara and her tour manager Ahmed as well as her local guides have been exceptional in their knowledge of Egypt and their inhabitants over the last few thousand years. Information has been spot on as well as their stories along the way. We have seen some things that others would never have seen. I am so grateful that we found Mara on the internet. Her tours are small and we have made some lasting friends with her and the lovely people in the group. Hotels have been great and the trip down the Nike so beautiful. Thank you Mara and Ahmed for being so fastidious in your arrangements leaving nothing for us to worry about – everything has gone to plan. We would not hesitate to highly recommend this tour with anyone interested in travelling to Egypt.
Traveled as couple with friends. Booked Mara House April 2019 Group Tour, Reviewed on Tripadvisor
So glad we went with the Mara house team for our first trip to Egypt. Ahmed is the superstar of logistics and took care of everything we needed. The guides (both Mohammad’s) were so knowledgeable about all things Egypt and taught us so much. The sites were amazing and the people were friendly, what more could you ask for on vacation. If you have been curious about visiting Egypt – definitely go and don’t hesitate to plan through the Mara House team.
Traveled as couple. Booked the Mara House April 2019 Group Tour. Reviewed on Tripadvisor.
Well what can I say. This trip for my wife and I has been awesome. The team at Mara House have also been awesome. From our initial first contact with Mara House throughout the trip and sadly it’s conclusion has been absolutely exceptional. Mara and her team have done everything in their absolute power to take any stress or hassle away from us so we can sit back and truly enjoy Egypt. Stunning place with its history and culture has certainly broadened both our horizons about the country and this wouldn’t have been possible for us without the Mara House team. If we do return to Egypt, Mara House will be the first phone call.
Traveled as couple with friends. Booked the Mara House April 2019 Group Tour. Reviewed on Tripadvisor.
The Trip of a Lifetime! My wife and I just returned from a wonderful 11-day trip to Egypt. What made this trip so amazing was Mara and her outstanding team (Ahmed, Mohammad & Mo!), who made Egypt, its fascinating history (from ancient to modern) and its wonderful & friendly people, come to life!
All the arrangements were perfect; from Mara’s delightful, informative and stress-free itinerary, the 4-star accommodations, easy in-Country flights, our soothing 4 night Nile cruise, great food, great small-group fellowship (there were only 10 of us!), and of course Egypt’s HISTORY! And the whole time, everywhere we went, Ahmed and his team cared for us just like family.
When we tell our friends where we went, and about everything we saw and did, and how reasonable the cost, they’re astounded! This has to be the BEST VALUE/MOST AFFORDABLE all-inclusive Egypt tour available from anyone!
If you want to experience Egypt, we give our highest recommendation to Mara House! You won’t be sorry!
Travelled as oouple. Booked the Mara House Nov 2018 Group Tour. Reviewed on Tripadvisor.
Egypt/Luxor/Aswan trip Oct 3rd-Oct14th 2018
We spent 11 days last month with Mara Tour and her excellent staff (Ahmed, Mohamad from Cairo and Mohamad from Luxor). Thanks for the team for all excellent information and keep us all safe all the time, especially Ahmed who was on call at all times.
We learnt a lot about the ancient history of Egypt up all the way to Islamic, Christian era and modern times. We will definitely come back when they have more tombs/pyramid opens for tour! Great job guys!
Jacky H Traveled as couple. Booked Mara House Oct 2018 Group Tour. Reviewed on Google Maps 5 Nov 2018
Mara is the Best You Can Do in Egypt!
Mara House in Luxor (do a Google search to book direct on her website) is scrumptiously decorated in traditional style and features huge suites with kitchenettes. It really feels more like a comfortable home than a hotel. The delicious “Salahadeen Feast” there was the best and most authentic food I had in my entire time in Egypt – homemade by her chef!
For anyone wanting to fulfill their dream of visiting Egypt, I highly recommend Mara for a safe and hassle-free experience. She is an Irish lady who spent many years living in Egypt and therefore has a unique perspective; she gives us the trustworthy tours she wished she first had as a visitor. My trip definitely went above and beyond my expectations!
During the 11-day group tour we visited several cities in Egypt (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, etc) and it was smooth-running and thrilling from start to finish! The Itinerary covered all the highlights of Egypt and more, from the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings to lesser known wonders such as the Christian and Medieval Cairo communities. It was an unexpected bonus to be so completely awed and impressed by the amazing architecture and history from different eras!
Mara made sure everyone’s preferences were heard and the Itinerary was graciously adjusted according to need and group consensus. I loved and really benefited from this perk!
Mara’s attentive presence and the knowledge of her outstanding and personable manager Ahmed Hasanein let me be fully immersed in Egypt without juggling any tedious logistics. It really made a difference that we stuck with the same Egyptologists every day: Mohamed Haider (in Cairo) and Mohamed Ahmed (in Luxor), both were enthusiastic and eager to explain the history of places we were visiting, and answer all the questions we had.
It makes a HUGE difference seeing all the sites in Egypt in person vs just reading about it from afar (and dreaming about going “someday”). NOW is the time to visit Egypt and booking through Mara is the best you can do!
Mara Group Trip – Reviewed on TripAdvisor
Outstanding Tour of Egypt
Just back from the October Small Group tour by Mara House, in a word outstanding. As an experienced independent traveler had some concerns about doing a group tour however our group of 12, plus Ahmed (tour manager) and accompanying Egyptologists, helped make the trip.
