Hilton HHonors - Egypt: Visit the Pharaohs Reward (PHAR08) Itinerary

I have always been interested in this reward.
It is for 350,000 points. What do you people think of this? Has anyone actually gone on this trip? Below is an itinarary received from Hilton Customers Service. Basically provides two days of touring, breakfast and hotel in Cairo and Luxor.

VISIT THE PHARAOHS
Seven Night/Eight Day Package in Cairo/Luxor


Day One: Arrive at the Cairo International Airport
Meet and assist by the Hilton Airport Desk
Transfer to the hotel by Limo (45 minutes)
Check in at the Ramses Hilton or Nile Hilton

Day Two: Buffet breakfast at the hotel coffee shop (Full American Breakfast)
Free Time

Day Three: Buffet breakfast at the hotel coffee shop (Full American Breakfast)
Pick up at 8:45 AM from Misr Travel Agency located in the Lobby of the Ramses Hilton for sightseeing tour (9.00am to 4.00 pm) to include Sakkara, home of the oldest known step pyramid in Egypt and Memphis, a ruin of the legendary city of Menes, founded around 3,100 BC

Day Four: Buffet breakfast at the hotel coffee shop (Full American Breakfast)
Checkout of the hotel
Transfer to the airport
Fly to Luxor on Egypt Air
Transported to and check-in at the Luxor Hilton

Day Five: Buffet breakfast at the hotel coffee shop (Full American Breakfast)
Free Time in Luxor

Day Six: Buffet breakfast at the hotel coffee shop (Full American Breakfast)
Sightseeing Tour in Luxor (9:00 am to 4 pm) to include Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings.

Day Seven: Buffet breakfast at the hotel coffee shop (Full American Breakfast)
Check-out of the Luxor Hilton
Transfer back to the airport
Fly back to Cairo on Egypt Air
Meet, Assist and Transfer by Hilton Airport Team
Spend the night at the Nile Hilton or Ramses Hilton.

Day Eight: Buffet breakfast at the hotel coffee shop (Full American Breakfast)
Check out, and return to the airport
Transfer to the Cairo International Airport (45 minutes)


Weather: Best time to visit Egypt is in the cooler season which begins in November through to end of March. Summer months can be oppressive. Generally speaking is does not rain in Egypt but in the cooler months a few wet days are not uncommon

Hotel Details:


Cairo Nile Hilton

The Cairo Nile Hilton is situated along the River Nile, commanding panoramic views of the Nile and City, The hotel is located in the heart of Cairo, adjacent to the world-famous Egyptian Museum and within walking distance of the main business and shopping centre, as well as key embassies and government institutions. The hotel offers a wide variety of dining and beverage services offer international and oriental delicacies. Restaurants and bars include a tavern, an Italian restaurant, a fun-pub / disco, food court, in addition to a fine dining restaurant, the renowned Rotisserie Belvedere. The Rendezvous Casino provides a unique and exciting gambling atmosphere. The hotel boasts the most spacious guest rooms in Cairo. Sport and recreation facilities include a large heated swimming pool, 2 tennis and 2 squash courts, Health Club with a fully equipped exercise room, sauna,massage and steam bath.


Cairo Ramses Hilton

Located in the heart of Cairo on the east bank of the River Nile, the 860-room Cairo Ramses Hilton enjoys majestic views of Cairo, the Nile and the Pyramids. All rooms include air-conditioning and satellite TV. The rooftop cocktail bar, located on floor 36 named "Windows on the World" is one of three bars. Six restaurants are also available, as well as exercise facilities including swimming pool and sundeck.


Luxor Hilton

The Luxor Hilton is an unique resort hotel on the East bank, directly on the river Nile, in the village of Karnak. The hotel is only 5 minutes drive from Karnak Temple, 15 minutes from the city of Luxor and 15-20 minutes from Luxor Airport. Its 261 rooms are newly renovated and complemented by special recreational facilities including a large swimming pool & separate children's pool. There is also an ample variety of bars and restaurants available.

Personally I don't think the package is worth 350,000 - you can get the same hotels rooms for much less and the extras such as transportation, couple of meals just don't close the gap (IMO). But the bottom line is that if you always wanted to go to Egypt then maybe its worth it.

