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Cairo
Trip Planning & Itineraries
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Cairo is an all-out assault on the senses. Known as the 'Mother of the World', this vibrant, chaotic city is home to more than 16 million Egyptians, Arabs, Africans and sundry others. Noisy, polluted and totally unpredictable, the sheer intensity of Cairo can seduce or overwhelm.
Cairo's historic buildings are buried in age-old quarters of the city that have yet to be tamed and made tourist-friendly, so take a tour to get beneath the skin of this manmade wonder. While the Giza Pyramids are right on Cairo's doorstep, the city is also a great base for excursions to destinations further afield like Memphis or Alexandria, or why not customize your own private tour?
Best of Cairo: Top 3 Must-Do Experiences
Best of Cairo: Suggested Itineraries
Cairo - the very name conjures up visions of ancient monuments, exotic souks and eons of history. Almost as a backdrop to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the city rises from the surrounding sandy plains like some kind of desert mirage, albeit cloaked in an ever-present haze of heat, smog and sand.
The following itinerary helps you experience the very best of Cairo. For other ideas, over on the Viator Travel Blog you'll find Egypt travel tips from Viator staff member Kerrie, and read all about her cruise along the Nile and trip to Abu Simbel.
The Pyramids of Giza are at the top of most people's do-before-I-die lists. For an in-depth experience go for a private tour of the Pyramids and the Sphinx, in the fascinating company of a professional Egyptologist and archaeologist. Only a few kilometers away from Cairo, literally on the edge of the city limits, the Pyramids are an ever-present reminder of Egypt's mysterious, ancient history. At night, the Pyramids come to life in a brilliant Sound & Light show - it's a sight not to be missed!
Follow echoing crowded lanes on a walking tour through Old Cairo's bazaars and ancient winding streets. In the afternoon, visit the world-renowned Egyptian Museum and lively Khan el-Khalili bazaar, then dine on the River Nile on an unforgettable dinner cruise.
On Day 3, hire your own private guide for the day and swap Cairo's big-city mayhem for Alexandria's Graeco-Roman Mediterranean atmosphere, tour the archaeological treasures of Memphis and Sakkara, or visit the desert oasis town of Fayoum.
Best of Cairo: Top 3 Hotels
Stay in multi-star luxury just a stone's throw from the Giza Pyramids, with a choice of rooms and suites. Feeling hungry? There's eight restaurants and bars on-site. Want to work out? Head to the Wellness Club for aerobics and a massage, play a round of tennis or hit the hotel's outdoor swimming pool.
Overlooking the River Nile, the lofty Om Kolthoom tower offers modern, four-star accommodation with all the trimmings. Comfortable rooms and suites are climate controlled and entertainment ready, plus there are coffee shops and restaurants on-site, and the fabulous Khan el-Khalili bazaar is just minutes away.
Dating back to 1869 as a hunting lodge, the jasmine-scented Mena House sports dazzling Islamic details and antiques, and exotically decorated rooms and suites. Splash out with a Pyramids view, take a swim in the suitably capacious swimming pool and dine on international or Egyptian cuisine in the hotel's restaurants and bars.
Cairo: When to Go
Cairo has only two seasons: summer and 'not-summer'. Given the choice, you're far better off touring in Cairo during 'not-summer', a period that stretches roughly from September to April or May. January and February (50-68°F, 10-20°C) can be overcast with the occasional shower, but the months immediately on either side are comfortably warm.
It's also worth considering the timing of the various Islamic festivals when planning your trip. During Ramadan (which varies year to year - check the Moonsighting Committee website for the official start of Ramadan) many businesses work half-days, museums and tourist sites shut early and many restaurants only open after sundown.
- Plan Cairo vacations on Yahoo! Travel
- Cairo hotels, Egypt from PlanetWare
- Hotels in Cairo from HotelsCombined.com
- Cairo trip planner & travel guide from NileGuide
- English-language news from Al-Ahram Weekly