The tour covered all the major sites and more, providing an insight into the life of past and present Egyptians. While we saw pyramids and the tombs of kings we also saw tombs of the nobles and common workers. We covered both Islamic and christian Cairo. Favorites being Saladin’s Citadel and the church the holy family hid out in for 3 months.
At times it felt like we were VIP guests, getting access to sites either first (inside the great pyramid) or almost the only visitors to an area. A great tour run by great people.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor – Travelled as a couple – Booked Mara House Oct 2018 Group Tour. Review Deleted by TripAdvisor on 25/10/2018
THE ONLY WAY TO SEE EGYPT!
I have always wanted to go to Egypt. By accident I ran across Mara House while looking for another trip elsewhere. This was the best accident I have ever had! Unbelievable!
My first concern was safety. Mara put my mind at ease right away and told me it was very safe. Right she was – I NEVER once felt unsafe or the least bit uneasy. The Egyptian people are so wonderful. They are friendly and always willing to help no matter what you need. A nice place to eat, directions, or just crossing the street.
My husband and I went on an 11 day tour – This is a small group tour which started in Cairo, went to Luxor, then Aswan with a Nile cruise.
Ahmed was our tour guide/manager. He was amazing!!! Ahmed met us at the airport with a smile on his face which never left for the entire 11 days. He took us to the Steigenberger Hotel in Cairo and made sure we were checked in and our luggage was in our room.
The next day we started our amazing/unforgettable adventure. We did it all 🙂 Valley of the Kings- King Tut’s Tomb, Seti Tomb; Giza – went into the great pyramid up to the King’s chamber and had a camel ride, saw an ancient boat, and the sphinx.. Valley of the Queens – Nefertari Tomb … Cairo – Sufi dance, Garbage City, Cave Church, Abdeen Palace, City of the Dead… Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan – Philae, Nubian Village, held crocodiles, went into a classroom for kindergarten; what adorable children. We saw countless temples and tombs – We went to Antiquities Museum which was amazing.
I could go on for hours talking about how wonderful this trip was and everywhere we went; but it was Mara’s guide, Ahmad who made it special. We were never out of Ahmed’s sight. He went out of his way to make sure our trip was something special and unforgettable – he succeeded!
There are also two Egyptologists – Mohammad and Mohammad (Mo). They had so much information on each place we visited. Both were amazing and so sweet. The three of them really made you feel like you were family. It was like you knew them for years after meeting them.
Bob and I were so comfortable at all times. I could really go on for hours telling you about how wonderful this trip is – but you have to experience it to really appreciate how great this trip can be. Don’t wait – Egypt is ready for tourists and going with this tour group is the only way to go.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor -Travelled as a couple – Booked Mara House Oct 2018 Group Tour – Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
Amazing Egypt Tour for 11 days
As a first time solo traveller, I must admit I was extremely nervous, but knowing I was being part of a group helped make me at ease.
The Tour manager Ahmed was absolutely wonderful, no job was to small, his multitasking abilities are exceptional.
The 2 Tour Guides whose names are both Mohammed were in my opinion fantastic, and the knowledge they have is unbelievable. I can honestly say I think I have input overload.
To be in a group for the tour was also by far the best way to see and explore Egypt’s beautiful and fascinating history. It was just so breathtakingly stunning.
Thank you very much for putting on these tours, I am truly grateful. I now have wonderful memories of a country that’s been on my bucket list my whole life.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor – Traveled solo. October 2018 – 11 nights Mara’s Group Tour. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
Great value, fantastic staff.
We recently completed a large group trip. Our group Manager Ahmed is very organized and super easy to communicate with. Both Egyptologists Mohammad A. and Mohammad H. were very knowledgeable and always willing to answer our questions and appeared to really enjoy their work. We had excellent drivers and saw so many more sites then expected and more then were promised. This trip is great for history buffs and the value you get for money spent is amazing. Egyptian culture, particularly the tipping and shopping were hard to get used to but Ahmed was very patient with us and gave us guidance whenever needed.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor – Travelled as a couple – Booked Mara House Oct 2018 Group Tour – Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
Ten Days in Egypt
We spent ten days in Egypt this month with Mara and her excellent staff which included Ahmed, who was on 24 hour call for anything we needed, and Amer, her delightful cook at Mara House.
Our tour was great value for the money we paid and included all the sights promised, from Cairo to Luxor to Aswan. We saw many temples and tombs and Mara and her team did their best to keep us ahead of other tour groups by carefully coordinating our visit times. The hotel rooms were basic but good and breakfasts at the hotels and on the cruise were plentiful.
We came away with a great understanding of Egypt’s history and culture – Ancient, Islamic, Christian and modern. The tour vibe was casual and comfortable.
We always felt safe as Mara and her team coordinated with the security men assigned to us and always knew where we were. We learned an amazing amount in a relatively short period of time!
Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Booked Mara House Sept 2018 Group Tour.
Great value for Egypt
We did our tour with this company. We were met at the airport at 4.30am by the smiling caring tour manager despite the fact that he’d been transferring people since midnight.
Our hotel was amazing and Ahmed, our tour manager, arranged for us to get into our room by 7am! Not many places will do that for you. Mara, the owner of the tour company, met us all before the tour started to explain how things would be.
