- Discover the Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza
- Enjoy snorkelling and a submarine ride in the Red Sea
- Sail the Nile in a traditional felucca
- Explore the Valley of the Kings
Egyptian Family Adventure
9 Days
from
9 Days
from
Family
Itinerary
Cairo Hughada London London
Fly to Cairo
The group flight usually arrives in Cairo this evening. The welcome briefing will either take place this evening or tomorrow morning. Our family-friendly hotel is close to the pyramids, meaning that there is less distance to cover for the sightseeing the next day.
Accommodation: Cairo Pyramids Hotel (or similar)
Start Cairo
Welcome to Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Our family-friendly hotel is close to the pyramids, meaning there is less distance to cover for our sightseeing tomorrow. Before that, though, we have a welcome briefing either this evening or tomorrow morning – a good chance to get to know the group a little and to ask any questions you may have.
Accommodation: Cairo Pyramids Hotel (or similar)
Morning at the Pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza; optional visit to the Egyptian Museum
Today we enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of two ancient wonders. At Giza, the enigmatic Sphinx and Great Pyramids stand on the edge of the empty desert overlooking the city, providing a great contrast between ancient and modern Egypt. More than 4,000 years old, the pyramids are a testimony to the ingenuity and skill of their builders; in fact, the Great Pyramid, the largest of the pyramids here, is the only Wonder of the Ancient World that still stands.
The afternoon is free to relax at our hotel, explore Cairo, join an optional excursion to Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur, or visit the Egyptian Museum – home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the world, including the incredible golden riches of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Accommodation: Cairo Pyramids Hotel (or similar)
Afternoon Cairo tour; board sleeper train in the evening
After a leisurely start to the day, we transfer to Al Azhar Mosque, which dates to 970 CE and is the oldest in Cairo. It is still frequently visited by the local population and we need to cover up (long sleeves and trousers) to enter – as when entering all mosques. Women also need to cover their hair with a scarf. We then have time for lunch and to explore Al Azhar Park before moving to the historic centre of Islamic Cairo for a walk around the bazaars of Khan el-Khalili. This evening, we transfer to the railway station and board our sleeper train to Aswan (the ride takes approximately 12 hours).
Accommodation: Sleeper train
Arrive Aswan; afternoon felucca ride
We arrive in Aswan in the morning. To travellers in ancient times, the town was legendary as the entrance to the Nubian kingdom. Today it’s still something of a frontier town and, with a mixed population of Egyptians and Nubians, quite unlike any other in the country.
It has always been a trading centre, by virtue of its position on the old caravan route, and we thoroughly recommend exploring the packed bazaar today where merchants display a wealth of spices, carpets, leather goods and countless other wares (this is not an included visit, but easy to do). There is time to relax after the train journey or to take an optional visit to a nearby Nubian museum before we board a traditional felucca in the afternoon and explore the Nile. Along the way, we have a glimpse of rural life along this fertile valley and the golden dunes beyond.
Accommodation: Basma Hotel (or similar)
Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple; transfer to Luxor
We begin today with a visit to the Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam. In the 1970s, the temple was relocated by Unesco to Aglika Island after it became evident the original site of Philae would submerge on completion of the dam. This morning represents a magnificent and enduring testament to both ancient and modern engineering. We drive north after lunch, following the Nile to Luxor (approximately four hours). Known in ancient times as Thebes, Luxor was the capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom for some 500 years. Upon arrival, we may have time to see some of the town before dinner.
Accommodation: Steigenberger Nile Palace (or similar)
Explore the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon; evening light show at Karnak Temple
Rising early, we cross the Nile and drive to the secluded valley where 63 pharaohs were buried as part of their journey to the afterlife. We have time to explore some of the exquisitely decorated tombs of these ancient rulers. It is here the burial site of the boy-king Tutankhamun, discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, is found. Entry to Tutankhamun’s tomb costs approximately US$12, payable locally. In terms of size and decoration, it is not as impressive as many of the other tombs but is, of course, very interesting. After, we visit the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon and stop by the A.C.E animal hospital to learn about the efforts taken to improve animal welfare in Egypt. Later this evening, we visit Karnak Temple for a sound and light show, which recounts the dramatic history of ancient Thebes in an extravagant and fun way.
