A Day at the Museums and then some:

Choose Two Museums:

National Museum of Civilization

Egyptian Grand Museum

Egyptian Museum at Tahrir

Khan Khalili Bazaar

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

Museums not to miss in Cairo: 

1. Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

This museum should be on your bucket list. The much anticipated Grand Opening will be Nov. 1, 2025 - this is subject to change. It is currently in a soft opening - and there's plenty to see.  It is one of the largest museum projects in the world, spanning a total land area of around 120 acres. When fully opened it will showcase 12 halls housing archaeological artifacts from thousands of years of human civilization in Egypt, spanning from the predynastic period to the Greco-Roman era (c. 3100 bce to 400 ce). Its collection draws from a number of cultural institutions in Egypt, including the Egyptian Museum (founded in 1858) in downtown Cairo. The centerpiece of the museum's collection is the cache of items discovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, and it will have a prominent place in the new museum. It will feature over 5,000 artifacts, many displayed together for the first time.
Over all there will be over 50,000 artifacts, within the 12 main exhibitions halls displaying artifacts from various eras of Egyptian civilization.
Other notable displays include:
The Grand Staircase hall will house more than 60 unique artifacts. Currently open.
A one of a kind Hanging Obelisk, the Pyramids Wall and a spectacular view of the three pyramids of Giza await. Currently open.
Grand Hall: Contains a colossal statue of Ramses II. Currently open.
Outdoor Gardens: Provide a relaxing space to complement the museum's exhibits. Currently open.
12 Main Galleries. Currently open - although exhibitions may not all be complete.
Khufu Boat Museum houses the boats fo the king during his reign.

Cultural activities include meeting and lecture halls, a cinema, theater, Roman theater and a museum of education classrooms.
Visitors can participate in an immersive audio-visual experience using large-scale video projections, virtual reality, lighting, and sound effects to recreate the atmosphere of ancient Egypt and the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb.

Average time spent: 2 to 3 hours.  

2. 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.  

 

 

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 as of April 2024 include the mask of King Tut.  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.

 

Khan El Khalili

You end your tour at what we like to call a living museum Khan el-Khalili - a famous bazaar and souq  located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, near the Medieval walled city of the Saladin Citadel.  Established in the late 14th century by Emir Djaharks el-Khalili during the Mamluk era, it was originally a center for merchants and traders.  Trading in the souk dates from the 14th century.  It's known for its narrow, winding alleys filled with a wide array of shops selling everything from spices and perfumes to gold, silver, and traditional handicrafts. The market is a major tourist attraction, offering a vibrant cultural experience with its medieval architecture, lively atmosphere, and diverse array of goods 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.

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.