CategoriesTips & Tricks By Mark Rezkalla

ULTIMATE GUIDE: Pack Your Egypt Christmas Tour Like A Pro

Table of Contents

Packing your Egypt Christmas tour can be a challenging task, and if you scheduled it wrongly, you might find yourself regretting it at all!

Thus, to save you the hassle and hours of searching, Magic Carpet Travel will help you pack your bags like a pro in five minutes as we gather all that you need to consider for a rich, fun, and relaxing Egypt Christmas holiday in one page!

Overview of Egypt’s Winter Temperature

Egypt winter tours -especially in December- is considered the best time to visit Egypt embark on your trip to unlock and witness the majestic treasures crafted by ancient Egypt civilization, because as a northerner, you crave even the slightest rays of sunshine as the northern hemisphere gets colder and colder.

Thus, Egypt Christmas holiday become not an option but a necessity for the pleasant and very mild December temperatures in Egypt, unlike the freezing temperatures in both North America and Europe.

Temperatures in Egypt in Winter and December range between:

  • 48°F – 68°F in northern cities like Cairo & Nile Delta cities and Alexandria along with the coastal cities.
  • 45°F – 77°F in both Luxor and Aswan in the South.
  • 55°F – 72°F in the Red Sea and Sinai peninsula.

In general, during the day times, the weather is warm making it perfect for exploring the many attractions and historical locations without the fear of the hot weather. But at night, things change a little bit by dropping to less than 45°F, making it more suitable for local markets like Khan El Khalili and Al Muizz Streets, or Dinner onboard a Nile Cruise.

Don’t miss the Best Selling Nile Cruises! 

Why Egypt for the Christmas holidays?

Your Egypt Christmas holiday should not only be a matter of getting the advantage of mild weather but in fact, December and winter months have many features that make us situate it of the Best times to visit Egypt, such as:

1- Egyptian Street Food

Egyptian food is one of the magical things you should try in general, especially during Egypt winter temperature. And as extra clothes gain you more warmth, Egyptian food does this job for you with different varieties and options like:

  • Hommos El Sham: A special mixture of onion, garlic, chickpeas, chili, lemon, and spicy tomatoes found at local restaurants and Nile Corniche street vendors.
  • Lentil Soup: A famous dish served along with lemon and crunchy bread.
  • Sweet Potato “Batata”: Smokey-sweet potatoes right from the oven from street vendors.
  • Belila: Either for breakfast or dinner meal and is of soaked wheat grains in sweetened milk with the topping of your choice.

2- Nile Cruises

Your Egypt Christmas holiday aren’t complete without trying the Nile Cruise ship trip either to witness the southern jewels in Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan or even dinner nights onboard.

Winter is the Nile Cruise ships’ peak season, as the beautiful weather makes it perfect for relaxation while enjoying the mesmerizing natural views.

3- Participating in Hard Physical Activities

For adrenaline-pumping lovers, Egypt’s winter temperatures are the most suitable for sports related to hard physical activities without the fear of hot weather.

In Egypt, you can participate in:

  • Sandboarding
  • Horseback riding
  • Paintball
  • Golf
  • Hiking & Camping
  • Rock climbing
  • Kayaking
  • Dirt Biking

What to Pack for Your Egypt Christmas Holiday Trip?

Packing your bags for such a trip to Egypt can be a little confusing regarding many points to consider like the cultural differences, weather, accessories, and other things to bear in mind and should ease your trip.

Clothing

For the many sites you might visit, it’ll be more suited to put on a proper corresponding outfit:

  • Temples and historical sites: Consider light clothes made of cotton and soft fabrics to ensure a more comfortable visit.
  • Desert trips and Safari: As we mentioned earlier, Egypt winter temperature in deserts at night can drop to less than 45°F, thus we suggest you leave room for pants and long-sleeved clothes in general which will be beneficial even during day times from the heat.
  • Religious sites: Religious sites generally require long sleeves, long pants, and a scarf for women to cover their heads and shoulders.
  • Nile Cruise Dinner: You might consider a shirt or a nice dress for such an occasion.
  • Swimming: In cases of beach visits or pools, make sure to pack your swimwear, and lightweight clothing in general to opt for relaxation.
  • Comfortable Shoes: A comfortable shoe is the secret to a comfortable trip! As you wander the streets or stone paths to visit historical sites, make sure to put on comfortable shoes to ease your pace.

