Itinerary Highlights
    • The finest sights of Ancient Egypt combined with easy sailing aboard a legendary boat


    • Family-friendly tours and private guides mean you don't miss a thing


    • The timeless appeal and elegance of the Steam Ship Sudan


    • Private transfers, family rooms and Concierge – travelling Egypt with children made easy

Contact one of our specialists + 44 (0) 20 3958 6120

DISCOVER THE LAND OF THE PHARAOHS

From Tintin to Indiana Jones, everyone travels to Egypt, and with good reason. The whole world is a little Egyptian – most civilisations still contain some elements of Egyptian culture. So how do we get there? And can the whole family come? Absolutely: children will be in their element and welcomed warmly . Show the children Tutankhamun's golden mask at the Cairo Museum (and also the exquisite sculpture of him as a child), the Sphinx of Giza, Amun's enclosure in Karnak and Hatchepsut's temple in Deir el-Bahari. Take them up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor on a grand Edwardian steamboat and stay in comfortable hotels with swimming pools. En route parents and children alike will collect a host of facts about Ancient Egypt, and many unforgettable memories.
This is what this trip has to offer.



STEAM SHIP SUDAN, YOUR HOUSE ON THE NILE

It is the last historic steamboat still shuttling up and down the River Nile. The Steam Ship Sudan is distinguished from other cruise ships by its small capacity. It has just 23 cabins including five suites, each named after people related to the history of the ship or Egypt: Agatha Christie (who was then inspired to write 'Death on the Nile'), Gustave Flaubert, Herodotus... On board, the hardwood deck sits above an ink-black hull that for almost a century has plyed the water of the sacred river, guided by the slow pace of the paddlewheels. As the ship pumps out steam at slow and steady intervals, the banks of the Nile pass by; a sight you can never get tired of. We are proud of the quality of service on board, along with catering (The Steam Ship Sudan is the first ship to be supplied with 100% organic fruit, vegetables and eggs on the Nile ) and recruitment of guides present throughout the cruise. The boat was recently docked in order to undergo a complete renovation. During sailing hours you can sit on the deck in front of your cabin, or relax on the upper deck - equipped with deckchairs - while enjoying the hypnotising sight of the Nile river banks slipping by.



YOUR JOURNEY

A small family trip (with children aged 6+) to explore the land of the pharaohs, travelling at a more flexible pace and with an itinerary that's more suitable than a classic Nile cruise. After arriving in Cairo and exploring the capital, the next stop is Aswan to embark on the cruise down the sacred river to Luxor. To spark the curiosity of budding archaeologists, the tours planned along the trip are designed with a more playful approach than normal and include private guides. The staff also spend time getting to know everyone by the pool or on the boat deck. And then there is our Concierge, reachable at any time during the trip.

Route

Everything is 100% tailored to you
DAY 1

Flight to Cairo

Private transfer and two-night stay on Gezira Island. The hotel tower stands over the banks of the Nile and from its windows you can see both the river and the city. The decor cleverly combines clean contemporary lines with Eastern-inspired motifs from the past. The hammam and spa are well maintained and the pool is accessible all year round. The restaurants and bars make full use of the hotel's exceptional location. Not far away, the district of Zamalek has a Belle Epoque feel and is one of Cairo's creative hubs.

DAY 2

Cairo

The itinerary – Giza and the Egyptian museum with a private guide. 'What happened to the Sphinx’s nose?' 'The first person who can explain why the Sphinx is an example of therianthropy wins!' It pays to be knowledgeable when you're discovering Ancient Egypt. The pyramids of pharaohs such as Khufu, Khafra and Menkaure... From 3000 BC to today, they have resisted the passing of time and continue to inspire awe and curiosity, especially in children. The Egyptian museum is also an awe-inspiring place to visit. You can admire Tutankhamun's treasure, along with royal funeral furniture discovered in Tanis, magnificent Fayum mummy portraits and thousands of objects that recount the history of the great Nile civilisation. It's an unmissable stop on the trip.

DAY 3

Cairo - Aswan (cruise)

Private transfer to Cairo airport and flight to Aswan. Embarking the Steam Ship Sudan.
The itinerary - In the afternoon, visit the Philae Temple, which was moved to the island of Aguilkia in 1974 because Philae itself was submerged by water due to a dam on the river. This sanctuary was dedicated to Isis, a universal and magical goddess reigning over life, death and the underworld. The cult of the goddess continued for a long time, until the temple was transformed into a Coptic church by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the fifth century.
Dinner and first night aboard the Steam Ship Sudan.

DAY 4

ASWAN - KOM OMBO - EDFU - ESNA (CRUISE)

The itinerary - Set sail at dawn en route to Kom Ombo, to visit the temple of Haroeris (old form of Horus) and Sobek, the crocodile-headed god. Continue sailing with lunch on board. Children can enjoy a cooking class with the head chef on the boat to learn how to cook Om Ali, a type of Egyptian pudding made of puff pastry, whipped cream and dried fruit. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Edfu, built in the third century BC and dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, to Hathor his wife - goddess of beauty and love - and to Harsomtous, their son. This is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. Dinner and overnight stay aboard the Steam Ship Sudan.

