Day 1

Itinerary

Have a great experience visiting the main attractions of Cairo. Start your tour with a visit to one of the biggest museums in the world. Your Egyptologist guide will explain to you the masterpieces of the Egyptian museum. You will be captivated by the most famous and largest art collection in the world.

Some artifacts date back to five millennia and more are on display. The treasures found in King Tut Ankh Amun's tomb are the top attractions among the exhibits. Your private live guide will give you the chance to have some private free time to explore more of the museum and you may like to visit the royal mummy room (upon your request for an extra cost).

Following this and upon arrival at the citadel of Saladin, marvel at the alabaster mosque of King Mohamed Ali. Listen to your guide as he shares with you the basic facts of Islam and the function of every part of the mosque. Find out how the whole area was used as a fortress since the Middle Ages and the story of the Arabs and Crusaders.

The founder of the royal family had the mosque built by a Turkish architect influenced by the style of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is seated on a mountain Cliff, and the inner and outer walls are covered with alabaster. It took 18 years to finish the whole complex of the mosque (1830-18480. Before leaving the area, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city with the chance of seeing the Giza pyramids on clear days.

It is true that Christianity in Egypt is as old as Christianity itself. Your private guide will explain to you the meaning of this phrase upon your visit to the Coptic churches. Start your tour with the  Dedicated to Virgin Mary, it is one of the most beautiful and important churches in Cairo. You will go next to the Cavern church.

It is so-called because below the church there is a cave where Jesus the baby and Mary the Virgin were hiding for 3-months escaping King Herod. Go downstairs and have a look at the place where baby Jesus used to sleep. This is one place among 15 more where the Holy family stopped during the journey in Egypt.

The journey lasted for 3 and a half years. Next, visit the oldest of the synagogues in Egypt. Ben Ezra temple dates back to the 9th century and it is open for tourist visits. Your Egyptologist will explain fully the history of all the places on your tour.

Finally, visit the biggest and oldest market in Cairo. Follow your Egyptologist's steps while walking through the narrow alleys and lanes of the market. Feel the welcoming and warmth of the locals when sitting with your guide and having a drink at the oldest coffee shop in Cairo (1710).

Although the market was the best place for shopping and buying authentic Egyptian souvenirs, nowadays hardly you can find those but your guide will give you advice on what to do there. Ask your guide about the bargaining ways in the market for an interesting experience.



 

INCLUDED

• Qualified Egyptologist guide.
• Entrance to Egyptian Museum.
• Entrance to Citadel of Salah el-Din and mosque of Mohamed Ali.
• Hotel pickup and drop off.
• Transportation by air- conditioned vehicle.
• Bottled water during the tour.

Excluded

• Gratuities (recommended).
• Food and drinks, unless specified.
• Entrance to the Royal Mummies Room at the museum.