6-day Cairo and Alexandria holiday
Visit Khufu, Saqqara, Cairo’s museums and Alexandria’s Qaitbay Citadel with guided sightseeing, transfers and accommodation included.
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
The 6-day Cairo and Alexandria holiday is a six-day private Egypt tour covering Giza, Saqqara, Cairo’s museums and historic districts, and Alexandria, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- Editor’s Pick
- Private
- Budget
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Family
- Solo travel
- Solo traveller·
- Seniors·
- Groups·
- Couples
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- Six days and five nights
- Travel style
- Private Guided Multi-Day Tour
- Accommodation
- Hotel stays in Cairo, with budget, comfort, classic, prestige and luxury choices
- Operated by
- Explore Egypt Tours
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Pyramids Complex · Saqqara · Alexandria · Islamic Cairo · Coptic Cairo
- Includes
- A Cairo hotel stay for five nights · Private transfers for airport journeys and sightseeing · Air-conditioned vehicle · Egyptologist guide · Admission charges for the sites listed · Lunch on sightseeing excursions · Service charges and taxes
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History and archaeology enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · Travellers seeking a private Cairo-based itinerary
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Best time to go
October to April generally offers the most comfortable sightseeing conditions, with cooler daytime temperatures and lower heat than summer; December to February can be particularly pleasant but busier at major monuments. May to September is hotter, with daytime temperatures often above 30°C, so early starts, sun protection and water are important. Opening hours and restaurant or sightseeing arrangements may change during Ramadan and Egyptian public holidays.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator arranging the itinerary, private transport, accommodation and guided sightseeing.
- Egyptologist-guided visits provide historical interpretation at the principal archaeological, museum and religious sites.
- Private air-conditioned transfers are included for airport movements and sightseeing days.
- Standard entrance fees for the sites listed in the itinerary, lunches during sightseeing tours, taxes and service charges are included.
- Hotel accommodation is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and provided by third-party hotel suppliers.
- The operator is Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718).
02Overview
A first look
Salt air and gulls mark the change from Cairo to Alexandria, where Qaitbay Citadel faces fishing boats and the Mediterranean. Back in the capital, limestone dust, shaded courtyards and the quiet galleries of the Grand Egyptian Museum give each day a different rhythm. At Giza, look up at Khufu’s immense stonework before following the evidence of royal power south to Saqqara and Djoser’s Step Pyramid. Later, Al-Muizz Street and Khan el Khalili bring mosques, workshops and everyday Cairo into focus.
Our Egyptologists connect these places without rushing the explanations, while we arrange the private vehicle, hotel accommodation and timings as a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Expect early starts for the archaeological sites and uneven ground underfoot.
Background
The facts
This six-day Cairo and Alexandria itinerary includes five nights of accommodation in Cairo, private airport transfers, private air-conditioned transport and guided sightseeing with an Egyptologist. The programme covers the Giza Pyramids Complex, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Alexandria, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo. Standard entrance fees for the listed sites and lunches during sightseeing tours are included; international flights, the Egypt entry visa, drinks outside included lunches, personal expenses and gratuities are excluded.
The Giza Plateau is approximately 15–20 km from central Cairo, although journey times vary considerably with traffic. The complex contains the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, built during Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty, and the Great Sphinx. Saqqara lies around 30 km south of central Cairo and is associated with the Step Pyramid of Djoser, generally dated to the 27th century BCE and designed for Pharaoh Djoser by Imhotep.
Alexandria is approximately 220–230 km from Cairo by road, usually requiring several hours each way depending on traffic and stops. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, the Mediterranean city includes the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel, built near the traditional location of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse.
Cairo’s city visits include the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Citadel of Salah El Din, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, Al-Muizz Street, Khan el-Khalili, the Hanging Church, the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Visitors should expect outdoor walking, uneven paving, steps, limited shade at archaeological sites and modest clothing requirements at mosques and churches.
Named in this entry
The Giza Pyramids Complex·The Great Pyramid of Khufu·Giza’s Great Sphinx·The Grand Egyptian Museum·The Egyptian Museum at Tahrir·Saqqara·Djoser’s Step Pyramid·Alexandria·Qaitbay Citadel·Bibliotheca Alexandrina·Khan el Khalili market·Salah El Din’s Citadel·Al-Muizz Street·Memphis and its Necropolis
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits first-time visitors, couples, families with older children and history enthusiasts who want Cairo’s principal ancient, Islamic and Coptic sites alongside a full-day Alexandria excursion. A moderate level of mobility is recommended because the programme includes uneven archaeological ground, steps, extended walking and crowded historic streets.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a shorter Cairo stay if you do not want a full-day road visit to Alexandria. It is not ideal for travellers who need step-free routes or cannot manage walking in heat and crowds.
