9 Days Cairo, Aswan, Luxor & Alexandria Christmas Holiday

After breakfast, you begin the day with a visit to the Giza Plateau, followed by the Grand Egyptian Museum. Your Egyptologist guide explains the monuments and archaeological collections as you explore the sites.

The Pyramids of Giza Complex:

You visit the three main pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, built during Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty. Together, these monuments form the central part of the royal funerary landscape on the Giza Plateau.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu:

You see the pyramid built as the tomb of King Khufu, a ruler of Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty. Its scale and carefully planned stone construction offer insight into the engineering and royal burial practices of ancient Egypt. The pyramid is a highlight of your Egypt Christmas vacation.

The Great Sphinx:

You view the Great Sphinx, a monument with a lion’s body and a human head that stands beside the pyramid complex. The statue is closely associated with the Giza funerary landscape and is traditionally linked to King Khafre.

The Valley Temple:

You visit the Valley Temple associated with King Khafre’s funerary complex. The structure formed part of the rituals connected with the king’s burial and the preparation of his body.

Lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant is included during the day.

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM):

You explore the Grand Egyptian Museum, whose collection presents artifacts from different periods of ancient Egyptian history. The exhibits include objects from the collection of Tutankhamun, including his famous golden mask.

You return to your Cairo hotel after the sightseeing program.

On Day 3, your Christmas tour takes you from Cairo to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast to explore Greek, Roman and modern landmarks.

Christmas in Alexandria offers a different setting from the pharaonic monuments of southern Egypt, with coastal views, archaeological sites and cultural attractions. You travel to Alexandria by road and return to Cairo the same day, without an overnight stay on the coast.

Pompey’s Pillar:

You visit Pompey’s Pillar, a red-granite Roman column associated with the ancient Serapeum complex. The monument stands among the archaeological remains of Alexandria’s Greco-Roman past.

Qaitbay Citadel:

You explore Qaitbay Citadel on the Mediterranean shore. Built in the 15th century on the site associated with the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, the fortress reflects the city’s historic role in coastal defense.

You enjoy lunch at a local seafood restaurant overlooking the sea before continuing your visit.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina:

You visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern cultural institution opened to the public in 2002. Its library, exhibitions and cultural spaces connect contemporary Alexandria with the city’s long association with learning and scholarship.

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa:

You explore the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, an underground burial complex that combines Egyptian, Greek and Roman artistic traditions. Its tomb chambers and carved details illustrate the cultural influences that shaped ancient Alexandria.

After completing the sightseeing program, you return to Cairo for the night.

You take a domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan, where you visit landmarks connected with modern Egyptian engineering and ancient religious traditions.

Aswan High Dam:

You visit this major engineering project, completed in 1970, which created Lake Nasser and supports water management and hydroelectric power generation in Egypt.

Philae Temple:

You travel by boat to Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Much of the surviving temple complex dates to the Ptolemaic period, including the 3rd century BC. The monuments were relocated to protect them from the rising waters associated with the Aswan High Dam project.

The Unfinished Obelisk:

You visit the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan’s granite quarries, a monument associated with Queen Hatshepsut. If completed, it would have measured about 42 metres and weighed approximately 1,168 tonnes. The unfinished stone reveals the challenges involved in quarrying and shaping large obelisks in ancient Egypt.

After the sightseeing program, you have lunch at a local restaurant and check in to your hotel in Aswan for the night.

You travel early from Aswan in a private air-conditioned vehicle with your Egyptologist guide, then return to Aswan after the visit for lunch and an overnight stay at your hotel.

Abu Simbel Temples:

You explore the twin temples at Abu Simbel, located about 280 kilometres south of Aswan. Built during the reign of King Ramses II, the temples feature colossal statues, carved scenes and inscriptions associated with the king and the royal religious traditions of ancient Egypt. The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor.

You can also learn about the temples’ relocation, completed in 1968 to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The solar alignment inside the Great Temple occurs on 22 February and 22 October; a December visit during the Christmas season in Egypt does not coincide with it.