Accommodation: Steigenberger Nile Palace (or similar)
Transfer to Hurghada; submarine ride and snorkelling in Red Sea
This morning, we leave the green Nile valley and drive through the barren Eastern Desert to the Red Sea (approximately four hours). Our destination is Hurghada, a vibrant beach resort ideally located for activities out at sea and in the nearby desert. After lunch, we board a semi-submersible vessel in the style of a yellow submarine and explore the coral wonderland beneath the surface of the Red Sea. There is also time for snorkelling before returning to dry land.
Accommodation: Sea Star Beau Rivage (or similar)
Free day at the Red Sea or for optional activities in the Sahara
Today is free to relax or enjoy the many optional activities in the area (see the Optional Activities section of the trip notes for details of what is available).
Accommodation: Sea Star Beau Rivage (or similar)
End Hurghada
Our trip ends today. We bid farewell and begin our return journeys home. If you’d like a bit more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Fly to London via Cairo
Our trip ends today. Those on the group flights will be taken to airport for the flight to London.
Family-friendly hotels and sleeper train
We use a range of four-star (local rating) properties throughout this trip. Below are the places we typically use during our time in Egypt.
Cairo: Cairo Pyramids Hotel (nights 1 and 2)
In Cairo, we typically use the Cairo Pyramids Hotel, which is located close to the Great Pyramids at Giza. It has a pool, choice of dining options, and a fitness area.
Cairo to Aswan: Sleeper train (night 3)
We travel from Cairo to Aswan on the overnight sleeper train. We stay in first-class cabins, which are compact and have bunk beds. Bedding is provided. The train tends to shake due to the condition of the track and is quite noisy. Earplugs are a good idea. A basic dinner and breakfast are provided, you may wish to take snacks with you. There is a shared toilet in each carriage.
Aswan: Basma Hotel (night 4)
On the highest hill in Aswan, directly opposite the Nubian Museum, the Basma occupies a privileged spot. Rooms come in a mixture of styles, many with views over the city or the Nile, and you can spend your free time cooling off in the expansive pool. The property is also home to The Lotus restaurant, which serves an eclectic mix of international and local cuisines, plus the Vienna Cafe, where you can enjoy light bites, hot drinks and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Luxor: Steigenberger Nile Palace (nights 5 and 6)
In Luxor, we stay at this rather grand hotel beside the Nile. There’s a pool overlooking the river plus a spa and fitness area. The selection of dining options is vast and includes: Nubia, a Nubian-themed eatery; the Nile Bar and Lounge, which serves light bites and is well worth visiting during sunset; and The View, where you can enjoy ‘creative culinary art’ with vistas over the Nile and Theban mountains.
Hurghada: Sea Star Beau Rivage (nights 7 and 8)
Enjoy a private sandy beach with sun umbrellas, sunbeds and wind protection or hop into the swimming pool when you stay at the Sea Star Beau Rivage. The are also two outside lounge areas, a cafe and a bar, plus an eight-hole mini-golf course.
Worth knowing
- The sleeper trains in Egypt are fairly dated so although classified as first class you should be prepared for a lower standard than Western countries.
- Wifi is chargeable at the Sea Star Beau Rivage (approximately US$6.40 a day) and only available close to the reception area, not in the rooms. Please also note, Hurghada is a resort town and some guests could be in party mode.
