Excursions - Cairo, Egypt -Tarot Tours Garranah

Cairo

Cairo is Africa's most heavily populated city and the Arab world's cultural center with a population of over 16 million inhabitants . It is the largest city in the Middle East and despite the fact that only about 1,000 years old, parts of the metropolis date back to the time of the Pharaohs. The Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza, for example, are visible evidence of the Ancient Egyptian civilization around the Nile river. The first Muslim settlement of Egypt was Al-Fustat, now a part of old Cairo. In later years, Cairo was conquered and controlled by a host of invaders including the Mameluks, the Turks, and Napoleon Bonaparte of France.

Cairo is a melting pot of East and West, old and new, Muslim and Christian. Minarets compete for space with modern apartment blocks, and cars choke the roads while people and markets fill the maze of narrow streets that form continuous bazaars. Museums hold the treasures of ancient dynasties while other monuments nearby remain in situ.

Suggested tours during your stay in Cairo


The Pyramids of Giza


These amazing structures are the only ancient wonders of the world that still exists. They are without doubt the most famous sights in the world as well as being among the oldest. The site at Giza boasts The Great Pyramid the only monument of from the seven wonders of the ancient world that exists, The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) , The Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycrinous) and the famous Sphinx. There are also several smaller pyramids known as ‘Queens’. The Great Pyramid houses the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops).

Memphis & Saqqara Located in Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom of Saqqara, are the sites where many of the kings of the first dynasty are buried. It is an enormous archaeological site encompassing many pyramids and tombs including the Old Kingdom Tombs with their ancient scenes. In addition to these attractions, Saqqara is perhaps most famous for the oldest of all 97 Egyptian pyramids, The Step Pyramid.

The Great Sphinx

The Great Sphinx

Saqqara Located in Memphis
Saqqara

The Egyptian Museum


The greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities is, without doubt, that of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. It is a place of true discovery housing 120 000 pieces including the treasures which were discovered in the tomb of the boy king Tutankhamoun.

The Egyptian Museum exterior
Tutankhamoun


Khan El-Khalili


This market can be found within the heart of Islamic Cairo on one of Cairo’s oldest area, where El Azhar mosque stands to be the rays diffused by the solar disc of islam center. It is always very busy and full of characteristics, with stalls selling items ranging from local spices to exotic jewellery. The market first opened in the Middle Ages and exists today mainly for tourists. You will find many bargains there, but first you must barter for the goods you want to purchase. Women should dress modestly, covering their arms, necks and legs while shopping.

Khan Al-Khalili
Khan Al-Khalili

The Citadel of Saladin & the Alabaster Mosque


This is a very popular tourist attraction that dates back to medieval times ,12th century AD. It is an enormous stone fort overlooking the city of Cairo that has been used in many battles.

Today, it is home to mosques, palaces and museums including the Alabaster Mosque built by Mohamed Ali the Great which is a replica of Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul.



The Citadel of Saladin & the Alabaster Mosque
The Citadel of Saladin & the Alabaster Mosque

Sound & Light of Giza Pyramids


The Sound and Light is a spectacular Show at Giza Pyramids where you will enjoy the history of the ancient Egyptians. The show begins with the story of the Sphinx who has been the vigilant guardian of the city of the dead for five thousand years. The show depicts the story of building the pyramids and relates the history of great and famous figures of ancient Egypt such as Thutmosis IV, Akhnaten, Nefertiti and Tutankhamon.



Sound & Loght of Giza Pyramids
Sound & Loght of Giza Pyramids

Coptic Cairo


Visit the Coptic Museum that contains a collection of rare antiquities from one of the earliest Christian communities in the world. You can see the the Church of Abou Serga which dates back to the beginning of the 15th century A.D. It is built in the Basilica style above the cave in which the Holy Family took refuge. In the 5th century the Hanging Church was built , which you will enjoy its visit and then you will end with Ben Ezra Synagogue.

The coptic Museum interior
The Coptic Museum

Alexandria


The Alexandria Library and its Museum. This historical library was burnt down in 48 BC during a battle between Romans and Egyptians . It has been recently rebuilt by the Egyptian government with the remarkable help and cooperation of the UNESCO.

The library contains a vast amount of books and scriptures, as well as a marvelous museumwith a rich variety of ancient roman antiquities.

The Catacombs of Kom el-Shouqafa: was built on three levels and carved into the rock. What is most impressive about the catacombs is that although the motifs on the tombs are from the  ancient Egyptian period, the architecture is Greco-Roman style, making them unique.

The Fortress of Qaiet Bey which was built on the site of the ancient Pharos (lighthouse) which was among the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Alexandria Library
The Alexandria Library

The Catacombs of Kom el-Shouqafa
The Catacombs of Kom el-Shouqafa

Fayum Oasis


The Fayum oasis is separated from the Nile Valley by a relatively thin ridge and contains a large lake, called Birket Karun, around which the life in the area has always rotated. The vicinity of the depression to the Nile Valley seems to have made possible an artificial regulation of the level of the lake, and large monuments were built around its shore. Lahun and Hawara, on the ridge dividing the Fayum from the Valley, were chosen for the construction of two Pyramids, both of which are now in ruins.
Fayum Oasis is a depression in the desert immediately to the west of the Nile south of Cairo. Much of its floor is fields watered by a channel of the Nile, the Bahr Yussef, as it drains into a desert depression to the west of the Nile Valley.

Fayum Oasis
Fayoum Oasis