Alexandria and Old Cairo Pre-Voyage Extension

Begin your journey through Egypt’s rich history with a 4-day pre-voyage extension to Alexandria and Old Cairo that offers a perfect blend of ancient wonders and cultural exploration. Discover some of Alexandria’s most storied landmarks, including the Qaitbay Citadel, Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque and the Bibliotheca Alexandria before delving into the city’s Roman and Greek heritage at the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa and the Roman Amphitheater. In Old Cairo, one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities, encounter its fascinating Coptic heritage, from the unique Hanging Church to the small but immensely important Coptic Museum.

This extension can be taken before Passage Through Egypt Aboard Oberoi Philae and Exploring Egypt Aboard Sun Goddess.

Day 1 - Cairo

Arrive in Cairo, the ancient capital of Egypt, and check in to the five-star St. Regis hotel, your home for the night.

Arrival Time: 3:00 p.m.

Day 2 - Cairo / Alexandria

This morning, drive to Alexandria where you’ll enjoy lunch and a visit to the 15th -century Qaitbay Citadel, considered one of the most important defensive strongholds not only in Egypt, but also along the Mediterranean Sea coast. Marvel at Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque, known for its sheer magnificence as a holy site visited by scores of Muslims from both Cairo and Morocco who are making their way to and from Mecca. Visit Bibliotheca Alexandria, built in commemoration of the great Library of Alexandria. Check in at the seaside Four Seasons before dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Alexandria

Enjoy a full day of exploration in this storied city, beginning with a visit to the old Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. This extremely well-preserved network of Pharaonic, Roman and Greek chambers dedicated to the dead dates to around the second century and includes a mix of tombs and a feasting chamber where families of the deceased would gather for a meal in respect of their departed ones.

See “Pompeii’s Pilar,” a remnant of the Serapeum, Alexandria’s acropolis that was once thought by Crusaders to mark the burial site of Roman Consul and General Gaius Pompey. Then, explore the expansive Roman Amphitheater of Alexandria, used for performances and gatherings from the fourth to seventh centuries, spanning the Roman, Byzantine and Early Islamic eras.

After lunch, delve into the Greco-Roman Museum with its fascinating collection of artifacts from a period when the great cultures of Greece, Rome and Egyptian civilizations mingled in this hub of trade and culture. Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Marc Antony and Cleopatra are all represented here. You’ll also find a life-size black basalt bull from the Temple of Serapeum, a golden plaque marking the foundation of the Serapis and the only existing replica of the Pharos Lighthouse that used to mark Alexandria’s harbor—the second of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World in Egypt.

Dinner is at the hotel this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Alexandria / Cairo

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean before departing for Cairo where you’ll visit Old Cairo, one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities tucked within the modern urban area. This historic city, founded by the Romans, is known for its Coptic churches, including the 4th-century Hanging Church and the Church of Abu Serga, built on the spot where the Holy Family is said to have rested. Explore the Coptic Museum which houses the largest collection of Coptic Christian artifacts in the world. It showcases a rich blend of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic influences, reflecting the diverse history of Coptic civilization in Egypt. Check in at the St. Regis hotel where the rest of the day is at your leisure. (B,L)

Costs & What's Included

Occupancy

Cost per person 2026

Double Occupancy

$3,650

Single Occupancy

$4,240

Cost Includes:

Accommodation as indicated or similar, meals indicated plus non-alcoholic beverages during group meals, excursions as listed, entrance fees, transfer from the airport to the group hotel, tips for group activities and services, taxes and service charges, and services of our expedition staff.

Not included:

Air transportation not listed, passport fees, tips for non-group activities or services, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry, etc.