Family-Friendly 12-Days in Egypt Itinerary in Luxor and Cairo

An incredible 12 day tour combining Cairo and Luxor will give families the ultimate paced Egyptian adventure. This amazing itinerary will allow families to uncover the rich history of Egypt whilst enjoying a leisurely-paced holiday.

With just a 1 hour internal flight between the two destinations, there aren’t many long travel days. With plenty of extra time, families can enjoy day trips to Dendera and Coastal Alexandria, hot-air ballooning, interactive history experiences and felucca boat trips. Plus there is time for families to enjoy some much-needed pool time to avoid any overheating issues.

Day 1 – Arrival in Cairo

Families arrive at Cairo International Airport and are transferred to your accommodation. This will either be a hotel with views over the Nile River or close to the Giza Plateau.

A. Settle In

Once checked-in families can enjoy a slow afternoon to get settled after their long international flight. Families can also enjoy some local food including fresh Egyptian flat bread, dips of hummus and grilled skewers. The children can enjoy opening their bags and swimming in the hotel pool.

B. Sunset Viewing

At the end of the day families will go to a viewpoint over the desert with amazing views of the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure as they sit beneath the golden sunset. Families will enjoy a welcome evening meal at a rooftop restaurant.

Day 2 – Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx & Felucca Boat Ride

A. Pyramids of Giza & Camel Ride

Start the day early to beat the heat. Families enter the Giza archaeological site and children can enjoy seeing how big the giant limestone blocks are that have been used to build the Great Pyramids. For the adventurous families members, you can purchase tickets to enter a stone corridor. Families can also enjoy a short camel or horse carriage ride across the sandy plateau.

B. Great Sphinx & Lunch

Families then descend to see the Great Sphinx. The children will love to hear the amazing stories about this mythical creature as it was carved out of one ridge of living limestone. Families will enjoy a relaxed lunch at a nearby restaurant with views across the plateau. Enjoy some warm flat bread and Egyptian dips.

C. Felucca Boat Ride

Families can enjoy some much needed rest in the warm afternoon in the hotel pool. In the evening families head to the banks of the river and board a traditional wooden Felucca boat. Families can enjoy a relaxing sail along the Nile with the gentle breeze. Parents and children can enjoy listening to traditional music.

Day 3 – Saqqara, Dahshur & Medieval Bazaar

A. Step Pyramid of Djoser & Dahshur

In the morning families will drive to Saqqara, the huge ancient necropolis of Memphis. Families can visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser which is the world’s first large stone structure. Children can explore the stone courtyards and visit noble tombs. These tombs have brightly coloured low reliefs showing ancient life. Families can then continue onto Dahshur to view the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid to learn how ancient architects perfected pyramid building.

B. Medieval Cairo & Khan el-Khalili Bazaar

Families return to Cairo in the afternoon and stroll along the historical Al-Muizz Street. Families can wander into the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. Children will love walking down the twisting alleyways filled with glowing stained glass lanterns, tasty spices and copper craft. You can enjoy a refreshing glass of mint tea or hibiscus juice (karkadeh).

Day 4 – Day Trip to Coastal Alexandria

Families will enjoy a relaxing private day-trip to the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria. This will involve driving across the Nile Delta.

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

Families will visit the fascinating underground Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. Children can enjoy the unique mix of Pharaonic, Greek and Roman art including Anubis wearing Roman armour. Families can drive a short distance to view the giant red granite pillar known as Pompey’s Pillar. Children can enjoy running around the open park.

B. Citadel of Qaitbay

Families can enjoy a fresh seafood lunch with views over the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Families will then visit the Citadel of Qaitbay which sits atop the ancient Pharos Lighthouse. Children will love exploring the stone walls, watch towers and defensive walls. Families return to Cairo.

Day 5 – Royal Treasures & Citadel & Flight to Luxor

A. Grand Egyptian Museum & Saladin Citadel

Families can enjoy visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum close to Giza. Children can enjoy seeing the giant statue of Ramesses II, interactive exhibits and thousands of royal artefacts. Families can then visit the Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali for amazing views across the city skyline.

B. Flight to Luxor

Families will be transferred to Cairo International Airport in the late afternoon. Families can enjoy a short 1 hour internal flight to Luxor. Families will then be transferred to a hotel with views over the river on the East Bank of the Nile.

Day 6 – West Bank – Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut

Families will wake up in Upper Egypt and cross the Nile in the morning.

A. Valley of the Kings

Children can enjoy a fun ride on a small open top electric train from the visitor centre to the tombs. Families can descend into the underground tombs (Ramesses III, Ramesses IV or Merenptah). Families will walk through the painted corridors and into huge stone sarcophagi. Children will be amazed by how well preserved these ancient tombs are with vibrant colours of blue, yellow and red. These show the stars in the sky, protective gods and ancient spells from the Book of the Dead.

B. Hatshepsut Temple & Colossi of Memnon

Families will visit the stunning Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. This was carved directly into the limestone cliffs. Families can learn the story of how Hatshepsut ruled as a king. The temple has 3 tiers and is a beautiful example of an ancient Egyptian temple. Children can enjoy seeing the reliefs on the walls showing her wearing royal clothing. Families can stop off on the way back to the river to view the impressive Colossi of Memnon. These are 18m tall statues of Amenhotep III.

C. Felucca Boat Ride

Families can enjoy a traditional wooden Felucca boat ride in Luxor. Families can enjoy a smooth ride up the river as the warm afternoon breeze fills the sails. Families can enjoy walking through banana plantations, tasting fresh sweet bananas and watching a peaceful Sunset Over the Nile.