We spent 4 days in Cairo and then a relaxing cruise on the Nile from Luxor to Aswen. Here we got to have dinner at Mara House which was amazing! The Egypologists, Mohammed and Mohammed, we’re both amazing. They had so much information to share and were so pleased to do so.
Ahmed, what an amazing man! He was soooo helpful. I got a bit sick with an upset stomach and he regularly checked on me, making sure I was well hydrated and up to the next bit of the tour. He even escorted us back to the airport at a ridiculous hour of the morning! Nothing was a problem for him. Every request, he forefilled. He was waiting at our hotel about one hour before pick up every day! Apart for the history of Egypt, Ahmed is the jewel in the crown of this tour. Thank you Ahmed. Your professionalism was greatly appreciated!
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The fact that the group is small is fantastic and would happily give it a 5* plus rating.
Thanks Mara House Luxor
Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Travelled with Mara’s Group Trip Sept 2018
Touring Historic Egypt
We toured with Mara and her amazing tour leader Ahmed and guides, both called Mohammed. The organisation of the tour was meticulous but allowed for minor variations to suit the group. Additional activities were added where possible including a felucca ride in Aswan.
We especially enjoyed the temples in Abydos and Dendera which are seen by very few groups. We were also taken inside the pyramids and some rarely opened tombs in the valley of the kings which were amazing.
The hotel accommodation was great, and a dinner in Mara House a highlight of the trip.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Travelled with Mara’s Group Trip Sept 2018. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
The tour with Mara was a great way to experience Egypt!
There’s no doubt we saw the most amazing number of extraordinary things – Mara’s view is we will only be here once so she puts in as much as possible. It was full on, with generally long days with lots in them but I really feel as though I’ve been immersed in experiencing Egyptian history and culture, put together by someone who does tours because she loves Egypt and wants others to love it too.
The hotels have been outstanding, the cruise ship was fine (although about C grade by European cruise ship standards), the guides were great and I learnt a lot, and the organisation was generally good, except for a few times when things were derailed by the Egyptian way of doing things, and Mara stepped in and got them sorted out.
The only thing we missed was Abu Simbel, but there were no flights at all from Aswan that day, and after all the temples we’d seen, no-one really wanted to do a seven hour round trip by minibus, getting up at 3 am, for an hour there.
I would have preferred one less day in Cairo and an extra day in Aswan, so we could have done both the Philae/Nubian Village visits on one day and Abu Simbel either by plane or minibus on another.
I’m really pleased I’ve seen Egypt and that I did it with Mara. It would be difficult, frustrating, uncertain, and scary to see Egypt without doing it with a good tour company. You would be driven insane, miss a lot and take ages to do it.
I’m a solo female traveller and Mara and her team took out all the worry and the hassle and I had a great time.
Thanks Mara!
Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Travelled with Mara’s May Group Trip 2018. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
Many thanks to Mara and her very friendly and professional team for an absolutely incredible egypt experience. The knowledge of her guides was first class and the way Mara and they explained the amazing history and stories of Egypt from the ancient pharaonic period through to the present day was very entertaining and easy to understand. The logistics of the trip from Cairo to Luxor to Aswan could not have gone more smoothly. We felt safe, secure and relaxed during the whole tour. The hotels we stayed in and the Nile cruise boat were of a very high standard.
Mara bent over backwards to make sure that all our specific needs were catered for and the itinerary was flexible enough to ensure that we always came first. We really enjoyed the more personable approach from Mara and her team that was possible with a smaller tour group.
Our trip to Egypt was unforgettable and exceeded all our expectations and then some. We highly recommend a Mara Egyptian tour.
Linda and Andrew Fraser, Melbourne Australia. Travelled with Mara’s May Group Tour 2018. Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
A truly awesome experience!!
Mara and her band of fantastic helpers made our trip to Egypt an unforgettable one!
The history and architecture are truly beyond belief. No photo really really does the place justice. The chaos of Cairo just added to the appeal for us.
Logistically a small tour is by far the best way to see this amazing place. The difference with Mara’s tour is that we visited no shops or places where the guides received commissions for us purchasing items.
We found flexibility and friendliness were the norm from Ahmed, Amer and the two Mohameds.
Karen and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Egypt and have no hesitation in recommending Mara’s tour!!
Bill and Karen Chernishoff. Travelled with Mara’s May Group Tour 2018. Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
Couldn’t recommend Mara’s tours highly enough. From ancient temples to the streets of modern day Cairo, Mara’s team of expeirnced guides gave us an incredible expirence that fee could match. As a solo female traveler, I felt safe, included, and engaged throughout the entire trip-a quality which speaks both about Egypt as a country and the wonderful people I was allowed to meet along the way. Truly, I don’t believe there’s another, or better, way to experience Egypt!
10/10 stars. Travelled with Mara’s May Group Tour 2018. Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
Mara and her guides provided a terrific, once in a life-time, experience of ancient Egypt and so much more insight into the country and it’s people past and present.
Good hotels, transport (our trip included buses, horse & carriage, luxury Nike cruise, small Nile water taxis), security, and shopping. Exceeded my expectations.
Travelled with Mara’s May Group Tour 2018. Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
Could not recommend Mara’s tour highly enough.
Loved all aspects, especially the friendly and knowledgeable guides: Ahmed, Haider and Mo.
