Egypt
Taking your kids to Egypt isn’t just a trip—it’s a time machine, a history class, and a trust-building adventure all rolled into one. From Cairo’s wild energy to quiet sunsets on the Nile, this was one journey where we swapped screen time for story time—and made memories that’ll outlast any souvenir.
Cairo hits you fast—heat, horns, history, and hustle. Within minutes of arriving at the Giza Plateau, we were surrounded by one of the most iconic views on Earth: pyramids towering in the distance, camels roaming nearby, and the relentless energy of vendors offering “special” photo ops whether you wanted them or not.
One of our first stops was the Great Pyramid of Khufu. You don’t fully grasp the scale of it until you’re standing at the base, looking up at blocks the size of refrigerators stacked into the sky. My daughter climbed up a few layers of stone for a photo—high enough for a dramatic shot, low enough to keep Dad from panicking. It’s one of those moments where you realize: yeah, this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and it’s even better getting to share it.
Of course, no Cairo visit is complete without the classic shot—us standing with the Sphinx in the foreground and the pyramid in the background. It’s like the postcard pose you have to get. We’d already been asked to buy headscarves, camel rides, and “authentic” papyrus art a dozen times that morning, but for a brief second, it was just the two of us and these ancient wonders. You can see the calm in our faces. That was real.
And then there’s the Sphinx—smaller than expected, but no less impressive. I grabbed a close-up of her grinning in front of it, sun in her face, wind in her hair, and joy written all over. She looked genuinely happy—and after a morning of getting scammed for “free” photos and dodging sales pitches, I was too. Traveling to Egypt as a divorced dad isn’t just about seeing the sights—it’s about navigating chaos with patience, sharing awe with your kid, and finding those unplanned moments of connection in the middle of a 4,500-year-old desert.
Pro tip: If someone offers to take your picture inside the pyramids, say no. Then say it again. Because even if you politely decline, they’ll insist, smile, grab your phone, pose you like you’re modeling for Dads Around the World Monthly, and snap a dozen photos. You might think, Wow, that was nice of them. Spoiler alert: they’re not doing it out of the goodness of their heart—they’re doing it for tips. And they’ll follow you afterward like you just hired them for a full-day shoot.
Inside the pyramids, it’s cramped, steep, and hot. You’re hunched over like you’re sneaking into a crawlspace. The last thing you’re thinking about is a photo op. But that doesn’t stop the “helpful” guides who magically appear from the shadows the second you hesitate or look slightly lost. They’re pros—professional opportunists—and while they’re not dangerous, they’re persistent.
In the afternoon, we traded the chaos of Cairo’s streets for something just as wild—but with better views: a camel ride through the desert behind the pyramids. Getting on a camel is half the adventure. They lurch upward like an unfolding transformer, and for a few seconds you’re certain you’re going to face-plant into the sand. But once you’re up, it’s surprisingly peaceful… assuming your camel isn’t the feisty type (mine was).
The first photo was early in the ride, when everything still felt new and hilarious. We trotted along a quiet path lined with trees, a rare bit of green in an otherwise sun-blasted world. She was all smiles, which honestly melted me a little. These are the moments I came for—not the pyramids, not the bucket-list shots, but the grin on her face that said, “This is awesome, Dad.”
As we made our way deeper into the dunes, the pyramids began rising in the distance behind us—just visible through the haze. That’s where we took the second photo, perched on top of a camel draped in bold red and orange fabric, Cairo’s skyline behind us, and the ancient world ahead. I don’t know what I loved more: the view, the stillness, or the fact that she leaned into every minute of it with me. Riding camels in Egypt isn’t the smoothest or most luxurious experience, but it’s unforgettable. And that’s the whole point.
Sailing the Nile: Slowing Down in the Fast Lane of History
After Cairo’s nonstop intensity, boarding the Nile cruise felt like switching off the noise and floating into a different world. The days were warm, the nights were breezy, and life moved at a slower, more thoughtful pace. We weren’t racing from site to site—we were gliding. The boat became our moving home, and each stop along the river was like opening a new chapter in a story thousands of years old.
Philae Temple: Beauty on an Island
Our final temple stop was Philae, located on a small island near Aswan. You get there by boat, and honestly, the ride was just as magical as the destination. The temple rises out of the water like something from a dream. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, Philae was peaceful in a way the other temples weren’t. Maybe it was the water, or the quiet breeze, or the fact that it wasn’t packed with people—but it felt almost sacred. We wandered the courtyards, took in the view, and sat for a long time doing absolutely nothing. And for a dad and daughter on a whirlwind trip, that kind of silence was gold.
Aswan Botanical Garden: A Surprisingly Peaceful Detour
After days of temples, tombs, and relentless heat, we took a break from the ancient world and stepped into something totally unexpected: a lush, green oasis smack in the middle of Aswan. The Aswan Botanical Garden sits on Kitchener’s Island and is only reachable by boat—which immediately made it feel like an adventure. And honestly? It was one of the most relaxing parts of the trip.
The island is covered in tropical plants, shaded pathways, and trees from all over the world. We wandered slowly, dodging kids on school trips, sipping juice from a vendor with a cooler strapped to a bicycle, and just breathing in fresh air that didn’t taste like sand or diesel fumes. After all the chaos of Cairo and temple-hopping, this place was exactly what we needed. No crowds, no pressure, no timeline—just sun, shade, and space to chill.
It wasn’t on our must-see list when we planned the trip, but the Aswan Botanical Garden ended up being one of those little surprises that made the whole journey better. Proof that not every great travel moment comes from a bucket-list site—sometimes it’s just walking through palm trees with your kid, laughing about how sore your legs are from camel rides, and knowing this memory will stick.
Edfu Temple: The God of the Sky
Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, involved an early morning carriage ride through the town—an experience in itself. It was chaotic, bumpy, loud, and kind of hilarious. But when we reached the temple, we were hit with total silence and symmetry. Edfu is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, and it’s massive. We stood inside chambers where priests once performed rituals, looked up at carvings still razor-sharp after thousands of years, and tried to imagine what it must’ve been like back then.
Inside the Tomb of a Legend: Visiting King Tut in the Valley of the Kings
No trip to Egypt is complete without a stop at the Valley of the Kings, and seeing the Tomb of Tutankhamun in person was one of those surreal, jaw-dropping moments. After all the documentaries, books, and museum exhibits, stepping into the actual tomb felt like walking into a myth. The space is smaller than you’d expect for someone so famous, but the artwork? Absolutely stunning. The walls were still alive with color—bright blues, deep reds, and endless gold-painted gods and afterlife scenes. We took our time soaking in every detail, knowing this was one of those “we were really here” kind of moments. And yeah, we had to snap the iconic photo outside the tomb—because how often do you get to stand next to a sign that says Tutankhamun.
Temple in the Cliffs: Walking in the Footsteps of Egypt’s Female Pharaoh
Visiting the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut was one of those moments that hit you with scale, history, and heat—all at once. Tucked into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari, the temple looks like it was carved straight out of the mountain, and standing in front of it makes you feel absolutely tiny. The wide open courtyard, the long ramp, and those towering columns are all part of a tribute to one of Egypt’s most powerful female pharaohs. Inside, we stood between statues of Hatshepsut in full king regalia—beard and all—and tried to imagine what it was like here 3,500 years ago. One of us may have bought a turban for the photo opp (no regrets), and the other may have just been trying to stay in the shade. Either way, it was one of our favorite stops—majestic, mysterious, and surprisingly photogenic.
Karnak Temple: Where History Towers and Sphinxes Stand Guard
We wrapped up our time in Luxor with a visit to Karnak Temple, and wow—this place is massive. Walking through the Avenue of Sphinxes, flanked by rows of ram-headed guardians, you feel like you’re entering a different realm. The scale of everything here is hard to describe—columns that seem to scrape the sky, hieroglyphs etched into stone walls thicker than a car, and an energy that somehow still lingers thousands of years later. We took our time wandering through the halls, soaking in the weight of it all. Karnak isn’t just a temple—it’s a statement.
Colossal Columns, Ancient Obelisks, and the Hand of a God
If you ever want to feel both amazed and incredibly small, stand in the middle of Karnak’s Hypostyle Hall as sunlight filters through its massive stone columns. These aren’t just big—they’re jaw-dropping. Walking between them felt like exploring a forest carved by gods, each pillar covered in centuries of hieroglyphs and symbols. We wandered through the ruins, stopping at statues whose arms alone were bigger than our entire bodies—seriously, just look at that giant stone hand. And then there were the obelisks, piercing the sky with perfect symmetry, still standing tall after thousands of years. I couldn’t help but keep snapping photos, knowing full well that no picture could truly capture what it felt like to be surrounded by that much history, that much weight, that much awe.
Saying Goodbye to Egypt
On our last night in Egypt, we stood on the deck of our boat and watched the sky fill with hot air balloons, silently drifting over the Nile like dreams that hadn’t quite landed yet. The light was soft, the air finally cool, and everything felt still. After days of ancient temples, wild markets, and unforgettable moments, this quiet scene was the perfect ending. Egypt was chaotic, humbling, breathtaking, and intense—but it also gave us something rare: uninterrupted time to connect. Just a dad and his daughter, far from home, chasing history and making our own along the way. And as the balloons disappeared into the horizon, I knew we’d be talking about this trip for the rest of our lives.