Day 7 – Artisan Tombs & Medinet Habu & Luxor Temple at Sunset

A. Deir el-Medina

Families can visit Deir el-Medina. This was the village where the artisans, stonemasons and painters lived who built the royal tombs. Families can visit the underground tombs (Tomb of Sennedjem). Families can enjoy seeing the colourful happy reliefs on the walls showing farmers fields, family gardens and pets. These often appeal to children more than the royal tombs.

B. Medinet Habu

Families can visit Medinet Habu. This was the huge Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III. This is famous for the deep reliefs on the walls which have kept their original colours. Families can enjoy seeing the fortified towers and high stone walls giving a feeling of a castle.

C. Luxor Temple

Families will cross back to the East Bank in the late afternoon to visit Luxor Temple. Families can enjoy watching the large papyrus shaped columns light up with warm spotlights as the sun sets. Families can walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes and imagine the impressive royal processions taking place thousands of years ago.

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

A. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Families can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Brave family members and older children can enjoy a hot air balloon ride just before sunrise. Families can enjoy a peaceful Ride Over the Nile, green sugar cane fields and glowing monuments of the West Bank as the sun rises over the Eastern Desert. Families can enjoy amazing views over the Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut.

B. Great Forest of Columns

Families can enjoy a short break for breakfast and then visit the huge Karnak Temple Complex. This was the main state temple of the New Kingdom and was mainly dedicated to the god Amun-Ra. Children will be blown away by the Great Hypostyle Hall which contains 134 huge sandstone columns. These columns are beautifully decorated with deep etchings of hieroglyphics. Families can visit the sacred scarab beetle statue close to the Sacred Lake. Local legend says if you walk around the statue 3 times you will be lucky!

C. Sound & Light Show

Families return to Karnak in the evening to enjoy the amazing Sound & Light Show. Families can enjoy walking through the temple as the narration and sound effects bring to life the pharaohs and ancient gods. Children will enjoy this exciting visual recap of Egyptian history under the stars.

Day 9 – Day Trip to Temple of Dendera

Families can enjoy a relaxing private day-trip to the beautiful countryside of Upper Egypt.

A. Temple of Hathor

Families can enjoy a 2 hour scenic drive along the Nile to Dendera. Children and parents will be amazed by this beautiful complex. This was built in the later Ptolemaic and Roman eras. The main temple is famous for having a huge Hypostyle Hall with 24 huge columns with faces of the goddess of music, happiness and love – Hathor. Unlike most ancient ruins, the temple still has its full stone roof. Families can enjoy walking through the fully intact halls.

B. Ceiling Reliefs & Crypts

Families can enjoy looking up to see the beautiful restored ceilings. These show astronomical maps, constellations and the goddess of the skies – Nut. Children will enjoy exploring the narrow crypts underneath the foundation walls. Children can also climb the stone stairs to the roof which were used by ancient priests during New Year celebrations. Families return to Luxor

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

Day 10 – Day Trip to Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples

Families can enjoy a day-trip heading down the Nile corridor.

A. Temple of Horus

Families will first visit Edfu. Families can enjoy seeing the incredibly well-preserved Temple of Horus. Children will love arriving at the giant Temple Pylon and posing for photos with the huge black granite falcon statues. Families can enjoy seeing the high walls and preserved roof chambers.

B. Double Temple of Kom Ombo

Families will continue down the river to visit Kom Ombo. This is a beautiful double temple as it was built equally for two gods. These were Sobek (crocodile god) and Haroeris (falcon god). Children will love seeing the reliefs showing ancient surgery tools. Families can also visit the Crocodile Museum which houses mummified ancient crocodiles from the Nile. Families return to Luxor

In the late afternoon.

Day 11 – Valley of the Queens & Carter House

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

Families will cross to the West Bank in the morning to visit the Valley of the Queens. Families can visit the underground tombs of Queens and young princes from the New Kingdom (Tomb of Prince Khaemwaset). Families can enjoy seeing the brightly coloured reliefs on the walls showing young royals being presented to the gods by their mother.

B. Howard Carter House & Replica Tutankhamun Tomb

Families can visit the historic Howard Carter House. This is close to the entrance of the Valley of the Kings. Children can enjoy walking into the preserved mud brick house where the archaeologist Howard Carter lived whilst searching for King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Families can enjoy seeing the detailed accurate replica of Tutankhamuns’ tomb in the gardens. There are interactive information panels telling you how the treasures were discovered in 1922.

Day 12 – Museum Visit & Souvenirs

Families can enjoy their final day of their 12 day Egyptian adventure. Families can visit some amazing world-class museums and purchase some souvenirs.

A. Luxor Museum & Mummification Museum

Families can visit the air-conditioned Luxor Museum. This is widely considered to be one of the best and most well organised museums in Egypt. Families can enjoy viewing beautifully lit statues found in local temple caches, ancient weapons and golden artefacts. Families can also visit the nearby Mummification Museum. Children can enjoy seeing the tools, natural resins, animal mummies and sacred rituals which were used by ancient embalmers to achieve physical immortality.

B. Souvenir Shopping

Before leaving families can visit the covered market (Souk) in Luxor. Children can enjoy practicing their polite haggling skills to purchase some personalised souvenirs. Families can purchase stone scarab beetles, hand-carved alabaster vases, small papyrus paintings or silver cartouche necklaces with their name etched into them using hieroglyphics.

This 12 day tour to Luxor and Cairo will finish with a celebratory meal with views over the Nile. Families will be transferred back to Luxor International Airport (or back to Cairo for onward international flights). Families will leave with amazing memories of pyramids, pharaohs, underground tombs and relaxing boat rides along the river.