Cairo to Alexandria: 5-Day Ancient Wonders Tour

Tour Overview

• Day 1 - CAIRO WELCOMES YOU - YOUR EGYPTIAN JOURNEY BEGINS

  Your Egyptian adventure begins the moment you land at Cairo International Airport. Our friendly representative will be waiting to greet you with a personalized welcome sign, ready to assist with your arrival formalities and escort you to your comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.

  As you drive through the vibrant streets of Cairo, you’ll get your first glimpses of this fascinating city where ancient history and modern life intertwine seamlessly. Upon arrival at your carefully selected hotel, complete a smooth check-in process before settling into your accommodations.

  The rest of the day is yours to relax and recover from your journey. You might want to take a leisurely stroll around your hotel neighborhood, enjoy the hotel amenities, or simply rest in preparation for the exciting adventures ahead. Your guide will contact you this evening to confirm the pickup time for tomorrow’s exploration and answer any questions you might have.

  Activities:
  – Airport meet and greet
  – Private transfer to hotel
  – Hotel check-in and orientation
  – Evening relaxation

  Meals: None (or dinner depending on arrival time)
  Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Cairo

• DAY 2: CAIRO'S ANCIENT GLORY - PYRAMIDS AND SAKKARA

  Wake up to the anticipation of one of the most iconic experiences in the world. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, your private Egyptologist guide will meet you in the lobby, ready to unlock the secrets of ancient Egypt.

  Your journey begins at the Giza Plateau, home to the last remaining wonder of the ancient world. Stand in awe before the Great Pyramid of Khufu, built over 4,500 years ago with approximately 2.3 million stone blocks. Your guide will share fascinating insights about the construction techniques, astronomical alignments, and the pharaohs who commissioned these eternal monuments.

  Walk around all three main pyramids – Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure – each with its own story and architectural significance. Then come face-to-face with the enigmatic Great Sphinx, the limestone guardian with a lion’s body and pharaoh’s face, standing watch over the necropolis for millennia.

  After lunch at a quality local restaurant, journey south to Sakkara, the vast necropolis that served as the burial ground for Memphis, Egypt’s ancient capital. Here stands the Step Pyramid of Djoser, designed by the genius architect Imhotep around 2650 BC. This revolutionary structure marks the evolution from simple mastaba tombs to the true pyramids we see at Giza.

  Explore the beautifully preserved tombs of nobles with their vivid wall paintings depicting daily life in ancient Egypt – farming, hunting, feasting, and religious ceremonies. These colorful scenes, preserved for thousands of years in the desert sands, offer an intimate window into how Egyptians lived, worked, and prepared for the afterlife.

  As the sun begins to set over the desert sands, return to your Cairo hotel with a deeper understanding of Egypt’s pyramid-building civilization.

  Activities:
  – Great Pyramid of Khufu exploration
  – Khafre and Menkaure pyramids
  – Great Sphinx of Giza
  – Panoramic viewpoint for photos
  – Step Pyramid of Djoser at Sakkara
  – Noble tombs with hieroglyphic decorations
  – Memphis ruins (optional, time permitting)

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Cairo

• DAY 3: ALEXANDRIA'S COASTAL CHARM - A DAY TO REMEMBER

  Today offers a refreshing change of pace as you escape Cairo’s desert landscape for the Mediterranean breezes of Alexandria. After an early breakfast, embark on a scenic 2.5-hour drive north along the desert highway, watching the landscape transform from arid desert to lush agricultural Delta and finally to the sparkling blue sea.

  Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria was once the intellectual and cultural heart of the ancient world, home to the legendary Library of Alexandria and the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

  Your first stop is Pompey’s Pillar, a massive 25-meter red granite column that has stood for nearly 1,700 years. Despite its name, the pillar was actually erected in honor of Emperor Diocletian and remains one of the largest ancient monoliths ever constructed. Nearby, explore the mysterious underground galleries of the Serapeum, ancient catacombs that once held sacred texts.

  Visit the impressive Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a stunning modern tribute to the ancient Library of Alexandria. This architectural marvel combines cutting-edge design with historical significance, housing millions of books and manuscripts. Your guide will explain the fascinating history of the original library and its tragic destruction.

  Continue to the Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century defensive fortress built on the exact site where the ancient Pharos Lighthouse once stood. Walk along the fortress walls with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, imagining the ancient lighthouse that once guided ships to this historic port.

