B ring to life the lessons your children learn in school as your family discovers the power and mystique of ancient Egypt. See the Pyramids in the morning light, explore the great temples of the Nile Valley, snorkel in the Red Sea and experience the silent majesty of the desert.

Our journey begins in Cairo, where we'll tour the world-renowned archeological collections of the Egyptian Museum, including those of the Royal Mummy Room and the golden treasures of King Tutankhamen. In Luxor, site of ancient Thebes, we view the great temples and monuments of the Upper Nile. This region is home to Egypt's most impressive archeological sites.

Getting to see all the famous Egyptian antiquities is a phenomenal experience, but as we all know kids (and even adults!) can get restless with all the site seeing. Thomson has included a stop in Sharm el Sheikh for a relaxing few days of lying by the pool, hitting the beach, exploring the surrounding desert and enjoying all the amenities at your beach front family resort.

2008 Dates

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

Internal Air Discount: Children under 12 subtract $100

2009 Dates

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

Internal Air Discount: Children under 12 subtract $100

Dates

Don't see your travel dates? Please call and we'll offer a trip to meet your needs!

Days 1 and 2 – Depart U.S. / Arrive Cairo

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where your Egypt family vacation begins.

Days 3 and 4 – Cairo

Cairo is the largest city in all of Africa, and considered the heart of Egypt. As you ride a camel past the Great Pyramid, ask the kids how they imagine this enormous structure made of 2.5 million limestone blocks - each weighing 2.6 tons! - could have been built over 4,000 years ago. Keep in mind that it’s almost 500 feet tall!

Memphis and Sakkara 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. Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx The only structure in the world that can rival the wonder of the Great Pyramid is the Sphinx. There are many theories as to why and how these two ancient monuments were built, and seeing them for the first time will leave your family speechless. Camel ride Enjoy a camel ride in the shadow of the Great Pyramid itself. Ride alone or with another family member – these guys can carry up to 1,000 pounds! Friends Across Borders meeting (pen pals) Thomson families love this program! Children traveling with us can choose to exchange letters with a local child of similar age before leaving on their adventure. While on the family trip we organize a pen pal meeting with a scheduled activity like soccer or hacky sacking. It’s amazing how such interaction can be a real eye-opener for everyone involved. Egyptian Museum The greatest collection of Egyptian antiquities is held in the Egyptian Museum. The Museum is home to nearly 120,000 objects, including a collection of royal mummies and the treasures from King Tut’s tomb. It’s more fascinating than you could ever imagine. Khan al Khalili Bazaar The ancient and narrow passageways of the Khan al Khalili are piled high with souvenirs of all kinds – wooden carvings, blown glass, carpets, silver and bronze, fabrics and other goods. Try your hand at bargaining here!

Days 5 and 6 – Sharm el Sheikh

In the midst of all the ancient sight seeing, we discovered families really enjoy a breather from the mummies and monuments. Surrounded on three sides by desert, Sharm has family-friendly resorts on white sand beaches with pristine pools and water sports galore. Fun shops and restaurants line the waterfront promenade. Mix in a climb to the top of legendary Mount Sinai and these vacation days are just perfect.

Swim or snorkel (March – August) Sharm is located at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea, and the coral reefs off shore are perfect for snorkeling. Have a blast in the ocean or relax by your pool – it’s a good time to appreciate the fabulous Egyptian weather. Dinner with a Bedouin family (December – February) Head out into the red desert to the Valley of Mandar, where we mount up for a brief camel ride, finishing as the sun sets. This evening, we’ll get to know the local people as we share dinner with a Bedouin family. St. Catherine’s Monastery Based at the foot of Mount Sinai, this byzantine church is one of the oldest active monasteries in the world and is thought to be the spot where Moses saw the burning bush. Hike Mount Sinai Talk about reliving history! The summit of this three-hour hike up Mount Sinai is believed to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Days 7 and 8 – Luxor

In Luxor, formerly Thebes, the best preserved temples will be visited. The Temple of Karnak is the largest temple in all of Egypt, and is located on a stupendous 247 acre complex. Get your kids ready for the world’s greatest open-air museum.

