This comprehensive tour of Egypt is designed especially for families wanting a time exploring some of Egypt's most well-known ancient sites, along with more active trips for the children, combined with some quality time relaxing by the Red Sea. We keep our group sizes small, and select our family friendly guides to help bring Egypt alive for both children and parents alike. Including a fun camel ride, traditional felucca cruise on the Nile, awesome sightseeing, and a stop at a beach resort by the Red Sea, this family tour will create memories to last a lifetime.
We start this family tour in Cairo with a visit to the awe-inspiring Pyramids and Sphinx, followed by a trip to the vast Egyptian Museum - famous for its Tutankhamun exhibition and creepy mummy room. Next, we climb aboard the overnight sleeper train and wend our way south to the picturesque town of Aswan on the banks of the River Nile. Here we visit the temple of Philae, join in on an English/Arabic language session at a local school (term times only), and enjoy a traditionally prepared Nubian meal. There is also an early morning option to visit the amazing Sun Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel. Leaving Aswan behind we float down the River Nile on board a traditional Egyptian felucca sailboat taking in the rural scenery along the way. In Luxor, we delve underground into the ancient pharaonic tombs of the Valley of the Kings and marvel at the vast temple complex of Karnak. We next drive to the Red Sea at Hurghada to enjoy a relaxing 3-day beach stay before catching the flight back to Cairo. We finish off our Egyptian adventure with a tour of Cairo, including the Citadel and Khan-el-Khalili bazaar and farewell dinner, then transfer you back to the airport for your flight home.
Upon your arrival at Cairo airport, we meet & greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to settle into your hotel and relax after your journey or perhaps head out into the city.
Our day starts with a visit to the monumental Pyramids & Sphinx at Gisa, one of the seven wonders of the anciant world. Whilst at the Pyramids we a short camel ride, which is not only fun for all the family, but a perfect photo opportunity as well. We next drive into downtown Cairo to explore the Egyptian Museum with its collection of ancient artefacts, mummies, and of course the world famous Tutankhamun exhibit, complete with the iconic golden funerary mask. Later in the evening we climb on board the overnight sleeper train to Aswan (approx. 12 hours, private twin cabins).
We arrive into Aswan around mid-morning. The River Nile is wonderfully picturesque here at Aswan and we start out with a tour to the beautiful island temple of Philae by boat. This beautiful temple was relocated after the building of Lake Nasser. During term times, we'll also stop off a local school where we can join in with a fun and informal English/Arabic language class, which we try to arrange with children of a similar age to your group. There is also a chance to sample a traditional Nubian meal later in the day.
Very early this morning there is an option to take a tour to enjoy sunrise at the stunning temples to Ramses II at Abu Simbel. These fascinating temples were completely dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. If you choose not to take the optional Abu Simbel tour, the morning is free for you to enjoy Aswan's busy and exotic bazaar, or perhaps relax at the hotel before we jump board our traditional felucca sailboat and start our sailing down the Nile. We enjoy a fun night's sleep on the deck of the sailboat and are well looked after by our friendly Nubian crew. During the voyage, clean toilets & showers are available on board our support boat which joins up with the felucca from time to time (there is also an option to upgrade to an extra night in the hotel in Aswan in place of sleeping on the felucca).
After breakfast, we spend some more time sailing down the Nile enjoying the picturesque scenery pass by. We then drive on to Luxor where we check into our hotel, which is situated right by the Nile. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax at the hotel or venture out in Luxor to explore the site and sounds of this fascinating town.
Early this morning there is the option to take a sunrise hot air balloon flight on the west bank of the Nile. Our sightseeing today takes us to the West bank of the Nile, where we descend into the musty Pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and explore the unique temple to Queen Hatchepsut, where we learn about her intriguing story. The afternoon is set aside for you to relax at your hotel, or perhaps explore Luxor town further. You might like to take another felucca trip on the Nile to Banana island, or visit the weird and wonderful Mummification museum.
This morning we visit one of Egypt's biggest and most impressive sites, Karnak temple, with its vast temples, sleek obelisks, towering statues and many columned halls. After lunch, we take a drive through the hills across to the Red Sea for a few days or relaxation at our beach resort in Hurghada (half board basis). There is the option to upgrade to all inclusive, or to swap the resort to a higher level or different style.
The next three days are completely free to relax in and around the resort pool and beach, or to have a go at some of the watersports or other activities on offer. There's lots to do in and around Hurghada, including snorkelling and scuba diving over the beautiful coral reefs, various water sports and fun water parks, adventurous camel rides into the desert, and the old town and marina in Hurghada are also worth exploring.
This morning we transfer to the local airport for our flight with Egypt Air back to Cairo. On arrival back in Cairo we take a short tour to explore the city. We take in the old mosque and museum at the Citadel, which also offers a wonder view over the city, and wander around, and possibly do some haggling and souvenir hunting, in the mazy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We'll stop of at a traditional Koshari shop to enjoy lunch, and later in the evening we include a tasty farewell dinner to say goodbye to your local guide and your fellow travellers.
Today your tour ends and you can enjoy some free time doing a little more shopping or sightseeing before we transfer you to airport for your flight home.
Hotel Gala Dinners
Many of Egypt's hotels and Nile cruise boats arrange a very special gala dinner in the evening on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Payment for these is often optional on Christmas Eve (24 Dec) but may be compulsory on New Year's Eve (31 Dec), whether you attend or not. Prices can range from around US$50 to over US$150 per person. Final decisions on prices and whether dinners are compulsory are made relatively close to the time. Gala dinner prices are therefore not included in our prices above, and will be added to your booking if required. More information is available on request.