Egypt Premium Family Holiday

Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome to Egypt. When you arrive at the Cairo airport, an included transfer will take you to your hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight. After your meeting, head out for an included dinner with the group. Your leader will introduce your family to Egyptian cuisine, known for being fresh, delicious and unique to the country. Best enjoyed shared, you’ll all tuck into an array of traditional dishes like fatta (a dish made with rice, bread and meat in a garlic and vinegar sauce) and kushari (a delicious mixture of pasta, rice, lentils and fried onions).

This morning, get the family together and step into ancient Egypt. It’s a big day, with a visit to the mighty Pyramids of Giza – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – and the Sphinx. Your trip leader and an expert local guide will regale you and your kids with the stories behind these legendary landmarks and why they’ve captured imaginations for thousands of years. After lunch, continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, where treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb – from jewellery to his famous golden death mask and gilded sarcophagi – reveal just how richly this young pharaoh prepared for the afterlife. There are nearly 100,000 artefacts to explore, plus a children’s museum, where kids can make music on ancient drums or challenge you to a life-sized board game once enjoyed by King Tut.

Fly to Aswan this morning, where you’ll get out for a motorboat ride along the Nile between the old dam and the high dam to reach Philae Temple. Set on its own island, this beautiful temple dedicated to Isis – the goddess of health, marriage and wisdom – was carefully rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated stone by stone. Notice the grand gateways and detailed carvings as your leader helps bring the stories of ancient Egypt to life. Tonight, experience modern Nubian culture firsthand with a visit to a nearby village. Join a local family for dinner, try traditional dishes and learn about daily life in this part of Egypt as you swap stories with your welcoming hosts. The kids will love the chance to see a different side of Egyptian life, and after dinner, you’ll enjoy Nubian dancing – with the chance for the whole family to try a few moves, too.

Check in with the fam this morning and feel out their energy for an optional visit to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel. If you go, you’ll experience one of Egypt’s most memorable sights. Four gargantuan statues of Ramses adorn the facade of Abu Simbel. Inside, see the Temple of Ramesses II and the small temple of his favourite wife, Queen Nefertari. Later, embark on your three-night Nile cruise. After lunch onboard, venture out from the ship on a felucca (traditional wooden boat) for a look at the landscape on nearby islands. Return to the cruise ship for a group dinner.

Enjoy a peaceful morning on board your riverboat, then set out in the afternoon along the river, relaxing in the sun on deck and taking in the desert hills. Arrive at Kom Ombo Temple, where your leader will let you in on the secrets of this ancient sanctuary. Built in approximately 181 BC, Kom Ombo is dedicated to two gods – Horus (god of protection) and Sobek (the crocodile-headed god of fertility, linked to the Nile’s water). Each god has a dedicated section – north or south. If you have time, check out the Crocodile Museum next to the temple, where you can learn more about Sobek and see mummified Nile crocodiles, statues and burial displays that offer a fascinating look at how this powerful river animal was once honoured as sacred. After, return to your riverboat and continue to Edfu, where you’ll dock for the evening.

This morning, you’ll continue sailing towards Luxor passing through the Esna Locks. When you arrive, you’ll explore the Karnak Temple, one of the world’s most celebrated temple complexes. The ‘house of gods’ was built over a period of some 2000 years – some of it dating to 2055 BC. You’ll also head over to Intrepid Foundation partner, Animal Care in Egypt (ACE) – a local NGO dedicated to providing free veterinary care for wounded working animals in the region. Head back to the boat for your last night on the Nile.

Today, visit the Valley of the Kings. Spend a few hours with a guide exploring some of the beautifully decorated tombs of the 63 pharaohs who were buried here as part of their journey to the afterlife. Listen to the stories of the funerary rites of ancient Egyptians and the significance of the paintings and hieroglyphics you’ll see. It’s here that the burial site of the boy-king, Tutankhamun, was re-discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. After, get to know more about the Egyptian way of life with a visit to local Egyptian home for a delicious homecooked lunch. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you like.

Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast and you’re free to leave at any time after checkout. A complimentary airport transfer is included for those flying out of Luxor. If you would like to spend more time in Cairo or continue to the Red Sea for a few days of snorkelling and relaxation, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.