The Luxor Hilton is only a category 2 hotel and I think most others in Egypt are either level 1 or 2. Personally I'd say that the safari is a much better deal but to each his own.

I would concur with McDaddie...350K points is too much for this package.

My wife and I stayed at Nile Hilton for $105 a night for 4 nights and Luxor Hilton for $65 a night for 3 nights. Travel by cab around egypt is extremely cheap..we hired a cab for each day for approx $20 a day!

I've seen rates in Sept - Dec for $50 a night at the Nile Nilton. Breakfast is usually included if you are a VIP (Silver, Gold, Diamond). The two tours won't cost that much... You can probably do the whole thing yourself for quite an affordable amount of cash. You should use those points for some dream vacation you won't/can't spend cash on. Just my 2 cents....

Well three people in agreement. That makes it a trend.

I did the Kenya Safari last August and thought the 250,000 points was priced just right. The Egypt one looks a little high with one day of touring being the highlight for two cities. I have yet to look at the airplane rates betweeen Cairo and Luxor. If I were to go it would be in in conjunction with the Kenya Safari as I would like to do that again. The conveneince of having everything done for you is a big plus. Working with Laura Tran who handles both Kenya and Egypt packages would be a plus also as she is very responsive and pleasant to work with.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Macken7:
Working with Laura Tran who handles both Kenya and Egypt packages would be a plus also as she is very responsive and pleasant to work with.</font>

Is Laura Tran still responsible for booking these packages? I am in the throes of booking the Kenyan safari, and have yet to receive an email from her. It seems to be random as to who answers my email; never the same person - and never with the helpful attitude attributed to Laura.

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Visit the FlyerTalk Get Together List (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/003481.html).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Macken7:
Well three people in agreement. That makes it a trend.

I did the Kenya Safari last August and thought the 250,000 points was priced just right. The Egypt one looks a little high with one day of touring being the highlight for two cities. I have yet to look at the airplane rates betweeen Cairo and Luxor. If I were to go it would be in in conjunction with the Kenya Safari as I would like to do that again. The conveneince of having everything done for you is a big plus. Working with Laura Tran who handles both Kenya and Egypt packages would be a plus also as she is very responsive and pleasant to work with.</font>


Macken7, would you care to elaborate about your experience with the Kenya Safari? I am considering our family vacation next year and Africa has been high on the list. The award sounds quite nice and I have 200K in points in my acct. I can transfer another 50K from Amex to cover the award. My problem is that there are four of us and the award is for 2people. I wonder if hilton allows you to pay cash for the two extras and what they would charge. You mentioned Laura Tran handles these packages. DO you have her email address or know how I can contact her to ask my question?

Also, did you by any chance post a trip report about this trip?

Thanks for your help.
US1@ORF


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US-CP; UA PE; AA Plat; Hilton Gold VIP; Six Continents Gold

The Egypt thread has become the Kenya thread. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I don’t know for a fact that she is responsible for booking these trips. I know that she does handle them.

I believe that she can be reached at this address. LTran@HILTONRES.com.

Use the search function for the Hilton forum and you will find several recent trip reports including mine, which should be quite helpful. I think your family would have a great time. Going through all the threads will really prepare you for everything.

Hilton will allow you to pay cash for two extra people. It would mean two rooms at Salt Lick, as the room is on the small side and three is the maximum per room. I have been quoted a price of $400.00 extra for a child to go with two on the award. I am not sure what the current cost for an adult and child would be. Anyway ask all these questions for the latest information from Hilton

Continuing the Kenya trend...

I've been thinking a lot about the Kenya award too-- if someone finds out the price/details for a 3rd person, please post. Thanks!


Re. Egypt, the Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort at Giza, 45 min. from CAI, is a 6000/night Category 1 Point Saver, and just 8km from the Pyramids.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Viajero Joven:
Continuing the Kenya trend...

I've been thinking a lot about the Kenya award too-- if someone finds out the price/details for a 3rd person, please post. Thanks!


Re. Egypt, the Hilton Pyramids Golf Resort at Giza, 45 min. from CAI, is a 6000/night Category 1 Point Saver, and just 8km from the Pyramids.</font>

Send an e-mail to Hilton for a price quote.
See above for address. I know that a third person (Child) is $400 and for two additional people (3rd & 4th)it is $1,860.