WORLDAFRICAEGYPT CAIRO
Private Tour of Egyptian Museum, Bazaars and Citadel of Salah el Din 7 - 8 hours

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo

The Egyptian Museum
A visit to the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir square is an absolute must on any visit to Cairo. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened in 1902. With 107 halls you can explore the history of Pharaonic Egypt through the 120,000 artifacts exhibited, from Narmer to Ramses. On the upper floor is the famous collection of King Tutankhamon treasures. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but his treasures and life still fascinate us today.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaars
Not just any market, but one of the most historic markets in the world. Founded by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382, the khan was responsible for developing such a stranglehold on goods moving from the Eastern world to the West, that it is indirectly responsible for the discovery of the American continent. The spice markets in the Khan, a monopoly controlled by the ruling Mamluks of Egypt, forced explorers such as Columbus to find alternate routes for goods coming from the East.

Citadel of Salah el-Din with Alabaster Mosque
One of Cairo's most popular tourist attractions is the Citadel, located on a spur of limestone that had been detached from its parent Moqattam Hills by quarrying. 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. Particularly when viewed from the back side (from the north), the Citadel reveals a medieval character.

Legend has it that Salah ad-Din chose the site for its healthy air. The story goes that he hung pieces of meat up all around Cairo. The meat spoilt within a day everywhere except in the Citadel area, where it remained fresh for several days. But in reality this location provides a strategic advantage both to dominate Cairo and to defend outside attackers.?Salah ad-Din had come from Syria where each town had some sort of fortress to act as a stronghold for the local ruler.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Private Tour of Memphis, Sakkara, Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx 7 - 8 hours

The Great Sphinx and Giza Pyramids

Memphis
Memphis, founded around 3,100 BC, is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more like a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Having probably originated in Upper Egypt, from Memphis he could control the conquered people of Lower Egypt.

Tradition tells us that Menes founded the city by creating dykes to protect the area from Nile floods. Afterwards, this great city of the Old Kingdom became the administrative and religious center of Egypt.

Sakkara
Sakkara is one section of the great necropolis of Memphis, the Old Kingdom capital. Three major discoveries have recently been made at Sakkara, including a prime minister's tomb, a queen's pyramid, and the tomb of the son of a dynasty founding king.

Sakkara is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest known of Egypt's 97 pyramids. It was built for King Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who designed it and its surrounding complex to be as grand as it was unique and revolutionary. Imhotep was the first to build stone tombs in honor of the king's majesty.

Great Pyramids of Giza
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, including at least eight more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Great Sphinx of Giza
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 as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Private Tour of The Great Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx 3 - 4 hours

Pyramid of Cheops, Cairo

Great Pyramids of Giza
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, including at least eight more at Giza, 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). Most believe that the Pyramid was symbolic of the Benben, a mound that rose from the waters during the creation of the earth, in ancient Egyptian mythology, which was closely associated with Re as the creator god.

Great Sphinx of Giza
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 as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Private Tour to The Pharaonic Village 3 hours

Private Tour to The Pharaonic Village

The Pharaonic Village began, like so many other great wonders of our world, with a dream. Dr. Hassan Ragab, already famous for his rediscovery of the ancient techniques for making papyrus, had begun to ponder the possibility of a living museum with real people, actors in costume and in a realistic locale, taking the place of static exhibits.

It was after a visit to Disney World's EPCOT Center in Orlando, Florida, that his idea took root. Dr. Ragab believed EPCOT "was too computerized" and there was nothing human about it. He began to think, "Dare I have real, live people in my village, dressed in the manner of three or four thousand years ago?"

The result is The Pharaonic Village, a living museum of ancient Egyptian life where visitors can sail on a network of canals and view the remarkably realistic recreation of the past.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Cairo Sound and Light Show - The Giza Pyramids 2 hours

Cairo Sound and Light Show - The Giza Pyramids

In operation since 1961, the Sound and Light show at the Giza Pyramids is a highlight and a "must do" for most visitors to Egypt. The intriguing combination of a modern light and laser show combined with the ancient history of Egypt makes for an entertaining evening.

Hear the Sphinx telling the story of Egypt as seen through his eyes throughout the many milleniums, as the pyramids and skies are lit up with multi colored lights.

Please ensure you refer to the "Departure Times" and select a show operated in your preferred language. Click here for more information and Booking Details



Private Tour of Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx and Bazaars 7 - 8 hours

One of the Great Pyramids of Giza - Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre)

Great Pyramids of Giza
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, including at least eight more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Great Sphinx of Giza
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 as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.