Trip Experts
Nermeen Hamdy
Expert Leader: Egypt
Reviews
Add your own reviewMemorable Egyptian Family Adventure
We recently embarked on the Egyptian Family Adventure with our two children, aged 10 and 13. Our guide, Sayeed, truly stood out – he was not only friendly but also exceptionally knowledgeable and impressively organized. From the moment we were picked up at the airport, Sayeed efficiently managed hotel check-ins and all our excursions, making the entire trip stress-free. The itinerary unfolded seamlessly, taking us from the bustling streets of Cairo to the awe-inspiring Great Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx, perched on the desert’s edge, creating a captivating contrast between ancient and modern Egypt. These pyramids, with a history spanning thousands of years, are a testament to the remarkable ingenuity of their builders. Remarkably, the Great Pyramid, the largest among them, stands as the sole surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. In the afternoons, we had leisure time to unwind at our hotel, explore Cairo, or delve into the treasures of the Egyptian Museum, home to the world’s most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the astonishing golden riches from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Sayeed’s advice to rise early for visits to the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple was spot on. We also explored the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, and were treated to an evening light show at Karnak Temple, which vividly retells the dramatic history of ancient Thebes. Our journey concluded in Hurghada, a lively coastal resort perfectly situated for sea-based and desert adventures. After a midday meal, we embarked on a semi-submersible vessel resembling a yellow submarine, offering us a glimpse into the captivating underwater world of the Red Sea’s coral area. Snorkeling was also on the agenda, allowing us to explore the underwater beauty before returning to solid ground. Overall, our trip was a remarkable experience, thanks to Sayeed’s expert guidance and the meticulously planned itinerary. The Highlights: Our exploration of Egypt was a remarkable opportunity to discover many of the country’s iconic attractions. With knowledgeable and responsible guides, the trip was impeccably organized, making it particularly family-friendly. Egypt’s rich history and culture left a profound impression on us, making our overall experience truly exceptional. Accommodations and Transportation: The quality of our accommodations was commendable. This charming destination, characterized by its captivating allure and privileged location, boasted impeccable service overseen by a capable management team. The highlight was undoubtedly the expansive swimming pool, perfect for relaxation. The culinary offerings were equally exceptional, providing a delightful dining experience. The hotels consistently maintained a high standard of quality and demonstrated a strong commitment to respect and courtesy. Optional Tours and Additional Costs: It’s important to note that most of the tours in the itinerary are optional, not mandatory. This means that to fully immerse yourself in the experience, you’ll need to budget extra funds. Regrettably, the cost of these optional trips can feel disproportionate to the face value of the entry tickets to the sites visited. While independent organization is possible, it may not always be straightforward. In conclusion, the Egyptian Family Adventure provides an incredible opportunity to explore Egypt’s treasures and immerse yourself in its history and culture. It’s well-organized and family-friendly. However, it’s crucial to set realistic expectations regarding budgeting for optional tours and additional costs. Despite these considerations, our overall experience in Egypt was unforgettable, and we are actively considering another Exodus family adventure holiday for 2024. We extend our gratitude to Exodus for facilitating this enriching journey through Egypt.
Most Inspirational Moment
Exploring the Great Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo, Camel Ride and Submarine on the Red Sea.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Group Leader was an exceptional and highly competent guide. Sayeed was friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly organized, which are all essential qualities for a tour guide. His ability to efficiently handle various aspects of the trip, from airport pickups to hotel check-ins and excursions, contributed to a stress-free and enjoyable experience for the travellers. Additionally, his valuable recommendations, such as visiting popular sites early in the morning, added to the overall satisfaction of the journey. Overall, Sayeed's professionalism and expertise played a significant role in making the trip memorable and successful for the travellers.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Egypt is rich in history and culture, so take the time to immerse yourself in the local heritage, visit museums, and learn about the fascinating history of the country. Be prepared for optional tours that may not be included in the initial cost of the trip. Factor in additional expenses for these tours if you want to fully explore the destination. Set realistic expectations for accommodations. Understand that local star ratings might differ from those in Europe, and be open to the local standard. In Hurghada, take advantage of water activities like snorkelling. It's a great way to explore the underwater world of the Red Sea.
What an adventure!
