Day 1 in Cairo

Welcome to Cairo! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

We recommend you get acquainted with the city, wander around the downtown area where you will find plenty of eateries and coffee shops to stop in and enjoy some lunch and refreshments. After lunch take a walk around and check out the shops in the downtown area, be sure to explore the narrow alleyways in the city to uncover hidden treasures and unique souvenirs to take home.

Make your way over to Gezira Island, check out the upscale districts of Zamalek and Gezira, both areas boast European architecture on beautiful wide tree lined boulevards that are perfect for a stroll. These luxurious neighborhoods are filled with exquisite boutiques, upscale restaurants, quaint cafes and intriguing galleries, wander around and enjoy the ambiance of the area as evening time approaches.

Head to Cairo Tower, the tallest building in Egypt standing at 614 ft tall, this distinguished landmark of the city stands on the River Nile. Take a trip up to the top of the observations deck and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city as it starts to light up at night. The tower offers a rotating restaurant if you wish to dine at the highest place in the city. Alternatively, you can choose one of the many amazing restaurants situated on Gezira Island which is a well-known area for upscale dining.

Day 2 in Cairo

Start your day off with a hearty breakfast and some Cairene coffee and head out to Egypt`s most fascinating site, The Great Pyramids of Giza. Situated on the Giza Plateau you can visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World the three Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menakaure along with the famous Sphinx and Valley temple.Explore this amazing ancient world filled with spectacular once in a lifetime sights, discover the deep ancient history of one of the greatest places in the world. The Pyramids are also a splendid sight to see at night when the Sound and Light show takes place and the pyramids come to life in a stunning array of lights accompanied by music.

Depending on the depth of your explorations at the Pyramids the afternoon presents you with a few options, you can head south to the Ancient City of Memphis, where more fascinating Ancient Egyptian sites and stone temples to explore. Check out the outdoor Memphis Museum, The Djoser Pyramid (the very first pyramid) and Danshur (the red pyramid).

The other option is to head back into the city and check out some of the other popular attractions such as the historic neighborhood of Old Cairo, the oldest part of the city with narrow winding cobblestone streets adorned with churches and mosques including the famous Hanging Church of Cairo, the Coptic Church of Egypt and the Church of Saint George. Ben Ezra Synagogue, the oldest mosque in Africa can also be found here.

Babylon Fortress is situated in Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo) next to the Coptic Museum,this is one of the greatest citadels ever built and one of the best surviving fortresses of the Roman era. Here you can walk along the fortress walls and get a glimpse of the churches and fortress grounds below.

As evening time approaches make your way down to the Nile River for a traditional `Faluca`(wooden boats) ride to enjoy the sunset. Enjoy dinner at one of the riverside restaurants in the area. Alternatively, you can board a sunset dinner cruise and enjoy a lavish dining experience on the River Nile.

Day 3 in Cairo

Begin your last day with a visit the Khan al Khalili Market,the main trade center in Cairo since the 1400`s, the streets and narrow alleyways are filled with gold and silver workshops, a popular spice market and many other stalls filled with Egyptian crafts, antiques, and unique souvenirs. Visit the famous Fishawi`s café, the oldest coffee shop in the city for coffee and a snack and explore the traditional atmosphere and surroundings of this famous `souk`.

From here make your way to the Al-Azhar Mosque, a magnificent Fatimid monument that dates back to 970 AD referred to as`The Splendid` due to its beauty and intricately detailed architecture. The central courtyard is paved with marble and the mosque features five minarets.

Grab some lunch and visit Al-Azhar Park, this large public park covers 74 acres of green space in the city. Take a stroll around the beautiful park filled with gardens, pavilions, and lakes and find a spot to sit and enjoy a picnic in this peaceful haven.

Alternatively, there are several unique cafes and restaurants that can be found in the park where you can sit back and enjoy lunch.

During the afternoon you have the option to visit many of the city`s ancient landmarks including the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, a medieval Islamic Fortification and one of the most popular attractions in the city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site where are a number of museums and mosques can be found including the Mosque of Mohammad Ali, the Sultan Hassan Mosque, and the National Military Museum. Take a stroll along the walls of the Citadel and enjoy magnificent views of the city and the surrounding desert and hills.

Next is The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities or Egyptian Museum,set in the heart of the city this massive museum features the world`s most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian Antiquities and houses over 136,000 items. The most famous collection here is from the Tomb of Tutankhamen; check out the artifacts on display with a history dating back to the Roman times spread throughout 107 display halls.

On your last evening in the city, enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the downtown area or head to one of the popular markets for stalls filled with delicious food and unique souvenirs. Visit one of the many coffee shops in the city where the locals hangout, here you can sample the popular `sheesha` pipes (water pipe). Gezira Island offers some great nightlife districts filled with upscale restaurants, ritzy bars, and exclusive clubs, there is also a Casino on the southern end of Gezira Island.

Additional Days in Cairo

Should you be able to spend additional days in Cairo check out the Museum of Islamic Art, one of the greatest museums in the world housing the finest collection of Islamic art and featuring rare collections such as woodwork, plaster, ceramics, glass, and crystal.

Visit Rhoda Island situated on the Nile River just south of Gezira, home to the Monastili Palace, the Al-Manyal Palace Museum, spectacular gardens and quaint streets decorated with different architecture.

The Abdeen Palace is one of the most luxurious palaces in the world featuring over 500 suites and decorations made of pure gold. There are several museums located on site.

Your Last Day in Cairo

Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.