Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Cairo - River Nile - Aswan - Luxor
100% customisable for you
Your family adventure to Egypt begins today, so gather up the youngsters and charge up the tablets for your five-hour flight from London to Cairo. During the journey, our family fun packs should keep them entertained, so you can get started on your holiday reads (you’re welcome). After landing, a friendly member of our team will assist you through airport security, then into a private transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay in this exciting city.
What better way to kick off your Egypt holiday than a trip to the Pyramids of Giza? This morning we’ve arranged a private guide to lead you around these ancient wonders. Built in the third millennium BC, these awe-inspiring structures are the remains of a vast funeral complex and testimony to the power of the Pharaohs. Your guide knows all the best spots for photo opportunities – don’t miss the Sphinx, the guardian of the Giza necropolis. There’s a lot to explore, including the three pyramids of Khufu, Khafra and Menkaure, and the Grand Egyptian Museum that brings together 3,000 years of history, cutting-edge virtual tours and almost 100,000 objects including Tutankhamun’s gold burial mask.
Rise bright and early this morning as today a private transfer is taking you to Cairo airport for a flight to Aswan, which takes around one hour and 20 minutes. Here the Steam Ship Sudan is waiting for you, where you’ll have dinner and spend your first night this evening. This 19th-century steamship inspired Agatha Christie to write Death on the Nile and its sumptuous interiors evoke the style of the Belle Epoque.
In the afternoon, your private guide will take you to the Temple of Philae. Dedicated to the Goddess Isis, the universal mother who reigned over life, death and resurrection, it was one of the most important shrines of Ancient Egypt until 550 AD, when the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian, ordered its closure after 4,000 years of worship. During the 1960's when the construction of Aswan's High Dam was underway, the temple was dismantled and rebuilt on its current site at Aguilika Island.
Wake your little crew early this morning as the steamship is setting sail at dawn to Kom Ombo, so that you can visit its temple dedicated to the falcon-headed sky god, Horus, and the crocodile- headed god, Sobek. There is even a museum devoted to mummified crocodiles here.
In the afternoon, there’s more sightseeing on the agenda, this time to the Temple of Edfu. The temple celebrates Horus, as well as his son Harsomtous, and wife Hathor, goddess of beauty and love.
After a busy day, head back onboard where children can enjoy a workshop on ancient Egyptian writing, hieroglyphics, given by your guide.
The steamship is heading to Luxor today, passing though Esna Lock, with a stop in the afternoon at the Temple of Karnak, one of the largest and most impressive archeological sites in Egypt. Under the command of the Pharaohs, this awe-inspiring city of temples was built nearly 4,000 years ago.
Later, your guide will take you to visit the striking Luxor Temple on the east bank of the Nile, which is dedicated to the god Amun and built by Amenophis III and Ramses II.
Admire the views as you cruise to Qena today, just north of Luxor. It’s a beautiful part of the Nile that's not normally frequented by cruise ships. Enjoy a relaxing morning, then a laidback lunch before this afternoon’s activities visiting the Dendera Temple complex.
A must-see is the spectacular Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of joy and love, protector of women and nurse to the Pharaohs. Lying in a secluded spot where fertile land meets the desert, the remains of the ancient city of Dendera are well-preserved. Find intricately decorated chapels, columns topped with cow heads, hidden passages and stairways, terraces and a roof which boasts a splendid view of the Upper Egypt countryside.
Head back to the steamship for dinner onboard and an overnight stay docked in Qena.
It's an early start this morning as you’re going on a two-hour drive to reach the holy city of Abydos – one of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites, the first burial place of the kings of Egypt and a cult centre of Osiris, god of the underworld and judge of the dead. The temple, dating back to Seti I, is a wonder to admire, with large colourful engravings that mark the birth of Ramesside art.
After marveling at this jaw-dropping place, your driver will take you back to the steamship for dinner and the onward journey to Luxor, where it docks for your final night on board.
It's your last day for discovering Ancient Egypt, so we’ve arranged a tour of the Theban Necropolis and the Valley of the Kings, whose ornately decorated tombs tell the story of the deceased's journey through the afterlife. Then onto the Valley of the Queens, which was a secret necropolis for royal wives, the Valley of the Nobles and the Temple of Medinet Habu, where Ramses III engraved for eternity his victorious battles against the Sea Peoples.
After temples galore, board the steamship for a final short journey along the Nile to Luxor, where you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Luxor. The children should have plenty of time to jump into the outdoor swimming pool before you settle into your last supper in Egypt. We could even a sunset felucca ride, to bid a final farewell to the Nile.
Sadly, your Egyptian adventure ends today. After one last breakfast, a private transfer takes you to the airport for a domestic flight to Cairo. From there catch your international flight to London, ready to research your next family adventure…
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