We returned have from our Egyptian Family Adventure holiday and wanted to pass on our thanks and a few comments, we will, in due course write a formal review on your website but wished to get your feedback first. Our overall thoughts and feelings are very positive, we’ve had a really great adventure in Egypt and have left feeling like we’ve seen some of the most important aspects of the history and culture of this ancient civilisation. Our guide Sayeed Mansour was fabulous and deserves to be commended by your company, he is unfailingly knowledgeable, organised, patient and humorous. We felt that the balance of tours, activities and relaxation was good for both adults and children, both varied and accessible to all, so very well done to you. The accommodation was of a good quality with the hotel in Luxor being a highlight. We were disappointed to be given a smoking room in Hurghada (Beau Rivage) which needs noting, Sayeed did his best to change this but was unsuccessful. Our one criticism which we would like you to address is the optional tour to the Cairo Museum on day 3. We felt that this is such an important aspect to understand the context of the history Egypt (doubly so as it contains the relics of the tomb of Tut Ankh Amun) that it really shouldn’t be an optional tour costing 44$ USD per person. The face value of the entrance to the museum is only 300LE (approx. 9.5$USD). As a family of 3 we paid £104 GBP against a face value entrance of £22.50GBP. We understand that we would need to pay for our guide’s time and the bus/driver/bodyguard etc but on balance the consensus of the group was that the multiple of 4.6 was probably rather excessive. We would be interested to hear your calculations on how the tour price was determined. If you feel like reimbursing a portion of our money as a gesture of goodwill then please do get back in touch. Finally and although not within your remit I’m sure our flight experience with Egypt Air has unfortunately been less than ideal. We were left within the aircraft in >40C heat yesterday morning at Cairo airport for 1.5 hours and no AC and when arriving at LHR and waiting >2 hours for our luggage we find that many bags on the flight, including ours, are still in Cairo. We’ve filled in the forms at the airport and await their prompt return to our home, hopefully! We are most definitely actively considering another Exodus family adventure holiday for 2024!
Most Inspirational Moment
The Valley of the Kings in 45C heat and watching the sun go down over the Nile.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
See the body of our review.
Impressive Egypt
This trip gives you the opportunity to see many of the key sights of Egypt with the exception of Abu Simble and is well organised with responsible guides to help you navigate a new culture when travelling with children. Egypt itself is a fascinating country full of history and culture and we had a brilliant experience of Egypt. There are some things that you should consider to ensure that this is the right tour for you. The trip does promise a first class sleeper train and 4 or 5 star hotels throughout but that is a local distinction and most were more a European 2 or 3 star hotel at best. This isn’t a luxury tour. Many of the tours are optional rather than included and as such you need to allow plenty of extra dollars if you want to have the full experience. This makes you feel somewhat like you’re being exploited because the extra trips are significantly overpriced compared to the face value of the entry tickets to the sites visited, but you can’t easily then organise on your own. This trip gives you the opportunity to see many of the key sights of Egypt with the exception of Abu Simble and is well organised with responsible guides to help you navigate a new culture when travelling with children. Egypt itself is a fascinating country full of history and culture and we had a brilliant experience of Egypt. There are some things that you should consider to ensure that this is the right tour for you. The trip does promise a first class sleeper train and 4 or 5 star hotels throughout but that is a local distinction and most were more a European 2 or 3 star hotel at best. This isn’t a luxury tour. Many of the tours are optional rather than included and as such you need to allow plenty of extra dollars if you want to have the full experience. This makes you feel somewhat like you’re being chased for more money all the time and the extra trips are somewhat overpriced compared to the face value of the entry tickets to the sites visited, but you can’t easily then organise on your own. We noticed our 13 year old went in as a child ticket but we were charged a full adult price for the tour by exodus because he was over 12. The brochure said group tips paid in advance are optional but recommended but we were chased for the exact amount ‘recommended’ which I suspect is a profit source for the local tour provider. The coach journey was advised as 4 hours but actually took 7 hours due to using back roads rather than toll roads. There can be delays and you need to be prepared to sit for long periods.
