Christmas Trips: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan Expedition

Morning: Enjoy a tasty breakfast at your hotel and meet your certified English-speaking tour guide in the lobby. Begin the tour at the Giza Necropolis to explore the magnificent Giza Pyramids, built around 4500 years ago by the famous kings of ancient Egypt during the 4th dynasty of the Old Kingdom. Visit the Great Pyramid of Cheops, an impressive 146-meter-high structure made of 2.3 million limestone blocks. Admire the pyramids of Chephren and Mycerinus from a panoramic viewpoint and opt for an optional camel ride. Explore the pyramid complex of King Chephren, including the Valley Temple and the Great Sphinx.

Afternoon: Head to Cairo downtown and start the Egyptian Museum tour at El Tahrir Square. Spend nearly 2 hours discovering the vast collection of pharaonic artifacts housed in the museum, including the awe-inspiring golden treasures of King Tutankhamun Enjoy lunch at a good quality restaurant.

Afternoon Continued: Embark on the Coptic Cairo tour in the area known as Old Cairo, where the ruins of the Roman fortress of Babylon still exist. Visit the Hanging Church of the Holy Virgin Mary, dating back to the 7th century, and see ancient icons commemorating early Christianity in Egypt. Explore the cavern Church of Abu Serga, built in honor of Christian martyrs, and visit the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, one of the few Jewish synagogues in Egypt.

Evening: Transfer to Khan El Khalili, the famous old market of Islamic Cairo. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and browse colorful products in narrow, historic alleys that have been in use for over 800 years. Take your time to see the monuments in Al Moez Street and enjoy a traditional mint tea at El Fishawy local cafe.

Overnight: Return to the hotel for overnight rest and prepare for tomorrow's tour to Alexandria from Cairo.

Meals: Included are lunch and dinner.

After breakfast, meet your knowledgeable English-speaking Egyptologist to begin your day trip to Alexandria from Cairo as part of the Tour. Travel to Alexandria in air-conditioned vehicles, approximately a 3-hour journey with a stop break. Arrive in Alexandria, also known as the "Bride of the Mediterranean," founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.

Start your tour at Pompey's Pillar, an impressive monument constructed in 297 A.D. to commemorate the victory of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruled Rome in the late 3rd and early 4th century A.D.

Explore the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, one of the largest Roman burial sites, discovered in the early 20th century.

Drive by the seaside to visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, built on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria. It boasts a strategic location at the end of a narrow strip of land extending into the Eastern Port.

Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the oldest nucleus of scientific research in history, established in the 3rd century B.C. by Ptolemy I. It was once the largest library in the world.

Lunch: Enjoy a seafood lunch at a fancy restaurant overlooking the harbor.

Return to Cairo: After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cairo.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.

Transfer to Aswan: You will be transferred to Cairo International Airport to catch your flight to Aswan. Upon arrival in Aswan, your tour guide will meet you and accompany you to start your 5-star Nile cruise boat experience before lunch.

• Visit the Aswan High Dam: Explore one of the largest projects in modern Egyptian history, constructed in the 1960s to control critical floods and provide water resources for irrigation and electricity.
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• Philae Temple: Discover the magnificent Philae Temple, dedicated to the ancient Egyptian Goddess Isis, wife of Osiris. The temple was relocated to its current location to save it from flooding caused by the High Dam.
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• Granite Quarries: Explore the ancient granite quarries where pharaohs cut and transported massive stone blocks used in the construction of Egypt's majestic pyramids and temples of the New Kingdom.

Nile Cruise: Return to the Nile cruise boat and start sailing towards Kom Ombo.

Onboard Entertainment: Enjoy your time aboard the boat while watching the Nubian folkloric show.

Dinner and Overnight: Dinner will be served on the cruise boat as you spend the night sailing on the Nile.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Your delicious breakfast will be served before meeting your certified guide to enjoy an unusual tour of Kom Ombo visit the famous Kom Ombo Temple, a unique double temple dedicated to two deities - Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. Explore the intricately carved reliefs and learn about the religious significance of this dual temple. The Nile Cruise vessel will sail to Edfu while lunch and dinner are served and overnight aboard the boat at Edfu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning: Breakfast is served on the Nile Cruise boat. Meet with licensed Egyptologists to begin the tour to the Temple of Edfu, featuring remarkable Ptolemaic-era architecture dedicated to Horus, the protector of kingship and god of the sky.

Temple of Edfu: Explore the temple's exceptional artifacts depicting Horus protecting kings and offering support.

Return to Nile Cruise: After exploring the temple, return to the Nile Cruise ship and start sailing towards Luxor.

Lunch and Afternoon Tea: Enjoy lunch on board the cruise ship, along with afternoon tea.

Evening: Savor a high-quality dinner onboard the ship, followed by a traditional Galabya party.

Overnight: Spend the night in Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included.

Morning: Enjoy breakfast aboard the cruise ship before starting Luxor day tours on the west bank.

Luxor West Bank Tours:

Visit the Valley of the Kings, the burial site of pharaohs from the 18th to the 20th dynasty.

See the Colossi of Memnon, two colossal statues of King Amenhotep III.

Explore the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, known as El Deir El Bahari temple.

-Karnak Temple Complex: Head to the Karnak Temple, the religious center during the New Kingdom of Egypt's history.

-Luxor Temple: Visit the captivating Luxor Temple, connected to Karnak Temple by the avenue of the Sphinxes.

-Flight to Cairo: Transfer to Luxor airport for your flight back to Cairo.

-Arrival in Cairo: Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met by Cairo Top Tours representative who will escort you to check into your hotel.

-Overnight: Spend the night at your hotel in Cairo.

-Meals: Breakfast and Lunch included.

Indulge in a delightful buffet breakfast at the hotel before rendezvousing with the driver and your tour manager for your transfer to Cairo International Airport, marking the end of your Xmas Tours to Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, and Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast