Exploring Egypt: From Ancient Pharaohs to Modern-Day Adventures
Hey hey! It’s Harper here—your go-to travel bestie for epic history, hidden gems, and all the real-deal experiences around the world. Welcome to another Harper’s World adventure! Today, we’re heading to a place I was super excited to visit, especially since we had just studied it in school: EGYPT. Yep, the land of pharaohs, pyramids, hieroglyphics, and camels (spoiler alert: not my thing!).
So buckle up, fam, because this trip had some highs, a few “never again” moments, and a whole lot of wow!
Cairo, Egypt: Hitting the Ground Running (Literally)
We flew into Cairo with a tight schedule, so there was zero time to waste. First impression? Everything is tan. Like… really tan. The buildings, the ground, even the sky looked a little dusty. There’s not a lot of color, but wow, there’s so much history.
I was especially hyped because we had just finished learning about Ancient Egypt AND how Egypt plays into the story of Jesus’ early life (he fled here with Mary and Joseph!). So stepping off that plane felt like walking into my textbook—major full circle moment.
A quick heads-up if you’re traveling to Muslim countries: airport customs can be intense. No smiles. No jokes. And definitely no phones while waiting in line. It’s a big deal. Like, get-kicked-out-of-line level serious. Thankfully, my Papa speaks Arabic and that helped—a little. Just enough to get a few nods instead of glares.
Also, something super noticeable in Muslim countries is the daily call to prayer. In Egypt, you hear it literally all day long—early morning, midday, sunset, and into the night. At first I was like, “What is that sound?” but eventually I got used to it. It became part of the vibe. It’s a reminder of how much faith and culture are blended into everyday life there.
Pyramids, Paparazzi Vibes & a Camel Catastrophe
From the airport, we went straight to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Y’all. They are massive. Pictures do NOT do them justice. We had a private guide (shoutout to Walid!) and security with us because Cairo can be a little sketchy, and safety is key—especially for families. It kind of felt like being famous for a day. Bonus? Walid has been a guide for Will Smith and Samuel L. Jackson. I was starstruck by association!
After soaking in all the pyramid facts (some over 4,500 years old!), we went to a viewing point where you can see all three pyramids lined up perfectly. Then came the big moment: camel rides.
Let me just say… NOPE. I wanted to be that girl, all cool and confident riding a camel through the desert. But when that thing stood up? I lost it. Total mini meltdown. I clung to my mom like a baby monkey. Camels are way taller than they look and they move like you’re riding a rocking chair that might tip over at any second. 10/10 do NOT recommend unless you’re braver than me.
Allergies & Antiques: Cairo Realness
Cairo is full of incense, smoke, and dust—which, for someone like me with asthma and allergies, was rough. I was constantly using my inhaler. We grabbed a quick lunch, shopped a bit, then headed to the airport for our next stop: Luxor.
Luxor: Cleaner Vibes, Choirs & Christmas Lights
We stayed at the Hilton Luxor Resort, which was pretty nice! Egypt doesn’t have tons of luxury hotels like Europe, so this was one of the better options. Luxor itself felt a bit cleaner and more chill than Cairo, which was a big relief.
Our first full day in Luxor was jam-packed. We visited the Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple—both dating back over 3,000 years! You can literally walk where ancient Egyptians walked. I was in awe.
Then we visited the Valley of the Kings. This is where a bunch of ancient pharaohs (including the famous King Tut) were buried. We explored Queen Hatshepsut’s temple too—fun fact: she ruled as a female pharaoh, which was super rare! Girl power.
Going down into the tombs was wild. The stairs were steep and the air was thick, which was tough with my asthma. I couldn’t do every tomb, but I did the biggest and most famous ones. The walls were covered in hieroglyphics—Egyptian picture writing that told entire stories without a single alphabet letter. It’s amazing how detailed and colorful some of them still are.
Families: If you’ve got history buffs in your crew, this is a must. But younger kids might find the long days and tomb stairs a little exhausting.
We spent Christmas in Luxor. The hotel had some holiday decorations and even a local school choir came to sing Christmas songs, which was really sweet. But… no Santa, no festive trees, and definitely no snow. It didn’t feel like Christmas, so I wouldn’t recommend it for a holiday vibe.
Sailing the Nile: Instagram vs. Reality
Next up: a Nile River cruise on the Nour El Nil Agatha, a traditional Egyptian sailboat. It looked like something out of a movie—pretty wood finish, colorful cushions, and even a hammock on the top deck. I was excited!
We stopped at amazing temples, like the Temple of Edfu and Temple of Khnum in Esna. Khnum’s temple was one of my faves because it actually had color. Most temples are carved in stone, but this one had deep blue ceilings and painted art that made everything pop. It felt more alive.
But… after three days on the boat, we were SO over it. There’s not much to do onboard, the food was repetitive (same stuff, different shapes—literally!), and we just needed off. So in a total movie moment, we docked at a tiny port at 3AM, snuck off the boat, threw our bags in a truck, and drove down sketchy roads to get to the airport. My mom kept saying it felt like a Liam Neeson movie. (I still don’t know who that is, but okay!)
The Real Tea on Egyptian Food
Okay, let’s talk food! I actually liked most of what I ate in Egypt. The tricky part is knowing what you’re ordering if there’s no English menu or pictures. Luckily, some places did have English translations. One of my favorite dishes was called Macarona Fi Alforn. It’s basically pasta with beef and a light sauce. A little spicy but super tasty—total win for kids and picky eaters!
The Real Tea on Traveling Egypt with Kids
So, here’s the deal. Egypt is AMAZING when it comes to history. You’ll learn so much about ancient life, religion, kings, queens, and more. But it’s also a hard destination. The air quality isn’t great for people with breathing issues, the cities aren’t always safe for kids to just be kids, and the vibe isn’t super warm and fuzzy.
Everyone is constantly trying to sell you something. Smiles are rare. And it’s not like Europe where you can wander freely and stumble upon something magical. In Egypt, you need a plan, a guide, and a lot of patience.
Would I recommend it for families? Yes—but only if your kids are older and into history. Egypt brings your school lessons to LIFE, but it’s definitely not a playground.
Also, if you love diving into faith and history like I do, you might love seeing how Egypt connects to the Bible. It even tied into our trip to Israel, which was another full-circle, faith-based adventure. If you haven’t read that post yet, check it out here: My Trip to Israel: History, Hummus & Holy Sites ✨
Until next time,
Stay curious, stay kind, and keep exploring.
xo, Harper
🧐 Harper’s “Did You Know?” Egypt Edition
- 🐊 The Ancient Egyptians Worshipped Crocodiles!
The god Sobek had the head of a crocodile and was believed to control the Nile. Some temples even had live crocs in sacred pools! - 🎮 Board Games Were Invented in Egypt
One of the world’s oldest board games, Senet, came from Egypt. Pharaohs were even buried with game boards so they could play in the afterlife! - 🌕 Egyptians Were Obsessed with Space
Many temples and pyramids are aligned with stars, solstices, and constellations. The Great Pyramid is almost perfectly aligned with true north—without using a compass! - 🐈 Cats Were Treated Like Royalty
Ancient Egyptians believed cats had magical powers and brought good luck. Harming a cat was a crime—even if it was an accident! - 💄 Both Men and Women Wore Makeup
Eyeliner (called kohl) wasn’t just for style—it helped protect their eyes from the sun and infections. Fashion meets function! - 🧪 They Were Basically Ancient Scientists
Egyptians invented toothpaste, ink, surgical tools, and even had medical textbooks—thousands of years ago!
