Private Classical Cairo

Experience overview

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 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 on 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 to 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. Starting November 5, 2025, this tour will include a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum instead of the old museum.