Nile Family Adventure tour
Nile Family Adventure tour
Nile Family Adventure tour
9 Days Starting and ending in 30.044420,31.235712
Visiting: Egypt
Tour operator:
Tour code:
94
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
5-95
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
This compact tour of Egypt is perfectly suited for families and children wanting a more active adventure. It combines a tour of the iconic Pyramids & Sphinx, the sprawling Egyptian Museum and ancient Pharaonic temples & tombs with some more active adventure such as a fun camel ride and a cruise on a traditional felucca sailboat. Our handpicked guides have great skills and experience guiding families with children, and we keep our group sizes small to ensure you get the most out of what we are sure will be a holiday of a lifetime.
Our adventure begins in Cairo with a tour of the iconic Pyramids and Sphinx, then we take time to explore the vast Egyptian Museum, and in particular the famous Tutankhamun exhibition and scary mummy room. From Cairo, we climb on board the sleeper train for an overnight ride along the Nile to the beautiful town of Aswan. Here we visit the island temple of Philae, visit a local school to interact with the children, and sample a traditional Nubian meal. Our next adventure is on board a traditional felucca sailboat as we float along the Nile, watching the local life unfold as we drift by. Arriving in Luxor we experience some creeping in the crypts with a visit the pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings. We also marvel at the monumental Temple of Karnak before returning to Cairo on board the overnight sleeper train. We finish our great Egyptian adventure with a tour of the Cairo, including sprawling Khan-el-Kalili bazaar, before we head back to the airport for your flight home.
This tour has been arranged specifically for those travelling with children aged from 5 to 16 years (minimum age 5) - child discounts are available.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Cairo And Transfer To Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cairo hotel
Upon your arrival at Cairo airport, we meet & greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to settle into your hotel and relax after your journey or perhaps head out into the city.
Extra day in Cairo - pre-tour, Single room supplement
Day 2: Cairo: Pyramids: Sphinx & Museum Tour: Camel Ride: Train To Aswan
Accommodation Name: On board train
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our day starts with a visit to the monumental Pyramids & Sphinx at Gisa, one of the seven wonders of the anciant world. Whilst at the Pyramids we a short camel ride, which is not only fun for all the family, but a perfect photo opportunity as well. We next drive into downtown Cairo to explore the Egyptian Museum with its collection of ancient artefacts, mummies, and of course the world famous Tutankhamun exhibit, complete with the iconic golden funerary mask. Later in the evening we climb on board the overnight sleeper train to Aswan (approx. 12 hours, private twin cabins).
Cairo to Aswan flight upgrade
Day 3: Aswan: Philae Temple & School Visit
Accommodation Name: Aswan hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
We arrive into Aswan around mid-morning. The River Nile is wonderfully picturesque here at Aswan and we start out with a tour to the beautiful island temple of Philae by boat. This beautiful temple was relocated after the building of Lake Nasser. During term times, we'll also stop off a local school where we can join in with a fun and informal English/Arabic language class, which we try to arrange with children of a similar age to your group. There is also a chance to sample a traditional Nubian meal later in the day.
Day 4: Aswan: Start Felucca Cruise (Abu Simbel Option)
Accommodation Name: On board felucca
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Very early this morning there is an option to take a tour to enjoy sunrise at the stunning temples to Ramses II at Abu Simbel. These fascinating temples were completely dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. If you choose not to take the optional Abu Simbel tour, the morning is free for you to enjoy Aswan's busy and exotic bazaar, or perhaps relax at the hotel before we jump board our traditional felucca sailboat and start our sailing down the Nile. We enjoy a fun night's sleep on the deck of the sailboat and are well looked after by our friendly Nubian crew. During the voyage, clean toilets & showers are available on board our support boat which joins up with the felucca from time to time (there is also an option to upgrade to an extra night in the hotel in Aswan in place of sleeping on the felucca).
Nile cruise upgrade, Abu Simbel overland
Day 5: Felucca Sailboat Cruise: Drive To Luxor
Accommodation Name: Luxor hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we spend some more time sailing down the Nile enjoying the picturesque scenery pass by. We then drive on to Luxor where we check into our hotel, which is situated right by the Nile. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax at the hotel or venture out in Luxor to explore the site and sounds of this fascinating town.
Day 6: Luxor: Half-Day West Bank Tour
Accommodation Name: Luxor hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early this morning there is the option to take a sunrise hot air balloon flight on the west bank of the Nile. Our sightseeing today takes us to the West bank of the Nile, where we descend into the musty Pharaonic tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and explore the unique temple to Queen Hatchepsut, where we learn about her intriguing story. The afternoon is set aside for you to relax at your hotel, or perhaps explore Luxor town further. You might like to take another felucca trip on the Nile to Banana island, or visit the weird and wonderful Mummification museum.
