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Cairo Islamic Tours ISL20
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Tour Info
Includes:
Excludes:
Accommodation:
2 nights Cairo including breakfast Basis
Services Included:
Airport`s meet, assist and transfers
Tours Pyramids, Sphinx, Citadel of Salah Al Din , Cairo Mosques and Khan El Khalili with Lunch
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Accommodation and Sightseeing as listed
Professional Multilingual tour guide and tour leader
All services in private basis
Entrance fees as sights listed in itinerary
Excludes:
Any Flights booking
Entry Visa to Egypt
Any Kind of Insurance
Personal expenses
Optional Tours
Tipping
Notes
Entering the pyramids chamber from inside & solar boat
Entering the Mummies room at the Egyptian Museum
Tour Itinerary Details
Day 1: Arrival Cairo
Arrival at Cairo international airport where you will be met and assisted through Visa and Customs by our staff and escorted to your hotel in Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: NO
Day 2: (Cairo) Tours to Pyramids, Sphinx, Cairo Mosques , Citadel of Salah Al Din and Khan El Khalili
After breakfast at hotel ( normally start from 07:00 am to 09:00 am ) , our tour guide will meet you at Lobby at 0830 am to pick up and start the day tours to Pyramids and Sphinx after that transfer to restaurant to get your lunch meal , continue to visit Citadel of Salah Al dine , Mohamed Ali Mosque , Al Hussein Mosque , Al Azhar Mosque , Imam AlShafaie Mosque, transfer Khan El Khalili Bazaar - back to your hotel - over night in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch
Day 3: Departure Cairo
After breakfast, free time until your departure and check out then transfer to Cairo international airport for your final departure. Wish you a safe trip
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Highlights
Al-Azhar Mosque
Location: Al Hussein Square,cairo,Egypt.Built: in two years beginning in 971 AD. Built by: Jawhar al-Sequili in two years during the reign of the ... More Info.
Al-Rifai Mosque
Location : in the Qala'a square in front of the citadel just facing the great Mosque of Al Sultan Hassan.Built: in Century 19 (1869) Ad and end in ... More Info.
Cairo
Location: in northern Egypt, 165 kilometers (100 mi) south of the Mediterranean Sea and 120 kilometres (75 mi) west of the Gulf of Suez and Suez ... More Info.
El-Hussein Mosque
Location: Maydan El-Hussein, El Azhar Square, El Muiz Street, Cairo Built: in 1154 and then modified in 1236. During the Fatimid rule.Built ... More Info.
Built: in 1154 and then modified in 1236. During the Fatimid rule.
Built by: Fatimid caliphs
History: The El-Hussein Mosque sits on the site of the cemetery of the Fatimid caliphs. It was entirely rebuilt under the khedive Ismail. Earlier this century the remains of the cemetery were discovered while work was being done on the mosque's foundations. There are forty-four white marble columns that support the wood ceiling. On one side of the mosque is the mausoleum which is the oldest part of the complex which was built in 1154 and then modified in 1236. In the mausoleum are the remains of El-Hussein. A cupola with a ceiling that is decorated and inlaid with gold surmounts the mausoleum. There are two minarets at the complex. The one on the south west side is from the same period as the mosque. The other is contemporary in style as is the mausoleum.
Khan el-Khalili
Location:Off Hussein Square, Across from Al Azhar Mosque, CairoBuilt:in 1382Built by:the Emir Djaharks el-KhaliliHistory:Â Khan el-Khalili, once ... More Info.
Sphinx
Location: to the north-east of Chephren's Valley Temple.History: In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a ... More Info.
History: In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a human head and a lion's body. The name 'sphinx' which means 'strangler' was first given by the Greeks to a fabulous creature which had the head of a woman and the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. The sphinx appears to have started in Egypt in the form of a sun god. The Egyptian sphinx is usually a head of a king wearing his headdress and the body of a lion. There are, however, sphinxes with ram heads that are associated with the god Amun. Where it sits was once a quarry. Chephren's workers shaped the stone into the lion and gave it their king's face over 4,500 years ago. The sphinx faces the rising sun with a temple to the front which resembles the sun temples which were built later by the kings of the 5th Dynasty. The figure was buried for most of its life in the sand. King Thutmose IV (1425 - 1417 BC) placed a stela between the front paws of the figure. It describes when Thutmose, while still a prince, had gone hunting and fell asleep in the shade of the sphinx. During a dream, the sphinx spoke to Thutmose and told him to clear away the sand because it was choking the sphinx. The sphinx told him that if he did this, he would be rewarded with a kingship. Thutmose carried out this request and the sphinx held up his end of the deal. The sphinx is built of soft sandstone and would have disappeared long ago had it not been buried for so long. The body is 200 feet (60m) in length and 65 feet (20m) tall. The face of the sphinx is 13 feet (4m) wide and its eyes are 6 feet (2m) high. Part of the uraeus (sacred cobra), the nose and the ritual beard are now missing. . The beard from the sphinx is displayed in the British Museum. The statue is crumbling today because of the wind, humidity and the smog from Cairo. Attempts to restore it have often caused more harm than good. No one can be certain who the figure is to personify. It is possible that it is Chephren. If that is so, it would then be the oldest known royal portrait in such large scale. Some say that it was built after the pyramid of Chephren was complete. It may have been set as a sort of scarecrow to guard his tomb. Still others say it is the face of his guardian deity, rather than Chephren himself. The image of the sphinx is a depiction of royal power. Only a pharaoh or an animal could be shown this way, with the animal representing a protective deity. In the 1980's, a carefully planned restoration of the Sphinx was in progress. Over 6 years, more than 2,000 limestone blocks were added to the body of the sphinx and chemicals were injected. This treatment did not work. It just flaked away along with parts of the original rock. Later, various mortars and many workers who were not trained in restoration worked for six months to repair it. In 1988 the left shoulder crumbled and blocks fell off. Present attempts at restoration are under the control of the Supreme Council of Antiquities' archaeologists. They are concentrating on draining away subsoil seepage which is damaging the rock. They are also repairing the damaged shoulder with smaller blocks and staying with the original size.
