Festive King Ramses
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TOUR: Spend Christmas and New Year in sunny Egypt! Explore legendary pyramids and ancient temples, sail down the Nile, discover the Valley of the Kings, and spend three days relaxing by the Red Sea in Hurghada.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to your Egyptian adventure
Day 1 Welcome to your Egyptian adventure
Welcome to Cairo, Egypt's bustling capital. You will be met at Cairo Airport and transferred to our start hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, or those arriving early may wish to book our Backstreets of Cairo tour which visits lesser known highlights of the capital including Tahrir Square, the hub of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution.
You may also extend your stay in Cairo with our pre or post tour accommodation or tour add-ons like our Alexandria Day Trip.
Day 2 Pyramids & Saqqara
Day 2 Pyramids & Saqqara
Get ready for a memorable day! Today we explore the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the iconic Sphinx at the Giza Plateau. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! A stop will be made at a government supervised papyrus emporium, and then we travel on to explore the sand-strewn tombs and temples of the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, home to the Zhoser’s Step Pyramid.
Day 3 The Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 3 The Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Aswan. This morning we’ll travel to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses a giant exhibition containing the treasures of King Tutankhamun. Many pieces on show are being displayed for the first time and artefacts have been brought together from across Egypt and the world to this one location. The museum also makes use of new technology including virtual reality.
After our guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum we head over to National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to visit the fascinating Royal Mummies' Hall where the mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens are on display. Then there's time to relax back at the hotel before we board the night train to Aswan this evening.
Please Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024, though an official opening date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility we'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead.
Day 4 Beautiful Philae Temple
Day 4 Beautiful Philae Temple
After arrival to Aswan and hotel check-in, we enjoy a boat trip to Agilika Island where we’ll discover the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. On return to Aswan we’ll make a stop at a perfume oil emporium. Spend the remainder of the evening at your own leisure - shop in the colourful souqs or simply kick back and relax.
Day 5 Optional excursion to Abu Simbel & Felucca sailing
Day 5 Optional excursion to Abu Simbel & Felucca sailing
Aswan - Nile felucca sailing. Optional early morning excursion to the magnificent rock-cut Temples of Abu Simbel, built by mighty King Ramses II. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream on the River Nile. Relax and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route. Stops are made en route for swimming and visiting local villages.
If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise, please see 'Cruise Upgrade Prices & Dates' tab above for details.
Day 6 Felucca sailing & Kom Ombo
Day 6 Felucca sailing & Kom Ombo
Nile felucca sailing - Kom Ombo. Relax, go for a swim or just chill out in the sun on deck. Let your troubles melt away, as the felucca plies its route. In the afternoon we dock near Kom Ombo and take a motorboat to visit the temple before returning to the felucca for the night.
Day 7 Luxor & optional visit to the Temple of Luxor
Day 7 Luxor & optional visit to the Temple of Luxor
Kom Ombo - Luxor. This morning we disembark and drive to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at its best! Enjoy some rest and relaxation and then tonight, we have the opportunity to visit Luxor Temple with dinner afterwards. Luxor Temple was built by Amenhotep III and looks stunning at night when it's illuminated by hundreds of lights (book/pay locally), alternatively simply enjoy the facilities of our hotel.
Day 8 Valley of the Kings
Day 8 Valley of the Kings
Today we discover the West Bank of the Nile and the legendary Valley of the Kings and some its many tombs. Marvel at Colossi of Memnon, the massive stone remains of the Temple of Amenophis III, before exploring the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and surrounding tombs.
After lunch, we visit the Temple of Karnak, a spectacular religious complex built on a gigantic scale, where you get lost wandering around the stone papyrus columns. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Day 9 Red Sea Riviera
Day 9 Red Sea Riviera
Luxor - Hurghada. Today we drive to the coastal town of Hurghada, which will be our base for the next few days. Hurghada is one of the Red Sea's most popular resorts and it is easy to see why. Hotels and expanded infrastructure provide holidaymakers with excellent aquatic facilities for sail boarding, yachting, deep-sea fishing, SCUBA diving and snorkelling.
Days 10-11 Sun, sea & sand
Days 10-11 Sun, sea & sand
The next 2 days are free to explore Hurghada or simply relax. There's is an optional day trip to Giftun Island for swimming and snorkelling, which can be booked locally.
Hurghada’s central location provides a gateway to prime offshore reefs, which are some of the finest in the world. Hurghada also has plenty of restaurants and late night bars for evening entertainment. Just outside Hurghada is an ancient Roman quarry called Mons Porphyrites and Port Safaga – a famously windy place which is ideal for windsurfing.
Day 12 Travel back to Cairo
Day 12 Travel back to Cairo
Hurghada - Cairo. This morning we drive to Cairo where the remainder of today is free for you to relax or explore Egypt’s capital at leisure. Or you can opt to join us on a excursion to Khan el Khalili Bazaar, the ideal place for some last minute souvenir shopping.
