-
Day 1 Arrive in Cairo
You will be met at the Airport by your Gap Adventures Experience Officer and transferred to your centrally located hotel in Cairo. The Gap Adventures Experience Officer will go over the details of your stay and arrange your choice of tours. Enjoy the rest of the day in Cairo at leisure.
Table of Contents -
Days 2-3 Cairo (B)
Two tours are included in your MyStyle tour over the next two days, from pyramids to bazaars to camel rides, MyStyle travel allows you to choose the tours and activities that are of most interest to you. Tours you can choose from include: Day tour to Alexandria: Your guide will pick you up and travel with you across 220km of desert to the city of Alexandria (approx 3 hours). Highlights of the day include a visit to the Montazah Summer Palace, where you can enjoy the gardens. It was originally built in 1892 and was the summer home of the Egyptian Royal family. Lunch is taken en-route at a popular seafood district (at your own expense). Next, visit the fort and Citadel of Qaitbay which was built around 1480 by the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay. It is believed to have been built from the stones of the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Next is a visit to the Pompey’s Pillar which was built in 297 AD for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. The tour ends with a visit to the Catacomb of Komel-Shokafa. These tombs were tunneled into the bedrock in the age of the Antonine emperors (2nd Century AD) for a single wealthy family still practicing the ancient religion. These tombs represent the last existing major construction for the sake of the old Egyptian religion. The day ends with your return transfer to Cairo. Approximate length of the excursion: 12 hours Tour of Citadel, Islamic Cairo and Khan El khalili Bazaar: You will be picked up by your guide to enjoy a tour through Islamic Cairo. Visit Citadel of Salah el-Din with Alabaster Mosque, one of Cairo’s most popular tourist attractions. The Citadel is one of the world’s greatest monuments to medieval warfare, as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo’s eastern skyline. Then head to the amazing Khan al-Khalili markets to try out your bargaining skills. Known as the Turkish Bazaar in the Ottoman period, it’s now simply called ‘Khan’. The Mosque and Madrassa (school) of Sultan Hassan, were built between 1356 and 1363, and is believed to be one of the finest examples of Mamluk architecture in Cairo. The mosque is also considered one of the largest, not only in Cairo but in the whole Islamic world. It is a massive structure measuring some 150m (492 ft) long and 36m (118 ft) high. The tallest minaret is 68m (223 ft) tall. End the day with a trip to the amazing Khan al-Khalili markets to try out your bargaining skills. Known as the Turkish Bazaar in the Ottoman period, it’s now simply called ‘Khan’. Approximate length of the excursion: 5 hours Tour of Coptoc Cairo, The Hanging Church, Abu Serga and Ben Ezra: The main entrance to Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo) is through perhaps one of the two oldest structures in Cairo, the rounded towers of the western gate of the Roman fortress of Babylon built in 98 AD by Emperor Trajan. The Southern gate is the other oldest structure. The Hanging Church (The Church of the Virgin Mary) is built into the walls of the Water Gate of the Roman fortress. It is possibly the oldest Christian church in Egypt, dating from around the 4th Century. From here head up Mar Girgis into the Monastery and Church of St George. Outside the door to St George the path leads to the Church of St Sergius (Abu Serga), which, according to legend, is built atop one of the sites where the Holy Family rested on their flight from Herod. Continuing along this path brings you to the Ben Ezra Synagogue which is Egypt’s oldest, dating back to the 9th Century. Approximate length of the excursion: 5 hours Tour of The Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx: The Great Pyramids of Giza, dating back to 2500 BC, are some of the most famous manmade objects in the world. While there are actually over one hundred Pyramids in Egypt the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only “Wonder of the Ancient World” that still survives. Many Egyptologists have somewhat different views on exactly why the ancient Egyptian kings built Pyramids as their tombs, but all of them seem to agree that it had to do with their worship of the sun god, Re (Ra). During your time at The Great Pyramids of Giza, there is no escaping the mysterious Sphinx, a symbol which has come to represent the essence of Egypt for thousands of years. With the body of a lion and the head of a king, there is much mystery surrounding who built it and why. Approximate length of the excursion: 5 hours Tour of the Egyptian Museum: A very popular attraction amongst visitors to Cairo is The Egyptian Museum. With 107 halls you can explore the history of Pharaonic Egypt through the 120,000 artifacts exhibited, from Narmer to Akhnaton and Ramses. On the upper floor you will find the famous collection of King Tutankhamon treasures. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but his treasures and life still fascinate us today. Approximate length of the excursion: 4 hours Birqash Camel Market (Fridays Only) Cairo’s infamous Camel Market is held every Friday in Birqash, north of the city. Hundreds of animals make the trek from as far away as north-western Sudan and the atmosphere of frenzied bargaining makes an unusual spectacle. Should you wish to take a camel home remember to check their legs, chest, eyes and ears to ascertain strength, speed, meatiness and other worthy features. Lovers of animals should note that while the market can be eventful and enjoyable for buyers, sellers and spectators, the same cannot be said for the stars of the show – some visitors may be concerned about the standards of animal welfare. Goats and other animals are also exchanged here, while a furniture and bric-a-brac market takes place in a nearby compound. Approximate length of the excursion: 4 hour Dinner & Show Cruise on the Nile River at night: You will be picked up and taken to the cruise ship located on the Nile River in downtown Cairo. Enjoy a 3 hour cruise on the Nile River with a magnificent view of