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Cairo Getaway 5 Days: Pyramids, Museum & Saqqara
Our 5 day getaway Cairo packs the must-sees into a short week: the Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the Memphis Saqqara necropolis, Coptic Cairo, the Saladin citadel and Khan el-Khalili. You get a private English-speaking guide, airport transfers and a 4* hotel or the 5* Marriott Mena House looking onto the pyramids. Ideal as a long Cairo weekend or as the Cairo leg for anyone rounding off a Nile cruise.
Visit Cairo over 5 days and you hit the sweet spot: long enough to cover the essentials and fit in Memphis and Saqqara (the oldest pyramids, which hurried visitors tend to miss), short enough to avoid the wear of a 10-day tour. Our Cairo programme mixes 3 days of guided visits (Giza, Saqqara, then Coptic, Islamic and historic Cairo with Khan el Khalili, often written Khan el-Khalili) with 2 arrival and departure days that leave comfortable breathing space. Add a day on the Mediterranean with the Alexandria option at +£100. A Cairo trip 5 days starts at £530/pers in 4* and £760 in 5* with pyramid view.
Our 4 5-Day Cairo Getaway Packages
Value hard to beat: pyramids, GEM, Memphis/Saqqara, historic Cairo and the Khan, with private English-speaking guide, transfers and breakfasts.
- 4 nights 4* breakfast
- 3 days private guided tours
- GEM tickets + pyramids
- Return airport transfers
Everything in Essential, plus the full GEM tour (4 hours rather than 2), a Nile dinner cruise with folk band on evening 2, and use of the hotel spa and hammam.
- GEM complete visit + Tutankhamun
- Nile dinner cruise with show
- Spa/hammam access
- Private transfer any duration
A hotel dating from 1886 with the pyramids straight outside your window. Dinner at the 139 Restaurant as the pyramids light up, breakfast out on the garden terrace.
- Pyramid view room (option +£70)
- All Comfort +
- Dinner 139 pyramids view
- Spa Mena Health Club
Alexandria day trip: the Qaitbay citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs and a fresh Mediterranean fish lunch.
- Alexandria and back by private minibus, 3 hours' drive
- Dedicated English-speaking guide
- All tickets included
- Fish Market Lunch
Itinerary: All of Cairo in 5 Days
Arrival & Acclimatization
An English-speaking driver with a name board meets you at Cairo International Airport (CAI) and drives you to the hotel (45 min). Check in, then time to shake off the journey. Optional that evening: the sound and light show at the pyramids (+£20, 8:30pm; French sessions Mon/Wed/Sat, ask us for English dates).
- Home CAI + visa assistance
- Private hotel transfer
- Dinner at leisure, or included, according to your formula
Giza Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum
Off at 8am to the Giza plateau: 3 pyramids, viewpoint, Sphinx and Valley temple in about 3 h. Lunch nearby. Afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), 2 to 4 hours according to your formula: Ramses II, all of Tutankhamun, the solar boat, the grand staircase.
- Giza Pyramids (Cheops, Chephren, Mykerinos)
- Sphinx + Valley Temple
- GEM fast-track + English-speaking guide
Memphis & Saqqara - The Origins
A day given over to the oldest sites in Egypt. Leaving at 9am, first Memphis, once capital of the Old Kingdom, with its colossus of Ramses II and alabaster sphinx. Then on to Saqqara and the step pyramid of Djoser (2650 BC, the world's oldest), plus the mastabas of Ti and Mereruka, whose bas-reliefs of everyday life are stunning.
- Memphis: colossus Ramses II + alabaster sphinx
- Saqqara: Step Pyramid of Djoser
- Mastabas Ti + Mererouka
- Dahshur optional (red pyramid + rhomboidal) +£30
Coptic Cairo, Citadel & Khan el-Khalili
Morning in Coptic Cairo: Hanging Church, Ben Ezra synagogue, Coptic museum, St Sergius. Next, the Saladin citadel, the Muhammad Ali mosque and a sweeping view over the city. Afternoon at Khan el-Khalili, the 14th century Fatimid bazaar (coffee stop at El Fishawy, open since 1797), then Al-Muizz street's medieval mosques.
- Hanging Church + St. Sergius
- Citadel + Muhammad Ali mosque
- Khan el-Khalili + El Fishawy
- Al-Muizz Street (evening if possible)
Free time & Flight
A free morning: last-minute shopping, the Coptic museum or Zamalek (a Nile island full of contemporary art galleries). Lunch on your own or a farewell lunch at Marriott Mena House. Airport transfer 3 hours ahead of your flight. With the Alexandria option (+£100), this day becomes a Mediterranean excursion.