Day 13 Cairo
Day 13 Cairo
Our holiday comes to an end and we bid farewell to our guide and fellow travellers. Included airport departure transfer.
For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our travel guide.
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Prices & Dates
Hotels
Overlooking the Nile and offering distant views of the Great Pyramids of Giza, this Holiday Inn provides the perfect location for your stay in Cairo. Each guestroom features a balcony (not Nile View as standard) and is well-equipped with modern amenities including free WiFi. Evenings can be spent enjoying international or Egyptian cuisine and unwinding with a cocktail at one of the hotel’s bars. Thanks to the friendly hotel staff, you’ll soon feel at home. And with panoramic views of the city from the rooftop lounge and pool, there’s no better place to base yourself for exploring Egypt’s ancient wonders.
When travelling on an overnight train in Egypt, sleeper carriages offer the highest level of comfort. Cabins are equipped with two beds (one above the other), a basin, electric points and air conditioning. Freshly laundered bedding is provided and in the early evening an attendant will come round and make up your bed for you. The carriages have toilets at each end and there is a club car which serves snacks and beverages. In the morning a very basic breakfast is provided.
The Sonesta Hotel & Casino is a sophisticated and luxurious hotel offering spacious, en-suit rooms with opulent furnishings. Enjoy a cocktail at the poolside bar or indulge in a relaxing massage or Turkish steam bath at the full-service spa. With 5 restaurants located within the hotel you'll be spoilt for choice over dining options.
The Holiday Inn Cairo City Stars Hotel is an ideal base for exploring the modern and historic attractions of Egypt's capital. Rooms are spacious, offering a flatscreen TV and private bathroom. There are restaurants on site, including the rooftop garden that offers panoramic views of the city.
Radisson Blu is in the Heliopolis area of Cairo, just 3 kms from Cairo International Airport. Providing spacious, well appointed guest rooms with amenities such as a daily newspaper and turndown service, the hotel is the perfect oasis for guests visiting the city. Its two restaurants, lobby lounge, and gourmet bakery offer a range of culinary choices. To top it all off, the hotel boasts a rooftop spa and pool with panoramic Cairo views.
Set in manicured gardens, the Helnan Aswan is an elegant hotel with impressive views of the Nile. Guest rooms are spacious with modern interiors and located next to the beautiful pool. Wi-fi is available in the lobby and by the pool. There are also two restaurants and bars, a bowling alley, a swimming pool and a cinema. Why not relax by the pool before exploring the rest of Aswan.
Feluccas are simple, traditional Egyptian sailboats that have plied the Nile since ancient times. Feluccas carry between 10 - 12 passengers comfortably. The boat’s deck is draped with soft colourful cushions that serve as your lounging area during the day and as your sleeping area at night. A support boat travels alongside your felucca and is on hand if you need to use the toilet. The support boat is also where your meals are prepared and eaten. You'll need to bring a sleeping bag/sheet (or hire for a nominal cost) and a towel with you. The crew, as well as being experienced sailors, are responsible for the preparation of the included meals.
An elegant and luxurious classical hotel, the Sonesta's sophistication will ensure you a comfortable stay. The hotel has a sweeping terrace with fantastic views of the Nile, a grand entrance of polished marble and handsomely appointed furnishings with exquisite detail and a beautiful health spa. All its rooms offer views of the city or the river, complemented by a wide range of restaurants and cafes. Just minutes away you will find the temples at Luxor and Karnak, home to two of ancient Egypt's most famed sanctuaries.
The Steigenburger Nile Palace is a grand hotel and stylishly furnished, with many rooms overlooking the Nile River. The hotel has a health club with massage rooms, sauna, steam room and fitness room, and a tennis court on the roof, not to mention a riverside pool. Its four restaurants offer a choice between Nubian, Lebanese, Italian, and Thai cuisine.
The Marriott Beach Resort is a luxurious beachfront hotel, with every room enjoying a view of the Red Sea and Hurghada city centre just a few minutes drive away. There is a choice of 8 restaurants and bars for hungry travellers, and a health club, tennis & squash courts, and fitness centre to stay in shape. During the day, soak in the heated outdoor pool or book a watersport activity. The hotel even has its own private island if you fancy a massage among the palm trees.
Set in tropical gardens, the Swiss Inn Resort makes for a comfortable and relaxing stay. The property is equipped with large swimming pools and a private beach. All rooms have a balcony or terrace with views of the garden, pools or sea. Guests can work out in the onsite fitness centre, get active at the watersports centre, enjoy a game of tennis or simply relax with a drink in one of the many bars or lounges.
Tucked into Hurghada Bay, right on its scenic promenade, the Continental is a delightful beachfront resort boasting fantastic terraced rooms (many with seaviews) and excellent facilities. Watersports are in abundance here with swimming pools, scuba diving and snorkelling all readily available. A leisure club offers a sauna and spa treatments to relax after the day's activities. You can also wine and dine at one of the many great restaurants and bars.