Tahrir Square
Tahrir Square: is a major public town square in Downtown Cairo, Egypt. The square was originally called Midan Ismaileyya (English: Ismailia Square), ... More Info.
The Citadel of Salah Aldin
Location: on Mokattam hill near the center of CairoHistory: The Citadel was fortified by the Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din (Saladin) between 1176 and ... More Info.
The Great Pyramids of Giza
Location: on the West Bank of the Nile RiverHistory: The Great Pyramids at Giza are the world's most famous monument. They are, without question, the ... More Info.
Location: Al Hussein Square,cairo,Egypt.Built: in two years beginning in 971 AD. Built by: Jawhar al-Sequili in two years during the reign of the ... More Info.
Al-Azhar Mosque
City:
Cairo
Type:
Islamic
Description:
Location: Al Hussein Square,cairo,Egypt.
Built: in two years beginning in 971 AD.
Built by: Jawhar al-Sequili in two years during the reign of the Fatimid Caliph al-Muiz
History: the Al-Azhar Mosque (the most blooming), in a porticoed style shortly after the founding of Cairo itself, was originally designed by the Fatimid general Jawhar El-Sequili (Gawhara Qunqubay, Gawhar al-Sakkaly) and built on the orders of Caliph Muezz Li-Din Allah. Located in the center of an area teaming with the most beautiful Islamic monuments from the 10th century, it was called "Al-Azhar" after Fatama al-Zahraa, daughter of the Prophet Mohamed (Peace and Prayers Be Upon Him). It imitated both the Amr Ibn El-As and Ibn Tulun mosques. The first Fatimid monument in Egypt, the Azhar was both a meeting place for Shi'a students and through the centuries, it has remained a focal point of the famous university which has grown up around it. It was under Yaqoub Ibn Cals that the mosque became a teaching institute. This is the oldest university in the world, where the first lecture was delivered in 975 AD. Today the university built around the Mosque is the most prestigious of Muslim schools, and its students are highly esteemed for their traditional training. While ten thousand students once studied here, today the university classes are conducted in adjacent buildings and the Mosque is reserved for prayer. In addition to the religious studies, modern schools of medicine, science and foreign languages have also been added. Architecturally, the mosque is a palimpsest of all styles and influences that have passed through Egypt, with a large part of it having been renovated by Abdarrahman Khesheda. There are five very fine minarets with small balconies and intricately carved columns. It has six entrances, with the main entrance being the 18th Century Bab el-Muzayini (barber's gate), where students were once shaved. This gate leads into a small courtyard and then into the Aqbaughawiya Medersa to the left, which was built in 1340 and serves as a library. On the right is the Taybarsiya Medersa built in 1310 which has a very fine mihrab. The Qaitbay Entrance was built in 1469 and has a minaret built atop. Inside is a large courtyard that is 275 by 112 feet which is surrounded with porticos supported by over three hundred marble columns of ancient origin. To the east is the prayer hall which is larger than the courtyard and has several rows of columns. The Kufic inscription on the interior of the mihrab is original, though the mihrab has been modified several times, and behind is a hall added in 1753 by Abd el-Rahman Katkhuda. At the northern end is the tomb medersa of Jawhar El-Sequili.
Location : in the Qala'a square in front of the citadel just facing the great Mosque of Al Sultan Hassan.Built: in Century 19 (1869) Ad and end in ... More Info.
Al-Rifai Mosque
City:
Cairo
Type:
Islamic
Description:
Location : in the Qala'a square in front of the citadel just facing the great Mosque of Al Sultan Hassan.