- Free time shopping or museum
- Zamalek or Mena House Lunch
- Private CAI transfer
- Option: Alexandria day +£100
The Major Sites of Your Cairo Getaway
Giza Pyramids (Cheops, Chephren, Mykerinos)
The 3 pyramids of the 4th dynasty: Cheops, 146 m (sole survivor of the 7 wonders of the ancient world), Khafre, 136 m (limestone cap still intact), Mykerinos, 66 m. Going inside Cheops costs +£20, inside Khafre +£10.
Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
Opened in 2024 as the biggest archaeological museum on the planet (168,000 m², 100,000 objects). A 12 m statue of Ramses II greets you in the atrium, then the grand staircase and the complete Tutankhamun gallery (5000 pieces, among them the 11 kg gold funerary mask). Comfort and Luxury formulas allow a 4 hour visit.
Memphis, Ancient Capital
Egypt's first capital after unification (~3100 BC). What remains is a compact open-air museum with the reclining colossus of Ramesses II (10 m) and an alabaster sphinx weighing 80 t. Wonderfully photogenic, and 1 hour covers it.
Step Pyramid of Djoser (Saqqara)
The oldest pyramid in Egypt (2650 BC), and the first monumental stone building humanity ever raised, by the brilliant Imhotep: 62 m tall in 6 tiers. Nearby, the mastabas of Ti and Mereruka carry painted bas-reliefs of everyday life, net fishing and banquets among them.
Cairo Coptic
Among the oldest Christian quarters in the East (1st to 10th centuries). The Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa, 5th century), the Ben Ezra synagogue (said to stand where Moses was pulled from the water), St Sergius church (by tradition a refuge of the Holy Family) and the Coptic museum with its icons, papyri and textiles.
Saladin Citadel & Muhammad Ali Mosque
A fortress raised by Saladin in the 12th century to hold off the Crusaders. Looking down over Cairo, it contains the mosque of Muhammad Ali (19th century, alabaster, Ottoman in style), the Al-Nasir Muhammad mosque and the military museum. When the air is clear you can see the pyramids from the ramparts.
Khan el-Khalili (Bazaar)
The 14th century Fatimid bazaar at the commercial core of Islamic Cairo: spices, engraved copper, silver, oud perfume, carpets. Pause at El Fishawy cafe, trading round the clock since 1797 and a haunt of Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz. Expect to haggle 30-40% off the opening price.
Alexandria (option +£100)
Egypt's “pearl of the Mediterranean”: the Qaitbay citadel, standing on the remains of the Alexandria lighthouse (one of the ancient wonders), the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (2002, successor to the ancient library) and the Roman catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, underground and 3rd century. Grilled fish for lunch at the Fish Market.
Our 3 Selected Hotels
| Hotel | Category | Pyramids view | Spa | Breakfast | Tripadvisor rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steigenberger Pyramids | 4* superior | No (Dokki area) | Yes + swimming pool | Buffet included | 4.3/5 (2100+ reviews) |
| Pyramids View Inn | 3* shop | Yes (direct) | No | Included | 4.5/5 (800+ reviews) |
| Marriott Mena House | 5* historical | Yes (optional room) | Yes Mena Health Club | Buffet + terrace | 4.6/5 (5000+ reviews) |
Opened in 1886, the Marriott Mena House hosted Churchill, and later Sadat, Begin and Carter during the 1978 peace accords. No hotel view pyramids in Egypt is more iconic.
How SEV Stacks Up Against Memphis Tours, TUI and Civitatis
| 5-day Cairo package | SEV | Memphis Tours | TUI | Civitatis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4* Essential | £530 | £580 | n/a | £500-£580 |
| 4* Comfort + full GEM | £610 | £650 | £690 | £620-£650 |
| 5* Luxury pyramid view | £760 | £730 | £850 | n/a |
| Add-on Alexandria 1d | +£100 | +£110 | included (combo) | +£120 |
| Private English-speaking guidance | ✅ 1-to-1 | ⚠️ sometimes | ❌ grouped | ❌ grouped |
| Memphis + Saqqara included | ✅ day 3 | ⚠️ half day | ✅ | ⚠️ option |
| Nile dinner cruise | ✅ Comfort+ | ⚠️ option | ✅ | ❌ |
FAQ - 5 Day Getaway to Cairo
Can you see everything in Cairo within 5 days?
