I knew one day I will be in the cities of Cairo and Giza. But I never thought that these cities will fulfill my dream be part of my 10th year anniversary of my international travels! 😍😍😍 And these cities never failed me, it was chaotic yet amazing. It was bizarre yet magical. How on Earth I get to walk in these streets when I was just reading and watching it from my own palm? 😍😍😍
Indeed, God made me do it! He showed me ways that I knew will fulfill my life-long dream. Apart from the challenging planning, what excites me the most was I will be travelling to an off the beaten path. I will see new wonders in my eyes that I’ve been longing for. 😍😍😍
How did I get there?
From my arrival in Cairo International Airport, I pre-arranged a tour including transfers from airport to my hotel in Giza. My driver Ali welcomed me in Cairo.
While on the road in Cairo, I first noticed the same heavy traffic in Manila. The streets were busy. All vehicles seemed like racing from each other. All horns were blowing louder than the other vehicle. From the airport, it took us an hour to reach my hotel in Giza.
Where did I stayed?
I booked Prestige Pyramids Inn via Booking.com. My hotel is just in from of the pyramids of Giza. My eyes were in tears (but good tears) when I saw the pyramids at the first time. 😭😭😭 It was definitely a “wow” moment. 😍🥰😍 Though there were some obstructions like a building in front of my hotel, I never minded that.
I was still blessed and lucky to see the pyramids before I sleep and when I wake up. I also like that my hotel has its own private elevator as the inn is located at the 4th floor.
Apart from the view, I love the beds in my room. It was super comfortable. The entire room was clean. The staffs including my driver and owner Waleed was very accomodating and friendly. They made my stay in Giza safe and comfortable. 😍🥰😍
Where are the places I travelled to?
nile river cruise
Entrance/ Buffet Fee: Included in my tour package
After I check-in at my hotel in Giza, I rested for 1 to 2 hours in my room and my driver picked me up from the hostel. We drove for about 20 minutes from my hotel to experience a dinner buffet in Nile River.
Waleed, my hostel owner, pre-arranged this river cruise for me. When we arrived there, I just waited for some minutes while my driver Ali is confirming my booking. After I got the confirmation, Ali walked me through the entrance of the boat.
Inside the boat, the typical Egyptian meals were served. They have koshari, kofta, ganoush, fatteh and kunafa. My appetite for Egyptian food was not there yet but I can say that it was tasty. 😋
Aside from the food, the Nile River Cruise is full of entertainment. There were songs and dances presented. Everyone were particularly drawn with the traditional dances with comedic act. I enjoyed it too. 🥰
The view from the top of the boat was mesmerizing too! Seeing Nile River for the first time and cruising with her at night was such a delight that I was happy to experience. ✨😍✨
After a 3-hour river cruise, we returned to the dock and Ali picked me up. We returned to my hotel at around 10PM.
great pyramids of giza
Entrance Fee: EGP 700
One of the original seven wonder of the world is the Pyramids of Giza. The pyramids were built as tombs of great rulers in early Egypt. In every history books I used to read, the pyramids were a place of magic for me. It maybe a mesmerizing moment if I will be there one day. But that one day turned to my Day One. I was really there! ✨😍✨
On my second day in Egypt, with my guide, Waleed, we travelled to the Great Pyramids of Giza complex. It was a 10 minute ride from my hotel. I was very lucky that day as the sun was not that warm and the cold wind blew. It was a magical moment, indeed. 😍
Inside the Great Pyramids of Giza, you can ride a shuttle bus going to different spots. These shuttle busses were just introduced by the Egyptian government. Before, different vehicles from different tour companies just visit the complex freely. However, this time, they allowed authorized shuttle busses only.
I guess this was to control the number of vehicles. For solo or a small group of travellers, this is just ok from my opinion. However, if you are in a big group, it maybe a challenge to stay in one bus just to be with your group specially on peak season.
