Beginning an Egyptian Journey with AmaWaterways

I am grateful to be in the care of a true dream team for my first journey with AmaWaterways: Cruise Director Walaa Gamal and Egyptologist Marwa Abbas. Together, we set out on our first adventures in Cairo, beginning with a visit to the remarkable Citadel of Salah Eldin and the magnificent Mosque of Mohamed Ali.

Perched high above the city, the Citadel is a commanding medieval fortress built in the 12th century to protect Cairo from Crusader attacks. Within its walls, the Mosque of Mohamed Ali, also known as the Alabaster Mosque, rises as one of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks. Commissioned in the 19th century by Mohamed Ali Pasha, the mosque dazzles with its grand domes, soaring minarets, and alabaster-clad walls that glow in the sunlight. Step inside and the splendor continues, with glittering chandeliers and intricate detailing that create an atmosphere of awe.

From the mosque’s expansive courtyard, the panorama unfolds across Cairo, reaching all the way to the distant Pyramids of Giza. It is a breathtaking moment, connecting past and present in a single view.

Our journey is just beginning. Soon we will stand before the pyramids themselves, but first, our next stop awaits: the legendary Egyptian Museum.