----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: You must book your own flights to/from Cairo, Egypt. I can help you
book your flights if you like. .An Ahlan Wa Sahlan Travel agent will meet you at the Cairo
airport and assist you with passport control, luggage and customs clearance. Then the agent
will take you to the Mena House Oberoi hotel where you will meet me for our orientation
meeting. An AWS Travel agent will take you back to the airport and assist you on your
departure day.
Amenities included in both packages
"Have it All! (2 Weeks)","Cairo, AWS Festival Only (9-10 Days)"
Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, centerpiece of the tour ~ June 27 - July 4, 2012
Learn shaabi and sharqi as done by the people, dancing along at our
exclusive hafla with one of the best non-professional dancers in town!
Ancient and Modern Cairo
4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor, **Abu Simbel**, Valley of the Kings
and sites between with on-board evening parties. No time for cruising? Cairo and
AWS, without the 4-day cruise is available, see Packages and Prices below.
Optional side trips for dancers and non-dancers:
Please note: You must book your own flights to/from Cairo, Egypt. I can help you
book your flights if you like. .An Ahlan Wa Sahlan Travel agent will meet you at the Cairo
airport and assist you with passport control, luggage and customs clearance. Then the agent
will take you to the Mena House Oberoi hotel where you will meet me for our orientation
meeting. An AWS Travel agent will take you back to the airport and assist you on your
departure day.
Amenities included in both packages
"Have it All! (2 Weeks)","Cairo, AWS Festival Only (9-10 Days)"
- Accommodations in Cairo at the AWS Festival hotel, the luxurious Mena House, in the
shadow of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid, bed/breakfast basis. - While cruising between Luxor and Aswan, 5-star accommodations and all meals on board
the river boat. - All transportation inside Egypt .
- Air conditioned tour buses or taxis with English speaking guides.
- I will assist you before and throughout the tour ~ what to pack, what to eat and not eat,
Egyptian customs and culture, choosing classes at the festival, shopping and bargaining
in the souq (both at the festival and in Khan El Khalili), how to cross a busy Cairo street
and how to stay safe. - Traveling alone? Leyla will be happy to help you find a roommate if you wish, plus single
occupancy pricing is available.
Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, centerpiece of the tour ~ June 27 - July 4, 2012
- Opening Night Gala with top Egyptian and international stars performing for you.
- Closing Night Gala with more top Egyptian and international stars performing for you.
- Registration fee for the festival.
- Personal interaction all week with the best Egyptian & international dancers & teachers!
- Six days of classes ~ PLEASE NOTE: The cost of dance classes is NOT included in the tour
price. On registration day, you choose and pay for classes you want to attend. It is
required by AWS management that you sign up for a minimum of $200 worth of classes. - Nightly free shows featuring fabulous live music and an opportunity for you to perform or
participate in nightly competitions. PLEASE NOTE: There is an added cost to perform on
the stage or to participate in the competitions at the nightly shows. - Costume and gift shopping at the souq that is set up in the hotel for your convenience.
Learn shaabi and sharqi as done by the people, dancing along at our
exclusive hafla with one of the best non-professional dancers in town!
Ancient and Modern Cairo
- Take a "Palace Walk" and shop 'til ya drop in Khan El Khalili (historic market area).
- Visit the Sphinx (and his shadow, of course), Pyramids (a lot of them!), the Egyptian
Museum and Old (Coptic) Cairo, including the Abu Serag church built over the cave where
the Holy Family stayed when they visited Egypt. - See the Raqs Tannoura (secular, fascinating, entertaining whirling dervish) show.
- Enjoy a 5-star dinner cruise on the Nile Maxim or Pharaon, and see a top Cairo dancer,
maybe even Randa Kamel, folklore dancers and a top singer, each act with live band and
fantastic music. - PLEASE NOTE: At this time (February 19, 2012), a visit to the Egyptian Museum, located
next to Tahrir Square, will be optional and not included in the tour. If you wish to visit
the museum, AWS Travel will have a desk at the festival where you can book a museum
tour if conditions are favorable.
4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor, **Abu Simbel**, Valley of the Kings
and sites between with on-board evening parties. No time for cruising? Cairo and
AWS, without the 4-day cruise is available, see Packages and Prices below.
Optional side trips for dancers and non-dancers:
- Buy musical instruments on Mohammed Ali
- Street where Egyptian professional musicians
buy theirs.
