Shore Excursions Group
Private Classical Cairo
Private Classical Cairo
For this amazing and private Cairo shore excursion, you will depart the pier for the approximate three-hour drive through the flat desert landscape to Africa’s largest city, Cairo. Upon reaching the outskirts of Cairo, you will proceed to the Giza Plateau, to discover the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. It is here that three pharaohs–Cheops, his son Chephren and grandson Mycerinus– erected grand tombs to protect their mummified remains in the afterlife. Free time will be taken for photos and for those wishing to walk closer to the pyramids. You will then drive to the high western plateau for panoramic views and photo opportunities of the valley and all the pyramids below.
Next, travel to the guardian of the mortuary complex, the mysterious Sphinx. Carved out of a solid natural rock around 2650 B.C., the Sphinx has the head of a man and the body of a lion and stretches out to a length of 240 feet. You will have approximately 30 minutes of free time for photos and to explore. Following your visit, you will have lunch at a nearby hotel. After lunch, a stop will be made at the Papyrus Institute to see demonstrations on how the ancient Egyptians made paper out of reeds from the Nile. Spend some free time for souvenir shopping in the adjacent bazaar.
Your last stop on this private excursion is the magnificent Egyptian Museum, the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities in the world. The museum is home to over 120,000 items, only a portion of which are in display in its more than 120 rooms. The artifacts date from 2700 B.C. to the 6th century A.D. It includes thousands of statues, jewels and the treasure of the boy king, Tutankhamun. Your tour includes a visit to the King Tut gallery, which contains the golden mask and items from the treasury. It does not include a visit to the Royal Mummy room. Following your tour, you will begin the three-hour return drive to Alexandria.
Please note: Although this is a full-day tour, your only scheduled visits will be at the Egyptian Museum, Papyrus Institute and Pyramids of Giza. A visit inside the Pyramids is not included on this tour. Due to the fact that there are no stairs in the Egyptian Museum, guests must use the stairs to access the 2nd floor. There is also no air-conditioning in the museum. The drive between the pier and Cairo is approximately three hours in each direction.
| Day 1 |
Welcome to Alexandria, Virginia!
Alexandria is an unique and historic place that keeps pace with the modern world. The City is part of a large metropolitan area surrounding the nation's Capital, yet it has retained its period character. About one-quarter of the town's 15 square miles has been designated as a national or local historic district. Thousands of buildings in these districts are monuments to the past while being actively used by citizens for homes, businesses and museums. Alexandria was home to those who made American history-George Washington, George Mason, and Robert E. Lee-and many other men and women who contributed their skills, emotions and character to build what we know today as the strongest democracy in the world. Today Alexandria is "The Fun Side of the Potomac." Designated as one of America's Top 25 Arts Destinations by American Style Magazine, Alexandria is home to the famed Torpedo Factory Art Center and more than 50 fine art and antique galleries throughout the town. We have more than 300 specialty shops and 200 restaurants offering American and international cuisine. Reasonably priced accommodations at more than 25 comfortable hotels make Alexandria the prime location for a cultural getaway. Our 120,000 residents share a quality of life that is not found in many urban centers. In fact, Ladies Home Journal has ranked Alexandria as one of the "Top Ten Best Cities for Women in the United States," based on quality of life criteria. We are located just 10 minutes from Washington, DC and Reagan National Airport, and we are accessible by Metro, making visits to all the attractions in the Greater Washington area easy. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
05/03/22 - 05/15/27 |
Starting At $155 |
Get A Quote |
Guests must be able to walk approximately 1 1/2 miles (roughly 3 1/2 hrs) over uneven, gravel, cobblestone and sandy surfaces with paved walkways and approximately 30 flat wide stairs. Cameras are not permitted inside the Egyptian Museum.
