History in the Making Tour:

Choice of Museums - The Egyptian Museum at Tahrir or The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

UNESCO World Heritage Site -The Citadel

Khan Khalili Bazaar

All of our tours are private tours. This means you are not herded into industrial tourism and large groups of people you do not know. We believe in personalized service.

Start your with your choice with one of two museums.

Museums not to miss in Cairo: 

1. National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

A long time in the making it finally arrived, located in the heart of the historical city of Fustat in the old city of Cairo, on an area of 33.5 acres.  Considered the first of its kind in Egypt and the Arab world which presents the full range of the richness and diversity of Egyptian civilization throughout the ages.  There are 9 halls covering eight main periods: prehistoric, archaic, pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, Islamic, modern, and then contemporary.

If mummies are your thing, then you won't want to miss Royal Mummies Hall: Royal hall comprises 22 royal mummies; and 17 royal sarcophagi coming from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.  The mummies were moved on April 3, 2021, it was quite a procession!

Average time spent: 2 to 3 hours.  

 

 

2. The Egyptian Museum at Tahrir

Located in iconic Tahrir Square the Egyptian Museum is the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, built in 1903 it houses over 120,000 artifacts. You will pick up on the Indiana Jones vibe! It evokes a sense of adventure, exploration, and a touch of danger, with a focus on historical and archeological themes. After all these years it is still a must see.  It has the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world.  It is the first national museum in the Middle East. It is actually the fifth building to house Egyptian antiquities, and has had a long and illustrious history until today.  The museum is unique in its presentation of the whole history of Egyptian civilization, especially of antiquities of the Pharaonic and Greco-Roman periods.

Notable exhibitions.  The complete burials of Yuya and Thuya Psusennes I and the treasures of Tanis, the Narmer Palette (commemorates the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under one king.) Statues of the great kings of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure the builders of the pyramids at the Giza Plateau, can be found here.

The collections of papyri, sarcophagi and jewelry are dazzling and should not be missed.

 

The Citadel -UNESCO World Heritage Site

Your next stop is the Citadel of Saladin (Cairo Citadel. It is a prominent historical site in Old Cairo.  Step back in time.  It was constructed in the 12th century by Saladin (Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi) and served as the seat of Egyptian rulers for 700 years and the military.  The Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major tourist attraction, offering a glimpse into Egypt's rich Islamic and   architectural heritage.  It features massive walls, towers, and gates designed for defense.

In general, the fortress complex is divided into two parts: the Northern, and the Southern Enclosure. The Northern Enclosure was historically reserved for military garrisons, while the Southern Enclosure was developed as the residence of the sultan. There is also a lower, western enclosure which was historically the site of the royal stables of the Mamluks. However, these functional distinctions were largely erased in the 19th century under Muhammad Ali Pasha, who overhauled the entire site and constructed buildings of various functions throughout the Citadel.

To the west and southwest of the Citadel was a long open field frequently referred to as the "hippodrome" by historians or as the Maydan ("plaza" or "square").[1][7][5] For centuries this was maintained as a training ground (especially for horsemanship) and as a military parade ground. Its outline is still visible in the layout of the roads (mainly Salah ad-Din Street) on this side of the Citadel.

You will visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, a stunning example of Ottoman architecture, and the Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque.

The dynasty was founded by Muhammad Ali Pasha and lasts for more than 150 years. Science, art, and culture were developed and flourished during this period.  Muhammad Ali was planning for "modernizing" the country. The plan included new education, agricultural, and industrial systems, and establishing a powerful military base. Then the architectural progress began in Khedive Ismail era, who wanted to change Cairo to Paris of the east. He largely worked on developing the constructional features, so he deserves the title second founder of modern Egypt, after Muhammad Ali. At his reign the seat of government was moved from the Citadel to Abdeen Palace.

The highlight of the Citadel may be the view that it offers over Cairo. Looking out of the city, one can appreciate how the city earned its nickname, "The City of a Thousand Minarets" and on a clear day one can even make out the outline of the Giza Pyramids in the distance.

Khan El Khalili

You end your tour Khan el-Khalili, Egypt's most famous bazaar and souq  located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, near the Medieval walled city of the Saladin Citadel.  It was built on the old burial site of the Fatimid Caliphs, who founded Cairo in the 10th century. Trading in the souk dates from the 14th century, but its elaborately-carved monumental gates and grid-like alleyways were constructed in the 16th century under Egypt's last powerful Mamluk ruler.  A vibrant open-air bazaar is a treasure trove of Egyptian culture, with bustling streets filled with local artisans and vendors. Here, you can pick up unique souvenirs like spices and perfumes, or simply soak up the local atmosphere. Take a break from the shopping and pay a visit to El-Fishawi Cafe, one of Cairo's oldest, for a cup of tea or coffee.  A complete contrast to the desert calm of Egypt's ancient monuments, this historic souk is well worth a visit to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Cairo. Just remember - like the rest of the capital city, it is a labyrinth of chaotically competing sounds, sights and smells - let's yourself go, take a deep breath and enjoy!

This tour includes one hour of shopping.

We don't believe in pressure, we believe in service.  Most people will want to pick up souvenirs, you are under no obligation to buy anything, you can window shop with no pressure.  If you have something specific in mind, let us know, if we can be of help we are at your service.  If you wish to pre order cartouches, papyrus etc and have them delivered to you that can be done.  Visit From Cairo with Love to place your order.  Tell us in the special instructions box that you have a tour with Leader and you want it delivered to your location in Cairo the day of your tour. As an extra bonus we'll refund the shipping charges.

Booking/Procedure FAQ

Once you have booked and paid for your tour you will receive a detailed receipt from us.  If we have any questions we will contact you via email, please check your spam folder in case we end up in there.  We highly recommend you read our policies regarding cancellations or changes.  We also like to confirm/make contact the day before with a phone call or email, to avoid any confusion.

We will pick you up at your hotel or designated location and return you to the same point. Generally speaking, we will be in the hotel lobby with your group name on a sign. We prefer to contact you the day you arrive to confirm pick up points etc. We want to make this experience hassle free with no surprises - and then your adventure begins.

Cairo Weather & Helpful Hints

Always wear comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking.  Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.  Not wheelchair accessible.

During the hot months wear light colored cotton and linen clothing. Stay hydrated! Wide brim hats or visors help with the sun. Sunglasses and sunscreen are always in fashion. In the cooler months dress in layers. Evenings can get chilly.