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Tree of Life Day Tours · Giza

Tahrir, the Citadel and lunch on the Nile

Tree of Life Day Tours gives you a private Egyptologist for the Egyptian Museum, an Egyptian lunch on an island in the Nile, then the Citadel's great mosque and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Pick it for the guide and the lunch break, which guests rate as highly as the sights.

Egyptian Museum, Citadel & Khan el-Khalili

About this experience

This is the gentlest of the full days. Two hours at the Egyptian Museum with an Egyptologist, a sit-down lunch on El Maadi island in the Nile, an hour at the Citadel for the Mohammed Ali Mosque, then an hour in Khan el-Khalili. It runs about eight hours from an 8 am start. Guests describe guides who show the key rooms, then let them explore alone.

The itinerary text is out of date. It promises Tutankhamun's "gold death mask" and an optional visit to "the Royal Mummy Halls to see the mummies of pharaohs such as Ramses II". Both have left: the mask for the Grand Egyptian Museum in late October 2025, the mummies for NMEC in April 2021. What you see at Tahrir is the Old Kingdom sculpture, the Tanis gold and the animal mummies, which the listing also mentions.

The price covers the guide, the minivan, lunch and water. Entrance fees are extra: 550 EGP at the museum and 550 EGP at the Citadel per foreign adult in 2026, by card. Drinks at lunch are extra too. The per-person rate depends on group size, with separate prices for one person, 2 to 4, 5 to 8 and 9 to 15, so check the figure for your number before you book.

  • A private Egyptologist all day
  • Two hours at the Egyptian Museum
  • Egyptian lunch on El Maadi island in the Nile
  • The Mohammed Ali Mosque at the Citadel
  • An hour in Khan el-Khalili, with a guide who knows the shops

How the day runs

  1. 8:00 amHotel pickup

    From your hotel in Cairo or Giza; if yours isn't on the list, send the address.

  2. About 2 hoursEgyptian Museum

    The guide shows the highlights, then leaves you time to wander.

  3. MiddayLunch on the Nile

    A typical Egyptian lunch at a restaurant on El Maadi island. Tell them about dietary needs when you book.

  4. About 1 hourThe Citadel

    Saladin's fortress and the Mohammed Ali Mosque on the skyline.

  5. About 1 hourKhan el-Khalili

    Browse the bazaar, then the drive back to your hotel.

The central hall of the Egyptian Museum with colossal statues and sarcophagi under the skylightThe Muhammad Ali Mosque with its domes and minarets at the Cairo Citadel

What's included

Included

  • A qualified Egyptologist guide
  • Air-conditioned minivan, hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Lunch
  • Bottled water
  • Only your group on the tour

Not included

  • Entrance fees: 550 EGP museum, 550 EGP Citadel (2026)
  • Drinks with lunch
  • Tips
  • Tutankhamun's mask and the royal mummies: no longer at Tahrir

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You want a private Egyptologist without a rushed day
  • A real lunch break matters to you
  • You're happy paying tickets by card at each gate
  • It's your first day in Cairo and you want an overview

Skip it if

  • You want every ticket included: the Memphis Tours day covers them
  • You use a wheelchair (not accessible, says the listing)
  • You want Coptic Cairo too: the Emo Tours combo includes it
  • You're travelling alone on a budget: the solo rate is the highest

What guests say

★★★★★

Our tour guide Mahmoud was great. He took us all around and knew his history. He took us to the major things in the museum and let us explore after. He asked what kind of things we want to see or buy at the bazaar.

Rebecca_S · Apr 2025
★★★★★

It was shocking that the guide could recall such details of history! She was friendly, accommodating and generous with her time and explaining.

Suzanne_M · Apr 2025
★★★★★

Mahmoud was a great host and we had a wonderful time! Learned a lot about Egypt, life in Cairo, and the history of the country. A great way to start a trip.

Jacob_C · Sep 2024
★★★★★

He allowed us time on our own after showing us what he considered to be the best things to see. [...] the lunch on Nile Island was good and we chose to have a short time looking in the bazaar

Brian_C · Mar 2018

Tips before you book

  • Cover knees and shoulders. The listing warns that you may be refused entry to the mosque otherwise.
  • Budget about 1,100 EGP per adult for tickets, on a card, plus cash for drinks and tips.
  • Ask for more museum time and less bazaar if Tahrir is your priority; guides here adjust.
  • Check the price for your exact group size: the rate per person changes with it.

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Frequently asked questions

Are entrance fees included on the Tree of Life museum and Citadel tour?

No. The listing says "Entrance fees extra". In 2026 that's 550 EGP at the Egyptian Museum and 550 EGP at the Citadel per foreign adult, half for students, both card only. Khan el-Khalili is free.

Where is lunch?

At a restaurant on El Maadi island in the Nile, south of central Cairo, after the museum. Lunch is included; drinks are not.

Does the tour still include Tutankhamun and the Royal Mummy Halls?

No, despite the listing. Tut's mask is at the Grand Egyptian Museum and the royal mummies at NMEC. See our royal mummies guide.

Is the price per person or per group?

Per person, with a rate that depends on how many of you there are: one person, 2 to 4, 5 to 8 or 9 to 15. The from-price is the lowest of those rates.

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Book Museum, Citadel & bazaar day

A private Egyptologist for Tahrir, the Citadel and Khan el-Khalili, with lunch on a Nile island.

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A private Egyptologist for Tahrir, the Citadel and Khan el-Khalili, with lunch on a Nile island.

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