Built: in Century 19 (1869) Ad and end in Century 19 (1910) Ad
Built by : Princess Khoshiar, the mother of Khedive Ismail
History: The mosque of Al Refaie' is considered one of the remarkable Islamic structures in Cairo.the Mosque of El Rifaey was established by Princess Khushyar who was the wife of Ibrahim Pasha and the mother of Khedive Ismail . She asked Hussein Pasha Fahmi to construct that mosque and attach the mausoleum of Shaykh El-Rifaey and Shaykh Abdullah El-Ansari to it . She also ordered him to build a funerary chamber for herself and her family next to the mosque . The death of Princess Khushyar and architect Hussein Fahmi made the erection of the mosque stop for a number of years . In 1905 , the foreign architect Max Herz Bey followed the design and the style of decoration that was planned by Hussein Pasha before , and completed the construction of the mosque .One of the eye-catching features in this mosque is the neo- Mamluk style of decoration . The sanctuary , with its large size , is beautifully decorated with stalactites and various forms of marble ornate from different countries . Of special interest in this monument are the luxuriously ornamented window grills , the gilded ceiling and the 44 huge pillars in the courtyard of that mosque . The mosque has two doors one of them in the west and another one in the southern side of the mosque and only the southern one can be used now . Once you enter the mosque , you would find the cenotaph of Shaykh Ali El-Rifaey who is supposed as a saint and people still visit his tomb and walk around it till now . The cenotaph is covered with a beautiful sandalwood screen . Behind an oblong room on the left side of this cenotaph appears a mausoleum that gathers the bodies of many members of the royal family including the tombs of King Fuad , and his mother Ferial , and the tomb of the last shah of Iran Muhammad Pahlavi , and the last king of Egypt , King Farouk . On the left of the Qibla stands the door leading to the mausoleum of princess Khushyar's family that exists along the north wall . It contains a large tomb for the princess and her son Ismail Pasha , a larger tomb for Sultan Hussein Kamil and his wife , and a small tomb for the three wives of Ismail Pasha .
Location: in northern Egypt, 165 kilometers (100 mi) south of the Mediterranean Sea and 120 kilometres (75 mi) west of the Gulf of Suez and Suez ... More Info.
Cairo
City:
Cairo
Type:
City Info
Description:
Location: in northern Egypt, 165 kilometers (100 mi) south of the Mediterranean Sea and 120 kilometres (75 mi) west of the Gulf of Suez and Suez Canal
Built by: Fatimid caliphs
History: Cairo, which means "the Triumphantâ€, is the capital and largest city of Egypt. It is on the heart of Egyptand it is the Arab World's largest and Africa's most populous city. While Al-Qahirah is the official name of the city, in Egyptian Arabic it is called by the dialect's name for the country, Masr. (Egypt's first Arab capital, Fustat, was known as Misr al-Fustat, "City of the Tents".)Cairo was founded by the Fatimid caliphs as a royal enclosure. It replaced Fustat as the seat of the government. It later came under the Mamluks, was ruled by the Ottomans 1517 to 1798, and briefly occupied by Napoleon. Muhammad Ali of Egypt made Cairo the capital of his independent empire from 1805 to 1882, after which the British took control of it until Egypt attained independence in 1922. Cairo has a population of about 6.8 million people, according to the 2006 population census. The number of inhabitants was about a million higher at the time of the census, but this was adjusted downwards on the 17th of April 2008 when the new governorate of Helwan was created from parts of a.o. Cairo governorate. Cairo's metropolitan area has a population of about 17.8 million people. Cairo is the sixteenth most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is also the most populous metropolitan area in Africa. It is nicknamed "The City of A Thousand Minarets". It is near the site of the first capital of unified Egypt, Memphis.
Transportation: (Cairo International Airport-Ramses Railway Station-Cairo Tram-Cairo Transportation Authority CTA-Cairo Taxi/Yellow Cab-Cairo Metro -Cairo Nile Ferry)Transportation in Cairo comprises an extensive road network, rail system, subway system, and maritime services. Road transport is facilitated by personal vehicles, taxi cabs, privately owned public buses, and Cairo microbuses. Cairo, specifically Ramses Square, is the centre of almost the entire Egyptian transportation network.The subway system, officially called "Metro", is a fast and efficient way of getting around Cairo. It can get very crowded during rush hour. Two train cars (the fourth and fifth ones) are reserved for women only, although women may ride in any car they want.An extensive road network connects Cairo with other Egyptian cities and villages. There is a new Ring Road that surrounds the outskirts of the city, with exits that reach outer Cairo districts. There are flyovers and bridges, such as the Sixth of October bridge that, when the traffic is not heavy, allow fast means of transportation from one side of the city to the other.Cairo traffic is known to be overwhelming and overcrowded Traffic moves at a relatively fluid pace. Drivers tend to be aggressive, but are more courteous at intersections, taking turns going, with police aiding in traffic control of some congested areas.
