M ake 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.  

A Thomson family favorite, our Egypt tour encompasses a wide variety of sights and activities balanced with three relaxing days at the beachfront resort of Sharm el Sheikh. In bustling Cairo, among the vast collections of the Egyptian Museum, visit the Royal Mummy Room and behold the golden treasures of King Tutankhamen. Wander the jumbled maze of the Khan al Khalili Bazaar and bargain for a keepsake treasure of your own. Ride a camel in the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza—and ponder how these timeless monuments were built. Swim and snorkel in the warm waters of the Red Sea, and join intrepid hikers for a daybreak climb to the top of Mt. Sinai.

On foot and by horse-drawn carriage you’ll explore Luxor and the fabled Valley of the Kings, sail the Nile aboard a traditional felucca, and enjoy a home-cooked dinner in the warm company of an Egyptian family. Kids will love the chance to meet and play with fellow school children, exchange letters, and perhaps make a pen pal for life.

2012 Dates

2011 Prices are reflective of a $700 discount.

Triple Discount: $300 for child under 12 sharing with 2 adults

Internal Air Discount: Children under 12 subtract $100

Alumni Discount: if you are a returning Thomson guest, please subtract $500 per family from these prices

Large Group Discount: if the departure you choose has 11 or more travelers (including your family) a $400-$500 discount per person will be applied to your final trip price. Amount depends on trip date. Valid for 2012 only.

Price includes: All entrance fees, accommodations based on two to a room, land transportation, private bi-lingual guide throughout, area specialists, all meals except 3 dinners & 1 lunch, bottled water & snacks, Comprehensive Travel Insurance.

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Days 1 and 2 – Depart home / Arrive Cairo

Welcome to Egypt and 7,000 years of history! Ancient archaeological sites and breathtaking temples and monuments bring this fascinating civilization to life, while the traditional hospitality of its people will make you and your family feel warmly welcomed.

Days 3 and 4 – Cairo

Bustling Cairo is both Egypt’s capital city and its cultural heart. Back-dropped by the ancient Pyramids of Giza this progressive city comfortably rubs shoulders with its past civilizations. As we explore multi-faceted Cairo, you’ll have the chance to experience the best of both worlds.

Explore ancient Memphis and Sakkhara Once the country’s capital, Memphis was the home of Egypt’s first dynasty. At nearby Sakkhara, the city’s ancient cemetery, you’ll visit the Step Pyramid—the oldest of Egypt’s 97 pyramids. Friends Across Borders Meeting (pen pals) At a local carpet-making school, children who exchanged letters with a local student before leaving on their adventure will have the chance to personally meet their pen pals, play games, and discover the fun of making a new friend from a different culture. Enjoy dinner with a local family This evening join a local family at their home for a traditional dinner—a delightful opportunity to learn about local customs, savor new flavors, and understand what “family” means in Cairo, Egypt. Experience the Pyramids of Giza Explore these amazing monuments and marvel at their staying power. The 450-foot-high Great Pyramid—the only remaining “wonder” of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—was built nearly 4,000 years ago. If you dare, take the opportunity to crawl into the pyramid itself and discover its secret passageways. Ride a camel A trip highlight for everyone, a camel ride in the shadow of the pyramids is the perfect photo opportunity. Nearby, the mysterious Sphinx has kept watch over the desert for almost 4,500 years. Solar Boat Museum   Adjacent to the Great Pyramid, the Solar Boat Museum houses two royal barges built to carry the pharaoh Khufu’s body and his earthly belongings to the pyramid for burial. During our visit we’ll see that the boat on display (it was discovered in 1954) was reconstructed from 1,224 separate pieces! 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! Explore the Egyptian Museum More than 120,000 objects make this the world’s greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities. The Royal Mummy Room— home to the golden treasures from King Tutankhamen’s tomb—is a unanimous favorite! Fly to Sharm el-Sheikh This evening an hour-long flight whisks you to the lovely resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for a relaxing two-day stay on the shores of the Red Sea. Upon arrival transfer to your comfortable hotel for check-in.

Days 5 and 6 – Sharm el-Sheikh

Situated at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and bordered both by desert and white sand beaches, Sharm el Sheikh offers a relaxing (this is after all a vacation!), family-friendly atmosphere with activities sure to please everyone.

Snorkel, Swim, Relax Warm waters are calling... With colorful reefs teeming with fish, a snorkel adventure is mighty tempting. Or simply appreciate the gorgeous Egypt weather as you relax poolside. Day at leisure Discover the charms of Sharm! Enjoy the amenities of your hotel or walk the waterfront promenade along Na’ama Bay, indulging in some resort shopping and fun local entertainment. Climb Mount Sinai for sunrise For those who love a challenging adventure, we steal away for a three-hour climb to the summit of Mount Sinai—by camelback and on foot—arriving in time to watch the sun light up the desert below. Visit St. Catherine’s Monastery As you return to earth, and the base of Mt. Sinai, you’ll visit the spectacular Byzantine-style Saint Catherine’s Monastery. The church was built around what is thought to be the Burning Bush of Moses. Remarkably, you can still view the healthy, ever-thriving plant.

Days 7 and 8 – Luxor

The former great city of Thebes, Luxor is home to Egypt’s best-preserved and largest temple complexes.

