Cairo, Egypt 3/18-21/2026
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is a city where ancient wonders and modern life collide in a vibrant, chaotic symphony. Nestled along the banks of the Nile River, this sprawling metropolis is Egypt’s capital and its cultural heartbeat.
Just outside the city lie the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx—monuments that have stood for over 4,500 years. Within Cairo itself, Islamic architecture flourishes in the historic district, where mosques like Al-Azhar and Sultan Hassan showcase centuries of artistry and devotion.
Cairo is alive with energy. Its streets buzz with honking taxis, street vendors, and the aroma of grilled meats and spices. Egypt’s sprawling capital is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. In Gezira Island’s leafy Zamalek district, 187m Cairo Tower affords panoramic city views. The Nile flows through the city, offering serene felucca rides and stunning sunset views. From the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar to the sleek towers of Zamalek, Cairo is a city of contrasts.
We arrived back from Luxor on the 18th and checked in to the Four Seasons, right in the heart of Cairo, on the Nile River with a view of the Pyramids of Giza. Will make for a pleasant 3 days
here.
Our hosts, Ker Downey and South Sinai travel treated us to a wonderful dinner our first night back in Cairo. Right on the Nile, wonderful views and great food.
Sakkara and Dahshour 3/19/2026
Sakkara is renowned for the Stepped Pyramid of Djoser, one of the earliest monumental stone structures in the world. Nearby, Dashour features the Bent and Red pyramids, notable for their historical significance and impressive preservation, built during the reign of Pharoah Sneferu, the builder of pyramids. His first attempt was the Meidum Pyramid, and he was not pleased with the results.
Dashour
He then commissioned the Bent Pyramid, which features a unique 54-degree to 43-degree angle change. As construction continued, ancient engineering trial and error came into play, and the original plans were adjusted to the smaller angle, thus earning name of Bent Pyramid. We did not walk up and into this one. Our guide Mahmoud said it was a pretty difficult hike and not much to see inside, so we passed.
As with his first attempt, he was not pleased with the Bent Pyramid and built The Red Pyramid as the tomb for Snerferu. The issues of angles were corrected and became the first successful and stable "true" pyramid. It is believed that he was buried in the Red Pyramid. His son Khufu built the Great Pyramid at Giza.
We walked up the 300 steps to the entrance of the tomb but did not go down, very steep and you had to bend over to maneuver the stairs to the tomb. We did, however, get a picture at the entrance!
It was almost a sandstorm today, very windy. Lucky we did not lose our hats..
Sakkara
The Pyramid of Djoser, sometimes called the Step Pyramid of Djoser or Step Pyramid of Horus Netjerikhet, is an archaeological site in the Saqqara necropolis, Egypt, northwest of the ruins of Memphis. It was the first Egyptian pyramid to be built. At one end of the pyramid complex, a structure known as the South Tomb is believed to have acted as an additional, symbolic, tomb for Djoser, perhaps reflecting his role as the dual king of both Upper and Lower Egypt.
Djoser’s pyramid complex also has some unique features. The two courts in front of the pyramid recreate the setting of the Sed Festival, a royal ceremony aimed at rejuvenating the king and regenerating his power. The structures on the side of the eastern court emulate in stone the ephemeral shrines that were used in this festival, thus ensuring that the king could continue being rejuvenated forever.
While the complex had many innovations, among the most important are that it was the first mortuary structure in stone, the first stepped pyramid instead of a single mastaba (a flat, rectangular tomb form), and the first to combine both mortuary and ritual buildings, and to pair functional buildings with dummy ones that couldn’t actually be used.
We did go into the Southern Tomb, which closes at noon everyday as the carbon monoxide from visitors can harm the structure, so they limit the number of visitors daily. It was a much shorter and easier walk in than the tombs at Dashour and well worth it. I was not convinced but the attendant at the tomb convinced me to try it and am very happy he did.
These were alabaster and when the light was shined on them you could see through. Pictures don't do it justice.
The top left picture is the sarcophagus of Djoser.
The top left picture is the setting of the Sed Festival.
We ended up our day for lunch at a local's farmhouse and restaurant. Should have gotten a picture of the buffet, it was very good, and vegetables were amazing. All home made.
Egyptian Museum of Antiquities 3/20/2026
The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, commonly known as the Egyptian Museum and also called the Cairo Museum or the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, is a national history museum in Cairo, Egypt. An Egyptological Museum, it houses the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world, including over 170,000 items. One of Egypt's most prized museums, it is perhaps the best place to witness the country's history in succession, whose treasures span 5,000 years.
As we toured the museum, we went through empty spaces due to the artifacts being moved and displayed the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the most significant, those of King Tut. The future of the museum is up in the air, according to our guide, he believes everything will be relocated to the new museum, and the space will become a hotel, owned by the government and managed by a high-end hotel chain. Prime location.
Almost too much to absorb!
Grandparents of King Tut - Yuya and Thuya. Before the discovery of King Tut, their tomb was considered the prime find of ancient artifacts found in Valley of the Kings.
This is 19.37 meters long and contains the Book of the Dead, intended to help the deceased (Yuya and Thuya) survive in the underworld. It is in remarkably good condition, considering its age (1350 BC).