Cairo shopping centers: Shopping centers in and around Cairo appeal to most visitors. Egyptian products are so varied and meet various tastes and different levels of income. These centers or souks (markets) provide quality which rivals International standards.
Location: Maydan El-Hussein, El Azhar Square, El Muiz Street, Cairo Built: in 1154 and then modified in 1236. During the Fatimid rule.Built ... More Info.
El-Hussein Mosque
City:
Cairo
Type:
Islamic
Description:
Location: Maydan El-Hussein, El Azhar Square, El Muiz Street, CairoBuilt: in 1154 and then modified in 1236. During the Fatimid rule.
Built by: Fatimid caliphs
History: The El-Hussein Mosque sits on the site of the cemetery of the Fatimid caliphs. It was entirely rebuilt under the khedive Ismail. Earlier this century the remains of the cemetery were discovered while work was being done on the mosque's foundations. There are forty-four white marble columns that support the wood ceiling. On one side of the mosque is the mausoleum which is the oldest part of the complex which was built in 1154 and then modified in 1236. In the mausoleum are the remains of El-Hussein. A cupola with a ceiling that is decorated and inlaid with gold surmounts the mausoleum. There are two minarets at the complex. The one on the south west side is from the same period as the mosque. The other is contemporary in style as is the mausoleum.
Location:Off Hussein Square, Across from Al Azhar Mosque, CairoBuilt:in 1382Built by:the Emir Djaharks el-KhaliliHistory:Â Khan el-Khalili, once ... More Info.
Khan el-Khalili
City:
Cairo
Type:
Historical Bazaar
Description:
Location:Off Hussein Square, Across from Al Azhar Mosque, Cairo
Built:in 1382
Built by:the Emir Djaharks el-Khalili
History:Â Khan el-Khalili, once known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period, is now usually just called the 'Khan', and the names of it and the Muski market are often used interchangeably to mean either. Named for the great Caravansary. Together with the al-Muski market to the west, they comprise one of Cairo's most important shopping areas. But more than that, they represent the market tradition which established Cairo as a major center of trade, and at the Khan, one will still find foreign merchants. Perhaps, this vary market was involved in the spice monopoly controlled by the Mamluks, which encouraged the Europeans to search for new routes to the East and led Columbus, indirectly, to discover the Americas. During its early period, the market was also a center for subversive groups, often subject to raids before the Sultan Ghawri rebuilt much of the area in the early 16th century. Regardless, it was trade which caused Cairo's early wealth, even from the time of the Babylon fort which was often a settlement of traders.This market is situated at one corner of a triangle of markets that go south to Bab Zuwayla and west to Azbakiyyah. The Khan is bordered on the south by al-Azhar Street and on the west by the Muski Market. One of the old original gates guards the entrance to the original courtyard which lies midway down Sikkit al-Badistan (street). On a narrow street leading off al-Badistand, one will find the El-Fishawi Cafe, or Cafe of Mirrors, which was once a meeting place for local artists, and is still frequented by the Nobel Award winning Naguib Mahfouz, one of Egypt's most well known authors. There are any number of canvas covered streets such as the one pictured to the right. Egyptian buyers generally shop in the area north of al-Badistan and to the west, where prices may be lower. Better deals for gold and silver are to be found west of the Khan along the "street of the gold sellers", and further on one will find the Brass and Coppersmith Markets.
Location: to the north-east of Chephren's Valley Temple.History: In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a ... More Info.
Sphinx
City:
Giza
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: to the north-east of Chephren's Valley Temple.History: In a depression to the south of Chephren's pyramid sits a creature with a human head and a lion's body. The name 'sphinx' which means 'strangler' was first given by the Greeks to a fabulous creature which had the head of a woman and the body of a lion and the wings of a bird. The sphinx appears to have started in Egypt in the form of a sun god. The Egyptian sphinx is usually a head of a king wearing his headdress and the body of a lion. There are, however, sphinxes with ram heads that are associated with the god Amun. Where it sits was once a quarry. Chephren's workers shaped the stone into the lion and gave it their king's face over 4,500 years ago. The sphinx faces the rising sun with a temple to the front which resembles the sun temples which were built later by the kings of the 5th Dynasty. The figure was buried for most of its life in the sand. King Thutmose IV (1425 - 1417 BC) placed a stela between the front paws of the figure. It describes when Thutmose, while still a prince, had gone hunting and fell asleep in the shade of the sphinx. During a dream, the sphinx spoke to Thutmose and told him to clear away the sand because it was choking the sphinx. The sphinx told him that if he did this, he would be rewarded with a kingship. Thutmose carried out this request and the sphinx held up his end of the deal. The sphinx is built of soft sandstone and would have disappeared long ago had it not been buried for so long. The body is 200 feet (60m) in length and 65 feet (20m) tall. The face of the sphinx is 13 feet (4m) wide and its eyes are 6 feet (2m) high. Part of the uraeus (sacred cobra), the nose and the ritual beard are now missing. . The beard from the sphinx is displayed in the British Museum. The statue is crumbling today because of the wind, humidity and the smog from Cairo. Attempts to restore it have often caused more harm than good. No one can be certain who the figure is to personify. It is possible that it is Chephren. If that is so, it would then be the oldest known royal portrait in such large scale. Some say that it was built after the pyramid of Chephren was complete. It may have been set as a sort of scarecrow to guard his tomb. Still others say it is the face of his guardian deity, rather than Chephren himself. The image of the sphinx is a depiction of royal power. Only a pharaoh or an animal could be shown this way, with the animal representing a protective deity. In the 1980's, a carefully planned restoration of the Sphinx was in progress. Over 6 years, more than 2,000 limestone blocks were added to the body of the sphinx and chemicals were injected. This treatment did not work. It just flaked away along with parts of the original rock. Later, various mortars and many workers who were not trained in restoration worked for six months to repair it. In 1988 the left shoulder crumbled and blocks fell off. Present attempts at restoration are under the control of the Supreme Council of Antiquities' archaeologists. They are concentrating on draining away subsoil seepage which is damaging the rock. They are also repairing the damaged shoulder with smaller blocks and staying with the original size.
