Private Khan el-Khalili Bazaar Shopping Tour, Cairo

Khan el-Khalili has been Cairo's marketplace since the 14th century, and walking in without a guide usually means paying tourist prices and missing the good stuff. On this private tour your guide takes you through the bazaar's maze of alleys to the workshops and stalls worth your time: hand-beaten copper and brass, blown glass, inlaid boxes, spices, perfume oils, and cotton. You learn how to tell handmade from imported, what a fair price actually is, and how to bargain without stress, because your guide does the translating. A glass of tea at El Fishawy, the cafe that has poured since 1797, comes recommended. There is no pressure to buy anything. Snacks and hotel transfers are included. Ideal for travelers who want real souvenirs and the confidence to haggle for them.