12 Days Pearls and Sea Christmas Tour of Egypt -MCCT13

Your experience of a unique Christmas tour of Egypt starts from Cairo, the capital. Our representative will assist you with everything necessary at Cairo International Airport. 

Then, you’ll be transported to the comfort of your hotel for the overnight via our private AC vehicle. 

Check our optional tours at night.

Today, a unique day is waiting for you on this remarkable tour of Egypt.

Following breakfast, your tours and travels in Egypt begin with the Great Pyramids of Giza, the majestic work of 3 great Pharaohs: Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure that testify to royal perfectionism & artistry and bring the history to life in front of your eyes.

Also, at the Giza plateau, you’ll meet the mighty Sphinx, an architectural beauty of limestone 3,000 years old of a mythical creature that represents the greatness of ancient Egypt architecture. 

After breakfast, we’ll visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which houses Egypt’s major stock of artifacts and monuments of almost 170,000 different extraordinary pieces like the treasuries of great Kings of Egypt.

Finally, we’ll drive you back to the hotel.

Following your breakfast, you’ll be taken via our air-conditioned vehicle to start your day trip to Alexandria from Cairo. 

Your Alexandria day tour kicks off with the mysteries of the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa or “Mound of Shards”, which was once a necropolis that mixes Egyptian, Roman, and Greek funerary styles. You’ll see the “Hall of Caracalla” or the Hall of Bones of those murdered by the Roman emperor, Caracalla.

Next, we’ll move to Pompey’s Pillar, an 88-foot red granite pillar carved with unbelievable engineering precision. The pillar is located at what was once the temple of the Greco-Egyptian god, Serapis.

Shortly after, you’ll be headed to Montaza Palace and witness this architectural pearl that blends both Florentine and Ottoman styles. You will also enjoy strolling through its vast area of relaxational gardens of many types of trees, fountains, and lush lawns spread over 370 acres. 

After a local Egyptian cuisine lunch, we’ll continue with the Qaitbay Citadel, a medieval military pearl built over the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. Qaitbay Citadel is known for its thick walls and its defensive capabilities which enabled it to defend Alexandria many times.

Later, we conclude the day trip to Alexandria from Cairo at the Cornish strolling across Stanley Bridge for serene and calming views of the sea.

Finally, we’ll head back to Cairo.

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll start with flying to Luxor, and as you arrive, our representative will deliver you to your Nile Cruise ship. 

Then, you’ll be taken to Karnak Temple, which is the largest temple in Egypt dedicated to Amun, Mut, and their son Khonsu. Karnak Temple includes the great Hypostyle Hall, Sacred Lake, Obelisks, and many wall inscriptions that depict many Pharaohs, religious reliefs, and Gods of ancient Egypt as it was the center of many important events such as the Opet Festival.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll venture to Luxor Temple, which has a unique splendor of ancient architecture and is known for hosting the coronation of many Kings and Pharaohs, and the royal nature of the place can be seen in the large pylon, the Avenue of Sphinxes that connects Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple, and courtyards & halls that ends with the sanctuary. Each part takes you on a different story and has a special style. 

Later, you’ll be taken back to the Nile Cruise for the night.

On this day of your tour of Egypt and upon breakfast, you’ll start with the Valley of the Kings, a beautifully painted necropolis of Egypt’s great Pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Ramses III, Seti I, and Tuthmosis III. You’ll witness the beautiful & colorful wall paintings that describe the ancient Egypt funerary rites, the story of the pharaoh, and help his soul on its journey to the afterlife.

Next, you’ll visit the great Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, which is an impressive crafted inside the limestone cliff necropolis that will surely capture your attention. The temple is characterized by its special integration with the surrounding landscape. From the inside, the walls are adorned with charming inscriptions and statues that depict Hatshepsut's reign, her divine birth, and religious rituals.

Later, you’ll stop by the Colossi of Memnon, two colossal statues of quartzite sandstone 60 feet tall that sit proudly guarding Amenhotep's memorial temple that once existed and disappeared due to floodings.

After a local Egyptian lunch, you’ll be taken back to the Nile Cruise.

After breakfast, you’ll walk your feet into the god Horus Temple in Edfu, which is known for its carefully crafted inscriptions & paintings of the god Horus, and well-preserved conditions that speak of ancient Egypt's daily life, religious rituals, and beliefs. From inside, imagine yourself standing in the temple’s huge hypostyle hall, along with the decorated small chapels and sanctuaries.