the city. Following dinner you will be treated to a folklore show including belly dancing. Towards the end of the cruise there is time for you to go up on the top deck to enjoy some fresh air and the beautiful city lights. At the end of the trip you will be driven back to your hotel. Approximate length of the excursion: 4 hours Camel or Horse ride in the Desert near the Great Pyramids: Experience what was once a common mode of transportation in ancient times, and is still popular today in some parts of Egypt. Your guide will pick you up and transfer you to the horse stables in Giza to select your camel or horse ready to start your 4-hour ride from Giza to Sakkara. On arrival in Sakkara you will be met by your driver for your return transfer to your hotel. Approximate length of the excursion.: 5 hours Tour of Memphis, Saqqara, Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx: After being collected by your guide you will head 20kms south of Cairo. Memphis was the Egypt’s first capital, city of the legendary Menes,the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt over 5,000 years ago. Older than the pyramids, Memphis was at one time the largest city in the world with over 30,000 inhabitants and remained the second city of Egypt after Alexandria until the establishment of Old Cairo in 641 when it was largely abandoned. We continue our excursion to nearby Saqqara which was part of the large necropolis connected to the city of Memphis. Many pharaohs, their families, important nobles and even sacred animals were buried here. The site is covered with many tombs and pyramids, many of which are still of interest to archaeologists. It is well known for its Step Pyramid, the oldest known of Egypt’s 97 pyramids. Journey to Giza, now a suburb of greater Cairo, to visit the legendary, majestic Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus – also known as the Great Pyramids. No matter how many photos you have seen, it is only by viewing them firsthand that you will see why these spectacular man-made monuments are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. While visiting the Pyramids, why not ride a camel and capture your experience in a photograph. Our excursion would not be complete without visiting the mysterious Sphinx guarding the royal burial chambers and temple of Cheops. With the body of a lion and the head of a king, there is as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built. After your tour, you will be transferred back to your Cairo hotel. Approximate length of the excursion: 9 hours Tour of Memphis, Dahshur, Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx : After being collected by your guide you will head 20kms south of Cairo. Memphis was the Egypt’s first capital, city of the legendaryMenes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt over 5,000 years ago. Older than the pyramids, Memphis was at one time the largest city in the world with over 30,000 inhabitants and remained the second city of Egypt after Alexandria until the establishment of Old Cairo in 641 when it was largely abandoned. We continue our excursion to Dahshur. Forming the southern area of the Memphis Necropolis, this area contains a number of pyramid complexes and monuments and has only recently been opened to the public, having been a military zone until 1996. As a result, the area is not as developed commercially as Giza, and there is a certain peace and tranquility at the site. It is at Dahshur that the change from the “step” pyramid to the pyramid as we know it today occurred. Here you may choose to enter the Red Pyramid, and explore the interior of the oldest “true” pyramid in Egypt. It is time for the undoubted highlight of the day – the Great Pyramids of Giza. Dating back to 2500 BC the Pyramids are without doubt some of the most famous man made objects in the world. While there are actually almost one hundred pyramids in Egypt, including at least eight more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only “Wonder of the Ancient World” which still survives. During your time at the Great Pyramids , there is no escaping the mysterious Sphinx, a symbol which has come to represent the essence of Egypt for thousands of years. With the body of a lion and the head of a king, there is as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built. At the end of your program we will transfer you back to your hotel Approximate length of the excursion: 9 hours Tour of Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx and Bazaars: We journey to Giza, now a suburb of greater Cairo to visit the legendary majestic Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus – also known as the Great Pyramids of Giza. No matter how many photos you have seen, it is only by viewing them that you will see firsthand why these spectacular man-made monuments are known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. While visiting the Pyramids, why not ride a camel and capture your experience in a photograph. Our excursion would not be complete without visiting the mysterious Sphinx guarding the royal burial chambers and temple of Cheops. With the body of a lion and the head of a king, there is as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built. Next stop is a visit the Egyptian museum, an absolute must on any visit to Cairo. Built in 1897, and opened in 1902 with 107 huge halls you can explore the history of Pharaonic Egypt through the 120,000 artifacts exhibited, from Narmer to Akhnaton and Ramses. On the upper floor is the famous collection of King Tutankhamun treasures. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but his treasures and life still fascinate us today. In the afternoon we will visit the Khan El Khalili Bazaars that dates back to 1382. Shops in this district are legendary for fine brassware, copper, perfumes, leather, silver, gold, antiques and more! Everything for sale in these shops is negotiable, be prepared to bargain hard for everything sold in this exciting maze of shops! After you have “shopped till you drop”, why not take the chance to experience one of the bazaar’s many traditional cafes for a coffee and baklava treat. At the end of your excursion we will transfer you back to your hotel. Approximate length of the excursion: 9 hours
-
Day 4 Cairo (B)
Departure Transfer.
from $379.00