Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable Egyptian City Break tour, where ancient wonders and vibrant city life await. Begin your journey in Cairo, staying at the luxurious Mena House hotel, nestled at the foot of the iconic pyramids. Explore the majestic Pyramids of Giza, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the historic Saqqara. Delve into Cairo's rich history with visits to the Egyptian Museum, home to the legendary King Tutankhamun display, and the bustling Khan al Khalili bazaar. Enjoy a scenic Nile dinner cruise with traditional entertainment. Venture to Alexandria, where you'll discover Roman ruins, the Citadel, and the intriguing Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa. With all accommodations, meals, and guided tours included, this tour offers a seamless and enriching experience of Egypt's timeless allure. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Egypt & transfer to hotel
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Mena House hotel
You arrive at Cairo airport where we greet and transfer you to the impressive Mena House hotel, which is located right at the foot of the pyramids. 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 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. After a full day a sightseeing we return to the luxurious hotel for a relaxing evening.
Day 3 : Cairo city tour & dinner cruise
Location: Cairo
Accommodation Name: Cairo 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 : Alexandria tour
Location: Alexandria
Accommodation Name: Alexandria hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We leave Cairo behind today and head north to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. Today's tour is flexible, but we normally include the Roman amphitheatre, which has twelve semi-circular marble tiers and is in remarkably good condition, the Citadel built on the site of the famous ancient lighthouse, and also the Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa, which is the largest Roman cemetery in Alexandria. Dating from the beginning of the Second Century AD this cemetery displays a unique blend of Pharaonic and Roman art. We may also visit the beautiful Montazah Palace in its peaceful garden setting. The late afternoon and evening a free for you to explore Alexandria further yourselves.
Day 5 : Transfer to the airport for departure
Location: Cairo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your tour ends today and your time is free in Alexandria until we transfer you back to Cairo airport for your flight home. If your flight departs from Cairo early this morning we suggest spending the previous night in Cairo instead of Alexandria.
What's Included
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Accommodation
2* -
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers at the start and end of your trip are included.
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Site Entrance Fees
Site entrance fees for all tours detailed in your itinerary are included.
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Qualified Tour Guide
A qualified tour guide will accompany you on all sightseeing activities.
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Private Vehicles
Private vehicles are provided for all road journeys indicated in the itinerary.
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Comprehensive Pre-departure Material
Comprehensive pre-departure material is provided.
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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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
Cairo is a bustling city, Africa's largest, and has great contrasts between its ancient history and modern-day importance. This short tour gives you a taste of the city, its museums and monuments, 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 Sphinx. We also visit the Step Pyramid at Saqqara today to learn about the history and evolution of pyramid building. On day two we take a city tour of Cairo where we visit the Egyptian Museum of antiquities, the Citadel, several mosques (or alternatively Coptic Cairo) and the busy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. The final day of sightseeing takes us north to the Mediterranean town of Alexandria where we spend a full day touring the city before returning to Cairo to finish the tour. ...more ...less
Mode of Transport
Travel in private vehicles for all road journeys, ensuring comfort and convenience. Airport transfers are provided at the start and end of your trip, making your travel experience seamless and stress-free.
Accommodation
Stay at the impressive Mena House hotel in Cairo, located right at the foot of the pyramids, and enjoy a luxurious experience. In Alexandria, unwind at a comfortable hotel, providing a relaxing atmosphere after a day of exploration.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Egyptian City Break tour?
The tour includes all accommodation, with stays at the Mena House hotel in Cairo, which is located at the foot of the pyramids, and a hotel in Alexandria.
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Are meals included in the Egyptian City Break tour?
Yes, all meals indicated in the itinerary are included in the tour package.
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Is there a tour guide provided during the Egyptian City Break tour?
Yes, a qualified tour guide will accompany you on all sightseeing activities during the tour.
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What transportation is provided during the Egyptian City Break tour?
Private vehicles are provided for all road journeys indicated in the itinerary, and airport transfers at the start and end of the trip are included.
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What is the policy on international flights for the Egyptian City Break tour?
International flights are not included in the tour package but can be arranged on request.
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Is travel insurance required for the Egyptian City Break tour?
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory for this tour, although it is not included in the package. It is available on request.
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What is the tipping policy for the Egyptian City Break tour?
A tipping kitty is suggested, allowing for US$30, and tips for the tour guide are not included in the tour package.
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What activities are included in the Cairo city tour?
The Cairo city tour includes visits to the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel, and the Khan al Khalili bazaar, as well as a dinner cruise on the River Nile with traditional Sufi and belly dancing.
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What can I expect during the Alexandria tour?
The Alexandria tour typically includes visits to the Roman amphitheatre, the Citadel, the Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa, and possibly the Montazah Palace. The afternoon and evening are free for personal exploration.
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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.
Egyptian City Break tour
5 Days Starting and ending in Cairo, Egypt
Visiting: Cairo, Giza, Alexandria
Tour operator:
Tour code:
255
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
8-95
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