What lingers
- 01Stand at the Giza Pyramids Complex and view the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Great Sphinx
- 02Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and Saqqara to see Djoser’s Step Pyramid
- 03Full-day excursion to Alexandria: Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- 04Explore the Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) and wander Khan el Khalili bazaar
- 05Tour Islamic Cairo, including the Citadel of Salah El Din and Al-Muizz Street
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Combines Giza, Saqqara, Cairo museums and Alexandria in one itinerary
- Includes both the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir
- Visits the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara
- Allows a full day for Qaitbay Citadel and Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Unlike shorter Cairo breaks, includes Saqqara as well as Alexandria
Things to Consider
- Alexandria requires a long road journey from Cairo
- Giza and Saqqara have limited shade at midday
- Historic Cairo includes uneven surfaces, steps and crowded lanes
- Summer sightseeing can involve high heat and early starts
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a short Cairo break, this six-day itinerary includes a full-day road excursion to Alexandria as well as visits to Saqqara, Cairo’s museums and historic Islamic and Coptic districts. Private transport and a dedicated Egyptologist guide allow the sightseeing sequence and pace to be coordinated around the group, while the included hotel stay keeps Cairo as the base.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
Six days and five nights · Cairo · Giza Pyramids Complex · Saqqara · Alexandria · Islamic Cairo · Coptic Cairo
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation.
| Comfort level | Where you stay | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Cairo AZAL Pyramids Hotel | October – April: from £777 | May – September: from £763 |
| Comfort | Cairo Cosmopolitan Hotel Cairo | October – April: from £777 | May – September: from £763 |
| Classic | Cairo Radisson Blu | October – April: from £955 | May – September: from £834 |
| Prestige | Cairo Hilton Cairo Grand Nile | October – April: from £1,315 | May – September: from £1,195 |
| Luxury | Cairo Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza | October – April: from £2,737 | May – September: from £2,516 |
You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Bundled in
- All entry tickets
- Private Egyptologist
- Breakfast
- Airport transfer
- Private transfer
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Five nights' accommodation in Cairo
- Entrance fees for every site listed in the itinerary
- Private transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- An Egyptologist guide throughout the itinerary
- Lunches during sightseeing
- All taxes and service charges
Not included
- International flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Drinks other than those served with the included lunches
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Giza, ask your Egyptologist where Khufu’s pyramid casts shade before choosing a spot for photographs.
- 02
Carry water and sun protection at Saqqara; shade is limited around the Step Pyramid of Djoser.
- 03
Allow time to check the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s current visitor access, as exhibition and reading-room arrangements can differ.
- 04
In Alexandria, sea breezes can make the waterfront feel cooler than Cairo, especially outside summer.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The programme can be arranged as a private tour with hotel category choices ranging from budget to luxury accommodation in Cairo. Travellers can request adjustments to sightseeing pace, additional museum or archaeological visits, room arrangements and meal preferences, subject to opening hours and availability. The Alexandria day can also be adapted around mobility requirements or preferred cultural and waterfront stops.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
This six-day Cairo and Alexandria itinerary works as a standalone city-focused holiday or as the Cairo portion of a longer Egypt trip before a Nile cruise from Luxor or Aswan. Unlike shorter Cairo breaks, it includes both Saqqara and a full-day visit to Alexandria.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Cairo and Alexandria tour involves extended walking, uneven paving, sand, cobblestones, steps and occasional steep ramps. These conditions apply at the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, the Citadel of Salah El Din, Al-Muizz Street, Qaitbay Citadel and some museum entrances. Narrow passages and crowded historic streets can make wheelchair movement difficult. Private air-conditioned transport reduces walking between visits, but vehicles may not have wheelchair lifts. The Great Pyramid interior is not assumed in the itinerary. If added, it involves demanding stairs and confined spaces. Please contact us before booking so we can check vehicle space, entrance conditions and practical assistance for your mobility needs.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport
- Booking confirmation, printed or on your phone
- Walking footwear that is comfortable and has a good grip
- Sunglasses and a sun hat
- High-factor sunscreen
- A water bottle that can be refilled
- A compact bag for the day
- Any prescription medicines you need
What to wear
- Loose, lightweight garments
- Breathable layers for sun and air-conditioned museums
