Family-Friendly 9-Days in Egypt Itinerary in Luxor and Cairo

A 9 Day tour that combines Cairo and Luxor is the ultimate way for families to see Egypt. Parents and children will get to fully explore Egypt’s two main centres of Pharaonic power – the Old Kingdom Pyramid Fields of Cairo and New Kingdom Temples & Royal Tombs of Luxor.

By taking a short flight between Cairo and Luxor, you will not waste too much time travelling meaning your children will have plenty of energy. With 9 days in total, there is plenty of time to explore all the monuments, interact with the museums, take hot air balloon rides, felucca rides and go out into the countryside to see Dendera. All of this whilst still having some well needed break’s in the afternoons to relax in the pools. See how we have planned your perfect 9 day family adventure below!

Day 1 – Arrive in Cairo

Arrive at Cairo International Airport and transfer into your hotel with your private transfers. This will either be overlooking the Nile River or close to the Giza Plateau.

Relax and settle in

After check-in spend the afternoon relaxing getting used to the new environment and climate. Enjoy some fresh Egyptian flat bread with hummus and skewers. Let the children get settled into their rooms.

Watch the Sunset Over Giza Plateau

Head to one of the many viewpoints to get a panoramic view of the Giza Plateau. You will be in awe watching the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure set against the golden desert sunset. To finish off your day enjoy a welcome meal at one of the rooftop restaurants overlooking the lit up pyramids.

Day 2 – Explore the Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx and Felucca Cruise

Day 2 is all about exploring the Old Kingdom monuments.

Explore the Great Pyramids & Camel Ride

Start your day early to make the most of the cooler morning temperatures. Enter the archaeological site of Giza. The children will be in awe of the huge limestone blocks that make up the Great Pyramids. If you have any adventurous family members they can purchase tickets to enter one of the ancient tunnels. The children will also enjoy a short camel or horse carriage ride across the sandy plateau.

Great Sphinx & Lunch

Head down to the base of the Great Sphinx. Your children will love hearing the amazing stories behind this mythical lion bodied guardian. It was carved from one ridge of live limestone! To finish off your morning enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the plateau. Enjoy some warm flat breads and mild Egyptian dips.

Felucca Cruise

After relaxing in the warm afternoon by the hotel pool head down to the banks of the river. Board your traditional wooden felucca boat. As the gentle breeze blows you will glide down the Nile. Sit back, relax and enjoy the traditional music whilst watching the Cairo skyline light up.

Day 3 – Saqqara & Dahshur, Medieval Cairo

On Day 3 you will discover how the pyramids were created and explore the bustling medieval streets of Cairo.

Saqqara & Dahshur

Drive to Saqqara in the morning; the huge ancient necropolis of Memphis. Explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser; the first ever monumental stone structure in the world! The children can explore the stone courtyards and enter the noble tomb chapels. Continue on to Dahshur to view the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid. Learn how the ancient architects perfected the art of pyramid building.

Medieval Cairo & Khan el-Khalili Market

In the afternoon head back to Cairo and walk along the historic Al-Muizz Street. Enter the famous Khan el-Khalili Market. The children will love exploring the twisting alleyways lined with glowing stained glass lamps, fragrant spices and copper crafts. They can enjoy a refreshing glass of mint tea or hibiscus juice (karkadeh).

Day 4 – Royal Treasures, Citadel & Flight to Luxor

Explore Cairo’s world class artefacts and medieval castles. Then onto Upper Egypt.

Grand Egyptian Museum & Saladin Citadel

Spend your morning exploring the world class Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. The children will love seeing the huge statue of Ramesses II, interactive displays and thousands of royal artefacts. After visit the Citadel of Saladin and Mosque of Muhammad Ali for stunning views over the skyline.

Flight to Luxor

In the late afternoon transfer with your private transfers to Cairo International Airport. Take a short 1 hour domestic flight to Luxor. Once in Upper Egypt transfer with your private driver to your hotel overlooking the river on the East Bank.

Day 5 – West Bank, Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut

Wake up in Upper Egypt and cross the River Nile early in the morning to explore the West Bank.

Valley of the Kings

Take a fun little open top electric train ride from the visitor centre to the entrance of the tombs. Enter the deep underground tombs of Ramesses III, Ramesses IV or Merenptah. Walk down the brightly coloured corridors and enter the stone sarcophagus. The children will be amazed at how well preserved the ancient tombs are. The bright blue, yellow and red colours are painted on the walls showing scenes of the stars, protective Gods and ancient spells from the Book of the Dead.

