Christmas / New Year’s Eve / Epiphany in Cairo and Alexandria

Departure from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport for Aswan via Cairo. Arrival. Pick-up from local representatives, transfer to hotel, dinner and overnight stay. (meals: dinner).

After breakfast, we set off for one of the most beautiful experiences of our trip to Aswan. A boat will take us to the picturesque island of Philae, home to the famous Temple of Isis—one of ancient Egypt’s most significant and best-preserved sanctuaries. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, patroness of motherhood and magic, the temple impresses with its elegant architecture, exquisite reliefs, and unique setting. Following the creation of Lake Nasser, the entire structure was relocated to its current site as part of the international effort to rescue the monuments of Nubia. Next, we visit the imposing Aswan High Dam—one of the 20th century's most significant engineering feats—which controls the flow of the Nile and played a pivotal role in modern Egypt’s development, while also creating the country’s largest artificial lake, Lake Nasser. Our day concludes with a relaxing ride on a traditional felucca across the serene waters of the Nile. As we sail past Aswan’s lush Botanical Garden, we will enjoy unique views of the Nubian landscape, while spotting the imposing Aga Khan Mausoleum, which stands prominently overlooking the river's west bank. An idyllic experience that highlights the charm and tranquility of Aswan. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. (meals: breakfast, dinner).

Breakfast at the hotel and early morning departure by road for one of the most impressive excursions in Upper Egypt, to the imposing temples of Abu Simbel, one of the greatest monuments of world cultural heritage and a masterpiece of pharaonic architecture. These two rock-cut temples, dedicated to Pharaoh Ramses II and his Great Royal Wife Nefertari, were built in the 13th century BC on the banks of the Nile to project the power of the Egyptian kingdom along its southern borders. Following the construction of the Aswan High Dam and the creation of Lake Nasser, the temples faced the threat of submersion. As part of a massive international rescue operation under the auspices of UNESCO, they were dismantled into thousands of stone blocks and reassembled in 1968 at a higher elevation within the Libyan Range, while preserving their original orientation with absolute precision. Dominating the façade of the Great Temple of Ramses II are four colossal seated statues, standing approximately 20 meters tall; they depict the all-powerful Pharaoh gazing eastward, wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. At the base of the statues, smaller figures of the royal family are visible, including his mother, his beloved wife Nefertari, and their children. Next, we visit the smaller yet equally impressive Temple of Nefertari, dedicated to the queen and the goddess Hathor. Its facade is adorned with six imposing statues, in which Nefertari is depicted in equal size with Ramses II, an extremely rare occurrence in Egyptian art and indicative of the special position she held next to the Pharaoh. After the tour concludes, we return to Aswan by road. The rest of the day is at leisure for resting, strolling along the waterfront promenade (Corniche), shopping in the colorful local markets, or simply enjoying the relaxed pace of Egypt’s southernmost city. Transfer to the cruise ship and check-in. (breakfast, meal, dinner, and overnight stay on board).

After breakfast, our Aswan experience concludes with a relaxing motorboat ride on the tranquil waters of the Nile, heading toward an authentic Nubian village. There, we will have the opportunity to experience Nubian culture firsthand, wander among colorful houses adorned with distinctive paintings, learn about local customs and the residents' hospitable way of life, and sample traditional tea or local products. It is a unique experience that offers a different perspective of Egypt, beyond its archaeological treasures. We continue our cruise along the legendary Nile, leaving the Nubian landscape behind as we sail toward Luxor. As the ship traverses this historic river, sandy banks and golden desert expanses gradually give way to fertile farmland, lush palm groves, and small traditional villages, offering unique glimpses of daily life in Upper Egypt. En route, we stop at the impressive Temple of Kom Ombo, one of Egypt’s most distinctive temples. Built on the banks of the Nile during the Ptolemaic period, it is the only twin temple in the country, as it was dedicated simultaneously to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, protector of fertility and the waters of the Nile, and Horoeri (Horo the Elder), the falcon god, symbol of royal power and protection. During our tour, we will admire the temple's perfectly symmetrical architecture, the exceptionally well-preserved reliefs depicting religious ceremonies, and the unique representations of ancient surgical and medical instruments, which attest to the ancient Egyptians' advanced level of knowledge. From the temple grounds, we also enjoy a magnificent view of the Nile, creating one of the cruise's most iconic scenes. After the visit, we return to the cruise ship and continue our journey toward Luxor, enjoying the ship's amenities and the unique atmosphere of cruising along Africa's greatest river. (breakfast, meal, dinner, and overnight stay on board).

