Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: Approximately 12 to 14 Hours
Pickup Time: 07:00 AM (Customizable upon request)
Pickup & Drop-off: Any Hotel in Cairo or Giza, Cairo International Airport (CAI), or Port Locations (Private Transfers)
Tour Type: 100% Private Chauffeured & Egyptologist-Guided Cultural Day Excursion
Tour Highlights
Leave Cairo behind for a full-day coastal excursion to Alexandria, the legendary Mediterranean capital founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC. Designed for travelers seeking an unhurried, privately guided encounter with Egypt’s Greco-Roman, early Christian, and royal eras, this private tour connects subterranean necropolises, world-renowned modern architectural marvels, and seaside fortresses with door-to-door comfort.
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Descend into the largest Roman burial necropolis in Egypt, carved three levels deep into the bedrock with reliefs that merge pharaonic funerary motifs with classical Roman art.
- Roman Amphitheatre & Sunken Antiquities: Inspect the preserved 2nd-century AD marble auditorium and the outdoor display of colossal granite statues salvaged from Alexandria’s submerged Eastern Harbor.
- Pompey's Pillar: Pause for photographs at the 27-meter red Aswan granite triumphal column erected in honor of Emperor Diocletian.
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Tour the disc-shaped modern library complex, exploring the open plaza with royal statues, the President Sadat Museum, and the Impressions of Alexandria exhibition.
- Citadel of Qaitbay: Marvel at the 15th-century Mamluk defensive fortress built upon the exact foundations of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse.
- St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral: Visit the historical seat of the Coptic Pope and the oldest established church in Africa.
- Montaza Palace Royal Gardens: Stroll through 150 acres of royal Mediterranean parkland, view King Farouk's Haramlek and Salamlek palaces, and cross the bridge to Tea Island.
- Coastal Drive & Stanley Bridge: Cruise past Alexandria's historic harbor, watch local fishermen mending nets along the Corniche, and stop at the landmark Stanley Bridge.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Morning: Cairo Pickup & Highway Transit to Alexandria
- 07:00 AM: Departure from Cairo: Your private licensed Egyptologist guide and chauffeur meet you at your hotel lobby in Cairo or Giza in a modern, climate-controlled executive vehicle.
- Journey northwest along the desert highway toward Alexandria (~2.5 to 3 hours), with your guide introducing the history of Alexander the Great and the Ptolemaic dynasty en route.
Stop 1: Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
- Step underground into Egypt's largest Roman burial complex, discovered accidentally in 1900.
- Walk down the circular spiral staircase to view the Rotunda, the banquet hall (Triclinium) where grieving families held funerary feasts, and the main burial chamber featuring relief carvings of Anubis dressed as a Roman legionnaire.
Stop 2: Roman Amphitheatre & Sunken Ruins
- Visit the sole preserved Roman theater in Egypt, featuring marble terracing, mosaic flooring, and Roman bath remains.
- Walk through the adjoining open-air museum displaying granite sphinxes and architectural fragments brought up from the sea floor by underwater archaeological expeditions.
- Drive past Pompey's Pillar for a photo stop at this monolithic red granite monument.
Stop 3: Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Arrive at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, engineered to echo the legendary ancient library with shelf capacity for 8 million books.
- Tour the open plaza to view statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I, visit the President Sadat Museum, and browse the Impressions of Alexandria gallery.
- (Note: The library is closed on public holidays; entry to specialized internal reading halls requires an on-site supplementary ticket).
Stop 4: Old Town Architecture & St. Mark’s Cathedral
- Drive through Alexandria's historic downtown, viewing Belle Époque, Italian, and French neoclassical residential facades.
- Tour St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, founded on the historical site where Saint Mark introduced Christianity to the African continent in the 1st century AD.
Mid-Day: Lunch Break & Coastal Sights
- (Optional Dining Break): Stop for lunch at an upscale Mediterranean seafood restaurant overlooking the waves, or dine at the historic Mohamed Ahmed’s, celebrated for authentic local dishes and visited by dignitaries including the Queen of Spain.
- Drive past the ornate Abu El Abbas El Mursi Mosque for photographs of its cream-colored Andalusian domes and the vintage seaside fairground outside.
- Take in the panoramic sweep of the Eastern Harbor and the Corniche, watching traditional wooden fishing boats bobbing along the seawall.
Stop 5: Citadel of Qaitbay
- Arrive at the western tip of the harbor to photograph and explore the exterior of the Citadel of Qaitbay.
