Day 1: Arrive in Cairo (B)
Welcome to Egypt! After arriving in Cairo—one of the largest cities in Africa and in the Middle East—you'll head to your hotel. You'll be free to relax and rest in time before the tour begins. You could also start exploring the city, venturing out to try some local cuisine in one of many excellent restaurants.
Day 2: See the Pyramids on a Tour of Giza (B)
Begin the day touring the Egyptian Museum. The finest museum of Egyptian antiques in the world, it contains pharaohs' treasures dating back more than 5,000 years. The building is rectangular with a large rotunda on the ground floor containing massive exhibits, including colossal statues of Ramses II—get the best views by looking down from the upper galleries. The gold and alabaster trappings from the tomb of Tutankhamun (Tut) always draw crowds, too. Many of the Tutankhamun tomb treasures have been on display in museums around the world—including the golden mask—yet this one exhibit has always remained in Cairo.
Next, make your way to the famous pyramids in Giza. Start by visiting the pyramid of Cheops, which is the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built as a tomb, with the shape intended to help the spirit of the dead pharaoh rise to heaven. Next, visit the pyramid of Chephren. The best-preserved of the three main Giza pyramids, the top portion still retains the original face of smoothly finished stone, offering an idea of how the pyramids would originally have appeared. Beside Chephren is the great Sphinx, which is carved out of natural rock. Then stop by Mykerinos, the smallest of the three pyramids. Following the tour in Giza, enjoy a meal at a local Egyptian restaurant nearby. Then head back to the city to enjoy the evening in Cairo at your leisure.
Next, make your way to the famous pyramids in Giza. Start by visiting the pyramid of Cheops, which is the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built as a tomb, with the shape intended to help the spirit of the dead pharaoh rise to heaven. Next, visit the pyramid of Chephren. The best-preserved of the three main Giza pyramids, the top portion still retains the original face of smoothly finished stone, offering an idea of how the pyramids would originally have appeared. Beside Chephren is the great Sphinx, which is carved out of natural rock. Then stop by Mykerinos, the smallest of the three pyramids. Following the tour in Giza, enjoy a meal at a local Egyptian restaurant nearby. Then head back to the city to enjoy the evening in Cairo at your leisure.
Day 3: View Precious Antiquities in Alexandria (B)
Early in the morning, a tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to start your day trip to Alexandria along desert roads. Cross over Stanley Bridge, the first bridge in Egypt to be constructed over the sea. Then visit one of the highlights of the day, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoukafa, an underground world of ornate carvings and paintings. A mixture of Roman and Egyptian designs, it is the largest Roman funerary complex in Egypt.
Next, visit the Citadel of Fort Qaitbey, which is located on the original site of the Pharos, Alexandria’s ancient lighthouse, and topped with the statue of Poseidon. Although Pharos was restored at various times, it finally crumbled by the time the original fort was built here in the 1480s. Finally, you'll visit the Library of Alexandria, which was re-established in October 2002 to reclaim the mantle of its ancient namesake. The vast complex is a joining of the arts, history, philosophy, and science, as well as a place for open discussion, dialogue, and understanding. Return to Cairo and enjoy a free evening on your own.
Day 4: Go on an Islamic Cairo Tour & Dinner Cruise on the Nile (B/D)
A tour guide will pick you up from the hotel this morning to tour more of Cairo. You'll learn about Islamic Cairo at the Citadel of Saladin See, an important example of military architecture from the Middle Ages, and the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, a monumental mosque that was built during the Mamluk period of the 1300s. You'll have the chance to hunt for treasures in Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a souk in the historical center of Islamic Cairo, where you can shop for lamps, rugs, jewelry, and more.
Following the tour of Cairo, board a dinner cruise. Sail along the Nile River for two hours, enjoying an Egyptian-style dinner and live entertainment. Watch the sun go down over the water on your last night in Egypt.
Day 5: Depart (B)
Have breakfast and check out of your hotel in Cairo before heading to the airport to board your flight home. Safe travels!
