A trip to Egypt will certainly be something memorable for every member of your family. Kids love to hear stories about the ancient pyramids and mummies. So taking them to visit the actual places where they can see such things up close and walk where the ancient Egyptians did will fascinate them for a long time.

There are several places that you will probably want to visit while in Egypt. We’ll give you a brief overview of a few of them to help you in your vacation planning.

Camel Ride

Fewer experiences while in Egypt will be more memorable than a ride on a camel through the desert. Did you know that camels can live between 40 to 50 years and when fully grown, they can be up to 1.85 meters (6.1 feet) tall? It might seem a bit contrived, but the desert and camels go together in many people’s minds.

There are numerous places where you can find the opportunity to ride a camel. To make sure that you are using someone who is reputable, ask your hotel or travel agent for some recommendations.

Giza

You’ll want to spend a day or two here so that you can see and tour the various pyramids of Cheops (also called the Great Pyramid of Giza) and Khafre, including The Great Sphinx. Challenge your family to the riddle of the Sphinx. Do you remember it? What goes on four legs in the morning, on two legs in the afternoon, and on three legs in the evening? (*Answer at the end of this article.)

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient world that still remains primarily intact, despite the passage of thousands of years. Once you stand before it, you will surely marvel at how mere men were able to move such massive stones and construct what was the tallest man-made structure in the world for close to 4,000 years. The Great Pyramid covers over 13 acres of land and stands 481 feet high.

Not far from the Great Pyramid sits the one built for Khafre, who succeeded Khufu and is thought to have overseen the construction of the Sphinx. There are several other structures in this area known as the Giza Complex that you can also visit to learn more about what the Egyptians thought happened after death and the tombs they constructed for their royalty during the Old Kingdom.

Cairo

This capitol and largest city of Egypt lies on the eastern banks of the Nile River and is bustling with so much life . You will probably fly in here from your home country.It can be difficult to get around the city because of traffic, so it’s advisable to hire a driver or arrange for a tour guide.

Cairo has many places you’ll want to check out including the various pyramids, bazaar markets (some of which have a history going back close to 600 years), the Citadel of Saladin, and the Egyptian Museum. During the day, it’s best to visit the first two

Cairo is also a great place to stay to possibly see the the pyramids in nearby Giza right from your room. There are several hotels in varying price ranges – some of the more highly rated ones include the Havana Hotel, Staybridge Suites Cairo-Citystars, and Four Seasons Hotel Cairo.

Luxor

Known as ancient Thebes, Luxor is home to the famous Valley of the Kings and is divided into the East Bank and West Bank by the Nile River. For 500 years, tombs were constructed in this valley for pharaoh kings and other noblemen. You will be able to see the Luxor Temple that was constructed during the New Kingdom. But it should be noted that there is just one pyramid that may be toured here. However, don’t let that turn you off for a family visit. Many of the pharaoh kings that your children have probably heard of or studied are buried in the necropolis here including: Amenhotep III, Ay, and the most famous King Tutankhamun. Be sure to stop by the recently built tourist center for lots of information on the area.

There are numerous hotels in this area and you might be able to find a very attractive room rate by planning your visit during the low season, which is summer.

Tip: Luxor is especially prone to pushy sales people who will try to sell you things and get you to stay at their hotel, visit their restaurant, or book with their tour company. Be wary of such people as they usually aren’t who they say they are and get a commission for driving business to whoever has hired them to hustle the tourists. Your family will have less hassle and more fun by pre-booking hotel accommodations and tours with an established agency prior to leaving your home country.

The Nile River

Most people who live in Egypt live not far from the banks of the Nile River. The annual flooding that takes place here, bringing fertility back to the soil and sustaining harvests each year, is known as the “gift of the Nile”. In fact, the Nile played such a significant role in the life of the ancient Egyptians that they created a god dedicated to preserving the annual flooding – Hapy. It was believed that Hapy assisted the pharaoh in controlling the flooding, and thus, Egypt’s yearly prosperity.

The Nile was also considered the way from life to death and the afterlife. As you might recall, the sun god Ra was thought to undergo a daily birth, death, and resurrection each time he crossed the sky. So the Egyptians considered the west a place of death. This is why all the tombs were located west of the Nile River. They believed that in order to enter into the afterlife, one must be buried on the side of the Nile that symbolized death to them.

Note: Egypt is a Muslim country and one of the most sacred holidays is Ramadan. It usually falls in mid to late August and lasts for a month. You will want to be mindful of this if your visit will take place during this time as shops close earlier, public transportation is less frequent, and the usual hectic pace of city life is much slower.

Travel Tips

• You will most likely be accosted at some point during your trip here to buy or do something. A phrase that will come in handy is ” la’a shukran”. This basically means no thank you and you must be firm when you say it or they will keep hassling you as you try to enjoy the markets, historic places, or just being in Egypt.

• If you do take a camel ride or boat ride on the Nile, be sure you haggle to get a good price. The first price they tell you is usually highly inflated.

• Friendly people can be found in any country and are a welcome sight. Overly friendly people who insist on “helping” you with a picture or your luggage or whatever, then expecting a tip are not so great to encounter. So be aware of this.

• Like any tourist metropolis, Egypt has its share of tourist traps which not only are over-priced, but garner a commission for the “guides” who steer people there. Instead of allowing any tour company to include a stop by an authentic perfume shop, papyrus factory, or carpet store on your tour itinerary, decline that option and enjoy the local bazaar for better deals on your own.

• Many people in Egypt rely on tourism for their livelihoods and tipping is a primary source of income. One trick some people use to get a bigger tip than what is standard is to act insulted when you first tip them. Check the internet to see what is customary when it comes to tipping so you’re informed.

• Don’t drink local water anywhere – it’s best to stick to bottled water if you wish to not take a chance of getting sick. It’s also wise to carry water and snacks with you as you are out and about so you don’t have to worry about finding an oasis along the way.

* Riddle answer: a human – as a baby, we crawl on all fours, then we learn to walk, and in old age, a cane is often used.