Egyptian Family Adventure
Egyptian Family Adventure
Egyptian Family Adventure
9 Days Starting in Cairo and ending in Hurghada
Visiting: Cairo, The Egyptian Museum, Great Sphinx of Giza, Al Azhar Park, Al-Azhar Mosque, Nubian Village, Aswan, Aswan Low Dam, Philae Temple, Luxor Governorate, Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple Entrance, Colossi of Memnon, Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate
Tour operator:
Tour code:
FEN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 20
Age range:
9-16
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
Spectacular ancient monuments, vast desert and golden beaches make Egypt an exciting-for-all destination. We begin our adventure in Cairo, visiting the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx; even the smallest children will be amazed at these magnificent wonders of the ancient world! Catching the overnight sleeper train to Aswan, we experience Nubian culture and bustling bazaars before drifting along the Nile on a traditional felucca. Downstream in Luxor, we explore hidden pharaoh tombs in the Valley of the Kings. We round off our trip at the beach resort of Hurghada, where we venture beneath the waves to discover the brightly coloured fish and corals of the Red Sea.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Cairo
Location: Cairo
Accommodation: Hotel, Resort, Pyramids Park Resort or similar
Welcome to Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Our family-friendly hotel is close to the pyramids, meaning there is less distance to cover for our sightseeing tomorrow. Before that, though, we have a welcome briefing either this evening or tomorrow morning – a good chance to get to know the group a little and to ask any questions you may have.
Accommodation: Helnan Dream Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 : Morning At The Pyramids And Great Sphinx Of Giza; Optional Visit To The Egyptian Museum
Location: The Egyptian Museum, Great Sphinx of Giza
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of two ancient wonders. At Giza, the enigmatic Sphinx and Great Pyramids stand on the edge of the empty desert overlooking the city, providing a great contrast between ancient and modern Egypt. More than 4,000 years old, the pyramids are a testimony to the ingenuity and skill of their builders; in fact, the Great Pyramid, the largest of the pyramids here, is the only Wonder of the Ancient World that still stands.
The afternoon is free to relax at our hotel, explore Cairo or visit the Egyptian Museum – home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world, including the incredible golden riches of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Accommodation: Helnan Dream Hotel (or similar)
Day 3 : Afternoon Cairo Tour; Board Sleeper Train In The Evening
Location: Al Azhar Park, Al-Azhar Mosque
Accommodation: Sleeper train
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a leisurely start to the day, we transfer to Al Azhar Mosque (can sometimes be closed without prior notice from the authorities), which dates to 970 CE and is the oldest in Cairo. It is still frequently visited by the local population and we need to cover up (long sleeves and trousers) to enter – as when entering all mosques. Women also need to cover their hair with a scarf. We then have time for lunch (own expense) and to explore Al Azhar Park before moving to the historic centre of Islamic Cairo for a walk around the bazaars of Khan el-Khalili. This evening, we transfer to the railway station and board our sleeper train to Aswan (the ride takes approximately 12 hours).
Accommodation: Sleeper train
Day 4 : Arrive Aswan; Afternoon Felucca Ride
Location: Nubian Village, Aswan
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We arrive in Aswan in the morning. To travellers in ancient times, the town was legendary as the entrance to the Nubian kingdom. Today it’s still something of a frontier town and, with a mixed population of Egyptians and Nubians, quite unlike any other in the country.
It has always been a trading centre, by virtue of its position on the old caravan route, and we thoroughly recommend exploring the packed bazaar today where merchants display a wealth of spices, carpets, leather goods and countless other wares (this is not an included visit, but easy to do). There is time to relax after the train journey or to take an optional visit to a nearby Nubian museum before we board a traditional felucca in the afternoon and explore the Nile. Along the way, we have a glimpse of rural life along this fertile valley and the golden dunes beyond.
Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 : Aswan High Dam And Philae Temple; Transfer To Luxor
Location: Aswan Low Dam, Philae Temple, Luxor Governorate
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We begin today with a visit to the Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam. In the 1970s, the temple was relocated by Unesco to Aglika Island after it became evident the original site of Philae would submerge on completion of the dam. This morning represents a magnificent and enduring testament to both ancient and modern engineering. We drive north after lunch, following the Nile to Luxor (approximately four hours). Known in ancient times as Thebes, Luxor was the capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom for some 500 years. Upon arrival, we may have time to see some of the town before dinner.