Nevertheless, with or without these authorized shuttle busses, you can still walk inside the complex. For me and Waleed, there were parts that we just walked and there parts that we rode the shuttle bus. Note that shuttle busses have time interval too.
While near the pyramids, Waleed and I walked through to find my camel. However, I didn’t rode the camel! 😅 Aside that I have fear of heights, the camel was smelly and looks angry at me. I was not a fan so I just ride him some minutes then took some photos. 📸🐫
I was totally amazed by how tall and big the pyramids. Each blocks were like telling a story for me on how they were built into one. The Sphinx was huge! It’s guarding the entrance as it was guarding the tombs.
Waleed explained to me as well that the pyramids were not built my aliens. 😅 He taught me how these blocks were formed and how it was built to a taller place. I was convinced then that it was not built by any aliens. It was just totally an excellent craftmanship.
We stayed in the pyramids for more than a hour and I wish we could stay longer. Nevertheless, I can still the pyramids from my hotel room. ✨😍✨
Cleopatra Palace Perfumes
Entrance Fee: Free
They say that going to Egypt without visiting a perfume shop will make your travel incomplete. And I can say that was true. Though this was not really part of the itinerary that Waleed gave me, I guess it was a good addition as it was just beside my hotel and the perfumes were love! 😍💜😍
I was delighted to be presented with different kinds of perfumes and ointments that early Egyptians used. It was like shopping for the best kind of smell. It was like a garden of everything. I smelt different kinds of flowers and herbs.
While inside the perfume shop, there were other travellers coming too. However, there was this woman who kept on shouting that the man who was presenting the perfumes to him was scamming him to buy perfumes. In the end, she left the store. Good thing, the man who was presenting the perfumes to me was not that persistent to let me buy their products. He was gentle in explaining it and its all up to me if I will buy or not.
As a practical traveller, instead of buying a perfume, I bought a eucalyptus ointment that I was sure my mother will love. Indeed, we love it at home! 🥰🥰🥰
Saqqara Pyramid
Entrance Fee: EGP 600
From the city center of Giza, we travelled to Saqqara for 30 minutes. It was far away from Giza. While on the road, we encountered hot-headed drivers that were shouting to my own driver. As Ali said to me “Driving in Egypt is survival”. I guess also the same in Manila. 😅
After the rough road, we reached Saqqara. This is the pyramid under the period of King Djoser. Same with the Pyramids of Giza, the Saqqara Pyramid was made as a tomb. Due to its different built like a huge ladder, it was called as the Step Pyramid.
Inside the Saqqara Complex, we also visited the tomb of Princess Seshseshet Idut. She lived on the period of King Teti around 2,323 BC. The tomb inside was cold due to the alabaster stones. Some of the hieroglyphics were still intact inside the tomb.
After less than an hour in Saqqara, we rode again our private car and move to our next stop.
MEMPHIS
Entrance Fee: EGP 200
Memphis is the capital of ancient Egypt. Memphis is located south of the Nile River delta. This is where the huge statue of Ramesses II was discovered and excavated in 1821. Now, there is an open-air museum where you can see the colossal statue of Ramesses.
We spent less than 30 minutes inside and outside the open-air museum to take photos and to grasp the ancient capital city. It was indeed a different experience to see old antiquities from the ancient capital.
Inside Memphis other artifacts were displayed too in the open-air museum. A lot of antiquities were discovered including a Sphinx too. 😸
Waleed, my guide, asked me to pose something like this to portray the Sphinx. Funny enough, we moved to our last stop for the day. 😁
Amon Papyrus Shop
Entrance Fee: Free
To end our Day 2 in Giza, we visited Amon Papyrus Shop. Waleed brought me here to know about how the papyrus leaves transformed to different kinds of artworks. Their staff Monalisa explained to me how they were creating papyrus.
Papyrus was considered a special part of the early history of Egypt. Cyperus papyrus plant is where the first paper made ever recorded in our history. Old Egyptians used the papyrus to write and draw their early lives.
