one week tour in egypt

Egypt in one week: The ultimate guide

NOTE: This article was inspired by our 8-day Egypt Adventure trip.

Egypt is known for many things – The Great Pyramids of Giza, Cleopatra, The Nile River, you name it – but there’s so much more to this country than meets the eye.

My Intrepid tour took me beyond “iconic” Egypt and gave me a more local perspective, allowing me to not only see the country, but to feel part of it. While it’s tough to tour the highlights of any country in 7 days, it’s not impossible.

The stunning Nile

Intrepid offers several tours through Egypt, and I joined one of their week-long trips . Whether you’re dreaming of a felucca sail along the Nile or eager to hit up the bustling souks, here is your ultimate guide to touring Egypt in one week.

Day 1: Cairo

Cairo is (likely) your first stop in Egypt, and there’s so much to see and do here. As the country’s capital city, it’s a hub for culture: museums, cuisine, architecture and more. Depending on when you arrive, you may have time to explore your neighborhood on foot. And to get to grips with the fantastic food scene .

If you’re eager to do a mini solo adventure before your tour begins, consider flying to Cairo a day or two early. This is what I did, as I had a couple of friends living locally and I wanted to catch up with them before joining the group. It also gave me time to stock up on some essentials that I had left at home, like sunscreen, a hat and an extra scarf.

LOOKING FOR A LOCAL-LED DAY TOUR OF CAIRO? CHECK OUT INTREPID’S SISTER COMPANY URBAN ADVENTURES

The bustling streets of Cairo

Try make time to visit Cairo’s oldest section, the Christian Coptic sector. This area encompasses the Babylon Fortress, the Hanging Church, the Coptic Museum, and more.

Day 2: The Pyramids of Giza

After a full night’s rest, you’re ready to hit the ground running. Kick off your day with a private transfer to Giza, the home of some of the world’s most iconic sights. Our Intrepid group toured the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx by camel, which is one of the most magical experiences I’ve had to date. Getting on the camel was a little tricky, but definitely a fun learning process. (You need to lean back, and then forward.)

READ MORE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRAVEL IN EGYPT

Like most travelers, I had seen countless postcard photos of The Pyramids of Giza but nothing quite prepared me for the real life version. Yes, it’s a little dusty and yes, there will be other tourists, but definitely an activity to tick off your travel bucket-list. These structures have stood for 4,500 years, and for a small fee, you can go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu.

In the evening, take a sleeper train to Aswan. While it might sound scary, it’s actually a really smart way to travel. The accommodations are basic, but a ticket includes bedding, dinner and an air-conditioned cabin. Plus, it saves you time. I was a little hesitant to try the food, but it wasn’t bad! Again, fairly basic but tasty.

CHECK OUT INTREPID’S RANGE OF SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES IN EGYPT

Day 3: Aswan

Aswan is Egypt’s southernmost city. Its easygoing charm is due in no small part to its large Nubian population. Consider this a “free” day to explore Aswan as you please. There are so many cultural options—from the Nubian Bazaar and the unfinished obelisk to the High Dam and the Nubian Museum. I visited the Temple of Isis (the Goddess of health, marriage and wisdom), and truly felt transported to another time.

Aswan is a city perched right on the Nile

For dinner, my Intrepid group visited a local Nubian family and had dinner at their house. Even though we needed our tour guide to translate (Nubian people don’t speak Arabic), it was such a special experience. Later, we went to Philae Temple for their sound and light show. It’s about an extra 100 Egyptian pounds, and so worth it.

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Day 4: Abu Simbel

By day 4, you might start feeling tired but don’t let that stop you from making the trek to Abu Simbel. Hands down, this was my favorite excursion in Egypt and it was also completely optional. Upon arriving, you’ll see four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple. Each statue is carved directly out of the mountain and it’s just incredible. You can reach Abu Simbel by plane or bus (we did the latter).

