Egypt
Nov 20 - 28, 2022
*Cheema's Travel trips are for eaters, chefs, the curious, & seekers who want meet like-minded travelers.
Expect to be completely & utterly surprised, moved, & in a constant state of confusion 😵💫
What To Expect
While tourists may flock to Cairo for the neighboring pyramids, it’s the chaotic (ancient version of) modern city that captures their hearts. On the one hand, Cairo is ancient and humbling, but on the other, it can be contemporary, hectic, and often confusing. Between the ancient mosques and modern city streets, discover the city on the doorstep of history that has enchanted visitors for thousands of years.
Cairo has been around since around 900 CE, so you can imagine, there’s a lot to see! Admire the graceful architecture of every souk and mosque in the ancient quarter. We explore sites and have access to many experiences that not every traveler gets to see.
Usually regarded as being geographically part of Asia, the Sinai Peninsula is the northeastern extremity of Egypt and adjoins Israel and the Gaza Strip on the east. Dahab, though touristy, sits on Holy Land. It’s also home to the only locally owned Bedouin hotel with organic farm and is the best city to stay in prior to visiting the most striking of Holy Lands.
Watch the sunrise over Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea, sunset over St. Catherine, hang out with our Bedouin guides in Mt. Sinai valley (it’s quiet the hike, just so you know 👀 ).
8 Night Itinerary
November 20
Welcome to Egypt
Welcome to the city of Cairo which many Egyptians call, Egypt! This is the city on the doorstep of history. Some of you might have arrived early (please let me know if you need additional nights at our Kimpton hotel), for those who didn't arrive the day before please arrive into Cairo as early as possible on the 20th so you can participate in our private welcome dinner.
This will be an intimate occasion with our private chef and menu curated by food archaeologist Mennat-Allah El Dorry. We’ll enjoy this feast together while listening to traditional music by a local musician.
Dinner included
November 21
Eat like an egyptian
For anyone interested in visiting the Egyptian Museum in a guided capacity, your private guide will be on hand to introduce you to this historic icon on Midan Tahrir. The museum is currently home to a small selection of Tutankhamun’s treasures (slowly being moved to the GEM) and 176,000 other artifacts. Feel like an early explorer as you are guided through the labyrinth of hallways and are later given time to explore independently.
For lunch, we’ll assemble downtown to begin your culinary walk to feast on regional specialties. Meet your culinary guide for a private walk through downtown as you feast on regional specialties. Pop in to 5-6 local establishments, meet with the owners and learn more about what Egyptians love to eat.
Breakfast and Lunch
November 22
Exclusive SAqqARA Access
Start bright and early this morning at Saqqara, which is home to the oldest, complete, hewn-stone building complex known in history, Saqqara. The Step Pyramid at Saqqara was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser in approximately 2650BC and the area served as the necropolis to the surrounding region.
Because the area is a giant necropolis, it is full of discoveries waiting to be made. You will meet with the Egyptian archaeological team that is excavating in the area. You will have the opportunity to visit a newly discovered tomb not open to the public or a cache of recent discoveries, like mummies. This experience is not open to the public, we just know people who know people 😉
After lunch, be guided through the Pyramid and Sphinx complexes as you learn the significance of Giza, then and now. Finish this epic day at the last surviving ancient wonder of the world. Here, you will be guided through the Pyramid and Sphinx complexes as you learn the significance of Giza, then and now. You will have the chance to go inside the Great Pyramid before finishing the day at the Sphinx, where you will have private access between the paws, which is currently off-limits to the public.
We’ll return to the hotel to freshen up and head out to dinner at a casual Lebanese spot around the corner, which will open up the conversation about how culinary traditions truly do not have borders.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and photographer
November 23
“Garbage city”
We are taking you off the beaten path by heading to Mansheya Nasir (Garbage City) with a local resident. Described by our past travelers as “the most inspiring morning of my life”, the community of trash collectors is receiving an outstanding amount of attention due to the initiatives happening within the city. 80% of the waste these workers collect from the 20 million inhabitants of Cairo is recycled by these individuals directly.
Expectation management: Very few tourists come to this area, so you will be confronted with curious stares. It’s hard to smile back behind a mask, but a little wave is always nice. Even though the residents are processing recyclables (paper, fabric, etc), you could be confronted with smells. If you are particularly sensitive to smells, bring a fragrance to balance it out. While the residents are involved in the garbage trade, this is not meant to be “poverty porn” – you are expected to engage and ask questions to get the most out of the experience. In the event Wagdy is not available due, days will be rotated to accommodate this excursion.
Travel to Ezbet Khairallah, to meet with the founders of Dawar Kitchen, a kitchen that provides dignified employment and vocational training for migrant, refugee and Egyptian women.
