12-Day Family Egypt Tour with El Gouna
Camels at the pyramids, four nights on a Nile cruise ship, and a beach and boat finish in El Gouna. Domestic flights, hotels, the ship and your Egyptologist are included.
The short answer
12-Day Family Egypt Tour with El Gouna is a 12-day, 11-night trip to Cairo, Luxor and Aswan: 3 nights in Cairo, 1 in Luxor, 4 on a Nile cruise and 3 in El Gouna. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Sundays. It includes domestic flights, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $3,338 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Egypt works well for families when the days have variety. This tour mixes the big sights with things children can enjoy: a camel ride at sunset, a felucca on the Nile, a motorboat to Banana Island, a Nubian village, and then a boat day with snorkeling at the end. You start in Cairo for three nights with the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Then you fly to Luxor and board a Nile cruise ship for four nights, sailing south to Aswan with the temples at Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Two flights bring you to Hurghada for three nights in the Red Sea resort town of El Gouna. You choose the hotel and ship standard when you book, and the sightseeing stays the same.
What lingers
- 01Camel ride at the Giza Pyramids at sunset on your first evening
- 02Pyramids, Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in one guided day
- 03A sunset felucca ride on the Nile in Cairo
- 04Four nights on a Nile cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan, full board
- 05Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae with your Egyptologist
- 06A sunset motorboat to Banana Island and a Nubian village visit
- 07A Paradise Island beach day with snorkeling, then a semi-submarine trip from El Gouna
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom $3,3383★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Luxor · 1 nightEl Mesala Hotel Luxor Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSemiramis III · Magic I El Gouna · 3 nightsMovenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna | $3,338May–Sep: from $2,944 | |
| Comfortfrom $3,7754★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsJewel Sport City Luxor · 1 nightIberotel Luxor by JAZ Nile Cruise · 4 nightsRuby 1 · Royal Elite | $3,775May–Sep: from $3,384 | |
| Classicfrom $4,0595★ hotels · 5★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSun Times · Stephanie El Gouna · 3 nightsSheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna | $4,059May–Sep: from $3,384 | |
| Prestigefrom $4,8215★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Luxor · 1 nightSteigenberger Nile Palace Luxor Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSonesta Moon Goddess · Nile Serenity | $4,821May–Sep: from $4,338 | |
| Luxuryfrom $6,9505★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 3 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Luxor · 1 nightHilton Luxor Resort & Spa Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSonesta St. George I · Cleopatra El Gouna · 3 nightsCasa Cook El Gouna (Adults Only) | $6,950May–Sep: from $5,543 |
Hotels on bed & breakfast · Nile cruise on full board. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
- New
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
12 Days / 11 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Grand Egyptian Museum · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings
- 1
A private driver meets you at Cairo Airport with the airport formalities handled for you, then drives you to your hotel. Once you have settled in, the afternoon turns to the pyramids. A private vehicle and an English-speaking escort take you to Giza for a camel ride at sunset, about an hour on the camel, with tea and bottled water. Children who are keen to ride can tell us the ages when you book.
- 2
This is a full day of about eight hours with your Egyptologist guide. You spend the morning on the Giza Plateau with the three great pyramids and the Great Sphinx; the Giza visit takes four to six hours in all. Lunch comes with a view, and in the afternoon you walk through the Grand Egyptian Museum. Entrance fees, bottled water and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.
- 3
A gentler day for tired legs. In the morning your Egyptologist takes you through Coptic Cairo in about four hours: the Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church, St. George's, the Church of Abu Serga with its crypt and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, with a break for mint tea and pastry. The rest of the day is yours. Toward sunset you board a felucca, the traditional sailboat, for a ride on the Nile.
- 4
After breakfast you transfer to Cairo Airport for the domestic flight to Luxor; the airline sets the flight time, and your driver waits at Luxor Airport. In the afternoon, with a private Egyptologist and vehicle, you visit the Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum. Both are compact and cool indoors, so they suit children well after a travel morning. Tonight you sleep in a Luxor hotel.
- 5
You move onto your Nile cruise ship in Luxor and stay on full board. Your Egyptologist guide takes you to the Karnak temples, including the Sacred Lake, and to Luxor Temple; entrance fees and transport are part of the cruise sightseeing. In the evening the Karnak Sound and Light Show runs for about two hours. It is a late night, so younger children may want to rest first.
