Family-Friendly 13-Days in Egypt Itinerary in Luxor and Cairo

A once-in-a-lifetime family holiday to Egypt
Taking your family on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Egypt offers an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself and your family in the country's fascinating history, stunning desert and exciting modern culture. With children of varying ages it is essential to create a balance between exciting historical experiences and relaxing days. Planning an exciting 13-day holiday with the main focus on Cairo and Luxor will provide the perfect family experience. You and your family will be able to fully immerse yourselves in the wonders of the pharaohs without any rush. This guide will help you create a 13-day magical holiday to Egypt ensuring your family have an amazing, safe and comfortable holiday whilst immersing themselves in the ancient wonders of the Nile Valley.

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

After arriving in Egypt's buzzing capital city of Cairo you and your family will check into your hotel. Cairo is bursting with exciting sights, including beautiful minarets and vibrant streets. However on your first day it would be best to relax and get used to the time change. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or having a gentle walk around the area. In the evening enjoy an exciting group meal at your hotel to get you started on your holiday. Your meal will include delicious flat breads, grilled meat and tasty rice dishes.

Day 2: Giza Plateau 

On your second day you will head to one of the highlights of any family trip to Egypt. Head to the Giza Plateau and stand in awe of the impressive Great Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Great Sphinx. Hiring a private guide will ensure your children learn interesting facts through stories and myths. You can choose to have an exciting camel ride around the plateau. Then visit the Valley Temple. After this you will visit the impressive Grand Egyptian Museum. This state-of-the-art museum is located close to the Giza pyramids and includes impressive statues, interactive exhibits and lots of artefacts from royalty.

Day 3: Cairo's Historical Fortresses and Bustling Bazaars

On your third day you will explore Cairo's Islamic and Coptic history. Start your day by visiting the mighty Citadel of Saladin. This medieval fortress offers incredible views across the city and on a clear day you can see the pyramids all the way from the top. You will also get to see the beautiful Ottoman architecture of the Mohamed Ali Mosque. In the afternoon head to the busy Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Whilst this can be very busy your children will love admiring the bright lanterns, sparkling glass and lovely smelling spices. Stop for a refreshing cup of mint tea or hibiscus juice from a local historic café.

Day 4: Fly/Light Journey to Luxor (Thebes)

On your fourth day you will either fly or take a short journey to Luxor. Luxor is famed as the greatest open Air Museum in the world and has been known historically as Thebes. Luxor is split by the beautiful Nile River into the East and West Bank. On arrival you will check into a family friendly hotel with beautiful gardens and swimming pool. This will offer a nice place for your children to cool down in the afternoon. In the evening you will visit Luxor Temple for your first evening activity. This temple is beautifully lit and includes massive columns and impressive statues.

Day 5: Karnak Temple (Giant Columns)

On your fifth day you will visit the impressive complex of Karnak Temple on the East Bank. This temple is actually an incredible complex of many temples, kiosks and obelisks that have been built over many years by many different pharaohs. Your children will feel tiny whilst exploring the incredible Hypostyle Hall. This hall contains huge stone columns that look like they have turned to stone from the ancient papyrus plants. Your guide can make your visit an exciting treasure hunt for your children. They will try to find carvings of crocodiles, birds and fierce pharaohs.

Day 6: Pharaoh Tombs (West Bank)

On your sixth day you will visit the West Bank. This is the famed land of the dead, the Valley of the Kings. You will descend into the brightly coloured tombs where many famous pharaohs such as Ramses and Tutankhamun were buried. Your children will be amazed by the bright colours that have stood the test of time. After this you will visit the breathtaking Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. This incredible temple is dramatically built into the steep limestone cliffs. Finally you can have a quick photo stop at the impressive Colossi of Memnon.

Day 7: Relaxing Nile Cruise

On your seventh day you will enjoy a traditional Nile cruise. This can be done by Felucca or Motorboat. This will provide a relaxing day out for you and your family. Whilst cruising you will be able to see local fisherman throwing their nets and water buffalo grazing along the green banks of the river. You can stop at a local village island. This will allow your children to meet friendly locals and learn about rural life. They will enjoy eating a delicious home cooked meal by a local family. This is an incredible cultural experience and will provide some of the most heart warming moments of your holiday.

Day 8: Abydos & Dendera Temples (Day Trip)

On your eighth day you can take a scenic road trip to visit the incredible Abydos & Dendera temples. The Temple of Seti I in Abydos is famous for its incredibly well preserved colour reliefs and mysterious Abydos King List. The Temple of Hathor in Dendera is famed for its incredible preserved ceilings, hidden crypts and ancient ceiling with a zodiac map. As these aren't as busy as the main Luxor temples you will be able to relax and enjoy learning about these places.

Day 9: Leisure Day in Luxor

On your ninth day you will have a well earned leisure day. It is always important to have downtime when travelling with children. Luxor offers a great place for you and your family to relax. Either have a relaxing sleep in and enjoy the resort pool or have an amusing horse and carriage ride around the local area. In the late afternoon you could book a sunset felucca ride or visit the Luxor Museum. This museum is much smaller making it much easier to visit with children. It still includes incredible artefacts from royalty.

Day 10: Hot Air Balloon Ride (Sunrise)

If you have older children who are okay with waking up early then you can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon ride. This will take place on the West Bank and will provide an incredible view over the Nile River, green farming land and ancient landmarks. As the sun rises you will float over the desert mountains. This is a bucket list experience! Enjoy relaxing for the remainder of the day whilst packing your bags. Perhaps enjoy your final meal as a family at a restaurant with views over the sparkling Nile.

Day 11: Return Flight to Cairo

On your eleventh day you will return to Cairo. You can enjoy exploring modern Cairo or visit some family attractions. You may want to visit the Pharaonic Village. This incredible open Air Museum includes actors dressed in costumes showing how they made ancient items, farming and mummifying. Children absolutely love this attraction! Alternatively you may want to visit somewhere you enjoyed in the city or enjoy some traditional Egyptian pastries. You can also enjoy eating some delicious street food such as cotton candy and roasted sweet potatoes.

Day 12: Secret Attractions & Celebration Dinner

On your twelfth day you can explore some amazing secret places in Cairo. Visit the winding streets of Islamic Cairo (Al-Muizz Street) or enjoy the peaceful courtyards in the Coptic Quarter. This includes the famous Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue. This will show how diverse and layered the capital city is. In the evening you can celebrate your successful family adventure with a celebration dinner. This will include live traditional music, spinning dancers (tanoura) and delicious food.

Day 13: Departure

On your thirteenth and final day you will depart. Your private transportation will collect you from your hotel and take you smoothly to Cairo International Airport. As you load your bags with papyrus paintings, small alabaster pyramids and incredible memories you will realise how amazing Egypt is. It isn't just the ancient stones but the friendly people. By having a well planned 13-day holiday between Cairo and Luxor you and your family will leave with a true appreciation of history, incredible photos and a lifelong bond.