Egypt

Egypt: Cairo, Aswan & Luxor

  • Overview
    Starts at

    $6990

    Duration.

    10 days

    Activity Level

    Moderate

    Our moderate adventures are similar to our easy adventures, but you’ll spend more time on your feet.
    Meals

    8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners

    Make lifelong memories as you and your family step back in time and discover the amazing wonders of ancient Egypt. From mysterious mummies and majestic pyramids to secret-chambered tombs and splendid temples, this chapter of history holds an unparalleled fascination for kids and adults alike that you can only experience on an Egypt family vacation.

    Learn the History of Ancient Egypt in Cairo

    Visit Cairo and its various museums to learn about Egyptian history and culture, and see relics in the Royal Mummy Room and the golden treasures left behind by King Tut.

    Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza on a Camel

    Ride a camel, the most recognizable animal in Egypt, through desert landscapes in the shadows of the Great Pyramids of Giza.

    See the Aswan Dam and Philae Temple

    Spend time in Aswan on the banks of the Nile River and visit the famous Aswan Dam and the Philae Temple which was saved from destruction by an intricate international effort.

    Explore a Traditional Nubian Village

    Boat to a secluded Nubian village along the Nile River, see the lifestyle and colorful homes of the locals and eat a traditional lunch with them.

    Sail Down the Nile on a Felucca

    Climb aboard a traditional Egyptian style boat, a felucca, and sail down the Nile as people have for thousands of years.

    Explore Luxor

    Walk through the Valley of the Kings, take a carriage ride to the Temple of Luxor like ancient royalty, and discover the Temple of Karnak.

  • Itinerary

    Days 2-3

    Cairo

    Dahshur Pyramids

    You’ll visit the lesser-known pyramids of Dahshur and marvel at these baffling works of ancient engineering brilliance, including the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid.

    Visit Sakkhara

    At Sakkhara, the city’s necropolis, or cemetery, you’ll stand in awe before the Step Pyramid. Archaeologists have dated it back to the 27th century BC, making this the oldest known of Egypt’s 97 pyramids. During your time at Sakkhara, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Serapeum Tomb, which is a ancient burial place of Apis bulls.

    Visit a Carpet School

    Learn how Egyptian rugs are made at a carpet school. Meet some local children and possibly enjoy a soccer game with them.

    Dinner with a Local Family

    This evening, you’ll enjoy dinner with an Egyptian family. Learn local customs, enjoy a typical Egyptian meal and discover what “family ” means in Cairo, Egypt.


    Days 4-6

    Aswan

    Pyramids of Giza

    Explore the ultimate Egyptian icons, the Pyramids of Giza. The 450-foot Great Pyramid — the only remaining “wonder” of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — was built nearly 4,000 years ago. Its 2.5 million limestone blocks, each weighing 2.6 tons, were moved across the desert and assembled to create this vast burial monument. If you’re brave enough, crawl into the pyramid itself, follow its winding passageways and make the nerve-wracking ascent into its chamber — you’ll have a great story to tell friends back home!

    Sphinx

    The final stop on the Giza Plateau is visiting the huge and mysterious Sphinx. This mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man keeps a silent watch over the desert, as he has for almost 4,500 years. The giant statue, 241-feet-long and 66 feet high, was built in approximately 2500 BC!

    Camel Ride

    Take a short camel ride in the shadow of the Great Pyramid itself — this is a great photo opportunity!

    Temple of Philae

    Built for the Goddess Isis, wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. The temple is best known for the international effort in moving it entirely when it was threatened by the change in water level caused by the High Dam.

    Nubian Village

    Visit a traditional Nubian Village and visit the home of a local family to learn about their way of life.

    Nile Ride in a Felucca

    Cruise like an Egyptian aboard a felucca, the traditional wooden sailing boats that have plied the Nile waters for centuries. You’ll sail past ancient monuments, witness farmers working their fields, and watch the sun set over an unforgettable scene.

    Option to Explore the Temples of Abu Simbel (at additional cost)


    Days 7-8

    Luxor

    Drive Aswan to Luxor

    The drive from Aswan to Luxor takes approximately 3.5-4 hours, following the green banks of the Nile River.

