Several months removed from a dramatic national uprising and a few more before nation elections, travelers have a rare opportunity to take advantage of a low-cost Egypt relatively free of large tourist crowds. Adaptability, ingrained into an Egyptian culture that’s seen waves of rulers, conquerors, and traders has resulted – perhaps unsurprisingly – in a country quickly back to life-as-usual.

That is, except for tourism; still slow to recover mostly due to apprehensions abroad about political instability. Now, on the heels of the January 25th Egyptian revolution, yet before the potentially turbulent fall elections, present a rare time to visit a budding nation without the normal crowds or costs.

Egypt’s Current Travel Stability

The question of whether it’s safe for foreigners to visit Egypt is one that you may still not be able to shake post-revolution. You can read more about whether it’s safe to visit Egypt right now but basically the country is stable, generally safe, and nearly all major incidents are far removed from popular tourist spots. Aside from the unmistakable red, white, and black bands of the Egyptian flag waving from (seemingly) everywhere and the sounds from occasional political demonstrations, you’ll likely be oblivious that Egyptians recently ousted their government.

• Ironically enough, usually the best time to continue with your travel plans is relatively soon after you should cancel them.

Egypt is what I like to call travel-stable; meaning there are problems that make headlines, scare some, but are extremely unlikely to affect travelers. Those incidents, like clashes between groups of demonstrators for example, are those you really have to go out of your way to be involved in. The best safety precaution to take in travel-stable places is a dose of common sense.

Keep The Great Pyramids For Yourself

Granted, a Wednesday afternoon is a relatively quiet time even for the only remaining wonders of the ancient world, but I was shocked to count less than a total of 100 people over 2 hours visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza. Even the persistent camel touts, who all seem to speak 15 languages (and had “lived in Istanbul” in my case) seemed pathetic sitting along desolate paths just waiting for anyone to converse with.

There aren’t many reliable statistics on how hard Egypt’s tourism industry has been hit recently but a stroll down Cairo’s famous Khan el-Khalili souk reveals many foreigners have decided to take their vacations elsewhere. Too bad for them, but great for you.

The Best Of Egypt Is Still There

It’s not the kushari, Sphinx, or pharaohs that will have you drinking from the Nile as they say in Egypt, but the culture of an incredibly warm and welcoming people. While it’s true that anywhere, people are what make a culture, Egyptians seem to have a twinkle of optimism in their eye post-revolution; eager to tell any and all visitors about it.

The government is different and the political future hazy on a cloud day though the food, history, and tourism infrastructure are more than intact. Hotels have lowered prices to help fill their empty beds and food is about as inexpensive as you’ll find anywhere in the Middle East. For all of Egypt’s recent changes politically, hardly any have changed travel there.

The Pre-Election Window

Egyptians are in the process of reconstructing their government and molding a clump-of-clay democracy after rapid waves of change. There is still quite a bit of work to be done with the next set of uncertain changes and steps likely to take place during the upcoming September elections.

Eager-and-open Egypt isn’t the same and won’t be from this point forward. Visitors will get a feeling that most Egyptians feel optimistic at this crossroads in their 4,500 year history. This combination of stability, travel recovery, and breath of historical fresh air won’t last beyond September’s parliamentary elections and the presidential elections a few weeks after.

I noticed a few more tourists in the days right before leaving Egypt last month; enjoying the calm sweet spot of travel after a revolution or disaster. Those are the opportunities that get you the best deals and set up travel memories to be had after you’ve left. Head to Egypt right now and you’ll see the country’s future from the beginning, served with a side of ancient temples and shisha along with your Nile.

What now makes Egypt one of the best travel deals in the world at the moment might also be keeping you from visiting the Middle East’s most popular travel destination. Months after Egypt’s January 25th revolution, the country’s travel slate has been wiped clean and at the surface has begun to return to normal.

Demonstrating and democracy-building aren’t the sort of activities most tourists travel for and by-in-large if you avoid the occasional local flare up traveling in Egypt isn’t any more dangerous than it was in early January.

What It’s Like Now In Egypt

Having spent the past few weeks in Egypt, the most common question I was asked wasn’t about the Pyramids but rather if it was safe to travel there. In Cairo, aside from the remnants of the burned out Ministry of Internal Affairs building and the now routine Friday afternoon demonstrations in Tahrir Square, you’ll find the Egyptian variety of normal going on.

• That normal is the inconsistent variety – a common theme in Egyptian culture.

You’ll witness in remarkably chaotic traffic with incredibly skilled drivers, insincere but slick touts, and a strong sense of community across classes and ethnic groups. Egypt is chaotic but not in a state of chaos.

You don’t really begin to notice the effects of the January 25th revolution until you talk to Egyptians. From them you’ll learn there is a general state of uncertainty that masks a potential instability; one that most travelers will be oblivious to during their stay in Egypt.

Localized Incidents You Can Easily Avoid

Probably the most important element to understand about Egypt, post-revolution, is that the entire nation is not currently in a state of uprising. There isn’t anarchy on the streets and daily life goes on routinely. Two recent clashes in Cairo’s Imbaba and Ain Shams districts were at times and specific places that a traveler would have to go out of their way to get mixed up in.

• Avoid large demonstrations outside of religious sites or government buildings and stick to pharaohs and feluccas.

That’s basically the state of travel security in Egypt at the moment, you’ve got to go out of your way to get yourself caught up in major trouble.

• Those of you reading via email will need to click here to see the video below.

Major Objectives Accomplished

With Egypt’s former president Hosni Mubarek now resigned, the major point of mass protests makes another national uprising unlikely in the near term (before the upcoming September elections). Still, there are loud but peaceful demonstrations of all size and subject popping up frequently in peculiar places like crowded metro stations. All the result of a new found and rather unfocused democratic freedom, these visual clues are the few you’ll witness from the January 25th revolution.

I walked the Cairo’s busy streets at all hours, strolled around Tahrir Sqaure countless times, and drove past heavily armed soldiers outside of a courthouse keeping guard during a controversial trial. When I went to take a picture of them, all I saw were smiles for the spectacle a lone traveler in Egypt has become these days.

Ironically enough, while many think it’s a terrible time to visit Egypt, it’s one of the best. In the coming days I’ll be writing about catching Egypt at it’s best and making the most out of a rare travel window of opportunity.