6 Days Cairo and Alexandria vacation

Pyramids of Giza

The pyramids of Giza are the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still preserved today and therefore one of the most famous buildings in the world. The pyramids of Giza include the three main pyramids, the Pyramid of Cheops, the Pyramid of Chephren and the Pyramid of Mykerinus.

The queen Pyramids

some other smaller secondary pyramids, in which for example the women of the pharaohs were buried, as well as workers villages, temples, and cemeteries.

The Sphinx of Giza

The Sphinx Giza is the largest Egyptian sculpture. It was carved out of the limestone rock of the Giza Plateau and represents a lying lion with a human head and the so-called Nemes headscarf. Originally, the sphinx was painted with reddish ochre and also had a chin beard, but this fell off in ancient times.

Valley Temple of Khafre

afterward, move to witness the Valley temple that was used for the purification of the mummy of the king before its burial and for making the Mummification process of the king.

Saqqara pyramid

We will Move to Saqqara, a pyramid complex that, like Giza, is part of the necropolis of Memphis. There we will see one of the first pyramids built, which served as a model for all those that were built later. The step pyramid of Zoser has a rectangular base and is about 60 meters high, and was part of a ceremonial complex built around 2650 BC for the Pharaoh Zoser by Imhotep, the most famous Egyptian architect.
Then Proceed to have your lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch

At the end of the visit to Giza pyramids, we will take a break and take the opportunity to eat and recharge. Lunch will be at a restaurant and Egyptian food (drinks not included).

Ancient Memphis Egypt

After Saqqara, we will undertake the last part of our excursion. We will head to Memphis, capital of the Old Empire between 3100 and 2040 BC, and the coronation site of all the pharaohs of the Empire.
According to tradition, Memphis was founded by Narmer, considered the first pharaoh. The city is located in the Nile Delta, right between Upper and Lower Egypt, the two regions into which the country was divided. In 1820, a huge statue of one of the most famous pharaohs, Ramses II, who ruled from 1279 to 1213 BC, was found in the Great Temple of Ptah near Memphis.

The colossus, carved from pink granite, is more than 11 meters high and weighs more than 80 tons. For a time it was located in the center of Cairo, but erosion seriously damaged it and it was moved to Memphis, where it is exhibited in a covered area, to protect it.

We will arrive in Alexandria in the morning and start our tour by visiting…

The Catacombs

the catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, built during the Roman period. They have three levels and their decoration shows the syncretism between the Egyptian pantheon and the Roman one.

Pompey’s Pillar

Pompey’s Pillar, a granite column of 25 meters high on the upper side is Greek inscription dedicated to Emperor Diocletian, who liberated the city located and brought food to its hungry population.

Alexandria library

we will visit the new Alexandria Library, whose design refers to the god Amon Ra and the Alexandria Lighthouse. In addition to several libraries, there is a planetarium, three museums, a laboratory and a printing press.

Note: The library is closed both on Friday and Saturday (can only be seen from outside).

Abu al-Abbas mosque

We will also pass by the beautiful Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque, a marvel of architecture built between the years 1929-1945 influenced by the buildings of ancient Egypt in Cairo. Then Proceed to have your lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch

After midday we will take a break and have lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean, to replenish our energy. The meal usually consists of Egyptian dishes and options that include dishes with meat, rice, and salads (drinks are not included)

Citadel of Qaitbay

From outside we will also see the Citadel of Qaytbay which was built on the site of the ancient pharaohs ( Light House ) of Alexandria, a defensive fortress built in 1480 by Ashraf Abu Al-Nasr Saif El-Din Qaitbay, a slave who became a sultan.

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities

you will continue your excursion with a visit to the Egyptian Museum, where there are antiques from the Pharaonic period. The museum exhibits a rare collection of 5000 years of art, considered to be the most valuable collection of Egyptian art in the world. More than 25,000 antiquities are on display, including an exhibition devoted to Tutankhamen’s Treasure, furniture and jewelry, kept in his tomb for more than 3,500 years before Howard Carter discovered them in 1922. Then Proceed to have your lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch

We will take a break and take the opportunity to eat and recharge. Lunch will be at a restaurant and Egyptian food (drinks not included).

Babylon Fortress

The Babylon Fortress date of foundation is unknown, although it is known that it already existed a hundred years before Christ
The walls of the fortress, reinforced by the Roman emperors, are 3 meters thick and the towers are 10 meters high and 31 meters in diameter.

Hanging Church

Hanging Church is the most famous church in the Coptic Quarter. it’s known as the Hanging Church because it is built over one of the gates of the Roman fortress, The wooden dome of the church is in the shape of Noah’s Ark, as described in the Old Testament.

Abu Sarga Church

It’s the oldest church in Egypt. It was built in the 5th century over the cave where it is believed, the Holy Family took refuge for several days. It is dedicated to Saints Sergius and Bacchus, part of whose relics are kept in this church.

Saint Barbara Church

It is a church of great historical importance, which was originally dedicated to Saint Cyrus and Saint John. From the 13th century onwards it was dedicated to Saint Barbara as her relics came to this church. It houses some of the oldest and rarest icons of Coptic art.

Ben Ezra’s Synagogue

it was originally a church, but in the 9th century, it was sold to Abraham Ben Ezra, who gave it his name, to get the money needed to pay the high taxes demanded by the Roman government.

Mosque of Amr ibn al-As

The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As in the oldest mosque on the African continent. Its origins date back to the year 642 when the territory of Cairo was occupied by Fustat, the capital of Egypt which at that time had been recently founded.

After this, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cairo

Prince Mohamed Ali Palace (Al Manial Palace)

This palace was built by Prince Muhammad Ali, one of the great Egyptian figures. The palace, now a museum, is divided into 6 structures: the reception palace, the clock tower, the mosque, the hunting museum, the presidential palace, and the private museum. It is beautifully decorated and is surrounded by a beautiful garden.

Garbage city Cairo

Dug in 1976 in the Mokattam Mountain, it is the largest church in Egypt, and even in the Middle East with a capacity of 20000 people. Every Sunday, the Christians of Cairo meet there. To get to the monastery, you have to cross the Zabbaleen district, a district entirely dedicated to the waste management of the capital and where the garbage collectors live. A rather strong smell is therefore present in the surroundings. It couldn’t be more authentic! From the heights of the Mokattam Mountain, you will have a beautiful panorama of Cairo.

City of the Dead

The City of the Dead is like a city in a cemetery… or a graveyard in a city. The inhabitants live among the graves, so much so that the mausoleums look like houses.

Baron Empain Palace

If you like the very old architecture, you should go to Baron Empain Palace This reinforced concrete palace in Hindu style and inspired by the temple of Angkor Wat detonates in the Cairo landscape. Designed by a French architect, it was inhabited by a Belgian industrialist who came to Egypt for a railway project. Many stories surround this residence and it is said that it is still haunted by the baron. Then Proceed to have your lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch

We will take a break and take the opportunity to eat and recharge. Lunch will be at a restaurant and Egyptian food (drinks not included).

Bazaar khan el khalili

After visiting the Egyptian Museum go see the beautiful Khan El-Khalili famous souq Cairo main market. Its always crowded with tourists and locals alike. It is the beating heart of the Egyptian metropolis. Lose yourself in the various bazaars where you will really find everything and buy some nice local handicrafts.