The Egyptian Museum
A visit to the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir square is an absolute must on any visit to Cairo. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened in 1902. 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 is the famous collection of King Tutankhamon treasures. The pharaoh is indeed gone, but his treasures and life still fascinate us today.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaars
Not just any market, but one of the most historic markets in the world. Founded by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382, the khan was responsible for developing such a stranglehold on goods moving from the Eastern world to the West, that it is indirectly responsible for the discovery of the American continent. The spice markets in the Khan, a monopoly controlled by the ruling Mamluks of Egypt, forced explorers such as Columbus to find alternate routes for goods coming from the East.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Greek Orthodox Cemetery

Greek Orthodox Cemetery

On the bounders of the Coptic Quarter lies a huge cemetery. Most graves look like small shrines. It's a very quiet place. As always when being in a cemetery, be respectful.

type:Graves and Cemeteries


Private Tour of Memphis, Dahshur, Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx 7 - 8 hours

Step pyramid in Sakkara

Memphis
Memphis, founded around 3,100 BC, is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more like a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Having probably originated in Upper Egypt, from Memphis he could control the conquered people of Lower Egypt. However, by the 3rd Dynasty, the building at Saqqara suggests that Memphis had become a sizable city.

Tradition tells us that Menes founded the city by creating dykes to protect the area from Nile floods. Afterwards, this great city of the Old Kingdom became the administrative and religious center of Egypt.

Dahshur
Dahshur forms the southernmost area of the Memphis Necropolis and contains a number of pyramid complexes and monuments. Dahshur 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 to the site. It is most noteworthy for being the site that best demonstrates the change from the "step" pyramid to the 'true' pyramid that occurred during the 3rd and 4th Dynasties.

Great Pyramids of Giza
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, including at least eight more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Great Sphinx of Giza
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 as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Private Transfer between Cairo and Alexandria 2.5 - 3 hours

Cairo, Egypt

Travel from Cairo to Alexandria. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your departure details and drop off location. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

It's that easy!

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following details in the "Special Requirements" box:

  • Departure Point (Flight Number/Airport, Train Service Number/Railway Station, Hotel name and address)
  • Departure Time
  • Drop off point (Flight Number/Airport, Train Service Number/Railway Station, Hotel name and address)

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Cairo Airport or Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer Varies

Cairo International Airport

Travel from Cairo International Airport or Main Railway Station to your Cairo City Hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your arrival details and your Cairo City Hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.

It's that easy!

Don't forget to book your Cairo Airport or Railway Station Departure Transfer, simply type the product code 3124CAIHTLAPT into the Keyword Box.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following arrival and hotel details in the "Special Requirements" box:

  • Arrival Airline/Train Company
  • Arrival Flight Number/Train Service Number
  • Departing Airport/Station and Arrival Airport/Station
  • Arrival Time
  • Full Hotel Name and Address

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Private Day Tour to Fayoum 8 - 9 hours

Fayoum

Originally named Crocodilopolis, then Arsinoe, Medinet El-Fayoum was the main place of worship of the crocodile god, Sobek. Apparently, during ancient Medinet, crocodiles were adorned with gold and fed honey cakes and meat by the priests.

Of interest are the huge wooden waterwheels, another incredible engineering feat by the ancient Egyptians, though less known than the mighty Pyramids. The waters of the Bahr Yusef are distributed throughout the oasis from Medinet, the capital of the Fayoum. Approximately 200 of the great waterwheels are located throughout the oasis. The Seven Waterwheels, a Fayoum landmark, are surrounded by mangos, palms and willows.

A great stone obelisk was erected in honor of Senwosret I in Abgig during the 12th Dynasty. It was discovered on the ground in two pieces during the 18th century and was recently reconstructed and erected in Medinet. Click here for more information and Booking Details



Private Tour of Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Bazaars and Solar Boat Museum 7 - 8 hours

Mask of King Tutankhamon at The Egyptian Antiquity Museum in Cairo

Solar Boat Museum
Stretching almost 150 feet (46 meters) in length, some of the boat's timbers are made from whole cedars of Lebanon. The prow sweeps upward, with a papyrus end, while the bow curves inward and is tipped with a carved papyrus blossom. There are hand carved oars and ropes so ahead of their time that they might have been made today. The boat's state of preservation is remarkable and it often considered one of the most fantastic finds since Tutankhamen's tomb.

