Egypt Family Tour: 11 Days in Cairo, Luxor and a Nile Dahabiya
Overview
Most Egypt itineraries are built for adults with stamina and then sold to families. This egypt family tour was designed the other way round: one major site a day, afternoons free, and six of the eleven nights on a single boat so nobody repacks a suitcase in a hotel corridor at 6:00 AM.
The route on this egypt family tour is the classic one — Cairo, Luxor, a Nile sail to Aswan — but the shape of each day is different. You see the pyramids in the morning and you are back at the pool by mid-afternoon. You see Karnak when the heat has gone out of the day. Between the temples there are swimming stops off the boat, a village walk, and a camel market.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrive in Cairo
Met at Cairo airport and transferred to your hotel. Nothing is scheduled for the rest of the day, which after a long-haul flight with children is the point. Three nights here, so nobody unpacks twice.
Day 2 — Saqqara and the Pyramids of Giza
Saqqara first, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest stone building on earth and the site is open enough for children to run. Then Giza: the three pyramids, the Sphinx, and a panoramic stop for photographs. Back at the hotel by mid-afternoon for the pool.
Day 3 — The Grand Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo
The Grand Egyptian Museum in the morning, with the complete Tutankhamun collection, then Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church. The day ends in Khan el-Khalili, which is usually the part children remember: lanterns, spices, and mint tea in a hundred-year-old cafe.
Day 4 — Fly to Luxor: Karnak and Luxor Temple
A short domestic flight to Luxor. Karnak in the late afternoon when the heat drops, and Luxor Temple after that. One hotel night in Luxor.
Day 5 — Valley of the Kings, then aboard the dahabiya
The Theban west bank in the morning: the painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the terraces of Hatshepsut. After lunch you board the dahabiya, and from here on the boat carries your luggage and you do not pack again.
Days 6 to 9 — Sailing south: El Kab, Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila, Kom Ombo
Four days sailing south at the pace of the wind. El Kab with its cliff tombs, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the quarries at Gebel el-Silsila where Karnak was cut out of the rock, and Kom Ombo shared between a crocodile god and a falcon god. Between the temples: swimming stops off the boat, a walk through Bisaw village, and the camel market at Daraw. One site a day, the rest of the time on deck.
Day 10 — Aswan: the High Dam, Philae and an optional Abu Simbel day
Aswan. The High Dam and the island temple of Philae, reached by motorboat. Day 10 is also when families who want it add the Abu Simbel excursion; those who prefer a slow day stay on the water, and both work.
Day 11 — Departure
Breakfast, disembarkation, and a transfer to Aswan airport or onward to Cairo. Tell us your flight and we build the last morning around it.
Highlights
- One major site a day, with afternoons free for the pool or the deck
- Six nights on one boat means no repacking and no hotel changes
- Adjacent and triple cabins so families stay together
- The chef cooks to what your children will actually eat
- Swimming stops, village visits and a camel market between the temples
- Licensed Egyptologists who know how to talk to a nine-year-old
- One direct WhatsApp contact from arrival to departure
Included & Excluded
- 3 nights in a Cairo hotel with breakfast
- 1 night in a Luxor hotel with breakfast
- 6 nights full board on a private dahabiya, with double, twin, triple and adjacent family cabins
- Domestic flight Cairo to Luxor
- Private air-conditioned transfers throughout
- Licensed Egyptologist guides on every excursion
- Entrance tickets to every site in the itinerary
- Soft drinks and water on board
- 24/7 assistance from our local team
- All taxes included
- International flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion on day 10
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities and tips
- Anything not mentioned in the Included list
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages does this Egypt family tour suit?
We have run it for groups spanning four to eighty. The pacing — one site a day, afternoons free, six nights on one boat — is what makes the wide age range work.
Are there child discounts?
Yes. Child rates depend on age and cabin arrangement, so send us your children’s ages and we quote exactly rather than guessing.
Will my children eat the food?
Almost certainly. The dahabiya chef adapts to what your family eats, and you tell us before you board rather than negotiating at every meal.
How many hotel changes are there?
Two. Three nights in Cairo, one in Luxor, then six nights in the same cabin on the boat. That is the whole trip.
What is included in the price?
All accommodation with meals as listed, the Cairo to Luxor flight, private transfers throughout, licensed Egyptologist guides, every entrance ticket in the itinerary, soft drinks on board and 24/7 support.
What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt entry visa, the optional Abu Simbel excursion, alcoholic drinks and gratuities.
Is Egypt safe for a family holiday?
The tourist corridor along the Nile is well established and heavily staffed, you are with a private guide and driver throughout, and our team is one message away at any hour. We answer specific concerns specifically — ask us.
How do I book?
Contact us with your dates and your children’s ages. We confirm availability and send a quote with no obligation.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Giza panorama and Saqqara by kallerna (CC BY-SA 3.0); Khan el-Khalili (CC BY-SA); dahabiya by Fatma Hasham (CC BY-SA 4.0); Karnak by Tsyganov Sergey (CC0).
