Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: Approximately 12 to 14 Hours
Pickup Time: 07:00 AM (Customizable upon request)
Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo or Giza Hotels (Private Round-Trip Transfer)
Tour Type: Private Chauffeured & Egyptologist-Guided Archaeological Day Excursion
Tour Highlights
Leave Cairo behind for the Mediterranean breeze on a full-day private archaeological journey to Alexandria. Tracing the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Ptolemaic monarchs, and Roman emperors, this excursion focuses on the classical heritage of Egypt’s second capital, spanning subterranean necropolises, Roman auditoriums, submerged harbor treasures, and historic royal gardens along the coast.
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Descend the circular stone stairway into Egypt’s largest Roman subterranean burial necropolis, carved across three rock-hewn tiers and recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.
- Roman Amphitheatre at Kom El Dikka: Walk among 13 tiers of white marble seating, ancient lecture auditoriums, and open-air courtyards displaying sunken pharaonic statues raised from the Eastern Harbor.
- Pompey's Pillar (Photo Stop): Capture photographs of the towering 27-meter monolithic column of red Aswan granite, erected in AD 297 to honor Roman Emperor Diocletian.
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Plaza & Cultural Museums): View the sweeping granite disc architecture of the modern library, open-air statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I, the Sadat Museum, and the Impressions of Alexandria cultural exhibit.
- Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral: Visit the historic seat of the Coptic Pope and the oldest established Christian church foundation in Africa.
- Citadel of Qaitbay (Exterior): Stand before the 15th-century Mamluk defensive sea fortress constructed atop the fallen foundations of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Montaza Palace Royal Gardens: Stroll through 150 acres of lush pine groves once favored by King Farouk, walking across the bridge to Tea Island.
- Stanley Bridge Drive: Enjoy a panoramic coastal drive along the Mediterranean Corniche, pausing atop Stanley Bridge before your highway journey back to Cairo.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
07:00 AM: Cairo or Giza Hotel Pickup
- Your private Ramasside Tours Egyptologist guide and chauffeur meet you directly in your Cairo or Giza hotel lobby holding a personalized name sign.
- Settle into your modern, air-conditioned vehicle for a smooth 2.5 to 3-hour journey northwest along the Cairo–Alexandria Desert Highway.
- En route, your guide introduces the classical era of Alexandria, its founding in 331 BC, and the historical convergence of pharaonic, Greek, and Roman civilizations.
Stop 1: Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
- Arrive in Alexandria and head underground into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, discovered accidentally in 1900.
- Descend through three rock-hewn levels:
- The Rotunda & Triclinium: Explore the circular central shaft and funeral banquet hall where mourners dined on couches carved directly out of the bedrock.
- The Main Tomb Chamber: Examine burial reliefs depicting Egyptian deities like Anubis and Sobek outfitted in Roman legionary armor and holding Greco-Roman symbols.
- The Loculi: Walk through narrow passages lined with hundreds of rock-cut burial slots.
Stop 2: Kom El Dikka Roman Amphitheatre & Sunken Salvage Yard
- Travel to central Alexandria to tour Egypt’s only discovered Roman theatre.
- Examine 13 tiers of white marble seating, acoustic brick arches, and Roman bathhouse remains.
- Walk the open-air courtyard showcasing monumental sphinxes, granite column capitals, and inscribed stone blocks recovered by maritime archaeologists from the floor of the Eastern Harbor.
Stop 3: Pompey’s Pillar (Photo Stop)
- Pause at the ancient Serapeum hill to photograph Pompey's Pillar, a monolithic Corinthian column towering nearly 27 meters high, flanked by two intact granite sphinxes.
Stop 4: Bibliotheca Alexandrina & Cultural Museums
- Drive to the coastal Corniche to view the iconic disc design of Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
- Walk the open granite plaza to view monumental submerged statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I.
- Visit the on-site Sadat Museum and the Impressions of Alexandria cultural exhibit.
- (Note: Bibliotheca Alexandrina reading halls are closed on Fridays and public holidays; reading hall access requires a separate interior ticket).
Stop 5: Saint Mark's Cathedral & Historic Old Town Walk
- Visit Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, founded by the Apostle Mark in AD 68, representing the foundational root of Christianity in Africa.
- Enjoy an architectural orientation through Alexandria’s old center, admiring European colonial facades showcasing French baroque, Italian neo-Renaissance, and classical Mediterranean styles.
Optional Lunch: Mediterranean Seafood or Mohamed Ahmed
- Savor an optional lunch at a waterfront seafood restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean, or visit the historic Mohamed Ahmed restaurant to sample authentic Alexandrian falafel (Ta'ameya), ful mudammas, and local dips.
- (Optional 2-minute quick stop): Stop at "Mango King" to sample freshly squeezed seasonal mango or sugarcane juice, served roadside in local Alexandrian style.
Stop 6: Abbo Elabbas Mosque, Old Harbor & Citadel of Qaitbay
- Pass the grand white-domed Mosque of Abu El Abbas El Mursi, noting the vintage fairground in the outer square.
