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EXPLORE EGYPT

With a $500 Deposit

CAIRO | LUXOR | ASWAN | ALEXANDRIA

 

DECEMBER 21, 2023  -  January 1, 2024  •  11 DAYS

Egypt is a unique travel destination at the crossroads of Africa, Europe and Southwest Asia. It is the birthplace of ancient civilization along the Nile river, with numerous pyramids and fascinating temple complexes extending from Upper Egypt to the delta. Greek and Roman influences are also apparent. Judaism and Coptic Christianity are prominent aspects of Egyptian history as well. The Qur’an encompasses in its narrations of various prophets the lands and people of this fertile and important region. From the early 7th century CE onwards, Islam gradually became the majority faith, integrating with the local culture. As an important Mediterranean nexus for trade, scholarship, and cultural exchange, Egypt came to be seen as umm al-dunya (mother of the world), ruled in turn by various dynasties. Cairo (al-Qahirah) was founded by the Fatimid dynasty in the 10th century, and the region was then governed by Salah al-Din (Saladin) and his family during the height of the Crusades, and later on the Ottomans, each lending a layer of social, aesthetic and historical impact. Join us as we explore this vast heritage spanning centuries, enjoying the beauty of the people and country, visiting mosques and complexes from different eras, shopping for unique handicrafts, and culminating with a viewing of New Year’s eve fireworks along the Nile.

faculty guide

Hisham Hellyer

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Dr Hisham A. Hellyer, Fellow of Cambridge University’s Centre for Islamic Studies, will be faculty escort for the tour. Dr Hellyer has been visiting and living in Egypt on and off for the past thirty years, and previously served as a professor at the Department of Law of the American University in Cairo. Dr Hellyer also studied the Islamic tradition in Cairo. The author of 7 books, including two on Egyptian contemporary history, Dr Hellyer's career has posts at Harvard University, the Brookings' Centre for the Middle East, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Middle East Program, making him an excellent faculty escort for this tour in such a historical land for Muslims and world history.

ITINERARY IN Egypt

With a $500 Deposit

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Since 2017, Bayan has been offering unique faculty-led tours to world heritage destinations such as Uzbekistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Holy Land, Southern Spain, and Malaysia. Each year, we offer high-quality curated excursions to these and other destinations to satisfy the interests of our diverse community of fellow travelers.

 

WHY JOIN A BAYAN TOUR?

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Tours offered by Bayan cater to the varied interests and needs of families, while offering an exceptional educational and cultural program. Each tour is led by one or more faculty members who provide daily background lectures and insights about the historical and contemporary contexts. Local guides are utilized as needed. The itinerary for each excursion is crafted by experienced personnel to maximize your enjoyment and satisfaction. While the scheduled program is robust, ample time is provided to explore on your own, shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs, and enjoy some leisure activities. Bayan’s tour group size is generally kept to around 30-35 participants.

TOUR pricing

land packages only

All pricing is double-occupancy.  International airfare is not included. 

 

 

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PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

  • Airport transfers on December 22 and January 1

  • 7 nights in 5-star hotels / 3 nights on 5-star cruise boat

  • Ground transportation by private A/C coach

  • Internal flight from Cairo to Aswan

  • Internal flight from Luxor to Cairo

  • 5-star Nile Cruise - Aswan to Luxor (full board - all meals & snack)

  • Daily breakfast at hotel, plus 5 lunches and 1 dinner

  • All entrance fees for sites

  • Daily commentary/discussions with faculty guide(s)

  • English speaking local guide(s)

 

EXCLUSIONS​​​

  • International airfare to Egypt (budget about $1,300 round-trip per person from US gateways) and applicable baggage fees

  • Travel insurance

  • Tourist entry visa (obtain online in advance for $25 USD)

  • Additional meals/beverages

  • Porterage (hotel luggage assistance)

  • Personal items

  • Incidental charges (telephone bill, mini bar, room service, laundry, etc.)

  • Covid-19 testing costs (if required for entry or return to country of origin)

Adult                              $3,395

Additional Adult        $2,995

Minor (8-17)                $2,695


Single Supplement      $700

With a $500 Deposit

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 

Cairo

  • Giza Pyramids & Sphinx

  • Fustat (Old Cairo)

  • Ibn Tulun Mosque

  • Al-Azhar Mosque

  • Al-Husayn Mosque

  • Citadel

  • Al-Moez Street (Fatimid Cairo)

  • Khan El-Khalili (bazaar)

  • National Museum

  • Al-Azhar Park

  • New Year’s Eve Fireworks

 

Luxor - Aswan Cruise

  • Valley of the Kings

  • Temples of Horus, Hatshepsut, Karnak etc.

  • Temples of Kom Ombo

  • Aswan High Dam

  • Nile Villages

  • Optional: Luxor hot air balloon ride

 

Alexandria

  • El Corniche and Qaitbay Fortress

  • Kom el Shoqafa (Catacombs)

  • Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque

  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina

 

Hotels

​Our tour group will stay at the following hotels:

 

  • Cairo: Marriott Zamalek Hotel - 5* (7 nights)

  • Aswan-Luxor Nile Cruise (Movenpick M/S Sunray) - 5* (3 nights)

With a $500 Deposit

Arriving to Egypt (Cairo)

Numerous airlines provide service to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Turkish Airlines is a good option for flights originating from various US gateways. EgyptAir from New York (JFK), Air France, and other carriers also provide direct or connecting service. Participants should book “roundtrip” flights arriving in Cairo (CAI) on Friday, December 22 (for travelers from the US, this means departing from your city of origin on Thursday, December 21). The tour officially begins at 5:00pm on December 22 with a group orientation meeting in the hotel, followed by a brief walkaround in nearby areas and dinner. You may plan your travel to add extra days in transit before reaching Cairo, or in Cairo before the tour begins, if you wish. Hotel check-in for the tour is on December 22.

 

Departing from Egypt (Cairo)

The tour concludes on the morning of Monday, January 1 in Cairo. Depending on your departure time on that day, you can continue sightseeing or plan to head to the airport. Your outgoing flight can be to any destination or transit point of your choice. You may also consider spending more time in Egypt after the conclusion of the tour, and plan your flights, local transportation and additional hotel accommodations accordingly.

 

Booking Your Flights

Once you’ve paid your deposit to Bayan Tours, you should book your flights as soon as possible to try and obtain well-priced airfare with suitable flight timings and layovers (if you don’t have a direct flight to Cairo, we recommend that you choose a route with a layover of not less than 90 minutes). You can use your own travel agent, check airline websites, or use other booking sites to select the flight legs that are best for you.

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