Great Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramids of Giza, dating back to 2500 BC are some of the most famous manmade objects in the world. While there are over 100 Pyramids in Egypt, including at least 8 more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Great Sphinx 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 as much mystery surrounding who built it as there is determining why it was built.

The Egyptian Museum
A visit to the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir square is an absolute must on any visit to Cairo. It was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, and opened in 1902. With 107 halls you can explore the history of Pharaonic Egypt through the 120,000 artifacts exhibited, from Narmer to Ramses. On the upper floor is the famous collection of King Tutankhamon treasures.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaars
Founded by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382, the khan developed such a stranglehold on goods moving from the East to the West, that it is indirectly responsible for the discovery of the American continent. The spice markets in the Khan forced explorers to find alternate routes for goods coming from the East.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Egyptian Museum

Egyptian Museum

The biggest sinlge attraction within the city center for tourists is the Egyptian Museum. The sprawling sandstone building on Tahrir Square is packed with antiquities: mummies including the pharaohs Ramses II and III and Seti I, the contents of the tomb of Tutankhamen’s (King Tut) and many many other highlights from the oldest of civilizations. Don’t overlook the excellent collection of Greek and Roman artifacts. You may want to spend more than one day here, or make it in two afternoons.

type:Museums


Private Tour of The Egyptian Museum 3 hours

The Egyptian Museum at The Egyptian Museum in Cairo

Usually second on the "must-do" list for visitors to Cairo is The Egyptian Museum. First built in Boulak. In 1891, it was moved to the Giza Palace of "Ismail Pasha" which housed the antiquities that were later moved to the present building.

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.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


al Mu'allaqa

al Mu'allaqa

The basilica 'Al-Muaallaqah', meaning 'the hanging church', was built on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon, hence its name. It dates as far back as the 4-th century AD, making it one of the oldest churches of Christianity.

In 2004 a new tunnel under the church used by the early christians to run away in case the church was attacked.

Dont miss the Church with a portrait of Virgin Mary with Infant Jesus. The Benz Ezra Synagoue nearby is worth paying a visit. 

type:Hotspots
email:marydozier@aol.com


Pyramid of Zoser

Another famous attraction that is not in Cairo proper is Saqqara site of the Step Pyramid of Zoser and a number of interesting tombs (a doctor’s tomb has depictions of surgical operations and the Serapeum has the now empty tombs of 25 embalmed sacred oxen). Saqqara’s structures are much older than the Giza pyramids and the artwork in the underground tombs is more impressive than what’s seen in the Cheops Pyramid.

The road to Saqqara is a site in itself past date plantations and scenic countryside. Get there early as the sight closes around 3 or 4 pm. Saqqara is usually seen in conjunction with tours of Giza or as a half-day trip from Cairo. Nearby at the ruins of Memphis (once the largest and most important city of ancient Egypt) lies an imposing statue of Ramses II. Unfortunately hardly anything else of this once great city remains. Also near Cairo is the Pharonic Village a living museum depicting everyday life in ancient Egypt. And if you’re interested in health spas Helwan 16 mi/25 km south of Cairo has thermal baths

type:Palaces


St. Barbara

Founded in the 5th Century, the Church was rebuilt in the 10th Century and still retains its wooden door, a magnificent example of fine Coptic art.

type:Coptic Quarter


Private Day Tour to Alexandria 11 hours

Alexandria

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria, known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean",? has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 140 miles (225 kilometers) from Cairo.

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria became the capital of Graeco-Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Alexandria was also the center of learning in the ancient world. But ancient Alexandria declined, and when Napoleon landed, he found a sparsely populated fishing village.

Visit Pompey's pillar, an 82 foot (25 meter) tall red Aswan granite column, which was constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletain. Continue to the nearby Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa. This area along the coast about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of Alexandria's old district along the Corniche is where many of the modern Alexandrian hotels are located, and also the magnificent Montaza Palace.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Cairo Airport or Railway Station Private Departure Transfer Varies

Cairo International Airport

Travel from your Cairo City Hotel to Cairo International Airport or Main Railway Station. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your departure details and your Cairo City Hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your transfer, you will be required to call the supplier directly (the contact number will be provided on your travel voucher) to reconfirm exact pick up times and places.

It's that easy!