We considered making our own itinerary, but when we saw Mara’s, it was a no-brainer to choose hers. There is no way we could have covered the ground we did on our own.
Mara has an affinity with Egypt that is contagious, if you are thinking of going to Egypt, look no further! Thanks for a brilliant experience Mara
Travelled with Mara’s May Group Tour 2018. Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
Mara is the Best You Can Do in Egypt!
Mara House in Luxor (do a Google search to book direct on her website) is scrumptiously decorated in traditional style and features huge suites with kitchenettes. It really feels more like a comfortable home than a hotel. The delicious “Salahadeen Feast” there was the best and most authentic food I had in my entire time in Egypt – homemade by her chef!
For anyone wanting to fulfill their dream of visiting Egypt, I highly recommend Mara’s Group Tours for a safe and hassle-free experience. The tour went above and beyond my expectations!
During the 11-day group tour we visited several cities in Egypt (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, etc) and it was smooth-running and thrilling from start to finish! The Itinerary covered all the highlights of Egypt and more, from the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings to lesser known wonders such as the Christian and Medieval Cairo communities. It was an unexpected bonus to be so completely awed and impressed by the amazing architecture and history from different eras!
Mara made sure everyone’s preferences were heard and the Itinerary was graciously adjusted according to need and group consensus. I loved and really benefited from this perk!
Mara’s attentive presence and the knowledge of her outstanding and personable manager Ahmed Hasanein let me be fully immersed in Egypt without juggling any tedious logistics. It really made a difference that we stuck with the same Egyptologists every day: Mohamed Haider (in Cairo) and Mohamed Ahmed (in Luxor), both were enthusiastic and eager to explain the history of places we were visiting, and answer all the questions we had.
It totally makes a difference seeing everything in person vs just reading about Egypt from afar. Everything was taken care of and ran smoothly, and the Itinerary covered all the highlights of Egypt and more, from the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings to lesser known wonders such as the Christian and Medieval Cairo communities.
NOW is the time to visit Egypt and booking through Mara is the best you can do!
Travelled with Mara’s May Group Tour 2018. Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
We will never forget this tour of Egypt, and thank you, so much, Mara and Ahmed, for putting this all together and making it so easy for us to see and do it all. Despite being seasoned travellers, we felt beforehand that seeing Egypt via a small group tour with informed Egyptologists was really the best way to do it…. and now at the end, we are really glad we did it this way!
The ancient sites were sublime and important to us both, aesthetically and spiritually and visually. That is really why we came. We loved the Pyramids, and for Wendy we had a special time re-enacting a much valued family photo of her grandfather in World War 2, riding camels in front of the Pyramids. At Luxor, both Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple were amazing to experience. A special dinner at Mara House was a real treat.
We had a very long bus drive day from Luxor to enjoy visits to Dendera, and especially Abydos Temples, another favourite …. but the ride was a fantastic way to observe the daily life of rural Egypt….. ever revealing new surprises. We liked our visit to the Luxor West Bank Valley of the Kings tombs, though it happened on a very hot day that got up to 46 degrees C… even hot for us Australians! However for most of the tour we managed the dry heat with just a special soaked neck wrap… though Chip also sometimes used a soaked Hyper Cool vest.
Life on the criuse boat was easy.. though we are not ‘cruise boat’ people, and we soon tired of the buffet food and poor coffee …. Loved the caleche ride to Edfu Temple, and were fascinated by the Kom Ombo Temple duality and the mummified crocodiles … though horrified at the huge congestion of diesel-belching cruise boats that all seemed to arrive there at the same time.
At Aswan, Wendy found the Nubian Village a valuable and interesting remnant of a now destroyed culture, almost entirely flooded by the High Dam, but was sad to see it now just a tourist shopping trap. Though the retailers there, better than elsewhere, had got the message that not hassling visitors could get them better results. In fact, overall in Egypt, we did not find the sellers hassling of us too bad most of the time. At Aswan, Philae was our final temple, on its pretty little island. Then back to Cairo.
Throughout, it was remarkable to experiece the excellent condition of these remaining Pharaonic temples and tombs. We had tried to get flights to Abu Simbal, but could not, and were not willing to do a six hour drive for a short visit. But on reflection, we were not disappointed with our substitute activities in Aswan.
We were disgusted by Cairo’s filth and congestion on the roads, and the lack of pedestrian safety for those needing to cross the major streets. We understand there are ‘plans’ to re-create the ‘Parisian’ central Cairo of old. We hope that this work happens…. but first just fix the footpaths and add in more traffic lights for pedestrians!
We were initially daunted by the high level of security, which presumably was needed. We felt safe but protected throughout. And gradually we got up our confidence up to wander out alone…. and were amazed by the warm and friendly welcome of many Egyptians… including the children smiling and saying ‘Welcome to Egypt!’ to us. We saw relatively few other Westerners in Egypt … most tourists seemed to be from Asia and other Middle Eastern countries.
Chip did not enjoy anywhere near as much the tours of sites around Cairo itself, including the (too) many mosques and churches. And the long stints stuck in Cairo traffic. But the visit to Cairo’s Garbage City/Mountain was fascinating… both very impressive and horrifying at the same time!
