Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable Cairo City Break tour, where ancient wonders and vibrant culture await. This captivating journey through Egypt's capital includes visits to the iconic Pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the historic Saqqara. Explore the Egyptian Museum, home to the legendary King Tutankhamun display, and immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of the Khan al Khalili bazaar. Discover the city's rich history with a tour of the Citadel, and unwind with a delightful dinner cruise on the Nile, featuring traditional Sufi and belly dancing. Enjoy three nights in a comfortable 3-star hotel, with the option to upgrade, and benefit from the expertise of a professional Egyptologist guide. With private air-conditioned transport and 24-hour airport transfers, this tour offers a seamless and enriching experience in the heart of Egypt. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Egypt & transfer to hotel
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Cairo 3-star hotel
You arrive at Cairo airport where we greet and transfer you your 3-star hotel in the up-scale district of Mohandiseen. Our local rep. welcomes you, helps you settle into the hotel, and outlines the plan for the next few days.
Day 2 : Visit the Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara
Location: Giza
Accommodation Name: Cairo 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we have a brief pre-tour briefing before we take you on a tour of Gisa and Saqqara. Gisa was built around 4600 years ago as a necropolis (cemetery) for the pharaoh Khufu (Cheops). The successor of Sneferu, Khufu was known as a tyrant and in his arrogance decided to have built a tomb that was bigger and better than all others. Standing 500 feet high and 750 feet at its base the Pyramid of Khufu is an awesome man-made structure constructed of giant blocks of stone covered in a hard limestone casing. The casing has, over the years, been stripped away to leave exposed the inner block structure. Together with the smaller pyramids of Khafre (Chephern) and Menkaure (Mycerinus), the majestic sight of these enormous structures rising out of the desert is a breathtaking spectacle. Here you have the chance to climb inside one of the pyramids (there are a limited number of tickets available, so we cannot guarantee this), and also to take a camel ride. Close by, the mysterious Sphinx stands guard, as it has done so for thousands of years. You have another guided tour around the sphinx and some free time to walk around and take photos. From here we take you to Saqqara, which lies 25km to the south of Cairo. Djeser's (Zoser's) Step Pyramid (built 4700 years ago) dominates the skyline and is believed to have been the ancient Egyptians' first attempt at Pyramid building. The entire 7km stretch of desert at Saqqara is a treasure trove of pyramids, temples and tombs, which we will have plenty of time to explore, while we learn about the history of pyramid building in Egypt.
Day 3 : Cairo city tour & dinner cruise
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Cairo 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we begin our tour of Cairo. Founded in 969 AD by Gohar, a Fatimid army leader, El Kahera (Cairo) soon became the capital of Egypt. Subsequent additions like the El Azhar mosque, the Islamic University, and defensive walls and a citadel, built by Saladin in 1179, have helped Cairo remain Egypt's principal city. The 16-year reign of Ismail (1830-1895) ushered in a new period of expansion and modernisation in Cairo. Areas like Heliopolis, Dokki and Roda were added, while gardens, Opera houses, large hotels and wide, tree lined avenues were built. Further post revolutionary, urban expansion has left Cairo as one of the world's largest cities. Today it is a bustling metropolis of over 20 million people, a strange mix of modern and old, a unique blend of diverse cultures and a gateway to Egypt's past. Your tour includes a visit to the Egyptian Museum (which houses a vast collection of artefacts from Egypt's past, including the famous King Tutunkhamun display), the Citadel (a collection of mosques and palaces, with a great view over the city), and the Khan al Khalili bazaar (a mazy market that offers a window to the past and a guaranteed souvenir). Finally, this evening we enjoy a dinner cruise on the River Nile. During the meal, their will be traditional Sufi dancing and fun, exotic belly dancing.
Day 4 : Transfer to the airport for departure
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your tour ends today and your time is free until we transfer you back to Cairo airport for your flight home. As this is a private tour, we can be as flexible with the itinerary as you wish, and extra nights in Cairo can be added as well as further day trips and tours. For example, you could visit the colonial city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, or head into the deserts near Cairo to visit the World Heritage Site of the Valley of the Whales.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4* -
Airport Transfers
24hr airport arrival and departure transfers at the start and end of your trip are included.
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Professional Tour Guide
A professional Egyptologist tour guide is provided for all sightseeing tours.
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Local Representatives
Services of our team of permanent representatives in Cairo are included.
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Private Transportation
Private AC vehicles are provided for all road journeys indicated.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights are not included but can be arranged on request.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory and available on request, but not included.
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Egyptian Tourist Visa
The Egyptian Tourist Visa is not included.
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Tipping Kitty
A tipping kitty is not included, and you should allow US$30 for this.
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Site Entrance Fees
Site entrance fees for all places visited in the itinerary are not included, and you should allow US$46 for this.
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Tour Guide Tips
Tips for the tour guide are not included.
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Additional Meals and Snacks
Meals, drinks, and snacks not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Other Items
Any other items not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
More Info
There is no city in the world like Cairo. It has been the largest city in Africa and the Middle East for 750 years and has been attractive to tourists throughout the ages. This short tour gives you a taste of Egypt's bustling capital city and home to the Pyramids, Sphinx and Egyptian Museum, and is ideal for those short of time or who may have visited other parts of Egypt already. The tour begins with a guided sightseeing tour to Egypt's most well-known landmark - the Great Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx. We also visit the unique Step Pyramid at Saqqara to learn about the history and evolution of pyramid building. Next we take a fully-guided city tour of Cairo to visit the sprawling Egyptian Museum of antiquities, the imposing Citadel, several mosques (or alternatively Coptic Cairo) and the bustling Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We also take an evening dinner cruise on the Nile and enjoy some traditional Sufi dancing and exotic Belly dancing. Accommodation is based on a friendly small 3-star hotel in the up-scale district of Mohandiseen, with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants within easy walking distance. Upgrades to a range of different 4 or 5 star hotels are also available on request. ...more ...less
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with a private air-conditioned minibus for all road journeys, ensuring a pleasant and convenient experience as you explore the historic sites and vibrant city of Cairo.
Accommodation
Enjoy a comfortable stay in a 3-star hotel located in the upscale district of Mohandiseen, Cairo, with options for upgrades available. The hotel provides a welcoming atmosphere and is conveniently situated for exploring the city's attractions.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the Cairo City Break tour?
The tour uses private air-conditioned minibuses for all road journeys indicated in the itinerary.
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What kind of accommodation is provided on the tour?
The tour includes 3 nights of accommodation in a 3-star hotel, with upgrades available.
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Is there a professional guide included in the tour?
Yes, a professional Egyptologist tour guide is provided for all sightseeing tours.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfers are included at the start and end of the trip.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 3 breakfasts and one dinner as indicated in the itinerary.
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Can I extend my stay in Cairo after the tour ends?
Yes, as this is a private tour, extra nights in Cairo can be added, and further day trips and tours can be arranged.
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What activities are included during the Nile dinner cruise?
The Nile dinner cruise includes traditional Sufi dancing and exotic belly dancing during the meal.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Cairo City Break tour
4 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Giza
Tour operator:
Tour code:
116
Group Type:
Private
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
8-95
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
