Family holiday in Egypt
| country: | Egypt |
| location: | Nile Cruises, Pyramids, Luxor |
| departures: | 2009: 12 Dec, 19 Dec, 26 Dec 2010: 13 Feb, 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 24 Jul, 23 Oct, 20 Dec, 27 Dec 2011: 19 Feb, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Jul, 22 Oct, 19 Dec, 26 Dec |
| price: | From £1199 - £1439 (8 days) per adult and from £1079 - £1299 per child including flights from the UK. From £739 - £869 per adult and from £659 - £789 per child excluding flights. |
| late availability: | Late availability on 19th December departures |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
An amazing river journey through the Land of the Pharaohs - taking in Egypt’s ancient wonders from the Pyramids of Giza to the tombs and temples at the Valley of the Kings.
Pyramids & Tutankhamun
Your discovery of this ancient land begins in Cairo, where you’ll visit the famous Egyptian Museum, home of Tutankhamun’s gold. Next you cross the Nile to see the amazing Pyramids at Giza before taking the overnight train south to Aswan.
Riverboat Cruise
In Aswan step aboard your river boat for the classic river journey along the Nile to Luxor. On the three-night cruise you’ll pass biblical scenes of farmers in flowing robes ploughing fields with oxen and stop to explore the impressive temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Valley of the Kings
Once in Luxor your journey into history continues with a visit to the legendary Valley of the Kings and a carriage ride to the stunning Karnak Temple.
Luxor & Bazaars
Luxor's a lovely place for a stroll along the corniche, seeing the sails of the feluccas silhouetted against the banks of the Nile, or an atmospheric visit to floodlit Luxor Temple (optional). Back in Cairo there's time for haggling in one of the myriad bazaars.
Pyramids & Tutankhamun
Your discovery of this ancient land begins in Cairo, where you’ll visit the famous Egyptian Museum, home of Tutankhamun’s gold. Next you cross the Nile to see the amazing Pyramids at Giza before taking the overnight train south to Aswan.
Riverboat Cruise
In Aswan step aboard your river boat for the classic river journey along the Nile to Luxor. On the three-night cruise you’ll pass biblical scenes of farmers in flowing robes ploughing fields with oxen and stop to explore the impressive temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Valley of the Kings
Once in Luxor your journey into history continues with a visit to the legendary Valley of the Kings and a carriage ride to the stunning Karnak Temple.
Luxor & Bazaars
Luxor's a lovely place for a stroll along the corniche, seeing the sails of the feluccas silhouetted against the banks of the Nile, or an atmospheric visit to floodlit Luxor Temple (optional). Back in Cairo there's time for haggling in one of the myriad bazaars.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Following your flight you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Hotel – 1 night (Swimming Pool) |
| Day 2: | Exotic Cairo; Overnight Train With a population of around 18 million people, Cairo is Africa’s largest city by far, yet, despite its size, it retains a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. At Giza, to the west of the city, the enigmatic Sphinx and great pyramids stand on the edge of the empty desert overlooking the city. More than 4000 years old, the pyramids are all that remain of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – a testimony to the ingenuity and skill of their builders. There are many thousands of exhibits in the famed Egyptian Museum, and your local guide will focus on the Tutankhamun collection – probably the world’s greatest archaeological find. You’ll see the treasure found in the tomb of the boy-king: the jewel-encrusted golden mask, the golden sarcophagus and throne, plus many everyday articles, which were entombed with him to be used in the afterlife. Such a visit will bring together all the things the kids have been learning about at school and give you a taste for what’s to come at the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of Tutankhamun. In the evening you board the overnight train to Aswan. Overnight sleeper train – 1 night (BD)With a population of around 18 million people, Cairo is Africa’s largest city by far, yet, despite its size, it retains a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. At Giza, to the west of the city, the enigmatic Sphinx and great pyramids stand on the edge of the empty desert overlooking the city. More than 4000 years old, the pyramids are all that remain of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – a testimony to the ingenuity and skill of their builders. There are many thousands of exhibits in the famed Egyptian Museum, and your local guide will focus on the Tutankhamun collection – probably the world’s greatest archaeological find. You’ll see the treasure found in the tomb of the boy-king: the jewel-encrusted golden mask, the golden sarcophagus and throne, plus many everyday articles, which were entombed with him to be used in the afterlife. Such a visit will bring together all the things the kids have been learning about at school and give you a taste for what’s to come at the Valley of the Kings, the burial place of Tutankhamun. In the evening you board the overnight train to Aswan. Overnight sleeper train – 1 night (BD) |
| Day 3: | Aswan; Board Riverboat Upon arrival in Aswan you board your riverboat, which serves as your accommodation for the next three nights. Even in ancient times, Aswan was legendary as a frontier town - the entrance to the kingdom of Nubia. As the place where Africa meets Arabia, its mixed population of Egyptians and Nubians makes it quite unlike any other town in Egypt. Hardly a drop of rain ever falls and the winter temperatures hover around a balmy 25°C. Nile Riverboats usually leave Aswan during the afternoon or evening, giving you time to explore Aswan and its surroundings. However sailing times are dictated by local authorities/river conditions and your Group Leader will confirm your sailing time on arrival in Aswan. They will also help you get the most out of your time here. No visit to Aswan would be complete without a visit to the packed bazaar where merchants display a wealth of exotic spices, carpets, leather and countless other goods. Alternatively, you can just relax and enjoy views of feluccas plying to and fro on the Nile. Berth on riverboat – 3 nights (BLD) |