The interpretations of the ancient sites were very good (especially Mohammed’s in Luxor and beyond). We learnt so much. The logistics management on occasions was not as good in our view, but perhaps that is attributable in part to Egypt itself! Certainly things could go off schedule. But we did see everything in our program.
Altogether, an amazing experience with a great group of compatible and friendly people…. it will take some time to digest!
Travelled with Mara’s May Group Tour 2018. Reviewed on TripAdvisor. Deleted by TripAdvisor 25.10.2018
We just wanted to let everyone know about our amazing trip with Mara and Ahmed. We still can’t believe how much we saw of Egypt, and how wonderful the other people on our tour were. We travel a lot and have been to many phenomenal places, but Egypt really stands out for us. Mara and Ahmed have really come up with an incredible itinerary, a nice pace and first class accommodations everywhere we went. If there is something special that you want to do, or see, they will make it happen. The sites are unbelievable, and it was unimaginable that the next site was better than the previous one. The history is overwhelming, the treasures are staggering, the people are delightful and Mara and Ahmed are the perfect hosts for this marvelous adventure! Thank you both for our magnificent trip to Egypt!!
We had a trip of our life to Egypt from 2/13/18 -2/25/18. Mara and Ahmed are our tour leaders. They are superb, sweet and kind and organized. My husband just had a quadruple bypass and everyone take such a good care of him . We had a awesome,memorable trip.Both of our Egyptologist guides are so knowledgeable. It make our trip more fun and educational. Thank you very ….. much for our international ground members. You guys are the “Best”. You are sweet , thoughtful , kind and helpful. We sincerely appreciate it.
Hopefully in the future, we will have a reunion.
Missed you!! Take care!
We are a retired professor and a retired elementary school teacher, who were on the November, 2017 tour. This trip was everything we had hoped it would be, and then some. We are experienced travelers, but we chose to go on a guided tour in Egypt rather than on our own, and we are glad that we did. Our tour had 12 tourists, so we fit into a van, which was our typical mode of local transport. A tremendous amount of planning and local arrangements went into the “infrastructure” of this tour; I believe that Mara planned the overall structure of the trip, so that we saw absolutely as much of Egypt as possible in 10 days; but her right-hand-man Ahmed probably handled the details, of which there were MANY. Everything was flawlessly handled. Vans appeared out of nowhere when they were needed. Tickets were purchased. We were, for example, let into a theater a little early so we could all be seated together for a fabulous Sufi Dance exhibition in Cairo. Lunch appeared when required. Airport transfers went flawlessly; our luggage moved magically from airport to hotel, hotel to boat, etc. You could never in a million years plan your own Egypt trip so well. Don’t even think about trying.
Mara is a native of Ireland, who fell in love with Egypt. In conducting this tour business, she wants to share her Egypt with others. She is not in this primarily for the money, as her prices should make absolutely clear. I don’t believe you would be able to see half of what she showed us, on your own, for the same price. Moreover, what we paid was just what she said we would pay. You can trust Mara.
As for what she showed us, there was a tremendous variety, more than we would have known to arrange for ourselves. Our primary interest was the antiquities of the Pharaonic period (pyramids, tombs, temples). We were unaware of the Islamic, Graeco-Roman, and Coptic periods of Eqyptian history, and the resulting melting-pot nature of contemporary Egyptian society, but Mara and Ahmed made sure we saw everything.
Nor was the focus always on history: we visited a kindergarten in the Nubian Village, and learned how garbage is collected in Cairo.
I must also praise the talents and learning of the two Egyptologist guides that Mara and Ahmed hired to explain everything to us. (One in Cairo and another in Luxor and Aswan.) These two have many years of experience as tour guides and the erudition and knowledge you would expect from a professor. They answered every question (and without needing Google),
and were absolutely helpful. We did see a lot of temples and as a result, at some point it came to life for me: I saw in my imagination what it was like thousands of years ago on one of their festival days, when the god of the temple would be taken out in his boat by the priests and carried across the Nile to visit the god of the temple over there, in the middle of a celebrating throng of the whole local population, with music, dancing, eating, and drinking. The oracle would speak from the back of the temple to answer the people’s questions.
Finally I note that our group had one thing in common: each of us had been told by some friends and relatives, “You’re crazy to go to Egypt”,
and had concluded “Let’s go anyway!” Well, we are glad that we did.
If you’re worried about it, take up your concerns by email with Mara.
We are a retired couple who like to travel. After reading the intinaries and reviews of a variety of Egyptian tours we decided on Mara’s November 2017, and are extreamly happy we did. We were on the same tour as Weldon, whose comments will be below. We whole heartedly agree with all his comments. The tour was fantastic!
Along with the great selection of sites we visited – with excellent guides – we wish to emphasize how well organized the tour was. Transportation and rooms just happened with little or no wait for us. Lunch was organized so as to minimize wasted time. (Be it back to the boat, to a restaurant or great Egyptian fast food on the bus.) Breakfast and dinner was (usually) back at the accomodation. Cairo’s streets are packed and slow moving (although often interesting). A well thought out plan for the day was essential.
One highlight for us was the bus drive from Luxor to Abydos, and back. For a while we travelled along an irrigation canal. There were lots of people to watch. as they started their day. People were heading to school and work. Some had already loaded there vehicle (small truck or donkey cart) with agriculture products (sugar cane, corn, etc). They were dressed in a variety of ways, from western type clothes to traditional Egyptian. Later we drove through desert where we could see modern irrigation projects and new cities. VERY interesting.
