Day 1 The First Pyramids (Antiquities)

We set out at dawn to Saqqara, where Imhotep’s Step Pyramid of Djoser rises like a stone lantern against the desert sky. I will introduce you to Vasco our French archaeologist and Legion of Honor recipient whose two decades of work here have breathed new life into ancient tombs. As we wander the hushed Serapeum, the colossal sarcophagi of the Apis bulls stand sentinel in perfect silence.

After a leisurely lunch under date palms, we continue to Dahshur, where Sneferu’s Red and Bent Pyramids mark the birth of pyramid-building. Their bold contours and weather-worn bricks tempt every lens to linger. Should time allow, we will pause at Suzanne Wissa Wassef’s atelier to admire tapestries dyed from her garden’s own pigments, then slip into the late Adam Henein Museum where granite and basalt yield living sculpture. In the fading light, if you still have energy, join me for an optional stroll through downtown Cairo, where the city’s rhythms pulse beneath the moon.

Day 2 Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza & the Sphinx (Antiquities)

This morning, we are among the first to enter the newly inaugurated Grand Egyptian Museum. Twelve galleries span from Paleolithic beginnings to Roman elegance—each display a silent sonnet of time. Your master Egyptologist will reveal hidden treasures, including the latest Saqqara finds, inviting you to see what few have yet beheld.

At lunch, we ascend to Lounge 9 on the Giza Plateau. The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx emerge through a golden haze, framing every moment with timeless wonder. In the afternoon, we walk in the Sphinx’s shadow, tracing its silent gaze across millennia, then stand before Cheops’ Great Pyramid—antiquity’s lone wonder still standing. Later, Vasco will reappear to share his unorthodox theory on the Sphinx’s origins, offering fresh perspective to enrich your photos. As dusk falls, let me lead you through Zamalek’s quiet back streets to my favorite boutiques, where hidden lantern-lit courtyards await.

Day 3 Coptic Cairo & Museum of Civilisation (Religious)

Today, I guide you through Al-Fustat’s sunlit passages, where Coptic crosses and ancient stone churches whisper tales of the Holy Family. The Al-Fustat souk, bursting with handcrafted wares—leather, glass and textiles—beckons you to slow down and discover local artisans whose traditions span generations.

Next, we step into the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan—“the Splendid Mosque”—its soaring arches and intricate stonework inspiring awe. A few steps away, the Al-Rifai Mosque stands in gleaming modern Mamluk style, its interior a tapestry of royal tombs and filigreed marble. If time allows (and traffic cooperates), we will continue to the Museum of Civilisation, where pharaonic relics share space with Coptic and Islamic treasures. Here, the Fayum portraits from the 1st–3rd centuries capture faces so vividly that they seem to smile at you across two thousand years. As night falls, lose yourself in the hypnotic swirl of Ghouria’s Whirling Dervishes—a ritual that breathes life into centuries-old devotion.

Day 4 Medieval Cairo & Hidden Tahrir (Medieval)

We begin at the imposing Al-Futuh Gate, gateway to a 10th-century cityscape where minarets pierce the sky and stone palaces rise amid narrow lanes. I will lead you along Al-Muizz Street—once the world’s premier medieval thoroughfare—where mashrabiya balconies cast filigreed shadows, and every doorway hints at stories untold. At the heart of this labyrinth, Khan al-Khalili’s legendary souk pulses with merchants in galabiyyas and travelers dazzled by spices, jewelry, and carpets. Above us, the calls to prayer from Al-Hussein and Al-Azhar mosques weave an enchanting soundscape.

In the afternoon, we slip into the Tahrir Museum, where hidden pharaonic gems await discovery. Let your curiosity roam through astonishing statues, finely painted reliefs, and centuries-old mummies. My favorites remain the Fayum portraits—each face rendered with a realism that transcends time. As the sun sets, know that Cairo’s nocturnal allure beckons: whether you choose a rooftop bar overlooking the city’s glittering skyline or a hidden café where poets gather, the evening is yours to capture and cherish.

Day 5 The Artisans of Al-Fustat (Artisans)

 As a teen in Cairo, I would always mingle with artisans when visiting my favorite silver shop, enthralled as tribal bracelets gathered from across Egypt spilled out of canvas duffle bags. That tiny shop on a side street in El Sagha, the jewelers quarter, is where my love for Cairo began.

I will guide you through Old Cairo’s hidden workshops, where silversmiths and brass artisans chiseling calligraphy transform metal into living art. Nearby, the Khayamiya market still hums with color, its tents recalling the caravans that once braved desert sands. On our way, we’ll pass the last traditional tarbouche maker, as the calls of the milkman and the sight of a baker balancing loaves on his head add to Cairo’s vibrant soundtrack.

In a rescued potters’ village—saved from urban sprawl in the early 2000s—you’ll meet women who shape clay into stunning ceramics, and encounter jewelry and metalwork designers whose creations blend heritage and innovation. Glassmakers fashion delicate light fixtures in the same workshops where contemporary artists exhibit their latest works.

At a foundation near Saqqara, I’ll introduce you to women who weave vivid tapestries using dyes drawn from their own gardens. Their hand-woven scenes—born of imagination and self-taught expertise—bring to life the essence of village life. For a taste of Fayoum’s renowned pottery, we can travel west to Tunis village, where every vase and bowl bears the mark of centuries-old craft.

Art also lives in sound: I am passionate about preserving Egypt’s musical heritage through documentation and performance. We may attend intimate concerts at cultural centers like Makan, where traditional instruments—such as the Egyptian lute, now played by only a handful of masters—echo ancient rhythms. These gatherings offer a rare chance to feel the music’s heartbeat, as performers and audience share a moment of pure connection.

With a map of Egypt in hand, I will trace the untold stories of these regions—places where philosophy, work ethic and art intertwine. Most importantly, you will meet these master craftsmen and women who, with a warm smile, will welcome you into their world and share the secrets of their time-honored trades.

Photography Notes

Most sites welcome amateur photography; simply avoid professional setups (long lenses/video cameras) without special permits. Focus on the city’s everyday beauty—play of light, candid faces, spontaneous moments while respecting local life and avoiding littered or congested backdrops. Maintain discretion in crowds, and know that I will be there to guide and reassure you at every step.