Thread: In the Shadow of the Sphinx, 2011 Egypt and Ahlan Wa Sahlan Tour, Leyla Lanty & Roza

Leyla Lanty and Roza will lead a group tour in Egypt featuring the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival, in June 2011. We know it's early but "Plan Ahead" has always been our motto.

Because of continuing protests and ongoing negotiations for governmental change in Egypt, we have decided to postpone the 2011 tour until 2012 in order to allow the overall situation in Egypt to stabilize. We are looking forward to a wonderful time exploring and studying dance in Egypt in 2012. The dates are not yet set, but if you are interested in getting information about it as soon as we have a program, please contact Leyla via email leyla [at] leylalanty [dot] com.

In the Shadow of the Sphinx 2011
Two Weeks in Magical Egypt with Leyla Lanty & Roza!
In 2012 we'll try to duplicate the 2011 itinerary below. A new posting and paid ad will be up on Bhuz when 2012 plans are ready

Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival with the best Egyptian & international dancers & teachers, including the spectacular Opening Gala!

Ancient & Modern Cairo, Pyramids, sphinx, Egyptian museum, Khan el Khalili (old market area), evening haflas, Raqs Tanoura (whirling dervish) show, a Nile dinner cruise to see a top Cairo dancer, maybe Randa Kamel, lots of live music every evening at the festival & on the dinner cruise!

PLUS Learn shaabi & sharqi as done by the people, dancing along at our exclusive hafla led by one of the best non-professional dancers in town!

Nile Cruise in Southern Egypt, optional extension including Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Aswan, **Abu Simbel**, with on board parties!

Optional side trips in Cairo & vicinity:
Buy musical instruments on Mohammed Ali Street where Egyptian professional musicians buy theirs.
Book a professional photo shoot.
Spend an evening at a traditional music venue.
Tour a music studio owned by two famous musicians.
Book tours to Cairo’s many ancient, old & modern sights.

Prices: All prices are Land Only & include all flights within Egypt. Airfare to/from Egypt is NOT included. Book your own flights, we can help if you like. You will be met at the Cairo airport & transported to the hotel, then back to the airport on your departure day. Payment due dates to be determined. - PM leylalanty or email leyla[at]leylalanty.com for where to send payments. Personal checks, cashier's checks, credit card checks accepted. No credit cards or PayPal. Trip insurance is highly recommended.

Have it All ~ 14-15 days
AWS, 2 full days of touring in and around Cairo, 3-day Nile Cruise

Cairo & AWS Only ~ 10-11 days
AWS, 2 full days of touring in and around Cairo

All touring with knowledgeable English speaking guides.
Highly recommended to buy trip insurance - just in case!
Questions? pm leylalanty on Bhuz or email leyla at Leylalanty dot com

Leyla,
this is going to be fantastic! I love the way you plan ahead, and I'm working on my Arabic as well as my costume contacts, in fact I just recieved a shipment from Mamdouh!
Thanks, Roza..big-laugh

Thanks, Roza! It is going to be fantastic! Gotta start reviewing my Arabic too. Congratulations on you costume shipment from Mamdouh! Wish I could see all the sparklies. We'll be seeing a LOT of sparklies in June!

Updated the tour description in the first post.

We have not changed our minds about going, but are monitoring events in Egypt. Prices are now posted in the initial post above. Stay tuned for updates.

Update - Received an update on FaceBook from Raqia Hassan that Ahlan Wa Sahlan 2011 is a reality and that she and her staff await us in June!

Deposit of $500 per person can be paid at any time through April 20th. Deposits are not refundable after April 20th. Payment in full is due on April 25, 2011 and is not refundable after that date. Please send private message to leylalanty on Bhuz.com or send email to leyla [at] leylalanty.com for information on where to send deposit or full payment. Personal checks, cashier's checks, credit card checks accepted. No credit cards or PayPal. Trip insurance is highly recommended in case illness or emergency prevents your going on the trip.

If you're still dreaming of going to Egypt, make it a reality by coming with us! What makes our tour different from the rest?
Three special features:
~Exclusive hafla-lesson to learn sha-abi and sharqi as done by the people.
~"Palace Walk" in Khan el Khalili to see historic sights often featured in Naguib Mahfouz's novels.
~**Abu Simbel** in southern Egypt, Ramses II's fabulously extravagant monument to himself and his favorite queen, Nefertari.