    Temple of Kom Ombo

    The Temple of Kom Ombo is unusual because it is a double temple, built for two sets of gods. The northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder. The southern part of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility. Discovered in the vicinity were 300 crocodile mummies, several of which are displayed inside the temple.

    Visit Edfu

    Edfu is believed to be the site where the falcon god Horus fought a fierce battle with his uncle. Of all the temple remains in Egypt, the Temple of Horus at Edfu is the most completely preserved.

    Temple of Luxor

    Making a dramatic entrance, you’ll ride to the Temple of Luxor in a horse-drawn carriage and explore this stunning riverside complex believed to have been dedicated to Amon-Re, king of the gods. Its long avenue, lined with sphinxes and giant statues of the Pharaoh Ramesses II, are the temple’s most famous feature. Obelisks, hieroglyph-covered pillars, sun disks, and papyrus columns, once gilded in gold, offer a dazzling peek into the former opulence of these mind-boggling constructions.

    Temple of Karnak

    The Temple of Karnak neighbors Luxor and is just as remarkable, if not more so with its great hall supported by a record breaking 134 colossal columns.

    Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

    Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut — Ancient Egypt’s most renowned and longest-ruling female pharaoh.

    Valley of the Kings

    Sprawled along the banks of the Nile, the Valley of the Kings is the site of dozens of royal tombs chiseled deep into the vertical slopes of solid rock. So far, 63 tombs have been excavated here, including King Tut’s.


    Day 9

    Cairo

    Fly Luxor to Cairo

    Citadel and Mosque of Muhammad Ali

    You’ll visit one of the most visible landmarks on Cairo’s eastern skyline, the Citadel. Built in the most magnificent medieval style — there’s even a moat! Muhammad Ali’s mosque, also known as the Alabaster Mosque, was built in 1848 and sits atop the Citadel.

    Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

    You’ll visit Khan el-Khalili Bazaar where you can try your hand at bargaining!


    Day 10

    Depart


  • Dates & Prices

    2024 Dates


    03/22-03/31

    Adult $7490
    Teen $7490
    Child $7290
    Internal Air $600

    04/12-04/21

    Adult $6990
    Teen $6990
    Child $6790
    Internal Air $600

    06/21-06/30

    Adult $6990
    Teen $6990
    Child $6790
    Internal Air $600

    12/27-01/05

    Adult $7890
    Teen $7890
    Child $7690
    Internal Air $600

    Additional Info

    Groups 

    Traveling in a party of six or more friends or family members? Call us about our large group discounts.

    Alumni Discount 

    If you are a returning Thomson guest, please subtract $500 per family from these prices.

    Travel Insurance

    We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We’ve received great feedback about Travel Guard – you can learn more about the benefits of travel insurance there.

    Single Supplement

    Single supplement starts at $1250.

    Price Includes

    All entrance fees, accommodations based on two to a room, land transportation, private bilingual guide throughout, all meals, bottled water & snacks in the vehicle.

    Guaranteed departure. Small group surcharge may apply. Call us to discuss age recommendations for each destination. Prices are subject to change.

  • Hotels

    Conrad Cairo

    Located in downtown Cairo, the Conrad Cairo is close to the Egyptian Museum, the Citadel, the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and other landmarks. Rooms include satellite TV, telephone, high-speed internet, coffee makers and air conditioning. The hotel includes heated outdoor pools, health and fitness centers, a sauna, business center, and several restaurants.

    Movenpick Resort Aswan

    The Movenpick Resort Awan is located on Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile River. Amenities include TV, air conditioning, a gym and a swimming pool.

    Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor

    Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor is a modern, 7-story building overlooking the banks of the Nile. It offers 335 luxurious rooms and panoramic views of the Nile. The hotel is conveniently located only minutes from world-renowned historic sites.

    Le Meridien Cairo Airport

    Conveniently located in Terminal 3 of the Cairo Airport, this hotel offers 349 non-smoking rooms, a beautiful outdoor pool, well equipped fitness center, and several bars and restaurants.

    Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary and its hotels as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.

From the Blog

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What Travelers are Saying

We honestly could not be happier with Thomson and our guides. The whole team was professional and sensitive in a difficult time for Egypt. They treated our family as if we were their own and we will always be grateful. We will recommend this trip to all of our friends.

Kim Magee


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