Breakfast and Lunch
November 24
To the holy land
The past two days have been very busy, for good reason, it’s EGYPT ::echo:: so take this morning/afternoon to explore independently. A list ideas will be provided in your final documentation. We really love the neighborhood of Zamleck.
Depart from the hotel to Cairo Airport. A light, packed dinner will be provided for the evening journey because we have about an hour long transfer to Dahab where we will check into a Bedouin Family owned hotel, the only one in Dahab that isn’t owned by “expats”.
Breakfast and Packed dinner
November 25
Free day
We designed this free day because you need to rest and prepare prior to the hike. Use this day to shop, snack, get a massage, take a yoga class, or snorkel in the Red Sea (weather permitting).
November 26
Mt. Sinai Valley
Transfer 2 hours inland to the St. Katherine Protectorate. In this area, over 300 different flora species have been recorded and it is reported that 20 of them are found nowhere else in the world! The protectorate, which covers about 4,350 square kilometers of land in the southern Sinai Peninsula and is home to the Jabaleya tribe that will be hosting you today.
Start your visit here at St Katherine’s Monastery, a beautiful medieval fortified monastery and allegedly the site of the ‘burning bush’.
What’s really interesting is that the Jabaleya tribe has guarded the monastery for centuries, so the Greek Monks and the Muslim Bedouin coexist.
Then it’s time to start your 2-5-hour trek through Wadi Itlah, a beautiful valley surrounding by stunning mountains. Along the way, learn more about the monastic settlements and Bedouin culture before sitting down to a delicious meal.
Return back by foot to St Katherine town, at night, where you will transfer back to Dahab.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
November 27
FAREWELL Dinner
We designed this free day because you need to rest and after the hike!
Use this day to shop, snack, get a massage… again, take a yoga class, pack your bags.
We’ll have an early farewell dinner at around 3:45pm to accommodate some of our new travel friends departures. This will be a casual Bedouin dinner on the beach with music.
November 28
Last day
Transfers provided for all those departing from Sharm el Sheikh on this day.
Egypt is so large and so epic that we couldn’t fit it all but we want you to stay and enjoy let us know, we can help coordinate those experiences.
Is This Trip Right For You?
Egypt is an epic destination but honestly, it's one of those places where if you're not prepared for “anything and everything” it can quickly turn into a bit of of a mess. It’s not because of the people, they’re great. It's not even a question of safety, in many ways it's just how business is done there that may throw some off. Egyptians are incredibly kind and hospitable but they do move at their own pace.
Though Egypt is a conservative, Muslim country, it’s a safe destination for all “genders”, there’s an extra layer of comfort when traveling with like minded individuals. Covering your legs and shoulders are a must. Long or midi dresses, skinny jeans and t-shirts are perfectly fine.
Egypt is not Morocco, it's a completely different experience than Morocco. It’s a touristy destination, for very obvious reasons and we do our best to show you the “MUST SEES” and also introduce you to places where you
wouldn’t venture on your own. This trip highlights the personalities and people we will be meeting but, they are people and not attractions so we must respect their boundaries, sometimes they might not want to chat with us and thats ok, they have that right.
Egypt is also a police state with many checkpoints, especially on the Sinai Peninsula, so you will have to carry your passport with you at all times on the Sinai Peninsula.
Cheema's Travel is a travel agency, not a large group tour operator so no umbrellas or flags to locate our guide. If you’re used to Tauck or A&K, this trip isn’t for you.
Not So Fine Print
This adventure is programmed as a group departure 10 travelers. Programs and events may change slightly according weather, the impact of Covid-19, or the fact that we are meeting with real people who have real lives. You’ll need to arrive into Cairo then depart from Sharm El Sheik.
Inclusions: All meals mentioned, tastings, private accommodations at Kimpton Cairo and in Bedouin Hotel in Dahab, domestic transfers both land and air between Cairo and Sharm (not from Sharm to Cairo), classes, entry fees, and gratuities.
Exclusions: International air, mandatory travel insurance, meals not mentioned in itinerary, experiences not mentioned in itinerary, personal purchases, and anything done on free-time, covid tests.
How does pricing work? Why are Cheema’s Travel trips so unique?
Cheema’s Travel vets all travelers, this takes us up to 70 hours to chat with up each potential traveler. We want to make sure we find you the right travelers for your trip 😉. Everyone gets their own room in a 4 or 5 star property, no single supplements. We like to have some surprises and extras for you. In Egypt lots of wheels need to be greased so, we need to take care of that. We also pay our vendors overseas proper wages. Lastly, we make donations to local non-profits and/or to some of the movements we believe in.
Booking Info
Early bird code IMABIRD, available till June 30.
Please read Terms & Conditions.
