Embarking on a trip to Egypt isn’t just a journey; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. In this article, I’m sharing the ultimate Egypt itinerary that helped me uncover Egypt’s mesmerizing beauty and rich history. From cruising down the Nile to exploring the pyramids, I’ve compiled everything you need to make your journey as magical as mine was. Whether you’re a history buff, or just in love with travel, this Egypt itinerary is crafted to ensure you experience the best of Egypt.
It took me many hours to create this Egypt itinerary and I hope it will save you a lot of time and some travel mistakes by sharing it with you. And, just like it did for me, it will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.
Day 1: Cairo’s Ancient Wonders
Welcome to Cairo, the bustling capital of Egypt! My husband and I arrived early morning and checked in at the Mena Hotel, a 5-star hotel near the Pyramids. We had an early breakfast at the hotel and shortly after, our private tour picked us up to venture into Cairo’s ancient wonders.
Our private tour included a driver and an Egyptologist, which included the Giza complex, Memphis city and Sakkara.
First stop: Giza complex
Our adventure in Egypt kicked off with the awe-inspiring Giza complex, home to the iconic Great Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. These colossal structures were built as tombs for the pharaohs and have stood the test of time.
We were able to go inside the largest pyramid, known as the Great Pyramid of Giza, and see the empty tomb. After taking tons of pictures, our guide took us to ride the camels.
Right there, amid the Giza complex, we saw The Sphinx. This mythical creature, with the body of a lion and the head of a human, guards the entrance to the funerary complex. The Sphinx is believed to represent the pharaoh Khafre.
Next stop: Memphis
We continued our day by immersing ourselves in the ancient city of Memphis, the former capital of Egypt. We saw the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx, which stand as testaments to Egypt’s rich heritage.
Last stop: Sakkara
Our final expedition took us to Sakkara, a treasure trove of history just a stone’s throw away from Cairo. Here, we explored the Step Pyramid, an architectural marvel that predates even the Great Pyramids. This pyramid, with its unique tiered design, marks a significant chapter in the evolution of pyramid construction.
Wandering through Sakkara was like stepping back in time. We were surrounded by tombs and artifacts that spoke volumes about the lives and beliefs of ancient Egyptians.
As we left Sakkara, we couldn’t help but feel a profound connection with history. Each step we took on this journey brought us closer to understanding the rich tapestry of Egyptian culture and its legacy. This trip wasn’t just about seeing the sights; it was about immersing ourselves in a world that once was, and in some ways, still is.
Things to consider regarding the tour:
- We recommend going early to the Giza complex to avoid the heat and the crowds.
- Take water bottles with you to avoid dehydration. Also, there are multiple vendors outside the complex where you can buy water bottles.
- Be aware that almost all tours stop in certain shops (i.e. perfume, cotton) where they earn a commission if you buy something.
- Egypt’s tourism has suffered a lot during the pandemic. So, we tipped our guide 20% of the total cost of the tour and 10% to the driver.
- There are lots of street dogs, so every time we got food we gave them our leftovers.
Day 2: Treasures of Cairo
After experiencing the pyramids, we decided to stroll around Cairo. We took an Uber and went straight to our first stop, the Egyptian Museum. Taking an Uber in Egypt is easy, just like in the States. The only thing is to make sure that the plate number matches the one in the Uber app.
Afterward, we decided to lose ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Khan El-Khalili Bazaar. We took an Uber there as well. The Uber dropped us off in front of the Bazaar. Funny enough, there is no way to cross the street unless you walk to the bridge and cross it. Once we crossed the street, we walked for less than 5 minutes and we were there.
By that time, we were starving. We had read reviews of the Naguib Mahfouz Coffee and headed that way for lunch. The food was amazing! We had chicken shawarmas, falafel, and mint tea. We recommend you stop by for lunch or dinner if you have the chance.
Thereafter, we strolled around the bazaar and immersed ourselves in the scents, colors, and people. Be aware, that the haggling is real.
Day 3: Luxor – A City of Splendor
We said goodbye to Cairo as we took an Uber to the airport to catch our flight to Luxor.
The airport was empty, so we were able to go through security faster than usual. Once we landed in Luxor, our driver picked up us and took us to the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor, a 5-star luxury hotel built in 1886.
After checking in, we strolled along the Avenue of Sphinxes and the magnificent Luxor Temple.
Day 4: Hot Air Ballon Tour
We tour picked us up early in the morning, around 3 am for the hot air balloon experience. The tour we booked was a sunrise hot air balloon with Magic Horizon Ballon. We saw the air balloons rise while we waited. The panoramic views were breathtaking.
In the afternoon, we checked in to our Nile River cruise. If you want to know more about this cruise, please check this blog post.
Day 5-7: Mayfair Nile River Cruise
After tons of research, we booked the Mayfair Nile River Cruise. It was such an amazing experience. We published another article that goes into detail, including pricing, daily itinerary, etc. Make sure to check it out.
Day 8: Aswan
Aswan was the cruise’s last stop. We disembarked after breakfast, and we headed to the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel.
On this day we decided to spend time at the hotel and have a couple’s spa day to relax after exploring for a week.
However, if you are in the mood to explore Aswan and you like history, we recommend going to the Nubian Museum and Nubian Village. The Nubian museum contains hundreds of Egyptian antiquities dating back to pre-historic times, to the Pharaonic period, the Coptic era, the Islamic age, and the Nubian era.
Day 9: Round Trip to Abu Simbel
We woke up early to have breakfast at the hotel and then our taxi picked us up to go to the airport. There are two round-trip flights from Aswan to Abu Simbel. We chose the latter flight at 9:50 am and landed around 10:35 am.
Once landed, we took the bus, provided by the airline, straight to Abu Simbel. It was the best time to get to Abu Simbel as it wasn’t too crowded. We were able to take great pictures and admire the temples.
Once we got back to the hotel, we decided to go to the Aswan Souk to stroll around. The Aswan Souk is basically a bazaar that offers Egyptian goods. You can buy spices, souvenirs, etc. The Aswan souk is so different than the Bazaar in Cairo. There is not much haggling, and you can shop in peace.
We decided to hire a taxi driver via GetTrasfer. He picked us up fast and accompanied us through the souk.
Later that night, we took a flight back to Cairo.
Day 10: Back to Cairo
This day we decided to stroll around Cairo and take it easy. First, we went to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Then, we headed to New Cairo, did some shopping, and grabbed some delicious Egyptian food. We bought tons of souvenirs. We were interested in getting Egyptian cotton sheets, however, we couldn’t find a store.
Day 11: Alexandria
Our private tour guide picked us up at 7 am and drove us to Alexandria. The drive takes between 2.5 to 3 hours, so we got there around 10 am.
Our first stop was the Roman Theater, one of the most important Roman architectural achievements in Egypt. Then, we visited the catacomb of Kom El-Shoqafa and the Qaitbay Citadel.
The final stop was the marvelous Alexandria Library.
Day 12: Farewell Egypt
We had breakfast at the hotel and said our goodbyes to Cairo.
I hope you feel as inspired and excited as I did when I was putting this Egypt itinerary together. From the majestic Pyramids of Giza to the tranquil waters of the Nile, each day was amazing and we learned so much about Egypt’s history. Remember, travel is not just about the places we visit, but the memories we create and the lessons we learn along the way. Here’s to your adventure in Egypt!
Leave a Reply