Hello Everyone!

Over the last two months I have been making changes to my scheduled tours for 2025 and beyond – because I am constantly striving to do better.  The most recent and final change (hopefully) are to my 14 night tour with Mara and the Egypt for Children tour with Mara  The major change is that I have added up to three extra nights incl breakfast at Mara House, completely free of charge, before the tours aactually begin.  Let me tell you why.

Why do I go on the group tours?

First of all, I love these trips. The friendships, the conversations, the shared experiences—I really enjoy all of it.  Meeting new people is one of the best parts for me.  It’s a chance to see Egypt through fresh eyes and learn from others just as much as they learn from me.

In November 2024, I led a group that included my grandson, Adam, and my best friend.  As always, I made a few changes to the itinerary, as I am constantly tweaking things to improve the experience.  What I hadn’t anticipated was just how much Egypt had changed since my last group trip in 2019. Some changes in government departments, especially tourism, have made things better for tourists; others however, have done the opposite.  But I don’t mind the changes because they give me a chance to step in, pick up the shortfall, and make the experience even better for my guests.  After all, I’ve been leading groups through Egypt since 2000—I know what works and what doesn’t – more importantly I know what works from a visitor’s perspective.

What did I miss on the Nov ’24 Tour?

One thing I really missed on that November ’24 trip was having enough downtime to simply enjoy each other’s company.  Even though I shared a hotel room and cruise cabin with Adam and my friend, we still felt we didn’t get enough real time together.  And I definitely did not have enough time with my other group guests even though we enjoyed many of our meal together.  Some of the obstacles?  Our hotel in Cairo was too far from our sightseeing locations, which meant long transfers and less free time. I’ve now switched back to hotels and restaurants in Downtown Cairo for my groups—lesson learned!  Food menus on board many boats and across the main hotels are so standard they could have been compiled by the same chef.

Another issue? I packed the itinerary too full, wanting to show everything to my guests (which, let’s be honest, is impossible in Egypt).  To top it off, in my excitement, I managed to injure my spine in 4 places whilst climbing down into the subterranean chamber of the Great Pyramid on our private visit.  That made the rest of the trip a bit more challenging for me regarding pain management, energy and flexibility.  And I spent months recovering with the help of my amazing chiropractor in Cork.  Since then, I’ve been refining and perfecting my group itineraries, and I think, after publishing them about 4 times, I’ve finally got them just right for 2025 and beyond.

So, back to those extra nights at Mara House.

I want to start our adventure in a more relaxed way—giving us time to settle in, chat, answer questions, and share the kind of stories that will make the places we visit even more fascinating for my companions. I have so much information and so many stories, but I can’t possibly write them all down.  What I can do is share the ones most suited to the interests of the individuals in each group, making the journey more personal and meaningful.

What will we do during the extra days/nights?

Mara House will be your home away from home.  Good food from Amr’s kitchen is at the heart of Mara House and he will enjoy serving you the best of Egyptian traditional food as much as the simple delights of ice-cream and fruit on a warm night!  We can enjoy picnics on sailing boats on the Nile, have barbecues on the rooftop under the stars, explore normal life in Luxor apart from the monuments and simply unwind together before we dive into the full itinerary.  It’s a chance to slow down, connect, and ease into the adventure ahead.  If you can spare the extra time, I’d love for you to join me at Mara House for these three special days before the tour officially begins.

Looking forward to exploring Egypt together!

Warmest wishes,
Mara

 

 

Hi there! I’m Mara, the heart and soul behind Mara House Luxor. I’m a firm believer that life’s too short for ordinary vacations—great holidays are like a reset button for the soul! My love affair with Egypt started over 20 years ago when I took a leap from Ireland for my first trip here. It was a standard tour package, and honestly, I didn’t know much about this incredible country back then. It was fun, but it wasn’t the magical, life-changing adventure I dreamed of. Today, that’s exactly what I’m here to create for you.

Now, after two decades of exploring, dreaming, and building, I’m lucky enough to work alongside an amazing Egyptian team who share my passion for crafting unforgettable experiences. We’re all about keeping things real—no hidden costs, just honest, transparent pricing and a commitment to making your trip truly special.

Whether it’s finding the perfect hotel in Cairo, setting up a dreamy Nile cruise, or designing a custom itinerary that’s just right for you, I’ll be the one rolling up my sleeves to make it happen. Your Egyptian adventure deserves to feel personal, effortless, and totally unforgettable—and I’m here to sprinkle a little magic on every detail.

Nomads? Digital Nomads or Retirees? Have you ever thought about staying at Mara House Luxor for a month or two/three even? I have a great offer for you!

Now, are you curious about how we could turn your holiday dreams into reality? Drop me a line at maraegypt@gmail.com—I’d love to chat and see if we’re a match! No pressure, just a chance to explore the possibilities together.