Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Egypt - Cairo – Luxor – El Gouna
100% customisable for you
Your Egyptian family adventure begins today with a five-hour flight to the bustling capital of Cairo. After enjoying some nibbles in the airport lounge, it’s time to board your flight, armed with your trusty family fun packs to keep the little ones entertained.
On arrival, a private driver will be waiting to whisk you away in a private transfer to your hotel, nestled on the banks of the Nile. Spend the rest of the day settling into your new environment: the youngsters will be knackered after a day of travelling, so we recommend taking this time to relax and enjoy a tasty dinner at the hotel restaurant before the real action begins tomorrow.
Hit the ground running this morning as you visit one of the world’s most iconic architectural achievements: the Pyramids of Giza. Discover the legendary pyramids in the company of a knowledgeable local guide, who’ll be on hand to answer any burning questions about the ancient Egyptian structures.
If you’re travelling with any budding adventurers, you’re in luck: little ones can get into Indiana Jones mode as they explore the pyramids’ ancient interiors. Although the three Pyramids of Giza are the most famous, Egypt is actually home to around 118 pyramids, so head up to one of the nearby panoramic viewpoints for an epic game of I-Spy.
Back in Cairo, head to the Grand Egyptian Museum with a private guide to learn all about the rich history of ancient Egypt. The museum displays a whopping 100,000 relics and artefacts across 12 galleries, headlined by a glittering collection of Tutankhamun’s golden treasures that’ll be sure to catch the children’s eyes.
Leave the ancient world today as you dive into more recent history in ‘Historic Cairo’, a metropolis nicknamed the ‘City of a Thousand Minarets’ or ‘Islamic Cairo’ for its abundance of religious architecture.
The star of the show is the Cairo Citadel, a 12th-century fortress that overlooks the city from the Mokattam Hills. The citadel is home to several mosques, including the grand Mehemet Ali Mosque (also known as Muhammad Ali Mosque), the Mosque of Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa’i Mosque. The jaw-dropping structures will impress even the most cynical of teens, and little ones can build up their courage and venture into the tombs of the 19th-century Egyptian royal family.
Continue your journey through Historic Cairo with a visit to one of the city’s most famous souqs, Khan el-Khalili. While parents browse handcrafted jewellery and fragrant incense, the youngsters can sort through personalised stationary to find a souvenir with their name in Arabic. If the children are still raring to go, we can arrange for you to visit the Mamluk and Ottoman residences scattered throughout the bustling city centre with a knowledgeable private guide.
The time has come to bid the capital a warm farewell today as you journey south to Luxor. After breakfast this morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport, where you’ll be guided through security by a member of our team before hopping on a one-hour flight to Luxor.
Often referred to as the ‘largest open-air museum in the world’ due to its abundance of extraordinary temples and ruins, Luxor is a haven for history enthusiasts. On arrival, check into your next hotel, where you’ll be hanging up your hat for the next three nights. Spend the rest of today relaxing and settling into your new surroundings after a busy few days in Cairo, ready for a day of temple hopping tomorrow.
Another day, another tour. On today’s agenda are private guided tours of the Karnak Complex and Luxor Temple, two of the region’s most important ancient wonders. Kick off your day at Karnak, where you’ll learn about the site’s immense 4,000-year history and take in the wealth of fascinating ancient relics, from ram-headed sphinxes to temples of the tutelary gods.
Next up is the magnificent Luxor Temple, where you’ll walk down the impressive processional colonnade to a grand sanctuary featuring six towering statues of Ramses II. The temple was built in honour of Amun, the god of air and one of the eight primordial Egyptian deities.
Children and parents alike can stand in awe of the 75ft Obelisk of Concord, which dates all the way back to the 19th Egyptian dynasty, roughly 3,000 years ago. Many religious buildings, such as churches and mosques, have also been built here, giving the complex a diversity that makes it nearly impossible for the youngsters to get bored.
You’re in the heart of one of Egypt’s most temple-rich regions, so another day of temple hopping is on the agenda. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be met by a clued-up guide who’ll take you on a tour of the Theban Necropolis, a ritualistic burial site on the west bank of the Nile.
Begin at the Valley of the Kings, where you’ll discover the underground tombs of almost all the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (between 1560BC and 1070BC). Nearby, explore the Valley of the Queens, where selected royal women were buried. Here, you can visit the tomb of Nefertari, an Egyptian queen and the wife of Ramses II, who was lovingly known as ‘she for whom the sun shines’.
Round off your temple-hopping day with a visit to Deir el-Bahari. This temple complex is home to the funeral temple of Hatshepsut, a female king of Egypt during the 18th dynasty. Take some time to admire the temple’s paintings, reliefs and monumental structures, challenging the children to spot the animals that adorn the detailed facades.
Today, it’s time to swap ancient history for a spot of coastal family fun. Wave goodbye to the enchanting River Nile as you’re privately transferred to El Gouna, a beautiful resort town nestled on the shores of the Red Sea. The journey will take around four hours, but don’t worry – you can keep the little ones entertained with an exciting game of ‘spot the camel’ across the sprawling desert landscapes.
Once you arrive, bundle the children out of the car and settle in for three nights in a lavish hotel. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel’s facilities (Marco Polo, anyone?) before tucking into a delicious meal this evening.
El Gouna is truly a seaside paradise, boasting turquoise lagoons, colourful coral reefs and serene sandy beaches perfect for children and adults alike. This morning, you’ll have the opportunity to spend a few hours with an El Gouna local, who can recommend the best beaches, secret snorkelling spots, tucked-away restaurants and other hidden hotspots.
The rest of today is yours to spend taking advantage of your new El Gouna knowledge. Whether the youngsters fancy a spot of watersports at the beach or trying their hand at horse-riding, one thing’s for sure: there’s no getting bored in this coastal gem.
We’ve left today free for you to enjoy at your leisure. If your little ones are water babies, take advantage of the shimmering Red Sea, which is renowned for its incredible marine life and excellent snorkelling and diving conditions. The adventure doesn’t stop when you resurface; children and adults can both try their hand at kitesurfing, windsurfing and sea kayaking, or head out on a serene boat trip.
There are also six miles worth of postcard-perfect beaches to explore. If the children begin to drag their feet, don’t worry: you can easily hop between the sandy stretches on board a tuk-tuk, the go-to get-around among locals.
Round off your final day in Egypt by delving into El Gouna’s wonderfully rich and diverse food scene. Settle in for an aperitif (mocktails for the youngsters, of course) before tucking into some tasty Egyptian cuisine at one of the town’s many restaurants.
Sadly, the time has come to bid Egypt a warm farewell and embark on the journey home. With sand in your shoes and a full camera roll, you’ll be privately transferred to Hurghada Airport for your six-hour flight back to the UK.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