Tour Reviews
Firsty my Guide - Mohamed Saiid - Momo. What a wonderful gentle soul. Mo was a delight. His enthusiasm, knowlege and passion for all things Egypt is commendable. Mo's Egyptology was outstanding which he delivered with humour that enabled us to absorb and retain the information better - he had an excellent take on when we were getting information overload and would adapt his commentary to suit. We had a wonderful group of people but a diverse range of personalities, some with quite strong views of how things should be done, which at times was extremely difficult for Mo to co-ordinate the group but I think he did a wonderful job of accommodating the majority whilst appeasing the minority. A special delight was Mo sharing life of everyday Egyptians by taking us for coffee and tea in small coffee shops in the shisha aroma filled lanes - a true dleight. SECONDLY THE TRIP ITSELF - for me - 9 /10 - The tour showed us major Egyptian must do's - the Pyramids, Abu Simbel, Phillae Temple, Luxor, Karnak, Colossi of Memnon and the amazing Valley of the Kings. We got to swim in the Nile, cruise down it and then ended up at the Red Sea where we could view the coral and fishes through the glass enclosures of the semi-sub and then snorkel amongst the fishes. Finally we ended our tour with a visit to the Egyptian Museum where we saw the Royal Mummies and of course the highlight - everything Tutankhamun! I found the Egyptian people to be very friendly and accommodating and personally I felt very at ease the entire trip. To make the tour a 10/10 for me - an extra day in Luxor and Aswan and only 2 days in Hurghada would be the way to go. Egypt - definitley a bucket list item that you would not regret taking.
It has been a dream of mine for many years to visit Egypt and this year I decided to stop day dreaming about going and actually book a Christmas trip. I have travelled with On The Go before so I knew that the trip would be good, but in reality it was superb and that was because of our fantastic guide Momo. Momo is one of the best tour guides I have come across. He is really passionate about Egypt and it clearly brings him great joy to share his extensive knowledge with people who are eager to soak up the rich culture and history of the country. Momo guided us around some of the most awe inspiring sights I have ever seen including the Pyramids, Philae Temple, Valley of the Kings and Karnak. This trip really was superb and I would recommend Egypt to anyone as a wonderful place to visit.
Hello On The Go team, I wanted to share my delight and awesome experience on our recent tour of Egypt, 14 day King Ramses tour. This trip was made special by our wonderful guide, Mahmoud Ramadan. Mahmoud looked after our group and each individual each moment, was always available for questions, a chat, a photo and how can you miss that smile, can’t help smiling with him. Mahmoud’s Egyptian knowledge was remarkable, with his excellent communication skills and talks, we came away knowing so so much more than expected, even started to understand the hieroglyphics! Now returned home to Australia , we are telling everyone we know to go Egypt, and with On The Go tours. Thanks again, and a big Thankyou to Mahmoud Ramadan.
Momo truly made our experience an unforgettable one. Coming from the travel industry, it’s amazing to be part of such a great tour and for me to experience what my clients will experience. Momo has made sure my complete faith in your company remains and I felt honoured to become part of his family. Momo shared his vast knowledge with us, he made learning about the history easy and fun and he made sure everyone was always looked after and happy. He went above and beyond what anyone could have ever expected from him multiple times and for that I can’t thank him enough. Momo, you made us feel the love you have for your beautiful country and you shared a really special bond with all of us. Your witty humour, your care and respect for all members of our new found family, your knowledge and facts and your beautiful smile made this a tour to remember forever. Thank you for being the wonderful person you, for being the phenomenal tour guide you are and for sharing your country with us, you are an incredible person!
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour through Egypt. Our guide has exceptional knowledge of both the ancient and modern history of Egypt which he delivered in a clear and understandable manner. As the tour leader he was very approachable and really helped bring the group together and form a 'family' group while we were away. We met some wonderful friends and made some great memories. Would highly recommend this tour.
Extras and add-ons
Alexandria Day Trip
Carry on your Egyptian affair before or after your tour, with a day trip (including lunch) to amazing Alexandria on the Mediterranean Coast. Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria boasts wonderful beaches and an impressive seafront corniche, along which are dotted cafes and restaurants, as well as catacombs, a fortress, souks and relics from a bygone age.
Abu Simbel by Road
Possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with its gargantuan rock-cut facade is the magnificent Abu Simbel. Guarding the entrance to the temple are 4 colossal seated statues of the pharaoh himself, staring out across Lake Nasser.
Backstreets of Cairo
Discover some of Cairo’s most fascinating neighbourhoods and get off the beaten track on this Backstreets of Cairo tour. Stroll through the bustling Downtown and explore the beautiful mosques and monuments of Islamic Cairo’s spectacular El Moez Street, before bartering for goods at Khan el Khalili Bazaar. Then learn about the life of the Zabbaleen waste pickers before visiting the famous Cave Church of St Simon.
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