Temple of Luxor Ride in a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Luxor. Most impressive here is an entire avenue lined with sphinxes and massive statues of the Pharaoh Ramses II. Temple of Karnak 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. Free afternoon Take some time to relax at the hotel or go for a swim in the pool. Valley of the Queens and Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Ancient Egypt’s most renowned and longest-ruling female pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut, has a temple filled with unusually colorful pictographs and hieroglyphics. In an amazing discovery, her mummy was just unearthed in the nearby Valley of the Kings in June of 2007! Valley of the Kings All these royal tombs were chiseled deep into steep slopes of solid rock, and after burial ceremonies they were “permanently sealed.” Over sixty tombs have been found here so far, including King Tut’s. Felucca ride As ancient sail boats, Feluccas have been used on the Nile for centuries. Hop aboard for a relaxing tour on the open waters.

Day 9 – Cairo

On our second visit to Cairo and your last day in Egypt, your family will enjoy a farewell dinner cruise on the Nile River. Take in the lights along the banks, good food and even a belly dancing performance (Rated G!).

The Citadel and Mosque of Muhammed Ali One of the most visible landmarks on Cairo’s eastern skyline, the Citadel was built in the most magnificent medieval style – there’s even a moat. Muhammed Ali’s mosque, also known as the Alabaster Mosque, was built in 1848 and sits atop the Citadel. The interior is sometimes compared to a Faberge egg because it’s so fun and colorful. Free afternoon Relax in your hotel, swim in the pool or do some last-minute shopping in town. Nile Dinner Cruise The meal served on this cruise is absolutely delicious and the festivities can’t be beat. What a great way to finish up your vacation!

Day 10 – Depart Cairo / Arrive U.S.

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 A vacation to Egypt is like experiencing the birth of ancient civilization. Egypt’s 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 Cairo, the largest city in all of Africa, is home to the Pyramids of Giza, where the Great Pyramid and Sphinx reside. The incredible sights continue at the Solar Boat Museum, where a royal barge built to carry the pharaoh's soul on its afterlife journey rests, and at the world-renown Egyptian Museum. The museum’s amazing archaeological collections include the Royal Mummy Room and the golden treasures of King Tutankhamen. The Sphinx, Giza, Memphis and Sakkara How about a visit to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world — did we mention it’s the only wonder still in existence? 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 and Valley of the Queens The Valley of the Kings near Luxor is the location of at least 63 royal tombs. While many were plundered in antiquity as well as in more recent history, some still retain their spectacular original paint, with exquisitely painted hieroglyphics. The nearby Valley of the Queens features 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. Karnak is the largest temple complex in all of Egypt. Originally named Ipet-isut, meaning the most sacred of places, the 247-acre complex was built by generations of ancient builders over a 1300-year period. Ruins of Aswan Located on the banks of the Nile in southern Egypt, Aswan was once a trade center, serving as the gateway to Sudan and Ethiopia, and was the place where the annual Nile flood was first sighted in Egypt. The many attractions of Aswan include the Nubian Museum, St. Simeon Monastery, the unfinished obelisk, and Philea Temple.

Why Egypt with Thomson?

A charming change of pace in Sharm El Sheikh Between visiting Cairo and Luxor, your family will take a break from the mummies and museums and spend two wonderful nights in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el Sheik. Experience world-class snorkeling and beautiful white-sand beaches, dinner with a Bedouin family and the chance to climb to the top of Mount Sinai during your stay in this charming community. You’ll find this a refreshing change of pace before continuing on to Luxor. Chance to climb Mt. Sinai where Moses received the 10 Commandments and see St. Catherine’s Monastery Talk about reliving history! The summit of this three-hour hike up Mount Sinai is believed to be the place where 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, thought to be the spot where Moses saw the burning bush. Not just a Nile cruise Most tours include Nile cruises with highly regimented itineraries. Staying at hotels lets us get off the beaten path, and allows your family to really experience Egypt. And while history is great, we know that kids need variety, so our trip 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 “downtime” at this gorgeous seaside resort town. Friends across borders in Cairo Families love our Cairo Friends program! Children get to exchange letters with a local child of similar age before leaving on their adventure. While on the family trip, your child will get to meet his or her pen pal through a fun activity like soccer or hacky sacking. It’s amazing how such interaction can be a real eye-opener for everyone involved.