Accommodation: Jolie Ville Maritim (or similar)
Day 6 : Explore The Valley Of The Kings And The Colossi Of Memnon; Evening Light Show At Karnak Temple
Location: Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple Entrance, Colossi of Memnon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rising early, we cross the Nile and drive to the secluded valley where 63 pharaohs were buried as part of their journey to the afterlife. We have time to explore some of the exquisitely decorated tombs of these ancient rulers. It is here the burial site of the boy-king Tutankhamun, discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, is found. Entry to Tutankhamun’s tomb costs approximately US$12, payable locally. In terms of size and decoration, it is not as impressive as many of the other tombs but is, of course, very interesting. After, we visit the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon and stop by the A.C.E animal hospital to learn about the efforts taken to improve animal welfare in Egypt. Later this evening, we visit Karnak Temple for a sound and light show, which recounts the dramatic history of ancient Thebes in an extravagant and fun way. (This activity may occur on Day 5 depending on schedule)
Accommodation: Jolie Ville Maritim (or similar)
Day 7 : Transfer To Hurghada; Submarine Ride And Snorkelling In Red Sea
Location: Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate
Accommodation: Minamark Beach Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we leave the green Nile valley and drive through the barren Eastern Desert to the Red Sea (approximately four hours). Our destination is Hurghada, a vibrant beach resort ideally located for activities out at sea and in the nearby desert. After lunch, we board a semi-submersible vessel in the style of a yellow submarine and explore the coral wonderland beneath the surface of the Red Sea. There is also time for snorkelling before returning to dry land.
Accommodation: Sea Star Beau Rivage (or similar)
Day 8 : Free Day At The Red Sea Or For Optional Activities In The Sahara
Location: Red Sea Governorate
Accommodation: Minamark Beach Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is free to relax or enjoy the many optional activities in the area (see the Optional Activities section of the trip notes for details of what is available).
Accommodation: Sea Star Beau Rivage (or similar)
Day 9 : End Hurghada
Location: Hurghada
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our trip ends today. We bid farewell and begin our return journeys home. If you’d like a bit more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, two lunches, three dinners
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All accommodation (see accommodation section)
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All transport and listed activities
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners are included.
For meals not included, we suggest you allow approximately US$15 for lunch and US$20 for dinner (depending on your choice of meal)
Food in Egypt involves such things as kebabs, chicken, stews, pitta bread, falafel, beans, aubergine (eggplant) and other vegetables, pickles, and salads. Dishes tend to be simple and wholesome. Western dishes are normally available and vegetarians can be catered for, though the options may be somewhat limited.
Accommodation
We use a range of four-star (local rating) properties throughout this trip. Below are the places we typically use during our time in Egypt.
Cairo: Helnan Dream Hotel (nights 1-2)
In Cairo, we typically use the Helnan Dream Hotel which is a short drive to the Pyramids and is located next to the Dreamland Amusement park, a great place to visit if you arrive a day or two before the tour starts. The Helnan has a large pool, a children's pool and hot tub. It has great sitting areas around the pools and an indoor and outdoor restaurant.
Cairo to Aswan: Sleeper train (night 3)
The train is a good way to cover a long distance in a time-efficient manner and avoids the need for a domestic flight. This reduces carbon emissions, which we are committed to doing on all our trips. Compartments are compact and have bunk beds; bedding is provided. The train tends to shake due to the condition of the track and is quite noisy, so earplugs are a good idea. A basic dinner and breakfast is provided, you may wish to take snacks with you. There is also a shared toilet in each carriage. Take a sense of adventure with you as these trains are not the same standard that you can experience in Europe.
Aswan: Basma Hotel (night 4)
On the highest hill in Aswan, directly opposite the Nubian Museum, the Basma occupies a privileged spot. Rooms come in a mixture of styles, many with views over the city or the Nile, and you can spend your free time cooling off in the expansive pool. The property is also home to The Lotus restaurant, which serves an eclectic mix of international and local cuisines, plus the Vienna Cafe, where you can enjoy light bites, hot drinks and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Luxor: Jolie Ville Maritim (nights 5-6)
Jolie Ville Maritim is a luxury resort on a private island. It overlooks the Nile River, surrounded by landscaped gardens and includes three outdoor swimming pools. All rooms have a private terrace overlooking the gardens.
Hurghada: Sea Star Beau Rivage (nights 7-8)
Enjoy a private sandy beach with sun umbrellas, sunbeds and wind protection or hop into the swimming pool when you stay at the Sea Star Beau Rivage. The are also two outside lounge areas, a cafe and a bar, plus an eight-hole minigolf course.
Worth knowing
The sleeper trains in Egypt are fairly dated so although classified as first class you should be prepared for a lower standard than Western countries.
Wifi is chargeable at the Sea Star Beau Rivage (approximately US$6.40 a day) and only available close to the reception area, not in the rooms. Please also note, Hurghada is a resort town and some guests could be in party mode.
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 9 years old.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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