Now, there are different kinds of artworks where you can use papyrus. Though, I noticed that this was the second shop where Waleed took me, I believe it was essential to visit an actual papyrus shop as part of the vital history of Egypt.
Then, I saw an image of Mama Mary (beside The Last Supper below) in papyrus. Monalisa got me a size that will fit in my home’s altar. Actually, it was glowing in the dark too with the face of Jesus! 😍
It was amazing! Today, I had it blessed with the Holy Water in our local chapel and displayed in our altar. 🙏🙏🙏
egypt SPICEs SHOP
Entrance Fee: Free
After my day tour in Alexandria, we visited a spice shop in Giza before we return to the hotel. The spice shop is near our hotel too so I agreed with my driver to stop over there.
It was indeed a shop full of spices, herbs, nuts, stones and many more. The man in the spice shop explained to me different kinds of spices. However, this time around, I didn’t buy anything as I cannot thought of its uses back home. 😁
However, I was amazed on how rich not just the flavour of Egypt was but also the smell. The man showed me frankincense, incense and a lot more. After our short tour in the spice shop, we headed back to my hotel to rest. 🛌
Grand Egyptian Museum
Entrance Fee: EGP 1,270
After Alexandria, the next day, I continued my travel itinerary in Giza and Cairo. Grand Egyptian Museum is the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization. It has opened its doors to tourists but the grand opening was set on November 04, 2025. By June, when I was there, the gallery of Tutankhamun was not yet opened. However, being inside GEM as they called the museum was a privilege. ✨😍✨
I asked Waleed to trade GEM instead of the Civilization Museum as I believe there will be more to see here. And I was happy that I chose it. 🥰🥰🥰
From the ticketing booths, you can ride a free shuttle cart to the museum. Please also note that tripods are not allowed inside. As for me, I got one but not intended to use it inside the museum, the security officer asked me to drop by their luggage area to surrender my tripod.
Inside the museum, the replica of Ramesses II will welcome you. The colossal statue stands 11 meters high in 83 tonnes. It was so huge that you can just explain how big is the museum is. I also like that there was this selfie monitor where you can take photos with Ramesses. However, until now, I still haven’t received the photos in my email. 😅
The staircase to the main gallery was breathtaking with different pieces from different dynasties. It was like you are climbing a stair of history right in front of you. It was monumental part of the museum if I may say.
On the top of the staircase, before the main gallery entrance, the view of the Pyramids of Giza will mesmerize you. It was indeed a magical view, on the spot to see the pyramids. 😍😍😍
Inside the main galleries, the pieces were divided from the pre-historic era, Graeco-Roman period up to New Kingdom. It took me 3 hours inside GEM. However, if you will visit it, I suggest you alot more than 4 hours as it was too big!
Plus the other galleries were not yet opened so a day in this museum will be more beneficial if you really like to know more about the history of Egypt. If permitted, I will try to return here as there were so many pieces to explore! 😍
Coptic Cairo
Entrance Fee: Free, if you will enter the Coptic Museum, there is a charge of EPG 100
Coptic refers to Coptic Orthodox Christians, it is the largest Christian denomination in Egypt and the entire Middle East. The Coptic language directly evolved from the Demotic Egyptian language, which was the last language of the Ancient Egyptians. It is believed that the word ‘Copt’ originated from the Ancient Egyptian word “Hwt-Ka-Ptah”, which means the “House of the God Ptah”. Later, the Greeks used the word “Aigyptos” while Egyptian Coptic Christians used the Coptic term “Kyptos”. From the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Ali drove me to Cairo for about 20 minutes.
Coptic Cairo is a huge complex where different churches, structures and synagogue were placed. It has a distinct entry and exit. I actually enjoyed this place as I was there alone without a guide and I can do it on my own phase. The entire complex is heavily guarded by tourism police too so somehow I felt safe.
Inside Coptic Cairo, I was able to visit the Fortress of Babylon, Churches of St. George, St. Barbara, Saints Sergius and Bacchus also called as Abu Serga. It was like a pilgrimage.