Most Inspirational Moment
Visiting Saqqara (optional trip) was very special and we loved swimming with Dolphins ( optional trip). The temple at Philae was impressive and the whole holiday was a positive adventure and great fun, with lots of new memories made.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Responsible and accessible throughout the trip. He was well connected and although you suspect he only took you to restaurants and shops etc that were owned by friends, we went to some interesting places and felt safe.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring dollars as they don’t really want you spending Egyptian pounds for many trips etc. Be prepared to sit for long periods Don’t expect 1st class sleeper train or 4/5 star hotels. This is not a luxury trip. Buy a sim at the airport when you arrive. It’s inexpensive and wifi at hotels was unreliable or chargeable as an expensive extra. Be prepared to tip for everything, even things that you didn’t want someone to do for you. It’s customary and expected.
Suggestions
Egypt is a fascinating country and the trip is very well organised and we felt safe throughout. Do some research in advance so you know what trips might be of interest to you. Enjoy and discover!
Reply from Exodus
We are very pleased to hear that Stephen had a brilliant experience of Egypt and want to thank him for travelling with Exodus. It is great to read that he found the trip to be well organised, and that the guides helped his family to make the most of their time in the country. We are sorry to hear, though, that Stephen was a little disappointed by the standard of accommodation. We use a first class sleeper train and the properties our groups stay at throughout the tour are 4 and 5 star, though we recognise that these ratings are based on Egyptian classifications and may not quite match up with the standards of similarly rated European hotels. However, we are very confident that they are of a good quality for a family trip.
We have purposely included optional tours so that families can choose how much they do, and how much relaxation time they want to build into their itinerary. The cost of these is based not just on entry ticket prices, but also the transport needed to get to the sites. Based on Stephen’s feedback, however, we will be doing a full review of the optional excursions offered on this tour and especially will investigate his comment regarding the prices of tickets for children.
The tipping kitty is a set amount which is managed by the leader to ensure all those assisting the tour, for example hotel porters, are recognised for their assistance. The leader is accountable to the group for this expenditure, and our customers should in no way feel ‘chased’ for the amount. We would apologise for Stephen’s experience of being asked to contribute to the kitty, as it should make things easier for families, rather than raise concerns.
Once again, we would like to thank Stephen for his review of the Egyptian Family Adventure and for sharing his experiences. We are very pleased that, for the most part, Egypt lived up to his expectations.
– Kashka Lantis, Exodus Product Manager
Egypt Wonderful, Exodus less so.
Our family of four went on this tour in February half term 2023. The places you visit are amazing, Pyramids and Valley of the Kings especially. 19 of us on the tour, really good bunch of people and the kids all got on well. We were first time travellers with Exodus and we really expected more effort to have gone in to their planning and attention to detail in making this a family adventure as billed. In reality it’s a tour Exodus seem to resell from an Egyptian tour operator and felt like an adult tour with kids on. e.g. after the 15hour overnight train journey when clearly the group were exhausted, the guide announced that the hotel rooms weren’t ready and we were going to do the next day’s itinerary then. This completely misread the group. Often the plan for the day didn’t factor in meals or breaks at a reasonable time, e.g. on the first day we at left at 0730 but lunch stop wasn’t till 1400, lots of very hungry children. For the overnight train to Aswan they don’t use the main station in Cairo but a small suburban one. They got us to the station 3 hours before the train departure and there was only a small café that served drinks. With a bit of thought they could have easily sorted out a family friendly restaurant with toilets etc, the food on the train is pretty poor so a meal before departure would have been welcome. With some planning all of this could be fixed easily. We didn’t expect someone from Exodus to be with us, but I did expect one of their team to have built the itinerary and worked with the operator to match the vision they sell. This just didn’t seem to be the case. Exodus say they have at some point visited the hotels etc but not been on this particular tour. The Cairo hotel (Cairo Pyramids – Steigenberger) was terrible, you don’t stay in the main part which is on the website but are in old bungalows that were like a 1* motel from the 1980s. I can’t believe that anyone from Exodus has stayed in that part of the hotel and they still let people stay there. At each hotel the group were met by a local representative from the tour operator, but never managed to once get the hotel rooms sorted to match the group, e.g. those that needed three beds seemed to always get two. I realise this seems petty but at 2030 after a 7 hour coach drive you don’t want to be spending another 45mins trying to sort out hotel rooms. It would have really helped if they’d got this type of detail right. The tour operator runs a tipping kitty which Exodus say is optional. In reality it isn’t. You are summoned to pay ($45 or $25 for kids) on the first day, also children age 12 or older are adults for this and the optional tours. The tour operator was literally chasing some people around hotels to collect any missing tip kitty. Exodus have said they are going to make sure the operator knows it is optional, but I think if it’s needed they should simply add to the cost of the holiday. The tipping kitty doesn’t cover the tip for the guide which is recommended at $4/day per person. We really enjoyed Egypt but think Exodus need to step up their game on this tour to make it close to experience they say they offer.
