Pay a visit to the incredible Grand Egyptian Museum, which contains relics dating to 4000 BCE, including the fantastic riches of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Here is a unique opportunity to survey the many fabulous treasures of Egypt in one place and set the scene for the rest of the tour. Later, we visit Al Azhar Mosque, one of Cairo’s most important religious sites and still an active place of worship. We’ll dress respectfully for the visit (long sleeves and trousers; women also need a scarf to cover hair), and our tour leader will talk us through the etiquette so it feels straightforward for the whole family. Round out the day in Cairo’s bazaar, a fun change of pace after the museums — good for browsing, polite bartering, and picking up souvenirs.

Head to the Giza Plateau for a half-day focused on the great pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus, plus the Great Sphinx. For many families, this is the day that lands hardest − the scale is only truly understood where you’re standing right there! Our Egyptologist brings the site to life with clear, engaging context: how these monuments were built, what they meant, and why they still matter. The afternoon is free: you might opt for downtime by the hotel pool or join an optional excursion to Saqqara.

Transfer to Cairo airport before sunrise for our flight to Luxor (flight times can vary). On arrival, we begin with Luxor Temple, then continue to Karnak Temple, a vast complex built and expanded over roughly 1,500 years. The Hypostyle Hall is a highlight – 134 columns, some more than 75ft (23m) high – and it’s the kind of place where teenagers stop scrolling and start looking up. After the visits, we board our premium cruise vessel, the MS Nile Premium, in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to relax on board or explore Luxor at your own pace – a welcome breather after the early start.

We spend two days travelling by boat along the Nile, combining time on the river with visits to some of Egypt’s most important ancient sites. Day 5 begins on the west bank at the Valley of the Kings, burial place of more than 60 pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramses III and IV. We enter the hillside tombs through low passages that open into painted chambers, where colourful scenes and hieroglyphs were intended to guide the king through the afterlife. Our Egyptologist helps decode the imagery, bringing the stories to life for adults and children alike. One ticket includes entry to three tombs, selected on the day to balance interest and conservation. Entry to Tutankhamun’s tomb is optional and payable locally; while modest in scale, its story makes it a compelling addition. We continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, built in sweeping terraces against sheer limestone cliffs, before stopping at the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental seated statues of Amenhotep III that have stood here for over three millennia. On Day 6, we visit the riverside temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. Edfu is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, notable for its towering pylon and roofed inner chambers, while Kom Ombo’s twin design reflects its dedication to two different gods. Between visits, there is time to relax on board our cruise boat, with its sundeck, small pool, bar and shared spaces. Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, we watch everyday life unfold along the riverbanks as fields, villages and palm groves pass quietly by.

Today we have two options, depending on your family’s appetite for an early start. If you book the optional excursion to Abu Simbel, you’ll fly south across the desert to visit Ramses II’s rock-cut temples. Beyond the colossal seated statues, the story of how the temples were relocated in the 1960s to avoid flooding from Lake Nasser often resonates with younger travellers − it’s ancient history meeting modern engineering, in the most practical way possible. If you stay in Aswan, you can enjoy a full day in town, including time to browse the bazaar and soak up the feel of this riverside hub with deep Nubian roots. Later, we all come together for a sunset sail on a felucca, a traditional wooden sailing boat. Cushions, rugs and a shaded canopy keep it comfortable, while the river does what it does best: slows everyone down. We spend our last night on board.

After breakfast, we disembark and visit Philae Temple, relocated by UNESCO to Aglika Island in the 1970s when the original site was threatened by rising waters following the construction of the Aswan High Dam. It’s a rare place where the conservation story is as compelling as the temple itself. We also visit the Aswan High Dam, and there’s an optional visit to the Unfinished Obelisk (paid locally) for anyone interested in the practical side of ancient construction − tool marks, abandoned stonework and the reality behind the monuments. This evening, there’s the option to add an excursion to Animalia Nubian Village and enjoy a farewell dinner before returning to the hotel.

Your family has explored the Pyramids of Giza, walked through temples at Luxor and Karnak, and cruised the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, but now it’s time to begin the journey home. If you would like to extend your time in Egypt, speak to your sales representative about adding extra nights or choosing a post-trip extension.