What amazed me the most is the Abu Serga where the Holy Family stayed while fleeing from Israel to Egypt. It was like I walked in the same area where Joseph, Mary and Jesus walked. It was a very spiritual experience for me.
Aside from Abu Serga, I was able to see St. George’s Church and a part of dedicated to Saint Philomena. I was very happy to include Coptic Cairo in my itinerary. I never expected that Egypt, a Muslim country will have this kind of holy place for Catholic like me.
After about 2 hours walking around Coptic Cairo, Ali picked me up to move to our next stop.
Citadel of Sala Aldin
Entrance Fee: EGP 550
The Citadel of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) is one of the most iconic monuments in Islamic Cairo. It is among the most impressive defensive fortresses dating to the Middle Ages.
Salah al-Din born Youssouf ibn Ayyoub or famously known as “Salah ad-Din”. He stands among the most remarkable figures in Islamic and medieval history. He was the founder of the Ayyubid Dynasty. He emerged as a prominent leader, leading the charge in the jihad against the Crusaders in the Levant.
The citadel was built as a fortress to defend the city from crusaders. The citadel acted as a symbol of power for Salah al-Din. The citadel was believed completed in 1183 AD and other extensions where made after.
Today, the citadel, is a popular tourist destination with many beautiful stone walls and towers. Tourists can climb up to the top for spectacular views over the city and the Nile River.
As for me, it was my first time to enter a mosque and it was inside the citadel. I was amazed how huge it was. I was also delighted by numbers of lights it have inside the mosque. You will look like transported to a different place in Cairo.
The sun was getting warmer that day. And being inside the mosque made my body temperature cooler. 😁
Khan El Khalili
Entrance Fee: None
The Khan El Khalili is a famous bazaar in Cairo. It is where tourists normally goes to shop for souvenirs. It is a historic center as it was in the middle of Islamic and Christian Orthodox structures. I actually wanted to visit this bazaar to check stores with different lamps as like what I saw in the mosque of Salah al-Din.
My driver Ali dropped me off in the entrance of the bazaar. However, as soon I stepped out the car, I felt unsafe again. Maybe it was because that there were alot of tourists, vendors and may I say “scammer” but while walking I felt that they were just vendors asking me where I am from and just wanted me to buy stuffs from them. So, I just walked slowly.
As soon as I saw the lamp shops and took some photos, I headed to the nearest exit so Ali can pick me up. I may be scared that time but I was happy nothing happened with me while I was walking alone in Cairo.
After all my itinerary in Giza and Cairo, we returned to my hotel to eat lunch. My next stop will be in Aswan.
Upper Egypt Station
Entrance Fee: None
After checking out, we drove about 20 minutes from the hotel to the train station. From the looks of it, I can really tell that the Upper Egypt Station was newly built. The Upper Egypt Station was grand. I love how clean it was. 🥰
The police officer also assisted me on which platform I will take. However, I insisted to him, that I will just wait in the seating areas as my train schedule was at 7PM. I was in the station before 5PM.
So long, Cairo and Giza!
While waiting for my train, on that point, I was saying my last goodbye to Cairo and Giza. It was a pleasure seeing and experiencing these places. I was astonished how these cities together with Nile River built a civilization that shaped our humanity.
I was on the impression that all of the people I seen and talked to were part of the history. They maybe family of slaves or royals. They may have been from the families who encountered the Holy Family first hand. But who knows? 🤔
For my expenses in Giza and Cairo, please see below. Please note that the conversion was from last June 2025. Expenses displayed below do not include souvenirs and other personal expenses for food and toiletries. Adding these expenses not to brag but for you to have an idea of how much you can spend in Egypt.
Click here
I was just a traveller who experienced these amazing moments with these Egyptians in these glorified cities of Cairo and Giza. There were too many places that I want to visit yet I have limited time. I hope and pray that I can still come back and that Cairo and Giza will welcome me again. 💜💜💜
For my next adventure in Aswan, please follow my blogs. 💜
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