A country known for royal mummies, ancient pyramids and the Nile River, Egypt boasts one of the oldest civilizations known to man. It’s also home to bustling Cairo – the vibrant capital with a population of more than 16 million people – and the largest city in the Arab world.
Cairo makes an ideal base and an easy starting point for any Egypt trip. There’s a wealth of tours that begin and end in downtown, including day trips to Luxor, relaxing Nile-River cruises, and multi-day, in-depth excursions. We sifted through the lot and discovered three of the best Egypt tours from Cairo.
Egypt Experience Tour
FROM $1,975 PER PERSON
On this 12-day tour, spend two days in Cairo before moving on to Alexandria, Aswan and Luxor. You’ll visit the Land of the Pharaohs and Valley of the Kings, get up close and personal with the Pyramids of Giza, and cruise along the Nile River. Accommodation includes seven nights in a hotel, three nights on a cruise ship and one night in a sleeper train. As for food, the tour features 11 breakfasts, three lunches and five dinners – but bear in mind travelers will be responsible for their other meals and snacks. Also included is a knowledgeable guide who will provide a cultural overview as well as offer dining suggestions and recommendations for things to see and do beyond the parameters of the tour.
Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
FROM $78.75 PER PERSON
If you plan on spending a day or so in Cairo and you’d like to hit the main attractions, consider this six to eight-hour private day trip to the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum and the famed Khan el Khalili bazaar. Observe King Tut’s coffins and death mask and more than 100,000 artifacts in the museum; browse and barter for souvenirs at Cairo’s world-renowned outdoor market and take advantage of free time when you explore the chambers of one of the ancient pyramids (for an additional fee). This one-day tour also includes your own driver and Egyptologist guide who can adapt the tour to your needs and interests, maximizing or minimizing time at each attraction (just ask). An upgrade is available for lunch during the tour, which picks up and drops off at most major city hotels as well as Cairo International Airport.
Egypt Highlights Tour
FROM $1,799 PER PERSON
For a luxury Egypt tour, Osiris Tours offers a host of options departing from Cairo. One of the best choices is the Egypt Highlights Tour, which invites you to soak up ancient Egyptian history along with the beautiful monuments that this country is known for. A driver will escort you via an air-conditioned luxury vehicle, and a professional guide will show you some of the most iconic sights including the mystical temples of Edfu and Komombo. Additionally, this tour includes a three-night Nile River cruise that will transport you from Aswan in the south to the ancient wonders of Luxor. Accommodation is in the sumptuous Fairmont Hotel Nile City, the historic Mena House Hotel (only 700 metres from the pyramids), and the Sonesta Star Goddess, an all-suite cruise ship. The tour is just one of Osiris Tours’ numerous offerings. The company customises every package to fit the needs of the traveler and is happy to provide recommendations while tailoring each itinerary to ensure the most memorable experience possible.