I am very excited to be planning a family vacation next summer. Every time we are fortunate enough to travel, I turn first to the wonderful and informed folks on this board. Thanks in advance! We are going to London and Egypt, for a week each. My kids are 13, 10 and 6. Of course, the pyramids and Cairo's museums, but would really appreciate any travel hacks for Egypt, with kids in mind, including hotels, places to eat, and especially lesser well known activities kids may love. If you are aware of any secret or unusual things for kids to do in Cairo, would very much appreciate the advice. Thanks again!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1380 posts
kinmgdna,
Congratulations on your upcoming trip! I have one word of advice. Egypt is HOT HOT HOT in the summer. For your family, I would suggest just two full days in Cairo, one of which would be spent in the Cairo museum. Even the 6 year old will be fascinated by the mummies, giant statues, hieroglyphics and golden funerary objects. Plus, it is air-conditioned. The pyramids are worth seeing, even on a hot day, but be forewarned. A visit to one of the open air markets would be exciting, and different from our farmers' markets in the US. (Check out the bird market!) A flight to Karnak for a Nile cruise of 3-4 days will make for a cooler experience. The Nile is a beautiful river, and stops along the way to Aswan offer lots of things to see. Also, it was pleasant as we wended our way along the Nile to observe Egyptians fishing, farming, tending livestock along the rverbanks. As for kids' activities, I don't know of any, but a camel ride should please everyone. The little one should be tandem with an adult.
We were on a tour that took care of everything (with Trafalgar) so I cannot suggest restaurants, etc. Everything on the tour was great, and meals on our boat were always good too.
P.S., I would advise staying in a 4 or 5 star hotel in Cairo. It is not London. Also, beware of some taxis. Let your hotel arrange them for you in Cairo so you don't get ripped off, or left off a half mile from your destination.
P.P.S. Lots of folks on this forum recommend Djed Tours. It seems as if they have a large variety of options re visiting Egypt. I would check them out
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
993 posts
Have you considered using a Cairo based tour operator to make your arrangements? One such operator is Egypt and Beyond who have been recommended a lot on this forum. Another recommended company is Spring Tours. They will arrange your hotel, airport pick-up, driver and guide to visit sites etc. They will no doubt be able to make recommendations of things that would appeal to the kids. Summer temps in Egypt are hot so be prepared for the kids (and probably yourselves) to flag around mid-day, so a hotel with nice shady grounds and a swimming pool is a must.
Cairo can be overwhelming with crazy traffic, crowded streets, very noisy. It gets going at dawn with the first call for prayer, first one mosque and then another and another…….a very effective alarm clock and the city keeps on going until the early hours.
Consider arranging things like a boat trip on the Nile, especially a falucca (sail boat). The Pharonic Village is described as an open air museum containing replicas of some of the ancient monuments, which might give the kids an idea of what ancient Egypt is about. I’ve not been there, so cannot comment. Hopefully the new Egyptian Museum will be open which is supposed to be stunning. Khan Al Khali is the big souk in Cairo fun but keep your group together.
Get a good guidebook for Cairo, there are a number, and become familiar with the warnings about not drinking the top water, not eating salads, ice cream etc., wearing hats and sunscreen when you go out, cover up if you are fair skinned and so on. I always make sure my basic vaccinations, including the cholera, typhoid and diphtheria one, are up to date when traveling outside Europe. I also take a course of Dukoral to protect against travelers’ tummy. Take OTC medication with you for this, Imodium or pepto-bismal.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1380 posts
kingdna,
Just had my memory triggered about our 2019 trip to Egypt. We went with Trafalgar Tours, and their on the ground tour company was Spring Tours. We were very happy with them.
Posted by
8322 posts
It is best for security reasons to do Egypt taking a tour. There is an armed guard on every group tour.
Also, it is best to do Egypt in the Winter, it will be VERY hot in the summer.
Egypt is wonderful, but only drink bottled water that you open. Don't eat street food or cheap restaurants.
Consider Gate 1 Travel, we did a great tour with them two years ago and its price beat all.
Posted by
TN, USA
2163 posts
Here is a helpful link we always used when planning summer (or even winter) travel:
https://www.accuweather.com/en/eg/cairo/127164/july-weather/127164?year=2024
You can scroll thru different months, too.
The link I attached was searched using Cairo, but you could enter Luxor or other places, too.
YES, definitely do a GROUP tour in Egypt, for safety precautions.
If you are in the US, you can check State Department travel advisories, and other countries have similar for their citizens.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thank you, my friends. This is such a wonderful forum and you are all so kind to take time out and give me your wonderful advice, all of which I will take.