Hatshepsut Temple & Colossi of Memnon

Visit the amazing Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari. This incredible temple was carved into the sheer limestone cliffs. It is a stunning three tiered temple complex dedicated to one of the most famous female pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. The children will learn how Hatshepsut ruled as a king. This is shown on the wall carvings as she wears her royal outfits. On your way back to the river stop off at the amazing Colossi of Memnon. These are two eighteen metre tall stone statues of Amenhotep III.

Felucca Cruise

In the late afternoon board your traditional wooden felucca boat. As the warm afternoon breeze blows you will glide up the river to Banana Island (Geziret el-Moz). Walk through the shady banana plantations and enjoy some delicious ripe fruit. Watch the peaceful Sunset Over the Nile River then return back on your boat under the starry skies.

Day 6 – Tombs of the Artisans, Medinet Habu & Luxor Temple at Sunset

Explore the human side of Ancient Egypt and some incredible temple complexes.

Deir el-Medina

In the morning visit Deir el-Medina; the ancient village where the artisans, stonemasons and painters lived who built the royal tombs. Enter the underground tombs of these workers. The Tomb of Sennedjem has bright and cheerful wall carvings. The children often find these much warmer than the royal tombs as they show scenes of farming, family gardens and pets.

Medinet Habu

Visit the huge Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III. This is world famous for having amazing deep carvings that have kept their original colours. The temple has lots of towers and high stone walls giving it a medieval castle vibe.

Luxor Temple at Sunset

Cross over to the East Bank in the late afternoon and visit Luxor Temple. As the sun sets you will watch the tall papyrus shaped columns light up with warm lights. The children can walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes and imagine the impressive royal processions from thousands of years ago.

Day 7 – Hot Air Balloon Ride, Karnak Temple & Sound & Light Show

Start your day with an early morning adventure. Then visit the biggest religious temple complex ever built and end with an incredible Light Show.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

To make this an unforgettable day, brave family members and older children can take a hot air balloon ride just before sunrise. As the sun rises over the Eastern Desert you will gently float over the River Nile, green sugarcane fields and lit up monuments of the West Bank. Get a stunning view from above of the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple.

Karnak Temple – The Great Forest of Columns

After breakfast and a short break visit the huge Karnak Temple Complex on the East Bank. This was mainly dedicated to the God Amun-Ra and was the main state temple of the New Kingdom. The children will be in awe walking through the Great Hypostyle Hall; a forest of 134 tall sandstone columns with deep carvings of hieroglyphics. Visit the sacred Scarab Beetle statue close to the Sacred Lake. Local legend says if you walk around the statue 3 times you will have good luck!

Sound & Light Show

In the evening return to Karnak for the incredible Sound & Light Show. Walk through the lit up halls of the temple. As the story is told with sound effects the children will be excited to see the Pharaohs and ancient Gods brought to life under the beautiful starry skies. This gives them a visual recap of Egyptian history.

Day 8 – Countryside Trip to Dendera Temple

Today is a relaxing day out in the beautiful countryside of Upper Egypt. Visit one of the best preserved temples in Egypt.

Temple of Hathor

Drive along the River Nile for 2 hours to reach Dendera. Both the children and parents will be in awe of this incredible complex. It was built in the late Ptolemaic & Roman period. The main temple is famous for having a huge hypostyle hall with 24 huge columns with the head of Hathor (the God of music, joy & love) on top. Unlike most ancient temples, Dendera has a full stone roof so you can walk inside and see the beautifully preserved inner halls.

Celestial Ceilings & Crypts

Look up and enjoy the beautifully restored ceilings. These show incredible maps of the stars, constellations and the sky God Nut. The children will love exploring the tight underground crypts inside the foundations. Climb up the stone steps on the roof that the ancient Priest used during New Year celebrations. Return to Luxor

In the late afternoon to relax by the hotel pool.

Day 9 – Museums & Local Souk

On your last day you can enjoy some world class museum treasures and souvenir shopping.

Luxor Museum & Mummification Museum

In the morning visit the air conditioned Luxor Museum. This is widely considered as one of the best & most well laid out museum’s in Egypt. There are incredible statues on display, found in local temple caches, ancient weapons & golden artefacts. After take a short visit to the nearby Mummification Museum. Your children will love seeing what tools, natural resins, animal mummies and sacred rituals the ancient embalmers used to give themselves physical immortality.

Local Souk

Before leaving visit the covered market (souk) in Luxor. The children can practise their polite haggling to purchase some unique souvenirs. Choose from stone Scarab Beetles, hand carved alabaster vases, small papyrus paintings or silver Cartouche necklaces with their name engraved in hieroglyphics.

Your 9 day adventure comes to an end with a celebratory lunch overlooking the River Nile. Transfer with your private transfers to Luxor International Airport (or back to Cairo for onward international flights). You will leave with some incredible family memories of seeing the pyramids, pharaohs, underground tombs and peaceful river rides.