Tahrir Square: is a major public town square in Downtown Cairo, Egypt. The square was originally called Midan Ismaileyya (English: Ismailia Square), ... More Info.
Tahrir Square
City:
Cairo
Type:
Modern attractions
Description:
Tahrir Square: is a major public town square in Downtown Cairo, Egypt. The square was originally called Midan Ismaileyya (English: Ismailia Square), after the 19th-century ruler Khedive Ismail, who commissioned the new downtown district's 'Paris on the Nile' design. After the Egyptian Revolution of 1919 the square became widely known as Tahrir (Liberation) Square, but the square was not officially renamed until the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, which changed Egypt from a constitutional monarchy into a republic. The square was a focal point for the Egyptian Revolution of 2011
At the centre of Tahrir Square is a large and busy traffic circle. On the north-east side is a plaza with a statue of nationalist hero Omar Makram, celebrated for his resistance against Napoleon I's invasion of Egypt, and beyond is the Omar Makram Mosque.
The square is the northern terminus of the historic Qasr al-Ayni Street, the western terminus of Talaat Harb Street, and via Qasr al-Nil Street crossing its southern portion it has direct access to the Qasr al-Nil Bridge crossing the nearby Nile River.
The area around Tahrir Square includes the Egyptian Museum, the National Democratic Party-NDP headquarters building, the Mogamma government building, the Headquarters of the Arab League building, the Nile Hotel, and the original downtown campus of the American University in Cairo.
The Cairo Metro serves Tahrir Square with the Sadat Station, which is the downtown junction of the system's two lines, linking to Giza, Maadi, Helwan, and other districts and suburbs of Greater Cairo. Its underground access viaducts provide the safest routes for pedestrians crossing the broad roads of the heavily trafficked square.Â
Location: on Mokattam hill near the center of CairoHistory: The Citadel was fortified by the Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din (Saladin) between 1176 and ... More Info.
The Citadel of Salah Aldin
City:
Cairo
Type:
Islamic
Description:
Location: on Mokattam hill near the center of Cairo
History: The Citadel was fortified by the Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din (Saladin) between 1176 and 1183 CE, to protect it from the Crusaders. Only a few years after defeating the Fatimid Caliphate, Saladin set out to build a wall that would surround both Cairo and Fustat. Saladin is recorded as saying, "With a wall I will make the two [cities of Cairo and Fustat] into a unique whole, so that one army may defend them both; and I believe it is good to encircle them with a single wall from the bank of the Nile to the bank of the Nile." The Citadel would be the centerpiece of the wall. Built on a promontory beneath the Muqattam Hills, a setting that made it difficult to attack, the efficacy of the Citadel's location is further demonstrated by the fact that it remained the heart of Egyptian government until the 19th century. The citadel stopped being the seat of government when Egypt's ruler, Khedive Ismail, moved to his newly built Abdin Palace in the Ismailiya neighborhood in the 1860s. While the Citadel was completed in 1183-1184, the wall Saladin had envisioned was still under construction in 1238, long after his death. To supply water to the Citadel, Saladin built the 280 feet (85 m) deep Well of Joseph, which can still be seen today. This well is also known as the Well of the Spiral because its entrance consisted of 300 stairs that wound around the inside of the well. Once water was raised from the well to the surface, it traveled to the Citadel on a series of aqueducts. During the reign of al-Nasir Muhammad, the Well of Joseph failed to produce enough water for the numerous animals and humans then living in the Citadel. To increase the volume of water, Nasir built a well system that consisted of a number of water wheels on the Nile, the water from which was then transported to the wall and subsequently to the Citadel, via the aqueducts Saladin had constructed. The improvements to the Citadel's water supply were not Nasir's only additions to the Citadel, which was subject to a number of different additions during the Mamluk period. Nasir's most notable contribution was the Mosque of Nasir. In 1318 Nasir rebuilt the Ayyubid structure, turning it into a mosque in his name. The structure underwent further additions in 1335. Other contributions to the Citadel during Nasir's reign include the structure's southern enclosure (the northern enclosure was completed by Saladin) and the residential area, which included space for the harem and the courtyard. Prior to Nasir's work on the Citadel, the Baybars constructed the Hall of Justice and the "House of Gold."