- Learn how Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay built this fortress in 1477 AD utilizing salvaged limestone blocks from the fallen Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Afternoon: Montaza Palace Gardens & Return to Cairo
- Drive eastward along the coastline, pausing briefly at a local juice bar for freshly squeezed mango juice and a photo stop at the Unknown Soldier Memorial.
- Enter the Montaza Palace Royal Gardens to explore 150 acres of palm-fringed lawns once reserved for King Farouk, the last reigning monarch of Egypt. View the ornate Haramlek and Salamlek palaces and walk across the bridge to Tea Island.
- Stop at the iconic Stanley Bridge for panoramic views of Alexandria's coastal skyline.
- Rejoin the highway in your private vehicle for a smooth, comfortable drive back to Cairo, concluding with direct drop-off at your hotel.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Private door-to-door transportation in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle throughout the day
- Dedicated professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entrance tickets to all scheduled attractions (Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs, Roman Amphitheatre, Bibliotheca Alexandrina open courtyard & museums, Montaza Gardens)
- Chilled bottled mineral water inside the vehicle throughout the day
- All highway tolls, parking fees, service charges, and local municipal taxes
Exclusions
- Entry visa to Egypt (Assistance available upon request)
- Optional lunch and personal beverages
- Entry tickets to specialized reading rooms inside the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (available on-site)
- Professional vacation photographer add-on
- Personal purchases and discretionary tipping
Tour Add-ons & Booking Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade your road transit between Cairo and Alexandria to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, plush reclining leather captain chairs, dual-zone climate control, onboard Wi-Fi, and cold refreshments for a relaxing highway journey.
Dining at 9 Pyramids Lounge (Cairo Days)
For your Cairo touring days, lunch can be arranged at the renowned 9 Pyramids Lounge inside the Giza Plateau complex, offering an upscale dining experience paired with panoramic views of the pyramids for $30 per person (advance booking required).
Visa-on-Arrival Fast-Track Service
Avoid airport lines upon your initial arrival into Egypt with our fast-track visa processing service for $35 per person. Provide your passport copy in advance, and our airport representative will have your visa pre-arranged.
Professional Vacation Photographer
Hire a studio photographer to accompany your group throughout Alexandria to capture high-resolution portraits along the Corniche, inside the catacombs, and across the royal gardens for $50 per day.
Suburban Transfer Surcharges
Pickups from central Cairo and Giza hotels are included. Pickups from extended suburban zones—including Heliopolis (airport area), New Cairo, or 6th of October City—incur a nominal distance surcharge.
Child Policy
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge
- 2 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour rate
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
Recommended Egypt Excursions & Day Tours
- Overnight Excursion to Alexandria from Cairo: Extend your coastal journey into a two-day retreat with overnight hotel accommodations and evening seaside dining.
- Cairo to Alexandria Archaeological Day Tour: A dedicated historical expedition from Cairo covering the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, and sunken Roman ruins.
- Giza Pyramids & The Great Sphinx Tour: Explore Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, and the Valley Temple on a classic half-day private tour.
- Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) & Giza Pyramids: Pair the ancient pyramids with the state-of-the-art galleries housing King Tutankhamun’s complete burial collection.
- Giza Pyramids, Memphis & Saqqara Day Tour: Discover the architectural evolution of royal tombs from the Step Pyramid of Djoser to Giza.
- Giza Pyramids & The Historic Egyptian Museum in Tahrir: Experience the classic cultural circuit covering ancient monuments and over 120,000 museum antiquities.
- Pyramids, Egyptian Museum & Bazaar with Female Guide: A personalized cultural tour covering Giza, Tahrir Square, and the historic 14th-century Khan El Khalili market.
- Cairo Airport Transit Layover Excursion: Transform a flight connection at CAI airport into a private pyramids tour with guaranteed on-time return.
- VIP Day Excursion to Luxor by Air (with Tutankhamun's Tomb): Take a same-day flight to Luxor to tour the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Hatshepsut Temple.
- Sound & Light Show at the Giza Pyramids: Watch the Giza Plateau illuminate under the night sky with dramatic audio narration and laser projections.
- 5-Star Nile River Dinner Cruise in Cairo: Sail along the Cairo Nile aboard a luxury riverboat featuring an open buffet, belly dancing, and Tanoura shows.
For bookings, itinerary customizations, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
