10 Days Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan Christmas holidays

After enjoying your delicious breakfast at your hotel, your tour guide will be waiting to take you on a different tour between Cairo and Giza.

Today's tour will begin with a visit to the Giza Pyramids, which were built using limestone, the finest quality of which was used to construct the outer layers of the pyramids. Other materials were also used, such as pink granite for the interior walls and basalt for the floors. Granite and basalt were also used to construct the pyramid's top, which was sometimes coated with gold.

The workers used various tools to break the blocks, such as picks, granite hammers, and copper chisels. After breaking them, they were transported to the construction sites by boats on the Nile or by employing a greased support. 

This is confirmed by a sculpture found in an ancient cemetery, which depicts a group of men pulling stones using a greased support. They were also lifted upwards through ladders made of bricks and covered with wax.

Examples of these pyramids include the Great Pyramid, which took between 10 and 20 years to build. The pyramid is surrounded by several major structures, including three pyramids for King Khufu's wives, two funerary temples, a small pyramid, and small mastaba tombs.

After that, you will go to one of the wonderful restaurants in Cairo before starting your visits to Cairo, where you will visit the Egyptian Museum in downtown, which is distinguished by the presence of many important artifacts such as the tomb of Tutankhamun and a statue of Ramses at the entrance, and many other things. The most distinctive thing about the museum is that the entrance to the museum is surrounded by two Greek columns, like the Temple of Philae.

Finally, you'll head to Coptic Cairo, a very important historical and archaeological site, especially for Christians. According to Christian belief, this is where the Holy Family came to Egypt and lived. Among the most important churches visited by the Holy Family are the Church of St. Sergius and the Hanging Church, a significant archaeological site built in the air, particularly from columns from the ancient Babylonian fortress. Then you'll return to your hotel before your next day.

After your tour guide picks you up from your hotel, you'll be taken to Alexandria for a three-hour air-conditioned car ride to visit the city's most fascinating sites.

Your first stop will be Pompey's Pillar, one of the city's most famous monuments. Located in the Karmouz district, the column is a massive monument built in the third century AD to commemorate the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

As you approach the site, you'll see the towering column, more than 25 meters tall, surrounded by ancient bases and statues. Admiring the magnificence of the structure, you'll wonder how such a giant stone column was erected in a time before modern machinery was available. The atmosphere was serene, and informational signs were providing an interesting historical overview of the site, adding a rich cultural dimension to the visit.

From there, it's a few minutes to the Kom el-Shoqafa Catacombs, one of the most impressive Roman cemeteries in Egypt and a marvel of funerary architecture. Located underground, these tombs were discovered by chance in the early 20th century.

As you approach the site, you'll see the towering column, more than 25 meters tall, surrounded by ancient bases and statues. Admiring the magnificence of the structure, you'll wonder how such a giant stone column was erected in a time before modern machinery was available. The atmosphere was serene, and informational signs provided an interesting historical overview of the site, adding a rich cultural dimension to the visit.

From there, it's a few minutes to the Kom el-Shoqafa Catacombs, one of the most impressive Roman cemeteries in Egypt and a marvel of funerary architecture. Located underground, these tombs were discovered by chance in the early 20th century.

I entered the site via a circular staircase leading deep underground. The further I descended, the more I felt as if I was traveling through time. The rooms, decorated with inscriptions that combined ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Greek art, were dazzling. I saw the stone sarcophagus and the funerary banquet hall. I stood for a long time in front of the statue of Serapis, where the multicultural influence of ancient Alexandria's funerary arts was evident.

Before you head to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, you'll want to visit one of the city's finest restaurants to sample delicious Egyptian cuisine on the Mediterranean coast.

After a tour through history, it was time to return to the present, but without straying too far from the fragrance of civilization. I headed to the New Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which was revitalized on the site of the famous old library.

As soon as you enter the giant glass building, you'll feel the grandeur of this cultural edifice. The modern architectural design, combined with a spirit of knowledge, captured my attention. I wandered through the library's various wings and saw the open book hall housing millions of titles, in addition to the art galleries and small museums within. It was a rich and inspiring visit, enriched by its culture, arts, and technology.

Finally, you'll return to Cairo to spend the night at your hotel before traveling to Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

As you approach the site, you'll see the towering column, more than 25 meters tall, surrounded by ancient bases and statues. Admiring the magnificence of the structure, you'll wonder how someone managed to erect such a giant stone column in a time before modern machinery was available. The atmosphere was serene, and informational signs provided an interesting historical overview of the site, adding a rich cultural dimension to the visit.

The museum is simple in design, yet richly detailed inside. It houses authentic displays of weapons and military uniforms, maps illustrating the course of the Battle of El Alamein, and accurate models of war tactics. There are also halls dedicated to each of the participating armies: British, German, Italian, and Egyptian.

After visiting the museum, you will visit three important cemeteries: the nearby British cemetery, the German cemetery located on a high hill overlooking the sea, and finally the Italian cemetery, which boasts a distinct architectural style.

After this wonderful visit, you will have lunch at one of the wonderful fish restaurants on the beach before returning to Cairo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After your delicious morning meal, your tour leader will take you to Cairo Airport for an early morning flight to Luxor to visit two of the most important temples in Upper Egypt.

Your day's visit will begin at Luxor Temple, one of the most magnificent Egyptian temples. Originally known as the Temple of Thebes, it was later renamed Luxor Temple, but with an intricate style. 