You travel from Aswan to Luxor by first-class train. After arriving, you visit two major temple complexes on the East Bank of the Nile.

Karnak Temple:

You walk through Karnak Temple, a large religious complex developed over many centuries and dedicated primarily to the Theban god Amun and related deities. Its Great Hypostyle Hall contains 134 columns, with carved surfaces that preserve religious scenes and inscriptions.

Luxor Temple:

You visit this temple on the East Bank of the Nile. King Amenhotep III began much of its construction, and Ramses II later added important features, including statues and a monumental entrance. The complex was associated with royal ceremonies and religious festivals in ancient Thebes.

You have lunch at a local restaurant before checking in to your Luxor hotel.

You explore Luxor’s West Bank, where royal tombs and mortuary monuments stand among the desert hills and archaeological remains of ancient Thebes. The program includes the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

Valley of the Kings:

You visit the Valley of the Kings, where more than 60 tombs have been identified. The site includes Tutankhamun’s tomb, designated KV62, which was discovered in 1922. The royal burial chambers preserve painted scenes and texts related to ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.

Temple of Queen Hatshepsut:

You explore the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari, a mortuary temple built against the cliffs on Luxor’s West Bank during the Eighteenth Dynasty. Its terraces and colonnades reflect the architectural design and royal traditions of Hatshepsut’s reign.

Colossi of Memnon:

You see the Colossi of Memnon, two seated statues of King Amenhotep III. The statues once stood at the entrance to his mortuary temple and remain prominent landmarks in the West Bank landscape.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you return to your hotel in Luxor for the night.

You fly from Luxor to Cairo and continue with a guided tour of the city’s museums and historic religious landmarks. The itinerary includes ancient Egyptian collections, Coptic Christian sites, an important synagogue, Islamic monuments and a traditional market district.

The Egyptian Museum:

You visit the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, which opened in 1902. Its galleries contain statues, jewelry, funerary objects and other archaeological finds that document different periods of ancient Egyptian history.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization:

You explore the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, which presents Egypt’s history across different periods, including its Royal Mummies Hall. In 2021, 22 royal mummies—18 kings and four queens—were transferred to the museum.

Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque:

You visit Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, established in 641–642 AD and recognized as the oldest surviving mosque in Egypt and Africa. Its history reflects the development of Islamic Cairo during the early Islamic period.

Ben Ezra Synagogue:

You visit Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo, a historic Jewish religious site associated with the discovery of the Cairo Geniza collection of manuscripts and documents. The site reflects the Jewish community’s historical presence in Egypt.

The Hanging Church:

You explore the Hanging Church in Old Cairo, a historic Coptic church built above one of the gates of the Roman fortress of Babylon. Inside, you can see religious icons, carved woodwork and other features associated with Coptic Christian worship.

Saladin Citadel:

You visit the Citadel of Saladin, a fortified complex established by Saladin in medieval Cairo. The site served defensive and administrative purposes and overlooks parts of the historic city.

Mohamed Ali Mosque:

You enter Mohamed Ali Mosque within the Citadel. Built between 1830 and 1848, the mosque is known for its Ottoman-inspired architecture, domes and prominent minarets.

Khan El Khalili Bazaar:

You walk through Khan El Khalili, a historic market district dating to the 14th century. Its lanes contain shops selling crafts, jewelry, spices and souvenirs, providing an opportunity to browse traditional goods in central Cairo. This market visit is part of our Egypt Tours.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you check in to your Cairo hotel for your final night.

You have breakfast at your hotel and check out before your private transfer to Cairo International Airport. Your tour ends with your departure from Egypt.

This Egypt Christmas tour with Alexandria combines four nights in Cairo, two nights in Aswan and two nights in Luxor. You explore Giza and Cairo’s museums, travel by road to Alexandria for a day on the Mediterranean coast, fly south to Aswan, and visit Abu Simbel before taking a first-class train to Luxor. After exploring the East and West Bank monuments, you fly back to Cairo on Day 8 for your final overnight stay before departure.