Planning your first trip to Egypt can be overwhelming — there's so much to see. Here are our recommended itineraries, tested over years of guiding travelers, for different trip lengths and interests.
The Essential 5-Day Itinerary
Perfect for travelers with limited time who want to see Egypt's greatest hits.
**Day 1: Cairo**
Arrive at Cairo Airport. Private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at the Egyptian Museum (or the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza). Evening walk through downtown Cairo or a Cairo Night City Tour.
**Day 2: Pyramids & Cairo**
Full day with our Cairo or Giza Private Transfer: the Great Pyramid, Sphinx, and Giza Plateau in the morning. Afternoon at the Citadel of Saladin and the mosques of Islamic Cairo. Evening at Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
**Day 3: Luxor**
Morning flight to Luxor. West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon: Karnak Temple. Evening: Luxor Temple after dark.
**Day 4: Abu Simbel**
Early morning flight to Abu Simbel. Visit the twin Abu Simbel Temples. Afternoon: fly to Aswan, visit Philae Temple. Sunset felucca ride.
**Day 5: Aswan & Departure**
Morning: Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Nubian Village visit. Afternoon: flight back to Cairo and departure.
This is essentially our 5 Days Cairo, Luxor & Abu Simbel Tour — our most popular package for first-time visitors.
The Classic 7-Day Itinerary
Adds a Nile Cruise for a more relaxed pace.
**Days 1-2: Cairo** (as above)
**Day 3: Fly to Luxor, begin Nile Cruise**
Visit Karnak and Luxor Temple. Board the Nile Cruise in the evening.
**Day 4: West Bank & Cruise**
Morning: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple. Afternoon: sail to Edfu, enjoying the Nile scenery.
**Day 5: Edfu & Kom Ombo**
Morning: Temple of Horus at Edfu. Afternoon: sail to Kom Ombo, visit the double temple at sunset.
**Day 6: Aswan**
Morning: Philae Temple, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk. Afternoon: Nubian Village or felucca ride.
**Day 7: Abu Simbel & Departure**
Early morning drive or flight to Abu Simbel. Return to Aswan and fly to Cairo for departure.
The Comprehensive 10-Day Itinerary
Adds Alexandria and the Red Sea for the full Egypt experience.
**Days 1-2: Cairo** (as above)
**Day 3: Alexandria**
Day trip to Alexandria: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Catacombs, Qaitbay Citadel, seafood lunch on the corniche.
**Days 4-7: Nile Cruise** (Luxor to Aswan, as above)
**Day 8: Abu Simbel**
Day trip from Aswan.
**Days 9-10: Red Sea**
Transfer to Hurghada or El Gouna. Two days of beach, snorkeling, and relaxation. Depart from Hurghada via Hurghada Airport Transfer.
The 2-Week Explorer Itinerary
For travelers who want everything — add a desert excursion and deeper Luxor exploration.
**Days 1-3: Cairo & Pyramids**
Add a day for Islamic Cairo deep-dive, Coptic Cairo, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
**Days 4-5: White Desert**
Overnight camping in the White Desert from Bahariya Oasis.
**Day 6: Alexandria day trip**
**Days 7-10: Nile Cruise**
**Day 11: Abu Simbel**
**Days 12-14: Red Sea**
Tips for Planning
- Book domestic flights in advance (Cairo-Luxor, Aswan-Abu Simbel)
- Allow buffer days for delays or spontaneous exploration
- Start with Cairo — the sensory overload is best experienced fresh
- End with the Red Sea — the perfect decompression after temples and cities
- Private transfers between airports and hotels eliminate stress at every transition