Pyramids, Nile Cruise, and Sharm El Sheikh Xmas Trip

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, your private tour guide will meet you to start your Cairo Day Tours. You’ll visit the renowned Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramid of Cheops, the only surviving monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the pyramids of Chephren and Mycerinus, who were descendants of Cheops and Snefru, founder of the 4th Dynasty in ancient Egypt's Old Kingdom. You’ll also see the Great Sphinx and the Mummification Temple, also known as the Valley Temple, located near the Sphinx. The tour includes a panoramic view of the plateau for stunning photos, and you’ll have the option to take a camel ride at the Giza Pyramids.

Next, we’ll head to the Saqqara Necropolis to explore the Step Pyramid Complex, including the Djoser Step Pyramid, the world's first building entirely made of stone. The tour also includes a visit to the Pyramid of Teti, known for its impressive interior, and the Tombs of the Nobles at Saqqara, which provide insights into daily life in ancient Egypt with their well-preserved inscriptions and paintings.

After lunch, we’ll proceed to Memphis, the ancient capital of the pharaohs for a thousand years and a significant religious and cultural centre. At the open-air museum in Memphis, you’ll see the alabaster sphinx, the second largest in existence, and the colossal, broken statue of Ramses II. You’ll return to your hotel for the night in Cairo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Check out early in the morning and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, our local representatives will greet you and transfer you to the cruise ship. Board the ship before lunch and enjoy a meal on board.

Begin your Aswan day tours with a visit to the High Dam, which was completed in 1971, followed by a trip to the Philae Temple, located on a stunning island. Next, sail to Kom Ombo, where you will have afternoon tea before visiting the temple dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris. Continue sailing towards Edfu to explore one of Egypt's most impressive temples.

Dinner will be served aboard the cruise ship, and in the evening, you can enjoy a disco party.

Overnight in Edfu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast will be served aboard your deluxe Nile Cruise. Then, you'll visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, an impressive monument dedicated to Horus, the sky god and protector of kingship in ancient Egypt. Following this, you will cross the lock and continue sailing to Luxor. Enjoy afternoon tea and dinner on board, and take part in the Galabeya party.

Overnight in Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast aboard the boat before beginning your tour of Luxor’s West Bank. Visit the Valley of the Kings, where you can explore the tombs from various dynasties of the New Kingdom. Next, tour the Temple of Deir El Bahari.

Proceed to the East Bank of Luxor, where you’ll visit the Karnak Temple complex, constructed by various pharaohs as the seat of Amun-Re, the sun god in ancient Egyptian belief. Continue to the Luxor Temple, where you'll be amazed by the grand courtyard, enormous columns, and the granite statues of Ramses the Great. On your return, stop to see the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Amenhotep III facing the Nile.

Enjoy lunch on board the Nile Cruise and spend the evening reflecting on your memorable Luxor tour. Afternoon tea will be served, followed by an overnight stay in Luxor.

Optional: Hot air balloon ride in Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a delicious breakfast, prepare for disembarkation. You will be transferred to Luxor Airport for your flight to Sharm El Sheikh to continue your Egypt Christmas tour. Upon arrival at Sharm El Sheikh Airport, you will check in at your hotel and stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Sharm El Sheikh or take part in our optional tour to Ras Mohammed National Park, a nature reserve encompassing both terrestrial and marine environments. This protected area spans 480 square kilometres and is located where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba, at the southern tip of Sinai.

Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a relaxing free morning at your own pace. Alternatively, join an optional tour with a 2:00 pm pick-up from your hotel to the Quad Bike Centre, located about 15 minutes away. After receiving a brief safety and driving briefing, embark on an exhilarating quad bike adventure in Sharm. Navigate the sand dunes of the Sinai desert and take in the breathtaking views. You’ll have the evening free to yourself before returning to the hotel for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a free day in Sharm El Sheikh or opt to join our optional tour to the Monastery of St. Catherine, situated in the heart of Sinai at the base of Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. The monastery, overseen by the Greek Orthodox Church, is surrounded by gardens and cypress trees. Its extensive library holds the world’s second-largest collection of illuminated manuscripts, following the Vatican. You can also view the Burning Bush and a range of historical artefacts, including priceless icons, intricately carved doors, stunning wall paintings, and other exquisite religious items.

Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh before heading to Sharm El Sheikh Airport for your flight back to Cairo. You will spend the night in Cairo.

Meals: Breakfast

In the early morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Cairo. You will then be accompanied by your private tour guide to begin your Cairo excursion, starting with a visit to the Egyptian Museum. This museum houses the world’s largest collection of Egyptian antiquities, including the intact treasures of the golden Pharaoh Tutankhamun, as featured in all of our Christmas Tours in Egypt.

Next, we will explore the Citadel of Saladin, which includes the Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque. From here, you'll get a panoramic view of Cairo’s Islamic district, with its historic mosques, minarets, and domes, some of which are over a thousand years old.

We will then continue to Coptic Cairo to visit the ancient Roman fortress of Babylon and the Hanging Church, which is suspended above its ancient towers. We’ll also see the Church of St Sergius, which has a crypt where the Holy Family is believed to have stayed for nearly three months, and the spring where they sourced their water. Additionally, we’ll visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, thought to be the site where the basket of Moses was found.

After lunch, we’ll delve into Islamic Cairo, exploring the ancient city walls and streets dating back to the 10th century. The tour concludes with tea at Fishawy, Cairo’s oldest café in the Khan El Khalili bazaar. At the end of the day, you’ll return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Cairo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After your final breakfast at the hotel, our representative will collect you and transfer you to Cairo International Airport for your departure, marking the end of your 12-day Pyramids, Nile Cruise, and Sharm El Sheikh Christmas Tour.

Meals: Breakfast