7-Day Nile Cruise at Christmas Tours to Egypt -MCCT07

Today, a busy day is waiting for you on the remarkable Christmas tours to Egypt.

Following breakfast, your tour to Egypt begins 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. 

Then, your journey takes you to the innovative Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, which represents a major shift in the pyramids' construction principle. It was surrounded by temples and courtyards honoring King Djoser. 

After lunch, we end the day with a visit to 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 like Tutankhamun and his famous mask.

We conclude the day by heading back to your hotel.

Following your hotel breakfast, 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.

Later, you’ll venture to Islamic Cairo starting with Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, the first mosque ever built in Africa, which has a luxurious design in its open-air Islamic-style courtyard, minarets, columns of the prayer hall that’s a mixture of Roman and Byzantine styles, and the exquisite carvings in both the Mihrab and Minbar.

After lunch, you’ll 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.

Then, you’ll visit the unique St. Simon Church or Cave Church in Cairo that penetrates the Mokattam mountain and is ornate with special astounding craftings of scenes from the Bible. 

Later, we’ll take you to Al Muizz Street, an open-air museum that includes a wide range of Islamic architecture, such as madrasas and historical mosques from different eras, such as the Mamluk, Fatimid, and Ottoman. 

Last but not least, you’ll continue wandering at Khan El Khalili Street. A souk that remained since the 14th century and a main destination for many goods like spices, gold, soap, and handmade souvenirs which you'll definitely like and buy for your loved ones.

Finally, we’ll deliver you back to your hotel.

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. 

Shortly after, you’ll start with 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 a local Egyptian dish for lunch, we’ll visit 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. 

Finally, we’ll take you back to your Nile Cruise ship for dinner and overnight. 

On the 4th day of your Nile cruise at Christmas trip 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.

Finally, we’ll take you back to your Nile Cruise ship for both lunch and dinner while sailing to Edfu to spend the overnight. 

After breakfast, you’ll venture to 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 and while sailing to Kom Ombo, you’ll walk your feet into 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.

Later, you’ll have dinner onboard while you continue sailing to Aswan.

A unique day awaits you on this Christmas tour to 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.

Later, you’ll head back to your Nile Cruise for lunch and dinner onboard.

After breakfast onboard, 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. 

Following lunch, you’ll be transferred to Aswan Airport ending your magical Nile Cruise at Christmas tour to Egypt. 

We wish you a safe travel back home.