The Citadel is sometimes referred to as Mohamed Ali Citadel, because it contains the Mosque of Muhammad Ali of (or Mohamed Ali Pasha), which was built between 1828 and 1848, perched on the summit of the citadel. This Ottoman mosque was built in memory of Tusun Pasha, Muhammad Ali's oldest son, who died in 1816. However, it also represents Muhammad Ali's efforts to erase symbols of the Mamluk dynasty that he replaced. When Ottoman ruler Muhammad Ali Pasha took control from the Mamluks in 1805 he altered many of the additions to the Citadel that reflected Cairo's previous leaders. One obvious change that Muhammad Ali enacted pertained to the uses of the Citadel's northern and southern enclosures. During the Mamluk period the southern enclosure was the residential area, but Muhammad Ali claimed the northern enclosure as the royal residence when he took power. He then opened the southern enclosure to the public and effectively established his position as the new leader. The mosque is the other feature of the Citadel that reflects the reign of Muhammad Ali. This feature, with its large dome and overtly Ottoman influenced architecture, looms over the Citadel to this day. Recently destroyed Mamluk palaces within the Citadel provided space for the formidable mosque, which was the largest structure to be established in the early 19th century. Placing the mosque where the Mamluks had once reigned was an obvious effort to erase the memory of the older rulers and establish the importance of the new leader. The mosque also replaced the mosque of al-Nasir as the official state mosque. There are two other mosques at the Citadel, the 13th/14th c. hypostyle Al-Nasir Muhammad Qala'un Mosque from the early Bahri Mamluk period, and the 16th c. Mosque of Suleyman Pasha, first of the Citadel's Ottoman-style mosques.
The citadel also contains museums:
Al-Gawhara Palace museum: Al-Gawhara Palace (Qasr al-Gawhara), also known as Bijou Palace, is a palace and museum in Cairo, Egypt. The palace is situated south of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in the Cairo Citadel. It was commissioned by Mohammed Ali Pasha in 1814. The palace designed and constructed by artisans contracted from a variety of countries, including Greeks, Turks, Bulgarians and Albanians.The artisans constructed a variety of elements as part of the palace complex: "barracks, schools, an arsenal, a gun-powder factory and a mint."The palace was constructed as a two-storey pavilion in the style of a Turkish kushk. It has Western style windows which were often topped with an oval oeil-de-boeuf. The French architect and engineer Pascal Coste was employed to add the residential quarters for the palace servants and functionaries. On one side of the palace was a haush (courtyard) and on the other, were views of the pyramids and the Nile. In 1822, a fire destroyed the palace's wooden construction in a blaze that lasted for 2 days. Later, Mohamed Ali had the structure expanded and elaborated upon with the construction of "a large marble fountain, columned stone terraces and porticoes, parterres of flower beds and orange groves, and even a menagerie containing a lion, two tigers and an elephant, a gift of the British Lord Hastings. Two years later, in 1824, fire again damaged the palace after explosions of gunpowder. Mohamed Ali imported large slabs of marble from Italy to build a vestibule, staircase and corridors. In 1825, English traveller Anne Catherine Elwood described the opulence of the palace, and in particular its grand room that could "offer dancing, had deep niches for conversation, and side rooms for music, reading, games and refreshment." Mohamed Ali's official divan or audience hall, where the pasha received guests, contains a 1000kg chandelier sent to him by Louis-Philippe I of France.Some of the paintings in the Pasha hall of the palace portray the receiving of foreign ambassadors. The palace also contains the throne of Mohammed Ali Pasha that was a gift from the King of Italy.
Carriage Museum:This small museum housed in a former British officers mess hall contains eight carriages used by Egyptian royalty. There are horse heads, saddles and riding equipment on display. The highlight is the glittering gold carriage presented by Emperor Napoleon to Khedive Ismail. Nearby is the carriage used by Khedive Ismail when he opened the Suez Canal in 1869.
The National Military Museum( the Police Museum):A small but interesting museum devoted to Egypt’s most sensational murders and assassinations (strangely, Sadat’s is overlooked). The challenge of fingerprinting is exemplified by bizarre photos of people with extra digits, fingerless amputees and a real-life Edward Scissor-hands. Another exhibit showcases painted plaster molds of a gunned-down criminal’s foot, hand and grimacing face. open daily 9am–4:30pm.
