11 Day Cairo, Nile Cruise & Hurghada Christmas Vacation

As your plane descends towards Cairo International Airport, the vast panorama of the city unfolds beneath you, a tantalizing glimpse of the adventures that await. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a friendly representative from “Egypt Best Vacations,” easily identifiable by their logo of your name. He will whisk you through the arrival process, assisting with any visa formalities and ensuring a smooth transition. Then, transfer to your hotel to begin your 11-day Cairo, Nile cruise and Hurghada Christmas vacation. Enjoy your first dinner at the hotel. 

Your 11-day Egypt Christmas holiday ignites on the morning of your second day, as a friendly and knowledgeable tour guide greets you at your hotel lobby. With eager anticipation buzzing in the air, you hop aboard a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, ready to unravel the mysteries of ancient Egypt.

Today, you will visit the Giza Plateau. Today’s tour includes the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure with the great Sphinx. The only ancient wonder which still remains (Khufu’s pyramid) awaits you. Today you will learn about the history of the pyramids, how they were constructed, and why they were constructed.

Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant, then on to the first pyramid in history of humanity, the Step Pyramid of King Djoser at Saqqara. Saqqara is one of the most important and richest necropolises in Egypt. It was the cemetery of Memphis, the 1^st capital city of United Egypt in 3200 BCE. Then, transfer back to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Explore the fantastic contents of the historical Egyptian Museum at Tahrir Square in Cairo. Hundreds of objects from all periods of Egypt’s past are displayed on the two floors of the museum. From the museum to the Citadel of the Sunni Muslim leader Saladin, built-in 1172 to protect Cairo against the Crusaders. The White Mosque of Mohammed Ali Pasha is a prominent feature of the citadel.

Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant, then conclude your tour today at the historical bazaar of Khan El-Khalili, the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Then, transfer back to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Majestic Christmas Nile cruise vacation beckons! Your 11-day Egypt Christmas tour package takes a new turn as you bid farewell to Cairo and embark on a magical 3-night voyage along the Nile River. So, you will take a transfer from your hotel to Cairo Airport to fly to Aswan to begin your 3-night Nile River cruise from Aswan to Luxor.

Meet your guide just outside the arrival terminal at Aswan Airport to commence your Aswan tour. Explore the highlights of the beautiful City of Aswan such as the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae Island, and the granite quarry of the Unfinished Obelisk. Then, transfer to your Nile cruise ship. Overnight in Aswan.

Optional tour: Tour to Nubian Village in Aswan

Enjoy a free morning on board your cruise ship or join us on an optional tour to the phenomenal temples of Abu Simbel.

Your Nile cruise ship will set sail to Kom Ombo around the lunchtime. Disembark at Kom Ombo to visit the twin Temple of Horus and Sobek. This temple was built in the Ptolemaic period. Kom Ombo Temple honored two deities: the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Due to the conflict between Sobek and Horus, the ancient Egyptians felt it necessary to separate their temple spaces within one temple. The Kom Ombo Temple has two entrances, courts, colonnades, Hypostyle halls, and sanctuaries, one side for each god.

Enjoy a short visit to the Crocodile Museum, before you go back to your cruise ship to set sail to Edfu. Overnight in Edfu.

Before/after breakfast, you will take a horse and carriage to the temple of Horus in Edfu. Edfu Temple is one of the most striking and complete of ancient Egyptian temples and is dedicated to the worship of the god Horus. Situated on the western bank of the Nile, its construction began during the reign of Ptolemy III (246–221 BC) in 237 BC, but was completed in the reign of Ptolemy XII (80–51 BC) in 57 BC, 180 years later.

Take your carriage back to your River cruise to set sail to Luxor via the Lock of Esna. Upon arrival in Luxor, you will visit the impressive Temple of Karnak and the great Temple of Luxor. Both temples were dedicated to the Theban Triad; Amun, Mut and Khonsu. Overnight in Luxor.

Disembarkation, followed by visiting the magnificent Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom period were buried. Your guide will recommend the best three open tombs to visit. From the Valley of the Kings to the unique Temple of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt for about 20 years as a sole pharaoh. You will end your tour at the Colossi of Memnon.

After your Nile odyssey, prepare to swap ancient sands for pristine beaches! Your 11-day Cairo, Nile cruise and Hurghada Christmas vacation whisks you next to the vibrant resort town of Hurghada, nestled on the shores of the Red Sea. Here, two blissful days await, filled with sunshine, turquoise waters, and endless possibilities for relaxation and rejuvenation. Enjoy some beach activities and explore the magnificent underwater world of the Red Sea. 

Optional tour: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon over Luxor

Free day. Tours such as diving, glass boat, safari, snorkeling, and submarine rides are available upon request. We offer fabulous Hughada day tours to explore the wonderful city or the stunning Red Sea underwater world.

Enjoy a free day within your Hurghada Christmas vacation. Tours such as diving, glass boat, safari, snorkeling, and submarine rides are available upon request. 

Transfer to Hurghada Airport to fly to Cairo. Transfer from Cairo Airport to your hotel for the final night of your 11-day Cairo, Nile cruise and Hurghada Christmas vacation.