All tours are private and depart daily : Arts of Cairo

ARTS OF CAIRO (10 Days / 9 Nights)

Absolute Africa is proud to present an in-depth survey of art in Cairo. The cosmopolitan nature of the city enables us to survey each age of artistic expression from the ancient eras to the 21th century. The first three days will be spent journeying through the relics of the Ancient Egyptian civilization: visit Giza and the surrounding pyramids and Sphinx, the Step pyramid at Saqqara and the Red Pyramid at Dahshur and the National Egyptian Museum. Next you will examine Cairo’s Christian period in Coptic Cairo. Visit the Hanging Church, the Church of Mare Guirgis and the Coptic Museum. You will also have the opportunity to see the Ben Ezra Synagogue. On Day 5 begin your exploration of the most striking monuments from Egypt’s Islamic empires. As an introduction, tour the superb Islamic Museum. Often overlooked by visitors to Cairo, this museum contains some of the most beautiful Koranic texts, ceramics and calligraphic motifs. Then journey on to the Citadel at the foot of the Moqattam Hills. Near the Citadel visit several mosques that are filled with beautiful colors, images and calligraphy. Also visit the famed Mosque of Ibn Tulun, one of the oldest surviving mosques in the city- dating back to the 9th century. Continue your exploration of Egypt’s Islamic past with two days of touring, including the Khan el Khalili bazaar, Al Hakim Mosque and the ornate gates of the old city. At the Khan el Khalili Bazaar you will find fabrics and ceramics unique only to Egypt with vibrant colors and textures. Conclude with two days’ touring focused on Egypt’s contemporary art movements. Visit the galleries in the Cairo Opera House, and the Center for Arts in Zamalek. You will also visit the privately owned galleries in downtown Cairo that showcase paintings, ceramics, and sculpture. Make a last stop to see the comprehensive art collection of the late Pasha Mohammed Mahmoud Khalil.

Day 1: Arrive Cairo;
Day 2: Cairo (Tour of Egyptian Museum, Giza, Saqqara);
Day 3: Cairo (Visit the Dahshur pyramids, PM Giza pyramids sound and light show);
Day 4:Cairo (Coptic Cairo);
Day 5:Cairo (Islamic Cairo);
Day 6: Cairo (Islamic Cairo);
Day 7: Cairo (Islamic Cairo);
Day 8: Cairo (Modern Cairo, visit galleries and museums);
Day 9: Cairo (At leisure);
Day 10: Depart Cairo.