Location: on the West Bank of the Nile RiverHistory: The Great Pyramids at Giza are the world's most famous monument. They are, without question, the ... More Info.
The Great Pyramids of Giza
City:
Giza
Type:
Pharaonic
Description:
Location: on the West Bank of the Nile River
History: The Great Pyramids at Giza are the world's most famous monument. They are, without question, the icon most associated with the Egypt. They have been both the main destination for tourists and a source of imaginative thought to the world for over three thousand years. They are named Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu), Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre) and Pyramid of Menkaure.
Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu): Cheops was the second king of the 4th Dynasty and was the builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Khufu was succeeded by Radjedef, his son by a lesser wife, whose reign was abruptly ended. He was succeeded by Khephren, Khufu's son by Queen Henutsen. A miniature statue of Khufu is on display at the Cairo Museum. This is the only likeness of him known to be in existence. How the Great Pyramid was built is a question that may never be answered. Herodotus said that it would have taken 30 years and 100,000 slaves to have built it. Another theory is that it was built by peasants who were unable to work the land while the Nile flooded between July and November. They may have been paid with food for their labor. The flooded waters would have also aided in the moving of the casing stones. These stones were brought from Aswan and Tura and the water would have brought the stones right to the pyramid. This pyramid is thought to have been built between 2589 - 2566 BC. It would have taken over 2,300,000 blocks of stone with an average weight of 2.5 tons each. The total weight would have been 6,000,000 tons and a height of 482 feet (140m). It is the largest and the oldest of the Pyramids of Giza. Not much is known about Cheops (Khufu). The tomb had been robbed long before archeologists came upon it. Any information about him was taken with the objects inside the tomb. He is thought to have been the ruler of a highly structured society and he must have been very wealthy. He was buried alone in this massive tomb. His wives may have been buried nearby in smaller mastabas.
Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre): His birth name was Khafre, which means "Appearing like Re". He is also sometimes referred to as Khafra, Rakhaef, Khephren or Chephren by the Greeks, and Suphis II by Manetho. He was possibly a younger son of Khufu (Cheops) by his consort, Henutsen, so he was required to wait out the reign of Djedefre, his older brother, prior to ascending to the throne of Egypt as the fourth ruler of the fourth Dynasty. However, there is disagreement on this matter. There is no evidence that anyone was ever buried in the main chamber. No inscriptions have been found in the pyramid; however there is a sarcophagus in the main chamber. There are two entrances that lead into the pyramid which are placed one directly above the other. The most distinctive feature of Khafre's Pyramid is the topmost layer of smooth stones that are the only remaining casing stones on a Giza Pyramid.
Pyramid of Menkaure: The last major pyramid of Giza is the Pyramid of Menkaure, son of Khafre. Although much smaller than the other two pyramids on the plateau, the lower courses were originally encased in granite. It has three subsidiary pyramids and some of its Mortuary temple remains intact. The interior of this pyramid includes a room possibly for the burial of some of the king's family as well as the king himself. At the end of the steps leading to the opening, there are a few steps downward into the descending passageway. As the descending passageway ends we enter into the first antechamber. This room is relatively small and there is another opening at the far end. Both openings are flanked by a carved "palace facade" design, the first such carved relief seen in any major pyramid since that of Zoser. The opening at the end of the first antechamber leads to another passageway. End of this passageway is the opening into the next set of chambers. This next chamber is unique because it offers a view of the top of the vaulted ceiling of the main burial chamber through a space that you can look through at the far end. Menkaure's Pyramid had an original height of 65.5 metres (215 feet). It now stands at 62 m (203 ft) tall with a base of 105 m (344 ft). Its angle of incline is approximately 51°20′25″. It was constructed of limestone and granite. The mortuary temple of the Menkaure complex is the most intact mortuary temple on the Giza plateau. It is made of core limestone and was originally lined with granite in its interior. The entrance corridor was made of mudbrick and leads to a large courtyard. The courtyard was also cased with mudbrick, though with an outer layer of limestone. An interesting feature is that there is a basin and drainage system at the center of the courtyard. A recessed portico is located on the western wall of the court; this has 6 red granite columns. At the west end of this is a long narrow sanctuary. At the south end of the portico is a passage that leads to annex structures that do not appear to have been finished. From the north end of the portico a passage leads to 5 small rooms. At the westernmost end of the temple is an offering shrine which is built right against the face of the pyramid. This may have had a false door, and was paved with red granite. Just east of this is a corridor containing 6 limestone pillars, this was most likely built later during the 6th dynasty.
