12-Day Christmas Egypt Tour – Cairo, Nile Cruise & Sharm El Sheikh

12-Day Christmas Egypt Tour – Cairo, Nile Cruise & Sharm El Sheikh

This 12-day Christmas Egypt tour with Cairo, Nile Cruise and Sharm El Sheikh combines ancient history, Nile cruising and a longer Red Sea stay. It is designed for travelers who want a relaxed festive holiday rather than a fast-moving sightseeing program, with enough time to explore Cairo and Upper Egypt before finishing on the beaches of Sharm El Sheikh.

The itinerary includes Cairo and Giza, Saqqara, Luxor, a Nile cruise through Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan, and four nights in Sharm El Sheikh. Abu Simbel can be added as an optional excursion from Aswan before the Red Sea section.

Why Choose a 12-Day Christmas Egypt Tour?

Twelve days gives this route a slower rhythm than a typical one-week Egypt itinerary. You can spend three nights in Cairo, experience the Nile without rushing between temples, and still have several full days at the Red Sea. This makes it especially suitable for couples, families and travelers who want cultural sightseeing plus genuine holiday downtime.

• Cairo & Giza: Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum, Citadel and Old Cairo.
• Saqqara: Step Pyramid of Djoser and the ancient necropolis.
• Upper Egypt: Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan.
• Red Sea: extended stay in Sharm El Sheikh.
• Optional: Abu Simbel excursion from Aswan.

Cairo, Giza and Saqqara

The tour begins with Egypt’s major pyramid sites before moving into historic Cairo. For planning, see our Giza Pyramids guide and Grand Egyptian Museum guide.

Nile Cruise and Upper Egypt

After Cairo, the itinerary continues to Luxor and the Nile. The cruise route includes Luxor’s East and West Banks, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Our Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan guide explains the major stops, while our Philae Temple and Aswan guide gives extra context for the final Upper Egypt section.

Christmas by the Red Sea in Sharm El Sheikh

The last part of the tour is intentionally slower. In Sharm El Sheikh you can relax at the resort or choose optional snorkeling, diving, boat and desert excursions. Our Sharm El Sheikh snorkeling guide covers popular underwater experiences.

If you are deciding between Egypt’s major Red Sea resort areas, read our Sharm El Sheikh vs Hurghada guide.

Who Is This 12-Day Christmas Egypt Tour Best For?

This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want Egypt’s classic cultural highlights but also value several uninterrupted days of relaxation. It works particularly well for Christmas holidays, honeymoons, couples and families who do not want to finish the trip immediately after an intensive sightseeing schedule.

If you want to include Abu Simbel, adjust the cruise direction, change resort nights or choose different hotel standards, request a custom Christmas Egypt itinerary.