Rhapsody Shore & Land Excursions > Egypt - Sokhna > The Pyramids and the River Nile

The Pyramids and the River Nile

The journey to Africa's largest city lasts approximately 2 hours. Arriving in Cairo, your first stop will be the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Admire the exquisite interiors of the Mosque and view the fascinating skyline of Old Cairo from the top of the hill.

Drive down town 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 before you. 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.

After the cruise drive to the Giza Plateau where the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World the Great Pyramids of Giza are found. A panoramic view of the three Pyramids from the Western Plateau affords great opportunities for photographs before your coach parks near the Pyramid of Chephren where time will be allocated to explore the site. Continue down the valley to visit the guardian of this mortuary complex, the mysterious Sphinx. Your next stop will be at a Papyrus Institute where the art of paper making from reeds will be demonstrated and time for souvenir shopping will be allocated before you return to the port.

 

Special Notes:
Comfortable walking shoes and sun hat recommended

Tour suitable for elderly persons and assisted, physically challenged persons.

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 the Citadel and mosque have no entrance fees but no professional video is allowed.

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.

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:
00hr00 -> Depart from Sokhna Port
00hr00 -> 02hr00 Drive from Sokhna port to Citadel
02hr00 -> 02hr45 Visit Citadel of Saladin and Mohamed Ali Mosque
02hr45 -> 03hr00 Drive time from Citadel to Nile Boat
03hr00 -> 04hr30 Serving lunch at the boat with folkloric presentation
04hr30 -> 05hr15 Drive time from hotel to Pyramids
05hr15 -> 07hr15 Visit Pyramids/sphinx area
07hr15 -> 07hr30 Drive time from Pyramids to Papyrus Institute
07hr30 -> 08hr15 Visit papyrus Institute and shopping at Oriental bazaars
08hr15 -> 10hr30 Drive time from Papyrus institute to Sokhna port

 

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