4 Days Christmas & New Year Nile Cruise

You will be picked up from your hotel in Aswan in the morning. Then you will meet your own Egyptologist tour guide. We will begin your 4 days Egypt Christmas Nile cruise. First, you will visit key places in Aswan.

Aswan High Dam  
The Aswan High Dam was finished in the mid 1960s. It helped Egypt shift toward the industrial era. It also reduced damage from flood water. At the same time, it produced electricity.

The Unfinished Obelisk  
The Unfinished Obelisk is seen as an important open air museum in Egypt. The stone was carved from the ground so it could be placed near the Karnak temple. The work was done on the order of Queen Hatshepsut, from 1508 to 1458 BC. The carving did not finish, and the obelisk broke during the process. It was planned to reach 42 meters high and weigh about 1000 tons.

Philae Temple  
Philae Temple is known for the story of Osiris. You can see this tale across the temple walls. The walls have remained strong over time. This temple is among the last major temples built in 380 to 362 BC. It later grew during the Ptolemaic era, between 282 and 145 BC, to honor Isis, the goddess linked with motherhood.

Overnight  
When the day ends, you will move to your 5 star deluxe Nile cruise. You will check in and stay overnight on the boat. Meals will be served on board, including lunch and dinner.

Good morning. Eat your breakfast, then begin your visit:

Kom Ombo Temple  
On the opposite side of the Nile River, you will see Kom Ombo Temple. It has two parts, built as a double design. This temple is known as one of the last ancient Egyptian temples. It was built sometime between 180 BC and 47 BC during the Ptolemaic period. The site honors two gods. Haroeris, called Horus the Elder, is linked with the north side. Sobek, the crocodile god of the Nile, is linked with the south side.

Overnight  
After that, keep going on your 4-day Egypt Christmas holiday by cruise. Travel to Edfu and spend the night there. Meals will be provided on board. Lunch and dinner will be served onboard.

In the morning, have your tasty breakfast. After that, meet your guide and go to Edfu Temple.

Edfu Temple is among the largest and best kept temples in Egypt. It was built on sacred ground tied to the story of Horus the sky god and Set. The temple dates to the Ptolemaic period, with construction running from about 237 BC to 57 BC. It stands on the west bank of the Nile and was meant to show strength and bring divine care.

Next, sail on to Luxor. You will stay overnight there. Meals will be served on the cruise, including lunch and dinner.

Finish breakfast on the cruise, then leave the ship and get ready to spend the rest of your Christmas trip in Egypt. This part of the route is in Luxor, so start with these sights:

Valley of the Kings  
Walk into the Valley of the Kings. It is a network of tombs cut into the ground. Visitors can see a set of 63 tombs. They were made for well known kings and queens, along with nobles from the 18th through the 20th dynasties in the New Kingdom, which is dated from 1570 to 1050 BC. Here you can learn about old religious ideas and burial customs from that period.

Hatshepsut Temple  
Next, go to the Hatshepsut Temple. This temple is often described as one of the finest works of its kind. It was cut into the cliffs at Deir El Bahari. The building work is linked to Senenmut, the overseer of works, and it dates to 1479 BCE. The temple was made to honor her deeds and her place as the main wife of Amun.

Colossi of Memnon  
Then stop at the Colossi of Memnon. These seated stone statues were created around 1350 BC under Amenhotep III. Each statue stands about 18 m, or 60 ft, tall. Over the years, people restored and worked on them more than once. In the inscriptions on the statues, you can find details about his life, his family, and his beliefs.

Lunch Time  
Have lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor, then head to:

Karnak Temples  
Spend time at the Karnak Temple Complex. It is a large religious site. Construction stretched from around 1971 BC to 30 BC. It covers phases from the Middle Kingdom through the Ptolemaic era. The complex was made to honor the Theban triad: Mut, Amun, and Khonsu. You will also see major highlights, like the Hypostyle Hall and the Avenue of the Sphinxes.