How to Plan a Family Tour to Egypt

If you want to travel with your children, Egypt is the perfect place to go! Egypt is located in the eastern part of North Africa and has many places of interest. Ancient Egypt is one of the world's four ancient civilizations and the earliest kingdom in the world. As a result, it is also a country that can easily ignite people's initial archaeological dreams. Whether young or old, people are gathered here out of a passion for this lost ancient civilization. An Egypt tour can make you feel the strong historical atmosphere and get some kid-friendly experiences.

Most Popular Highlights in Egypt

1. Pyramid of Khufu and Sphinx

The Pyramid of Khufu is the largest existing pyramid in Egypt and it is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Sphinx is also one of the most representative relics of ancient Egyptian civilization, along with the Pyramids. There are located in Giza, about 10 kilometers southwest of Cairo. The pyramid is 146.59 meters high, but the top has peeled off by 10 meters due to weathering over time. Now it is 136.5 meters high, which is equivalent to the height of a 40-story building. The pyramid of Khufu is an almost solid boulder, and the stones are so tightly jointed that even a piece of paper can't be inserted. This is a human miracle that took more than 100,000 craftsmen about 20 years to complete. In ancient Egypt, the lion was a symbol of power. So the Sphinx is actually a reflection of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs. The statue sits west to east, crouching next to the pyramid.

The pyramid of Khufu is allowed to visit. You can take your children into the pyramid to experience the luxurious design of Pharaoh's tomb. Although the outside air can constantly pour into the pyramid, the inside of pyramid is still hot and even suffocating, so it is not advisable to stay for a long time. During the visit, you must pay attention to your child's physical condition. There are many photo spots near the Pyramids and the Sphinx, but it is not recommended to go at noon to take pictures. Because they are located in the desert, the sun is very hot during the day and your family and children can easily lead to dehydration. In addition, there is very little food in the scenic area. You need to prepare food and water in advance.

Sphinx

2. Museum of Egyptian Antiquities

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is located on the east bank of the Nile and it is one of the most famous museums in the world. The museum is also customarily called the "Pharaonic Museum" because of its extensive collection of artifacts from the Pharaonic period. It contains approximately 100,000 of the finest historical artifacts found in Egyptian archaeology. The treasure of the Egyptian museum is the golden mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. The whole mask is very luxurious, made of pure gold and inlaid with various gems. It can be seen that the gold-making technology at that time was very advanced, and the craft and technology were also very superb.

The exhibits include pharaonic stone statues, mummies, prehistoric pottery, and sagebrush documents. The first floor of the museum is arranged in chronological order, while the second floor is exhibited by theme. Your children can experience the mystery of Egyptian culture through these ancient artifacts.

3. Black Desert

The Black Desert is located in the Wahat el Bahariya, a very peculiar place in Egypt. It overturns the traditional image of a desert with only yellow sand. Here you can see the desert covered with black volcanic rocks and white mushroom rocks formed by wind erosion.

You can bring your children to the Black Desert to experience the desert life of the nomadic Bedouins. During the daytime, you can chase sunrises and sunsets in the desert with your family and admire the various rocks that have been formed over millions of years through the forces of nature. At night, you can have dinner with the locals. After dinner, they will light a bonfire and everyone will sing and dance around the bonfire. Your children will surely feel the passion of the desert. In the evening, you can look up at the desert starry sky. It is like an infinite stretch of curtain decorated with diamonds, shining brightly and dimly. Come and walk into this amazing land with curiosity and imagination. It will surely become a beautiful memory in your children's life.

4. Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings is the main mausoleum area of pharaohs and nobles in ancient Egypt from about 1539 BC to 1075 BC. Now, 62 tombs have been developed. It is located on the west bank of the Nile, about 7 km from the shore. In the Valley of the Kings, each tomb is of a different size. Its scale is directly proportional to the luxury of murals and the reign time of the Pharaoh. Because as soon as Pharaoh became king, the first important thing was to build a tomb for himself. It can be completed in the shortest 6 years and built in the longest 20 years.

It is amazing that the entrance to the tombs often opens halfway up the mountain. There are tiny passages leading deep into the tombs, and the patterns and pictographs on the two walls of the passages are still very clear today. The main tombs in the Valley of the Emperors that are most worth visiting include the tomb of Tutankhamun, the tombs of Ramesses III and VI, and the tomb of Seti I. There are some tombs that are generally closed to the public and are only for academic research.

Valley of the Kings

5. Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple is a huge ancient Egyptian temple located in the city of Luxor on the east bank of the Nile. It proved Luxor's glorious history. The front courtyard of the Luxor Temple has a huge gate. In ancient times there were two seated statues, four standing statues and two obelisks of Ramses II. Today there are only two seated statues, one standing statue and one obelisk left.

