Highlights
- From your hotel or residence within Cairo or Giza you will visit the Mosque of Sultan Hasan; one of the most beautiful mosques in Cairo
- Visit the Mosque of El-Refai, Where is buried the last Shah of Iran
- Visit the Citadel of Saladin with the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha inside it
- Visit the Ibn Tulun Mosque. It is said to be built in imitation of the huge mosque of Samarra in Mesopotamia
- Visit Gayer Anderson Museum, used yo be a Mamluk house (Beit El Kreatlia)
Itinerary
From your Hotel or Residence in Cairo or Giza Start your tour with our tour guide heading to the center of Islamic Cairo:
Stop #1: The Mosque of Sultan Hasan was built during the reign of Sultan Hasan in 1356 – 1363 AD. It is easily recognized by its two Minarets on the East one of them is 81.60 m (285 ft.) one of the highest in Cairo, The entrance has an arch of “Stalactite” formation, and on the north side, the exterior facade is high and has eight rows of windows and is crowded with a projecting cornice and pinnacles. The building was also conceived as a madrasa mosque (school mosque) In the middle of the court is an octagonal fountain for ablutions, The visitor should also look at the burial room, the desk of the Quran Lecturer, and the chair of the Imam. From the massive eastern grilled window, there is a magnificent view over the Citadel, which is often seen reproduced in guidebooks.
Stop #2: El-Refai Mosque, this mosque was completed in 1912 and is built in the Mamluke style, its exterior is sumptuously decorated with marble, cedar wood, and ivory ornamentation. The mosque is in fact the family vault of Khedive Ismail Pasha’ within it are buried Ismail himself, his wives, his mother, and Sultan Husein Kamel, King Fouad I was buried here in 1936. President Sadat also gave burial to the Ex Shah of Iran Mohamed Reza Bahalwey in this Vault.
Stop #3: The Citadel was constructed by the order of Sultan Saladin in 1176, and the construction was completed in 1207, All the main defensive installations were in the eastern part. In the western part, various buildings were erected: mosques, palaces, administrative offices, barracks, kitchens, Stables, and gardens. In 1824 Mohamed Ali built three palaces and a mosque, known as “the Alabaster Mosque” Thus today the citadel there can be seen as a mixture of Aiyubis, Mameluke, and Neo-Ottoman architectural styles. The principal Mosque of the Citadel is the Muhammed Ali Mosque, which is one of the landmarks of Cairo its great central dome and 84 m (273 ft.) Minarets. The interior of the mosque is spoilt by heavy decoration, the walls are covered with alabaster, and four square pillars support the central dome, which is flanked by 4 semi-circular domes. The great Minbar is of cedar wood with gold-covered decoration, and the small Minbar is of alabaster and was a gift from king Farouk in 1939. The tomb of Mohamed Ali is behind a bronze grille in a corner to the right of the entrance.
Stop #4: The Mosque of Sultan El-Nasser was built between 1318 and 1335 by Nasir ed-Din Muhammed Ibn Qalaoun, a prominent Mameluke Sultan. The central part of the monument is its great open court surrounded by four Iwans. The interior room which measures 59 x 53 m (192 x 172 ft.) has four naves. The dome in front of the Mihrab rests on ten ancient Egyptian columns and wooden Stalactitic pendentives. In this mosque, many ancient columns were reused with Roman and Byzantine capitals.
Stop #5: Gayer-Anderson Museum (Beit el-Kreatlia). the Englishman Gayer Anderson purchased two adjoining Mamelouke houses dating to about 1630 and renovated them. He then furnished them with beautiful and precious things in a rich Arab Style. Since then other collections have been added. You will see canopied beds, jewelry, textiles, china, and bronze, there are a Chinese room, Antiques, and a room in Queen Anne style.
Stop #6: the Mosque of Ibn Tulun; this mosque was built by Ahmed ibn Tulun the founder of the Tulunid dynasty, between 876 and 879. It occupies a total area of 26000 sq. M (31000 SQ.YD) The mosque is constructed with baked brick, which is covered with stucco with incised decoration. The court is surrounded by arcades with Ogival arches. The Minaret is situated almost in the center of the western outer court, it has four stories. There are six Mihrabs or Prayer Niches, the main Mihrab is decorated with gilded mosaics and marble. The Minbar was erected in 1298, and most of its inlaid ebony and ivory panels are now missing.
At the end of your tour, our guide will take you back to your hotel.
Included:
- Round Private Transfer from/to your hotel or residence. in Cairo or Giza
- Private A/C vehicle
- private Tour Guide
- Entrance Fees for all mentioned sites including Tax and fees
Not Included:
- Extra Optional Visits
- Personal Extras: Meals, Drinks, etc…
- Tipping and Gratuities
Prices:
| Persons Count | 1 | 2-3 | 4-7 | 8-14 |
| Price/Person | $120 | $65 | $45 | $35 |
NOTES :
- The prices are quoted per person per tour all inclusive in US Dollars.
- Prices are valid till 30/04/2021.
- Prices could be changed without prior notice, shall the government increase taxes.