- 6
Today is the West Bank. With your Egyptologist you visit the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings (your ticket covers three tombs) and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included. In the evening a private motorboat with a boatman takes you out to Banana Island, with fruit, mint tea and water, while the sun goes down.
- 7
The ship sails south and you step ashore twice with your Egyptologist. At Edfu you see the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in the country. At Kom Ombo you visit the temple that stands right on the riverbank. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included. Between the two stops you can spend the hours on deck watching the river banks and village life.
- 8
Your last cruise day is full. With your Egyptologist you visit Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in the Aswan granite quarries; guide, entrance fees and transport are included. You also spend time in a Nubian village, with an English-speaking guide and transfers by boat and vehicle. Then you return to the ship for your last night on the Nile.
- 9
This is a travel day, so plan to be patient. After breakfast you leave the ship and go to Aswan Airport for two domestic flights, Aswan to Cairo and Cairo to Hurghada, with bags of up to 23 kg included. At Hurghada a private driver takes you on to El Gouna, about an hour away. Tonight you have your first beach-resort night.
- 10
You are picked up at your El Gouna hotel for a day at sea of about eight hours. A boat shared with other guests takes you to Paradise Island. There is a sunbed and parasol, a guide for the snorkeling, and mask, snorkel and fins for everyone. Lunch is served on board with soft drinks and water, and marine park fees are paid. It is a relaxing day after the temples.
- 11
A shorter outing today. You are collected from your El Gouna hotel for about three hours on the water, including a two-hour trip on a semi-submarine shared with other guests. You watch the reef through the windows without getting wet, then use your mask and snorkel at the swim stop. A soft drink and water are on board. The rest of the day is free at your hotel.
- 12
After breakfast you check out and a private driver takes you to Hurghada Airport, about an hour away. The tour ends there, with the drive timed for your own flight; please send us your flight details beforehand. Your trip ends at the airport, so book an onward flight that leaves in the afternoon or later to allow for the transfer.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Three nights in a Cairo hotel and one in Luxor, with breakfast
- Four nights on a Nile cruise ship on full board
- Three nights in an El Gouna hotel with breakfast
- Domestic flights Cairo to Luxor, Aswan to Cairo and Cairo to Hurghada
- All airport, hotel and port transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- Camel ride at the Giza Pyramids at sunset and a felucca ride in Cairo
- Karnak Sound and Light Show and a sunset motorboat to Banana Island
- Entrance fees to every site in the itinerary, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Licensed Egyptologist guide on all sightseeing days
- Paradise Island boat day with lunch and snorkeling gear, and a semi-submarine trip
- Meet-and-assist at the airport
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and ship staff
- Drinks on board and meals other than those stated
- Khufu pyramid interior and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Book the sunset camel ride on day one; it works off jet lag and children usually remember it longer than any museum.
- 02
At the Mummification Museum, let kids pick one display to study; short, focused stops hold their attention better than a full tour.
- 03
Give children a small notebook at Karnak and set a hieroglyph hunt; the carved walls turn a hot walk into a game.