As you enter the temple, you can see the towering obelisk, the tall and majestic statue of Pharaoh, and the beautiful carvings on the temple walls and stone pillars. Although Luxor Temple is weathered, the tall stone pillars still stand, symbolizing the majesty of the pharaohs. The carvings on the stone pillars are still clearly visible. When you and your children walk through it, you can feel the power and prosperity of ancient Egypt at all times. Whether you go to Luxor Temple in the daytime or in the evening, be sure to wait until the evening before returning. Because when the temple lights are on, the reliefs and colonnades are presented in a mysterious atmosphere, which is unique and interesting.

6. Fayoum

Fayoum is one of the oldest cities in Africa. The Fayoum Oasis is located in western Egypt, and it is also the most prestigious oasis in Egypt. Fayoum Oasis has the oldest lake in the world - Lake Moeris. The lake here is not spring water, but Nile water is drawn by hundreds of canals built in ancient times. Pharaohs built palaces here and Greeks built a number of temples to worship the sacred crocodiles in Lake Moeris, so there are many important sites in Fayoum.

There are many interesting activities in Fayoum. During the day you can bring your children to experience the exciting sandboarding, and your family can go sand surfing together in off-road vehicles. At night, you can camp out in the desert. You can count the stars in the sky with your kids and it will be an unforgettable night. In addition, Egypt's only World Natural Heritage site, the Valley of the Whales, is also located here. Today, it is a museum of ancient cetaceans in the desert, with many ancient cetacean fossils on display. Your kids can witness the evolution of whales from land creatures to sea creatures in the museum. I guarantee they'll love it!

7. Hurghada

Hurghada is a famous tourist destination on the Red Sea coast. There are abundant natural resources here, such as bright sunshine, soft beaches, green date palms and dark blue sea. Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world are attracted to visit the city. The Red Sea is also one of the best diving destinations in the world and is popular among diving enthusiasts. The geographical contrasts of Egypt are so great that you can see many amazing phenomena here. Egypt's terrain inclines from east to west, and it is famous for its alternating desert hills and valleys. And when you cross the Arabian Desert, you will be able to see the Red Sea.

It is a famous family resort, offering many interesting activities. First of all, you can take your children to take a glass boat tour of the beautiful coral colony. The visibility of the Red Sea is so high that even from a glass boat, your children can see the beautiful corals on the bottom very clearly. Your kids will be especially excited to see the colorful coral through the clear glass of the bottom of the boat! Then you can go diving, but children are not allowed to dive. The water depth in the snorkeling area is only about three meters. You can swim with your face to the bottom and your snorkel exposed to the surface. The water is transparent so that you can see the underwater life clearly. The coral here is colorful and there is a wide variety of fish. You don't need to worry about safety. You will wear a life jacket during snorkeling and a professional instructor will be on hand to keep you safe. Finally, Hurghada is also known for its shopping and nightlife. It has many large shopping centers where you can choose a few pieces of clothing for your home-sewn in Egyptian cotton.

Hurghada

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Egypt Vacation with Hurghada 10 DAYS Explore This Tour

Most Recommended Family Travel Experience

1. Camel Riding

You must take your kids for an exciting camel ride in Egypt! Camel rides are available at all the pyramid sites in Cairo. The best place to see the Pyramids of Khufu is on a stretch of desert to its left. It is definitely very strenuous if you try to walk up there. So you can take your family on a camel ride. Although the desert terrain is relatively flat, you will need to accompany your children on the camel ride. The important thing to note here is to wear long pants when riding camels, especially for your children. Because camels have rough hides, long pants can avoid the discomfort of friction.

2. Nile Cruise

The Nile is the longest river in the world and you should definitely explore it in Egypt. And the best way to explore it is to take a cruise trip on the Nile. Although the Nile River flowing through Egypt is only 1,350 kilometers long, it is the section with the best natural conditions. The scenery on both sides of the Nile is very beautiful, with reeds, green trees, and the local indigenous Nubians on the banks. There are many sailing boats on the river, and you can see Arabian-style sailing boats slowly weaving through the river by natural wind. The fishermen on the boat will sing their folk songs passed down from generation to generation with simple instruments, allowing you and your family to enjoy a relaxed and leisurely romantic moment.

Nile Cruise

3. Ancient Egyptian Life Recreated in the Pharaonic Village

The Pharaonic Village is located on a small island within Cairo and covers an area of about 200 acres. There are more than 400 modern people playing villagers in the Pharaonic village. They are dressed in the costumes of the Pharaonic era and use the production tools of the time. And they are engaged in farming, fishing and hunting as well as handicraft making in the same way as the ancient Egyptians. Some of them are performing mummification, some are making fragrances, and some are making papyrus paintings, recreating the social life of ancient Egypt thousands of years ago. Here, your children can see some scenes that only appear in history books. After visiting the Pharaonic Village, they will surely be able to engrave this period of ancient Egyptian history firmly into their minds.

