Saladin Citadel – medieval fortress
Muhammad Ali Mosque (Alabaster Mosque)
Egyptian Museum – treasures of ancient Egypt
Historic Cairo landmarks & heritage
Authentic Egyptian lunch
Panoramic views over historic Cairo
Magnificent interior of Muhammad Ali Mosque
Visit the impressive Saladin Citadel with panoramic Cairo views
Marvel at the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali – Ottoman masterpiece
Explore the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir – home of King Tutankhamun's golden mask and treasures
Enjoy a delicious lunch at a quality local restaurant
Private Egyptologist guide brings history to life
Private air‑conditioned transfers & hotel pickup/drop‑off
🏺🕌 Experience the best of Cairo’s Islamic and Pharaonic heritage on this full‑day private tour combining the majestic Citadel of Saladin and the world‑famous Egyptian Museum (Tahrir). Your journey begins at the Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll explore the 12th‑century fortress built by Salah ad‑Din to protect Cairo from Crusaders. Inside, the iconic Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali dazzles with its Ottoman architecture, alabaster walls, and sweeping views of the city. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll head to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, home to the world’s most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Here, you’ll marvel at the treasures of Tutankhamun – including his iconic golden death mask, jewelry, and royal chariots – as well as royal mummies, monumental statues of pharaohs like Ramses II and Hatshepsut, and thousands of everyday objects that bring ancient Egypt to life. This tour offers a perfect blend of Islamic military architecture and the wonders of the pharaohs, ideal for travelers seeking a comprehensive Cairo experience.
Adult $93 | Child (6‑11 years) $55 | Free for children under 6
Duration: ~7‑8 hours | Pickup: 8:30‑9:00 AM | Return: ~4:00‑5:00 PM
Complimentary hotel pickup & drop‑off from all Cairo & Giza hotels
All entrance fees to Citadel, Alabaster Mosque, and Egyptian Museum included
Lunch at a local restaurant (drinks not included)
Note: Drinks during lunch, personal expenses, gratuities not included. Modest dress required for the mosque (shoulders/knees covered). Photography without flash allowed in the Egyptian Museum (no photos in the Tutankhamun gallery).
🕌 Saladin Citadel & Alabaster Mosque – Cairo’s Iconic Landmark
Built by Sultan Salah ad‑Din (Saladin) between 1176 and 1183 to protect Cairo from Crusader attacks, the Citadel served as Egypt’s seat of government for 700 years. Today, it offers one of the best panoramic views of Cairo, with the city’s minarets and domes spreading below. The centerpiece is the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali (completed 1848), an Ottoman‑style mosque built in memory of Tusun Pasha, Muhammad Ali’s son. Its alabaster‑clad walls, majestic central dome, twin 82‑metre minarets, and the beautiful courtyard with ablution fountain are spectacular. The mosque’s interior features a huge brass chandelier and is decorated in red and gold. You will also see the remnants of the original Mamluk palaces within the Citadel walls.
🏺 Egyptian Museum in Tahrir – The Treasures of the Pharaohs
The Egyptian Museum (also known as the Cairo Museum) is one of the world’s greatest archaeological museums, housing over 120,000 objects from ancient Egypt. Its most famous exhibit is the Treasures of Tutankhamun, including the magnificent golden death mask, the solid gold coffin, the iconic throne, and a vast array of jewelry, chariots, and funerary objects. You will also see the Royal Mummies Hall (if open – occasionally closed for restoration), monumental statues of Khafre, Ramses II, Hatshepsut, and Amenhotep III, as well as the exquisite jewelry of the 12th Dynasty princesses and the revolutionary Narmer Palette. Your Egyptologist guide will lead you through the highlights, explaining the history, symbolism, and discoveries that make this museum an essential stop for anyone fascinated by ancient Egypt.
📅 Detailed Itinerary – A Day of Pharaohs & Sultans
8:30‑9:00 AM – Hotel Pickup
Your private Egyptologist guide and driver will collect you from your Cairo or Giza hotel in an air‑conditioned vehicle.
