Egypt Family Holiday - Fun and Discovery

After breakfast at the hotel, get ready to start your Cairo day tour. Our driver and Egyptologist guide will be waiting for you and your family to explore the amazing Pyramids of Giza, which have stood tall for 4,500 years and stand in amazement.

Afterward, make your way to the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's great collections of antiquities. Wander the treasure-filled halls of the Museum. You'll have plenty of time to explore the sites today (approximately 3 hours for the pyramids and 3 hours for the museum).

In the evening, you will board a train to the southern city of Aswan (approximately 13 hours).

Overnight: in Aswan.

Arrive in Aswan in the morning. Here the Nile runs deep and fast between granite rocks as the desert encroaches on the river. Even to travelers in ancient times, Aswan was known as the legendary gateway to the kingdom of Nubia. Today it is still a frontier town where the Arab Middle East meets Africa.

Visiting the packed bazaar is highly recommended in Aswan day tours; you'll find exotic spices, carpets, leather goods, and countless other wares there. Enjoy the sights of donkey carts and men in flowing robes and turbans. In the afternoon, there may be time to visit the Temple of Isis at Philae (optional).

There are many other sites to be seen around Aswan, and your Egyptologist will organize some excursions for you, a camel ride or a trip to the Unfinished Obelisk.

In the evening, you will take a trip across the river to a Nubian village and enjoy dinner at one of the local houses.

Overnight: in Aswan.

Rise for an early visit to the magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel. Later in the day, you and your family will board feluccas (traditional wooden boats with broad canvas sails) to spend a day on the Nile River and enjoy your night under the stars. Watching the sunset aboard our Egypt Nile Cruise is unforgettable, and this part of the trip will be highlighted.

Your Nubian sailing crew on the Felucca will prepare all meals. While there's no cabin or enclosed section on the Felucca, a canopy offers shade and protection from the elements. Conditions are basic, and you will sleep outside on the deck on a mattress. While blankets are provided, a sleeping sheet is recommended. There is a very clean toilet on board. During the colder months (October to March), it can get very cold at night (as low as 5C), so a sleeping bag is highly recommended.

Overnight: aboard the Felucca.

After a delicious breakfast on board the Falucca, you will visit the Temple at Kom Ombo. The temple is indeed dedicated to two gods: Haroeris (Horus the Elder) and the crocodile-headed Sobek, the Egyptian god of the Nile. Check out the many mummified crocodiles on display.

On the East Bank around Kom Ombo, reclaimed land is fed by canals to keep the desert at bay. It supports not only crops of sugar cane but also a large Nubian community displaced from their homeland by the rising waters of Lake Nasser.

Transfer by bus to Luxor (approximately 4 hours), tracing the path of the Nile northward. Upon arrival, we'll have the chance to explore the town's mesmerizing monuments and museums. And for those who want to experience the magic of history in a unique way, we'll have the option to witness the breathtaking sound and light show at Karnak Temple (optional tour extra).

Optional Night Activity: 

• Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple for $150 per person. 

Overnight: in Luxor

After breakfast at the hotel, our driver and guide will take you to the ancient tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings. Rising early, cross the Nile and drive to the secluded valley where 63 pharaohs were buried as part of their journey to the afterlife.

In the company of our expert guide, you will explore some of the exquisitely decorated tombs of these rulers of long ago. It is here that the burial site of the boy-king, Tutankhamun, discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, can be found.

This visit to the Valley of the Kings brings to life much of what you saw in the Egyptian Museum. If you'd like to organize a visit to King Tuts' tomb today, this can be arranged with advance notice. Ask your guide for details.

On your way back to the river, you can see the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's first female ruler, and you'll spend about an hour here. This afternoon you are free to explore Luxor or relax by the hotel pool.

Overnight: in Luxor.

Early this morning, take a horse-drawn carriage to the historic Temple of Karnak, which you will explore with our guide. Explore the magnificent Karnak Temple, perhaps the most impressive of all the ancient Pharoah's monumental works.

In the afternoon, bid farewell to the Nile and drive east to Hurghada. The green Nile valley is soon left behind as you head out into the barren Eastern Desert. Passing through rocky hills, the glittering waters of the Red Sea soon come into view, and the rugged bulk of the Sinai Peninsula looms through the haze on the opposite shore. A vibrant beach resort, Hurghada is by no means a typical adventure destination, and snorkeling here is a great way to round off your Hurghada day tour.

Overnight: in Hurghada.

Set sail this morning on a thrilling adventure to the offshore reefs, where an enchanting underwater paradise awaits. Swim and snorkel among a kaleidoscope of colorful marine life that calls these waters home, and experience the magic of this aquatic world for yourself. With four hours to explore, you'll have ample time to discover the hidden treasures beneath the waves and create memories that will last a lifetime.

After a morning of aquatic exploration, take some time to unwind and relax. If you're feeling adventurous, why not explore the bustling town? The northern part of town is the perfect place to immerse yourself in authentic Egyptian culture. Wander through the vibrant souq and mingle with the friendly locals to gain an insight into their daily way of life.

Overnight: in Hurghada.

Your adventure comes to an end. No activities are planned for the final day, and you can depart from your hotel accommodation anytime. Please check the Finishing Point Hotel section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.