Cairo Overnight Interlude - Alexandria To Port Said

Cairo Overnight Interlude - Alexandria To Port Said Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Pickup is in Alexandria on Day 1. Drop-off is in Port Said on Day 2.

This is the best all-encompassing tour of Cairo. You'll visit some of the most magnificent sites in all of Egypt, while also sampling local cuisine and enjoying an overnight stay in a modern Cairo hotel. This will be an unforgettable two days in the City Victorious.

This tour includes:
- Pickup at the Port of Alexandria
- Drive from Alexandria to Cairo
- Services of an Egyptology guide
- Day 1: Visit to Memphis, Sakkara, Pyramids, Great Sphinx
- Day 2: Visit to Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, Citadel, Mohamed Ali Mosque
- Room priced for double occupancy
- Snacks en route to Alexandria
- Lunch on both days
- Breakfast on Day 2
- Drop-off at Port Said

Day One

Your adventure begins when you're met at the port by your tour representative and escorted to your transportation, where you'll meet your special Egyptology guide.

On the drive between Alexandria and Cairo, you'll receive a briefing about Egyptian history and discuss the itinerary for the day. Enjoy a biscuit, mineral water, and soft drinks as you take in the view.

We'll arrive in Cairo at about 10 a.m. and begin our exploration of Memphis, Sakkara, and the Pyramids.

Located 24 kilometers southwest of Cairo, Memphis is the oldest capital of Egypt. With its magnificent walls and prosperous chariot factories, it was also one of Egypt's greatest cities. A not-to-be-missed site in Memphis is the enormous statue (over 33 feet long!) of Ramesses II carved in limestone, which is exhibited in a museum built to protect it.

Next, we'll visit Sakkara, the oldest Ancient Egyptian cemetery. It lies on a desert plateau and is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest of Egypt's 97 pyramids. It was built for King Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who designed it and its surrounding complex to be as grand as it was unique and revolutionary.

By now, you'll have worked up an appetite, so we'll have a set-menu lunch at a local restaurant.

Now, we're off to the great Pyramids of Giza. The only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, these three pyramids are among the world’s greatest tourist attractions. These amazing structures were built over the course of 80 years by an estimated 20,000-30,000 workers.

Enter the temple of the Great Sphinx, an ancient figure shrouded in legend and mystery. Your Egyptologist will enthrall you with tales of this fascinating figure. One of the most recognizable constructions in history, the Great Sphinx was sculpted from soft sandstone and many believe that it would have disappeared long ago had it not been buried in the sand for so many long periods in its lifetime. It faces the rising sun and was so revered by the ancients that they built a temple in front of it.

At the end of this day of discovery, you'll be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. The hotel will be the Meridien Pyramids Hotel or a similar alternative.

Day Two

Your second day of touring begins with a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel and then, at about 8:30 a.m., we're off to visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, the Citadel, and the Mohamed Ali Mosque.

Your Egyptologist guide will lead you on a fascinating tour of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The museum houses the world’s greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including 12 rooms filled with golden treasures from the world famous tomb of the boy king Tutankhamen.

Following a set-menu lunch at a local restaurant, we'll take a fascinating tour of Islamic Cairo, including the beautiful Mohamed Ali Mosque and the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a hill above the city.

Originally built by Salah El-Din in 1176 to fortify the city against the Crusaders, the Citadel was modified and enlarged over the centuries by subsequent rulers and today is a complex of three mosques and four museums.

Later in the afternoon, we'll drive to Port Said where your tour concludes.

- We have included your room priced for double occupancy, all transfers, guide services, lunch on both days, and breakfast on day 2. Dinner is not included.
- If you have an odd number of people in your group, you must purchase the single supplement since the rooms are based on double occupancy.
- Not included in the price: drinks during the meals, entrance fees (Mummy Room--$14.00, Inside Pyramids--$26.50, and Egyptian Museum--approx. $11), and gratuities.
- There may be additional (optional) charges to enter certain portions of museums and also to use cameras and video cameras and those may be paid upon arrival.
- Shoulders and knees must be covered while visiting the mosques. You will also be asked to remove your shoes. We suggest you bring or wear socks.
- Please note: It's possible that the order in which you see the sites listed in the tour description will change, but all the described stops will be included.
- If you wish to book the Light Show or a Camel Ride at the Pyramids, contact ShoreTrips for more information.

- You must be able to walk 3 miles on flat, yet uneven, terrain.
- Please contact ShoreTrips if you are booking between the dates of December 20-January 5. An extra charge is involved.
- Special advisory: The tour provider for this excursion has a cancellation policy which is more strict than ShoreTrips. You will not receive a full refund if within one week prior (or less) to your excursion start date, you are prevented from arriving in port in a timely basis due to a change in your ship or plane's itinerary. If your cruise ship is unable to dock, there is a 50% cancellation fee for this overnight package. You may, however, cancel your ShoreTrips booking and receive a full refund up to 15 days before the actual date of your ShoreTrip. We recommend that you purchase trip insurance and add this overnight package to your policy.

Days offered: 7 days a week

Departures:

• 07:30 AM, duration: 37 hours