Bayan’s vice president and professor Munir Shaikh will be the faculty escort for the tour. He holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a specialization in the history of Islamic Iberia (Al-Andalus), and certificates from academic programs in Morocco, Egypt and Spain. He has lived in Morocco and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on Middle Eastern history, Islam, and world history.

Bayan’s tours are focused on providing a well-rounded experience featuring academic knowledge, cultural exposure, recreational activities, and free time. Most tour groups are multi-generational and diverse in nature. In addition to historical and contemporary sites of interest, the itinerary typically includes visits to mosques and other houses of worship to accommodate the religious needs of group members. Our group size tends to be in the range of 30-40 participants from North America and beyond. This enables participants to get to know one another and develop bonds of friendship and camaraderie that can last a lifetime. By participating in a tour, you are helping sustain and advance Bayan’s mission as a non-profit educational institution.

We are accepting registrations for the tour until capacity is reached before September 1, in order to book seats on internal flights, secure sufficient hotel rooms, pre-purchase entrance tickets to monuments, and finalize other details. You must pay a refundable deposit of $1000 per traveler, less $100.00. The deposit is refundable until September 1st (after which it may be applied to a future Bayan tour, but not refunded). After payment of the deposit, you will receive an invoice for the remaining balance for your party, reflecting any applicable discounts. The balance payment is due by September 1st.

Bayan’s tours are open to participants who wish to join from anywhere in the world. However, the majority of participants tend to be from the United States. US passport holders need to obtain a visa to enter Egypt for tourism. This visa can be obtained for USD $25 in advance online at https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/, once you have your flight details. The visa can also be obtained at a kiosk upon arrival. We encourage all participants to secure the visa in advance to save time upon arrival to Egypt.

Non-US passport holders are encouraged to check specific requirements for their nationality and obtain a visa if required.

Our group will be transported from site to site in a luxury air-conditioned tourist bus, as well as mini-vans at times in different cities and historical sites. There will be a significant amount of walking for several hours per day, including some steps and inclines. It is likely that on some days, our group will cover no less than 10,000 steps. Generally, on most days, the program includes free time to rest and for shopping and personal exploration.

Some locations may not be wheelchair accessible, though efforts will be made to accommodate as much as possible. The guides will aim to take into account the differing abilities and health conditions of group members and regulate the pace and intensity of the tour as possible.

Egyptian cuisine is a unique blend of ancient Egyptian, Arab and Ottoman culinary traditions, and can be described as a fusion of Mediterranean cuisines. The food of Egypt is hearty and satisfying. We will have opportunities to sample various dishes such as fuul (mashed fava beans), ta'amiya/falafel, koshari, as well as kebab, shawarma, rice, and stewed vegetables, and local breads. Apart from black tea, unique beverages prepared in Egypt include sahlab (milky coconut and orchid drink), karkade (flower tea), apricot juice, and more.

Yes, all participants who have completed their full payment will receive a detailed information packet that includes descriptions of the cities and sites to be visited, the daily schedule, currency exchange, local prayer times, electrical adapters, weather, what to pack, and more.

We encourage participants to be fully vaccinated with at least one booster shot for all who are eligible to receive these shots.

Restrictions pertaining to Covid-19 were lifted in Turkey on June 1st, 2022. Therefore, passengers arriving in Turkey do not need to present evidence of their vaccination status or PCR test results.

We do not expect to mandate masking during the tour, but we encourage masking whenever possible and according to each individual’s comfort level. For example, when shopping in crowded areas, it would be best to wear a mask. General sanitary practices should be maintained at all times, such as washing hands with soap, using sanitizing gels and wipes, and maintaining a reasonable distance between individuals.

If a participant feels ill during the tour and tests positive with a rapid test, they will be required to maintain isolation and distance from other travelers in the group. The costs of additional testing and treatment, if required, shall be the responsibility of the participant. Alternative transport along the tour itinerary may be arranged and expenses for such shall be the responsibility of the participant. Additional hotel nights, if necessary prior to return travel, shall be the responsibility of the participant.

Deposits are partially refundable through August 31, 2024, however, a cancellation charge of $ 250 per traveler will apply for any cancellation requested 24 hours after time of booking. There will be no refunds after this date.

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The balance associated with your reservation is due no later than August 31, 2024. This will be non-refundable after this payment is made.