Following lunch onboard the Nile Cruise ship while sailing, you’ll enter Kom Ombo Temple, which is dedicated to the two gods Horus and Sobek and was designed to be of 2 perfect halves one for each god, and adorned with mesmerizing well-preserved paintings and craftings along with chambers and sanctuaries.

Then, you’ll continue sailing toward Aswan, spend the evening at leisure, and savor a delicious dinner on board.

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll kick off the day by visiting Aswan High Dam, Egypt’s shield against floods that used to submerge Egypt once. Aswan High Dam is an engineering pearl of 12,570 feet long and 364 feet in height that doesn't only prevent flooding but also provides most of Egypt’s hydroelectric power. 

Next, we’ll take you to Philae Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Isis and consists of many pylons, structures, courtyards, and sanctuaries. The temple is a mixture of Greco-Roman and Egyptian and to save it from being drowned, the temple was cut into 40,000 pieces and moved to its current location on Agilkia Island. 

Last but not least, we’ll get you to the Unfinished Obelisk, a failing obelisk of pink granite that would have been the largest in the world with a size of 137 feet and almost 1200 tons in weight. The obelisk wasn't completed due to a crack that happened during the quarrying process. However, the Unfinished Obelisk is still a tourist attraction for many visitors.   

Later, you’ll enjoy both lunch and dinner onboard the Nile cruise ship.

Following breakfast, you’ll be on your way to Hurghada via our AC vehicle, and as you reach there, we’ll get you to your hotel. 

You may enjoy your day at leisure or check for our optional Hurghada day tours.  

Optional Tour: Abu Simbel Temples 

A unique day awaits you on this tour of Egypt.

Following a delicious breakfast, you’ll be on your way to the stupendous Abu Simbel Temples, two well-preserved temples: the Great Temple is dedicated to Ramses II and is known for its enigmatic statues of Ramses II each 66 feet high. From the inside, the temple contains many halls and chambers ornate with beautifully painted scenes that speak of Ramses II's victories, especially his triumph in the Battle of Kadesh.

The Small Temple is dedicated to his wife Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor and is known for its 6 statues of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, each 33 feet high, and adorns religious reliefs and artistry paintings and crafts that emphasize Queen Nefertari's divine status.

Then, you’ll be moved to Hurghada. 

After breakfast, enjoy your day in Hurghada at leisure or check for our optional day tours and get a full amusement portion of snorkeling, scuba diving, submarine trips, or just relaxing on the beach. 

Lunch and dinner are included.

Optional tour: Boat Trip & Snorkeling

Book an exceptional boat trip that will head to the crystal clear waters and some of the best snorkeling spots in the Red Sea and enjoy witnessing the exceptional colorful marine life and coral reefs.

After breakfast, enjoy your day in Hurghada at leisure or check for our optional day tours and get a full amusement portion of snorkeling, scuba diving, submarine trips, or just relaxing on the beach. 

Lunch and dinner are included.

Optional tour: Safari trip, Bedouin Shows and BBQ

Hit the road with the Jeep vehicle for an excursion amidst the desert to a Bedouin village to experience the Bedouin lifestyle, participate in camel riding, attend Tanoura and belly dancing, and fire shows. 

Later, you’ll savor a delicious BBQ meal under the stars at sunset and head back to your hotel.

Following an early morning breakfast, you’ll head back to the capital and take part in exploring the medieval ages of Cairo starting with Salah El Din Citadel and Alabaster Mosque which sits on top of El Mokattam hill and boasts exquisite minarets and domes built by Muhammad Ali Pasha from limestone.

Following that, you’ll witness the Hanging Church, a Coptic marvel that was once the major center for Christian worship for centuries and mixes between the Byzantine and Coptic architectural styles. 

Shortly after, you’ll enter the Church of Abu Serga or “Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church”, where the Holy Family took refuge and has a unique style in its basilica layout, nave, and its wooden roof that symbolizes Noah’s Ark.

Then, you’ll continue to the Coptic Cairo starting with Ben Ezra Synagogue, which has peaceful interiors with fabulously crafted furnishings and decorations, along with stained glass windows imposing the cultural and historical importance of the synagogue itself which allegedly was built where baby Moses was discovered by the Pharaoh's daughter.

Finally, we’ll go back to the hotel.

After breakfast, we’ll deliver you to the Cairo International Airport for your trip back home, ending our 12 days Pearls and Sea Christmas Tour of Egypt trip.

We wish you a safe travel back home.