- Stop along the ancient Eastern Harbor to photograph wooden fishing vessels and fishermen mending nets along the seawalls.
- Continue to the Citadel of Qaitbay, the 15th-century coastal fortress erected on the exact site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse. Capture photos of the fortress against the sea.
Stop 7: Montaza Palace Royal Gardens & Stanley Bridge
- Drive 25 kilometers east along the Mediterranean coastline past the Unknown Soldier Memorial to Montaza Palace.
- Explore the lush 150-acre royal gardens, admire the Moorish and Florentine towers of the Salamlek and Haramlek palaces, and walk across the bridge to Tea Island.
- On the return drive, stop atop Stanley Bridge for photographs of the bay before starting the return drive.
05:30 PM – 07:30 PM: Return Drive to Cairo
- Rejoin your private vehicle for a relaxing drive south along the desert highway back to Cairo.
- Arrive comfortably at your Cairo or Giza hotel in the evening.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Private round-trip transportation from Cairo/Giza in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the entire tour
- All site entrance tickets to scheduled archaeological attractions (Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs, Roman Amphitheatre, and Montaza Palace Gardens)
- Chilled bottled mineral water inside the vehicle throughout the day
- All highway tolls, parking charges, service charges, and municipal taxes
Exclusions
- Entry visa to Egypt
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina main reading hall interior ticket
- Meals and beverages (Optional seafood lunch available for $15 per person)
- Professional vacation photographer add-on
- Personal shopping, souvenirs, and discretionary tipping
Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes
Executive Luxury Van Upgrade
Upgrade your intercity highway journey to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, plush reclining leather captain chairs, dual-zone climate control, onboard Wi-Fi, and cold beverages.
Luxury Restaurant with Pyramids View
If booking onward excursions in Cairo, 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).
Professional Vacation Photographer
Hire a dedicated vacation photographer to capture your day trip across the Catacombs, Roman Amphitheatre, Fort Qaitbay, and Montaza Gardens for $50 per day.
Footwear & Mobility Advice
Comfortable, flat-soled, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended, as navigating the Catacombs involves descending circular stairs and walking over damp, uneven subterranean surfaces.
Child Policy
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge
- 2 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour rate
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
Recommended Alexandria & Egypt Day Tours
- Alexandria Day Tour from Cairo: Discover the classical Mediterranean capital on a full-day private journey from Cairo covering the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Roman Amphitheatre, and Fort Qaitbay.
- Alexandria City Highlights Day Tour: A classic 5–6 hour guided orientation exploring the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, historic downtown quarters, and the royal gardens of Montaza Palace.
- Alexandria Archaeological Day Tour: An in-depth Greco-Roman circuit within Alexandria covering the underground tombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Kom El Dikka, and the coastal citadel.
- Alexandria Historical Tour with the Graeco-Roman Museum: Explore over 40 renovated galleries of classical antiquity masterworks alongside major coastal landmarks.
- Alexandria Scuba Diving Adventure: Explore submerged ruins beneath the Eastern Harbor, including Cleopatra’s sunken palace and the ancient Pharos Lighthouse blocks.
- Alexandria Ghosts & Mysteries Tour: An evening storytelling walk exploring illuminated coastal citadels, royal garden lore at Montaza, and the infamous alleys of Raya and Sakina.
- Day Tour to Cairo from Alexandria: Travel from the Mediterranean coast to the Giza Plateau to marvel at the Great Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.
- Alexandria Shopping Tour: Combine modern retail therapy at the seaside San Stefano Grand Plaza with traditional craft bargaining in historic Mansheya souks.
- Alexandria Food Tour: Taste authentic Egyptian coastal flavors, street snacks, freshly fried Ta'ameya, Kebda Iskandarani, and Mediterranean seafood.
- Alexandria Airport Layover Tour: Maximize transit waiting times at Borg El Arab Airport (HBE) with a chauffeured private city excursion.
- Alexandria by Night Tour: Experience evening coastal charm with a traditional horse carriage (Hantour) ride along the Corniche and Stanley Bridge.
- Cairo Tour from Borg El Arab Airport: A same-day private express tour from Alexandria's airport directly to Cairo's Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum.
- Overnight Cairo Tour from Alexandria: A 2-day private excursion covering Saqqara, Memphis, the Giza Plateau, the Citadel of Saladin, and the Egyptian Museum.
- Wadi El Natrun Monasteries Tour: Journey south into the sacred desert depression to explore the four active 4th-century Coptic Christian desert monasteries.
- Overnight Desert Safari to Siwa Oasis: A 2-day desert expedition from Alexandria visiting El Alamein, Marsa Matrouh, the Shali Fortress, and the Great Sand Sea.
- Rosetta (Rashid) Cultural Day Tour: Visit the Nile delta port where the Rosetta Stone was unearthed, complete with an estuary boat ride and Ottoman brick mansions.
- El Alamein World War II Battlefield Tour: Pay tribute at the WWII Military Museum, Commonwealth War Cemetery, and German and Italian coastal memorials.
For bookings, customized departure schedules, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