Other highlights we had not anticipated: two exceptional Egyptian meals, and an amazing Sufi drum and dance performance.
If you are considering a trip to Egypt, then we strongly recommend a tour with Mara!
Our family’s November 2017 Group tour with Mara just ended, and here I sit at the classy piano bar at the Ramses Hilton in Cairo reflecting on one of the most extraordinary adventures our family has taken… the full Egypt tour with Mara House.
I would highly recommend this trip to anyone that wants a meaningful and comprehensive experience of this diverse and amazing country!
From an historical perspective, we delved into ancient, Pharonic Egypt in unexpected ways… visits to the ‘mainstream’ sites like Giza were complemented with visits to lessor known and often even more extraordinary sites like Abydos, Dendara, and sites of nobles tombs and workers tombs that provided a spectrum of insight into ancient Egyptian civilization from the mundane and essential to the mysterious and divine. On many occasions our small group had sites entirely to ourselves… that’s due entirely to Mara House planning using their knowledge of local environments from Cairo all the way to Aswan.
This tour also included historical views of the Greek/Roman period in Egypt as well as ‘Coptic Egypt’ and the impact of 1400 years of Islamic evolution, all the while giving us an experiential grounding in contemporary Egyptian life today. It is impossible to imagine a better way to experience… in a single trip… the enormity of Egyptian history and culture than the experience Mara House provided.
The guides and Egyptologists that accompanied us brought it all to life with astounding depth and clarity. Our tour guide general manager, Ahmed, managed the complex logistics of this nearly two-week trip with precision that left our group with little to do but be educated, be mystified, and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
A word about Egypt: not once on this entire trip did we ever feel ‘not safe.’ The Egyptian people are brilliant… cheerful, friendly and positive… and uniformly welcoming and warm and eager to share a hello… it is really a joy to meet and interact in Egypt. The street hawkers can be a little annoying at times, but that goes with the territory in most heavily touristed sites around the world. Egypt has been through a lot in the last decade and is really receptive and accessible to tourists and cross-cultural exchange… if you’re thinking of coming to Egypt this is a great time… and if you want a fabulous tour, Mara House has it all.
Thank you Mara, Ahmed and team for sharing your love of Egypt with us… it was a trip of a lifetime and sincerely: may we meet again!
I took the Mara House Luxor group tour in November 2016. Over five months later, I am still in awe of the experience. If you are looking for a trip that is forgettable the next month, you don’t want to use Mara House. However, if you are looking for a trip that you will fondly remember long after the journey has ended, Mara’s House is such a destination.
As a single female traveler, I was hesitant about safety. Prior to the trip, Mara quickly got back to me on every question that I emailed her. I wondered if she ever slept since I never had to wait long for her replies. Booking that trip was one of the best things I have ever done. Our small group was a joy to travel with on the daily adventures Mara planned out for us. On the first night meetup, she had us go around the group to not only introduce ourselves but ask what we wanted to accomplish for this trip. I was impressed that over the next 10 days, she worked to make each of our dreams a reality.
There were opportunities some of us took such as a side trip to Abu Simbel and touring the recently opened tombs such as Sety I. For the extra money and the expectation that this would be a once in a lifetime trip, I did it all and have no regrets. The days were busy but not hectic.
Mara is passionate about what she does and it shows in the exceptional staff that she has assembled to make your stay a pleasurable one. It was also educational not only learning about Egypt’s past but the present hopes and future dreams of its people. I cannot sing enough praises for the staff. They were remarkable! After all, that is what travel should include in being able to get a taste of the culture of the country that you visit.
Speaking of taste, you will not get any better food than what is prepared at Mara House. The stairs to the various room levels may be a little challenging for some, but I found it not an issue. The room was clean and I had fun using the shower in the bathroom. After all, travel is about new experiences. It is located on a side street and if you are lucky you might get to see the camel right down the road.
If you are thinking about visiting Egypt, don’t let this opportunity pass to experience the hospitality at Mara House Luxor. You won’t forget it (in a good way)!
If Egypt is on your bucket list, as it was on ours, then hesitate no longer because Mara and her wonderful crew are here to make your visit to the Land of the Pharaohs all that you dreamed of and more. All the glowing accolades you’ve read about “Egypt with Mara” are true. We’ll give you a few highlights.
– Pre-trip communication: Before our trip, Mara answered each and every question we had, no matter how niggly, via email promptly and in great detail. We were as prepared as we could be having taken Mara’s advice on what to bring and what to expect. (And for those who wonder “Is Egypt safe?”, the answer is yes. Never once did we feel otherwise. And just to make sure, there was an armed security guard on our van,as well as a military escort.)
-Welcome to Egypt: Mara’s right-hand woman is Fatma,a lovely young Egyptian whose smile brightened our time in Cairo. She greeted us at the airport, escorted us to the hotel and made sure we felt like part of the family. Fatma is a gifted multi-media artist, intelligent and insightful, and it was delight to learn about the life of contemporary Egyptian Muslims through her.