Don't forget to book your Cairo Airport or Railway Station Arrival Transfer, simply type the product code 3124CAIAPTHTL into the Keyword Box.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following departure and hotel details in the 'Special Requirements' box:

  • Departure Airline/Train Company
  • Departure Flight Number/Train Service Number
  • Departure Airport/Station and Arrival Airport/Station
  • Departure Time
  • Full Hotel Name and Address

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Mohammed Ali Mosque

Not named after the boxer but after a ruler of Egypt, the Mohammed Ali Mosque in the Citadel of Cairo is one of the finest examples in its kind. Be sure to visit. The citadel itself is also nice.

type:Mosques


Private Tour of Memphis, Sakkara, Solar Boat Museum, Giza Pyramids and Sphinx 7 - 8 hours

The Great Pyramids of Giza

Memphis
Memphis, founded around 3,100 BC, is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more like a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Having probably originated in Upper Egypt, from Memphis he could control the conquered people of Lower Egypt.

Sakkara
Sakkara is one section of the great necropolis of Memphis, the Old Kingdom. Three major discoveries have recently been made at Sakkara, including a prime minister's tomb, a queen's pyramid, and the tomb of the son of a dynasty founding king.

Sakkara is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest known of Egypt's 97 pyramids. It was built for King Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who designed it and its surrounding complex to be as grand as it was unique and revolutionary.

Great Pyramids of Giza
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, including at least eight more at Giza, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives.

Great Sphinx of Giza
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 as much mystery surrounding the Great Sphinx.

Solar Boat Museum
Stretching 150 feet (46 meters) in length, some of the boat's timbers are made from whole cedars of Lebanon. The prow sweeps upward, with a papyrus end, while the bow curves inward and is tipped with a carved papyrus blossom. The boat's state of preservation is remarkable and is considered one of the most fantastic finds since Tutankhamen's tomb.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Museum of Islamic Art

The Museum of Islamic art has beautiful examples of Medieval art form the Islamic Empire. It is worth a visit fro those interested in the culture of Islam or for those who want to get away for a day from Pyramids, Sphinxes and temples. As of April 2005 the musuem was being renovated please check with tourist information before making the trip to the museum

type:Hotspots


River Nile A la Carte Dinner Cruise on the Nile Maxim 2 hours

River Nile A la Carte Dinner Cruise on the Nile Maxim

The Nile Maxim is one of the most elegant cruising restaurants on the Nile River, offering you an entertaining dinner cruise on the world's longest waterway.

The Nile Maxim is known to have the best quality of service one can find on a Nile cruise in Egypt.

The house band performs your all-time favorite Western and Oriental tunes, with a twist, as you dine on an A la Carte dinner offering a variety of seafood, Lebanese and Chinese cuisine.

The dinner cruise includes spectacular belly dancing and a folklore band, with the unforgettable and extraordinarily colorful tannoura spin (in keeping with Egypt's Whirling Dervishes tradition).

The Nile Pharaoh offer an entertainment experience sure to be embalmed in your memory!

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Private Tour of Coptic Cairo - The Hanging Church, Abu Serga and Ben Ezra 3 hours

Private Tour of Coptic Cairo

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 to around the 4th Century. From here, exit the first entrance due to construction work in the area and head up Mar Girgis north a few steps to a second entrance.

This entrance leads into the Monastery and Church of St George This is not an old church, dating only from 1909, but there has been a church in Coptic Cairo dedicated to the Martyr since the 10th century.

Turn left outside the door to St George and the path leads to the Church of St Sergius (Abu Serga), which legend has it is built atop one of the sites where the Holy Family rested on their flight from Herod.

Continuing on this path brings one first to the Ben Ezra Synagogue which is Egypt's oldest and dates to the 9th Century.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Al Azhar

Al Azhar Mosque and the university have been the focal point of islamic learning for the last thousand years and continue to be an important centre for islamic studies today. You can visit the university and the mosque and they are good examples of islamic architecture.

type:Mosques


River Nile Buffet Dinner Cruise on the Nile Pharoah 2 hours

River Nile Buffet Dinner Cruise on the Nile Pharoah

The three level Nile Pharoah offers you an entertaining and relaxing evening cruising the Nile River, the world's longest waterway.

This is the only themed boat operating in Cairo with everything decorated in a pharaonic style.

The house band performs your all-time favorite western and oriental tunes, with a twist, as you dine on a buffet dinner.