Tour Route Map
Booking Conditions
Rates:
Rates quoted on US Dollar per person per package including all Applicable taxes
Rates based on mentioned hotels or Nile cruises listed in offer
Payment should be in USD and if by another currency it will be due to daily exchange rate
Rates excluding Christmas, New Year & Easter and it will be case by case upon request
Children Policy:
Child up to 03 years old free of charge and sharing parent`s room
Child from 03-05 years old will be charged 25 % of adult`s rate
Child from 05-11, 99 year old will be 50 % of adult rate and sharing parent`s room
Child over 12 years old will be Adult`s rate
Accommodation:
Chosen hotels in each package is a sample of package category not secured booking and your final booking will be sent within confirmation letter and invoice
Tour Guides:
Rates based on English - French - German - Spanish - Italian tour guides.
Other languages speaking guide will have supplement and will be advised upon receiving your request.
Tipping:
You are not obliged to do it, it is up to you
Cancellation:
Trip2egypt.com only accepts cancellation made writing document by official email ( info@trip2egypt.com ) . If travelers cancel his/her reservation the following fees will be applies,
On same day of arrival will be No show and will charge full payment
02 - 04 days prior to arrival date 75 % of total payment will be charged
05 - 07 days prior to arrival date 65 % of total payment will be charged
08 - 15 days prior to arrival date 55 % of total payment will be charged
16 - 30 days prior to arrival date 45 % of total payment will be charged
31 - 45 days prior to arrival date 25 % of total payment will be charged
Christmas and New Year from 18 DEC until 10 JAN cancellation policy will be as the following:
On same day of arrival will be No show and will charge full payment
02 - 15 days prior to arrival date 75 % of total payment will be charged
16 - 25 days prior to arrival date 65 % of total payment will be charged
26 - 45 days prior to arrival date 55 % of total payment will be charged
Rates and Booking
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1- Booking Info
Promotion
Extra Optional tours
Pyramids Sound & Light ShowSpend a wonderful day tours discovering the Sound and Light Spectacular Show of the Giza Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren and Mykerinus and enjoy the ... More Info.
Pyramids Sound & Light Show
City:Cairo
Duration: From: 8PM To: 10PM Total: (03 hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed pointAll transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Entrance fees to pyramides sound & light Show
Professional Multilingual tour leader
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
Excludes:
Meals and drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
Cairo Lunch Cruise on MS Nile Crystal Enjoy a relaxing lunch cruise, fine food, accompanying live music, impeccable service and spectacular views of Cairo any day of the week accompanied ... More Info.
Cairo Lunch Cruise on MS Nile Crystal
City:Cairo
Duration: From: 3PM To: 6PM Total: (03 Hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed point
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Buffet lunch at 5 star floating restaurant in Cairo
Professional Multilingual tour leader
Mineral water on board the vehicle during your tour
Excludes:
Drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
Cairo Night Dinner Cruise Trip on MS.Nile CrystalSpend a wonderful dinner at Nile crystal 5*Deluxe floating restaurant in Cairo and enjoy a view of the Nile accompanied by our professional English ... More Info.
Cairo Night Dinner Cruise Trip on MS.Nile Crystal
City:Cairo
Duration: From: 7PM To: 10PM Total: (03 Hours)
places:
Includes:
Pick up and drop off at your hotel or agreed point
All transfers will be by A/C Vehicles
Professional Multilingual tour leader
Buffet Dinner at 5 star floating restaurant in Cairo
Buffet Dinner at 5 star floating restaurant in Cairo
Excludes:
Drinks (any not mentioned items)
Personal expenses
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities (recommended)
Optional activity costs
Rates:
Validity: (From:01-03-2013 To:30-06-2014)
1 Person price :65
2:4 Persons price:65
5:8 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
2:4 Persons price:65
5:8 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
5:8 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
9:12 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
13:15 Persons price:65
Policy
Rates:
Rates quoted in USD per person per tour include taxes
Rates includes the mentioned places in each tour only
Prices are subject to change due to increasing taxes or entrance fees or Fuel or other services applied by Egyptian Government or services supplier.
Bottle of Mineral water will be available inside Vehicle
Tour price based in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking guides and other speaking languages will be upon request within extra charge
One person is considering as Single traveler (we do not offer share tours services) except over day tours from long distances like Sharm El Sheikh & Hurghada
Tour Timing:
Full day tours start at 09:00 am until 05:00 pm
Half day tours start at 09:00 am until 01:00 pm
Except in the case of modify it according to traffic conditions or holidays or the month of Ramadan
Children Policy:
Children up to 4 years old will be free of charge Children from 4 up 6 years old will be 50 % of adult rate Children over 6 years old will be adult
Booking notes:
Confirmation of this tour will be sent within maximum 24 hours of receiving the request maximum except the requests received less than 24 hours of start date of tour confirmation will be 60 minutes maximum ( by Mail and SMS mobile message )
Disabled and handicap travelers should be advised on request to give us chance to make their arrangements.
Payment:
Should be settled in same currency listed in the website
