DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Taking two days allows you the luxury of covering most of the highlights of Cairo and Giza.

DAY 1 – Alexandria/Port Said to Cairo
After an approximate 3-hour ride from Alexandria/Port Said, you arrive in Cairo and begin with a visit to the Citadel. This ancient Citadel is a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a hill above the city. Originally built by Salah El-Din in 1176 to fortify the city against the Crusaders, it has never been without a military garrison. The Citadel was modified and enlarged over the centuries by subsequent rulers, most notably Muhammad Ali Pasha, one of the great builders of Modern Egypt, who was responsible for considerable alteration and building within the Citadel.

Proceed to the beautiful and graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque. Built from 1830 to 1857, the mosque also became the site of the great Ottoman ruler’s tomb. From the arcaded courtyard, enjoy a magnificent view across the city to the pyramids in Giza. Proceed to the fascinating Khan El-Khalili Bazaar – reputedly the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions. As you wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets you will find workshops and stalls selling all manner of craftsmanship from woodwork, glassware and leather goods to perfumes, fabrics and Pharaonic curiosities. Remember to bargain hard!

Drive to your hotel, where lunch will be served. After lunch, check into your room and have time to freshen up before your evening visits. Leaving the hotel, head first to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. This outstanding museum exhibits over 120,000 objects in its 107 halls and comprises the world’s greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts. Marvel at the many rooms filled with golden treasures extracted from the world-famous tomb of King Tutankhamun.

Then drive to the Giza Plateau, where you will attend the fabulous Sound & Light Show at the foot of the Pyramids. Narrated by the enigmatic Sphinx, the show will lead you on a fascinating tour through the history of the Pyramids. An unforgettable experience! Dinner is served back at your hotel.

DAY 2 – Cairo to Alexandria/Port Said
After checking out from your hotel, you will board one of the luxurious Nile Cruising restaurants and sail down the River Nile while having your breakfast.

After breakfast, proceed to the Step Pyramid of Sakkara, which you will visit today with your Egyptologist. The Step Pyramid, the oldest known of Egypt’s 107 pyramids, was built by Imhotep, one of the world’s most famous historical figures. This architect of the world’s first freestanding stone structure is also often recognized as the world's first doctor, as well as a priest, sage, poet, and astrologer.

Have a short stop to browse for local souvenirs before you head to one of the leading hotels in Giza for lunch. After lunch, you proceed to visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Built for the Pharaohs Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus, the Pyramids were constructed about 2500 BC with blocks of limestone from the plateau and the Turah hills on the outskirts of Cairo. The Great Pyramid of Cheops alone, the only present-day survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, required over 2,300,000 blocks of stone, each weighing about 2½ tons. At its base, it covers 13 acres of land. Millions of visitors come each year to ponder the fascinating mystery of their existence and explore the ancient burial chambers within.

Proceed to visit the mysterious Sphinx, located in what was once a quarry to the east of Chephren’s pyramid. One theory suggests this Pharaoh’s workers shaped the body into a lion and gave it their king’s face, as a guardian of the necropolis. Almost a thousand years after its construction, King Thutmose IV placed a stela between the front paws. It describes how the Sphinx had spoken to the then prince in a dream, promising him kingship if he cleared away the desert sand that was choking the Sphinx.

Conclude your visit with the drive back to Alexandria/Port Said, where you rejoin your vessel.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Spending a night in Cairo allows more time to explore the many brilliant sights of the city of Cairo and the Giza Plateau. Visit Cairo’s Citadel, fascinating bazaar, incredible Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, and end the day with the beautiful Sound & Light show at the Pyramids. The next day begins with a breakfast cruise on the Nile followed by an exploration of the pyramids of Giza and Sakkara, and of course the mysterious Sphinx, before rejoining your ship in Alexandria/Port Said.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN ALEXANDRIA
DAY 1
00:00 Depart from Alexandria to the outskirts of Cairo
03:30 Arrive and start the visit at the Citadel & Mohamed Ali Mosque
05:00 Drive to Khan El Khalili Bazaar
05:15 Free time to wander through the Old Bazaar shops
06:00 Drive to your hotel of accommodation in Cairo
06:30 Buffet Lunch at one of the hotel's banquet rooms
07:30 Hotel check-in; time to freshen up
08:15 Transfer to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
08:45 Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
10:15 Drive to the Plateau of Giza
11:00 Attend the Sound & Light Show, English Performance
12:15 Transfer back to your hotel
13:00 Buffet dinner at your hotel
Overnight at your hotel in Cairo

