Overview
Connecting ancient pharaonic royal heritage with medieval multicultural history, this targeted full-day tour links the modern Giza Plateau district with the historic heart of Cairo. Operating with private air-conditioned transport and dedicated Egyptologist guidance, the experience begins at the newly developed Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Guests explore the grand hall, royal statues, and main galleries exhibiting masterworks spanning prehistoric times through the Greco-Roman era. In the afternoon, the tour transfers to Old Cairo (Coptic and Islamic Cairo) to explore the 4th-century Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa), the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga)—built over the crypt where the Holy Family took refuge—and concludes with a walk through the 14th-century labyrinthine lanes of Khan el-Khalili market. Trip information Duration: Half Day Schedule: Daily Tour location: Cairo and Giza Pickup location: Your hotel in Cairo or Giza Tour type: Private
Why You Will Love This Trip
- Tour the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) main galleries and grand hall with a licensed Egyptologist guide.
- View monumental royal statues, including the 3,200-year-old colossal statue of Ramesses II in the GEM atrium.
- Explore Coptic Cairo's historic landmarks, including the Hanging Church and the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus.
- Walk through the historic Roman Fortress of Babylon walls in Old Cairo.
- Experience the traditional atmosphere and artisan workshops inside the 14th-century Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
- Enjoy private air-conditioned vehicle transfers with flexible pacing and door-to-door hotel pickups.
Detailed Itinerary
Stop 1: Hotel pickup in Cairo or Giza (08:00)
Your licensed Egyptologist and driver meet you at your hotel reception in a private air-conditioned vehicle. The guide sets out the plan for the day and the order of the visits, which is arranged so the museum is seen before the mid-morning coach groups arrive.
Stop 2: Grand Egyptian Museum: the Grand Hall and staircase (08:30)
Enter beneath the eleven-metre statue of Ramesses II that stands in the atrium, then climb the Grand Staircase, lined with royal statuary and sarcophagi arranged so the collection rises with you towards a window framing the pyramids.
Stop 3: The main galleries: prehistory to the Greco-Roman era
Twelve galleries organised by period and theme rather than by room number. Your guide picks a route through the Old Kingdom, the New Kingdom and the Late Period so you see the turning points instead of walking every metre. Allow around two hours here; the museum is very large and trying to see all of it in one visit is the usual mistake.
Stop 4: Crossing the Nile to Old Cairo (11:30)
A short scenic transfer from the Giza plateau district across the river to the Coptic quarter, built inside the walls of the Roman fortress of Babylon.
Stop 5: The Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa)
Named for the way it is suspended above the southern gate of the Roman fortress, its wooden floor built across the gap. Look for the marble pulpit on thirteen pillars representing Christ and the apostles.
Stop 6: St Sergius and Bacchus and Ben Ezra Synagogue (12:45)
The crypt beneath Abu Serga is traditionally identified as a resting place of the Holy Family during their flight into Egypt. A few steps away, Ben Ezra Synagogue is where the Cairo Geniza documents were found, a cache that reshaped what historians know about medieval Mediterranean life.
Stop 7: Lunch in a local restaurant (13:45)
A break of about an hour for Egyptian dishes at a restaurant used by residents rather than tour buses. Vegetarian and halal options are easy to arrange with notice.
Stop 8: Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili (15:00)
Walk the medieval lanes of the bazaar founded in the fourteenth century, past the copper and lantern workshops, with a pause for mint tea at El Fishawy if you want it. Your guide handles prices and vendors so you can look without pressure.
Stop 9: Return transfer (16:30)
Drive back to your hotel in Cairo or Giza. If you would rather be dropped at a restaurant or the airport instead, tell your guide in the morning.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Licensed professional Egyptologist guide fluent in your selected language.
- Standard entry tickets to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM main galleries) and Coptic Cairo historic churches.
- Freshly prepared lunch at a local restaurant (beverages excluded).
- Bottled drinking water provided in the vehicle throughout the tour.
- All mandatory government taxes, site parking fees, and service charges.
Excluded
- Entry passes for special limited exhibition halls or temporary GEM events (when applicable).
- Beverages during lunch.
- Personal market purchases, souvenirs, and traditional spices at Khan el-Khalili.
- Gratuities for the guide, driver, and site attendants (baksheesh).
Prices by Group Size
Every amount is the USD price for one traveler, not the total booking price. Choose the row that matches your group size.
| Travelers | Price per traveler |
|---|---|
| 1 Traveler | $375 per travelerTotal for 1 traveler: $375 |
| 2 Travelers | $245 per travelerTotal for 2 travelers: $490 |
| 3 Travelers | $240 per travelerTotal for 3 travelers: $720 |
| 4 Travelers | $230 per travelerTotal for 4 travelers: $920 |
| 5 Travelers | $230 per travelerTotal for 5 travelers: $1,150 |
| 6 or More Travelers | $230 per travelerFrom $1,380 total for 6 travelers |
We will confirm the date, availability and final price by email or WhatsApp before booking.
Pricing Information
The final price depends on travel date, availability, category and traveler count. Currency conversions are estimates updated from the central rate setting.
Children Policy
Child rates depend on age, room occupancy and the hotel or cruise policy. Send each child age for a confirmed quote.
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