Night Tours

One of the most breathtaking experiences you can have in this city is watching the amazing Sufi dancers perform in the heart of Islamic Cairo. You can do it with a walking tour of the local market (Khan El-Khalili).
It is a weekly dance show available only on Wednesday and Saturday in Wakala Al-Ghouri in the local market, on the opposite side of Khan El-Khalili, the tourist bazaar.
Wekala has the following definition:
Wekala is a caravansary (the Serai is a “Palace in Persian” for receiving and accommodating the caravans of foreign merchants-hence the name “Caravan”+”Sary”).
The function of a Wekala was to provide a place for Medieval foreign traders to rest, spend the night on the upper floors, and rest their mules and horses in the stables at the back of the ground floor.
Today it’s a picturesque setting for the Tanoura dance. It is a unique blend of the whirling dervish dance in Turkey and the Mevlevi dance in Persia.
The folkloric whirling dervish dance An offshoot of the original Sufi dance that originated in Persia, founded by Rumi, and later in Turkey, the Egyptian version is more vibrant. Here, the skirts are colorful, the singing is forceful, and the musical instruments include mostly percussion.
Once the gate opens and the show starts, you will see a group of performers appear with an array of instruments ranging from the Duff (tambourine) to the Oud (lute) and Nay (flute). After a few solos by various singers, a vocalist appears on a balcony. This specific vocalist, officially known as the Muezzin (i.e., a caller to prayers), sings of spirituality.
In Sufi dancing, The dancer must be spinning in a certain direction related to the direction of the sun. One hand must be pointed to the sky and the other toward the earth, which symbolizes establishing a connection between the two. spinning in circles with the right hand open and raised up towards the sky (a sign showing the collecting of blessings from heaven) and having their left hand open as well but lowered down towards the earth (as a sign showing the fetching of the heavenly blessings down to the worldly earth). The dancer’s circular movements represent the removal of worldly burdens until he achieves ecstasy in this attempt to reach heaven. The untying of the belt around the waist towards the end of the dance represents the beginning of his journey to heaven.
Recommended for those who are looking for a spiritual and peaceful show and meditation.

Available every Wednesday & Saturday at 7.30 PM

• INCLUDES
  • Pick up from your hotel/airport and drop off back again
  • A private tour guide
  • Main Entry Ticket
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle 

• EXCLUDES
  • Any extra
  • Any meals
  • Tipping