Egypt with an 8 year old
Sep 22nd, 2005, 07:02 AM
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Egypt with an 8 year old
We plan to travel to Egypt in December with out 8 year old son. We were interested in Overland Club, but they have an 18 year age requirement. What help can anyone give me in finding a tour group. We would like to be with a tour for 7-9 days, including a Nile river trip. We were intrigued with the small sail boats (I forget the name), don't mind overnight travel in trains (but don't know how comfortable it is). Then after the tour ends we would like 3-4 days on our own in Cairo. Thanks for taking the time to help me with this.
Sep 22nd, 2005, 07:44 AM
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probably the name you forgot is "felluca"
There are numerous companies you could explore organized tours with; here are a few links:
http://www.travco-eg.com/packages.htm
http://www.suneasttours.com/classtours1.htm
http://www.egyptreservation.com/luxor1.htm
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...41,8590,00.asp
The overnight sleeping trains to Luxor and Aswan are OK... my first trip in one of them was when I was around your son's age, and I was very excited at the idea of sleeping on a train, and having a meal in a train restaurant.
There are numerous companies you could explore organized tours with; here are a few links:
http://www.travco-eg.com/packages.htm
http://www.suneasttours.com/classtours1.htm
http://www.egyptreservation.com/luxor1.htm
http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...41,8590,00.asp
The overnight sleeping trains to Luxor and Aswan are OK... my first trip in one of them was when I was around your son's age, and I was very excited at the idea of sleeping on a train, and having a meal in a train restaurant.
Sep 22nd, 2005, 12:49 PM
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Do you want to go on an independent tour or with a group? You can easily book a tour for you and your family and not be with others... some of whom may not be thrilled to have a child, even a well-behaved one, with them.
It's very easy to arrange an independent tour that will arrange your train to Luxor, your Nile Cruise, a trip to Abu Simbel, flight back to Cairo, hotel in Cairo, even a guide and driver while in Cairo. The price would probably be the same or a few dollars more, but at least you can set your own schedule, where you want to visit, for how long, and not that of other group members.
While on the Nile Cruise, you'll be going out on land tours to various temples and sites with a guide and may be a group of others from the boat... otherwise, it's your own itinerary.
Contact some of those listed in the other post, or search this board for other Egypt tour operators. Send emails with specific requirements and your budget and you'll see what's available to meet your needs.
Let us know of responses you receive or if other questions.
It's very easy to arrange an independent tour that will arrange your train to Luxor, your Nile Cruise, a trip to Abu Simbel, flight back to Cairo, hotel in Cairo, even a guide and driver while in Cairo. The price would probably be the same or a few dollars more, but at least you can set your own schedule, where you want to visit, for how long, and not that of other group members.
While on the Nile Cruise, you'll be going out on land tours to various temples and sites with a guide and may be a group of others from the boat... otherwise, it's your own itinerary.
Contact some of those listed in the other post, or search this board for other Egypt tour operators. Send emails with specific requirements and your budget and you'll see what's available to meet your needs.
Let us know of responses you receive or if other questions.
Sep 23rd, 2005, 09:52 AM
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Travelbecky
Your trip to Egypt sounds as though it's going to be a real adventure. As to traveling with an 8 year old, I would seriously consider the child himself. Is he very active and excitable and needs to be entertained a lot? Or is he the sort of child that travels well, reads and absorbes new experiences? Does he interact very well with adults or gets bored and interups
when adults talk and plan? I have both types of children (both grown now), my son was quiet and loved new experiences, my daughter had a short attention span and was easily bored - both were avid readers, so that helped a lot on long trips. But we soon learned that shorter trips were best when they were young.
Bring plenty of books, games and maps to help him follow along with your planning. Be sure to include the fun things for him to do - camel rides, running around to burn off energy in safe areas away from tourists and locals. Perhaps he can meet some egyptian children his age. It's even better if you can arrange to go on a trip with families with children (although most want children 12 years and older). I believe Smithsonian does have some "family tours" to Eqypt.
Good luck and be sure to do some important planning so that this is not a difficult trip. Another option may be to take another child his age - perhaps a cousin - two children can entertain each other, so long as they are both nearly the same type.
Traveling with young children can be a joy or a disaster. If you have doubts, please consider waiting until your son is 10 or 12 years old. He may more than enjoy a couple of weeks with cousins or friends while you are away.
Best wishes, - Joan
Your trip to Egypt sounds as though it's going to be a real adventure. As to traveling with an 8 year old, I would seriously consider the child himself. Is he very active and excitable and needs to be entertained a lot? Or is he the sort of child that travels well, reads and absorbes new experiences? Does he interact very well with adults or gets bored and interups
when adults talk and plan? I have both types of children (both grown now), my son was quiet and loved new experiences, my daughter had a short attention span and was easily bored - both were avid readers, so that helped a lot on long trips. But we soon learned that shorter trips were best when they were young.
Bring plenty of books, games and maps to help him follow along with your planning. Be sure to include the fun things for him to do - camel rides, running around to burn off energy in safe areas away from tourists and locals. Perhaps he can meet some egyptian children his age. It's even better if you can arrange to go on a trip with families with children (although most want children 12 years and older). I believe Smithsonian does have some "family tours" to Eqypt.
Good luck and be sure to do some important planning so that this is not a difficult trip. Another option may be to take another child his age - perhaps a cousin - two children can entertain each other, so long as they are both nearly the same type.
Traveling with young children can be a joy or a disaster. If you have doubts, please consider waiting until your son is 10 or 12 years old. He may more than enjoy a couple of weeks with cousins or friends while you are away.
Best wishes, - Joan