Traveling Accessories

  • Backpack: Your backpack is like your personal repository for most scenarios, so you might consider including a reusable water bottle, snacks, tissues, sunscreen, and your personal belongings kept to a minimum to ensure lightweight and avoid exhaustion.
  • Chargers & Power banks: Most Electrical plugs in Egypt are either Type F or Type C, so you might take into account both of these options besides a power bank in case you are outside your residence for long periods.
  • Camera: Make sure to record your glorious moments during your trip to Egypt with either a smartphone or a camera.
  • Medical Kit & First Aid: In case of any essential medications, make sure to pack them with you and a basic first aid kit that contains sterilized wipes, pain relievers, digestive medications, and bandaids.
  • Emergency Contacts: In cases of emergencies, make sure to have a list of your close family members and your country’s local embassy.

Money and Currency

  • Credit Cards: Essential for large payments.
  • Currency exchange: we suggest you become more familiarized with Egypt’s local currency (Egyptian Pound) which will be handy in many cases like tipping at restaurants & shops and when buying souvenirs from local markets.

Top Places to Visit During Egypt Christmas Holidays

Egypt is a country abundant in all traveling winter destinations, whether you‘re looking for historical locations, simplicity, romance, coastal lifestyle, lavish lifestyle, or even disconnecting and tranquility.

For the many places you may head to during your winter holiday in Egypt, we give you a list of top cities and where to go to each of them.

Cairo 

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and a historical city with a wide variety of Egypt winter tours for both cultural and religious attractions to head to. Among the top Cairo attractions:

  • Great Pyramids of Giza & The Sphinx
  • Egyptian Museum
  • Grand Egyptian Museum
  • The Citadel
  • Ibn Tulun Mosque
  • The Hanging Church

Alexandria

Alexandria, or “The pearl of the Mediterranean” is a coastal city that you might consider for a day trip from Cairo to visit:

  • Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina
  • Serapeum of Alexandria
  • Qaitbay Fort
  • Greco-Roman Museum
  • Kom El Dikka
  • Ras El Tin Palace

Luxor

In the far south, Luxor is a main Egypt winter tours destination that resides as a jewel in all aspects and the ancient capital of Egypt and fosters pharaonic sites such as:

  • Luxor Temple
  • Karnak Temple
  • Valley of the Kings
  • Valley of the Queens
  • Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
  • Mummification Museum
  • Luxor Museum

Aswan

Gathering both history and relaxational felucca rides and Nile Cruises, Aswan is considered a great destination for Winter holidays in Egypt – even for local Egyptians – for places like

  • Abu Simbel Temples
  • Philae Temple
  • Elephantine Island
  • The Unfinished Obelisk
  • Nubian Museum
  • The High Dam
  • Aswan Botanical Garden
  • Kitchener’s Island

Dahab

A romantic Egypt winter tours coastal city resides south of the Sinai peninsula that offers you a great relaxational atmosphere with many sites to enjoy the beauty of the different activities and coral reefs in spots like:

  • Three Pools
  • Blue hole
  • Blue Lagoon
  • Safari Trips
  • Desert Camping

Sharm El Sheikh

Another coastal gem that offers you meeting the beauty of the Red Sea at spots like:

  • Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve and Naama Bay for water sports like Scuba diving and snorkeling.
  • Visit main Sharm el Sheikh attractions like The Heavenly Cathedral and Sahaba Mosque
  • Climb Mount Sinai “Jabal Mousa” and enter Saint Catherine’s Monastery.

7. White Desert

Escape the city noises and head to the western desert for a special Egypt winter tours destination where you’ll witness one of the few most beautiful rocky formations in the world, varying between crystal formations, green oases, and hot springs that attract visitors from all over the world for camping under the stars at night or sandboarding sports.

Discover our best offers for Sahara Trips! 

Tips for Saving Money on Egypt Christmas Holiday

Egypt Christmas holiday are considered the peak of the tourism season in Egypt, thus prices can soar up in the sky, but no worries! for Magic Carpet Travel gives you a backstage insight on how to save your money even in peak seasons.

Always look for local transportation

  • Local in-cities transportation like microbuses and buses might be a little crowded but will save you a whole budget that you might spend on either taxis or riding apps like Uber.
  • In large cities like Cairo, Cairo Metro becomes a need, not an option as it gets you wherever you want at a very low budget. You’ll just need to know the Metro station near the place you’re visiting and follow your GPS
  • Take the second-class train between cities which is a cost-effective way to save money much cheaper than a flight ticket.

Eat like Egyptians

Egyptian kitchen is known for being one of the richest and most delicious in the world with a wide variety of sweet and salty dishes that you should try.

Thus, we suggest you get off the track of lavish restaurants and cafes and aim for local and modest restaurants between the streets to enjoy delicious Egyptian Shwarma, Falafel, or Fava bean sandwiches from a street vendor that you can try without hesitation, especially if it is crowded!

Also, you can get a cheap and energizing Koshari plate at a very low price (less than $1).

Accommodate without breaking the bank

Wallet-friendly accommodation options in Egypt are available everywhere, and reach out to save your budget from the edge of bankruptcy!