Hot air balloon in Luxor
Day 7: Luxor: Karnak Temple: Free Time
Accommodation Name: On board train
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we visit one of Egypt's biggest and most impressive sites, Karnak temple, with its vast temples, sleek obelisks, towering statues and many columned halls. The afternoon is free in Luxor before we transfer to the station to jump on board the sleeper train back to Cairo (approx. 9 hours). There is an option to upgrade one or both train journeys to internal flights if you prefer.
Day 8: Arrive Cairo: City Tour
Accommodation Name: Cairo hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On arrival back in Cairo we take a short tour to explore the city. We take in the old mosque and museum at the Citadel, which also offers a wonder view over the city, and wander around, and possibly do some haggling and souvenir hunting, in the mazy Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. We'll stop of at a traditional Koshari shop to enjoy lunch, and later in the evening we include a tasty farewell dinner to say goodbye to your local guide and your fellow travellers.
Day 9: Cairo: Tour Ends: Transfer To The Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today your tour ends and you can enjoy some free time doing a little more shopping or sightseeing before we transfer you to airport for your flight home.
Extra day in Cairo - post-tour
What's Included
What's Not Included
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- International flights (available on request)
- Visa costs (available on arrival for most nationalities for US$25)
- Travel insurancee (compulory, available on request)
- Single room supplements (chargeable if a same-sex room shar
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Tips for tour guide & drivers
- Hotel gala dinners (if charged by the hotels on 24 & 31 Dec, see Tour notes)
- Sleeping bag (rec
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.
In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:
Egypt: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A
Jordan: Tetanus, Hepatitis A
Israel: Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis
Lebanon: Dipheria, Hepatitis A
Malaria is not generally present unless it has been contracted abroad; you do not need to take malaria prophylactics.
More information is available here: Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon
Note: We are aware of some places in Egypt using 'black henna' instead of pure brown henna. Black henna contains a chemical dye PPD (paraphenylenediamine) which can result in severe allergic reactions and resultant scarring. To be safe we recommend avoiding any henna tattoos while in Egypt unless you are certain they are using pure brown henna. -
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Our Small Group tours do not include entrance fees to the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. We do however normally include these in prices for Tailor-Made and Escorted tours. Please check the Inclusions and Exclusions section below the tour itinerary for a details about your tour and the amount you may need to budget. This amount is subject to change and will be reconfirmed in Egypt at the start of your tour. A 50% discount for minors or ISIC card holders is often, but not always available.
Your guide will be happy to collect payment for all the entrance fees at the start of the tour, and pay them for you as you go along if you wish. This payment is normally collected in US Dollars cash together with payment for any Tipping Kitty used on the tour, though you may also pay with Egyptian Pounds or other currencies, converted to USD. Local exchange rates are set on a monthly basis and based on local bank rates so may not match the exact rates you may find online on the day. -
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Our Egypt tours include a 24-hour airport meet & assist service in Cairo airport, your arrival and departure airport-hotel transfers and all other transfers. Our representative will meet you in the immigration hall of Cairo airport before you get to passport control. They will assist with visa formalities before helping you collect your luggage and taking you to your hotel.
Your airport transfers are only included on the first and last day of the set tour itinerary, plus on any additional days if you book your hotel room with us. If you make your own arrangements for additional accommodation at either the beginning or the end of the tour then you will need to arrange your own airport transfers on these days. -
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
In Egypt we provide fully trained, local English-speaking graduate Egyptologist guides to run your tour and escort you during all of the sightseeing in Cairo and the Nile Valley. We also have permanent local reps in all the main towns/cities and Red Sea resorts who are also at your service, and will be handling all the practical arrangements for the tour. We use local Bedouin guides for tours through the desert.
On some departures we may use one guide in Cairo, and a second guide if you are travelling between Aswan and Luxor.
At Encounters Travel we only use local Egyptian guides and reps. We feel this gives you the best experience of the country and the sites you are seeing. Please check our website for more details and profiles of some of our most famous Egyptian guides. -
What should I know before traveling?
It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.
General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.
You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.
Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.
We recommend that you contact your closest Egyptian consulate or embassy for current information for your nationality.
In general official advice is that all nationalities obtain their Egypt visas in advance, as we cannot guarantee that you can get them in the airport. An online e-visa is available through visa2egypt. Please do not use any other website as there are many scam sites offering Egypt e-visas.
In practice however, many nationalities (including British and European, Australian, New Zealand, USA, Canadian) can and do obtain their visas on arrival in Cairo airport. The process is much quicker and simpler, the cost is currently US$25 p/p and must be paid in hard currency (i.e. GBP, USD or EUR) - you'll be given change in local currency if necessary. There are no forms to fill in and you don't need to bring passport photos. Visas are issued at one of the bank desks in the immigration hall, before you get to passport control. Our representative will have met you by this stage and will assist with the process.
All African & Indian nationals, and some others, will need to obtain their visas in advance.
For further information on your visa requirements, please either contact us or your local Egyptian embassy/consulate. -
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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