DAY 2
00:00 Wake Up Call
00:15 Luggage down
00:30 Completion of check-out procedures with the assistance of Tour Coordinator
01:00 Transfer to the River Nile Bank
01:30 Board Nile Cruising Restaurant and sail down the River Nile with Buffet Breakfast
03:00 Drive to the Step Pyramid of Sakkara
04:00 Visit the Step Pyramid of Sakkara
05:00 Drive to one of the local souvenir shops located in Giza
05:30 Short stop to browse for local souvenirs
06:00 Drive to one of the leading hotels in Giza
06:15 Buffet Lunch at one of the hotel Banquet Rooms
07:30 Drive to the Pyramids of Giza
07:45 Visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
09:15 Drive back to Alexandria
12:15 Arrive back to the Port and re-join your vessel

Approximate duration: 2 days / 1 night

TIMING BREAKDOWN PORT SAID
DAY 1
00:00 Depart from Port Said to the outskirts of Cairo
03:00 Arrive and start the visit at the Citadel & Mohamed Ali Mosque
04:30 Drive to Khan El Khalili Bazaar
04:45 Free time to wander through the Old Bazaar shops
05:30 Drive to your hotel of accommodation in Cairo
06:00 Buffet Lunch at one of the hotel's banquet rooms
07:30 Hotel check-in; time to freshen up
08:15 Transfer to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
08:45 Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
10:15 Drive to the Plateau of Giza
11:00 Attend the Sound & Light Show, English Performance
12:15 Transfer back to your hotel
13:00 Buffet dinner at your hotel
Overnight at your hotel in Cairo

DAY 2
00:00 Wake Up Call
00:15 Luggage down
00:30 Completion of check-out procedures with the assistance of Tour Coordinator
01:00 Transfer to the River Nile Bank
01:30 Board Nile Cruising Restaurant and sail down the River Nile with Buffet Breakfast
03:00 Drive to the Step Pyramid of Sakkara
04:00 Visit the Step Pyramid of Sakkara
05:00 Drive to one of the local souvenir shops located in Giza
05:30 Short stop to browse for local souvenirs
06:00 Drive to one of the leading hotels in Giza
06:15 Buffet Lunch at one of the hotel Banquet Rooms
07:30 Drive to the Pyramids of Giza
07:45 Visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
09:15 Drive back to Port Said
12:15 Arrive back and re-join your vessel

Approximate duration: 2 days / 1 night
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES

• A maximum of 40 persons in a new 49-seater A/C bus for maximum seat choice and comfort
• Red carpet on the pier for guests’ arrival
• Roses given to all ladies upon disembarkation of the ship
• Immediate pre-clearance through all customs and immigration formalities in all ports
• Uniformed escorts available to assist Egyptologist and guests at all times
• The service of the most experienced and knowledgeable Egyptologist
• Advance team to ensure smooth operations throughout
• Back–up bus traveling behind the other buses at all times
• A box of local sweets available on each coach for guests to sample
• One postcard provided to each guest with pre-paid postage
• Mineral water on buses at all times
• Wet hand tissues provided to each guest after a day of sightseeing
• Pre-purchased entrance tickets at the sights wherever possible
• Top security arrangements for groups
• 1 night accommodation in standard rooms at one of the 5 star hotels in Cairo
• Breakfast on a chartered Nile Cruising Restaurant
• Minimum required to operate this tour is 80 Guests
• Timing, tour sequence and duration of visits may vary from tour to tour depending on the ETA, ETD and time of the ship’s call
• Should the Sound & Light show be cancelled under any circumstances or the call date fall on a date where there is no English performance, an adequate replacement will be arranged
• The above tour time table is not applicable should the call date fall into the Holy month of Ramadan, as all sites close earlier than normal forcing some changes in the tour sequence, meal times and duration of visits

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