Day 01
Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Civilization Museum and Cairo Citadel
- Meet your tour guide in Cairo and head to the Pyramids of Giza to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) - along with the other three small pyramids. Continue exploring the rest of the Giza Plateau, including the sight of Khafre's (Kaphren) pyramid, the second-largest pyramid on the Giza site, the remains of the funerary temple, and the pyramid of Mankawra (Mykerinus) with its three small pyramids.
- Proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, a sculpture with the head of a pharaoh and the body of a lion, dating from the time of Chephren.
- Visit the Valley Temple, which belongs to the pyramids of Chephren. This temple served two functions: first, it was used for the purification of the king's mummy before burial, and second, it was used for carrying out the king's mummification process. Continue across the plateau to take photos of the three pyramids rising from the sands.
- Explore the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, also known as the NMEC Museum, located near Old Cairo at the archaeological site of Fustat and overlooking Lake Ain Al-Sira. It is close to many of the Islamic and Coptic monuments in Cairo and displays collectibles from the Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic, Islamic, and modern civilizations. The main exhibition hall presents the four main crafts that shaped Egyptian civilization: pottery, wood, textiles, and ornaments. You can see the world's oldest artificial finger, the skeleton of a man dating back 30,000 years, the Kiswa of the Kaaba, which was last made in Egypt during the era of President Nasser, and the Mahmal, which carried the covering from Egypt to Saudi Arabia every year. It is considered the first museum in the world to present a comprehensive view of Egyptian civilization throughout history, from prehistoric times to the modern era. A large part of the museum is the hall where the mummies are now displayed; you can also wander through the Royal Mummies Hall to see the golden sarcophagi and the remains of past pharaohs.
- 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. Also visit the Mohamed Ali "Alabaster Mosque," considered the largest mosque built at the beginning of the 19th century by the ruler of Egypt (1805-1849), who ruled the country for more than 45 years. It was built in Turkish style.
- Stroll through the markets of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, if time allows, one of the most famous and oldest bazaars in the Middle East. The bazaar is loud, crowded, colourful, and exciting, full of all kinds of goods and shiny baubles. You can find the typical tourist trinkets here, but do not let them distract you from the genuinely fine shopping to be found here.
- Return to your hotel.
