13-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise, and the Oasis Xmas Tours

Enjoy a gourmet breakfast at your hotel in the early morning before your tour guide accompanies you to the Giza Plateau. Explore the Giza Pyramids, including the Pyramid of Cheops, built over 4500 years ago by 100,000 workers and considered the largest of the three pyramids at Giza. Nearby, see the pyramids of Chephren and Mycerinus, as well as the Great Sphinx, created by King Chephren to guard the necropolis. Conclude your Giza pyramids tour with a visit to the Valley Temple, part of Chephren's pyramid complex.

Next, venture to the oldest part of Cairo for a captivating Coptic Cairo tour. Visit the Hanging Church, constructed above the remnants of the Roman fortress of Babylon, the church of St. Sergius (Abu Serga), and the historic Ben Ezra Synagogue, originally a Coptic church converted to a synagogue in 882 A.D.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at an oriental restaurant before continuing your Cairo day tours at the Egyptian Museum, established in 1902 as Cairo's first antiquities museum. Discover its vast collection of artifacts spanning Egypt's history, from colossal statues to intricate accessories, notably the golden treasures of King Tutankhamun.

Finally, experience a Cairo walking tour through Khan El Khalili, the city's oldest bazaar and a highlight of Islamic Cairo trips.

Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Cairo.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

At around 06:00 AM, enjoy breakfast and check out to begin your Egypt Desert Safari Trips. Meet our tour guide and travel in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle to Bahariya Oasis, approximately a 4-hour drive from Cairo. Upon arrival, visit the Museum of Golden Mummies, the Tombs of the Nobles, and the Temple of Alexander the Great, who founded Alexandria. Also, explore the Temple of Muftella dedicated to the god Bis, worshipped in desert areas for entertainment and pleasure.

Have lunch in a Bedouin-style restaurant, then check in at the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Later, embark on a 4-wheel drive excursion to ascend the Black Mountain before sunset, where you'll visit the ruins atop "the English House" and enjoy panoramic views of Bahariya Oasis during sunset.

Stay overnight in Bahariya.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the early morning, enjoy breakfast before heading to the stunning salt lake for picturesque views and photo opportunities. Experience the golden sand dunes and learn local techniques for climbing palm trees to pick fresh seasonal fruits from the beautiful gardens. Begin the journey to the White Desert, starting with a visit to The Black Desert, characterized by volcano-shaped mountains adorned with volcanic rocks, and the Valley of El Haize south of Bawiti and Bahariya. Stop to admire quartz crystals in the Crystal Mountain area and spend some time in the charming Agabat Valley.

Spend the night camping under the beautiful moon and stars in the White Desert, surrounded by the striking white limestone and chalk formations of the Western Desert.

Enjoy a traditional Bedouin dinner in the desert.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your day with a traditional breakfast prepared by locals, accompanied by refreshing morning mint tea. Depart for Farafra Oasis, where you can relax in the sulfur hot spring of Bir Setah (Setah Well) and visit the unique mud brick museum of local artist Badr. Explore the old town of Al Qasr before a scenic 3-hour drive to Dakhla, where you'll visit the Roman Temple of Deir El Hagar, partially buried by sand dunes and dating back to the 26th dynasty.

After lunch, explore the ancient Islamic Village of Al Qasr, established in the 12th century AD. Wander through narrow alleys lined with historic houses, and visit sites like the old oil press, wheat grinder, court, medieval prison, school, and Ayyubid mosque.

In the afternoon, unwind by a pool-like hot spring and visit the lush Dakhla farms surrounded by golden sand dunes under the clear blue sky. Experience a sunset over the Edge of the Great Sand Sea with delicious Bedouin tea.