- Book half-day tours to Cairo’s many ancient, old
- Book a professional photo shoot.
- Tour a music studio owned by two
 |
Two Weeks Plus in Magical Egypt
with Leyla Lanty in late June
Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Ancient &
Modern Cairo, 4-Day Nile Cruise, More!
---------------------------------------------------------
***POSTPONED INDEFINITELY*** Because of
continuing protests and ongoing negotiations for governmental
change in Egypt and the reluctance of tourists to go there, I have
decided to postpone this tour indefinitely until the situation in
Egypt becomes stable and more attractive to visitors. I am
looking forward to a wonderful time conducting a small group
tour to explore the sights and study dance in Egypt in the future.
If you are interested in getting information about it as soon as I
have a program, please contact me at leyla@leylalanty.com.
Ready for an adventure? Come with me to the land of pyramids,
fabulous music & dance! We'll stay at a real Egyptian palace at
the foot of the Great Pyramid and a few minutes' walk from the
Sphinx (& his shadow) while we tour ancient & modern Cairo &
attend Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Raqia Hassan's fabulous dance festival
Then we'll travel south where we'll see Abu Simbel, Philae, then
board a 5-star Nile River cruise boat for a 4-day cruise, making
stops along the way to visit major ancient temples, culminating
with the stunning temples of Luxor. Prices to be announced, air
fare NOT included. More on prices/deposit and current conditions
in Egypt below. Last updated: 4/25/13
with Leyla Lanty in late June
Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Ancient &
Modern Cairo, 4-Day Nile Cruise, More!
---------------------------------------------------------
***POSTPONED INDEFINITELY*** Because of
continuing protests and ongoing negotiations for governmental
change in Egypt and the reluctance of tourists to go there, I have
decided to postpone this tour indefinitely until the situation in
Egypt becomes stable and more attractive to visitors. I am
looking forward to a wonderful time conducting a small group
tour to explore the sights and study dance in Egypt in the future.
If you are interested in getting information about it as soon as I
have a program, please contact me at leyla@leylalanty.com.
Ready for an adventure? Come with me to the land of pyramids,
fabulous music & dance! We'll stay at a real Egyptian palace at
the foot of the Great Pyramid and a few minutes' walk from the
Sphinx (& his shadow) while we tour ancient & modern Cairo &
attend Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Raqia Hassan's fabulous dance festival
Then we'll travel south where we'll see Abu Simbel, Philae, then
board a 5-star Nile River cruise boat for a 4-day cruise, making
stops along the way to visit major ancient temples, culminating
with the stunning temples of Luxor. Prices to be announced, air
fare NOT included. More on prices/deposit and current conditions
in Egypt below. Last updated: 4/25/13
| Step Pyramid, Saqqara |
Packages and Prices to be Determined
----------------------------------------------------
"Have It ALL!" - Cairo, Ahlan Wa Sahlan, 4-Day Nile Cruise
17 days - $xxxx per person double occupancy, $xxx Single room supplement
"Cairo & AWS Festival" - Cairo, Ahlan Wa Sahlan
11 days -$xxxx per person double occupancy, $xxx Single room supplement
Includes everything in the "Have It ALL!" package except the 4-Day Nile Cruise.
PLEASE NOTE that this option may require that we have at least 5 people in the group who DO
want to take the 4-day cruise.
Deposits & Deadlines:
$700 per person deposit will hold your place. Deposits are refundable before May 1 minus a
$100 fee. All payments due on May 1. No refunds after May 1. Be sure to book your round
trip air to Cairo so that you will arrive in Cairo international Airport before 5 p.m. June 24 and
depart from Cairo no earlier than the evening of July 10 and inform me as soon as you have
your tickets so I can send your arrival and departure dates/times to AWS Travel.
Leyla Lanty
----------------------------------------------------
"Have It ALL!" - Cairo, Ahlan Wa Sahlan, 4-Day Nile Cruise
17 days - $xxxx per person double occupancy, $xxx Single room supplement
"Cairo & AWS Festival" - Cairo, Ahlan Wa Sahlan
11 days -$xxxx per person double occupancy, $xxx Single room supplement
Includes everything in the "Have It ALL!" package except the 4-Day Nile Cruise.
PLEASE NOTE that this option may require that we have at least 5 people in the group who DO
want to take the 4-day cruise.
