4-Day Cairo Short Break During Easter

Early in the morning, you'll have your first delicious breakfast at the hotel to begin your important and informative tour today. You'll begin your day with a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza, which are some of the most important archaeological sites in human history. The ancient Egyptians built numerous burial chambers, ventilation shafts, and intricate passageways inside the pyramids. A group of columns embedded in the walls were found, built for two important purposes: first, to ventilate the pyramid from within, and second, to provide an outlet for the remaining part of the soul in the body of the pharaoh, called the "ka." The ancient Egyptians believed that the pharaoh's soul traveled through the pyramid to the stars.

You'll also see the majestic Great Sphinx, which has defied the ravages of time and numerous attempts at theft and looting. A royal beard and a cobra snake were once located atop the Sphinx's head, but these were lost. Part of the beard is currently preserved in the famous Egyptian Museum in Tahrir and another part in the British Museum. There are also numerous catacombs in and around the Sphinx. One of the most important of these is located approximately halfway down the statue's back, at the upper opening of the catacomb. It is a metal door that can be opened and locked. It is not known exactly where this puzzling catacomb leads.

You will see the Valley of the Temple of King Khafre, the only Old Kingdom temple that remains intact to this day. Archaeologists have uncovered two important roads in front of the temple entrance, connecting them to the dock of the ancient canal located directly in front of the ancient structure. Basins have also been found there, believed to belong to the sacred purification tent located in front of the Valley Temple, where the king's body was placed to be purified with the waters of the canal.

You will be amazed by a visit to the vast Saqqara Necropolis, which houses tombs from all periods of ancient Egyptian history. The impressive New Kingdom necropolis lies south of the causeway of King Unas, where many prominent figures of the 18th to 20th Dynasties were buried. Among them are Ptah-emwiya, "the royal courtier of the cleanest hand," who lived under both Akhenaten and Tutankhamun; Maia, the treasurer under Tutankhamun; and Tiah, the treasurer under Ramesses II. In addition, you'll find the magnificent tomb of Horemheb, which was intended for him before he became king. You'll see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, located at the center of a complex surrounded by a hollow limestone wall with 13 false entrances. There's also the Hypostyle Hall, a real entrance on the southeast side of the wall.

You'll enjoy the freshest food of your life at one of the famous Egyptian restaurants. You'll visit the famous city of Memphis, once the center of worship for the great god Ptah, whose temple was one of the most important in all of ancient Egypt. It was so important that the word "Egypt" (derived from the Greek word "Aigyptos") came from the name of this great ancient temple, "Kaptah," meaning "temple of the spirit of the god Ptah."

You will also see a majestic, colossal statue lying on its back. This magnificent limestone statue of Ramses II is a twin of the one that once stood in the center of Ramses Square in ancient Cairo but was moved to Giza. Although only a fragment, the statue stands approximately thirteen meters tall, even without its lower legs. It was originally placed outside the Temple of Ptah in Memphis. You will also see the remarkable alabaster Great Sphinx of Memphis, the largest calcite statue ever discovered. It is believed to depict King Amenhotep II or King Ramses II and symbolizes power and wisdom.

After this wonderful tour, we will return you to your hotel for some rest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You will start your morning with a delicious breakfast to get ready for your exceptional tour today. You will visit the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, whose garden is a masterpiece in itself. The Egyptian Museum garden includes many beautiful ancient and rare stone pieces, from statues to large coffins. The garden includes a solid red granite statue of Merneptah, bearing a sacred symbol, dedicated to him by King Seti II. The garden also includes two red granite sphinxes of Thutmose III, found in the massive Karnak Temple in 1861, and a colossal red granite statue of Ramses II as a standard-bearer, found in Armant in 1913.

You will visit the Citadel of Salah El Din, built by Salah El Din, the founder of the famous Ayyubid dynasty that ruled Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. It served as the link connecting the two major cities of the Egyptian capital, Cairo and Fustat, which he enclosed within a single wall. However, fate did not allow him to see his great defense project against any Crusader attack. The first person to reside there was his nephew, Al-Kamil.

You will see the Magnificent Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Muhammad Ali Pasha, one of the most famous and powerful figures who ruled Egypt, saw the urgent need to build a mosque for religious rituals and as a burial place. He commissioned the clever Turkish architect Yusuf Bushnak to design this magnificent mosque specially for him. The mosque is distinguished by the distinctive Byzantine influence on its design. It is a rectangular structure divided into two beautiful sections: the eastern section, which is the prayer hall or sanctuary, and the special western section, which is the courtyard, with a fountain for ablutions in the middle.

You will visit the famous Hanging Church, which is one of the oldest surviving churches in the world. Many Christian clergy and martyrs were buried there in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and their images and icons are still displayed in the church, illuminated by candlelight. You will visit the beautiful Church of Abu Serga, which has gained wide fame not only for housing the blessed cave where the Holy Family resided and the holy well from which they drank but also for its artistic pieces of great historical value. These include beautiful and ancient Coptic icons that adorn the church walls, depicting Christ, the Virgin, and the saints. Among the most important pieces are three altars and an ancient wooden altar. The central altar veil contains icons dating back to the 13th century AD, and the two side altars date back to 1738. Most of the rare icons date back to the 18th century.

You will visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, which boasts a magnificent architectural design reminiscent of churches, having originally been a church before being converted into a synagogue. The ground floor of this ancient synagogue contains two main platforms: the special "Atlas Miracle" and the "Bima," which is a marble prayer platform. We'll stop for lunch to give you energy to complete your tour. We'll then visit the Khan el-Khalili market, which houses the largest priceless collection of gold and silver jewelry, ornaments, and stunning handicrafts. At the end of this wonderful day, we'll transfer you back to your comfortable hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is the last day of your wonderful vacation in Cairo, spent with the Cairo Top Tours team, exploring the beauty and splendor of Egypt. You'll wake up early to have breakfast and pack your bags for the trip. Your tour leader will transfer you to Cairo International Airport on time for your flight home after you have enjoyed many wonderful tours in Cairo.

Meal: Breakfast