Several periods and kings contributed to the temple's development, with the most significant additions made for King Amenhotep III and Ramses II, including the pylon and the great courtyard.

After that, you will head to a temple that is larger and better in terms of form and architectural splendour. It is also the largest place where a god was worshipped during the Pharaonic era, and it remains one of the largest Pharaonic temples in Egypt, possibly the largest ever built.

The temple was initially known as “Per-Amun,” meaning the Temple of Amun or the House of Amun, the god of the sun and privacy.

The ancient Karnak was entirely automated, and the ancient Egyptians believed it to be an observatory. and it was through the ancient observatory that god Amun communicated with the inhabitants of the earth. However, over time, its name was changed to “Ibet-Esut,” meaning the first choice, because it was the main place of worship for the god Amun. It was known by more than one name until it was referred to in Arabic as Karnak.

Then you go to the Nile cruise to have lunch before the visits of the next day.

 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

On a wonderful morning, after breakfast on the Nile cruise, your tour guide will wait for you to take you on another tour in Luxor, but a different one.

You will start your day in several tombs called the Valley of the Kings, which are characterized by the presence of many royal mummies, but some of them were stolen, others were moved, and others remained as they were, such as the tomb of Seti I, which is considered the longest and largest tomb in the Valley of the Kings, and some others consider it one of the most beautiful tombs there. This tomb also has a distinctive name, Belzoni. As for the king himself, he is a great king and gave birth to a greater king, which is Ramses II, the king who built one of the best temples in Egypt, which is the Abu Simbel Temple, and other wonderful temples in Upper Egypt.

After that, you will go to Abydos, which was the capital of Egypt in the pre-dynastic era, according to what scholars believe, making it one of the oldest and most important cities in ancient Egypt. It is famous for its temple there, which bears the same name, and which Ramses II built to worship three important gods: Isis, Osiris, and Horus. However, it is now a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture, which indicates the greatness of this king and the prosperity of his reign.

Finally, you will visit the two famous colossi of Memnon, which attract tourists from all over the world to witness the greatness of the Egyptians, especially the kings of the New Kingdom.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After the Nile cruise reaches the city of Edfu, you will find yourself in front of one of the best temples in Upper Egypt. Some believe that the construction of this temple dates back to different periods, some of which were primitive and some of which were from the early ages, but it is known that the pharaoh who built this temple built it for the god Horus, who is known to be the son of the goddess Isis. Therefore, one of the most famous inscriptions there is the story of Isis and Osiris, which is considered the most famous historical story of a Pharaonic god, and it is also one of the most wonderful love stories in history.

Therefore, we can say that the Temple of Edfu is a historical witness to ancient Egyptian civilization, and its walls hold secrets that tell the story of that era. This temple embodies the cultural and religious heritage of the ancient Egyptian nation and represents one of the most magnificent landmarks one can explore.

Afterwards, you will return to the Nile cruise for lunch before arriving in Kom Ombo to visit the dazzling temple there.

This magnificent temple was built in ancient times. Still, it is known that the current temple is located on the ruins of another temple, which was not built to worship Horus or even Isis but was dedicated to the god Sobek, who was depicted in the form of a crocodile, which makes this temple one of the most distinctive temples in Egypt.

Its importance increased during the Ptolemaic era, as it was a stop for the Indian elephants used by the Seleucids. It was also said that this temple was built to worship two gods: one god of good and one god of evil, representing one god in two different forms.

After this wonderful tour, you will return to the Nile cruise for a delicious lunch.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

A wonderful morning in an even more wonderful city, perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in Egypt. After a wonderful breakfast, your tour guide will take you on a wonderful trip to the city of Aswan in the far south of Egypt.

Today's tour will begin at the magnificent Philae Temple, which was built on an island but was moved due to the island being submerged. This saved a huge and magnificent monument that was about to be lost underwater. It is distinguished by its magnificent view, and you should see how the Ptolemies built it and take some pictures in front of this magnificent view.

After that, you will go to see the High Dam, one of the greatest modern buildings that has become important in the tourism and economic fields, as it has helped agriculture by reducing the risk of flooding on both sides of the Nile. It is also an important source of clean energy in Egypt and is distinguished by its location and wonderful view, making it a major tourist attraction in Egypt.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast on the Nile cruise, you will experience a different journey to a special place, especially at dawn. You will go by car on a 3-hour journey to a city in the farthest reaches of Upper Egypt to visit an architectural masterpiece built during the New Kingdom era, which is the Abu Simbel Temple.

The Temple of Abu Simbel is one of the most important, famous, and beautiful temples in Egypt. It is a gem of ancient Egyptian architecture. It was carved into the mountains during the reign of King Ramses II, the most important king of ancient Egypt in the 13th century BC. 

They were carved as a permanent monument to Ramses II and Queen Nefertari to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh.

The Abu Simbel Temple is located in Aswan, and it has two temples, so the larger temple belongs to King Ramses II, to worship the three goddesses Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and Amun-Ra. The smaller temple belongs to his wife, Nefertari, to worship the goddess Hathor.

Therefore, Abu Simbel Temple is considered one of the most beautiful sites that you must visit during your trip to Egypt, as it is characterized by many wonderful things. Finally, you will return to Aswan Airport to return to Cairo and spend the evening there. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After taking the breakfast of the last day, we shall complete our departure form Cairo International Airport at the transfer by our professional tour leader.

Meals: Breakfast