Family-Friendly 10-Days in Egypt Itinerary in Cairo

A 10-day family holiday in Cairo and surrounding area offers the perfect way to really take your time and enjoy Egypt's amazing capital city! It gives you the ultimate flexibility to see some iconic archaeological sites, plus plenty of hands-on cultural activities, historic areas and 3 different day trips to surrounding desert and coastal areas.

There is plenty of time to relax at lunchtimes, chill by the pool and enjoy some fun activities on the Nile

In the evenings. Below you can see how you can create a perfect 10-day family holiday in Cairo.

Day 1: Arrival + First Look at the Pyramids

Once you arrive into Cairo International Airport you will be taken to your hotel which offers beautiful views across the Nile River or close to the Giza Plateau.

A. Relax

Once you check into your hotel, you will enjoy a relaxed afternoon to get settled from your international travel. You will be able to enjoy some fresh flatbreads, hummus and skewers. Your children will also have the chance to unpack.

B. Sunset Giza Plateau

As it gets towards the end of the afternoon, you will head to a stunning viewpoint on the edge of the Giza Plateau to enjoy a beautiful sunset. The sight of the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure will truly take your breath away. To finish the day, we will enjoy an amazing welcome dinner at a roof top restaurant overlooking the glowing monuments.

Day 2: Close-Up Pyramids + Great Sphinx

On day 2 you will get a close-up look at some of the most iconic monuments in the world!

A. Great Pyramids + Desert Camel Ride

We start the day early to make the most of the cool morning temperatures. We will enter the archaeological area of Giza. Your children will enjoy seeing the huge limestone blocks that make up the Great Pyramids. If you want to get adventurous, your family can purchase tickets to go inside one of the ancient stone passageways. We will also enjoy a short camel or horse carriage ride across the sandy plateau.

B. Great Sphinx + Lunch with Views

We will then head down to see the Great Sphinx. Your children will love hearing the stories behind this mythical guardian with its lion body. We will finish the morning by having a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant with beautiful views of the plateau. We will enjoy some fresh flatbreads and mild Egyptian dips.

C. Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show

In the evening we will return to the plateau to enjoy the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show. We will enjoy a fabulous story telling show with lots of bright lights as we learn about the history behind the pharaohs.

Day 3: Saqqara + Dahshur + Origins of Pyramids

On day 3 we head south into the peaceful desert landscape to learn how the ancient Egyptians perfected the building of pyramids.

A. Step Pyramid of Djoser

We start the day by heading to Saqqara, the huge ancient necropolis of Memphis. Here we will see the Step Pyramid of Djoser which was the first ever monumental stone structure in the world. Designed by the royal architect Imhotep. Your children will enjoy exploring the stone courtyards and walking down into beautifully decorated noble tombs such as Tomb of Ti or Mereruka. They will love seeing the brightly carved wall art with images of their pets, hippos in the Nile and ancient farmers.

B. Bent Pyramid + Red Pyramid

We will then drive a short distance to Dahshur. Here we will see 2 unusual pyramids built by King Sneferu. Your children will love seeing how the Bent Pyramid is different to the smooth lines of the Red Pyramid. If you have any adventurous older children they will love exploring the insides of the Red Pyramid by climbing down the wooden ramps to see the underground stone chambers. We will then enjoy a countryside lunch surrounded by palm trees before heading back to Cairo to relax in the evening.

Day 4: Day Trip to Alexandria

On day 4 we will enjoy a comfortable private day trip north to the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.

A. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa + Pompey's Pillar

Once we arrive in Alexandria we will visit the amazing Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. Your children will love seeing the unique mix of Pharaonic, Greek and Roman artefacts including Anubis wearing Roman armour. We will then drive a short distance to see the magnificent red granite Pompey's Pillar. Your children will enjoy running around the open-air park and seeing the ancient granite Sphinx's.

B. Citadel of Qaitbay + Corniche Walk

After enjoying a fresh seafood lunch with views over the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea we will visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, a sea fortress built on top of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse. Your children will love exploring the stone walls, watch towers and defence walls. We will finish the day by taking a breezy walk along the Alexandrian corniche before heading back to Cairo.

Day 5: Royal Treasures + Bazaars + Al-Azhar Park

On day 5 we will enjoy visiting some of the world class museums, historic markets and beautiful parks in Cairo.

A. Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

We start the day by visiting the amazing Grand Egyptian Museum close to Giza. This huge museum has a whole section dedicated to children with interactive exhibits. Your children will be amazed by the huge statue of Ramesses II guarding the entrance, preserved ancient sun boats and thousands of royal artefacts. These artefacts are all displayed using interactive technology.