Most Inspirational Moment
Valley of the Kings and King Tut's tomb. The latter was an option not encouraged by the guide but I would definitely do it. You just gt a ticket at the entrance to the Valley of the Kings.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The guide was good, but we felt he didn’t grasp that this tour had children on it. At times he lost his audience a bit with his descriptions at the various sites. I think, particularly in Cairo, he over sold the optional tours. I’m not sure how the tour would operate if only some of the group opted for the one of the optional tours. Overall though he worked hard.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t use the tip kitty just tip the drivers, hotel staff etc yourself. Bring $100 to $150 cash per person for optional tours etc. e.g. the Cairo Museum is optional and costs $40. You can pay on a card but they add a commission and then convert to EGP at not a great rate. Buy a Egyptian SIM card at the airport on arrival. When booking we were told family / interconnecting rooms weren’t guaranteed, in reality we never got one. As there were four of us we would have packed differently if we had known our rooms weren’t going to be close to each other. The exchange rate for EGP is much better in Egypt than the UK. All the hotels had ATMs with no commission. Make sure you take plenty of snacks each day, often there is a long time between meals. It was pretty cold in February at night, so bring warm clothes.
Reply from Exodus
We want to thank Jon for taking the time to review our Egyptian Family Adventure. This tour was developed by Exodus and the logistics are delivered by our local ground operators, though we are so sorry to read that it did not live up to Jon’s expectations of a family tour.
We include the overnight train as it is the quickest way to travel through Egypt, though we appreciate it is still a long journey and sleeping on a train is not always easy. However, the timings and organisation of this particular departure sound as though they were not in line with the needs of children, which is of course a cause for concern for us. Jon can be assured that we have discussed this with his tour leader and our local manager, as we know a family tour needs to be run differently from adult tours and this especially includes the timing of breaks. We are very confident that this has been greatly improved on subsequent departures, in line with Exodus and our clients’ expectations, though we regret that Jon’s experience was not as positive.
We were concerned to read Jon’s description of the Cairo Pyramids Hotel; unfortunately, there are currently limited choices for accommodation in Cairo for hotels due to the boom that Egypt is experiencing, but our staff visited the Cairo Pyramids Hotel in December 2022 and found the location to be excellent, and the cleanliness of the bungalow accommodation and facilities provided to be of a good standard. We are very sorry to read of Jon’s assessment of the property, however, and while we haven’t received similar feedback from other clients, we will continue to monitor comments we get about the Cairo Pyramids Hotel, and will also continue to explore alternative hotels in the area, should we feel the accommodation in Cairo could be improved on this trip.
We provide a local representative at each hotel, who is there to ensure a smooth check-in and that the right rooms are allocated based on family sizes. We are not sure why this did not go as we plan on this occasion, and are very sorry for any inconvenience caused to Jon and his family, though he can be assured that this has been followed up with our local team.
With regards to the tipping kitty, this is most definitely optional, which has been reiterated to our leaders. Egypt has a tipping culture and it is occasionally hard to know when to tip, who to tip, and how much to tip, so the kitty is intended to alleviate this confusion. The leader manages the kitty and tips where good service has been given, and he is accountable to the group for this expenditure.
Once again, we would like to thank Jon for leaving a review. We are sorry that there were aspects of the trip which left him disappointed, and we have worked on these with our local manager in order to improve this trip and match what Exodus are offering with what we are delivering. We are very confident that going forward this will be the case.
– Kashka Lantis, Exodus Product Manager
Egypt Wonderful, Exodus less so.
Our family of four went on this tour in February half term 2023. The places you visit are amazing, Pyramids and Valley of the Kings especially. 19 of us on the tour, really good bunch of people and the kids all got on well. We were first time travellers with Exodus and we really expected more effort to have gone in to their planning and attention to detail in making this a family adventure as billed. In reality it’s a tour Exodus seem to resell from an Egyptian tour operator and felt like an adult tour with kids on. e.g. after the 15hour overnight train journey when clearly the group were exhausted, the guide announced that the hotel rooms weren’t ready and we were going to do the next day’s itinerary then. This completely misread the group. Often the plan for the day didn’t factor in meals or breaks at a reasonable time, e.g. on the first day we at left at 0730 but lunch stop wasn’t till 1400, lots of very hungry children. For the overnight train to Aswan they don’t use the main station in Cairo but a small suburban one. They got us to the station 3 hours before the train departure and there was only a small café that served drinks. With a bit of thought they could have easily sorted out a family friendly restaurant with toilets etc, the food on the train is pretty poor so a meal before departure would have been welcome. With some planning all of this could be fixed easily. We didn’t expect someone from Exodus to be with us, but I did expect one of their team to have built the itinerary and worked with the operator to match the vision they sell. This just didn’t seem to be the case. Exodus say they have at some point visited the hotels etc but not been on this particular tour. The Cairo hotel (Cairo Pyramids – Steigenberger) was terrible, you don’t stay in the main part which is on the website but are in old bungalows that were like a 1* motel from the 1980s. I can’t believe that anyone from Exodus has stayed in that part of the hotel and they still let people stay there. At each hotel the group were met by a local representative from the tour operator, but never managed to once get the hotel rooms sorted to match the group, e.g. those that needed three beds seemed to always get two. I realise this seems petty but at 2030 after a 7 hour coach drive you don’t want to be spending another 45mins trying to sort out hotel rooms. It would have really helped if they’d got this type of detail right. The tour operator runs a tipping kitty which Exodus say is optional. In reality it isn’t. You are summoned to pay ($45 or $25 for kids) on the first day, also children age 12 or older are adults for this and the optional tours. The tour operator was literally chasing some people around hotels to collect any missing tip kitty. Exodus have said they are going to make sure the operator knows it is optional, but I think if it’s needed they should simply add to the cost of the holiday. The tipping kitty doesn’t cover the tip for the guide which is recommended at $4/day per person. We really enjoyed Egypt but think Exodus need to step up their game on this tour to make it close to experience they say they offer.
Most Inspirational Moment
Valley of the Kings and King Tut's tomb. The latter was an option not encouraged by the guide but I would definitely do it. You just gt a ticket at the entrance to the Valley of the Kings.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The guide was good, but we felt he didn’t grasp that this tour had children on it. At times he lost his audience a bit with his descriptions at the various sites. I think, particularly in Cairo, he over sold the optional tours. I’m not sure how the tour would operate if only some of the group opted for the one of the optional tours. Overall though he worked hard.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t use the tip kitty just tip the drivers, hotel staff etc yourself. Bring $100 to $150 cash per person for optional tours etc. e.g. the Cairo Museum is optional and costs $40. You can pay on a card but they add a commission and then convert to EGP at not a great rate. Buy a Egyptian SIM card at the airport on arrival. When booking we were told family / interconnecting rooms weren’t guaranteed, in reality we never got one. As there were four of us we would have packed differently if we had known our rooms weren’t going to be close to each other. The exchange rate for EGP is much better in Egypt than the UK. All the hotels had ATMs with no commission. Make sure you take plenty of snacks each day, often there is a long time between meals. It was pretty cold in February at night, so bring warm clothes.
