On November 1st we are open from 10am to 5pm

Excursion Mosque, museum & lunch cruise tour at Sokhna

Cruise line: Silversea
Difficulty:

This morning, you will drive for approximately 2 hours towards Cairo, the Capital of Egypt and the biggest city in Africa.


Ibn Tulun Mosque

Upon arrival, you will visit the Ibn Tulun Mosque, considered to be the largest mosque in Egypt in terms of land area since it was built in 876. The mosque is famous for its courtyards lined with arcades of broad arches and heavy pillars. The mosque is a great chance to learn more about Islamic history and considered one of the most important Islamic sites located in Cairo. It is also one of the oldest mosques in Egypt as well as the whole of Africa surviving in its full original form. Many of its decorations were created from carved stucco and wood.


National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Royal Mummies Hall

Next, you will be visiting the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization offering a general overview of all different historical periods that encompass Egypt to the present and the interaction of the Egyptian people with their land throughout history. One of the main visits of the museum will be the Royal Mummies Hall, it was designed to look like the inside of a tomb and allows you to experience the magnificence of seeing the mummies of Pharaohs that ruled Egypt thousands of years ago.


Cruise on the Nile with Lunch

Enjoy a relaxing lunch while sailing on the Nile and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Northern section of the river flows North almost entirely through the Sudanese desert to Egypt, where Cairo is located on its large delta and the river flows in the Mediterranean Sea at Alexandria. Egyptian civilization and Sudanese kingdoms have depended on the river since ancient times. Most of the population and cities of Egypt lie along those parts of the Nile Valley North of Aswan. Nearly all the cultural and historical sites of Ancient Egypt developed, are found along the river banks.


Khan El Khalili Local Market

Visit Khan El Khalili local market built in 1382 in the heart of the Fatimid city. It was considered the major center of trade in old times, today it is still one of the more colorful, open-air bazaars filled with unique and exotic items from spices, perfumes to jewelry and souvenirs. Many craftsmen's workshops continue to operate within the bazaar (usually in the courtyards or upper floors of buildings). There are also several coffeehouses which are generally small and quite traditional serving Arabic coffee. One of the oldest and most famous coffeehouses is El Fishawi's, established in 1773.


Finally, board your coach for the 2 hour return drive back to the ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Cairo City, Ibn Tulun Mosque, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Mummies Room Hall, Lunch Cruise on the Nile, Khan El Khalili Local Market

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of activity with walking for approximately 1.5km or 0.9miles and some steps to negotiate at the sites and to get on/off the coach. It is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight comfortable clothing, and flat, closed-toe walking shoes are recommended. Expect the weather to be hot. Guests are required to carry their passports with them on this excursion. No alcoholic beverages served on this tour. Proper and conservative attire is required to enter the Mosque; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. The travelling time between the pier and Cairo involves 2 hours of driving in each direction. Tour may be reversed for logistical reasons on the day.