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for mosques and religious sites
- A shawl or scarf to provide extra coverage
- Sunglasses and a sun hat
Children & families
Children may join the tour, but no minimum age or fixed child-price scale has been supplied. Ask us for a child rate based on age and room or vehicle requirements. Strollers can be awkward on sand, uneven paving, steps and crowded streets; a compact stroller or child carrier is more practical. High chairs are not confirmed at lunch venues, so please ask us to check availability before travelling.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
On the ground
Your route
While you're here
Worth pairing
- The Giza Pyramids Complex15 km
- The Grand Egyptian Museum12 km
- Salah El Din’s Citadel7 km
- Khan el Khalili market5 km
- Saqqara30 km
- Alexandria220 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Combines Saqqara and Alexandria in one Cairo-based itinerary
02
Visit two major Egyptian collections, in Tahrir and Giza
03
Private sightseeing avoids fixed group-bus schedules
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange sightseeing transfers with local licensed drivers using air-conditioned vehicles selected for the group size. Where practical, the same vehicle remains with the group during Cairo and Alexandria sightseeing, reducing the need for repeated taxi journeys. Our Egyptologists, drivers, restaurants and site-service providers are based in Egypt, so spending supports local employment and Egyptian businesses. We do not claim that transport is carbon-free. Carrying a refillable water bottle, avoiding single-use plastic where possible and following guide instructions at archaeological sites can reduce waste and help protect the places visited.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
·In summary
This six-day Cairo and Alexandria tour includes five hotel nights in Cairo, private airport and sightseeing transfers, an Egyptologist guide, listed site entrance fees and lunches during sightseeing tours. Visits cover the Giza Pyramids and Great Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Alexandria’s Qaitbay Citadel and Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the duration of the 6-day Cairo and Alexandria holiday?
This itinerary spans six days and five nights, beginning and concluding in Cairo. It features overnight stays in Cairo, with comprehensive day trips to the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, and Alexandria.02What type of transport is included in this holiday?
Private transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle are included for all airport transfers and sightseeing excursions. Our drivers manage all travel arrangements, ensuring a comfortable journey between each site.03Are entrance fees to attractions included in the holiday price?
Yes, all entrance fees for the sites mentioned in the itinerary are included. This covers key monuments such as the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and Qaitbay Citadel.04Which meals are provided during the sightseeing days?
Lunch is provided on every full-day sightseeing tour. Breakfast and dinner, along with other meals, are generally supplied by your hotel and are not included in the tour.05What level of physical fitness is needed for this holiday?
This holiday involves moderate walking at ancient sites, some of which feature uneven terrain or stairs. Travellers should be comfortable walking for extended periods and navigating varied surfaces.06Would this six-day itinerary work well for families travelling with children?
Yes, this itinerary is well-suited for families. The private guiding offers flexibility, and our Egyptologists can adapt explanations to engage younger travellers at sites like the pyramids and museums.07What clothing and items should I bring for sightseeing in Cairo and Alexandria?
We recommend comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sun cream. Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is advisable for religious sites such as mosques and the Citadel.08What rules apply to taking photographs at the sites on the itinerary?
Photography is generally allowed at most outdoor sites, though restrictions apply inside some tombs and museums. Your Egyptologist will advise on specific rules; some sites may charge a small camera fee.09What is the best time of year to take this Cairo and Alexandria holiday?
October to April is the best time for this itinerary, with comfortable temperatures for visiting outdoor sites. Summer, from May to September, can be very hot, especially in Cairo.10How does this holiday compare to shorter Cairo programmes regarding Alexandria and Saqqara?
Unlike shorter Cairo breaks, this 6-day programme dedicates full days to both Alexandria and Saqqara. This allows for thorough visits to sites like the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Step Pyramid of Djoser, rather than brief stops.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- 75% back, or 100% kept as credit towards a future holiday
- 15–30 days
- 50% back, or 75% kept as credit
- 7–14 days
- 25% back, or 50% kept as credit
- 2–6 days
- Nothing back; 25% kept as credit
- Under 48 hours, or if you don't turn up
- No refund and no credit
Notice is counted from the day you arrive in Egypt. A few vessels have their own terms; where that's so, we'll let you know before any payment is taken.Read our full cancellation and refund policy
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: TOU-CAI-247209
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