Cairo is a city of extraordinary contrasts, where the great history of ancient Egypt coexists with the vitality of a contemporary metropolis. This journey allows you to explore its most authentic soul, from the Pyramids of Giza to the necropolises of Saqqara and Dahshur, from the major museums to the atmospheres of Islamic Cairo and its ancient markets. A detailed itinerary that goes beyond the most well‑known symbols, guiding the traveler to discover the places that shaped Egypt’s history and culture. An experience enriched by guided visits and insights dedicated to the Pharaonic civilization.
Cairo
city of pharaohs, caliphs, and khans
Cairo: city of pharaohs, caliphs, and khans
- 5 days
- Maximum 14 participants
- Italian‑speaking local guide.
PRICE FROM: 2.100 €
DISCOVER ALL THE EXPERIENCES
What we will do on this journey
We will explore Cairo through its most iconic places and its most authentic corners, from the Pyramids to the major museums, from historic bazaars to contemporary districts, retracing over 4,000 years of history up to today’s Egypt.
Cairo is a complex and fascinating city, at once overwhelmed by traffic and by history. A place of contrasts where, right in front of the Pyramid of Khufu — the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world still visible and accessible — you can find an American fast‑food restaurant. On the rooftops of the historic center, in the hand‑painted wooden gheya towers, pigeons are raised: at sunset, swirling flocks return to their dovecotes, called back by their owners with whistles or colorful flags.
It is a real, raw city, not an open‑air museum nor an impersonal metropolis, but a place where its turbulent soul is clearly felt.
From the Red Pyramid of Dahshur to the iconic ones of Giza, from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the brand‑new GEM, from the alleys of Islamic Cairo to the trendy venues of New Giza: in just a few days we will try to retrace Egypt’s history from the great pharaohs to the present day.
But Cairo is not only the legacy of the pharaohs: it is also the city of the caliphs, who made it a center of medieval Islam, leaving behind mosques, madrasas, and palaces, and of the khans, merchants and rulers who animated its bazaars, turning them into a lively, cosmopolitan crossroads.
It is no coincidence that the word Misr refers both to Cairo and to Egypt, because it is in Cairo that the country’s political, economic, and cultural power has been concentrated for centuries. Today, more than 22 million people live here, and the metropolitan area, with its new towns, is constantly expanding.
This is why we believe Cairo deserves a journey — not just a brief stop to admire the Pyramids, but the right number of nights to truly “experience” it. And if you think it deserves even more, you’re right: and that’s an excellent reason to return.
Italy – Cairo
Scheduled flight departure from Milan or Rome to Cairo. Upon arrival, welcome at the airport and assistance with visa formalities. Transfer to the Giza Palace 5* in New Giza.
Dinner at the hotel.
01
Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis
After breakfast, we will dedicate the day to discovering the great necropolises of ancient Egypt. We will begin with Saqqara, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Lower Egypt, where we will visit the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, the first pyramid in Egyptian history and the oldest known large stone structure, attributed to the architect Imhotep. We will also explore the Pyramid of Teti, renowned for its Pyramid Texts, as well as two extraordinary and lesser‑known places: the Serapeum, the vast underground necropolis dedicated to the sacred Apis bulls, and the Mastaba of Ti, one of the best‑preserved private tombs of the Old Kingdom, with splendid decorations depicting daily life over 4,000 years ago.
After lunch in a local restaurant, we will continue to Dahshur, a site outside the classic tourist routes, where we will admire the Bent Pyramid, a testament to the evolution of Egyptian construction techniques, and the Red Pyramid, the first pyramid with a square base and regular inclination. The day will end in Memphis, the first capital of unified Egypt founded by Narmer around 3100 BC, today an open‑air museum where important artifacts are preserved, including the colossal statue of Ramesses II and the large calcite sphinx.
Return to the hotel and dinner at leisure.
02
The Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Islamic Cairo, and the Khan el‑Khalili market
After breakfast, we will visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), the first museum in the Arab world dedicated to the entire history of Egyptian civilization. Through a chronological and thematic itinerary, we will retrace Egypt’s evolution from prehistory to the modern age, reaching the heart of the museum: the evocative Royal Mummies Hall, where 22 mummies of great pharaohs — including Ramesses II, Thutmose III, and Hatshepsut — are preserved, transferred here in 2021 during the spectacular Pharaohs’ Golden Parade.
After lunch in a local restaurant, we will immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Islamic Cairo, walking along the historic Al‑Mu’ez Street, rich in masterpieces of Mamluk architecture, with a visit to the Mosque‑Madrasa of Sultan Barquq and the Qalawun complex. The day will continue through the alleys of the historic Khan El Khalili bazaar, where scents, colors, and traditional workshops still convey the city’s most authentic soul.
Return to the hotel and dinner at leisure.
03
The Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
After breakfast, we will reach the Giza Plateau, Egypt’s most famous archaeological site, where we will visit the three Pyramids, the majestic Sphinx, and the plateau that preserves some of the most iconic monuments of antiquity.