Their funeral masks.
These were their burial wooden sarcophagus and their canopic jars which held the body fluids from mummification. Many of the wooden sarcophagus were not on display as they were being restored. Certainly King Tut followed their example.
Now to Pharoah Psusennes I. His sarcophagus was silver which at that time was considered more valuable than gold, due to its scarcity in Egypt. He had quite the jewelry collection.
On to what I call the hall of mummies and sarcophigi
Finally seeing a bust of Cleopatra. The gentleman in top left was a priest, and they carved a new face upon the appointment of a new priest (wood carving)
This is Pharoah Kafre, one entombed at the Pyramids of Giza. Interesting that you cannot see the raven (symbol of Horus) from the front, but you can from sides and back.
The bottom right is a carving of Cheops (Khufu), the builder of the Great Pyramid, son of Pharoah Sneferu (the Bent and Red pyramids builder).
This display is magnificent. Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye, who acted in equal power with her husband are at the end of the hall, with the Pyramids of Giza in bronze as you enter the room.
And the bronze Sphinx to end our tour for the day.
Saladin Citadel 3/20/2026
The Citadel of Cairo or Citadel of Saladin is a medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo, Egypt. Its construction was begun by Salah ad-Din in 1176 and continued by subsequent Egyptian rulers. The mosque of Sultan alNasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, in the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) in Cairo, was the royal mosque during the Mamluk Period.
Lunch in the market. Our guide Mahmoud was able to join us, as Ramadan had ended. He ordered for Mickey and Mic was not disappointed! Our food journey on this trip has been terrific, good thing we are walking so much.
Coptic and Islamic Cairo 3/21/2026
Coptic and Islamic Cairo represent the spiritual and historic heart of Egypt, featuring centuries old churches, synagogues, and mosques located near Old Cairo. Coptic Cairo houses early Christian churches within the Roman Babylon Fortress, while Islamic Cairo, a UNESCO site, features historic mosques and the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
This was a full day touring - we saw St's Sergius and Bacchus Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Hanging Church, St Georges Church, Coptic Museum, Al Azhar Mosque, and El Sultan Hassan Mosque. And that was considered a short day!
Enjoy the pictures.'
Church of St's Sergius & Bacchus
Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, also known as the Abu Serga Church, is one of the oldest Coptic Christian churches in Egypt, dating back to the 7th century. Located in Old Cairo, this church is of significance to Christians because of its link to the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.
One of the most important locations visited by the Holy Family where the spiritual impact of their presence is most felt still; though their stay was brief, for the Governor of what was then Fustat enraged by the tumbling down of idols at Jesus’ approach sought to kill the Child. But they took shelter from his wrath in a cave above which, in later years, the Church of Abu Serga (St Sergious) was built.
Ben Ezra Synagogue
The Ben Ezra Synagogue, sometimes referred to as the Geniza Synagogue, the Synagogue of the Levantines, or the Synagogue of the Jerusalemites is a former Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in the Fustat part of Old Cairo, Egypt. A former church, Ben Ezra paid the overdue taxes and refurbished it to become a synagogue. According to local folklore, it is located on the site where baby Moses was found. The adjacent spring is supposed to mark the place where the pharaoh’s daughter found Moses in the reeds, and also where Mary drew water to wash Jesus.
St Georges Church
One of the most atmospheric churches in Cairo, this round Greek Orthodox church is actually a reconstruction of a 7th-century church that almost burned to the ground in the 19th century. It is built on top of the north tower of the old Roman fortress of Babylon and within the grounds of the Monastery of St. George.
The Hanging Church
This church, originally built in the ancient fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo around 4th century AD, derives its name from its location suspended above two Roman gate towers.
Not my picture one I found on the web but shows the intricacy of the mosaic
The Coptic Museum is a museum in Coptic Cairo, Egypt with the largest collection of Coptic Christian artifacts in the world. It was founded by Marcus Simaika in 1908 to house Coptic antiquities. The museum traces the history of Egypt from its beginnings to the present
El Sultan Hassan Mosque
The grandeur of the mosque-madrassa reflects the dramatic life of the Sultan who ordered it to be built: after coming to power at the tender age of 13 years old, he was deposed and reinstated three separate times. What's more, shortly after one of the four planned minarets collapsed during construction, killing three hundred people, the Sultan was assassinated - he never even got to see his namesake building completed.
The Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hasan is one of the largest and architecturally exquisite mosques in all of Egypt.
These are tombs of the King and his favorite wife - her tomb was bigger than his, and then of course you have the rest of the wives - 3 more, I think.
Al-Rifa'i Mosque
The Al-Rifa'i Mosque is a mosque located in Citadel Square, adjacent to the Citadel, in Islamic Cairo, Egypt. Its name is derived from the Ali Abu Shubbak who is buried in the mosque. It also serves as the royal mausoleum of Muhammad Ali's family.
To be honest, not many pictures here, I think we were mosqued out!
This is the oldest mosque in Egypt, mosque of Mohamad Ali.
And we bid farewell to Cairo and head to Alexandria for a few days to fill in time since we decided to bag Jordan...
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