Ten Day Family Discovery Tour Of Egypt

Arrive in Cairo and transfer to our hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Swimming available

Africa’s largest capital, Cairo is situated mainly on the east bank of the Nile. This morning we drive to Giza, to visit one of 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. You may also have an opportunity to visit the Children's Museum at the Egyptian Museum where you can try you hand a building your own Pyramid!! Later this evening we will transfer to the station to catch the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.

Overnight Train (U) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner Swimming available

We arrive in Aswan, Egypt’s most southerly city, traditionally regarded as the frontier post of Upper Egypt. Sited on the east bank, just below the First Cataract, it is the meeting point of Arab culture with Nubia and Black Africa. Later today we transfer by launch to the west bank of the Nile to be transported to St Simeon’s by camels, 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.  After the visit we transfer back to the east bank, where there will be time to wander through the streets of this fascinating town and explore the excellent souq, reflecting the fusion between Arab and African cultures, before 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, Dinner Swimming available

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

This morning we 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!  We then transfer by bus to 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. In the afternoon we will enjoy our excursion to the stunning Temple of Karnak, by horse drawn calesh. Dating from around 2000 BC, the scale and grandeur of the Karnak is amazing. It covers an area the size of 10 European cathedrals and the 134 pillars of its Hypostyle Hall are a wonder to behold. We will enjoy a guided tour of the principal sites of the temple before returning to our hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

This morning, we cross the Nile and travel by bus 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 bus ride 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. We visit three tombs. The afternoon is then free for you to enjoy your time by the pool, enjoy an (optional) donkey trek or wander through Luxor's bazaar.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

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 will enjoy the delights of a marine wonderland in stark contrast to the desert scenery that surrounds it. With two nights here there will be plenty of opportunties to relax and enjoy the dazzling waters immediately outside our hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

With over 400 varieties of corals and 1500 species of fish, the Red Sea is a hard act for anyone to follow. There are reef fish of every shade and hue living amongst the corals, and turtles, rays and small sharks abound in these rich waters. We include a full day’s boat trip today, to the coral reefs around Safaga - it’s just like swimming in a tropical fish tank! With a light lunch taken onboard, we will enjoy some leisurely hours swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing, before returning to our hotel for the evening.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch Swimming available

Leaving Safaga we make the long journey to Cairo. Initially travelling alongside the Red Sea coast, before turning inland across the desert to Cairo. Late afternoon we arrive in the bustling city of Cairo. In the evening you’ll have the chance to go into Cairo’s buzzing centre or relax over dinner by the pool.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available

Included meals: Breakfast Swimming available