Stay overnight at Desert Lodge Hotel in Dakhla, offering views of the green village and the renowned rose mountains that define Dakhla Oasis.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you'll explore Kharga Oasis. Enjoy breakfast and prepare for your tour of Dakhla Oasis, starting with a visit to Qasr El Labkha, a Roman fortress along the historic caravan route known as the 40 days road, connecting Egypt and Sudan (Darb El Arbein). Explore the Kharga museum as well. Next, visit the Roman Temple of Hibis and Nadura from the exterior, and Bagawat, the oldest Christian cemetery worldwide, renowned for its chapels adorned with biblical murals from the Old Testament, which still retain their vibrant colors.

Proceed to Baris Oasis, the smallest and most charming of the Western Desert Oases. Discover the Temple of Dush, situated in the heart of a thriving settlement that once guarded the forty days road. You can still observe many details of this Roman settlement, including residential areas with mud-brick houses, fortifications, and the Temple dedicated to Isis and Serapis.

Enjoy camping amidst the golden sand dunes in Kharga.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast amidst the golden sand dunes before being transferred by air-conditioned vehicle to Luxor, approximately a 6-hour drive. Upon arrival in Luxor, embark on your 5-star Nile River Cruise in Egypt.

Lunch will be served aboard the Nile cruise ship, followed by Luxor day tours, focusing on the East Bank. Visit Karnak Temple, one of the largest man-made temples globally, and the magnificent temple of King Amenhotep III, known as Luxor Temple, built by numerous ancient Egyptian kings.

Savor a delicious dinner and spend the night in Luxor.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the Nile River cruise, indulge in a delicious breakfast with views of the Nile before continuing your Luxor excursions. Start with a tour of Luxor's west bank, beginning with the impressive Colossi of Memnon, massive statues of Amenhotep III. Then, explore the Valley of the Kings, where 62 pharaohs of the New Kingdom, including Tutankhamen and Ramses II, were laid to rest in elaborately decorated tombs filled with treasures meant for the afterlife. Don't miss the Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as the Temple of El Deir El Bahary, dedicated to Egypt's first female ruler.

Enjoy lunch on board as you sail towards Edfu. Relax with a leisurely dinner on the Nile cruise.

Overnight stay on your Nile Cruise.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early in the morning, breakfast will be served on board the Nile Cruise boat before visiting the remarkably preserved Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky, known as Edfu Temple. Afterward, sail to Kom Ombo to explore the distinctive Temple of Kom Ombo, constructed for the worship of the crocodile god Sobek. Lunch will be provided on board as you continue sailing towards Aswan.

In the evening, enjoy dinner and spend the night aboard your Nile River Cruise in Egypt.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After enjoying your delicious breakfast on the Nile cruise, begin your Aswan day tours by visiting the impressive High Dam, a significant engineering feat and one of Egypt's most crucial modern projects. Next, explore the magnificent Temple of Philae, dedicated to Goddess Isis and beautifully situated on an island, accessible via a delightful motorboat ride. Then, proceed to the largest known Obelisk in the granite quarries of Aswan, where ancient kings sourced their stone blocks, including the Unfinished Obelisk.

End your day with dinner aboard your Nile Cruise ship and stay overnight in Aswan.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy your breakfast and then check out from your Nile River Cruise boat. You'll have leisure time in Aswan or the option to take an excursion to Abu Simbel from Aswan by land. Later, you'll be transferred to Aswan railway station for your overnight sleeping train journey back to Cairo. Dinner will be served on board the train.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Dinner

Your breakfast will be provided on the train as you arrive at Giza train station. Upon arrival, a Cairo Top Tours tour leader will greet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Early check-in will be arranged if available, allowing you to explore one of our optional Cairo day tours or half-day tours.

Overnight stay in Cairo.

Meal included: Breakfast

On the final day of your Egypt Christmas Tours, start your day with breakfast at the hotel. You can also opt for one of our Cairo day excursions. Afterwards, our tour leader will collect you and transfer you to Cairo International Airport for your departure, concluding your 13-day Christmas Tours of Cairo, Nile Cruise, and the Oasis.

Meal included: Breakfast