The dinner cruise includes spectacular belly dancing and a folklore band, with the unforgettable and extraordinarily colorful tannoura spin (in keeping with Egypt's Whirling Dervishes tradition).

The Nile Pharaoh offer an entertainment experience sure to be embalmed in your memory!

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Coptic Museum

The museum houses a rare collection of ancient Christian relics including remains of architectural works, textiles, icons and old manuscripts reflecting the history of Coptic civilization. The Museum has an official WWW home page. Click here

Tel (+202)362.87.66

type:Coptic Quarter


St. George the Martyr

St. George the Martyr

One of the more important churches of Coptic Cairo. Amidst a fury of burning candles, art of many different styles, periods and media (metals, oils, and mixed media) you will find depicted scenes from St. George's valiant fight for Christianity. In the nearby Convent of Saint George there was also a dramatic chain ceremony that many people took part in as acknowledgement of the suffering and persecution of St. George and others.

type:Coptic Quarter


Private Tour of Memphis and Sakkara 3 - 4 hours

Private Tour of Memphis and Sakkara

Memphis
Memphis, founded around 3,100 BC, is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more like a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Having probably originated in Upper Egypt, from Memphis he could control the conquered people of Lower Egypt. However, by the 3rd Dynasty, the building at Saqqara suggests that Memphis had become a sizable city.

It was built for King Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who designed it and its surrounding complex to be as grand as it was unique and revolutionary. Imhotep was the first to build stone tombs in honor of the king's majesty. Imhotep may have also designed the pyramid of Djoser's successor, Sekhemkhet.

Tradition tells us that Menes founded the city by creating dykes to protect the area from Nile floods. Afterwards, this great city of the Old Kingdom became the administrative and religious center of Egypt. In fact, so dominating was the city during this era referred to as the Memphite period,?it became a cosmopolitan community and was probably one of the largest and most important cities in the ancient world.

Sakkara
Sakkara is one section of the great necropolis of Memphis, the Old Kingdom capital and the kings of the 1st Dynasty as well as that of the 2nd Dynasty. are mostly buried in this section of the Memphis necropolis. Three major discoveries have recently been made at Sakkara, including a prime minister's tomb, a queen's pyramid, and the tomb of the son of a dynasty founding king.

Sakkara is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest of Egypt's 97 known pyramids. It was built for King Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who designed it and its surrounding complex to be as grand as it was unique. Imhotep was the first to build stone tombs in honor of the king's majesty.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Ibn Tulun

Ibn Tulun mosque is one of my favourites. A good example of the classical style of religious buildings in Cairo.

type:Mosques


Papyrus Museum

The Papyrus Museum explains you everything about this ancient form of paper that was so important for the development of civilization. Beautiful examples of old papyrus documents.

type:Museums


Private Tour of Citadel, Sultan Hassan and Bazaars 3 - 4 hours

Cairo Citadel

Citadel of Salah el-Din with Alabaster Mosque
One of Cairo's most popular tourist attractions is the Citadel, located on a spur of limestone that had been detached from its parent Moqattam Hills by quarrying. 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. Particularly when viewed from the back side, the Citadel reveals a very medieval character.

Legend has it that Salah ad-Din chose the site for its healthy Air. The story goes that he hung pieces of meat up all around Cairo. The meat spoilt within a day everywhere except in the Citadel area, where it remained fresh for several days. But in reality this location provides a strategic advantage both to dominate Cairo and to defend outside attackers.

Khan el-Khalili Bazaars
Not just any market, but one of the most historic markets in the world. Founded by the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili in 1382, the khan was responsible for developing such a stranglehold on goods moving from the Eastern world to the West, that it is indirectly responsible for the discovery of the American continent. The spice markets in the Khan, a monopoly controlled by the ruling Mamluks of Egypt, forced explorers such as Columbus to find alternate routes for goods coming from the East.

Sultan Hassan
The Mosque and Madrassa (school) of Sultan Hassan, was 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 492 feet (150 meters) long and 118 feet (36 meters) high. The tallest minaret is 223 feet (68 meters) tall.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque of Cairo is less impressive than the one in Istanbul, but still definitely worth a visit. Great islamic architecture and a peaceful atmosphere where you can sit and relax and get away from the busy city.

type:Mosques


Christian and Judaic sites

And don't forget, there's also a rich Judaic and Christian history too. You can even visit the site where baby Moses was purported to have been picked up out of the nile.

type:general






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