- 04
Pack reef-safe sun cream and rash vests for the Red Sea boat days; the sun on deck is stronger than it feels.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel and ship standard when you book. Ask us about extra nights in Cairo or El Gouna, or a different version of the trip with Abu Simbel.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Families who want Egypt's big sights without a nonstop schedule. Suited to children who can walk several hours with breaks, and to parents who like the idea of boats, a ship and a beach alongside the temples.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or families with babies and toddlers who cannot manage late evenings and a flight-heavy day 9.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Camels, a felucca, a motorboat, a ship and a beach keep children engaged
- Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum and the main Nile temples in one trip
- A beach finish with snorkeling after the busy sightseeing
Things to Consider
- Days 2, 5, 6 and 9 are long and the Karnak show runs late
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the major sites
- Abu Simbel is not included
Where it fits
A good first trip for a family that wants history and downtime in one itinerary. Abu Simbel is not included.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many family trips to Egypt stop at the temples. This one adds a Red Sea stay at the end, with a boat day and a semi-submarine trip. Flights and transfers are booked for you, and hotel and ship standard is your choice.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided Family Tour with a Nile Cruise and a Red Sea Stay
- Accommodation
- Cairo, Luxor and El Gouna hotels plus a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Grand Egyptian Museum · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · El Gouna · Paradise Island
- Includes
- 4 nights in Cairo and Luxor hotels with breakfast · 4 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · 3 nights in an El Gouna hotel with breakfast · Flights Cairo to Luxor, Aswan to Cairo and Cairo to Hurghada · Entrance fees to every listed site · Licensed Egyptologist on sightseeing days · All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- Families with school-age children · Parents who want history plus a beach · First-time visitors to Egypt
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and any required travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Swimsuit and towel for the beach day
- Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hats and sunglasses for everyone
- Refillable water bottles
- Any personal medication and a small first-aid kit
- A small day bag and snacks for long road and flight days
- Light layer for the ship and for flights
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at mosques and churches
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the boat days
- A light jacket for evenings on the river in winter
Children & families
Children are welcome. Every child takes a seat in the vehicle, so transport, guiding and meals are charged at the adult rate at any age. Entrance tickets are free for children under 6 and full price from 6. Cabin and hotel prices depend on the child's age and the room or cabin used, so we give you the exact figure when you tell us the age at booking. The camel ride is one camel per adult, the Karnak show is a late evening, and the Paradise Island boat day is about eight hours, so think about your child's stamina.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour involves a lot of walking at large archaeological sites, with uneven stone, sand, steps and some narrow tomb passages, and little shade at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Boarding the ship, the felucca, the motorboats and the beach boats all involve steps or a gangway. Vehicles are private and air-conditioned. We cannot promise wheelchair or stroller access at every site. Tell us your needs when you book and we will say honestly which parts suit you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The itinerary uses domestic flights, a Nile cruise ship, boats and private road transfers, so we do not claim a carbon saving. Sightseeing is guided by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea, so most of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. On the reef we ask guests not to touch corals or marine life, and to bring refillable water bottles.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Is this tour good for children?
Yes, for school-age children and up. Camels, a felucca, a motorboat, a Nubian village, a ship and a beach day keep the days varied. Days 2, 5, 6 and 9 are long, and the Karnak show runs late. Tell us your children's ages and we will advise.02Are the domestic flights included?
Yes. Cairo to Luxor on day 4, and Aswan to Cairo and Cairo to Hurghada on day 9, are booked for you with 23 kg of luggage each. International flights are not included.03How many nights are on the Nile cruise?
Four nights on board, from Luxor to Aswan, on full board. The other seven nights are in hotels with breakfast: three in Cairo, one in Luxor and three in El Gouna.04Which ship and hotels will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, from budget to luxury, and we name the ship and hotels for your dates. The itinerary and sightseeing are the same at every standard.05Is Abu Simbel included?
No. This family itinerary does not include Abu Simbel, which is a very long day from Aswan. Ask us if you want it added on a different version of the trip.06Where is El Gouna?
El Gouna is a lagoon resort town on the Red Sea, about 25 km north of Hurghada. Your transfers run via Hurghada Airport, about an hour each way. Paradise Island and the semi-submarine trip are picked up from your El Gouna hotel.07Will I make my international flight?
Your tour ends at Hurghada Airport after a morning drive, and domestic and international tickets are separate bookings. A delayed flight earlier in the trip could affect a tight connection. If you need to fly onward the same day, choose an afternoon or evening flight and take travel insurance that covers missed connections.08What is not included?
International flights, the Egypt visa, tips for guides, drivers and ship staff, drinks other than those stated, and personal expenses. Dinners are included on the ship only.09Is this tour private?
Your Egyptologist and driver are private on the Cairo and Luxor sightseeing days. The Paradise Island boat and the semi-submarine are shared with other guests, and on the ship you are with the other guests on board.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-134648
At a glance
- Length
- 12 days · 11 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu or Sun
- Route
- Cairo → Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → El Gouna → Hurghada
- Nights
- 3 Cairo · 1 Luxor · 4 Nile cruise · 3 El Gouna
- Includes
- Domestic flights, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers