Day 01
Giza Pyramids, Cairo Citadel and Cairo Tower
- Your tour representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo to start the tour.
- Transfer to discover one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), along with 3 small pyramids. You will continue to explore the rest of the Giza Plateau, including the sight of Khafre's (Kaphren) pyramid, the second-largest pyramid at the Giza site, the remains of the funerary temple, the pyramid of Mankawra (Mykerinus), and 3 small pyramids.
- Then proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body, which dates from the time of Chephren, and visit the Valley Temple, which belongs to the pyramids of Chefren. This temple served two functions: first, it was used for the purification of the mummy of the king before burial; second, it was used for carrying out the king's mummification process.
- After visiting the pyramids, you will continue across the plateau for a photo opportunity of the three pyramids rising from the sands.
- Next, head to the Citadel of Salah al-Din, built under the order of Saladin between 1176 and 1183 to protect the city from European attacks. Today, it is one of Cairo's main tourist attractions and offers privileged views of the city. You will see views across all of Cairo as you visit Mohamed Ali's "Alabaster Mosque," considered the largest mosque built at the beginning of the 19th century. The ruler of Egypt from 1805 to 1849 governed the country for over 45 years, and the mosque was built in Turkish style.
- Afterwards, proceed to Cairo Tower, also known as El-Gezira Tower or Borg El Qahari in Arabic. It is considered one of the most prominent features of the Egyptian capital. Its partially open lattice-work design is intended to evoke a lotus plant. Cairo Tower was built from 1956 to 1961 during the presidency of Gamal Abdel Nasser with Soviet assistance. The tower is 187 m high, 50 meters higher than the Great Pyramid of Giza, and stands on a base of Aswan granite stones that the ancient Egyptians used to build their monasteries and temples of the pharaohs. It contains 16 floors, and the elevator ride to the top takes 45 seconds. From the top, you can enjoy a full panorama of Cairo, the pyramids, the television building, the Sphinx, the Nile, Castle SalahElDin, and Azhar. It is a wonderful and spectacular view of Cairo. There is also a telescope, a cafeteria on floor 15, and a rotating restaurant on floor 14 at a height of 160 meters, where the waiters are dressed like ancient Egyptians. Cairo Tower is considered an architectural masterpiece that attracts tourists to Egypt.
- Later, head back to the hotel to conclude the tour.