DAY 5

ESNA - LUXOR (CRUISE)

The itinerary - Pass through the Esna Lock and continue to Luxor. Those wishing to do so may take part in an introduction to hieroglyphic writing, given by one of our guides on the boat. During the afternoon, visit the Karnak Temple Complex, which was built nearly two thousand years ago from the Middle Kingdom to the Ptolemaic era. Within the walls of Amun's enclosure, the temple of the guardian deity, there's the processional avenue of Criosphinxes (ram-headed sphinx, emblematic of Amun-Re) lined in a row, and the hypostyle (pillar supported) hall with its forest of columns. The tour then continues with the Luxor Temple. Also dedicated to Amun, its main architects were Amenophis III and Ramses II (New Kingdom era, 1500-1000 BC). Dinner and overnight stay aboard the Steam Ship Sudan.

DAY 6

Luxor - Dendera - Qena (cruise)

The itinerary - Sail to Qena just north of Luxor, a beautiful part of the Nile that's not normally frequented by cruise ships. Enjoy a relaxing morning taking in the River Nile before lunch. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting the Dendera Temple and the spectacular temple of Hathor – goddess of joy and love, protector of women and also nurse of the pharaohs. Bordered by different cultures and the desert, the remains of the ancient city of Dendera are particularly well preserved. Find intricately decorated chapels, columns topped with cow heads, dark passages and stairways, terraces and a roof which boasts a splendid view of the Upper Egypt countryside. Dinner on board and overnight stay at the dock in Qena.

DAY 7

Qena - Abydos - Luxor (cruise)

The itinerary - Leave the boat very early to get to Abydos by road (about two hours). The holy city - and the city of Osiris, king of the underworld and god of the afterlife - has been attracting visitors since the Ancient Egyptian era. The temple dating back to Seti I is a wonder to admire, with large colourful engravings that mark the birth of Ramesside art and its exquisite execution. It's then time to get back on board for lunch as the boat resumes sailing to Luxor. Dinner on board and overnight at the dock in Luxor.

DAY 8

Luxor (end of cruise)

The itinerary - The last morning is devoted to the discovery of the Theban Necropolis, land of mysteries and domain of the god Osiris under the New Kingdom and the Valley of the Kings , whose ornately decorated tombs tell the story of the deceased's journey through the afterlife. Then visit the Valley of the Queens - the secret necropolis of royal wives - and the Valley of the Nobles. Finish off an unforgettable morning with a stop at the Temple of Medinet Habu, where Ramses III engraved for eternity his victorious battles against the Sea Peoples, before embarking on the boat to conclude the journey along the Nile.
Transfer and last nights' stay in the modern wing of the Old Winter Palace, a famous establishment that marked the beginning of tourism in the region (it was sponsored by the same backer - Thomas Cook - who supported the Steam Ship Sudan). The atmosphere is still wonderfully Victorian and its easy to imagine gentlemen in dinner jackets and ladies in long gowns coming down the imposing marble staircase. And of course, the day wouldn't be complete without afternoon tea on the terrace.

DAY 9

Luxor - return flight

Private transfer to the airport and international flight home via Cairo.

A la carte



Optional



GO ONE STEP FURTHER – ABU SIMBEL

186 miles from Aswan, in the heart of the ancient kingdom of Nubia, stand the temples of Abu Simbel. Built to honour the great pharaoh Ramesses II, they were carved out of two sandstone hills that face the Nile. Bathed in African light, this magnificent site enhanced the pharaoh's power in the eyes of the people from the south, over whom Egypt asserted its supremacy.

Option

A Rough Idea of Price

Dependent on season, accommodation and activities
The cost for this trip starts from £5,655 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £6,220 per person.
  • International air transport (arrival in Cairo, return from Luxor)


  • Domestic flight from Cairo to Aswan


  • Airline taxes and fuel surcharge


  • Private transfers as mentioned in the itinerary


  • Two nights in Cairo at Sofitel El Gezirah, in double rooms + extra bed with breakfast


  • Cruise aboard the Steam Ship Sudan (6 days/5 nights), double suite + extra bed, full-board and tours included


  • Overnight stay in Luxor in the modern wing of the Old Winter Palace, in a triple room with breakfast


  • Day trip to the Pyramids of Giza and the Museum of Cairo, with a private tour guide


  • For the children: a cookery class and an introduction to hieroglyphics aboard the Steam Ship Sudan


  • Egyptian Visa


  • Our local Concierge service


A few of the benefits of travelling with us
Get in touch
Our experts have the inside track on the destinations they sell and will tailor-make a holiday to your unique requirements.
Contact one of our Egypt specialists