Family-Friendly 13-Days in Egypt Itinerary in Luxor

Ancient Thebes is the World’s Open Air Museum. Located along the fertile banks of the Nile River, the city of Luxor has a huge amount of impressive temples, tombs and stone statues. Spending thirteen days in Luxor means there will be plenty of time for the whole family to fully explore this amazing area with no pressure and no tiredness.

Spending 13 days means you have enough time to explore everything on the East Bank, where the ancient Egyptians would celebrate, and the West Bank, home of the setting sun and where Pharaohs would be buried. Your 13 days will allow for plenty of breaks to relax in the pool, a peaceful cruise on the river, riding camels through the desert, visiting live history villages and plenty of trips out to explore the lovely countryside of Dendera, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Abydos, Aswan and Esna.

Day 1 – Welcome + Luxor Temple at Sunset

You arrive in Luxor by domestic flight, sleeping train or Nile cruise. Check into your family friendly hotel/resort along the East Bank.

Relax

Once checked in you will have some free time to relax by the pool and get used to the warm weather of Upper Egypt. Children can enjoy watching traditional Felucca boats sail along the river with the stunning Theban hills in the background.

Exploring Luxor Temple

In the late afternoon you will head out to explore Luxor Temple, located in the centre of the city. This is a magical place to visit at sunset. The temple will be illuminated by warm lights as the sun sets, illuminating the massive pylons, enormous seated statues of Ramesses II and tall papyrus columns. Children can also walk along the part of the avenue of Sphinxes that remains. This was a huge stone pathway lined with hundreds of human headed and ram headed Sphinxes to take you from Luxor Temple to Karnak. You can have a relaxed evening meal at one of the beautiful restaurants by the river.

Day 2 – Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple (West Bank)

Head across the river early in the morning to explore the West Bank.

Exploring the Valley of the Kings

Start your day with an exciting visit to the World famous Valley of the Kings. This is a secluded canyon in the desert. The New Kingdom Pharaohs were buried here in these deep tombs. Children will enjoy riding the small open top electric train from the visitor centre to the entrance of the tombs. Once inside you can explore the stunning painted corridors leading to enormous stone sarcophagus tombs. The children will be amazed at how well the ancient paintings on the tomb walls have been preserved. They can see beautiful blue, yellow and red colours showing off starry skies, protective Gods and ancient spells from the book of the dead.

Hatshepsut Temple & Colossi of Memnon

Next you will visit the amazing Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. This temple has been carved directly into limestone cliffs and is a magnificent three tiered terrace. Children can learn about how Hatshepsut became Pharaoh and rule as a King. This is all shown on the temple walls with the Pharaoh wearing her royal attire. On the way back you will stop at the fantastic Colossi of Memnon. This is where you will see two eighteen metre high stone statues of Amenhotep III sitting in silence in the desert. This is a great photo opportunity.

Felucca Cruise

Back at the hotel you can relax during the hot afternoon. In the evening head down to the banks of the river to board a traditional Felucca sailing boat. As the boat sails along the Nile you can relax whilst listening to traditional music.

Day 3 – Ancient Life, Medinet Habu & Banana Island

Today you will learn about the craftsmen of Ancient Egypt and one of the best preserved fortress temples.

Deir el-Medina

In the morning you will visit Deir el-Medina. This was where the craftsmen, stonemasons and painters lived who built the royal tombs. This is a wonderful place to visit to really get an insight into what life was like for the craftsmen. You can explore the underground tombs such as Sennedjem. The tomb walls are filled with colourful, happy paintings showing off farming land, gardens and pets. Children often find these much more enjoyable than the royal tombs.

Medinet Habu & Banana Island

Next you will visit Medinet Habu, the massive Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III. This is famous for the amazing carvings on the walls that have preserved their original colours. The temple has lots of tower buildings and stone walls making you feel like you are in a medieval castle. In the late afternoon you will take a boat ride to Banana Island (Geziret el-Moz). Children can walk around the banana plantations and taste some sweet bananas. You can enjoy a peaceful evening meal as the sun sets.

