Private Holiday4 Days ex CairoDeparts daily.
Note: Religious and School Holiday supplements may apply to quoted from prices. Please check. A supplement may apply for a solo passenger travelling alone.
Cairo is a vibrant, exhilarating, and welcoming city and this short tour encapsulates the best that this ancient land has to offer. Home to some of the best Pharaonic, Coptic, and Islamic sights in Egypt, this city is where you never know what incredible ancient sites you may experience. Discover Giza’s famed pyramids, visit the capital's medieval markets by Khan El-Khalili, or simply sit at a café terrace while watching the life of the city whirl past as it has done for eons.
For those with fewer time constraints this Cairo stopover makes a wonderful additional tour as you travel through the Middle East.
Highlights:
- Marvel at the wondrous Pyramids from the earliest Step Pyramid of Sakkara to the monumental Great Pyramid of Giza.
- Wonder at the origins of the enigmatic Sphinx whose face was once used for target practice by Napoleon’s soldiers.
- Explore the millennia old treasure that abound in the Egyptian Museum
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Itinerary
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Accommodation
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Important Information
Day 1: Cairo
On arrival into Cairo you will be met prior to customs and immigration by a local operator and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to unwind.
Day 2: Cairo (B)
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your full day sightseeing tour of the Pyramids Sphinx Memphis and Sakkara. Begin your tour with a visit to Memphis which served as the capital of Upper and Lower Egypt some 5000 years ago during the First Dynasty. Continue to Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in all of Egypt. Dominated by the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, this was the first pyramid to be built in ancient Egypt preceding those at Giza by many centuries. Continue to those most iconic of Egyptian monuments, the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. The Great Pyramid, built by the Pharaoh Cheops over 4500 years ago, contains more than 2.3 million cubic metres of stone and was the tallest structure on earth up until the 19th century. The enigmatic Sphynx was buried up to its shoulders until a young Prince Thutmose dreamt he was told to restore this most famous of statues in exchange for the kingship. Following the completion of this task Thutmose IV did indeed become pharaoh and celebrated his accomplishment by erecting the “Dream Stele” which can still be seen today between the Sphinx’s forelegs.
Day 3: Cairo (B)
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your full day sightseeing tour of Cairo. Explore the Egyptian Museum where you can view the glittering treasures of ancient Egypt. Continue to the Citadel which dominates Cairo’s skyline. Also visit the Mohammed Ali Mosque commissioned by Mohammed Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848. Your tour ends with a visit to the 14th century Khan El Khalili Bazaar where many bargains may be found.
Day 4: Cairo (B)
Today you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
TOUR INCLUSIONS:
- Return private airport transfers
- Met inside immigration
- Air conditioned transportation
- Private tours in Cairo with an Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees
- Accommodation
- Daily breakfasts
TOUR EXCLUSIONS:
- International airfares
- Optional tours and excursions
- Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
- Porterage
- Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
- Personal Expenses
- Departure taxes
- Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
- Visas (unless specified)
- Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above
Accommodation based on the following or similar:
Cairo City
Tourist Class - Flamenco Hotel
First Class - Steigenberger Tahrir
Deluxe Class - Cairo Marriott
Super Deluxe Class - Ritz Carlton Cairo
Cruising the Nile Please use cruise itineraries as a guideline only. The order of sightseeing and overnight destinations may vary and are subject to change due to the operation of Esna Lock, or at the discretion of the of the cruise company. Should a change of boat be required due to any unforeseen circumstances prior to departure, an alternative of the same standard or better will be offered if available
There are many river boats that cruise between Luxor and Aswan. They provide accommodation and transportation for the majority of tourists travelling to Egypt. Each night and whilst moored for sightseeing, it is common for 4-5 cruise boats to be parked abreast of each other. The location of your boat will vary from port to port however in many cases your view from your cabin will be restricted to cruising periods only.
Sightseeing on Nile Cruise boats is operated by the cruise company. You will be allocated an English speaking guide and small group of other English speaking tourists for sightseeing upon embarkation. The order of sightseeing may vary depending on the local port authorities. If a tomb or temple is unable to be visited an alternative will be provided where possible.
Sightseeing (non cruise) All sightseeing unless specified is on a private basis with a driver and guide. Sightseeing generally takes place in the cooler periods of the day ie early morning or late afternoon therefore on occasion some early starts may be necessary to avoid the heat
Valley of the Kings: Not all the tombs within the Valley are currently open to the public. Many are closed periodically for resting and renovation (Entrance fees to three tombs is included in tour packages. Entrance fees to Tutankhamen’s Tomb is not included. Currently EGP100pp - subject to change).
Ramadan During the Holy Month of Ramadan Muslims fast, abstaining from eating, drinking & smoking during daylight hours (approx. 7am-6.30pm). As a sign of respect, tourists should also try to refrain eating in public during the fasting hours. Restaurants and Cafes in Hotels and Cruise boats will be open, however limited alcohol may be available over this time. In 2019, Ramadan should begin around 5 May. After 30 days, or on sighting the full moon, Eid Al Fitr is celebrated & most public and private institutions close for at least three days.
Domestic Flights in Egypt. Flight times will reconfirmed by the local operator upon arrival in Egypt. Note, Flights from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor generally involve early morning starts due to flight schedules in the summer season. For flights to Abu Simbel certain flights are allocated to clients travelling for day trips from Cairo and overnight programmes. These flights are set by Egypt air and are outside of the operators control
Dress Codes Modest dress is required for entrance to holy sites – Men: Long pants, Women – skirt or long pants and shoulders covered.
Hotels Hotels in regional areas (i.e Abu Simbel/ Siwa/ St Catherine ) can be of a lower standard than the properties in the main tourist centres., with more basic/ less developed infrastructure due to location and surrounding conditions. The options chosen are the best available..
Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.
