My Middle East

The Mount Sina Ecolodge and My Middle East are collaborating on the design and implementation of a travel plan to post-revolutionary Egypt.

This historical transitional period is a great time to visit Egypt and feel the fantastic energy that is sweeping the country. Besides sites in Cairo that are unmissable, such as the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum, the plan includes joint activities with people who participated in the demonstrations and are still involved in political and developmental activities, as well as tours of the now famous Tahreer Square and its surroundings. In addition, the plan provides the opportunity for those who wish to participate for an afternoon in various volunteering activities.

The second half of the trip is in Sinai, one of the most spectacular, spiritual, but also fun spots in Egypt and the world. Centered around the Mount Sina Ecolodge, activities include visits to St Katherine Monastery, hiking up Mt Moses where it is thought God delivered the Ten Commandments, as well as various beach activities in the fantastic blue waters and corals of the Red Sea. In addition, various activities are planned to provide more exposure to the Bedouin culture.

This trip is priced with the intention of encouraging as many people as possible to come, since its main objective is to promote tourism particularly in the Sinai, where the local population is very dependent on tourism, which clearly took a hit after the recent events. This trip can be taken at any time and for any number of people (see below for details on pricing). It can also be customized to fit other needs or lengths of stay. For more information and to book, please email us at planmytrip@mymiddleeast.me. 

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

  

Arrival in Cairo and transfer to the Novotel El Borg Hotel in central Cairo, right on the Nile. Welcome dinner in the evening in one of Cairo's best Egyptian restaurants. Depending on your time of arrival, other activities can be planned for that day.

Day 2: The Pyramids

   

Your trip begins with an inevitable trip to the Pyramids at Giza for a guided tour of the complex, including the Sphinx and on-site museums. This will be followed by a visit to the vernacular Wisa Wasef Center, where women weave and exhibit beautiful, vibrantly colored carpets with designs inspired by the flora and fauna of Egypt as well as scenes from traditional village life. After a quick snack, the day continues at the Saqqara Pyramids, missed by many, but no less spectacular than those at Giza. The day will end in a farm in the desert with a direct view of the Sphinx and Pyramids at sunset. Here, you will be able to take horse or camel back rides in the desert, before settling in for an early barbecue dinner, where you will be joined by youth and activists who took part directly in the revolution in Tahreer Square- food, drink, priceless view, and great conversation..

Day 3: Tahreer Square, Downtown, and Islamic Cairo

      

Begin the third day with an invigorating walk around Tahreer Square in the company of some of the youth who were there when it was all unfolding, listening to their stories as they point out the locations where major events took place. Hop over to the Egyptian Museum for a quick viewing of the King Tut Treasures and the Mummy Chamber, before walking around Downtown Cairo and stopping for local snacks. The day will then continue with a guided tour of Islamic Cairo and some free time to tour the world-famous bazar at Khan Al Khalili. End with dinner at Al Azhar park with a panoramic view of Cairo before being transported back to the hotel.

Day 4: Fair Trade Shopping and Volunteering

 

This day will begin with a visit to a couple of Fair Trade shops where any purchases you make go towards supporting artisans and craftswomen in various governorates in Egypt. The rest of the day can be structured at will. We will discuss with you various options of how you might be able to volunteer your time to support local NGOs; take tours of areas in Cairo that help complete the picture of why the revolution happened; take cooking classes; or even take a tour of art galleries or other cultural venues in Cairo. 

Day 5: Transfer to Sinai

  

Most of this day will be taken up by the trip by car or van to the village of St. Katherine, in South Sinai. You will be accommodated at the Mt. Sina ecolodge, in the shadow of the mountain which you will be climbing the next morning. Enjoy a good Bedouin dinner and tea under the stars, while listening to an overview presentation of the Bedouin culture, before retiring to your bungalow for the night.

Day 6: St. Katherine and Mt Moses (Sinai)

  

Begin the day at the impressive St. Katherine's monastery, site of various Biblical miracles and stories, and home to a very impressive collection of priceless icons and manuscripts. Next, follow in the steps of Moses to the top of the mountain where it is believed the Ten Commandments were delivered. Regardless of your own beliefs, the spectacular vistas and rugged mountainscapes are well worth the effort. A picnic lunch will be served in one of the teahouses during the hike, and a delicious Bedouin dinner will be served at the end of the day back at the ecolodge.

Day 7: Chilling at the Ecolodge

   

This is a day to completely relax at the ecolodge and enjoy the serenity of the rocky mountains surrounding you. Women can choose to learn from the Bedouin women how they make their embroidery and jewelry; men can learn how to make fresh bread; everyone can take lessons in playing the "semsemeyya", meditate on a hilltop, or do nothing at all!

Day 8: Canyons and Coast

  

Depart on this day towards one of the coastal camps north of Nuweiba on the Red Sea. Along the way, visit by 4WD the Ain Chudra Oasis, where lunch will be served, followed by a hike in the White Canyon. End the day with dinner by the sea in the camp where you will be spending the night in bungalows on the beach.

Day 9: Diving, Snorkling, or Absolutely Nothing

  

The corals of the Red Sea offer some of the most spectacular diving and snorkling opportunities in the world. Spend the day enjoying these or any other water-based activities (paragliding, kite-surfing, jet-skiing..) or just chill on the beach all day in between delicious, fire-cooked meals. (Prices below only include accommodation and all meals. All sea-based activities are optional).

Day 10: Return to Cairo

 

Drive back to Cairo and check in back at the Novotel Al Borg. Begin the evening with a sunset ride in a felluka (sailboat) on the Nile, followed by an evening of a very local, energizing musical performance, before heading out for your final meal in one of Cairo's restaurants.

Day 11: Departure or Additional Activities

Checkout and transfer to the airport for departure. For those who wish, additional days can be arranged to visit Alexandria, Upper Egypt (Aswan, Luxor..), or the Western Desert.


The price for this trip per person on a double occupancy basis, including all accommodation, activities, meals, transport, and visits as described above is:

$1950 per person for a group of 2.
$1780 per person for a group of 4
$1450 per person for a group of 10

Price excludes roundtrip international airfare to/from Cairo.

For other group sizes, different accommodation options, to book this trip, or to customize it, please get in touch at planmytrip@mymiddleeast.me