12-Day Egypt Christmas Vacation A Grand Celebration of History & Luxury

At 08:00 AM, the first historical chapter of your Christmas Vacation unfolds at the Giza Plateau. Join your expert Egyptologist to witness the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Menkaure, and stand in awe of the Great Sphinx. After capturing panoramic photos, enjoy a delicious lunch with a stunning view of the plateau. The afternoon of your Egypt Christmas Vacation is dedicated to the Egyptian Museum, where you will explore two floors filled with pharaonic jewels and artifacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun, before returning to your hotel.

After breakfast, your Christmas Vacation takes you south via a domestic flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, your private coach will transport you to the High Dam, a 20th-century megaproject overlooking the vast Nasser Lake. You will then visit the Unfinished Obelisk, providing a unique look at ancient stone-cutting techniques. The highlight of the afternoon is a water taxi ride to the romantic Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. You will check into a luxury Aswan hotel for a quiet night by the Nile, continuing the luxury of your Egypt Christmas Vacation.

This day of your Christmas Vacation features a pilgrimage to the colossal Abu Simbel Temples. These twin temples, carved into the mountainside for Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, are a pinnacle of ancient art. After exploring these massive monuments, return to Aswan to check into your luxury Nile Cruise boat. Lunch will be served on board as you begin the sailing segment of your Egypt Christmas Vacation, allowing you to relax on the sundeck and watch the timeless scenery of the Nile banks drift by.

As your cruise sails north, your Christmas Vacation brings you to the double Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples. The first stop is the temple shared by Sobek and Haroeris, unique for its symmetrical design. Continuing to Edfu, you will take a traditional horse carriage to the Temple of Horus, the best-preserved ancient structure in Egypt. Enjoy a beautiful lunch on board while sailing toward Luxor, where you will spend the night on the cruise, deeply immersed in the historical core of your Egypt Christmas Vacation.

After a hearty breakfast on board, the Christmas Vacation focuses on the "City of the Dead." You will cross to the Luxor West Bank to explore the Kings Valley, where the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom were laid to rest in hidden tombs. The tour continues to the stunning mortuary Hatshepsut Temple, built into the limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, and a stop at the towering Colossi of Memnon. Return to the cruise for your final night on the river, celebrating the successful completion of the Nile segment of your Egypt Christmas Vacation.

The morning of Day 7 features the "City of the Living" on the East Bank. You will visit the world’s largest religious complex, Karnak Temple, and the elegant Luxor Temple, which was once connected by the Avenue of Sphinxes. Following the tour, your Christmas Vacation transitions to the coast. A private A/C coach will drive you across the desert to Hurghada. Upon arrival, you will check into your Red Sea resort with soft all-inclusive service, marking the start of the relaxation phase of your Egypt Christmas Vacation.

Enjoy a full day of leisure in Hurghada as part of your Christmas Vacation. This day is dedicated to Red Sea activities; you can swim in the turquoise waters, or opt for snorkeling and diving trips to see vibrant coral reefs. For a unique experience, take a submarine ride to explore the rare aquatic life without getting wet. With lunch and dinner included in your full-board stay, this day of the Egypt Christmas Vacation provides the ultimate stress-free holiday environment.

Your Christmas Vacation continues with another free day on the coast. Whether you choose to lounge on the fine sands of the resort or take a private boat trip into the Red Sea, the day is yours to design. Many guests choose to enjoy a spa treatment or a desert safari to meet the local Bedouin tribes. Your soft all-inclusive package ensures that your Egypt Christmas Vacation remains focused on pleasure and comfort, with all meals and refreshments provided by the resort.

Savor your final full day of coastal relaxation in Hurghada. This segment of the Christmas Vacation is designed to ensure you are fully rejuvenated after the intense historical exploration of Cairo and the Nile. Enjoy the hotel's amenities, participate in beach sports, or simply soak up the Egyptian sun. This day reinforces the "opulent" nature of the Egypt Christmas Vacation, providing a serene environment before you return to the bustling energy of the capital.

After breakfast, your Christmas Vacation returns to the capital via a domestic flight. Upon landing, you will begin an extensive Old Cairo Tour. Visit the Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church, and the St. Sergius and Bacchus Church, where the Holy Family is said to have rested. The tour also includes the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the magnificent Citadel of Saladin with the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Conclude the evening at the medieval Khan El Khalili bazaar for some festive shopping, completing the cultural circle of your Egypt Christmas Vacation.

On the final day of your Christmas Vacation, enjoy a final Egyptian breakfast at your hotel. Your private driver and airport consultant will meet you for the return trip to Cairo International Airport. We will assist you with all departure processes and luggage handling, ensuring you catch your flight home with ease. You leave Egypt with lifetime memories of a truly grand Egypt Christmas Vacation, having experienced the very best of the land of civilization with Bastet Travel.