Egypt Family Holiday Comfort

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Egypt. You and your family will be met on arrival at Cairo airport and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm this evening where you’ll meet your local leader and the other families joining you on your journey. Cairo is one of the great cities of antiquity and its history can be symbolised by two imposing landmarks – the Pyramids of Giza and the Mosque of Mohammed Ali. If you arrive with time to spare, perhaps get out and explore the busy streets of this city of contrasts. You may like travel along the river by felucca (a traditional wooden boat with broad canvas sails) or head out to explore the markets. After the meeting, head out for an included dinner at one of the boat restaurants on the Nile for an introduction to Egyptian cuisine and a chance to get to know your group.

After breakfast this morning set out to see some of the world’s most iconic sights – the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The kids will stand in awe of the grand structure with towering limestone blocks For an additional charge you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (although occasionally it may be closed to visitors). For lunch, you may like to stop at one of Cairo’s oldest fast food restaurants, founded in 1959. Afterwards, make your way to The Grand Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's great collections of antiquities. Wander the treasure-filled halls of the museum and take in the masses of gleaming artefacts recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun – an impressive sight to behold. From gold jewellery to the famous golden death mask and his gilded sarcophagi, this pharaoh was certainly prepared for the afterlife. Head back to the hotel for a swim before an optional dinner out with the group.

The first stop of the day is a visit to the Citadel of Salah Ed-Din. Located high atop Cairo, the citadel boasts magnificent views of the city. Built by the Arab hero Salah ad-Din, the citadel primarily functioned as a military garrison, as well as serving as a royal residence for over 700 years. Then, head to the Khan el-Khalili, one of the biggest and oldest markets in the world, made up of a labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways. The 'Khan', sprawling around an old area known as Al-Azhar, is a quintessentially Cairo experience. It retains a distinctly medieval feel, so be ready to play knights. You may want to explore the gold market, Perfume Street or the fragrant spice market. Your leader will suggest some places to grab lunch at the bazaar before the group head back to the hotel for a swim and freshen up. Tonight is a true local experience – an overnight train to Luxor.

Built around the ruins of the ancient Egyptian capital Thebes, the city of Luxor is a historical treasure trove. Upon arrival, head straight to the Karnak Temple, perhaps the most impressive of all the ancient Pharaohs’ monumental works. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak is a house of the gods built over a period of some 200 years. Your guided tour of this vast temple of impressive pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. Arrive back at the hotel for lunch and a much needed swim and relax for the afternoon.

Embrace another early morning, cross the Nile and drive to the secluded Valley of the Kings. Sixty-three pharaohs were buried here as part of their journey to the afterlife. In the company of a local guide, spend a few hours exploring some of the exquisitely decorated tombs. It is here that the burial site of the boy-king, Tutankhamun, was re-discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. If you'd like to organise a visit to King Tut's tomb today, this can be arranged with advance notice – ask your leader for details at the beginning of your trip. On your way back to the river, spend an hour at the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's first female ruler. After some lunch in Luxor, hit the road to Aswan (approximately 4 hours). Tonight, your leader will take you on a wander around the bazaar followed by an optional dinner.

Even to travellers in ancient times, Aswan was known as the legendary gateway to the kingdom of Nubia. Today, it’s still something of a frontier town, where the Arab Middle East meets Africa. Today is free for you to explore Aswan, or the surrounding area, at your family’s preferred pace. If you can wrangle the troops, you might want to visit the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel, located near the Sudan border. These two temples – one for Ramses II and another he dedicated to his wife Queen Nefertari – were cut into the cliff face in the 13th century and remain impressive in their scope and detail. Ask your leader for details on how to arrange a visit, but be aware you need a minimum of four people to participate in this highly recommended optional activity. If you would prefer to stay in Aswan and get a taste of contemporary Egypt, there’s plenty to do. The relaxed atmosphere makes Aswan a great city to wander and watch the boats cruise the Nile, plus there’s always the hotel pool nearby where you and the kids can cool off. In the early evening, take a trip across the river to a Nubian village and enjoy a traditional dinner at one of the local houses.

This morning, take a water taxi over to the Temple of Isis at Philae. The Temple of Isis (the Goddess of health, marriage and wisdom) was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated to Philae Island. It's a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings – definitely one of the real gems of Upper Egypt. The afternoon will be free to relax and take a swim in the pool. Late this afternoon, board a flight back to Cairo. Check in to the hotel on arrival, then perhaps freshen up and head out for an optional final dinner with your fellow family travellers.

After breakfast, there are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart your accommodation at any time after check out. If you would like to spend some more time in Egypt, we don’t blame you! We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).