Deposits & Deadlines:
$700 per person deposit will hold your place. Deposits are refundable before May 1 minus a
$100 fee. All payments due on May 1. No refunds after May 1. Be sure to book your round
trip air to Cairo so that you will arrive in Cairo international Airport before 5 p.m. June 24 and
depart from Cairo no earlier than the evening of July 10 and inform me as soon as you have
your tickets so I can send your arrival and departure dates/times to AWS Travel.
- Personal checks, cashier's checks, credit card checks accepted for payments within the
USA. - Sorry, no credit cards or PayPal.
- For international payment, please contact me.
- Trip insurance is highly recommended. Airlines, hotels and tour companies are very
strict about refunds and travel insurance will help prevent major losses in the event of
illness or an emergency that would cause you to have to cancel your trip. - Contact me for information about where to send payments or any other questions you
may have.
Leyla Lanty
- Teacher 2006-2009 at Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, Cairo
- More than 15 independent trips to Egypt to explore the country, study dance and teach at
Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival - Creator of DVD “Habibi, You Are My ... WHAT?! Leyla Lanty's Essential Arabic for Dancers
- Volume 1” - Creator of Egyptian music CD “Golden Days Enchanting Nights”
- Writer for Gilded Serpent www.gildedserpent.com
- President San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of MECDA
In the Shadow of the Sphinx
-----------------------------------------
Scroll to the bottom of this page for a sample itinerary.
What makes this tour different from the rest?
-----------------------------------------
Scroll to the bottom of this page for a sample itinerary.
What makes this tour different from the rest?
- Exclusive hafla and lesson to learn shaabi and sharqi as done by the
people. The lady who will lead us is the best dancer I have ever
seen while dancing along with ordinary Egyptians at numerous
family parties and social occasions. - "Palace Walk" in Khan el Khalili to see historic sights often featured
in Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz's novels. This will be a
guided walk. - Abu Simbel in southern Egypt, Ramses II's spectacular monument to
himself and his favorite queen, Nefertari, is included in the 4-day
Nile Cruise. - Optional side trips to buy musical instruments, visit a studio owned
by one of Egypt’s most famous musicians and more.
| Leyla with Azza Sherif at Ahlan Wa Sahlan |
| Instrument Shop on Mohammed Ali Street |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A few words about current conditions in Egypt ~
>>>I've traveled to Cairo over 15 times and I will be available to you every step of the way
for advice and wisdom on traveling safely in this glorious country. I know the best places for
costumes, books, dance performances by the best professionals and can get you there safely.
Read more about my experience and qualifications at the bottom of this page or in my articles
on my most recent stay of One Month in Cairo: Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
>>>I've traveled to Cairo over 15 times and I will be available to you every step of the way
for advice and wisdom on traveling safely in this glorious country. I know the best places for
costumes, books, dance performances by the best professionals and can get you there safely.
Read more about my experience and qualifications at the bottom of this page or in my articles
on my most recent stay of One Month in Cairo: Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Detailed Sample Itinerary
Sunday, June 24 ~ Orientation meeting at hotel after all participants have arrived.
Please note: Throughout the tour, all breakfasts, some lunches and dinners will be included as
indicated in this itinerary. Drinks and gratuities are extra. You will be on your own for meals
that are not explicitly listed here as included in the tour. All transportation to activities and
events in the itinerary is included unless otherwise noted. Tours conducted by knowledgeable
guides in air-conditioned modes of transportation.
Monday 6/25 ~ Full day Cairo tour ~ Sphinx, Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, lunch included
Evening ~ Nile Dinner Cruise, top Egyptian dancer, singer, Raqs Tannoura dancer, dinner
included.
Tuesday 6/26 ~ Full day historic and shopping tour, evening hafla/lesson ~ Khan el
Khalili and “Palace Walk” to see historic sites mentioned in the novel “Palace Walk” by Nobel
Prize winning author Naguib Mahfouz, with some shopping along the way. Lunch included.
Dinner on your own at the hotel. Evening, dance along with Mdm. Shadia at our exclusive
dance along party to learn how shaabi and sharqi are done by the people.
Wednesday 6/27 ~ 9am-5pm AWS Registration, Opening Gala ~ EVERYBODY register
for classes! Leyla will be there to help. You must pay cash (US dollars, Euros, Egyptian
pounds) for your classes. There is a $200 minimum for classes. Classes range from $40 to
$80 each. Freshen up and at 8:30 pm Opening Gala & Buffet Dinner, Egypt’s top stars dance!
