black cat
belly dance
tour of egypt
November 5-18, 2023
This intimate tour is designed for those who want to experience the best music, dance and sight-seeing experiences that Egypt has to offer! We will visit the cities of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, plus many off-the-beaten-path spots, enjoying shopping, the local culture, tours of Egypt's famous monuments, temples and museums, music and dance shows, and much more!
$3250 per person
double occupancy
$3800 per person
single occupancy (limited availability)
Payment plans are available to suit your budget!
BCBD Tour of Egypt 2021
IN CAIRO
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6 nights of accomodations at Yasmina's beautiful B&B, with a view of the pyramids, plus two meals a day
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Hotel accommodations also available within walking distance, for those who prefer (additional fees may apply)
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At least 2 days of private air-conditioned day time transportation, with an English-speaking guide, to Cairo’s top sights and shopping. Tours may include: the Great Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, The Citadel, shopping in the Khan El Khalili market and more!
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Private round-trip transportation from Cairo International Airport
Other options may include:
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Opportunities to add extra daytime or nighttime excursions within or outside of Cairo
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Special nights out at Cairo's famous night clubs to see star dancers
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Costume shopping with Egypt's top ateliers
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Private or group dance classes in any style
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Photo or video shoots on location with Yasmina
(Note - we keep the itinerary in Cairo a bit fluid to allow people to pick and choose from the options listed above!)
Night out on The Nile Maxim to see Randa 2021
IN LUXOR
Gezira Gardens Hotel, Luxor
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2 nights of accomodations, plus two meals a day, at the lovely Gezira Gardens, a boutique hotel on the West Bank of Luxor
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Private round-trip transportation from Luxor International Airport
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Rooftop live music party!
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Private folkloric dance class
Optional tours include:
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Private air-conditioned tours of Luxors famous sites, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Museum and more!
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A famous hot air balloon ride of Luxor's West Bank
4-NIGHT
PRIVATE CRUISE
Luxor to Aswan
This private 4-night Nile cruise will be just for the guests of Black Cat Belly Dance on a vintage-style dahabeya and will feature a live band onboard EVERY night! Sail along the Nile with magic and music in the air! And because the ship is smaller than the regular cruise ships, we will visit enchanting off-the-beaten path stops on our way from Luxor to Aswan.
Vintage-style dahabeya
CRUISE ITINERARY
Day One
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Sail from Esna to El Hegaz
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Overnight in El Hegaz.
Day Two
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Sail from El Hegaz to Edfu to Fawaza
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In Edfu we visit Horus Temple. After sight-seeing, we head to the small island of Fawaza with its small banana plantation.
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Overnight in Fawaza.
Day Three
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Sail from Fawaza to Bisau
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Day three is a 7-hour sail, a day for relaxation and waching life on The Nile: cows and water buffaloes graze on little islands, on the fields we see mangoes, bananas, citrus fruits and sugar cane, little villages at the shores and the minarets of the mosques towering over the palm trees.
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Overnight at Bisau Island.
Day Four
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Sail from Bisau to Silsila to El Maniha
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Day four is a 2-hour sail to Silsila. Here we visit the antique stone pit, known from the Old Kingdom (2400 B.C.), as well as the rock temple of King Haremhab with tombs, tablets and traces of work more than 3000 years old.
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From there, we sail 4 to 5 hours to El Maniha.
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Overnight in El Maniha.
Day Five
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Sail from El Maniha to Kom Ombo to Aswan
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Day five is an early morning sail to Kom Ombo where we visit the double temple of Sobek and Horus. From there we sail to Aswan to check out.
Cruise includes:
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All meals + water, tea, coffee and soft drinks
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Live music party on deck every night!
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Transfer from Gezira Gardens to the dahabeya in Esna
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Transfer to Edfu Temple
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Tranfer from the dahabeya to Arteka Hotel in Aswan
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Entrance fees to all sites mentioned above
Cabin
Lounge Area
Sun Deck
Black Cat Belly Dance Tour of Egypt 2021, Arteka Hotel
IN ASWAN
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1 night accomodation in the Nubian village of Gharb Sehel
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Private round-trip transportation to Aswan International Airport
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1 day of private private air-conditioned day time transportation, with an English-speaking guide, to Aswan’s famous sites. Tours may include: High Dam, Nubian Village, Aswan Museum and more
Other options may include:
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Additional tours within and around Aswan
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Private Nubian dance and music lessons
Shannon, Philae Island 2021
YOUR HOST
Shannon is the owner and director of Black Cat Belly Dance and has been studying and teaching Egyptian music and dance for nearly two decades. She has hosted tours to Egypt since 2015 and designs every tour to be a unique immersion into the rich culture of the country, with a focus on experiencing the diverse music and dance traditions. Her friends and colleagues across Egypt will welcome and care for you like family.
Prior to the trip, Shannon will host several Zoom meetings to answer questions and share her list of tips for traveling in Egypt, as well as introduce you to other members of the tour. You will also be invited to private Facebook and Whats App groups where tour members can chat and share information before and during the trip.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Rates are based on double occupancy. Tour prices do not include airfare, trip insurance, optional add-on activities, personalized tips, alcohol, and entrance fees to a limited number of attractions. Group flight arrangements can be arranged with our experienced travel agent so that participants can fly together.
While most Covid-related requirements for international travel have been lifted, the itinerary may change slightly in order to accommodate restrictions that may be in place at the time of travel. (But regardless of changes, the trip will be amazing...because it's Egypt!) Proof of Covid vaccination may be required at the time of travel. Some museums and other public venues may require masking.
There is an expression in Egypt - ان شاء الله/Inshallah - that means "God willing" or "Hopefully." This often translates to the best laid plans changing with little notice, so it's best to be flexible and willing to go with the flow. Because in Egypt, when one plan changes, another magical moment is waiting around the corner. And particularly in Cairo, we will follow a loose itinerary in order to accomodate those very special (and often last minute) special adventures!