After breakfast we continue our cruise on the Nile, crossing the famous dam and locks of Esna, the impressive point where the river level is regulated and ships are raised or lowered to continue their journey. Passing through this «key to the Nile» is one of the cruise's most unique experiences. Next, we arrive in Edfu to visit the imposing Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in ancient Egypt. Dedicated to the god Horus, the falcon god and protector of the Pharaohs, the temple impresses with its monumental pillar, imposing courtyards, elaborate inscriptions and reliefs that narrate the myths and religious ceremonies of the Ptolemaic era. Our cruise continues toward Luxor, the great capital of ancient Theban Egypt. Return to the cruise ship. (breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board).

After breakfast we begin our tour of the west bank of the Nile, to ancient Thebes, the legendary «City of the Dead», where the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom created their impressive royal necropolises. Our first stop is the famous Valley of the Kings, where over 60 rock-cut royal tombs have been discovered, adorned with unique wall paintings and hieroglyphic inscriptions. The area houses the tombs of great Pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses II; the visit includes entry to three of the royal tombs currently open to the public. We continue to the imposing mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the most significant female Pharaoh of ancient Egypt. Her unique three-tiered temple, harmoniously built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, stands as a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture. Our tour concludes at the famous Colossi of Memnon, the two giant reclining statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which have stood proudly at the entrance to the necropolis of Thebes for more than 3,400 years. We continue our tour on the east bank of the Nile, the heart of ancient Thebes and home to some of ancient Egypt's most significant religious monuments. Lunch at a local restaurant. Our next stop is the imposing Luxor Temple, one of the greatest masterpieces of Pharaonic architecture. Built primarily by Pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II, the temple was dedicated to the god Amun-Ra. During our visit, we will admire the impressive colonnades, the colossal statues of Ramses II, the obelisks, and the reliefs that recount moments from the glorious history of ancient Egypt. We then follow the legendary Avenue of the Sphinxes, the ancient ceremonial road that connected the Luxor Temple with the magnificent Karnak complex. There, we will visit the largest religious complex ever built in ancient Egypt, dedicated to the Theban Triad: Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. We will tour the renowned Great Hypostyle Hall with its colossal columns and view the obelisks, sacred lakes, and impressive reliefs that bear witness to the power and grandeur of the Pharaohs. After the tour, we will transfer to Luxor Airport to board our domestic flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in the Egyptian capital, we will meet our local representative and transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay. (meals: breakfast, meal).

After breakfast, we depart for Saqqara, one of ancient Egypt’s most important and oldest necropolises; it forms an integral part of the Memphis necropolis area and continues to yield impressive archaeological finds to this day. Our first stop is the famous Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser, the first monumental building made of carved stone in the history of mankind and the forerunner of all the pyramids that followed. Designed by the brilliant architect and physician Imhotep, it is considered one of the greatest achievements of ancient architecture and marks the dawn of the pyramid age. We will then tour the vast archaeological site of Saqqara, where ongoing excavations constantly bring to light new tombs, sarcophagi, statues, and precious artifacts, revealing invaluable information about the lives and burial customs of the ancient Egyptians. We will also visit the Imhotep Museum, which houses unique finds from Saqqara spanning various periods of Egyptian history. Among the most important exhibits stands out the mummy of King Merenre I, one of the oldest surviving royal mummies, dating back to the 6th Dynasty, as well as impressive sculptures, reliefs, vases and everyday objects that illuminate the evolution of ancient Egyptian civilization. Our tour continues with a visit to the Pyramid of Unas, the last Pharaoh of the 5th Dynasty. This pyramid is world-famous, as inside it are preserved the famous Pyramid Texts, the oldest known religious inscriptions of humanity, engraved on the walls of the burial chamber, which were intended to guide the Pharaoh on his journey to the afterlife. Afterward, we enjoy a meal at a traditional Cairo restaurant and conclude the day by visiting Egypt’s most iconic monument complex: the Pyramids of Giza. We will admire up close the Great Pyramid of Cheops, as well as the pyramids of Khafre and Mykerinos, the only surviving of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which still inspire awe with their size and perfection of construction. Our tour concludes in front of the mysterious Great Sphinx, the imposing monument with the body of a lion and a human face, which has silently guarded the Giza Plateau for more than 4,500 years and is one of the most recognizable symbols of Egypt. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay. (meals: breakfast, meal).