Thursday 6/28 through Tuesday 7/3 – Ahlan Wa Sahlan Classes, Closing Gala 7/3
• Teachers’ Night is the Thursday 6/28 Summer Show – See some of the teachers
perform, add those you like to your schedule the next morning at registration desk.
• Every night - Summer Shows with live music and dance performances and competition.
For a fee, you can sign up to dance on one of these nights or participate in the competition.
Sign up at the Registration Desk.
Wednesday 7/4 – Free day, time to rest or take optional side trips in Cairo, ask Leyla.
Thursday 7/5 – Free time for available daytime side trips, evening sleeper train to Aswan.
Friday 7/6 – High Dam, Philae Temple, board cruise boat, Dinner on board, evening free.
Saturday 7/7 – Visit Abu Simbel, falucca ride, back to cruise boat. Dinner on board, cruise to
next destination.
Sunday 7/8 – Kom Ombo temple, temples of Sobek & Haroeies, Edfu temple
Monday 7/9 - Sail to Esna, then Luxor - Valley of the Kings, Deir el Bahri, Luxor & Karnak
temples. Sleeper train to Cairo, arriving morning of Tuesday 7/10
Tuesday 7/10 – Check in to Mena House hotel, free time to revisit merchants, relax, explore
Cairo some more, pack for your trip home or your next destination. End of tour.
Sunday, June 24 ~ Orientation meeting at hotel after all participants have arrived.
Please note: Throughout the tour, all breakfasts, some lunches and dinners will be included as
indicated in this itinerary. Drinks and gratuities are extra. You will be on your own for meals
that are not explicitly listed here as included in the tour. All transportation to activities and
events in the itinerary is included unless otherwise noted. Tours conducted by knowledgeable
guides in air-conditioned modes of transportation.
Monday 6/25 ~ Full day Cairo tour ~ Sphinx, Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, lunch included
Evening ~ Nile Dinner Cruise, top Egyptian dancer, singer, Raqs Tannoura dancer, dinner
included.
Tuesday 6/26 ~ Full day historic and shopping tour, evening hafla/lesson ~ Khan el
Khalili and “Palace Walk” to see historic sites mentioned in the novel “Palace Walk” by Nobel
Prize winning author Naguib Mahfouz, with some shopping along the way. Lunch included.
Dinner on your own at the hotel. Evening, dance along with Mdm. Shadia at our exclusive
dance along party to learn how shaabi and sharqi are done by the people.
Wednesday 6/27 ~ 9am-5pm AWS Registration, Opening Gala ~ EVERYBODY register
for classes! Leyla will be there to help. You must pay cash (US dollars, Euros, Egyptian
pounds) for your classes. There is a $200 minimum for classes. Classes range from $40 to
$80 each. Freshen up and at 8:30 pm Opening Gala & Buffet Dinner, Egypt’s top stars dance!
Thursday 6/28 through Tuesday 7/3 – Ahlan Wa Sahlan Classes, Closing Gala 7/3
• Teachers’ Night is the Thursday 6/28 Summer Show – See some of the teachers
perform, add those you like to your schedule the next morning at registration desk.
• Every night - Summer Shows with live music and dance performances and competition.
For a fee, you can sign up to dance on one of these nights or participate in the competition.
Sign up at the Registration Desk.
Wednesday 7/4 – Free day, time to rest or take optional side trips in Cairo, ask Leyla.
Thursday 7/5 – Free time for available daytime side trips, evening sleeper train to Aswan.
Friday 7/6 – High Dam, Philae Temple, board cruise boat, Dinner on board, evening free.
Saturday 7/7 – Visit Abu Simbel, falucca ride, back to cruise boat. Dinner on board, cruise to
next destination.
Sunday 7/8 – Kom Ombo temple, temples of Sobek & Haroeies, Edfu temple
Monday 7/9 - Sail to Esna, then Luxor - Valley of the Kings, Deir el Bahri, Luxor & Karnak
temples. Sleeper train to Cairo, arriving morning of Tuesday 7/10
Tuesday 7/10 – Check in to Mena House hotel, free time to revisit merchants, relax, explore
Cairo some more, pack for your trip home or your next destination. End of tour.