My partner, Mark and I took advantage of the connection in Cairo on Egypt Air, en route to Europe, by making an overnight stop to visit the sights of Cairo. I last visited Egypt on a 2 week, low cost package in 1993, including Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh, Aswan and Luxor and Cairo, and wanted to revisit on a more upmarket scale. I chose the Ramses Hilton Hotel to overnight, as I had fond memories of a visit to the 36th floor Windows on the World restaurant with its stunning panoramic views over the Nile and the Pyramids.
We booked a private guide so that we could use our 24 hours effectively, and in order to spend as little or as much time at each spot. Unfortunately we missed the Khan el Khalili Bazaar, which was on our list of things to do. The guide advised against making any purchases here as the prices were very high, but in retrospect and from my earlier visit, I wish we had insisted on making the stop, even if it was just to browse and take in the medieval atmosphere, where one can bargain over spices, perfume oils, gold and silver jewellery and leather goods.
Even though I was returning to the Pyramids, the enigma and the immensity of them had the same effect as on my previous visit. We didn't take the opportunity of descending the Cheops pyramid as I remembered it being quite claustrophobic and humid, and difficult to change ones mind half way down to the Kings chamber, which was found unadorned and with its sarcophagus empty.
We walked to the Sphinx from the Pyramids, but one can barter a lift with one of the many camel handlers. If you choose to ride, be sure to negotiate the price to get on, take the ride, as well as dismount the camel. Egyptians are shrewd negotiators and you can find yourselves paying more than you bargained for if you are not chrystal clear on what you are purchasing!
Although the Egyptian Antiquities Museum is a bit tired, it is well worth a visit to see the treasures of Thutankhamuns tomb, including the alabaster canopic jars in which his internal organs were stored during the mummification process.
After a very full and tiring day, we returned to the hotel to prepare for the Nile Cruise and Dinner. We were transferred to the Nile Bank to board the vessel and settled in for a buffet dinner and performances by a belly dancer and a whirling dervish. The duration of this tour was 2 hours and we chose to walk back to our hotel afterwards. It should be noted that although this tour is termed a Nile Dinner Cruise, not all options depart from the bank.