Terrible Experience with Hello Egypt – Stay Away!
Our trip with Hello Egypt was one of the worst travel experiences we’ve ever had. From the very beginning, things went wrong. At our first hotel, the bed was completely broken. After requesting a new room, we were moved, only to find that the second bed was also in poor condition, though slightly less broken. This was just the start of a series of unacceptable issues.
One of the most alarming moments was when we were dropped off at the airport without being given any flight details. The agency never informed us about the airline, flight number, or departure time. We had to contact the driver ourselves at the last minute to get this information. This level of disorganization is simply dangerous, especially for international travelers.
Transportation throughout the trip was another major problem. The guide drove recklessly, often speeding and looking at his phone while driving. On top of that, the air conditioning in the vehicle didn’t work in the back, leaving us to endure long, uncomfortable drives in the sweltering heat of Egypt.
Another issue was how aggressive the guides were regarding tips. Yes, "demanding" is the word: they stated a "minimum" amount that we were expected to give them. This added to the overall stress and discomfort.
We were promised quality meals, but instead, we were repeatedly taken to dirty restaurants, some of which were full of flies and had poor hygiene standards. These dining experiences were the worst part of the trip. The promised availability of alcohol in the restaurants was also never available, despite our numerous requests, showing a complete disregard for our preferences.
Additionally, the guide attempted to charge us 1,000 Egyptian pounds in “government taxes” to visit the new Egyptian Museum. When we asked for a receipt, he quickly changed his story, claiming it was actually an “agency fee.” This was clearly an attempt to deceive us. We refused to pay, and after parking outside the museum, we entered without any issues.
Many of the activities on the itinerary were either cut short or not delivered at all. For example, the snorkeling tour that was supposed to include three stops only covered two, and we spent very little time in the water, making the trip a complete waste of time. The overall lack of professionalism and care from Hello Egypt was shocking.
Despite the many issues we raised throughout the trip, the agency refused to provide any form of compensation. Their complete disregard for customer satisfaction was appalling, and I would strongly recommend avoiding this company if you're planning a trip to Egypt.