Private Tour: Egyptian Museum and Koshari Cooking Class

Your private guide and personal driver will collect you from your hotel in Cairo by 9am. Hop aboard your air-conditioned vehicle for the short journey to Tahrir Square, the heart of downtown, and the celebrated Egyptian Museum. Your Egyptologist guide will lead you around the highlights of the museum's world-class collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. Admire everyday aspects of life in ancient Egypt, from papyrus and coins through to clothing and jewelry. Gawp at mummified animals in the Animal Mummies Room, or admire the mummies of ancient pharaohs in the Royal Mummies Room (additional charge). Besides items from the tombs of Hatshepsut, Tuthmosis III, Amenophis II, and more, admire regal artifacts from the Valley of the Kings, including, most famously, the death mask and grave goods of the boy king Tutankhamun. Next, hop back in the vehicle for a short drive to a nearby bazaar, where you'll enjoy a free (non-alcoholic!) Egyptian drink and perhaps pick out some souvenirs. It's about a 40-minute drive out to the wealthy suburb of Heliopolis. Along the way you'll stop to catch a glimpse of the Baron Empain Palace, a spectacular mansion. Designed by the French architect Alexandre Marcel, and apparently inspired by the Hindu temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, it's quite the sight. On arrival at the restaurant you'll be greeted with a welcome drink. Then, your personal cooking team will share the recipe and history of Egypt's koshari dish, perhaps the nation's favorite comfort food, which combines rice, noodles, and lentils with spicy tomato, tangy vinegar, chickpeas, and crispy onion. In the professional kitchen you'll learn hands-on how to prepare this classic vegetarian meal. Once you're finished cooking, relax and feast on the fruit of your labors before you drive back to your hotel. As this is a private tour, the duration is flexible, but most people finish between 2pm and 3pm.