While visiting Egypt in winter, you might try low-budget hostels that offer what’s necessary for staying without lavish options or other fancy features that hotels include.

Conclusion

Egypt winter temperature is the best for Europeans and North Americans who wish to enjoy the majestic Egyptian attractions without getting sunburned from the regular high temperatures.

And even if it’s the peak season and prices soar in at everything, a budget-friendly trip to Egypt can be tailored by cutting off some features and secrets that pump all budgets with multiple discounts.

Don’t miss the winter times and book your Egypt Christmas holiday with us! 

Tailor your trip to the best prices in the market with Magic Carpet! 

The great pyramids and the Sphinx
CategoriesTips & Tricks By Mark Rezkalla

The Great Pyramids of Giza: A Traveler’s Ultimate Guide

Great Pyramids of Giza – The Ultimate Guide to Ancient World Wonders

      • When were the Pyramids of Giza built?

      • Who built the Great Pyramids of Giza?

      • Who built the Great Pyramids of Giza?

      • Why were the Great Pyramids of Giza built?

      • Inside the Great Pyramids of Giza

      • Pyramids of Giza tour 

      • Conclusion

    Behold to the royal time machines, the Egyptian pyramids of Giza which endured thousands of ages and showcasing the ingenuity of ancient Egyptian engineers.

    And to get prepared for the afterlife most suitably, ancient Egyptians chose the pyramid shape and building techniques some of which remain secrets until this very day making some believe any form of alien force did it!    

    The Story Behind the Great Pyramids of Giza 

    When were the pyramids of Giza built?

    Over 4500 years ago, the sun of the Great Pyramids began to rise during the age of the fourth dynasty from the Old Kingdom period (approx. 2613 BCE – 2494 BCE), when ancient Egyptians went on building colossal constructions and technology of their time, as they had mostly prosperous times.

    Who built the great pyramids of Giza?

    When we mention the great names that built the pyramids, we focus on the main 3 great pyramids that contributed to this enigmatic world wonder, even though there are more than 3 pyramids in Giza and their final pyramid shape was determined after several attempts in Dahshur and Saqqara. 

    Read More: Evolution of Pyramids: Main Pyramids Styles In Egypt

    But on this page, we’ll give you a deeper look at the 3 great pyramids of Giza you must visit at least once in your lifetime.

    The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops Pyramid) 

    The first and most iconic pyramid to be erected in the Giza complex area was the Great Pyramid of King Khufu (aka. Cheops in Greek) who once sat on the Egyptian throne for 23 years (2589 BC – 2566 BC).

    And to give you, dear reader, an idea of its size, it is 481 feet in height, with a huge base of almost 756 feet, which took engineers and builders almost 20 years to build from 2.3 million blocks of white limestone casing each weighing about 2.5 tons. And for the brilliance and ingenuity of its constructors, the Cheops Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the ancient world wonders that still exists.

    The Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren Pyramid)

    In second place in terms of history and size comes the Pyramid of King Khafre (2472 BCE – 2448 BCE) son of King Khufu, and even though it’s smaller than the Great Pyramid, it seems a bit larger for its covering of limestone casing that adds a bit to its height. 

    It’s 471 feet in height, 706 feet in base length, and took almost 30 years to be built.

    What specializes Khafre’s pyramid from the Cheops Pyramid is that it’s a part of a subsidiary complex consisting of other 2 landmarks of the Giza complex which are: 

        • The Great Sphinx of Giza: Gazing its eyes and guarding the Giza complex from the enemies, the Great Sphinx of Giza was crafted at a height of 66 feet, 240 feet long from a white limestone casing. 

      Even though it combines symbols of Egypt’s ingenuity and strength, unfortunately, some of its features were damaged as it suffered human and weather damage in the areas of the Great Sphinx’s beard and nose.

          • The Valley Temple: Near the Great Sphinx, The Valley Temple was used for mummification and other ritual processes to honor the dead king.

        The Pyramid of Menkaure (Mykerinos Pyramid)

        Attributed to King Menkaure, son of Khafre, who ruled Egypt for 18 years, and even though it’s the smallest of the 3 Giza pyramids, it’s not less than any of them in terms of integrity and architectural precision.

        Speaking in numbers, the Pyramid of Menkaure is 213 feet in height with a base of 335 feet and stands out from other Giza pyramids in the usage of granite coming from the quarries in Aswan at its lower part (unlike Khufu’s and Khafre’s that depends only on white limestone) 

        Near the pyramid reside 3 much smaller pyramids that are of Menkaure’s royal family members and an unfinished mortuary temple of mudbrick that differs from Khafre’s mortuary temple.

        Why were the Great Pyramids of Giza built?

