Private Classical Cairo

Private Classical CairoFor your private shore excursions you will depart the pier for the approximate 3 hour 15 minute drive through the flat desert/farm landscape to Africa's largest city, Cairo.Upon reaching Cairo, you will proceed to the magnificent Egyptian Museum, the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities in the world. The museum is located in the heart of Cairo near the banks of the Nile. It 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 does include a visit to the King Tut gallery which includes the golden mask and items from the treasury. It does not include a visit to the Royal Mummy room.You will then drive to the suburbs of Cairo where you will have a buffet lunch at one of the better hotels near the Giza area.After lunch, you will drive to the nearby 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 Mykerinus, 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, body of a lion and stretches out to a length of 240 feet. You will have approximately 30 minutes for free time for photos and to explore.A short stop will be at the Papyrus Institute to see demonstrations on how the ancient Egyptians made paper from reeds from the Nile. Spend some free time for souvenir shopping in the adjacent bazaar.You will then begin your 3 hour 15 minute drive to Port SaidPlease 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 3 hours 15 minutes in each direction. A rest stop will be made in both directions.