This family holiday captures the essence of Egyptian life. Staying in simple small family owned hotels, and taking every chance to explore the local markets, we immerse ourselves in everyday Egyptian life. Along the way we visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, sail down the Nile on a traditional felucca and snorkel in the warm waters of the Red Sea. On this holiday a lot of the sightseeing is left optional, giving you the flexibility to do as much or as little as you want.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Aswan
Aswan is Egypt’s most southerly city, traditionally regarded as the frontier post of Upper Egypt.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2:
Camel trek to St Simeon’s Monastery; Optional Nubian dinner
We travel by motor boat furthur up the west bank of the Nile to be transported to St Simeon’s by camel, our very own ‘ships of the desert’. One of the largest Coptic monasteries in Egypt, St Simeon’s was built in the 7th century and finally abandoned in the 13th. It now sits in splendid isolation at the end of a desert valley, an impressive sight, looking more like a desert fortress than a place of worship and what better way to approach this desert fortress than on the back of a camel! After the visit we have free time to explore the east bank, where there will be plenty of time to wander through the streets of this fascinating town and explore the excellent souq, reflecting the fusion between Arab and African cultures. Tonight we have the opportunity to have a traditional Nubian dinner at a local village with friends we at Explore have known for years – a highlight for parents and kids alike.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Optional visit to Abu Simbel; embark felucca
There is the option this morning to take an early morning flight through the desert to the fabulous rock-hewn temple of Abu Simbel, a major highlight for many who visit Aswan. Cut into the rock face, this enormous structure was raised 61m to save it from inundation by the artificial lake created by the Aswan High Dam. The 20m high statues represent Ramses II, known as the Great Builder and one of the most powerful Pharaohs of the New Kingdom. On returning to Aswan we board our feluccas and set sail downstream, travelling through the timeless landscape of the Nile Valley, in the time honoured fashion of the ancient Egyptians themselves. As we sail we see the intensive cultivation of the Nile Valley and at intermittent points are small villages that depend upon the river for their livelihood. As the golden colours of the late afternoon cast their glow over the land of the Pharaohs we will pull in and set up camp by the banks of the river. Sleeping on the deck of the feluccas, beneath a blanket of stars, we are rocked to sleep by the gentle waters of the Nile lapping against our boats.
Overnight Basic Camping (C)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Swimming available
Day 4:
Sail towards Kom Ombo; drive to Luxor
This morning we leave early and continue our journey down river, following the fertile green ribbon of the Nile Valley, as it winds through parched desert lands. Disembarking we transfer by road to the magnificent ruins of the Ptolemaic temple at Kom Ombo. The temple is unique in that it is dedicated to not one, but two gods: Horus, the falcon headed god and Sobek the crocodile god, a useful deity to have on your side given that this stretch of the river was inundated with crocodiles until the early years of the last century! After an optional visit we say goodbye to our feluccas and continue our journey by bus, driving up Luxor, site of the ancient city of Thebes, the city of a hundred gates and the sacred home of Amun-Re, the supreme god of the Pharaohs.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Swimming available
Day 5:
Hatshepsut Temple and visit Valley of the Kings
Rising very early this morning, we have the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride before heading out to the extraordinary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s only female Pharaoh, who usurped the throne from her son, the future Tuthmoses III. The scale of the temple and its magnificent setting are breathtaking, but perhaps even more remarkable are the details - look out for the fine carving of the ‘Expedition to the Land of Punt’. We then take a short drive to the Valley of the Kings’ to explore some of the more important sites made famous in 1922 by the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun by Howard Carter. This afternoon is free to explore the souk or visit more of Luxor's impressive temples.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Swimming available
Day 6:
Drive to Safaga
Leaving the Nile Valley behind, we head east today, to the shores of the Red Sea. Crossing the barren mountains of the Eastern Desert we head for the small town of Safaga, where we enjoy some time relaxing by the hotel pool or on the beach.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Swimming available
Day 7:
Free day in Safaga
There is an option to do a glass bottom boat trip or snorkelling trip or simply just relax by the hotels pool or enjoy the beach located about 5 minutes walk from our Hotel.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Swimming available
Day 8:
Drive to Cairo
Leaving Safaga, we make the long journey to Cairo. Initially travelling alongside the Red Sea coast, before turning inland across the desert to Cairo. In the evening we arrive in the bustling city of Cairo. In the evening you’ll have the chance to go into Cairo’s buzzing centre.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9:
Tour Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx & Egyptian Museum
In the 12th century an Arab historian once said, “All things fear time, but time fears the Pyramids”. Africa’s largest capital, Cairo is situated mainly on the east bank of the Nile. This morning we drive to Giza, to visit one the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Pyramids, among the most impressive man-made spectacles in the world. Here, you can opt to venture inside a pyramid, or admire the Solar Boat, designed to transport the Pharoah’s soul to the afterlife. The complex includes the Sphinx, a crouching lion with a human head carved from solid rock, and the splendid Granite Temple In the afternoon, we visit the Egyptian Museum, which amongst its 100,000 artifacts contains the extraordinary treasures of Tutankhamun, complete with his Golden Mask. We may also have the opportunity to visit the Children's Museum located at the Egyptian museum where you could have the chance to build your own pyramid!
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Swimming available
Day 10:
Tour ends Cairo
Included meals: Breakfast