        It’s a pretty naive idea to think that the ancient Egyptians designed the great pyramids of Giza only as the tombs of the pharaohs who built them! 

        And even though it served this purpose perfectly by providing a dignified and safe transfer of the pharaoh’s soul to the afterlife, ancient Egyptians managed to fulfill other purposes through the construction of the Giza pyramids such as:   

        1- Saving the king’s treasures for the afterlife

        The afterlife is a profound belief in the ancient Egypt religions and one’s life was directed toward it to continue living, but his mummified body needs to be saved intact, along with his belongings and treasures.

        2. Religious and Spiritual Importance

        A pharaoh was seen as an intermediary between the gods and the people and a divine one who was meant to rule Egypt as being chosen by the gods and after his death, his soul joins the heavens to become a god himself. 

        Just as we mentioned earlier, there are mortuary temples and smaller pyramids associated with the Giza pyramids, and there were daily rituals and prayers that were held out there     

        Thus, the Giza pyramids hold a spiritual significance. 

        3- Display of Power and Authority

        A king’s prosperous era can be seen in the great projects that were created in it. And the amount of paid workforce that these national projects required to be established brilliantly showcases the level of artistry that was a vital attribute for such projects to live all these years, without the need for some slaves to get the job done! 

        Thus, the great pyramids of Giza impose the era of both rulers and workforce.

        Inside the Great Pyramids of Giza

        The architectural brilliance of the great pyramids of Giza from the inside is a whole different story that will definitely grab your attention and among the things you should try when visiting the Giza plateau.

        Read More: 7 MUST try things to do at the Great Pyramids of Giza   

        1. The Great Pyramid of Khufu 

        Behind the beautiful outer casing stones of the Great Pyramid lies a whole different realm of complex passages that goes up to the upper third of the pyramid and down below its huge base as follows: 

            • Moving Downwards:

          As you venture the pyramid, you’ll be met by a passage that goes down as far as 345 feet taking you to the heart of Cheops Pyramid which was thought to house the burial chamber, but later it was found that it isn’t. 

          By continuing downwards, you’ll be met by a rough room styled differently than the other chambers of the biggest pyramid. 

              • Moving Upwards:

                • When ascending, things are wholly different for the many things you’ll see! You’ll be met by some really small chambers (1 meter in width!) but the fun hasn’t started yet, as you’ll meet the splendid Grand Gallery that shows the brilliantly and precision in crafting the inner corridors during the ancient world days. 

                • Midway in the Grand Gallery, a passage will take you to the Queen’s Chamber, not regarding some queen and its purpose remains a mystery.

                • Next, you’ll meet at the end of the Grand Gallery the King’s Chamber, which differs entirely from the white limestone of the pyramid and is made up of red granite with a colossal sarcophagus.

                • From all the chambers there are Air Shafts whose purpose is still argued today whether for ventilation, communication, or some religious purpose.

              2. The Pyramid of Khafre 

              Similar to the Cheops Pyramid, the Pyramid of Khafre consists of upward and downward passages. Khafre’s descending passage leads to the burial chamber with a passage that differs in size and is more straightforward until below the pyramid’s base level where the burial chamber houses a granite sarcophagus where Khafre’s body was kept.

              Khafre’s Pyramid is less complex than the Great Pyramid in terms of air shafts and other chambers’ designs that reflect either an engineering advancement or a religious purpose.

              3. The Pyramid of Menkaure 

              Even though it is the smallest of the three great pyramids of Giza, Menkaure’s Pyramid has an internal structure that’s more complicated than the Khafre’s Pyramid itself!

              As you hit the entrance passage, you’ll find yourself in a small antechamber that takes you right to the main burial chamber at the base and is characterized by beautifully crafted panels than other pyramids.

              Later, you’ll meet the pyramid’s Sarcophagus Chamber, which was unfortunately lost in the sea while the British attempted to transport it to Britain. You’ll see how the chamber is ornate with beautiful decorations, unlike the other pyramids.

              Pyramids of Giza tour 

              Finding the best Pyramids of Giza tour can be challenging with the existence of many online offers from which only a few are realistic and worth trying. 

              Thus, as a certified company, we are here to bring you our special tour of the Pyramids of Giza to assure you the best experience.

              Conclusion

              For Egyptian deities, the trip to the afterlife begins here on Earth by doing good deeds and hard work. And to ensure a majestic path to the afterlife, they constructed towering pyramids that still express their brilliance and artistry in such national projects and amaze their visitors until today.

              With Magic Carpet Travel, you ensure a trip to Egypt that suits and fulfills your needs in the most suitable way  

              Check our best-selling offers before running out!

              CategoriesTips & Tricks By taher.hassaan

              Even the all-powerful Pointing

              A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. Read More “Even the all-powerful Pointing”