Egypt Encompassed - a Family Holiday in Egypt (EXFSE)
Duration:
16 days (may vary)
Areas: Egypt
Tour types: Family Adventures, History & Culture, Nature & Wildlife, Walking & Trekking
Description
Magical Cairo
We start our adventures with a visit to the Pyramids and Sphinx before seeing King Tut's gold in the famous Egyptian Museum. We then head east, crossing the Nile to enter the Sinai where we explore Wadi Feiran, and climb Mt. Sinai in time for a desert sunrise. Exploring multi-coloured wadis, meeting Bedouin families and enjoying a desert camp along the way, we travel by ferry and bus to Safaga where we can catch our breath with an optional snorkeling trip over a colourful coral reef.
Ancient sites of Luxor
The countless antiquities of ancient Thebes are to be found scattered around and actually in the middle of the modern town of Luxor! We first set out to explore Karnak Temple by calesh - horse-drawn carriage - then it's to the Valley of the Kings by donkey. A highlight for many is an optional early morning balloon ride over the famous antiquities of Thebes. There's plenty of free time to relax in the middle of our hectic itinerary, to take in other, less visited sights, shop for souvenirs or chill out by the pool.
Exotic Aswan
Travelling south to Aswan we pause en route at massive Edfu Temple and again at Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to Hathor and the crocodile-headed god, Sobek. At Kom Ombo children will be fascinated by the mummified remains of crocodile, once common in this area but now found only beyond the Aswan Dam. In Aswan the Nile slips slowly and serenely by, adding to the special atmosphere of this exotic bazaar-town. We'll take camels to an abandoned desert monastery, join a Nubian family for a traditional meal and there's the opportunity to visit stunning Abu Simbel and delightful Philae (both optional) before we take the train back to Cairo for a last free day.
Tour itinerary
Day 1
Join Cairo.
Day 2
Sightseeing to the Pyramids and Egyptian Museum.
Day 3
Drive to and explore Wadi Feiran on foot; continue to St. Catherine's.
Day 4
Very early morning ascent of Mt. Sinai for dawn on the summit; visit St. Catherine's Monastery and drive to Red Sea coast.
Day 5
Drive to and explore the amazing wadis of the Sinai; continue to desert camp.
Day 6
Tour of Ras Mohammed NP/snorkelling; ferry to Hurghada and drive south to Safaga.
Day 7
Free in Safaga - optional snorkelling.
Day 8
Drive to Luxor; afternoon calesh ride to Karnak Temple.
Day 9
Early morning donkey trek to Valley of the Kings; free afternoon.
Day 10
Free in Luxor.
Day 11
Visit local farm.
Day 12
Drive to Aswan via Edfu and Kom Ombo temples.
Day 13
Optional visit by air or coach to Abu Simbel; free afternoon for optional excursions before evening visit to Nubian family for dinner.
Day 14
Camel trek to St. Simeon's Monastery; free afternoon - optional visit to Philae Temple; overnight train to Cairo.
Day 15
Arrive Cairo; free day for relaxation or optional sightseeing.
Day 16
End Cairo.