Fantastic Family Egyptian Adventure
We really enjoyed this trip which took in the highlights, culture, sights, history and more. The Excellent, tour guide made the brilliant trip itinerary come alive. He really knew his stuff and went the extra mile to make sure the adults and kids were totally taken care of, entertained and all administration was seamless. He helped the group of 15 to bond allowing the parents some relaxation as the kids got to know each other. Great memories and looking forward to our next Exodus trip!
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the tombs of the Pharoahs at the Valley of the Kings. Amazing.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Exceptional tour leader as described in the summary above. Knowledgeable, kind, hard working, organised and great with the kids. He made the trip come alive.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book it…you won’t regret it!
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Availability
Adult Price From
Child Price From
Optional Single Supplement
Sunday Sunday
24 Dec 2023 24 Dec 2023
Monday Monday
01 Jan 2024 01 Jan 2024
Availability Guaranteed (On Request)
Adult Price From £ 1,499 £ 2,549
Child Price From N/A N/A
Optional Single Supplement +£ 345
Availability
This departure is guaranteed to go ahead and can be booked, although some components will need to be requested. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
30 Mar 2024 30 Mar 2024
Sunday Sunday
07 Apr 2024 07 Apr 2024
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Adult Price From £ 1,699 £ 2,899 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,274 £ 2,174 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 365
Ramadan
Ramadan
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
27 Jul 2024 27 Jul 2024
Sunday Sunday
04 Aug 2024 04 Aug 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,549 £ 2,649 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,162 £ 1,987 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 365
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
17 Aug 2024 17 Aug 2024
Sunday Sunday
25 Aug 2024 25 Aug 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,549 £ 2,599 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,162 £ 1,950 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 365
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
12 Oct 2024 12 Oct 2024
Sunday Sunday
20 Oct 2024 20 Oct 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,549 £ 2,749 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,162 £ 2,062 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 365
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
26 Oct 2024 26 Oct 2024
Sunday Sunday
03 Nov 2024 03 Nov 2024
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Adult Price From £ 1,549 £ 2,649 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,162 £ 1,987 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 365
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
21 Dec 2024 21 Dec 2024
Sunday Sunday
29 Dec 2024 29 Dec 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,849 £ 3,099 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,387 £ 2,325 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 365
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
08 Feb 2025 08 Feb 2025
Sunday Sunday
16 Feb 2025 16 Feb 2025
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,699 £ 3,049 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,274 £ 2,287 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 390
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
15 Feb 2025 15 Feb 2025
Sunday Sunday
23 Feb 2025 23 Feb 2025
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,699 £ 3,049 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,274 £ 2,287 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 390
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
05 Apr 2025 05 Apr 2025
Sunday Sunday
13 Apr 2025 13 Apr 2025
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,699 £ 3,049 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,274 £ 2,287 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 390
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
24 May 2025 24 May 2025
Sunday Sunday
01 Jun 2025 01 Jun 2025
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,699 £ 3,049 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,274 £ 2,287 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 390
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
26 Jul 2025 26 Jul 2025
Sunday Sunday
03 Aug 2025 03 Aug 2025
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,699 £ 3,049 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,274 £ 2,287 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 390
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
09 Aug 2025 09 Aug 2025
Sunday Sunday
17 Aug 2025 17 Aug 2025
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,799 £ 3,149 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,349 £ 2,362 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 390
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
11 Oct 2025 11 Oct 2025
Sunday Sunday
19 Oct 2025 19 Oct 2025
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,799 £ 3,149 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,349 £ 2,362 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 390
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
25 Oct 2025 25 Oct 2025
Sunday Sunday
02 Nov 2025 02 Nov 2025
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,799 £ 3,149 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,349 £ 2,362 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 390
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
20 Dec 2025 20 Dec 2025
Sunday Sunday
28 Dec 2025 28 Dec 2025
Availability Available
Adult Price From £ 1,999 £ 3,449 Book with 25% deposit
Child Price From £ 1,499 £ 2,587 Book with 25% deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 390
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesWould you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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