10 Days Cairo, Nile Cruise & Hurghada Christmas Tour Package

Day 2 covers Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, the first full sightseeing day of the 10-day Egypt Christmas tour.

After breakfast, meet your Egyptologist guide and explore the Giza Pyramids Complex, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. The cooler winter conditions make extended outdoor sightseeing on the pyramid plateau more comfortable than during Egypt’s hotter months.

The Giza Pyramids Complex:

Once you arrive, they’re right there — massive, silent, and almost unreal. It’s hard to believe such wonders were built thousands of years ago without any modern machines.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu:

Standing beneath it is a completely different feeling. You look up and can barely see the top — stone over stone, perfectly aligned, a true masterpiece of ancient engineering.

The Great Sphinx:

Just beside the pyramids, the Sphinx gazes silently across the plateau. Its human face and lion’s body give it a mysterious beauty — you can almost imagine how magnificent it looked when newly built.

The Valley Temple:

A calm and fascinating place, cooler than outside. The smooth stones still feel powerful after all these centuries, reflecting the deep respect ancient Egyptians had for their kings.

After lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant, continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Its modern galleries provide a different setting from the open-air monuments of Giza and add a major museum experience to the day’s program.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM):

The last stop is something completely different — new, bright, and modern. Inside, you’ll see colossal statues and dazzling treasures. Tutankhamun’s golden mask gleams under the light, impossible to look away from.

Return to your Cairo hotel for the night.

A domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan replaces a long road journey and leaves the day for sightseeing before you settle into the Nile cruise.

Aswan is the warmest destination on the itinerary in December and January, with average daytime highs around 24–25°C (75–77°F).

After arrival, visit the Aswan High Dam, then continue by motorboat to Philae Temple. The program also includes the Unfinished Obelisk.

The High Dam:

The first stop is the Aswan High Dam. It’s not an ancient site, but it’s massive and quietly impressive. Your guide will explain how it changed Egypt forever — controlling the Nile and creating Lake Nasser. From the top, you can see the vast expanse of water glistening in the sunlight.

Philae Temple:

Next is one of the most beautiful places in all of Egypt — Philae Temple. You’ll reach it by a small motorboat gliding across calm waters surrounded by birdsong. The temple feels like a dream; every wall is covered in detailed carvings of gods and kings. It’s incredible to think that this entire temple was moved stone by stone to save it from flooding.

The Unfinished Obelisk:

A short stop at the Unfinished Obelisk — just one piece of stone, yet so huge you can easily imagine how magnificent it would have looked if completed. It’s a clear reminder of the precision and skill of ancient Egyptian craftsmen.

Enjoy your lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant.

After sightseeing, check in on the 5-star Nile cruise. Dinner is served on board as you spend your first night on the cruise in Aswan.

Overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, set out from Aswan to visit the Abu Simbel Temples. The journey to Abu Simbel is long, and the cooler winter weather makes the trip more comfortable than during the summer months.

Abu Simbel Temples:

The complex includes the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the smaller temple dedicated to Hathor and Queen Nefertari, with the entrance to the main temple marked by colossal seated statues nearly 20 meters high. Carved directly into the cliffs over 3,000 years ago, the twin temples retain intricate carvings that tell stories of divine battles, royal power, and eternal love.

After exploring Abu Simbel, return to Aswan and rejoin the Nile cruise, where lunch is served on board. Dinner follows in the evening before another overnight stay on the cruise.

Overnight on board.

On the fifth day of your New Year holiday in Egypt, the cruise continues north toward Luxor with visits to two major temples along the route. Enjoy breakfast served on board, then follow your guide to visit:

Kom Ombo Temple:

At Kom Ombo, explore the unusual double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder before continuing toward Edfu. Sobek is the crocodile god associated with strength and fertility, while Horus the Elder is the protector of kings.

December weather is generally mild on the Nile, making time on the cruise more comfortable during the winter season.

Edfu Temple:

At Edfu, visit the well-preserved Temple of Horus, one of the major archaeological stops between Aswan and Luxor. Its walls tell stories of Horus’s legendary battles against the forces of evil.

Kom Ombo and Edfu are standard stops on a Christmas Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor. Between visits, return to the ship, where lunch and dinner are served on board.

As the cruise continues, relax on deck while admiring the quiet beauty of the Nile — the same river that carried pharaohs, priests, and timeless stories for thousands of years.

Overnight on board.

Luxor’s West Bank and East Bank fill the day before the route turns toward the Red Sea.

After breakfast on board, check out and meet your Egyptologist guide for visits to Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.

These sites involve substantial outdoor walking, particularly across the archaeological areas of the West Bank, making the cooler winter daytime conditions useful for a full day of sightseeing.

Karnak Temple:

This vast complex is one of the most extraordinary sites in Egypt. Built over more than 2,000 years, Karnak was the heart of ancient Thebes’ religious life. The Hypostyle Hall, with its towering pillars covered in hieroglyphs, is truly breathtaking — a masterpiece that reflects the power and devotion of Egypt’s ancient builders.