After lunch at a restaurant, we will dedicate the afternoon to visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the largest archaeological museum in the world devoted to a single civilization. Overlooking the Pyramids of Giza, the museum houses more than 100,000 artifacts, including the monumental statue of Ramesses II, the renowned Solar Boat of Khufu, and the extraordinary new display of Tutankhamun’s treasure, exhibited almost in its entirety for the first time. The visit will allow us to discover a selection of the museum’s most significant artifacts, retracing the history, kingship, daily life, and religious beliefs of ancient Egypt.
Return to the hotel and dinner included.
04
Cairo – Italy
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Italy.
For technical and operational reasons, the itinerary may be modified by the guide on site if deemed necessary and in the interest of the group.
05
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Find the answers to all your questions!
What is included in the participation fee?
Our prices are completely transparent, and the amount you pay includes:
- Airport assistance departing from Rome or Milan
- Round‑trip airfare from Milan or Rome on scheduled economy‑class flights, to be reconfirmed at the time of booking
- Assistance in Cairo for obtaining the entry visa
- Transfers to and from the airports in Egypt
- Ground transportation by minibus/bus of various sizes depending on the number of participants
- 4 nights at the Giza Palace 5*
- 3 lunches in local restaurants with mineral water included
- 3 dinners at the hotel
- Expert local Italian‑speaking guide
- Entrance fees to monuments as per the program, including special access to the Pyramids with a Gold Pass, which includes private transportation within the archaeological area, snacks and drinks, and priority access
- Tips for service staff
What is not included in the participation fee?
Very few items are not included in our package:
- Airport taxes and fuel surcharge
- Beverages
- 1 dinner
- Entry visa issued on site (EUR 30.00 to be paid upon arrival in Cairo)
- Tips (EUR 30.00 to be given to the local Expert upon arrival)
- Porterage
- Anything not expressly mentioned in the program
What are the departure dates
Abbiamo in programma 8 date di partenza, eccole di seguito:
- Dal 24 Marzo al 29 Marzo
- Dal 21 Aprile al 26 Aprile
- Dal 12 Maggio al 17 Maggio
- Dal 02 Giugno al 07 Giugno
- Dal 08 Settembre al 13 Settembre
- Dal 27 Ottobre al 01 Novembre
- Dal 08 Dicembre al 13 Dicembre
- Dal 29 Dicembre al 03 Gennaio
2027
Are Kel 12’s trips attentive to environmental and social impact?
We are Travelife certified and completed our recertification in 2025. We use these standards as tools to measure and continuously improve our environmental and social impact over time.
Which flights have been selected?
The scheduled flights selected for this itinerary are operated by the national carrier EGYPTAIR, and the travel program has been arranged according to the airline’s current timetable. Any schedule changes may result in adjustments to the itinerary.
EgyptAir’s scheduled flights depart from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, using two separate aircraft. In some cases, due to flight operations, arrival at destination may be late in the evening, even after midnight.
EgyptAir has a long history: founded in 1932, it became the first airline in the region to join the Star Alliance in 2008, an alliance that also includes the Lufthansa Group. It operates a fleet of 70 aircraft with an average age of 10 years and is continuously evolving to meet CO₂ emission‑reduction guidelines. Skytrax, a British civil aviation research company, has awarded EgyptAir a three‑star quality rating. The airline’s logo, HORUS — an ancient Egyptian deity depicted as a falcon or a man with a falcon’s head — appears on the aircraft tail, chosen for its symbolism as the “winged sun god.” Its slogan is “Enjoy the sky.”
What type of accommodation is provided?
Overnights are planned at the Giza Palace 5\* in New Giza.
Does the tour include lunches and dinners?
Yes. One free dinner is also included, giving guests the opportunity to choose the restaurant and the atmosphere that best match their wishes in that moment.
Our tour leader will be happy to suggest carefully selected places, allowing you to experience the destination through its cuisine as well.
Are tips expected?
TIPS
We recommend setting aside around 30 euros for the local Expert; all other tips are included in the trip price.
Which means of transport will we use?
TRANSPORTATION
For transfers and excursions, we generally use a single vehicle for the group, equipped with air conditioning. To ensure proper spacing and comfortable room inside the vehicle, we keep some seats free even when at maximum occupancy.
Health regulations
HEALTH REGULATIONS
No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry into the country. Recommended vaccinations include diphtheria and tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid fever, rabies, and poliomyelitis. Tap water in Egypt is not safe to drink, so it is advisable to consume only sealed bottled water, avoid ice, or choose hot beverages. Alternatively, tap water can be treated by boiling it for at least 15 minutes to ensure effective purification. It is recommended to wash food thoroughly, especially fruits and vegetables. From June to late October, in rural areas of the Nile Delta, the El Faiyum region, the oases, and parts of Upper Egypt, there is a risk of contracting malaria. To determine which medications to take for prophylaxis, the correct dosage, timing, method of administration, and any contraindications — and to understand which regimen is most suitable for your case — consult your local Travel Medicine Service at least 15 days before departure. Bilharzia is a serious risk throughout the Nile, so avoid swimming. Pharmacies in major cities are not always well stocked, and it may be difficult to find the same products available in Italy.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers over one year of age arriving from countries where yellow fever transmission is a risk.
