Family-Friendly 11-Days in Egypt Itinerary in Luxor and Cairo

This itinerary combines Cairo and Luxor into one magical 11 day Egyptian holiday. It gives the perfect amount of time to discover the amazing history whilst also giving the family enough time to explore the ancient Old Kingdom sites in Cairo, spectacular temples and tombs in Upper Egypt (the New Kingdom), and local excursions.

You will avoid long travel days by flying for only one hour between Cairo and Luxor. This means you have lots of time to do some day excursions to Dendera, Alexandria, hot air balloon rides, living history, felucca rides and taking a well deserved break in the hotel pool.

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo and Enjoy a Sunset Over the Pyramids

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport your family will be transferred to your hotel which will offer you beautiful views of the Nile.

A. Relax

After checking into your hotel, your family will have an easy afternoon to get settled into the local climate and enjoy some delicious freshly baked Egyptian bread, hummus and grilled skewers. Your children will have time to unpack their luggage and enjoy a swim in the hotel pool.

B. Giza Plateau Sunset

As it begins to get late, your family will head to a beautiful viewpoint to enjoy some stunning views of the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure. Watching the sun set over the beautiful desert as you can see the pyramids in the distance will leave you and your children in awe! You will then enjoy a lovely welcome meal at a rooftop restaurant with views of the glowing pyramids.

Day 2: Discover the Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx & Felucca Cruise

A. Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza & Camel Ride

Start the day early to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Your family will enter the archaeological site of Giza. The kids will be amazed by the huge limestone blocks used to build the Great Pyramids. If you want to get up close, you can purchase tickets to enter the ancient stone corridor. You can enjoy a short supervised camel or horse carriage ride across the sandy plateau.

B. Great Sphinx & Lunch with Views

Your family will then head down to the base of the Great Sphinx. The kids will love hearing the interesting stories behind this mythical lion bodied guardian built from one ridge of live limestone. Finish your morning with a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant with views over the plateau. Enjoy some delicious warm breads and mild Egyptian dips.

C. Nile Felucca Cruise

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the hotel pool. In the evening, head down to the riverbanks to enjoy a traditional wooden felucca cruise. Being powered by the soft breeze you will glide along the Nile, enjoying a relaxing evening with some traditional music. Watch the skyline of Cairo glow.

Day 3: Saqqara, Dahshur & Medieval Bazaars

A. Step Pyramid of Djoser & Dahshur

In the morning your family will drive south to Saqqara, the huge ancient Necropolis of Memphis. Here you will visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser – the worlds first monumental stone structure. The kids will enjoy exploring the beautiful stone courtyards around the pyramid. They can descend into the tombs of nobles with colourful low relief artwork showing what life was like in ancient Egypt. Continue to Dahshur to view the Bent & Red Pyramids. Learn how the ancient Egyptians perfected their pyramid building.

B. Medieval Cairo & Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

In the afternoon return to Cairo and walk along the historic Al-Muizz Street. Wander into the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. The kids will love exploring the twisting alley ways lined with glowing stained glass lamps, fragrant spices and copper crafts. They can enjoy a cool drink of fresh mint tea or hibiscus juice (karkadeh).

Day 4: Day Excursion to Alexandria

A. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa & Pompey’s Pillar

Upon arrival in Alexandria, visit the underground Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. Admire the unique combination of Pharaonic, Greek & Roman artwork. See Anubis in roman armour! A short drive away you will find the towering Pompey’s Pillar made from red granite. The kids can run around in the open air park.

B. Citadel of Qaitbay

Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch with views over the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, a sea fortress built on the actual stone foundations of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse. The kids will love exploring the stone walls, towers and defensive walls. Return to Cairo for the night.

Day 5: See World Class Artifacts & Medieval Fortresses & Fly to Luxor

A. Grand Egyptian Museum & Saladin Citadel

In the morning visit the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. The kids will love seeing the massive statue of Ramesses II, interactive displays and thousands of royal artifacts. Continue to the Citadel of Saladin & Mosque of Muhammad Ali to enjoy some stunning views.

B. Fly to Luxor

In the late afternoon transfer to Cairo International Airport using private transport. Fly for just one hour to Luxor. Upon arrival your family will be transferred to your hotel with views over the river on the East Bank.

Day 6: West Bank of Luxor (Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut)

A. Valley of the Kings

Enjoy some fun for the little ones by taking a small open top electric train from the visitor centre to the tombs. Inside the deep underground tombs (Ramesses III, Ramesses IV, Merenptah etc) walk down the painted corridors to see the huge stone sarcophagus. The kids will be amazed by how clean the ancient artwork is. Bright colours of blue, yellow & red show stars from the sky, protective gods and ancient spells from the Book of the Dead.

B. Hatshepsut Temple & Colossi of Memnon

Visit the stunning Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. This temple has been carved directly into the rock face of the limestone cliffs. It is a three tiered impressive temple honouring one of the most famous female Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt. The kids will learn how Hatshepsut ruled as King, shown in the reliefs on the wall wearing royal clothing. On the way back to the river stop off at the colossal Colossi of Memnon. These are 18 metre tall stone statues of Amenhotep III.

