Born from a Passion for Egypt: The Story of Orient Discovery

📸foto: for Luxor tempel

Every journey begins with a decision.

Our story, however, began long before Orient Discovery was founded.

It began more than 17 years ago, when I first had the privilege of guiding German-speaking guests through the temples, pyramids, and historic sites of my home country as an Egyptologist.

My name is Hamdi Schaker.

For more than 17 years, I have guided travelers through some of Egypt’s most fascinating places. During this time, I have personally accompanied more than 3,000 tours—from the Pyramids of Giza to Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and the hidden treasures along the Nile.

Every tour was unique.

Not because the temples change.

But because every person experiences history differently.

History Must Be Experienced, Not Simply Heard

📸foto: For Esna Tempel

Even as a young Egyptologist, I realized that many visitors returned home with impressive photographs, yet without truly understanding the stories behind the temples.

That is why I do not simply present dates or the names of kings.

I tell stories.

I explain connections.

I want our guests to understand why these monuments continue to fascinate people from all over the world.

During a Nile cruise, I once noticed a guest who showed little interest in my explanations at first. She took many photographs and preferred to remain slightly in the background.

But with every temple, she came closer.

She began asking questions.

She stayed behind after the guided tours had ended.

On the final day, she said to me:

“You bring history to life.”

That sentence has stayed with me ever since.

Because that is exactly my goal.

When History Touches People

📸foto: In the Valley of the Kings

Another moment has remained deeply engraved in my memory.

During a visit to the Valley of the Kings, I spoke about the ancient Egyptian understanding of death and the afterlife.

We spoke about hope.

About rebirth.

About the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.

After the tour, a guest came over to me with a smile and said:

“After your explanation, I would like to be reborn too.”

We both had to laugh.

But her words showed me something important:

History is not made of stones.

History lives through the people who tell it.

Between Germany and Egypt

📸 foto: Lecture in Germany

While studying International Relations in Germany, I came to know a second culture.

I learned how important reliability, punctuality, precision, and clear communication are to German guests.

At the same time, I became increasingly aware of how often Egypt is reduced to its past.

Yet Egypt is far more than its impressive monuments.

It is a country full of hospitable people, warmth, and pride in a culture that has existed for more than 5,000 years.

I felt connected to both worlds.

Germany taught me the importance of organization, quality, and dependability.

Egypt gave me its history, hospitality, and culture.

Orient Discovery grew from this connection.

Why Orient Discovery Exists

📸foto: In Philea temple

After many years as an Egyptologist, I knew exactly what makes an extraordinary journey.

At the same time, I repeatedly met guests who had been disappointed despite Egypt’s beauty—not because of the country itself, but because of poor organization, inadequate communication, or impersonal service.

I was convinced that travel could be different.

That is how Orient Discovery came into being.

Not simply as a tour operator.

But as a travel company that personally supports its guests from the first enquiry until long after the journey has ended.

Our responsibility does not end with a booking confirmation.

That is where it begins.

We advise our guests individually.

We support them before their journey.

We remain available throughout their entire stay.

And we are delighted to stay in contact with many of them even after they return home.

Because for us, a journey does not end with the return flight.

Quality Is Never a Coincidence

📸foto: Abu Simbel

An extraordinary journey is never created by one person alone.

That is why I now work exclusively with people who share the same values as I do.

With outstanding German-speaking Egyptologists.

With experienced and responsible drivers.

With captains who have known the Nile for many years.

With carefully selected hotels and local partners.

With people who do not simply perform their work.

They live it.

They are all united by the same belief:

Our guests deserve the very best that Egypt has to offer.

📸foto: the Nile

That is why we do not choose our partners based on the lowest price.

We choose them based on quality.

Experience.

Reliability.

Humanity.

We leave nothing to chance.

Because extraordinary journeys do not happen by accident.

They are created by people who take responsibility.

The Past Inspires Our Present

📸foto: Tour Group vor thr pyramids

When visitors stand before the temples of Karnak or Abu Simbel, they admire the masterpieces of our ancestors.

They see precision.

Organization.

Teamwork.

Architecture at the highest level.

To me, these values do not belong only to the past.

I firmly believe that the same passion, pride, and commitment to quality still live on in many people in Egypt today.

I see them every day.

In our tour guides.

In our drivers.

In our hotel partners.

In our captains.

In every person who takes pride in creating unforgettable memories for our guests.

These people are the heart of Orient Discovery.

Our Mission

📸foto: Pigeons & Pyramids

We do not simply want to show our guests Egypt’s most beautiful sights.

We want to build bridges.

Between the past and the present.

Between Germany and Egypt.

Between people from different cultures.

Our goal is for our guests to return home with more than beautiful photographs.

We want them to return with a new understanding of a country that has fascinated people around the world for thousands of years.

When our guests say at the end of their journey:

“Now I understand Egypt.”

Then we know that we have achieved our goal.

A warm welcome to Orient Discovery.

📸foto: Hamdi

I look forward to showing you my home country—not only through its impressive monuments, but also through the people who continue to carry its history with pride.

Hamdi Schaker
Founder & Managing Director
Orient Discovery