The Valley of the Kings:

Hidden among the desert cliffs, this royal burial ground holds the tombs of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs, including Tutankhamun. The colors and carvings inside these tombs remain vivid after thousands of years, telling stories of the afterlife and the gods who guided the kings on their journey beyond.

Queen Hatshepsut Temple:

Rising from the desert in harmony with the surrounding cliffs, this temple was dedicated to one of Egypt’s most remarkable rulers, Queen Hatshepsut. Its terraces, ramps, and columns reflect both elegance and strength — just like the queen herself.

Colossi of Memnon:

Before leaving Luxor, you’ll stop at the Colossi of Memnon — two massive statues that once guarded a grand temple now largely in ruins. They still stand proudly against the backdrop of the Nile Valley, a silent reminder of ancient glory.

After lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant, continue by road to Hurghada and check in at your hotel in the selected category on the Red Sea.

Overnight at the hotel in Hurghada.

Day 7 shifts the 10-day Egypt Christmas tour from ancient monuments to the Red Sea with a full-day snorkeling excursion in Hurghada.

Snorkeling in Hurghada:

Beneath the surface, colorful coral reefs teem with exotic fish and marine life.

Take a boat into the Red Sea and spend the day exploring the water before returning to Hurghada. Lunch is served during the excursion, along with soft drinks.

After your adventure, relax on deck. Sea and weather conditions vary during winter.

After the boat trip, return to your hotel and spend the night in Hurghada.

Desert Safari:

Trade the Red Sea for the Eastern Desert with a safari that combines a quad bike ride with a visit to a Bedouin village. The desert is generally mild during the day in December but becomes cooler after sunset, so layers are useful. This part of the Egypt Christmas vacation adds a desert experience to the Red Sea portion of the itinerary.

The adventure begins with a quad bike ride across the desert dunes, with wide views of the Eastern Desert landscape.

The excursion gives you a different perspective on the Hurghada area, moving away from the coastline into the surrounding desert landscape. At the Bedouin village, enjoy tea and learn about local desert life before the evening program.

The day concludes with a traditional barbecue dinner and live music before returning to your Hurghada hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Hurghada.

After breakfast, check out from your Hurghada hotel and fly back to Cairo. Your guide then takes you through several parts of the city’s religious and cultural heritage, including the Egyptian Museum, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque, the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

The Egyptian Museum:

Begin your tour at the Egyptian Museum, home to thousands of ancient artifacts. It’s a place where time seems to stand still. The halls are filled with statues, coffins, and golden treasures — each piece telling a story from thousands of years ago.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization:

Continue to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization — a modern, beautifully arranged museum that brings Egypt’s long history to life. The highlight is the Royal Mummies Hall: quiet, cool, and filled with mystery as you come face-to-face with Egypt’s ancient kings.

Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque:

Next, visit Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Africa. It’s peaceful and simple, with sunlight softly filtering through its arches — you can almost feel centuries of history within its walls.

The Hanging Church:

Continue to the Hanging Church, a small yet beautifully decorated gem. The aroma of incense and the soft glow of candlelight create a serene and spiritual atmosphere.

Ben Ezra Synagogue:

Just a short walk away lies the Ben Ezra Synagogue — a quiet, historic site that highlights another unique layer of Cairo’s diverse religious heritage.

The Hanging Church is part of Cairo’s Coptic Christian heritage, while the nearby Ben Ezra Synagogue reflects another historic layer of the city’s religious landscape. Egypt’s official national holiday calendar lists January 7 as Coptic Christmas, while December 25 is observed by Christians who follow the Western Christmas calendar. The itinerary includes a daytime visit to the Hanging Church but does not include attendance at a Christmas service.

Khan El Khalili Bazaar:

End your tour with a visit to Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s most famous bazaar. It’s lively and colorful, filled with the sound of shopkeepers calling out, the scent of coffee and spices, and vibrant fabrics hanging from every stall. It’s the perfect place to pick up souvenirs or simply enjoy a cup of tea while watching the world go by.

Enjoy lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant before checking in at your Cairo hotel in the selected category.

Breakfast marks the final morning of the itinerary. After hotel check-out, your private transfer takes you to Cairo International Airport for your departure.

The itinerary combines two initial nights in Cairo, three nights on a 5-star Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, three nights in Hurghada, and one final night in Cairo. Hotel accommodation is in your selected category. You visit the Giza Pyramids Complex and Grand Egyptian Museum, fly from Cairo to Aswan for the High Dam, Philae Temple, and Unfinished Obelisk, and take an excursion to Abu Simbel before returning to Aswan and rejoining the cruise. Sail through Kom Ombo and Edfu to Luxor for Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon, then travel by road to Hurghada for snorkeling and a desert safari. Fly back to Cairo for the Egyptian Museum, National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque, the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Khan El Khalili before departure.