Four Days in Alexandria and Cairo Egypt: Pyramids and Camels - A Whirlwind Spring Break!
You'll traverse through the neighborhood adjacent to the pyramids. This means, passing by pedestrians, cars, donkeys, AND camels!
This past April, I went to Egypt, y'all. I can't believe it finally happened! Like other millennials (dating myself a bit here), I was obsessed with Eyewitness Books as a kid. Especially the ones that showcased Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece. For as long as I can remember, Egypt has been at the top of my bucket list, but I didn't pin down WHEN I would get the opportunity to visit. Then again, the universe has a funny way of aligning when you least expect it. Fast forward to the year 2022, and a dear friend happens to be living there for a short period...I know, right? Lucky me! ☺️
With less than a week to spare as my daughter was on Spring break, I tried to think of ways in which we could maximize our visit. Considering the time difference and the vastness of Egypt itself, we decided it would be best to stay in Cairo and take a day trip to Alexandria to wrap up. This visit was sufficient to solidify that I will visit again one day, especially in the country's southern half.
While planning out the itinerary, I thought I would share my recommendations for those who plan to visit Northern Egypt, regardless of whether or not you are short on time. So, in no particular order, here are my recommendations:
Charter a guide to get you through customs
There are plenty of companies in Egypt that can help you easily get through customs. While I did take an entire year of Arabic in undergrad, I can only remember about 5 words in Moden Standard Arabic (lol), which is definitely not helpful in Egpyt, so I heeded my friend's advice and requested an airport guide for both our arrival and departure from Cairo. I noticed that guides from other companies were able to get as close as the arrival gate, but ours met us shortly before reaching immigration, which worked out well. With the help of our guide, we were well on our way to exploring the city within 10-15 minutes. Our guide helped us with getting our visas and currency exchange and took us to meet the driver (also pre-arranged).
Four-wheel around the Giza pyramids
4 wheeling is a great way to see the Giza pyramids, especially if you want to take some fun pictures at the top of a mound. The sand dunes are no joke, so I recommend bringing a scarf and sunglasses.
This was my first time on a four-wheeler, and I quickly learned I had no idea what I was doing. Before entering the park, you'll traverse the neighborhood adjacent to the pyramids. This means passing pedestrians, cars, donkeys, AND camels! A guide will be in the front of your group, also if you are a newbie you can have someone ride along with you. Ride along in Egypt means someone sitting on the front of the 4-wheeler and them holding the breaks for you! They will hop off at any time, so about 10 minutes in, I was solo-dolo.
Sail the Nile River in Style
You can easily Google the name "My Christina," and you will find exactly where this yacht is located. We sailed for two hours on the river. Since it was Ramadan, there were no food and drink accommodations, but they allowed us to bring our own food and drinks on board.
Renting a yacht overseas is not as expensive as it is in the States or the Caribbean. If I remember correctly, the cost for five people was around $200 for two hours.
Take a Day Trip to Alexandria
Alexandria is about a 3-hour drive from downtown Cairo, and it is worth considering if you are short on time. In Alexandria, you can visit the Ancient Roman Amphitheater, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, and Fort Qaitbey (pictures below).
You're bound to get hungry with all the walking around and sightseeing. I recommend checking out a local seafood restaurant. Most restaurants in the area will allow you to pick your fish. Fresh from the Mediterranean Sea. After you've made your selection, you will be charged for the weight. You can also inform the staff if you want the item fried or grilled. Can't get any better!
Visit the Saqqara Pyramids
It is hard not to be blown away by the vastness and history of the Saqqara Necropolis. Do not let the pictures fool you. Be prepared to walk and learn a lot. You can easily walk 20k+ steps within a few hours. Our tour guide, Nabil, provided us with an extensive analysis and historical recount of the Saqqara pyramids. You could easily imagine living in that era; it was truly immersive.
We walked through a few tombs during our tour. However, the one that stuck out to me the most was the Serapeum of Saqqara, a burial ground for sacred bulls. Yes, bulls! Call me superstitious, but I didn't post pictures of the burial sites because I definitely "felt" something when I was there.
I won't bore you with all the nerdy fun facts, but I will say that if you ever plan to tour the pyramids, especially Saqqara, go with a private tour guide. It's well worth it.
This was by no means an extensive to-do list. Compared to what I had on my original itinerary, this was a trip on steroids. We were exhausted from moving around so much, but it was a memorable experience overall.
There is so much more to explore. There is so much more to Egypt. If you are a history nerd, plan to stay at least 10 days to fully immerse yourself. Pack a few sweaters and scarves if you are planning anytime between December and April. It can get quite cold in the desert. Don't get caught slipping!
Overall, our first mommy-daughter international trip was a success. These pictures and memories are truly worth a thousand words.
P.S. Always have cash on hand for tips. Consider tipping ~ $1-2 Egyptian pounds for hotel staff, drivers $3-5 Egyptian pounds for drivers, and $10- 20 Egyptian pounds for tour guides.
Til next time...
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