Cairo Experience – Independent

Welcome to Cairo! Your Independent Experience begins with an arrival transfer – you will be met by a Peregrine representative and transferred to your hotel. Meet your guide at the hotel, who will be able to offer suggestions for your free time and help you out with whatever you need, including the best places to eat. In some free time, perhaps get out and explore the traffic-filled streets of this city of contrasts, where you can see donkey carts alongside expensive cars and no-frills neighbourhoods beside modern shopping malls.

This morning, drive out to Giza to perhaps the world’s most iconic structures – the pyramids and the Sphinx. Explore pyramids that have withstood the ravages of over 4500 years, and for an additional charge, you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops). These major monuments were built on the Giza plateau that overlooks the ancient Egyptian capital city of Memphis, which sits across the river from modern-day Cairo. The pharaohs and priests built vast temple complexes here and constructed cemeteries on the desert hills to the west and east of Memphis. You will continue out to one of Memphis' necropolises – Saqqara – where your guide will explain the significance of the various temples and colonnades. The site is the location of many royal burials, and at the centre of the complex is the step pyramid of King Djoser. Nearby you will also visit the tombs of the nobles, containing exquisite bas-reliefs depicting everyday life in ancient times. Return to Cairo for an afternoon at leisure.

After breakfast, visit the Egyptian Museum. This museum was founded by the archaeologist Auguste Mariette in the late 19th century and houses a large collection of antiquities, many of which were excavated around the temple at Saqqara, including bronze tablets and many intact sarcophagi. Take an audio tour around the modern building, and then have some free time to explore on your own – perhaps the Tutankhamun exhibition, Amarna Room or the Old Kingdom Rooms are of interest. Afterwards, head to the alleys of the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, passing the gold market, 'perfume street' and spice market. Continue on to the ornate ninth century Ibn Tulun Mosque – one of the oldest and largest in Cairo with a distinctive minaret, and the nearby Gayer-Anderson Museum – housing a fascinating collection of Arabic artefacts and furniture. This museum will give an insight into Cairene life during the Ottoman period. After a jam-packed day, relax at your hotel, then perhaps enjoy a traditional Egyptian meal, with some ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel) or koshary (a tomato and lentil-based rice combination).

With no activities planned for today, your Cairo exploration comes to an end today after breakfast. If you are planning on booking an onward connection today, included is a departure transfer to the airport or train station.