C. Felucca Cruise at Sunset

In the late afternoon enjoy a traditional wooden felucca cruise. Being powered by the warm afternoon breeze you will glide up the river to Banana Island (Geziret el-Moz). Walk through the shady banana trees and taste some delicious fresh fruit. Watch the peaceful Sunset Over the Nile before heading back.

Day 7: Tombs of Artisans, Medinet Habu & Luxor Temple at Sunset

A. Deir el-Medina

In the morning visit Deir el-Medina. This was the village where the artisans, stonemasons & painters lived who built the royal tombs. Visit the underground tombs (Tomb of Sennedjem) to see colourful happy artwork. This shows what life was like in the fields, gardens and with pets. This is often much warmer and more relatable for the kids compared to the royal tombs.

B. Medinet Habu

Visit the colossal Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III. This temple is famous for having amazing relief artwork with the original colour still on. The temple has high towers and stone walls giving the feeling of a medieval castle.

C. Luxor Temple at Sunset

Cross back to the East Bank in the late afternoon to visit Luxor Temple. As the sun sets, warm lights will illuminate the tall papyrus shaped columns and huge statues of Ramesses II. The kids can walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes and imagine what it would have been like to have a grand procession of the Royals thousands of years ago.

Day 8: Hot Air Balloon Ride, Karnak Temple & Sound & Light Show

A. Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise

For an unforgettable experience, brave family members and older kids can enjoy a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Watch the sun rise over the Eastern Desert as you float above the Nile, green sugarcane fields and glowing monuments of the West Bank. This gives a stunning aerial view of the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple.

B. Great Forest of Columns – Karnak Temple

After returning for some breakfast and a short break, visit the huge Karnak Temple Complex on the East Bank. This temple was mainly dedicated to the god Amun-Ra and was the main state temple of the New Kingdom. The kids will be in awe when they enter the Great Hypostyle Hall. This has 134 tall columns made from sandstone with amazing carved hieroglyphics. Visit the sacred Scarab Beetle statue near the Sacred Lake. Local folklore says if you walk around it three times you will have good luck!

C. Sound & Light Show

In the evening return to Karnak to enjoy the amazing Sound & Light Show. Walk through the illuminated temple as you listen to the story being told. Pharaohs and ancient gods come to life with the sounds effects as you watch under the stars. This gives the kids an exciting visual story of Egyptian history.

Day 9: Country Excursion – Temple of Dendera

A. Temple of Hathor

Take a 2 hour scenic drive along the Nile to Dendera. The kids and parents will be amazed by this incredible complex. It was built in the late Ptolemaic & Roman era. The main temple is famous for having a huge hypostyle hall with 24 large columns. The columns have the face of Hathor (god of music, happiness & love) on top. Unlike most ancient sites, Dendera has an intact roof. This means you can walk through the halls.

B. Celestial Ceilings & Crypts

Walk through the temple and look up to see the beautiful ceilings. These have been restored to their original colours showing celestial maps, constellations and the goddess of the sky Nut. The kids will love exploring the small underground crypts inside the foundations. Climb up the stone steps to the roof which the ancient priests would have used during New Year celebrations. Return to Luxor

In the late afternoon to enjoy a relaxing evening in the hotel pool.

Day 10: Valley of the Queens & Carter House

A. Valley of the Queens (Biban el-Harim)

In the morning cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Queens. Explore the underground tombs of the New Kingdom Queens & young Princes (Tomb of Prince Khaemwaset). The tombs have colourful artwork showing the young Royals being presented to the gods by their mother.

B. Howard Carter House

Visit the historic Howard Carter House near the entrance of the Valley of the Kings. The kids can visit the preserved mud brick house that Howard Carter lived in whilst searching for King Tutankhamuns tomb. The gardens surrounding the house have an accurate replica of Tutankhamuns burial chamber. There are informative interactive displays explaining how they discovered the treasures in 1922.

Day 11: Museum, Local Souk & Say Goodbye!

A. Luxor Museum & Mummification Museum

In the morning visit the Luxor Museum. This is widely regarded as one of the best and most well designed museums in Egypt. The museum has beautifully lit statues that were found in local temple caches, ancient weapons and golden artefacts. Continue to the nearby Mummification Museum. The kids will enjoy learning about the tools, natural resins, animal mummies and sacred rituals the ancient embalmers used to achieve physical immortality.

B. Souvenir Shopping & Say Goodbye!

Before saying goodbye visit the covered market (souk) in Luxor. The kids can practise their polite haggling skills to purchase some personalised souvenirs. Choose from stone scarab beetles, hand carved alabaster vases, small papyrus paintings & silver cartouche necklaces with their name carved into it in hieroglyphics.

This 11 day itinerary combining Luxor & Cairo ends with a celebratory lunch with views over the Nile. Your family will then be transferred back to Luxor International Airport (or back to Cairo for any international connections). You will leave with amazing family memories of the pyramids, pharaohs, underground tombs and peaceful river cruises.