-Hit the ground running: From the moment we arrived, our days were packed from morning to night with visits to the major sites up and down the Nile. Mara’s guides were knowledgeable, friendly and patient. We had a succession of Mohammeds, but the one we spent the most time with was with us from Luxor to Aswan. He looked remarkably like Barack Obama and good-naturedly crammed as much information as would fit into our whirling heads. He rounded up the stragglers, kept things moving and made sure all questions were answered.
-Go with the flow: While we did everything that Mara promised we would do, the sequence of events sometimes had to be rearranged because Egyptian schedules can be somewhat vague.
She advised early on that we’d have a much better time if we simply went with the flow, and that occasionally things worked out even better than planned. That being said, if someone in the group had something special in mind to do, Mara was delighted to make every effort to see that it was done.
-Shopping: Mara is strictly about making you happy.. We were there to see the wonders of ancient and modern Egypt, not to spend time in souvenir shops or alabaster and papyrus factories. However, Mara understood that most visitors like to bring something home with them, and there is an afternoon devoted to the market Khan Al-Khalili, where guests are not directed to any shop in particular for the commission, but pointed toward the section of the market where you’ll find what you want.
-Conclusion: Of course, a written description can never convey the experience of actually being there, but you can expect a well-organized, thoughtful, fun, and memorable experience if you throw in your lot with Mara. Her delightful Irish wit kept things light and enjoyable. She also has a deep grasp of the esoteric side of the temples, tombs and monuments of ancient Egypt and understood when I unexpectedly had what she called “a moment” in the Temple at Abydos.
We recommend without reservation “Egypt with Mara” for your visit to the land of the Pharaohs
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Fiona and Kevin Gordon
LITERALLY AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME!!! I honestly cant wait to go back and intend to see Mara and her wonderful staff again. She covered all the basis and made she everyone got to see everything they wished during our stay whether it was on the itinerary or not. her tour opens you up to other parts of Egypt you wouldnt get on a large tour group package. You really get to know the people and the culture and visit some less obvious places that are equally important. I cant say enough about her staff as well. Her guides are incredibly knowledgeable about anything and everything you could imagine making the experience that much greater. Also very attentive to your needs and comforts. Love love loved Maras house in Luxor. It was located locally, so you really experienced the “everyday life” aspect of the people. The interior was beautiful and the food, incredible every night. I wanted to explore the town and go to local spots so her staff offered to take me around, which was a real added treat that i truly appreciated. would recommended this trip for anyone. I also traveled solo as a female and had no concerns what so ever.
OH MY! Where to start!!!!
I joined the Mara House 11 day tour back in November 2016. It was THE.BEST. DECISION. EVER!!!
To start off with, I had originally contacted Mara to do a solo tour for a few days (4-5) and then return home but after speaking to her and finding out more details and her honest opinion about a solo trip there, I weighed my options and decided it would be best to join in on her 11 day tour (and for the price-how could I turn it down). She was ALWAYS super fast on responding to my emails and very professional.
As time got closer to the trip, she kept me in the loop about new sites that were open to tourism and offered the opportunity to be able to go see them, if I wanted to, along with estimate prices.
Now, a few days before I took off, my flights had shifted (by a day!) and I would then be arriving the day that everyone else was having their first day of sight-seeing. I was so disappointed. However, keeping in touch with Mara she assured me that I would still be able to see what I had missed on the first day (Giza Plateau) and that we would talk about it when I landed.
When I landed I had a driver waiting for me outside, he did not speak much English but he was very polite and professional. He drove me to the restaurant where the group was headed to eat and spoke to the “reception” desk, so they knew who I was waiting on.
Once everyone arrived, I felt so welcomed!
Everyday I was blown away by the knowledge that was passed to us by her tour guides, they were all so very knowledgeable and friendly. We got to see so many things! I didn’t even realize how much we saw until I got home and sorted through all of my tickets. We were on the go everyday but it didn’t feel like too much.
The stay at Mara’s House Luxor was by far the best experience of Egypt! You can tell her and her employees have great relationships. The food at the Mara house was phenomenal!!!! Her cook takes great pride in his skill. The rooms were beautiful and comfortable. It felt like a home and not just another room to sleep in. Mara and her team made sure to accommodate everyone, even with the smallest requests. Everyone knows that in groups it’s hard to please everyone but I think Mara and her team did a superb job in fulfilling people’s requests.
I was able to get to the Giza Plateau on the last day of my trip, and for me that really pulled the entire trip together.
Mara really goes above and beyond what is expected from a tour experience. I felt completely safe the entire trip and I am looking forward to going back, hopefully with my son!
Having just finished a tour, here are some thoughts on why you should choose to travel in Egypt with Mara on one of her small group tours.
Firstly, her hand-picked local staff and guides are exceptional, both in their abilities and consideration of the needs of each group member.
Things like airport departures & arrivals, luggage handling, transport, hotel check-in, etc. are all simplified.
Airline boarding passes and entry tickets to the various Houses, Tombs, Museums, Pyramids, Monuments, Mosques, Churches, etc. all seem to appear as if by magic.
Mara’s people also seem to make buses and small boats appear at will.
Because it is a small group, you easily get to know each member of the group. The inevitable question “where is Jack/Jill” is usually answered quickly.
Some of the areas in the places you visit are small in size and can only comfortably accommodate a small group plus a guide.
You may get access to some normally closed areas (like our group did).
You can help to shape the tour in terms of what to see or do and how long to spend at a site.
