Rhapsody :: Excursions :: Egypt

Cairo, Overland

DAY 1: Depart from the pier in air conditioned, fully equipped luxury motor coaches for a journey through desert scenery and reclaimed, cultivated land, reaching the outskirts of Africa's largest city, the legendary Al Qahira, internationally known as the teeming metropolis of Cairo. Sit back, relax and learn from your professional guide the history and culture of a timeless land, on a journey lasting approximately 3 hours.

Arriving at Cairo's outskirts, a drive on the New Ring Road will bring you to your first stop, the Citadel of Saladin, where panoramic views of the city of Cairo can be seen. Driving through the "City of the Dead" towards the Citadel, the architectural forms and twilight feeling exuded by the surreal surroundings will capture your imagination. At the Citadel, visit the spectacular Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, the founder of modern Egypt.

Continue to Tahrir (Liberty) Square, the heart of down town, where the National Archaeological Museum is situated. Here you will have the opportunity to acquaint yourself with Egypt's ancient history spanning a period of 50 centuries. The Museum houses the richest collection of Egyptian Antiquities, including the magnificent Tut Ankh Amun collection.

Then, to the banks of the River Nile where a luxurious cruise boat awaits to sail you on the same timeless waterway traversed by Pharaohs, Queens and Nobles thousands of years ago. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch in elaborate interiors as you glide past Cairo's waterfront landmarks. A folkloric presentation and belly dancing will take place during lunch for your entertainment. You'll then proceed to a leading hotel in Cairo for check in formalities and a short siesta.

In the evening you'll depart your hotel to the Giza Plateau to attend the English version of the 'Son et Lumiere'. Here and while seated in front of the Sphinx, let your imagination reflect on the gloriously golden days of the Pharaohs as you gaze at this mighty monument. Under a star studded sky, the Sound and Light performance brings the magnificent history and achievements of the ancient Egyptians to life as the illuminated Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx dominate the surrounding darkness. You'll then drive back to your hotel for dinner and a well-earned night's sleep.

DAY 2: After breakfast and check-out formalities drive southwards to Egypt's first capital, Memphis. Here you will visit the ruins of the temple of Ptah, the fallen colossal statue of King Ramses the 2nd and the Alabaster Sphinx of King Amenophis the 2nd. A short drive from Memphis lies the oldest, ancient cemetery of Sakkara. The world's first monumental stone building, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, built by the engineer Imhotep almost 5,000 ago, still stands. After visiting the complex you continue to one of the Mastabas (tombs) built nearby, such as those of Ptah-Hotep, Mereruca, Idut or Ti for an inside visit.

You'll then proceed to the Giza Plateau, where the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World is found, the imposing Pyramids of Giza. During your visit to the Pyramids you will have time for unique photo opportunities of the three Pyramids from the Western Plateau. Free time will be allocated at the Pyramids to explore and enjoy this magnificent site. Continue down the valley where the guardian of this mortuary complex, the Mighty Sphinx, bears witness to the passage of time and man in eons of silence. Let your imagination reflect on the gloriously golden days of the Pharaohs as you gaze at this mighty monument.

Lunch will be served afterwards at a leading hotel nearby the Pyramids. Your last stop in Cairo will be at a Papyrus Institute where the procedure of manufacturing the oldest paper in the world, an art discovered by the Ancient Egyptians, will be demonstrated for you. You will also have the opportunity to shop for souvenirs before re-boarding your coaches for the return journey to the port, bringing back with you wonderful memories to reflect upon for a very long time to come.

Special Notes:
Comfortable walking shoes and a sun hat recommended.

Tour suitable for elderly and assisted, physically challenged persons. Unassisted persons with walking difficulties will be inconvenienced only in the museum, but they can set their own pace within the time allocated for visiting the museum. Less taxing for them at the Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Only the hall of the Tutankhamen collection and the Royal Mummies are a/c.

Entering the hall of Mummies requires an extra fee and it is not part of the guided tour. Ticket purchasable from within the museum at the entrance to the mummies. The mummies are viewed as you walk past them, and it doesn't take longer than 10 minutes.

The visit to the interior of the Pyramids is not part of the tour and requires and extra fee. Not recommended for people suffering from claustrophobia or have back and/or knee problems. The corridor is dark and low and at most of the time visitors have to stoop or bend their knees while they walk. The main chamber is totally empty. Very humid and dark inside.

No cameras or videos allowed inside.

A lot of vendors sell all sorts of souvenirs at the Pyramids, especially at the Western Plateau. What is being sold as papyrus at extremely cheap prices are nothing but painted banana leaves, not real papyrus.

Please always consult and seek the advice of your guide.

Shoulders and knees must be covered while visiting the Mosque.

Shoes must be removed while in the mosque. We will supply each person with a plastic bag to store and carry their shoes.

Cameras and videos at all sites visited have no entrance fees but no professional video is allowed.

During the Sound & Light show the use of video cameras requires a fee.

Hotels used for accommodation in Cairo are deluxe 5-stars hotels.

The sequence of visits may vary, depending on the prevailing traffic conditions in Cairo however all features and inclusions will remain unchanged .

Tour Timings:

Tours begin at times suitable for the ship's arrival in port. The breakdown of the excursions is as follows:

DAY 1
00hr00 -> Depart from Port Said Port
00hr00 -> 03hr00 Drive from Port Said port to Citadel
03hr00 -> 03hr45 Visit Citadel of Saladin and Mohamed Ali Mosque
03hr45 -> 04hr15 Drive time from Citadel to Museum
04hr15 -> 05hr45 Visit The Egyptian Archaeological Museum
05hr45 -> 06hr15 Drive time from Museum to Nile Boat
06hr15 -> 07hr15 Serving lunch at the boat with folkloric presentation
07hr15 -> 07hr45 Drive time from boat to hotel
07hr45 -> 10hr45 Check-in at hotel and short rest
10hr45 -> 11hr30 Drive time from hotel to Sound & Light
11hr30 -> 12hr30 Attend Sound & Light show at Giza Plateau
12hr30 -> 13hr15 Drive time from Giza to hotel
13hr15 -> 14hr15 Serving Buffet Dinner at hotel
14hr15 -> Overnight at hotel

DAY 2
00hr00 -> 01hr00 Wake-up and check-out
01hr00 -> 01hr45 Serving Breakfast at hotel
01hr45 -> 02hr30 Drive from hotel to Memphis area
02hr30 -> 03hr00 Visit Memphis area
03hr00 -> 03hr15 Drive time from Memphis to Sakkara
03hr15 -> 04hr30 Visit Sakkara complex and One Mastaba
04hr30 -> 05hr15 Drive time from Sakkara to Pyramids
05hr15 -> 07hr15 Visit Pyramids/sphinx area
07hr15 -> 07hr30 Drive time from Pyramids to hotel
07hr30 -> 08hr30 Serving lunch at hotel
08hr30 -> 08hr45 Drive time from Pyramids to Papyrus Institute
08hr45 -> 09hr30 Visit papyrus Institute and shopping at Oriental bazaars
09hr30 -> 12hr30 Drive time from Papyrus institute to Port Said port