Fly to Luxor A 45-minute flight brings us to Luxor, home to some of Egypt’s most impressive monuments. Explore the Valley of the Kings Journey into the awe-inspiring Valley of the Kings, where royal tombs have been chiseled deep into vertical walls of solid rock. So far, 63 tombs have been excavated here, including King Tut’s. The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Nearby lies the magnificent temple of Egypt’s longest-ruling female pharaoh. Its remarkably preserved chambers are literally covered with brilliantly colored pictographs and hieroglyphs, inviting all kinds of fanciful interpretation from the kids. In an amazing discovery, the mummy of Queen Hatshepsut was unearthed nearby in June of 2007! Discover the Temple of Luxor A horse-drawn carriage ride brings you to the gates of this stunning complex. Its centerpiece is the long avenue lined with sphinxes and giant statues of the pharaoh Ramesses II. The Temple of Karnak As you wander in awe through this sprawling monument, just think—you’re following in the footsteps of 4,000 years of pilgrims! In the Great Hall, the 134 massive and intricately carved columns feel like a forest of stone. Sail by felucca along the Nile Travel the Nile as Egyptians have for centuries—aboard a traditional wooden sailing boat. Have your cameras at the ready for sunset over the monuments and timeless scenes along the riverbanks.

Day 9 – Cairo

We return to Cairo for our last full day in Egypt, taking a look at another side of this exciting, multi-faceted city.

The Citadel and Mosque of Muhammad Ali One of Cairo’s most visible landmarks, the medieval, moat-rimmed Citadel was built in 810 A.D. Right on top of it stands Muhammad Ali’s mosque, famous for its soaring minarets and brilliantly colored interior. Treasure-hunting at the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar No visit to Egypt would be complete without a chance to experience an authentic bazaar. Venture down the narrow passageways of Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, a feast of colorful sights and sounds. Don’t be timid about bargaining for that special eye-catching treasure! Farewell lunch We’ll enjoy a leisurely farewell lunch at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant, located in the heart of the Bazaar. A relaxing afternoon Enjoy some family time this afternoon to relax at your hotel or swim in the pool.

Day 10 – Depart Cairo / Arrive home

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

Why Egypt?

7,000 years of incredible history Kids and adults alike are fascinated by Egypt, one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Its rich 7,000 year history comes alive with museums, ancient historical sites, breathtaking temples, and monuments, and its warm and welcoming people. See the sites of Cairo The largest city in all of Africa, Cairo is home to the Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx. At the Solar Boat Museum, view a royal barge built to carry the pharaoh's soul on its afterlife journey. And, at the world-renown Egyptian Museum, wander in amazement through the Royal Mummy Room, home to the golden treasures of King Tutankhamen. The Sphinx, Giza, Memphis and Sakkara See for yourself one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—did you know it’s the only wonder still standing? As you ride a camel past the Great Pyramid, you’ll ponder how this enormous structure made of 2.5 million limestone blocks, each weighing 2.6 tons, could have been built 4,000 years ago! Nearby the Great Pyramid is the Sphinx, keeping quiet watch over the desert for almost 4,500 years.
Memphis is the old capital of Egypt, and Sakkara is the ornate burial site for this 5,000-year-old city. You’ll see the oldest pyramid ever built, the step pyramid, at Sakkara. Valley of the Kings & Valley of the Queens More than 63 royal tombs—including King Tut’s—have been excavated in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor. While many have been plundered through the ages, some still retain their exquisitely painted hieroglyphics.  At the nearby Valley of the Queens, witness the newly-discovered mummy of Egypt’s most-renowned female pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut, as well as her remarkable mortuary temple. Temples of Luxor and Karnak Luxor, or Thebes as it was known in antiquity, is home to some of Egypt’s best-preserved temples—the Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak. You’ll make a grand entrance as you ride into Luxor in a horse-drawn carriage! Karnak is the largest temple complex in all of Egypt—the 247-acre complex was built by generations of ancient builders over a 1300-year period. Imagine walking among towering carved columns in the Great Hall—a forest of stone.

Why Egypt with Thomson?

A charming change of pace in Sharm El Sheikh In-between visiting Cairo and Luxor, your family will take a break from the mummies and museums to spend two wonderful nights in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el Sheik. Enjoy world-class snorkeling, beautiful white-sand beaches, and the unforgettable chance to climb to the top of Mount Sinai during your stay. Climb Mt. Sinai; Visit St. Catherine’s Monastery Talk about reliving history! The summit of this three-hour trip—by camel and on foot— up Mount Sinai takes you to the place where it is said Moses received the Ten Commandments. At the foot of Mount Sinai, you and your children will visit the lovely Byzantine St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest active monasteries in the world—pilgrims come from all over the world to see the still-thriving Burning Bush of Moses’ time. Thomson’s Egypt—Not your Typical Nile cruise Most tours include Nile cruises with highly regimented itineraries. We believe staying at hotels “on location” allows us to get off the beaten path, and gives your family the personal chance to experience the real Egypt. And while history is great (and we showcase the very best of it here), we know that kids need variety, so our family adventure offers more than mummies and museums! In between visits to see the pyramids and temples, you’ll fly to the Sinai Peninsula and spend two wonderful nights in Sharm el Sheik. Enjoy snorkeling, dinner with a Bedouin family or simply some relaxing “down time” at this gorgeous seaside resort town. Friends Across Borders, in Cairo As part of our Friends Across Borders program —a Thomson family favorite—we’ve arranged for a pen pal meeting this afternoon for the children who exchanged letters with a local student before leaving on their adventure. Through playing a game, or sharing in a mutual activity, the kids all enjoy the eye-opening, and truly rewarding, experience of making a new friend from a culture very different from their own.