You will get to see Mara House in Luxor – a wonderful oasis in the rustic streets of an ancient city.
Mara herself has a great understanding of old and recent Egyptian history and culture – most importantly she is willing to share her thoughts and knowledge.
You might wonder how you get to see so much in a relatively short time. Part of the answer is that you don’t spend any group time in places like perfume houses or fabric shops. That’s where the big tour companies will probably want to take you.
You will get time to shop in a big market and also at places where there is no bargaining or pressure.
If you would like to improve your bargaining skills then the Egyptians are ready to teach you a few things.
You will get to see what Mara promises and probably more.
Finally, please don’t even think of coming to Egypt, renting a car and driving yourself to see the sights. The traffic in Cairo is crazy – I imagine you would not last 5 minutes before becoming lost, mentally unhinged or both.
My husband and I were with Marie in November, 2016. We had been to Egypt several times before but hesitated to go back alone as we had in the past. We decided to try to see how Egypt was now and I came across Marie’s site, Mara House. Marie organizes small groups so everyone has an opportunity to see what they came to Egypt for. She is the only person I have met that although there was an itinerary, she wanted to know personally was there something you wanted to see in particular. She made every effort to accommodate your wishes. At Mara House, the food was the best and her staff seemed to love all of us personally. That is the Egyptians for you. All of the sites were fantastic, but Mohamed and Marie knew additional facts that made it all the more interesting. We are planning to go back soon and plan to stay in Luxor more, as we have stayed all over Egypt but very little in this area. I cannot say enough about how hard Fatma and Marie works to make sure you do not feel unsafe. I never had one concern and we went off on our own several times after our tours. Thanks so much Fatma and Marie and Amir, we will be back. Mohamed, stay on top of the Egyptology, things are being discovered every day.
WOW…Just WOW!
First, I want to say that Mara is a very professional woman and is super expedient on her responses to any and all questions I had for her. I often wondered if she ever slept, that’s how quick she responded!
I had decided to join her 11 day tour of Egypt, November 2016, and I am SO SO HAPPY I did! All of her employees are super friendly, professional, knowledgeable and were just all around great people to enjoy the experience with! I’m not sure I would have had such a great time if I had scheduled the trip by myself. I’m very blessed to have come across her Hotel site when I did!
The Mara House Luxor was a beautiful stay. The rooms were spacious and cleaned daily. The food was DELICIOUS! It was the best food I had my entire trip in Egypt. The cook definitely took a lot of pride in his skill- just mouth watering good! Her employees made sure to accommodate us on even the smallest requests.
As she says on her page, the hotel is set up as a local home would be, so you can experience true Egypt; honestly, I felt like I was home there. I was really amazed and so thankful for the whole experience. I will be back again, hopefully next time with my son!
Reviewed on TripAdvisor Dec 2016. Traveled with friend with Mara House Group Tours package
This was awesome
We have been to Egypt many times but hesitated after the Revolution. We were extremely safe at all times and Mara and her staff only wanted we had the best experience possible. Each day, she asked to be sure she had accomplished our dreams. Fatma met us at the airport, all of our transfers were handled, everything was adjusted to make sure she gave you everything promise us plus anything that could be arranged. We will be back to Luxor and stay as home base with Mara and her most wonderful people.
Reviewed on TripAdvisor Dec 2016. Traveled as couple with Mara House Group Tours package
Ok so am not really much of a writer but I wanted to review an incredible trip I just took with Mara House. I have never travelled overseas before and had always dreamed of going to Egypt and was fortunate enough to find Mara’s Egyptian adventure online which was a 10 day journey including Cairo and Luxor as well as a cruise to Aswan.
From the beginning Mara was absolutely super speedy getting back to e with details about the trip. The itinerary was well packaged with many sightseeng advetures. On this trip I made some incredible new friends and got to explore many destinations that Mara organised. In addition, we also got to spend a few nights at Mara House in Luxor which was a splendid cozy and decorative bed and breakfast where we were treated to several authentic Egyptian Feasts.
The 10 days I spent with Mara and our group were so wonderful and I really appreciate all of the great details she added to the trip which truly made it a great adventure. I am more of a photographer than a writer but in closing I want to say that if you’re considering coming to Egypt please give Mara House a shout, you won’t be disappointed.
Best Egyptian Experience
I was in Egypt for 12 days, visited in November 2016 as a solo female traveler! A place I’ve always wanted to visit and it surpassed all expectations especially with the help and guidance from Mara House and her staff. She helps plan tours all throughout Egypt, giving you far more than the “tourist experience”. All her staff were really dedicated to their work, making sure you got the most out of your stay and were SO knowledgable about their craft, anywhere from the egyptologist to the chef!
I initially had my concerns about traveling there (as most do) especially being female and going by myself. But i think its more so how the media portrays Egypt. It is a very safe and welcoming country to travel to and anything that you are feeling unsure about, mara house staff was always there to lend a helping hand and offer guidance.
The location of Mara House is very central in Luxor, the downtown is within walking distance but the hotel is on a quite side street so your away from all the noise (Egyptians seem to start another day after 10pm lol). The place is very clean, well decorated (that sort of thing matters to me *shrug*), and affordable. Really would recommend to anyone, great for all ages and kids. I will be back! 🙂
Reviewed on TripAdvisor Dec 2016. Traveled solo with Mara House Group Tours