Possible Extension to SkepTours Egypt - Lower Valley

[Jeff Wagg]

I talked with Hutch last night, and he believes that some folks might be interested in extending their trip to Egypt so they could visit the lower valley. I checked it out, and it is possible.

You'd land in Istanbul at the end of the cruise as normal, and then fly to Luxor (most likely), stay in a hotel, take a day-long tour, and then stay in a hotel again, flying out the next day.

It looks like this would cost at least $300 plus airfare, which you'd have to figure out to best meet your schedule. Airfare roundtrip from Istanbul to Luxor is running about $400 for those dates at the moment.

I can get group pricing on the tours and possibly the hotel, but I need to see if there's a lot of interest in this. If there isn't and it's not worth it to do a group, I'll help any individuals find a way to tour the area on their own, if they'd like.

I'm researching other options as well, but let me know if you're interested in such a thing!

[Wowbagger]

I am interested!

[Wowbagger]

Come on, folks! I hear Luxor is sooo cool, they named a hotel after it in Las Vegas!

[Hutch]

Since I suggested it, I guess you could say I am interested. And please look for 3-4 days ala Cusco/Macchu Pichu/Lima; if I'm going there I want Luxor, Aswan and maybe the opportunity for a side trip to Abu Simbel.

Any maybe if there is a group of us, we can fly to Cairo and take the night sleeper train down from Cairo (about $60 per person, double occupancy).

Depending on how things play out in Egypt by then, of course....

[Morrigan]

Sounds good.

But I have concerns about this trip, considering the current political situation. :( My boyfriend's aunt and uncle left for a 3-week trip to Egypt sometime last week, but they had to return today because the situation is too unstable. They didn't feel safe, and the Canadian embassy is helping Canadian tourists with evacuation flights (http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/930751--two-canadian-evacuation-flights-scheduled-today-from-egypt). I know the cruise is much later this year, but I'm not sure I really feel good about making any plans for a country in such a situation right now... :(

[Wowbagger]

But I have concerns about this trip, considering the current political situation. Jeff sent those of us who registered an e-mail explaining things. To summarize:

Egypt will only be removed from the itinerary if there is still unrest in the area in the fall. And, we travellers have until July 15th to make the decision to cancel and still get a full refund on the cruise deposits.

So, there is time - many months of time - for whatever regime is brewing in Egypt to finish brewing.

[hcmom]

Plus, the cruise will still be going to Israel and Istanbul, so it will still be freaking AWESOME!!

[ve2vfd]

I agree, the cruise is more than half a year away and a LOT can change during that time in Egypt and the whole region in general.

Don't forget that the tourism industry is one of the most important sources of income for Egypt and every day the tourists stay away due to the region being unstable costs the country dearly.

So personally I would not worry about it too much.

Pat

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Is the ship equiped with guns?

[paperskater]

Is the ship equiped with guns?


Yeah, MY guns. *flexes*

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Yeah, MY guns. *flexes*

:eye-poppi