Saladin Citadel & Alabaster Mosque
Drive to the Citadel (approx. 20‑30 minutes). Explore the fortress, visit the Alabaster Mosque, and enjoy panoramic views of Cairo. Your guide explains the history of Saladin, the Mamluk and Ottoman rulers, and the mosque’s construction.
Lunch at a Quality Local Restaurant
After the Citadel, you will be taken to a well‑rated local restaurant to enjoy a delicious Egyptian lunch (grilled chicken, kofta, rice, salads, and dips). Vegetarian options available – please inform us in advance.
Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square) – Tutankhamun & Royal Treasures
Proceed to Tahrir Square (approx. 20 minutes). Spend approximately 2‑2.5 hours exploring the museum’s highlights with your guide, focusing on the Tutankhamun galleries, the Royal Mummies Hall (if open), and key masterpieces of Pharaonic art. Your guide will explain the significance of the artifacts and the history of Egypt’s great pharaohs.
Return to Hotel
After the museum, your driver will transfer you back to your hotel, arriving around 4:00‑5:00 PM, concluding a full day of Cairo’s most iconic sights.
Insider Tips: Wear modest clothing for the mosque (shoulders/knees covered). Women may wish to bring a scarf to cover hair (optional). Comfortable walking shoes are essential – the Citadel involves uneven surfaces and stairs. Photography without flash is allowed in most areas of the Egyptian Museum, but photos are prohibited inside the Tutankhamun gallery (the golden mask room). Your guide will advise. Bring small cash for bathroom fees and optional donations. Inform us of any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, allergies) when booking.
✅ Included / ❌ Excluded
- Hotel pickup & drop‑off (Cairo / Giza)
- Private air‑conditioned vehicle transfers
- Licensed Egyptologist guide (English; other languages on request)
- Entrance fees to Saladin Citadel & Alabaster Mosque
- Entrance fees to Egyptian Museum in Tahrir (including Tutankhamun galleries)
- Lunch at a local restaurant (drinks not included)
- Bottled water during the tour
- All taxes & service charges
- Drinks during lunch
- Personal expenses & souvenirs
- Gratuities for guide & driver (optional but appreciated)
- Pickup from New Cairo, Heliopolis, or airport hotels (extra $5‑10 per person)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🏺 Is the Egyptian Museum the same as the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)?
No. This tour visits the historic Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, which houses the treasures of Tutankhamun and the majority of artifacts from the Pharaonic era. The new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the Pyramids is a separate site and not included in this tour.
🕌 What is the dress code for the mosque?
Modest clothing is required: both men and women should cover shoulders and knees. Women are not required to cover their hair, but a scarf is appreciated. Your guide can provide a scarf if needed.
🍽️ What is included in the lunch?
Lunch is a set menu at a quality local restaurant, typically grilled chicken or kofta, rice, salads, and Egyptian dips. Vegetarian options are available – please notify us in advance. Drinks are not included.
📸 Can I take photos inside the Egyptian Museum?
Non‑flash photography is allowed in most galleries of the museum. However, photography is strictly prohibited inside the Tutankhamun gallery (where the golden mask is displayed) to protect the artifacts. Your guide will remind you of the rules.
🧑🏫 What languages does the guide speak?
Our standard tour is in English. Guides for French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese are available on request – please specify when booking.
🕒 What is the exact pickup time?
Pickup is between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, depending on your hotel location. You will receive confirmed timing via WhatsApp or email one day before the tour.
♿ Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
The Citadel and Alabaster Mosque have ramps, but some areas have stairs. The Egyptian Museum is partially accessible but has stairs in some sections. Please contact us in advance to discuss specific mobility needs – we can adapt parts of the itinerary.
🚐 Do you pick up from New Cairo or airport hotels?
Yes, but an additional surcharge of $5‑10 per person may apply for hotels in New Cairo, Heliopolis, or near Cairo Airport. Pickup from downtown Cairo, Zamalek, Dokki, Mohandiseen, and most Giza hotels is included.
Advance booking recommended – This full‑day tour is very popular. Book at least 24‑48 hours in advance. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