Day 4 – Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise & Karnak Temple

Today you will have a magical experience of flying a hot air balloon at sunrise and visit the largest religious temple complex ever built!

Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise

To make this day extra special you can brave the early morning and take a hot air balloon ride. As the sun rises over the Eastern Desert you will float across the Nile, green sugarcane fields and the illuminated monuments of the West Bank. This is a magical experience to see the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple from above.

Karnak Temple – The Great Forest of Columns

Having breakfast and a short break you will visit the amazing Karnak Temple Complex on the East Bank. This temple was devoted mainly to the God ‘Amun-Ra’ and was the main state temple of the New Kingdom. Children will be amazed at walking through the Great Hypostyle Hall. This consists of 134 huge sandstone columns with deep carvings of hieroglyphics. You can visit the sacred Scarab Beetle statue near the Sacred Lake. Local legend says if you walk around the statue three times you will be lucky!

Karnak Sound and Light Show

In the evening return to Karnak to enjoy the amazing Sound and Light Show. As you walk around the temple you can enjoy hearing the stories of the Pharaohs and Gods come to life. This is a brilliant way for children to visually learn about Egyptian history!

Day 5 – Day Trip to the Temple of Dendera

Today you will enjoy a comfortable private day trip to one of the best preserved temples in Egypt.

Temple of Hathor

After a two hour scenic drive along the Nile you will arrive at Dendera. Children and parents will be amazed by the spacious complex. This temple was built during the late Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The main temple is famous for the amazing hypostyle hall with twenty four enormous columns with the head of the cow Goddess ‘Hathor’, the Goddess of Music, Joy & Love on top. Unlike most ancient ruins this temple still has its stone roof intact so you can walk around the inside.

Celestial Ceilings & Underground Crypts

Inside the temple you can look up at the ceilings which have been restored to their original colours. You can see amazing celestial maps, constellations and the Goddess of the Sky ‘Nut’. Children will love exploring the narrow underground crypts within the thick foundations and climb up the stone staircases on the roof which were used by the ancient priests during New Years. You will return to Luxor

In the late afternoon after a relaxing lunch in the countryside.

Day 6 – Day Trip to Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples

Today you will travel south along the Nile corridor to visit two amazing Ptolemaic temples.

Temple of Horus

Traveling south in your private vehicle you will first visit Edfu. This is home to the amazingly preserved Temple of Horus, the falcon headed God. Children will love arriving at the massive pylon and posing next to the giant black granite Falcons. The outside walls are amazing with the roof chambers still intact.

Kom Ombo Temple

Continuing south along the river you will arrive at Kom Ombo. This is a unique double temple dedicated to two Gods equally. This is Sobek, the crocodile God and Haroeris, the Falcon God. Children will love the carvings showing images of ancient surgery equipment. There is also a Crocodile Museum nearby with mummified crocodiles from the ancient Nile. You will return to Luxor

In the late afternoon to relax by the pool.

Day 7 – Valley of the Queens & Carter House

Today you will visit the Pharaoh’s Queens and Ancient Princesses and discover the amazing archaeological finds that led to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb!

Valley of the Queens (Biban el-Harim)

In the morning head across to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Queens. Explore the underground tombs of New Kingdom Queens and young Princes such as Prince Khaemwaset. The tomb walls are filled with colourful paintings of young Royals being presented to the Gods by their protective mothers.

Howard Carter House & Replica Tutankhamun’s Tomb

Next you will visit the amazing Howard Carter House. This is located at the entrance to the Valley of the Kings. Children can explore the preserved mud brick house where the famous archaeologist Howard Carter lived whilst searching for King Tutankhamun’s tomb. The gardens surrounding the house have an accurate replica of Tutankhamun’s chamber. There are interactive information displays to show how the treasures were discovered in 1922.

Day 8 – Nobles Tombs, Camel Ride & Local Crafts

Today you will have an easy day to explore some hidden archaeological gems.

