Private Tour to the City of the Dead and the Alabaster Mosque

A private experience shaped around your time and interests.


★ 4.9 · 2,678 reviews on TripAdvisor · Licensed since 2001 · Free Cancellation

8-Hour Private Tour of the Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum

4 hours

Easy


First visit the City of the Dead (Qarafa) that has been used as a burial ground for Cairo since its foundation in the 10th century. Then proceed to the the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali inside the citadel of Saladin. This beautiful mosque with its high minarets (269 ft/ 82m high) represents the Ottoman style of architecture and it dominates Cairo skyline.

The Mosque of Mohamed Ali is one of the most beautiful mosques in Cairo which sits by the Citadel overlooking modern Cairo. The minaret is majestic and almost like a miniature version of the sky scrapers that define our skyline today. Inside, there are gorgeous Iznik tiles.

The Cairo city of the Dead or the big Cemetery .

The City of the Dead is another strange part of Cairo where the graves are the closest thing to houses for some people. There are layers upon layers of graves, mausoleums and minarets. Some tombs are finely decorated with Arabic calligraphy while others are no more than rubble covered by a simple white dome.

This city within a city is surrounded by high walls, which once served to protect it from armed forces who would plunder graves for valuables inside them or just for fun. It's still possible to get into some areas where permission has not been given.


What's included?
  • Food & drinks
WiFi in your van
Local taxes
Bottled water
Welcome drink
Qualified Egyptologist guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Private tour
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Exclusions
  • Tip or gratuity
Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Please note
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
    • • Hotel pickup time at 9am • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
    What to bring
      • Comfortable closed-toe shoes with grip (sand, uneven stone, rough terrain at all sites)
      • Hat with a brim — essential at Giza, Saqqara, Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and all open-air sites
      • Sunscreen (apply before departure — you'll be in the sun immediately on arrival)
      • Sunglasses
      • Camera or smartphone (charged — there are no charging points at sites)
      • A light scarf or shawl for mosque visits (shoulders and knees covered)
      • Small daypack for water, camera, and sun protection
      • Any personal medications you need during the day

      We provide bottled water throughout the tour. You do not need to bring your own.

      Explore the tours above. Read the details. Ask questions if needed. Book only when it feels right.

      How pricing works

      Prices are based on:

      • Group size
      • Duration
      • Inclusions listed on the tour page

      You will always know what is included before booking. There are no surprise additions.

      What our clients say


      Scuba diver beside a vibrant coral wall with barracuda schooling in the deep blue Red Sea
      By Ashraf Fares April 6, 2026
      The complete guide to diving Egypt's Red Sea. Ras Mohammed, Thistlegorm, Elphinstone, Blue Hole — where to go, what level you need, and what to budget.
      `Snorkeler and sea turtle above a coral reef in Marsa Alam with Egypt's desert coastline in the back
      By Ashraf Fares April 5, 2026
      Marsa Alam is the Red Sea without the crowds. Dolphin encounters, dugong sightings, pristine reefs, eco-resorts, and the most untouched coastline in Egypt.
      `Valley of the Kings at sunrise  limestone cliffs, tomb entrances, winding pathways, and the pyrami
      By Ashraf Fares April 5, 2026
      Complete guide to the Valley of the Kings: which tombs to choose, ticket tiers, Seti I vs Tutankhamun, best time to arrive, and how to structure your West Bank morning.
      Egyptian papyrus artisan at work in a sunlit shop.
      By Ashraf Fares April 2, 2026
      How to buy real papyrus in Egypt and avoid banana leaf fakes. 5 authenticity tests — bend, fiber, texture, weight, residue. Fair prices, certified workshops, scam guide.
      A professional, wide-angle architectural photograph of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak Temple dur
      By Ashraf Fares April 2, 2026
      Karnak is the largest religious structure ever built — and the most confusing without a guide. This is what you are looking at, why it matters, and how to visit.
      Split view comparing Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh — Hurghada side showing a wide sandy beach with co
      By Ashraf Fares March 28, 2026
      Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh? Compare beaches, diving, costs, atmosphere, and logistics — and which fits better into your Egypt itinerary.
      Aerial view of a luxury Sharm El Sheikh resort on the Red Sea coast — crystal-clear turquoise water
      By Ashraf Fares March 26, 2026
      Everything you need for Sharm El Sheikh: the best reefs, resort options, costs, day trips to Ras Mohammed and Mount Sinai, and how to fit Sharm into an Egypt trip.
      A solo traveler and guide sailing on a traditional felucca near Aswan granite islands.
      By Ashraf Fares March 12, 2026
      Planning a solo trip to Egypt? 7-day itinerary, safety tips, how to travel alone comfortably, and why a private guide changes everything about solo Egypt.
      Traditional dahabiya sailing on the Nile at sunset; a private honeymoon experience.
      By Ashraf Fares March 12, 2026
      The best Egypt honeymoon itinerary — pyramids at sunrise, a private dahabiya on the Nile, Aswan sunsets, and Abu Simbel. 8 days planned for two.
      Composite view of Egypt's pyramids, massive columns, and Abu Simbel statues with a tour group.
      By Ashraf Fares March 4, 2026
      Planning your first trip to Egypt? How long to go, where to start, what to see, what to skip, and the practical tips nobody tells you. From a Cairo-based guide.
      Show More