Description
Welcome to Cairo the city of 1000 minarets. Explore the majestic Islamic monuments of this medieval Muslim city with an expert guide to explain their rich history. Experience the wonderful atmosphere of the Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque, the Al-Rifa’i Mosque, the Sultan Hassan Mosque, Al-Azhar Mosque, and the Mosque of Emam Al Hussein.
Travel back in time to the glory days of Islamic Cairo, and see some of the medieval and Ottoman city’s greatest religious monuments, on this 2.5-hour private guided walking tour. Admire ancient mosques and madrasa, medieval city walls and gates, Ottoman-era houses, mausoleums, and markets, and conclude at the famous Khan al-Khalili bazaar. Explore the history of Islam Cairo on a this best seller tour and stare up at the medieval fortress and visit 4 of the mosques it houses to meet diverse monumental styles. Your expert guide renders significant historical atmosphere throughout the tour. Enjoy hearing how everything here in Islamic Cairo was built and evolved.
Look at the renowned Sultan Hassan Mosque, as well as its modern rival giant on the opposite side the Mosque of Sheikh Rifa’I constructed in the Mamluk style to seem as ancient and pompous. Also from your Egyptologist guide learn more about the Islamic traditions and contemporary customs in Cairo and witness the greatness of the area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Duration: Flexible
DEPARTURE TIME: Depart between 9am and 11am or 5pm and 7pm (flexible)
Departure location Al-Azhar Park Please meet at the main entrance, before continuing on with your guide through the metal-detecting system. (flexible location as desired by client)
Return Location: Khan al-Khalili Bazaar or downtown, Cairo
Required info.: Customer’s name & Hotel details
Greet your private guide at the main gate of Al-Azhar Park at a time of your choosing: for morning departures 9am-11am is recommended, or for afternoon departures leave any time between 5pm and 7pm. As you may enter working mosques, please dress modestly – long, loose clothes that cover arms and legs – and wear shoes that are easy to remove: women should also bring a scarf to cover their hair.
Please note that a few sites close to the public at 5pm. You’ll start your tour of some of the highlights of historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, by strolling through the park and admiring the remains of the medieval city walls, built by Saladin’s Ayubbid dynasty. As you only have two hours for this tour, you’ll admire most of the sites from outside: either choose two to visit or ask your guide for recommendations.
From al-Azhar, you’ll see the Mosque of Aslam al-Silahdar, the Aqsunqur Mosque (Cairo’s answer to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque!), the Altunbugha al-Maridani Mosque, the Ahmad al-Mihmandar Mosque, and the Qijmas al-Ishaqi mosque, which you may well recognize from Egypt’s 50-pound bill. And the detailed itinerary is as follows:
Tour Itinerary:
Walk to Bab Zweila gate
Al-Saleh Talaei mosque
Farag Ibn Barquq Madrasa-Sabil-Kuttab
The tent makers’ covered market
Al-Kurdi masjid
Visit one handmade carpet factory outlet and one tent-maker’s workshop
Sabil-Kuttab of Nafisa al-Bayda and Sugar street
Caravanseri of Nafisa al-Bayda
Al-Muayyad masjid
Walk through the cotton market
Muhammad Ali Pasha’s Sabil
The fruit seller’s masjid
Abu Hashem Restaurant ***)
Jamal al-Din al-Dahabi’s Ottoman house
Kafur al-Zimam small masjid
Walk through the handcrafting area for mother-of-pearl accessories (inlaid jewelry boxes, backgammon and chess game-boards, tea trays, tea coasters, photo frames, paper clips, camel bone figures…etc.)
Emam Dardir’s Ottoman house & mosque
Walk through the vegetable covered market
Abul-Dahab Complex
The Caravanseri of Sultan al-Ghuri
Al-Ghuri complex (Madrasa, Masjid, Mausoleum, Sabil-Kuttab, dome and house)
A nice walk through the fabric and spice markets
Khan al-Zarakishah
Al-Azhar mosque and university (the oldest surviving Islamic University in the world)
Highlights:
Area of principal Islamic landmarks & monuments in Cairo
Medieval citadel overlooking the city beneath
Some of the city’s grandest & most notable mosques
Influences from many civilizations during its turbulent past
Exclusive guide for a personalized experience
Inclusions:
Professional guide
Exclusions:
Entrance fees (generally around 100 LE per person)
Food and drinks
Gratuities (recommended)
Additional info.: Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Children must be accompanied by an adult
If you will not be arriving at your destination within the specified reconfirmation period, please reconfirm with the local service provider prior to travel, or upon arrival at your destination. Please note that departure times and locations may vary slightly.
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