| Day 4-5: | Nile Riverboat The Nile has a fascination of its own and is one of the principal reasons many people come to Egypt. In ancient legend it was considered the giver of life and, even in modern times, it still provides a livelihood for millions of people. The banks of the Nile slowly glide past – providing the perfect backdrop for whatever you choose to do on board the boat. Close to the river’s edge you can glean an insight into ancient times - the agriculturist fellahin live and till the land along the riverbank, much as they have done for centuries. As you sail north you pause to visit the great temples at Kom Ombo and Edfu. Kom Ombo is a unique temple dedicated to two gods: Haroeris (Horus the elder) and the crocodile-headed Sobek, god of the Nile. Kids (and adults?) will cringe at the mummified crocs on display! On the east bank around Kom Ombo, reclaimed land is fed by canals to keep the desert at bay - it supports not only crops of sugar cane but also a large Nubian community displaced from their homeland by the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The following day you’ll alight from the riverboat again to visit Edfu by calesh, which after Karnak, is the largest temple in Egypt. NB: if the sailing schedule dictates, Edfu temple sightseeing may be done later on day four. As you sail closer to Luxor the river valley becomes increasingly open, and a landscape of cultivated fields stretches away from the river - a ribbon of green in the middle of a vast desert. This was once the floodplain where the combination of annual deposits of rich silt and ceaseless toil created a fertile market garden, which still supports Egypt’s burgeoning population. Nowadays, of course, the variations in flow that created the occasional disaster are managed by the dams, which span the river. (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2) NB: As with any boat trip, progress is wholly dependant on local operational conditions and the sailing schedules of the boat operators who have to time their journeys according to various factors, such as sailing times through the locks of the Nile. There are also certain times of the year – for example, in June and the first half of December when the Nile is cleaned and cruises must stop at Esna. NB: Please note that this cruise may run in reverse starting at Luxor and ending at Aswan. The sites of Edfu and Kom Ombo will still be visited. If the cruise is reversed a revised itinerary will be sent to you detailing the day to day schedule. |
| Day 6: | Luxor It’s an early start today as, having arrived in Luxor, you cross the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings by charter bus. On reaching the Valley, hidden by the surrounding mountains, your local guide will help you to discover the unique treasures that have lain hidden here for centuries. On your way back to the river, you will stop at the imposing structure of the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female ruler. You’ll return to Luxor in time for lunch and to settle into your overnight hotel. Known in ancient times as Thebes, Luxor was the capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom for some 500 years. This afternoon a unique experience for children (and adults!) as you take horse-drawn carriages, called caleshes locally, to the grandest of Egypt’s historic temples, Karnak, which you explore with a local guide. Many architects and engineers contributed to its construction - a task that spanned the reign of successive Pharaohs over a period of 1400 years. The highlights of its many wonders are the great hypostyle hall, which contains 134 huge columns, and the beautifully carved obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut. The sheer scale and massive bulk of these monuments testify to the wealth and level of organisation of early Egyptian civilisation. Hotel – 1 night (Swimming Pool) (B) |
| Day 7: | Luxor – Fly To Cairo This morning you fly back to Cairo where there’s time to explore Cairo’s remarkable attractions. On your last evening the Group Leader will no doubt organise a traditional ‘last supper’ where you can look back on the wonders you have seen. Hotel – 1 night (Swimming Pool) (B) |
| Day 8: | Fly to London The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those on group flights to the UK transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B) |
travellers' tales
The most memorable part of our holiday were camel riding, seeing the Pyramids and the Nile boat trip. (more)
small group family holiday
This is a 'small group family adventure' - typically you will join several other families and travel in a group of approx. 16 people. The trips are great value and a great way for you and your children to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of time to yourselves. Most adventure kids tend to be aged between 7 and 15, but some are younger (minimum age is usually 5) and some older (perhaps travelling as part of a larger family group). Please check with the operator to confirm the minimum age for this trip how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: We have joined forces with the Sunshine International Project, Luxor, to assist in providing education and a home for children in Egypt. You will have the opportunity to visit the home during your stay in Luxor, and meet the 47 residents - aged between two months and 11 years old. You’ll be assured of a cheery welcome! If you would like to give a gift they would be delighted to receive the following; pyjamas, disposable nappies, milk formula & baby shampoo. All of these goods are available to buy cheaply locally (helping the local economy) and your group leader will be able to advise on where to buy things.
If you’d like to make a visit to the Sunshine project please speak to your leader shortly before arrival in Luxor and they will help you to make the necessary arrangements. Please note however that depending upon day to day events in the home, a visit to the project is not always possible. Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
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