Egyptian Family Adventure

Welcome to Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Our family-friendly hotel is close to the pyramids, meaning there is less distance to cover for our sightseeing tomorrow. Before that, though, we have a welcome briefing either this evening or tomorrow morning – a good chance to get to know the group a little and to ask any questions you may have. Stay: Helnan Dream Hotel (or similar).

Today we enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of two ancient wonders. At Giza, the enigmatic Sphinx and Great Pyramids stand on the edge of the empty desert overlooking the city, providing a great contrast between ancient and modern Egypt. More than 4,000 years old, the pyramids are a testimony to the ingenuity and skill of their builders; in fact, the Great Pyramid, the largest of the pyramids here, is the only Wonder of the Ancient World that still stands.

The afternoon is free to relax at our hotel, explore Cairo or visit the Egyptian Museum – home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world, including the incredible golden riches of Tutankhamun's tomb. Stay: Helnan Dream Hotel (or similar) (B).

After a leisurely start to the day, we transfer to Al Azhar Mosque (can sometimes be closed without prior notice from the authorities), which dates to 970 CE and is the oldest in Cairo. It is still frequently visited by the local population and we need to cover up (long sleeves and trousers) to enter – as when entering all mosques. Women also need to cover their hair with a scarf. We then have time for lunch (own expense) and to explore Al Azhar Park before moving to the historic centre of Islamic Cairo for a walk around the bazaars of Khan el-Khalili.

This evening, we transfer to the railway station and board our sleeper train to Aswan (the ride takes approximately 12 hours). Stay: Sleeper train (B/D).

We arrive in Aswan in the morning. To travellers in ancient times, the town was legendary as the entrance to the Nubian kingdom. Today it's still something of a frontier town and, with a mixed population of Egyptians and Nubians, quite unlike any other in the country. It has always been a trading centre, by virtue of its position on the old caravan route, and we thoroughly recommend exploring the packed bazaar today where merchants display a wealth of spices, carpets, leather goods and countless other wares (this is not an included visit, but easy to do).

There is time to relax after the train journey or to take an optional visit to a nearby Nubian museum before we board a traditional felucca in the afternoon and explore the Nile. Along the way, we have a glimpse of rural life along this fertile valley and the golden dunes beyond. Stay: Basma Hotel (or similar) (B).

We begin today with a visit to the Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam. In the 1970s, the temple was relocated by Unesco to Aglika Island after it became evident the original site of Philae would submerge on completion of the dam. This morning represents a magnificent and enduring testament to both ancient and modern engineering. We drive north after lunch, following the Nile to Luxor (approximately four hours). Known in ancient times as Thebes, Luxor was the capital of Egypt's New Kingdom for some 500 years.

Upon arrival, we may have time to see some of the town before dinner. Stay: Jolie Ville Maritim (or similar) (B).

Rising early, we cross the Nile and drive to the secluded valley where 63 pharaohs were buried as part of their journey to the afterlife. We have time to explore some of the exquisitely decorated tombs of these ancient rulers. It is here the burial site of the boy-king Tutankhamun, discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, is found.

Entry to Tutankhamun's tomb costs approximately US$12, payable locally. In terms of size and decoration, it is not as impressive as many of the other tombs but is, of course, very interesting. After, we visit the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon and stop by the A.C. E animal hospital to learn about the efforts taken to improve animal welfare in Egypt.

Later this evening, we visit Karnak Temple for a sound and light show, which recounts the dramatic history of ancient Thebes in an extravagant and fun way. (This activity may occur on Day 5 depending on schedule) Stay: Jolie Ville Maritim (or similar) (B).

This morning, we leave the green Nile valley and drive through the barren Eastern Desert to the Red Sea (approximately four hours). Our destination is Hurghada, a vibrant beach resort ideally located for activities out at sea and in the nearby desert. After lunch, we board a semi-submersible vessel in the style of a yellow submarine and explore the coral wonderland beneath the surface of the Red Sea. There is also time for snorkelling before returning to dry land. Stay: Sea Star Beau Rivage (or similar) (B/L/D).

Today is free to relax or enjoy the many optional activities in the area (see the Optional Activities section of the trip notes for details of what is available). Stay: Sea Star Beau Rivage (or similar) (B/L/D).

Our trip ends today. We bid farewell and begin our return journeys home. If you'd like a bit more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay (B).