March 19, 2004 -- Reflecting the continued peace and quiet of tourism experiences in Egypt for more than six years now, prices are inching up for that land of great bargains, but there are still some to be had. Prices range from as low as about $137 per night, including airfare from New York, for stays of about a week there.
Leading the pack of budget-minded tour operators is Friendly Planet, with a "Pyramids & Nile Cruise" package of eight days and six nights, with prices from $1,099 including airfare from New York, lodging at the deluxe Sheraton Cairo Hotel, Towers & Casino, big buffet breakfast daily, transfers, and a full day of touring that includes the Egyptian Museum and the pyramids at Giza. After two nights in Cairo, you fly to Aswan and board your Nile cruise ship, where you spend three nights, seeing Kom Ombu, Edfu, Esna and Luxor. After flying back to Cairo, you spend another night in the Sheraton (on the Nile itself) before returning to the USA. There are handy excursions to the Red Sea and to the "Lost City of Petra" in Jordan, as well. The price of $1,099 is for trips booked before April 30, 2004, after which the cost goes up an additional $200. Departures run from May 4 through December 28, 2004. Contact Friendly Planet at www.friendlyplanet.com or by phoning 800/555-5765.
Costing a tiny bit more per day (just over $149), but less overall, is the "Extraordinary Egypt" tour from Misr Travel, one of that nation's oldest firms. The same deal we reported last November, it's for a seven-day/five-night package for just $899, including roundtrip airfare on Egpytair from New York to Cairo (nonstop). Also included are lodging at the historic Mena House Hotel, just a ten-minute walk from the pyramid, or at the Ramses Hilton in Cairo; buffet breakfast and tax; half-day tour of the pyramids and the Sphinx; half-day tour of the Egyptian Museum and Khan el Khalili Bazaar with guides; all entrance fees; and all transfers. There are options for a nice extension to Sharm el Sheik (a good spot for snorkeling) for an extra $300. Departures are every Tuesday from now through May 25, 2004 (except on April 6, 2004). Contact Misr at www.misrtravel.org or by phoning 800/223-4978.
Gate 1 Travel has an eight-day/six-night "Egypt Super Saver" with three-day Nile River cruise starting at $1,149, which works out to just under $192 per night. This package includes airfare from New York; domestic Egyptian flights; three nights at the Sheraton Royal Garden in Cairo; three nights in an outside junior suite cabin on a Nile cruise ship; transfers per itinerary; 12 meals (six breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners); sightseeing; shore excursions; entrance fees and services of a guide. You visit the Aswan High Dam, the Valley of the Kings & Queens in Luxor (as well as the temples of Karnak & Luxor), and the Egyptian Museum, the pyramids and the Sphinx. The package is available on April 13, April 27, four dates in May, June 29, August 31, and September 14, 2004. Contact Gate1 Travel at www.gate1travel.com or at 800/682-3333.
If you have more time, give serious thought to a Djoser trip to Egypt. They have 15- and 20-day programs to Egypt available around the calendar. The 15-Day Egypt trip costs $1,695 from New York, $1,150 land-only. The price of the former includes your international flight, domestic flight, internal transport, hotels, breakfasts, excursions according to the program and services of your tour leader. In high season (July, August and December), add $200, in the shoulder season (June or September) $75. After three nights in Cairo (during which you visit Giza, Saqqara and Memphis), you take the train for Aswan, where you spend four nights. Then you proceed to Kom Ombo on an overnight sail. Later, it's the bus to Edfu and Luxor, where you stay four nights and see Thebes and the Karnak Temple, among other things. Finally, you fly back to Cairo where you spend two more nights before departing for the USA via Amsterdam. Contact Djoser at www.djoserusa.com or 877/356-7376/b>.
Note that in none of the above programs are the following included: airport and security fees, costs of visa, meals unless noted, tips, etc.
Read what fellow Frommer travelers are saying about these operators and share your own thoughts freely on our Egypt Message Boards.