For the cultural essentials, yes: pyramids, GEM, Memphis/Saqqara and historic Cairo (Coptic, Islamic and the Khan). Over 5 days you cover more than most people manage on a 10 day tour. What stays off the list: Fayoum, the Western Desert oases and Upper Egypt (Luxor/Aswan); for those, bolt a Nile cruise onto your Cairo stay.
Where can you stay with the pyramids in view?
Three hotel view pyramids options: (1) the 5* Marriott Mena House, where a pyramid-view room is a +£70/night option (our Luxury formula); (2) the 3* Pyramids View Inn, a boutique hotel with a guaranteed direct view (best value, though no spa); (3) the Four Seasons Pyramid, due to open in 2026 and not yet bookable. Before you confirm, ask us for an HD photo taken from the room itself.
Can we go inside the pyramids?
Yes, for 2 of the 3: Cheops at +£20/pers (the king's chamber, up a 39 m sloping passage; not for the claustrophobic), Khafre at +£10 (quieter, less cramped), while Mykerinos opens and closes with conservation work. No photos inside. Allow 30 min on top of day 2.
Does this break work for families travelling with children?
Yes, from age 6. The pyramids, the GEM and Khan el-Khalili hold children spellbound (Tutankhamun! works like a magnet). Day 3 at Memphis/Saqqara can wear out the under 6s, so a lighter version is possible (Memphis only, then the pool in the afternoon). Our English-speaking guide pitches the commentary to suit them. Triple rooms are available in Comfort and Luxury.
Does a Nile cruise fit on after the 5-day Cairo break?
Absolutely; it is our most requested combination. After your 5 days in Cairo, add the Little Golden Programme, 3 nights from Luxor to Aswan (+£380/pers), the Glory of the Gods 7-night cruise (+£610/pers), or the Nile in Dahabeya if you want luxury (+£1,150). Cairo to Luxor is a domestic flight (about 1h, £70) or the 1st class sleeper train (about £30).
What does the Alexandria +£100 add-on include?
A full day in Alexandria, replacing day 5 or added as day 6. Private minibus from Cairo and back (3 hours' drive each way), your own English-speaking guide, entry to the Qaitbay citadel, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs, and fresh fish for lunch at the Fish Market. Back in Cairo by 7pm. Extra hotel night optional.
Citadel or Muhammad Ali mosque: are they the same thing?
The Saladin citadel is the 12th century fortress; inside its walls stand several buildings, 3 mosques among them. The mosque of Muhammad Ali (19th century, alabaster, Ottoman in style) is the one everybody notices, with its two 82 m minarets and vast dome: the picture-postcard image of Islamic Cairo. It was commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the founder of modern Egypt.
Is a Marriott Mena House dinner part of the break?
Only in the Luxury formula: dinner at “139” facing the pyramids on evening 3 (a 4-course tasting menu worth £30). Comfort gets a Nile dinner cruise on evening 2 instead (90 min on the water with a folk band, worth £30). On Essential, dinners are left open for flexibility, with our restaurant tips included (Abou El Sid, Felfela, Andréa Mariouteya).
What happens with the airport transfer when I leave?
Your driver is at the hotel 3 hours before take-off, in a private air-conditioned minibus. Terminal 3 check-in help if you want it. Porters for hold luggage (up to 30 kg/person), no charge.
What sets SEV apart from Memphis Tours and TUI?
Three reasons. (1) A private 1-to-1 English-speaking guide: never in a group, never shared. (2) WhatsApp direct to your coordinator throughout the stay, rather than a call centre. (3) Net prices with nothing hidden: GEM tickets, pyramids, transfers and bottled water are all in the price you see. SEV has operated from Cairo since 2020, with 156 reviews on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp averaging 4.8/5.
Pair it with more Cairo and Nile trips
- Cairo: 3-5 night modular stay
- Stopover circuit: pyramids in airport transit
- Cairo + Nile Cruise + Hurghada 12 days
- Cairo + Nile + Marsa Alam - beach combo
- Little Golden Program: Nile 3 nights
- The Glory of the Gods: Nile 7 nights
- Luxor Attractions: Karnak & Valley of the Kings
- Attractions Aswan: Philae & Abu Simbel
Your 5-Day Cairo Break Quoted Within 24 Hours
Send us your dates, how many are travelling (children or not), your preferred hotel category and whether you want Alexandria. We draw up a bespoke quote and confirm it inside 24 hours.
WhatsApp +20 10 96569859 · From £530/person · Private English-speaking guide
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