Citadel & Old Cairo from Sokhna Port

Step 1: Morning Pickup & Highway Transit

• Meet your guide and driver directly at the ship disembarkation terminal inside Sokhna Port.
• Travel west across the desert plateau via the Kattameya Highway, arriving at the Mokattam hills overlooking Cairo.

Step 2: The Citadel of Saladin & Alabaster Mosque (2 Hours)

• Medieval Fortress: Tour the 12th-century fortification constructed by Sultan Saladin (Salah ad-Din) to protect Cairo from Crusader forces.
• Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha: Step inside the magnificent 19th-century Ottoman "Alabaster Mosque." Walk through the arcaded courtyard and admire its cascading domes, massive chandeliers, and alabaster-clad walls.
• Panoramas of Cairo: Stand on the Citadel’s terrace for a sweeping view across Greater Cairo (on clear days, the distant silhouettes of the Giza Pyramids are visible).

Step 3: Historic Old Cairo & Coptic Enclave (2 Hours)

• The Hanging Church (St. Virgin Mary): Visit one of Egypt's oldest Coptic churches, built directly over the gatehouses of the Roman fortress of Babylon.
• Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga): Descend into the historic sanctuary constructed over the crypt where the Holy Family is believed to have taken refuge during their journey into Egypt.
• Ben Ezra Synagogue: Explore the historic synagogue restored on the site where, according to local tradition, the baby Moses was found among the reeds along the Nile banks.

Step 4: Traditional Egyptian Lunch (1 Hour)

• Enjoy lunch at an air-conditioned local restaurant serving traditional Egyptian mixed grills, rice dishes, fresh flatbreads, and mezze salads.

Step 5: Khan El Khalili Bazaar (1 Hour)

• Historic Market Walk: Take a guided stroll through Cairo's famous 14th-century marketplace. Walk past spice shops, intricate brass lamps, hand-carved copperware, and traditional perfume vendors lining narrow cobblestone alleys.

Step 6: Direct Return Drive to Sokhna Port

• Board your private vehicle in the mid-afternoon and travel directly east back along the highway to Sokhna Port, arriving well ahead of your cruise ship’s final all-aboard time.