Tombs of the Nobles & Ramesseum

In the morning you will visit the Tombs of the Nobles (Nakht/Menna). These are small and beautifully preserved with lots of happy scenes on the tomb walls. After a short visit to the Ramesseum children can stand next to the giant fallen Colossal statue of Ramesses II that inspired the famous Percy Bysshe Shelley Poem Ozymandias.

Camel Ride & Alabaster Workshops

In the late afternoon enjoy a gentle camel ride through the peaceful farming villages and Sugarcane fields of the West Bank. After your ride you can visit some local artisan workshops in Gurna. Watch the talented craftsmen carve amazing glowing vases, scarabs and statues from alabaster stone.

Day 9 – Day Trip to Abydos

Today you will enjoy a special day trip to explore the sacred pilgrimage site in Ancient Egypt.

Great Temple of Seti I

This temple is famous for housing the legendary Abydos King List. This shows a list of Pharaohs from Ancient Egypt in order. This temple is world famous for having some of the most beautiful fine low relief carvings in all of Egypt. Children will be fascinated by the beautiful colours on the tomb walls. There is also a mysterious building called the Osireion behind the main temple.

Return to Luxor

After a relaxing lunch local to the site you will enjoy a scenic drive back through the farming heartland of Upper Egypt. You will return to Luxor

In the late afternoon to relax.

Day 10 – Day Trip to Aswan

Today you will enjoy an exciting day trip to Aswan, the southern most point in Ancient Egypt.

Philae Temple (Isis)

After a comfortable drive south you will arrive in Aswan. Take a short motorboat ride across Lake Nasser to arrive at Philae Temple. This temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Motherhood and Healing ‘Isis’. The temple is surrounded by beautiful blue water. Children love arriving by boat and exploring the temple with the beautiful colonnades, carved pylons and beautiful Kiosk of Trajan.

Nubian Village

In the afternoon take a traditional boat to a colourful Nubian Village on the West Bank. Children will be fascinated by the brightly coloured dome houses and traditional hospitality. After enjoying some traditional Nubian tea and pastries you will be taken back to Luxor by private transport.

Day 11 – Day Trip to Esna

Today you will enjoy a short private day trip to Esna. This is only an hour away from Luxor.

Temple of Khnum

You will visit the underground Temple of Khnum. This is nine metres below street level. The temple has a beautiful hypostyle hall with twenty four huge columns with beautiful floral capitals. The roof has beautiful colours showing off celestial maps and Roman Emperors dressed as Pharaohs.

Historic Esna Souk

After exploring the ancient mudbrick alleyways and historic grain stores you will view the famous Esna Lock. You will return to Luxor to relax in the afternoon.

Day 12 – Luxor Museum & Mummification Museum

Today you will have an easy day to explore some amazing museum treasures.

Luxor Museum & Mummification Museum

In the morning you will visit the amazing air conditioned Luxor Museum. This is widely regarded as one of the best and thoughtfully designed museums in Egypt. The museum has beautifully lit statues that were found in local temple caches, ancient weaponry and gold artefacts. After a short visit to the nearby Mummification Museum children can learn about the amazing tools, natural resins, animal mummies and sacred rituals used by the embalmers to give them physical immortality.

Relax by the Pool

In the afternoon relax by the hotel pool or enjoy a peaceful family tea overlooking the river.

Day 13 – Souvenir Shopping & Farewell

On your last day you can finish your 13 day Egyptian adventure by shopping for personal souvenirs and enjoy a celebratory meal.

Souvenir Shopping

Before leaving you will visit the covered market (souk) in Luxor. Children can practise their polite haggling skills to purchase personal souvenirs such as stone scarab beetles, hand carved alabaster vases, little papyrus paintings and silver cartouches with their name carved in hieroglyphics.

Farewell Meal

Your 13 day trip to Luxor will end with a celebratory meal with some of the nations favourite foods. You will then be taken back to the airport/train station by private transport.