4. Wander in Khan El Khalili Market with Your Family

Khan El Khalili Market is the oldest bazaar in the Middle East. Nowadays, it’s a world-famous crafts market and a symbol of Cairo's ancient culture. There are thousands of small stores here, all selling traditional Arab crafts. Old masters and apprentices in street workshops still use ancient techniques to make handicrafts. You will find not only bronze, iron and various decorative objects, but also carpets of various countries with Islamic characteristics. You can buy some very exotic refrigerator stickers and small statues as souvenirs for your children. They will definitely love those gadgets. There are many cafes around the market, and snacks and dried fruit are sold on the street. If your family is tired of shopping, you can go to the cafe to rest.

What to Eat in Egypt?

1. Kushari

Kushari is one of the specialties of Egypt and it can be found in the streets of Egypt. It is made with rice, macaroni, onions, chickpeas and tomato sauce. Some restaurants also put together half with rice and half with macaroni.

2. Hummus

Hummus is a very common legume food in Egypt and an ideal source of unsaturated fatty acids, calcium and other nutrients. Mix hummus with yogurt, sesame paste, lemon juice, garlic and salt, add chopped celery or parsley and sprinkle the top with bell pepper powder. Drizzle with olive oil and enjoy!

3. Hamaam

Hamaam is a must-eat delicacy for Egyptians when they get married. The Egyptians would stuff the stomach of the squab with rice and fava beans, and the roasted pigeon would be tender and juicy. Another practice is to make a stew with squab, onions, tomatoes and rice in a clay pot.

4. Kekab

Kekab is a very popular delicacy in Egypt. First of all, the lamb is brushed with a mixture of salt, pepper and olive oil; then the lamb is cut into small pieces and skewered on a stick; finally, you will have a delicious lamb kebab. When you eat it, you can also dip it in the local condiment sauce, which has a special flavor.

5. Shawerma

Shawerma is an Egyptian hamburger. In the streets of Egypt, you can often see rotating iron pillars on which beef and mutton are roasted golden and crisp. Wrap the sliced meat in a loaf of bread, and serve with tomatoes, green peppers, pickles, onions, cheese and various sauces.

6. Aish Baladi

Aish Baladi is an essential staple of every meal in Egypt. It has a hollow center, so it's also called pocket bread. Cut it in half and put any vegetable or meat you like in it.

Tipping:

1. Although there are many delicious foods in Egypt, it is recommended that you and your family refrain from eating raw and cold foods. Your children, in particular, may suffer from diarrhea.

2. If your children can't adapt to Egyptian food, you can take some bread and snacks with you.

Best Time to Visit Egypt

Although Egypt is located in Africa, it has a Mediterranean climate. Its average daily temperature is not high, but the temperature difference between day and night is large. In Egypt, the months of April to October are summer. The temperature in most areas during this time is affected by the direct sunlight on the ground, with an average temperature of 45 degrees. Daytime is very unsuitable for traveling and sightseeing, and the only time to travel is early morning or at night. So the best time to visit Egypt is from November to February. This time of the year not only has a good climate, but also reveals the mystery and charm of the ancient Egyptian country.

What to Wear in Egypt?

November to February is the winter in Egypt. If you travel during this time, although the daytime temperature is suitable, usually short sleeves are sufficient. But because of the desert-type climate, the temperature will suddenly drop at night. So be sure to prepare thick clothes to prevent the effects of low temperatures. If you're planning a summer trip to Egypt, it's important to protect your family from the sun. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must. Especially for your children, try to wear long sleeves and long pants that can cover their skin. Because the sun is so strong there, children's skin is very susceptible to sunburn.

Is It Safe to Travel to Egypt?

Egypt is an ancient civilization with a long history and is a very popular country to visit today. The security in the Egyptian urban areas is very good, and there are basically checkpoints at every site. But when we travel in Egypt, we still need to pay attention to safety issues. First of all, winter is the peak season for tourism in Egypt, the number of visitors to various sites will be higher. If you choose to travel to Egypt in winter, then you must let your children play in your line of sight. Secondly, you can safely stay with your family to visit Egypt, but it is still recommended not to go out alone at night. Finally, Egyptians are very welcoming, but there can be some scammers at popular attractions. So please protect your valuables and do not accept help from strangers easily.

Travel Tips

1. It is recommended that you and your family do not drink water directly from the tap, but choose to purchase bottled water instead.

2. You should always bring mosquito repellent. If you are going to visit places with woods and valleys, you will find that mosquito repellent is very important. Also, remember to dress your children in clothes and pants that cover their skin to prevent them from being bitten by mosquitoes.

3. The air pollution in Cairo is a bit serious. So do not take children who are too young or have asthma problems to this place.

4. When traveling, you should prepare some usual medications on hand for emergencies. If you need to take a certain type of medicine for a long period of time, you must bring enough of it as well as a doctor's prescription.

Egypt must be the top country you want to visit with your kids in Africa. Every attraction here is spectacular and allows your child to combine the knowledge learned in history and geography books with real experiences very well. Egypt is also rich in natural beauty, so your children can get close to nature and experience its wonders and magnificence. Contact us, we'll customize a unique Egypt tour based on your interests and needs, you’ll see the best of Egypt at your pace with your family.