Mummies & Pharaohs (Family)

12 days - from $1780

We begin our Egypt adventure in Cairo, where we see the treasures of Tutankhamun and the royal mummies, including Ramses II. Later we visit the pyramids and Sphinx before a sleeper train takes us to Aswan. Here we ride camels, sail in a traditional felucca and explore the Nubian bazaar. Boarding our riverboat we cruise to Luxor, visiting the temples of Komombo and Edfu along the way. We explore the massive temple complex at Karnak and cross the Nile to visit the celebrated Valley of the Kings and the beautiful Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Driving to the coast we have a couple of days by the beach, including a fun boat trip with fantastic snorkelling. We then head back to Cairo and spend a final morning in the Khan el Khalili bazaar.

Highlights

• Aswan & the Islands
• Egyptian Museum
• Camel Ride
• Edfu Temple
• Karnak Temple
• Komombo Temple
• Luxor
• Nile Riverboat Cruise
• Red Sea
• Snorkelling/Boat Trip
• Sphinx
• Temple of Hatshepsut
• The Pyramids
• Valley of the Kings

Itinerary:

Day 1 (Sun) Arrive in Cairo and transfer to hotel.2 Visit Egyptian Museum and mummy room, pyramids and Sphinx. Sleeper train to Aswan.3 Visit the Aswan bazaar. Afternoon camel ride and felucca trip.4 Optional visit to Abu Simbel. Board Nile cruise.5 Nile cruise. Visit Komombo and Edfu temples.6 Arrive Luxor. Horse-drawn carriage to Karnak Temple.7 Visit Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon.8 Drive to Hurghada on the Red Sea coast.9 Boat trip and snorkelling.10 Morning free. Return to Cairo.11 Visit Khan El Khalili bazaar. Afternoon free.12 Trip ends in Cairo this morning (Thu).
Included: Local tour leader, local guides, arrival transfer, transport, Nile cruise, sightseeing and entrance fees.
Not Included: Departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals, drinks, optional additional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.
Meals: 11 breakfasts,4 lunches,4 dinners
Valid From: 01 Jan 06
Notes: Age limits and responsibility for minors Our family trips are not recommended for children under the age of six. There must be at least one parent/adult guardian for three minors. Parent/adult guardian must be fully responsible for their minors throughout the entire trip. If you have a question regarding age and suitability, please contact us for further advice. Accommodation Triple share rooms are not available on the overnight trains or Nile cruise boat in Egypt. For bookings with an odd number of passengers, one adult will have to share a room on the train and the cruise boat with someone else from the tour of the same gender or a single supplement can be requested for the tour, at additional cost. If you have requested a triple room, this will only apply to your hotel stays, if available. 'Baksheesh' and Tipping Throughout the Middle East, tipping is part of the fabric of life. The local word is 'baksheesh', which when translated into English falls somewhere in between 'tip' and 'bribe'. Everyone constantly tips everyone else and foreign travellers are expected to comply with this system. It is part of everyday life and is a form of remuneration for doing something, regardless of the standard of service. This is quite confusing for those used to the western concept of tipping as a way of showing appreciation. Over the years we have found that most of our customers find this constant need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if you don't have the correct small change. To overcome this, we have established a very successful tipping kitty system. At the beginning of the tour, your tour leader will suggest collecting a set amount from each tour member. He/she will then distribute all tips along the way, on behalf of the group, to the local guides, drivers, porters and anyone else who provides services along the way. We have surveyed thousands of our previous clients and the vast majority clearly prefer this procedure. We hope that this system will also work for you. The amount will vary from trip to trip, but it usually works out to be about the equivalent of US$3 per person per day. If you are out on your own, for example at a restaurant, you should also leave a tip for the waiter. Please note that the tipping kitty will NOT include a gratuity for your tour leader. They work hard for you and if you are happy with their service it is appropriate to tip them as well. The normal amount expected is US$3 (or equivalent) per day from each member of the group. Ramadan Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is an exciting (and at times, frustrating) time to travel in the Middle East. In the evening there is a celebratory atmosphere as people break their fast, and to witness all this is a real highlight. However, during the day, people must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, so if you encounter someone who is a bit grumpy, be sympathetic! Tourist sites are generally unaffected although some places may close early, but your leader will plan around this. Most hotels bars and tourist restaurants will remain open. Overall, Ramadan is a really interesting time to the Middle East, although you do need to be flexible, sympathetic and sensitive. In 2010, Ramadan starts on 11th August and finishes on 9th September, with the Eid el Fitr feast commencing on 10th September. In 2011, Ramadan will start on 1st August and finish on 30th August.
Starts/Ends: Cairo to Cairo
Trip Reference: PTMP