5 Days Budget Trip to Cairo and El Ain Sokhna

After enjoying your first buffet breakfast at the hotel, your certified tour guide will meet you to begin your Cairo adventure, starting with a visit to the Giza Pyramids.

Your tour of the Giza Pyramids will ignite your curiosity about ancient Egypt, with your guide on hand to answer all your questions as you stand near the Great Pyramid of King Cheops. This impressive 146-meter-high structure was built during the Old Kingdom's Fourth Dynasty by one of Egypt's greatest rulers, King Cheops (Khufu), son of Snefru, who also constructed four remarkable pyramids. Cheops was the father of Chephren, who built the middle pyramid at Giza, still retaining its outer casing at the top, and the grandfather of Mycerinus, who constructed the smallest yet equally significant pyramid you’ll see from the plateau. If you wish, you can opt for a camel ride around the Giza Pyramids to fully appreciate the magnificence of this land of the pharaohs.

Next, you'll visit the Valley Temple of King Chephren, where his royal body was mummified for the afterlife, and see the iconic Sphinx, symbolizing strength and wisdom, with its lion's body and human head.

The journey continues to the Saqqara Necropolis, which predates the Giza Necropolis by 200 years. Here, you'll explore the Step Pyramid complex of King Djoser from the Third Dynasty and the Pyramid of King Teti, who ruled during the Sixth Dynasty before the First Intermediate Period. You'll also get to admire the intricate ancient Egyptian art in the tomb of Kagemni, the vizier of Justice and son-in-law of King Teti.

Finally, you'll visit the site of Egypt's most ancient capital, now known as Mit Rahina, an open-air museum displaying fascinating artifacts from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. You'll see the alabaster sphinx of Memphis, the second-largest in Egypt, and the massive statue of Ramses II, one of the most influential kings of the 18th Dynasty.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel, your tour guide will take you on an incredible Cairo city tour, beginning with a visit to the Islamic Cairo landmarks, starting with the Cairo Citadel.

You'll explore the medieval Saladin Citadel, built in the 12th century by Sultan Saladin to protect Cairo from potential threats. Saladin recruited mercenaries for the Egyptian army, but they quickly gained power, wealth, and public support, eventually ruling the country until Mohamed Ali Pasha famously eliminated them in what became known as the Citadel Massacre.

Within the citadel, you'll also visit the magnificent Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali, one of the highest points in Cairo, offering views of the Giza Pyramids on a clear day.

Next, you'll head to Old Cairo for a tour of Coptic Cairo, where you'll see some of the earliest Christian churches in history. According to historians, the Holy Family visited Egypt during their escape from King Herod, staying in this area for about 3-4 months. They sought refuge in a crypt, later transformed into the Church of Abu Serga. You'll also visit the Hanging Church, built atop two towers of the ancient Roman fortress of Babylon, and conclude your Coptic tour with a visit to the Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in the Middle East.

After enjoying a gourmet lunch, you'll explore the bustling Khan El Khalili market in the Al Hussein area of downtown Cairo. Al Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is buried in this area, which is also home to many ancient mosques from the 9th century, as well as mausoleums of the Prophet's companions and family members. Stroll through the narrow streets of Cairo, enjoy a refreshing mint tea, and then return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Today, after checking out from the hotel, we'll head to the Red Sea at Ain Sokhna. It's about a 1.5-hour drive to the resort, where you can relax and enjoy some time at the beach or take a dip in the pool. A buffet lunch will be served at 3:00 PM, followed by dinner before the evening show.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and jump straight into the adventure. We'll drive for about 30 minutes to the popular Porto Sokhna resort, where you'll take a Cable Car (Teleferik) up Galala Mountain. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch at a fancy restaurant with stunning views of the Red Sea and the mountains. Explore the resort's mall, capture some amazing photos by the seaside, and then return to Cairo. Let the driver know where you'd like to be dropped off in Cairo as your budget tour of Cairo and El Ain Sokhna comes to an end.

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