Compare Wonders of Egypt and the Nile by G Adventures vs Egypt, A Family Adventure by Sky Vacations

Day 1 Cairo

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.

If you arrive early there are plenty of things to see and do in this amazing city. Visit the Saladin Citadel of Cairo one of the most popular attractions in the city, or to really get a feel for the place, get lost in the bazaars and join the locals for a coffee in a local cafe.

If you opt to prebook the Islamic and Coptic Cairo Tour a night of pre-tour accommodation is required as this tour departs at 10am

Day 2 Cairo/Alexandria

Embark on a guided tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Continue to the historic Mediterranean city of Alexandria.

We begin with one of the key highlights of any visit to Egypt, the Great Pyramids of Giza. While once located in remote desert, they now touch the suburbs of modern Cairo. Also visit the mysterious Sphinx, with its lion’s body and man’s face. In the afternoon we drive to Alexandria, where we will spend the next two evenings.

Day 3 Alexandria

Spend the day exploring this ancient seaside city, including Pompey's Pillar, the catacombs, and the new Alexandria Library. In the afternoon opt to explore the city further on a guided tour, or see the sights at your own pace. It's up to you!

We have plenty of time to explore all the incredible sites this ancient city has to offer. Founded by Alexander the Great around 331BC, Egypt's only Mediterranean city is characterized by a distinctly European atmosphere and a refreshing sea breeze. Don't miss the chance to enjoy an optional seafood dinner at one of the city's many outdoor seaside restaurants this evening.

Day 4 Alexandria/Cairo

Head back to Cairo, and stop for a tour inside the monasteries of Wadi Natrun en route. In the afternoon explore the treasures of the Egyptian Museum.

Please note that you should be modestly dressed this morning with shoulders and knees covered for our visit to the monastery.

Day 5 Cairo/Aswān

Catch an early morning flight to Aswan. Opt to explore the busy Aswan market or visit the beautiful Philae Temple. Later, take a scenic felucca ride on the Nile to a Nubian village and enjoy a home cooked dinner with locals.

Aswan has a distinctively African feel to it. Small enough to walk around and graced with the most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing. Late in the afternoon, board a local boat, known as a felucca, to take a trip along the Nile. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the river in this busy port city. Our final stop is on the largest of the Nile islands in this area to enjoy a traditional dinner at a local home.

Day 6 Aswān

Early in the morning, drive to the famed temples of Abu Simbel for a guided tour. Later, board our river cruise ship for the night.

Day 7 Aswān/Kom Ombo

Spend your day floating down the Nile on a river boat with a guided tour of Kom Ombo Temple en route. Relax on the outside decks with a drink, watching the passing desert sands and enjoying the scenery

Following breakfast, we set sail. Before too long it is time for our first shore excursion, with a visit to Kom Ombo, a temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god. It still contains an ancient mummified crocodile.

Day 8 Kom Ombo/Luxor

Continuing cruising the Nile, relaxing and taking in the desert scenery while observing daily life along the river. Arrive to Luxor in the evening.

On the evening of day 8 our boat will moor overnight just outside of Luxor. However, please note that sometimes the ship is directed to arrive in Luxor earlier on day 8 and therefore, the free time on board on this day will be swapped with the activities on day 10. Day 10 will then become a free day to explore Luxor on your own.

Day 9 Luxor

After breakfast the group will leave for the West Bank to enjoy a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Then, have lunch with a local family on the West Bank of the Nile. In the afternoon you will meet your student-guide at the Funtasia Project Center. Together you will bike through the village to visit the community. The group will then return to the centre to learn about the Planeterra project at this location over tea with your guide. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

After checking in to the hotel, our day starts with a visit to Luxor's West Bank and the famed Valley of the Kings. Enjoy seeing and learning about these exciting ancient sites before eating a traditional lunch in a local family home. Upon finishing the meal, the group will visit the G Adventures-supported Planeterra project in Luxor before ending the day with some leisure time.

Day 10 Luxor

Enjoy an excursion to the magnificent temples of Karnak and Luxor. In the afternoon, use free time to explore the bazaar, museums or opt to take a guided tour of the temples of Habu, Ramsseum and Deir El Medina.

Day 11 Luxor/Cairo

Catch a flight back to Cairo and enjoy another day exploring this wonderful city. Visit the bazaar, any museums you missed or opt to explore nearby Sakkara and Memphis on a guided tour.

Day 12 Cairo

Depart at any time.

Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage facilities are available. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days.

Day 1: Arrival, Cairo Egypt

Arrive in Cairo to discover this ancient city. Your Sky Vacations ambassador will meet and assist you with your Egyptian entry visa, and then accompany you to your hotel hotel for check in. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Cairo.

Day 2: Cairo

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast at your hotel, the tour begins with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest museum in the world for one single civilization. You will stand face-to-face with the Golden Mask of the boy King Tutankhamen. Be dazzled with the amount of treasures and artefacts that this museum holds.

A special visit to the Children’s Museum is included today. This is an exciting space for children to learn, share, experience, and create including games, workshops, hands-on activities, virtual galleries, laboratories, and many other facilities that will provide educational and cultural enrichment.

After lunch in a local authentic restaurant, visit the Giza Pyramids, the only surviving wonder of the Seven Wonders of the World. Ride a camel out in the desert to have an amazing view for the pyramids from a distance. Then, stand in front of the imposing Sphinx, the combination of human intelligence and the strength of a lion.

Day 3: Cairo

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Start your day by visiting Sakkara, the necropolis of Memphis, home of the step pyramid, the first limestone structure ever built. Explore its 4350 years old colored tombs. Get the chance to go inside a pyramid and see the ancient Hieroglyphics that have been engraved on its walls for thousands of years. Your tour will include an off-beaten-track visit to the tomb of Mihu, the Butchers & the Two Brothers.

After lunch, Wrap up your day by walking through the old streets of Islamic Cairo; Walk in El Muizz Street which is like an open-air museum filled with medieval architectural marvels and treasures. Then explore the winding alleyways of the famous Khan El Khalili market, the major souk in the Islamic Cairo district.

This afternoon, choose from one of the following family filled activities:

An afternoon filled with arts and crafts activities for children

Exciting quad bike adventure with a great view of the Pyramids

For some added dose of adrenalin rush, Zip lining by the Cave Church

Day 4: Luxor/ Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning, take an early flight to Luxor and begin your luxury cruise. Visit the temple of Karnak, the largest religious complex that was ever built for a god in the history of mankind. The temple is dedicated to the god Amon Ra, the chief creator god in Ancient Egypt. During Karnak temple visit you will have an off-beaten-track visit to the Opet festival temple and the glorious temple of Khonsu, two hidden gems that are rarely visited by travelers. Then visit the Luxor temple that was predominantly built by Pharaoh Ramses II. Check in at your cruise & overnight.

Day 5: Tuesday: Luxor/ Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Start the day by having a donkey ride adventure to go & visit the colossi of Memnon, then visiting the Valley of the Kings, hidden behind the mountains on the west bank of the Nile. Enter the tomb of King Tutankhamen and stand face to face in front of his Mummy. Also, your tour will include an access to Ramses VI, one of the most colorful tombs at the King’s Valley. Then have an off-beaten-track – visit the temple of Hatshepsut, the only female Pharaoh who dressed and ruled Egypt like a king.

Day 6: Wednesday: Cruise/ Edfu/ Kom Ombo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, by a horse carriage you will visit the temple of Horus at Edfu, the most intact temple from the ancient world. Sail to Kom Ombo Temple dedicated to the crocodile and the falcon gods. Visit the Crocodile Mummification Museum to see crocodile mummies that are thousands of years old. (B, L, D).

Day 7: Thursday: Abu Simbel/ Nubian Village

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast on-board, drive for about 3 hours to Abu Simbel temple on the southern border of Egypt. This site is the home of two massive rock temples dedicated to Pharaoh Ramses the second and his wife Nefertari. See the gigantic statues of the pharaoh standing for over 3200 years, flanking the entrance to one of the most impressive temples in Egypt, return back to Aswan, have lunch box from the cruise and go afterwards for an off-beaten-track walk on the Island of Elephantine, explore the Nubian culture. End up your day on a legendary felucca sailboat ride down the Nile enjoying a sparkling wine during sunset.

Day 8: Aswan/ Cairo

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, disembark your cruise & enjoy a relaxing morning by visiting the Island of Philae and the temple of Isis, the goddess of love and passion in ancient Egypt afterwards. Then fly back to Cairo & overnight at airport hotel.

Day 9: Farewell Egypt

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, its time to say au revoir. Continue to the airport for your onward journey.