Enjoy a delightful breakfast at your hotel before getting ready to meet your personal professional tour guide in the hotel lobby. Your day will begin with an exciting tour of the Giza Pyramids. During your journey to the Giza Necropolis, your Egyptologist guide will provide you with a fascinating historical overview of Egypt.
Upon arriving at the Giza plateau, you'll find yourself standing at the base of the Great Pyramid of King Cheops, an awe-inspiring structure constructed by the king around 4500 years ago. This remarkable period in Egypt's history, often referred to as the "golden era" or the "Pyramids building period," was marked by the creation of colossal structures designed as burial tombs for Egypt's kings and rulers. These monuments also played a significant role in immortalizing the pharaohs throughout history.
Next, you'll ascend to a higher plateau, where you'll encounter the second pyramid, built by King Chephren. From this vantage point, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Giza plateau, including the pyramid of King Mycerinus, featuring three adjacent pyramidions designed for the queens' burials. You'll also have the option to embark on a camel riding tour through the Giza Pyramids, led by a Bedouin guide who will capture breathtaking photos of you holding the pyramid in your hands.
Continuing your exploration of the Giza Pyramids, you'll visit the Valley Temple, where the mummification process of the king was a crucial part of the funerary rituals. Facing the temple, you'll encounter the world-famous Great Sphinx of Giza, a man-headed lion figure that has stood as a guardian of the entire necropolis for centuries.
Your day in Cairo will continue as you visit The Egyptian Museum In Cairo in the heart of downtown, a building with its own historical significance, having been constructed over 200 years ago. Inside, you'll marvel at a vast collection of Egyptian antiquities dating back to various epochs, including the predynastic period, the early times of the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. This period is renowned for its famous pharaohs such as King Ramses II, Tutankhamen, and Queen Hatshepsut. Among the museum's most captivating exhibits are those discovered in the early 1900s, showcasing the golden treasures of King Tutankhamen, including a colossal sarcophagus, chairs, jewelry, and the iconic golden mask of the young king.
Following your museum visit, you'll embark on an informative tour of Coptic Cairo, where you'll be transported to the area known as Old Cairo. Here, you'll encounter some of the oldest churches in Christian history, built atop the ruins of the Roman fortress of Babylon. Some of these sites are associated with the Holy Family's presence, including the Hanging Church of the Holy Virgin Mary, suspended between two fortress towers, as well as the Church of Saint Sergius and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. The latter is believed to have housed the basket of Prophet Moses; interestingly, the synagogue was originally a Christian church before it was purchased by Ben Ezra due to heavy Christian taxation.
You'll have the opportunity to enjoy a quality lunch at a restaurant during or after your Cairo adventures. Finally, you'll be transferred back to your hotel, or if you wish, you can opt for one of our evening excursions in Cairo, such as a delightful Nile cruise dinner lasting two hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch