Advance reservations must be received before April 20th 2005. A deposit of $300 is required with registration. After April 20th, 2005 the balance is due in full.

• Total amount due by April 20th 2005 : $1750 per person.

Space is limited. Please register early to avoid disappointment.
There are 3 easy options to register for this dream trip...

• Online : register and guarantee your space today with our easy online form
• Email : email hala@haladance.com for an email pre-registration form
• Mail : print out our registration form, fill it in and mail it to Hala Dance with your check

• All transportation within Egypt including flight between Cairo & Sharm El Sheikh
• 5-stars Hotel accomodation in double occupancy rooms including daily breakfast buffet
• Personal meet and greet service by our tour agency at Cairo Airport including assistance clearing customs and transportation to hotel and back on day of departure to the USA
• Fully escorted for all included tour activities by a tour guide. You will have the services of knowledgeable English speaking guides on all included siteseeing tours in Egypt.

• Specific dance and/or music classes attended during the festival, you get to select those from a menu of classes offered and pay for them separately
• Lunch and dinner unless included in a group event. Daily breakfast is included in the price
• Cost of obtaining a tourist visa to Egypt, tips, gratuities, any taxes or fees either in the US or Egypt related to the import or export of goods for personal or business use
• Air fare from your city in the US to Cairo and back. We will gladly assist you in obtaining cheap air fare once you let us know which city you will be flying from

• Registration form
• Pictures and Testimonials from our 2003 Egypt Tour
• Pictures and Testimonials from our 2004 Egypt Tour

How much is the airfare?
Depending on where you are flying from. Many people have favorite airlines, frequent flyer miles, side trips to other places, special deals that they prefer to use so we leave airfare as an option. We'll be happy to arrange airfare for you if you let us know where you want to fly from and the dates of your departure and arrival (if they are different from the tour dates)

When will we know the class schedule for the "Ahlan wa Sahlan" Festival so we can select classes? How does it work and how much do they cost?
On the first day of the Ahlan wa Sahlan festival, June 27, we get the schedule, select classes and pay for them. They are $60 for master classes (3 hrs each) and $30 for folkloric classes (2 hrs each). They only accept cash (dollars & euros). There is a requirement to register for at least 3 classes total if you want to attend the festival evening shows.
The closing gala is $60. Some teachers sell videos and CDs. These are anywhere from $10 to $30 each.

How much should I budget for food/tips/extras?
Meals & tips:
Food is very cheap in Egypt and the exchange rate is currently $1 = L.E. 5.5. Breakfast is included and it's a full breakfast buffet with LOTS of food (so you can easily skip lunch). You can get a very good filling meal for the equivalent of $3 - $10. Tipping is not required and it's typically to round up the numbers.

Side trips & excursions:
We typically include optional side trips and excursions depending on the group dynamics and what people want to do. They range anywhere from $10 to $100 depending on the duration and what's involved (dance shows, extra desert safaris, extra shopping trips,...etc)

Shopping:
Completely up to your budget. With the exchange rate, you'll find LOTS of cheap good quality goods to buy. From costumes to jewelry to spices to everything else you can imagine. It's good to make a budget and stick to it

Will there be construction at Mena House during the festival?
The Mena House hotel will NOT be undergoing construction during the festival. Mme Raqia Hassan just confirmed that with me on Feb 3rd, 2005. There was a rumor that she said is not true.

What if I arrive in Cairo at an inconvenient time? do I have to find my way to the hotel?
No matter when you arrive, you'll be met at the Cairo airport. That's why we need to know your flight details.

What airlines fly into Egypt?
Almost ALL major European and Asian airlines fly into Egypt.

What airline will we be flying on when we are in Egypt?
We fly Egypt Air for internal travel Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh and back.

Once paid and if I have to cancel, how much will I forfeit and what would be the final date to withdraw?
Final date to withdraw completely: April 20th.
After April 20th and before June 1st, you may find a replacement (someone else to go in your place and pay you the money). If an emergency happens and you absolutely have to cancel and cannot find any replacements, you forfeit $700 of the $1750. As for the airline ticket portion, most travel agents will give you the option of purchasing travel insurance. You pay an extra $50 and if you cannot go for medical reasons, you forfeit $250 (exact amounts may vary depending on the airline).

Will my family be able to reach me when I'm in Egypt?
Yes, we provide you with the phone numbers of the places we are staying once they are booked. Internet email can be accessed in all the places we go to in Egypt so they can keep in touch with you by email as well.

What's the weather like in Egypt in June/July?
Very hot! It's best to bring light colored, cotton, baggy and loose clothes for the outdoors. Suncscreen and hats are highly recommended. The nights are cool and comfortable. Most Egyptians start going out after dark in the summer time and shops are open till 2:00am and later.
Because the summer is hot in Egypt, we spend the last part of the trip on the beach. The Red Sea is snorkling and scuba diving heaven and we stay at one of the best resorts there right on the beach. In Cairo, all the dance activities are indoors in air-conditioned rooms. When we're outdoors, a hat, sunshades and sunscreen will do the trick. With all the new things to see and absorb, you won't have time to worry about the weather :-).

What kind of clothes should I bring with me? do women have to cover up?
You can dress pretty much the same way you would dress in public in the USA. You want to bring light cotton baggy clothes for the hot outdoors, fancy evening wear for the dance shows and parties at night, dance class attire for classes (all classes are in air-conditioned rooms), swim wear for the beach and the pool, hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes and/or sandals (the streets are not always evenly paved) and only a very light jacket just in case. Very casual wear during the day and outdoors but you can get very fancy for the parties and dance shows if you so choose.

Will I be able to drink the water and eat Egyptian food?
Yes, all the hotels we stay at are top 5-star quality so their food and water are safe to eat and drink. You can buy bottled water and almost all western consumer goods everywhere in Egypt. When you eat outside tourist establishments, you might want to avoid raw vegetables and fruit that cannot be peeled. Our guides will be happy to assist you if you have any questions.

What other options are there besides a double room?
If you want a single room, it cost extra as follows:
In Cairo before and during the festival: $131 extra
Throughout the whole tour: $191 extra.
If you can find people to share a triple room with you, then the price drops by $25 per person.

When are lunch and dinner included?
Dinner is included in the Opening & Closing Galas of the festival and on our Nile Cruise on the last day. The Opening Gala is included but the Closing gala costs an extra $60.

How much does it cost to get a visa to Egypt?
The Egyptian visa costs anywhere from $15 to $20. It is highly recommended to get the visa BEFORE you leave the USA to avoid delays in the Cairo airport. It can take up to 1 month to get the visa so you want to apply ahead of time. Expediting it is possible but it will cost more. The Egyptian Consulate's website has detailed information about obtaining a visa.

Do you have other questions or concerns that are not addressed above? please contact us and we'll be happy to assist you!