After breakfast, our day is dedicated to one of the most significant cultural projects of the 21st century: the impressive Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization. Situated in a prime location overlooking the Giza Pyramids, the museum is a true architectural masterpiece that blends modern aesthetics with the timeless heritage of ancient Egypt. During our tour we will admire the imposing statue of Ramses II that welcomes visitors at the main entrance, the majestic Stepped Staircase with its colossal sculptures, and the modern exhibition halls that present more than 100,000 archaeological objects, covering all periods of Egyptian history, from prehistoric times to the Roman era. A highlight is the unique collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures, displayed here almost in its entirety for the first time and including hundreds of objects never before shown to the public. Through innovative interactive displays and a modern exhibition approach, the museum offers a comprehensive experience, allowing visitors to discover one of humanity's most important civilizations. A lunch break at the museum restaurant will follow before we continue our tour of its impressive collections. In the afternoon, we head to the historic Khan el-Khalili bazaar, the commercial heart of Old Cairo for over six centuries. In its atmospheric alleys, among traditional cafes, artisan workshops and colorful shops, we will discover unique handmade items, jewelry, perfumes, spices, fabrics and souvenirs, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the Egyptian market and the authentic pulse of the city. After the tour concludes, we return to our hotel. (meals: breakfast, meal).

After breakfast, we depart by modern, air-conditioned coach for Alexandria, the legendary city founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC on the Mediterranean coast. The route takes about three hours and takes us to the second largest city in Egypt, a place where ancient Greek heritage, Roman history and modern Egyptian life meet. For over three centuries, Alexandria served as the capital of Egypt and stood as one of the ancient world’s most important intellectual and commercial hubs. In more recent times, it experienced a new era of prosperity under Muhammad Ali, while its multicultural character inspired great literary figures, including the renowned Alexandrian poet Constantine Cavafy. Our tour begins at the modern Library of Alexandria (Bibliotheca Alexandrina), an impressive architectural landmark that symbolically carries on the legacy of the ancient, legendary library and stands today as one of the Mediterranean’s most significant cultural centers. We then visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, one of the oldest Patriarchates in the Christian world, as well as the house of Constantine Cavafy, where the great Greek poet lived and created, whose work remains inextricably linked to the city. We then visit the famous Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a unique burial complex where elements of Egyptian, Hellenistic, and Roman art coexist harmoniously, followed by the Greco-Roman Museum, which houses rare artifacts showcasing Alexandria's history during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. During our tour we will enjoy panoramic views of the picturesque harbor of Alexandria and see the imposing Fortress of Sultan Kaitbey, which was built in the 15th century on the site where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once stood. Lunch at a hotel. Return to Cairo. Overnight stay. (meals: breakfast, meal).

After breakfast, we depart for the historic Citadel of Cairo (Citadel of Saladin), one of the most significant monuments of Islamic Egypt. Built in 1176 by the legendary Saladin to protect the city from Crusader raids, the Citadel served as Egypt's administrative and political center for nearly seven centuries. Its walls offer panoramic views of Cairo, while its interior houses important historical monuments. A top attraction is the imposing Mosque of Muhammad Ali, also known as the "Alabaster Mosque", which was erected in the 19th century and is a characteristic example of Ottoman architecture. With its impressive domes, slender minarets, and lavish interior décor, it ranks among the Egyptian capital's most iconic landmarks. Next, we visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, one of the country's most important and modern museums. Its rich collections showcase the evolution of Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day, highlighting the region's unique historical continuity. A special place is occupied by the famous Hall of Royal Mummies, where the mummies of 22 pharaohs and queens are kept, including Ramses II, Seti I and Hatshepsut, offering a unique experience of getting to know the most important personalities of ancient Egypt. After the tour concludes, we transfer to Cairo Airport for our return flight to Athens. (Meals: breakfast).