B. Medieval Cairo + Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

In the afternoon we will head to historic medieval Cairo. We will walk along Al-Muizz Street which is lined with amazing high stone gates, medieval schools and pretty fountains. We will then enter the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. This is a paradise for children! We will enjoy wandering around the maze of alley ways filled with sparkling stained glass lamps, fragrant spices and copper crafts.

C. Al-Azhar Park Sunset

In the late afternoon we will head to Al-Azhar Park to escape the busy city. This 74 acre park offers beautiful views over the city skyline. Your children will love running around on the open lawns and playing in the playground areas. We will finish the day by enjoying a panoramic sunset in the park.

Day 6: Day Trip to Fayoum Oasis + Wadi El-Hitan

On day 6 we will enjoy an incredible desert adventure to the Fayoum Oasis and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wadi El-Hitan.

A. Valley of Whales (Wadi El-Hitan)

We will head into the desert in our comfortable 4x4 vehicle. Once we arrive at Wadi El-Hitan (The Valley of Whales) your children will be amazed to see hundreds of ancient whale fossils with legs buried in the golden sands. This proves that this area used to be an ancient ocean millions of years ago. We will also visit an eco-museum with interactive exhibits showing how marine life evolved.

B. Magic Lake + Waterfalls

We will then visit the natural lakes and waterfalls of Wadi El-Rayan. Your children will love watching the sandboarders zoom down the desert dunes. We will also stop to take some photos around the Magic Lake. We will enjoy a traditional bedouin style lunch in a shaded tent. We will then head back to Cairo in the evening.

Day 7: Citadel Fortress + Coptic Cairo

On day 7 we will enjoy visiting some incredible medieval stone structures and sacred early Christian sites.

A. Citadel of Saladin

We will start the day by visiting the Citadel of Saladin, a medieval stone fortress on a hill overlooking the city skyline. Your children will love exploring the fortress walls, defence towers and the beautiful Mosque of Muhammad Ali. This mosque has amazing high domes and a beautiful large courtyard offering wonderful views across the city.

B. Coptic Cairo

In the afternoon we will visit Coptic Cairo, a peaceful pedestrian area. We will visit the Hanging Church which is built on top of ancient Roman gate towers and the Church of St Sergius. This church has an underground crypt where the Holy Family are believed to have stayed during their journey in Egypt.

Day 8: Day Trip to Ancient Tanis + San el-Hagar

On day 8 adventurous families will enjoy an off the beaten track day trip north east to San el-Hagar, the site of Ancient Tanis.

A. Ancient City of Tanis

Tanis is famous for being the royal capital of the 21st and 22nd Dynasties. This area has amazing open air temples with huge broken statues of Ramesses II, fallen obelisks and stone gates. Your children will feel like real archaeologists exploring the peaceful open stone fields. They will also enjoy seeing the stone royal tombs where the golden treasures (like Tutankhamun) were found intact.

B. Return to Delta Countryside

After enjoying a relaxed local lunch we will enjoy a scenic drive back through the beautiful green farmland of the Nile Delta. We will also enjoy seeing some rural farming life before heading back to Cairo.

Day 9: Pharaonic Village Island + Nile Felucca Cruise

On day 9 we will enjoy some hands-on historical activities and some relaxing time on the Nile.

A. Pharaonic Village Island

We will start the day by visiting The Pharaonic Village. This is an interactive history island on the Nile River. Families will float past in safe wooden barges to watch actors in costume showing how the ancient Egyptians farmed, made pottery, built boats and performed temple rituals. There is also a replica of King Tutankhamun's tomb and children's art workshops.

B. Nile Sunset Felucca Cruise

In the late afternoon we will head to the banks of the river for a traditional wooden Felucca sail boat cruise. We will enjoy a peaceful cruise along the Nile with the lovely breeze. Parents and children can relax, enjoy some music and watch the skyline of Cairo light up.

Day 10: Souvenir Workshops + Farewell Meal

On your final day you will enjoy creating some personalised souvenirs and a celebratory meal.

A. Artisan Workshops

In the morning we will visit some local artisan workshops to see how they make papyrus. Your children can choose some personalised souvenirs such as stone carvings of Scarabs, alabaster vases or silver cartouche necklaces with their name carved in hieroglyphics.

B. Farewell Meal

Your 10-day Cairo itinerary will finish with a celebratory meal. We will enjoy some of the best national dishes such as Koshary (lentils, rice, pasta with spiced tomato sauce), sizzling kofta and delicious sweet Egyptian desserts such as basbousa and kunafa. We will then be taken back to Cairo International Airport in private transport to catch your departure flight.