Cairo and Alexandria attractions from Taba land border

After having breakfast, check out and start a short tour to the site of Sakkara.  Beyond your expectations, the great experience will go on. In this famous archeological site, you will explore the complex of the oldest of all the pyramids. The Step pyramid, which is 4800 years old, is the first stone structure in Ancient Egypt. You will learn how the great architect Imhotep changed the royal tomb structure. Your guide will accompany you inside one of the tombs dedicated to the nobles. You will see the wall paintings and reliefs reflect the life of the Egyptians thousands of years ago. Amazingly, the ink and colors are still on the walls. Next, the entry to the pyramid of Titi is one of the highlights of the tour as Hieroglyphic texts cover the chamber walls and they date back to 2340 B.C. Drive later to Memphis. The city was the first and oldest capital of Egypt after the unity of the South and North kingdoms. Enjoy exploring the ruins of the city in the open-air museum where the second-largest Sphinx is on display. Stare with wide-open eyes at the colossus of Ramses II. This statue shows how the art of sculpture reached the point of perfection at that time 1200 B.C
Surely, your guide will explain the history of each piece on display. Then move to Cairo to visit the citadel of Saladin. Marvel at the alabaster mosque of King Mohamed Ali. Listen to your guide as he shares with you the basic facts of Islam and the function of every part of the mosque. The founder of the royal family had the mosque built by a Turkish architect influenced by the style of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The mosque is seated on a mountain Cliff, and the inner and outer walls are covered with alabaster. Before leaving the area, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city with the chance of seeing the Giza pyramids in clear days. At the end of your impressive experience, drop off back to your hotel.

With your Egyptologist guide, spend a wonderful day in the beautiful coastal city of Alexandria. The drive from Cairo to Alexandria is about 3 hours through the desert road. Once you get to the city, you will start with the Catacombs. This Roman Subterranean tomb goes back to the 1st century A.D. It shows the great influence of the Egyptian mythology and burial customs over the Romans. Descend 75 feet to see the impressive mixture of both Egyptian and Roman art. After going through the maze and complicated plan of the tomb go upstairs and take a breeze of the Mediterranean when visiting the Fort of Qaitbay. The fort was built on the island of Pharos where the Great Lighthouse of Alexandria used to stand. Atop of the fort, enjoy the view of the blue sea and the city of Alexandria. Finally, the modern library of Alexandria is a revival of the ancient one built by Ptolemy I. Explore the different exhibits and the recent technologies in that great center of culture and knowledge. Before driving back to Cairo, do not forget to have fresh seafood for lunch (upon your request). This is the best type of food you can have there.

Check out and visit the Coptic churches. Start your tour with the Hanging Church Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it is one of the most beautiful and important churches in Cairo. You will go next to the Cavern church. It is so-called because below the church there is a cave where Jesus the baby and Mary the Virgin were hiding for 3-months escaping King Herod. Go downstairs and have a look at the place where baby Jesus used to sleep. This is one place among 15 more where the Holy family stopped during the journey in Egypt. The journey lasted for 3 and a half years. Next, visit the oldest of the synagogues in Egypt. Ben Ezra temple dates back to the 9th century and it is open for tourist visits. Your Egyptologist will explain fully the history of all the places of your tour. Finally, visit the biggest and oldest market in Cairo. Follow your Egyptologist steps while walking through the narrow alleys and lames of the market. Feel the welcoming and warmth of the locals when sitting with your guide and having a drink at the oldest coffee shop in Cairo (1710). Although the market was the best place for shopping and buying authentic Egyptian souvenirs, nowadays hardly you can find those but your guide will give you advice about what to do there. Ask your guide about the bargaining ways in the market for an interesting experience. In the early afternoon, you will be driven back to Taba for crossing the border.