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REAL DEALS

A Week in the Land of Pharaohs

Air/hotel package for chaotic Cairo, the largest city in Africa and home of the mysterious pyramids. 
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 |

The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare, five nights' accommodations, sightseeing tours, and transfers from $1,099 per person.

When: Departures every Thursday through May 10, 2007; add $100 for daily departures May 11-31; $300 for daily departures June 1-15; $430 for daily departures June 15-July 31.

Gateways: New York City.

The Fine Print: Hotel taxes, breakfast daily, and transfers are included. Additional airport taxes are $174 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement $180. A visa is required for U.S. citizens and can be purchased in advance through a local Egyptian consulate for $15 or upon arrival at the Cairo airport for $20 cash. Misr Travel charges an additional $50 per person administrative fee for document processing. For general guidelines on evaluating deals, click here.

Book By: No deadline; based on availability.

Contact: Misr Travel, 800/223-4978, misrtravel.org.

Why It's a Deal: In comparison, in a recent search the lowest round-trip fare we found between New York City and Cairo in late April was $800 (Egypt Air). For about $300 more, Misr Travel covers the international airfare as well as the five-night stay, sightseeing tours, and transfers.

Trip Details: Misr Travel specializes in trips to Egypt (the Arabic name for Egypt is Misr). Its SuperSaver package includes round-trip nonstop airfare to Cairo on Egypt Air and a five-night stay at a choice of either the sprawling 1,250-room Cairo Marriott or the Ramses Hilton Hotel on the banks of the Nile.

Sightseeing tours are led by English-speaking guides and are run by van, with stops to walk around the sites. You'll spend half of one day at the Pyramids and Sphinx and half of another day exploring the Egyptian Museum, home to the King Tut riches, and the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar.

Add extra nights in Cairo for $65 per person per night, based on double occupancy. Note that the return from Cairo must be on a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

Before you go, check the weather, exchange rate, and local time at BudgetTravelOnline.com. For more on what to expect, visit the official tourism website, egypt.travel.

As for travel safety, Egypt spends a huge amount on security since it relies so heavily on revenue from tourism. Check the State Department for any updated warnings.

More on Egypt:

  • Dream Trips: Pyramids of Egypt

  • Why Haven't You Heard of Dahshur, Egypt?

    • Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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