  Stroll through Alexandria’s charming Corniche, the waterfront promenade where locals gather to enjoy sea breezes and fresh seafood. Stop for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, with options for fresh fish, calamari, and traditional Egyptian dishes.

  If time permits, visit the Roman Amphitheatre or the beautiful Montazah Palace gardens before beginning your return journey to Cairo in the late afternoon.

  Activities:
  – Pompey’s Pillar and ancient catacombs
  – Bibliotheca Alexandrina (exterior and optional interior)
  – Citadel of Qaitbay fortress
  – Corniche waterfront promenade
  – Photo opportunities along the Mediterranean
  – Optional: Roman Amphitheatre or Montazah Gardens

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Cairo

• DAY 4: CAIRO'S CULTURAL TAPESTRY - MUSEUMS AND COPTIC WONDERS

  Prepare for a day of cultural immersion as you dive deep into Egypt’s rich artistic heritage and religious history. After breakfast, visit the world-famous Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to the planet’s most comprehensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts.

  Spend several hours exploring over 120,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years of history. Your expert guide will navigate you through the museum’s highlights, including the dazzling treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb – his golden death mask, ornate jewelry, gilded chariots, and the young pharaoh’s solid gold coffins. Discover the Royal Mummy Room (if selected) where you can come face-to-face with the actual preserved bodies of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs.

  Marvel at massive statues of pharaohs, intricate jewelry, ceremonial objects, and everyday items that reveal how ancient Egyptians lived. Your Egyptologist will bring these objects to life with stories of the people who created and used them thousands of years ago.

  After lunch, journey to Old Cairo, the historic heart of Egypt’s Christian community. Begin at the imposing Citadel of Saladin, a medieval Islamic fortification perched on the Mokattam Hills. Visit the magnificent Mosque of Muhammad Ali (the Alabaster Mosque), with its Ottoman-style domes and minarets dominating Cairo’s skyline. From the citadel’s ramparts, enjoy sweeping panoramic views across the sprawling metropolis.

  Descend into Coptic Cairo, a fascinating neighborhood that preserves Egypt’s Christian heritage. This peaceful enclave feels worlds away from modern Cairo, with narrow lanes and ancient churches that have stood for over 1,500 years.

  Visit the Hanging Church (Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church), so named because it was built above the gatehouse of an ancient Roman fortress, appearing to “hang” in mid-air. Admire its beautiful icons, wooden screens, and intricate designs that blend Coptic, Islamic, and Byzantine influences.

  Continue to the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, built on the spot where the Holy Family – Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus – is believed to have rested during their flight into Egypt. Descend into the ancient crypt where the family supposedly took shelter, a deeply moving experience for many visitors.

  Explore the narrow streets of this historic quarter, visiting additional churches and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, reflecting the religious diversity that has characterized Cairo for centuries.

  Return to your hotel in the evening, enriched by a day that spanned from pharaonic treasures to medieval fortresses and early Christian sanctuaries.

  Activities:
  – Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (3+ hours)
  – Tutankhamun’s treasures and gold mask
  – Royal Mummy Room (optional upgrade)
  – Ancient artifacts and statuary
  – Citadel of Saladin fortress
  – Mosque of Muhammad Ali (Alabaster Mosque)
  – Panoramic Cairo city views
  – Hanging Church (St. Virgin Mary)
  – Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus
  – Ben Ezra Synagogue
  – Coptic Cairo walking tour

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Cairo

• DAY 5: FAREWELL CAIRO - DEPARTURE DAY

  Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast at your hotel, savoring your last moments in this extraordinary city. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for some last-minute shopping at a local bazaar or papyrus institute, picking up authentic Egyptian souvenirs, spices, or handcrafted items to remember your journey.

  Your driver will arrive at the agreed time to transfer you comfortably to Cairo International Airport. Arrive with plenty of time to check in for your international flight, with assistance from our representative if needed.

  As you board your flight home, you’ll carry with you incredible memories of ancient pyramids rising from the desert, Mediterranean sea breezes in Alexandria, golden treasures of pharaohs, and the warm hospitality of the Egyptian people. This is not goodbye to Egypt – it’s simply “see you again soon.”

  Activities:
  – Hotel checkout
  – Optional last-minute shopping
  – Private airport transfer
  – Departure assistance

  Meals: Breakfast
  Accommodation: None (end of tour)