New Year's Egypt | Cairo, Nile Cruise & Red Sea

Cairo

Day 1: Into the Land of Pharaohs

Egypt awaits you! First stop will be the vibrant metropolis of Cairo, Egypt's capital and a true global hub for you to explore. Upon your arrival at the airport, our friendly representative will welcome you and escort you to the hotel by an exclusive air-conditioned car. Once there, you will review your holiday itinerary over a delicious welcome drink with your tour manager to ensure everything is just the way you want it to be in order to have your perfect Egyptian holiday. Step outside into the charming bustle that is Cairo and explore this mega city on your own or relax in the hotel to prepare for the following exciting days. So much lies right ahead of you on the other end of a peaceful good night's sleep in your comfortable bed here in Cairo. 

Cairo

Day 2: Meet the Lion Body; Sphinx

Get ready for theenigmatic charm of Pharaonic Egypt during today's visit of the famous Giza Plateau with its legendary Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus. Pyramids are truly a one-of-a kind sight for you to stand in front of in awe over the accomplishments of this ancient civilization. A visit toEgypt wouldn't be complete without a visit of the Plateau, as it hosts not only the Pyramids, but also the fantasticGreat Sphinx statue, staring mysteriously at you beside the famous Valley Temple. You must have worked up an appetite being constantly impressed by those architectural miracles, so enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant to recharge. Continue your journey through the Pharaonic cultures of Egpyt at the Egyptian Museum and stand face to face with many of the rulers of this ancient civilization, including legendary child king Tutankhamen. 

After this high dose of pure ancient Egypt, it is time to add something else to your day. Next up today is Coptic Cairo with the famous Hanging Church, known for having its nave being suspended ("hanging") over a passage. Biblical times will come to live as you observe the many impressive christian designs decorating the church. You will also pay a visit to Ben Ezra Synagogue, where, as legend has it, baby Moses was found. Last stop of the day will then be Islamic Cairo, bringing you back from the historical sites in the center of Old Cairo to the modern side of Cairo in a heartbeat, when setting foot into Cairo's old bazaar Khan El Khalili.

Aswan

Day 3: The Nubian Hospitality

Enjoy breakfast aboard as you arrive in Aswan and move on afterwards to your next moving home for the next few nights, a beautiful Nile River cruise ready to bring you toEgypt's highlights as you enjoy wonderfully scenic views of the Nile. After embarkation and a first delicious lunch aboard it's time to explore Aswan. On the menu today are the impressive High Dam, vital for Egypt's economy, and the Philae temple complex devoted to goddesses Isis and Hathor. Visit afterwards the source for many of Egypt's great ancient monuments, the Aswan stone quarries. Situated here is the largest known ancient obelisk, the ironically enough yet still Unfinished Obelisk. After those interesting, yet probably slightly dusty experiences, you'll be happy to hear today's trip leads you back to your cruise for a refreshing dinner and an afterwards leisurely evening and night on board.

Kom Ombo - Edfu

Day 4: The Sentinel Falcon

It's time to make some progress sailing up that beautiful Nile. Over breakfast your reliable cruise ship will sail youtowards Kom Ombo for your first stop of the day. Here, you learn about the unique design and fascnating history of the double temple of Kom Ombo from the Ptolemaic dynasty. Back on your cruise you can take in the landscape passing by as you're sailing towards Edfu over lunch. Pay the falcon god Horus a visit at the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt, the Edfu Horus templeand discover its historical importance up close. Wet your whistle with some tasty afternoon tea back on your floating home of these days before dinner as you sail towards Esna for the night.

Luxor

Day 5: Kings' Valley Greatness

Anchors aweigh in today's early morning, when your delightful Nile cruise ship will bring you towards Luxor, the city of palaces. This metropolis of ancient Egyptsurely is a who's who of Pharaoic royalty for you to meet upon your visit of the royal cemetery situated on the west bank of Luxor. In the amazing Valley of the Kings 62 Pharaos lay buried in elaborately decorated tombs as it was the principal burial place of major royal figures ofEgypt's New Kingdom for over 500 years. One of those figures was Queen Hatshepsut, whose mortuary templelies close to the Valley. Here you can follow the footprints of this influential ruler of her time in the 15th century BC, considered to be maybe the first known great woman of history. If you aren't too awestruck by now, you may be after the next royal highlight, the two massive testimonial stone statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. After all these awe-inspiring encounters, you will resort back to your beloved cruise to not only digest those memorable impressions but also the quality meals you have come to know and love by now. 

Luxor - Hurghada

Day 6: Enjoy & Relax at Red Sea!

Full of energy, you are ready to visit what many call the world's greatest open air museum, the terrific Karnak and Luxor temples. Situated right in the middle of the city of Luxor, the vast area is home to many impressive temples, obelisks and chapels.

Leave Luxor behind to head out to the fantastic beaches of the Red Sea. Leave the Nile and Luxor behind then andtackle the desert ony our way East to the beautiful beach resort town of Hurghada. Take in the scenery of the Egyptian desert on the way and get yourself ready for some ocean and beach fun to relax with the entire family right ahead of you over the next few days. Check into the hotel and check it out right away upon your arrival in Hurghada and be sure to check your luggage for swimwear before getting a good night's sleep, for you will need it over the next few days.

Hurghada

Day 7: Snorkeling Lovers are invited

Today, take a well-deserved break enjoying a fantastic snorkeling trip in the Red Sea with desert island relaxation, Lunch will be served aboard the boat with free mineral water, soft drinks, coffee and tea, then transfer to your hotel and stay the rest of the day at leisure

Hurghada

Day 8: Explore the Desert and the Bedouin Life

Today, you will have a thrilling desert experience! You will get to know another local ethnic group after the Nubians with the Bedouins during a Bedouin Desert Adventure tour by Jeep. Head out to meet this friendly people and learn their way of life, and you will enjoy amazing sunset view with barbeque dinner and Bedouin show and folkloric dance.

Cairo

Day 9: Back to the Capital

In the morning it is time to say goodbye to your favorite Red Sea Beach, heading to the Hurghada airport. Via a quick flight with Egyptair you will soon havearrived back in Cairo, where you will be met at the airport to be taken to the hotel.There are too many intriguing corners in Cairo to see them all, but today you can do your best to see just the ones you like with the day at your free disposal. Discover the diverse sides of Cairo all on your own to your specific liking or let yourself be inspired bymany optional tours. These include, but are by no means limited to such unique opportunities like cruising on the Nile in a traditional Felucca boat or a tour to a Pharaoic village. The choice is yours, be assured you won't be bored in vibrant Cairo one bit. Enjoy one last night in Egypt back at your hotel later in the evening.

Cairo

Day 10: Egypt will miss you

Can you believe how quickly these 10 days flew by? It is indeed already your last day in enchanting Egypt, home of the Pharaos and their ancient civilization. Invaluable memories will accompany you home, of the legendary Great Pyramids, of bustling Cairo and of crusing down the mighty Nile in style. Start making your inner highlight list during some last free leisure time and theride to the airport. Once here, you will have to leave Cairo and Egypt behind, your head and heart filled to the brim with fantastic impressions.