If you’re simply too tired to make the three hour journey by coach, that’s okay! I suggest taking a sailboat ride around the islands (the botanical gardens on Kitchener’s Island is really nice), visiting the now-abandoned 7th century Monastery of St Simeon, or shopping for souvenirs at the local souk.

READ MORE: WHY YOU SHOULD IGNORE THE HEADLINES AND VISIT EGYPT NOW

Day 5: The Nile

Sailing along the Nile River by felucca boat is a must, and you’ll remember it for years to come. I know from experience! As you’re more than half-way through the trip, the sail is a chance to rest, relax and simply take in the view. My group opted for a slightly more expensive boat that included an on-board toilet but there are others feluccas with fewer “frills.”

The sailing crew takes care of all the meals on board, and you’ll get to taste some of the local delicacies of the area. There aren’t any cabins on board; instead, you’ll sleep on mattresses on the deck, under a star-filled sky. It may sound like you’re “roughing it” but it felt more like a sleepover with friends to me.

Felucca bliss

Pro tip: It can get chilly at night, so pack some warmer clothes.

READ MORE: 7 EXPERIENCES EVERY TRAVELER SHOULD HAVE IN EGYPT

Day 6: The Valley of the Kings, Luxor

After ample time in Aswan, you’re ready to explore another Egyptian city that’s equally rooted in culture: Luxor. Head to the open air museum of Luxor where you’ll see everything from the temple complex of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings. There are several ways to tour the Valley of the Kings, and our group opted for a donkey ride. Karnak is just as impressive. It took over 200 years to build and it features pylons, obelisks and chapels .

Pro tip: If you have time, I suggest stopping by the Temple of Edfu on the way, as it’s dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed God, and is very important in Egyptian mythology.

Day 7: Luxor

It’s your last full day in Egypt, so make the most of it. I decided to splurge on a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. It was an early wake-up call for sure, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The actual hot air balloon ride is about an hour, not that you’ll be looking at your clock. Your pilot will point out all the major sites along the West Bank, so pay attention!

READ MORE: MEET EMAN, ONE OF INTREPID’S INSPIRING FEMALE LEADER IN EGYPT

That afternoon, we drove to ancient Thebes, stopping first at the Colossi of Memnon. Carved from granite blocks, they represent the Pharaoh Amenhotep III and were once part of an impressive colonnade. From October to May, you can take a donkey ride through the villages and sugar cane fields.

Karnak, Luxor

After a whirlwind trip it’ll be time to make your way back to Cairo for your flight home. Consider taking the train and spend the time reflecting on a week like no other.

Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Check out Intrepid’s range of small group tours in Egypt.

(All images courtesy of Intrepid Travel.)

Feeling inspired?

Megan McDonough

Megan Eileen McDonough is an award-winning travel writer, social photojournalist, and the blogger behind bohemiantrails.com. Through travel guides, social media, and immersive writing retreats held around the world, Megan inspires women to lead lives of magic and meaning. Her work has appeared on Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, Teen Vogue, WIRED, BravoTV, AFAR, and more.

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Things to Do in Egypt

Must-See Ancient Sights

Guide to the Pyramids of Giza

Visiting the Nile Delta

Luxor Guide

Valley of the Kings

Visiting Alexandria

Traditional Food to Try

What to Drink in Egypt

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

One Week in Egypt

One Week in Egypt: The Ultimate Itinerary

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Home to vast tracts of unspoiled desert, fertile deltas, teeming coral reefs, and the largest city in the Arab world, Egypt is a land of extremes. To see it all in one week is impossible; and yet seven days is enough to begin to understand the age-old magic that has been drawing tourists to this corner of North Africa for hundreds of years. The itinerary detailed below focuses on Cairo and the ancient temples that stretch from Aswan to Luxor along the banks of the River Nile. It’s a great place to start for first-time visitors to Egypt, but also leaves plenty to come back for. Next time, consider heading north to the Nile Delta and cosmopolitan Alexandria ; or spending a whole week scuba diving and enjoying the beaches of the Red Sea coast.

Day 1: Cairo

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After touching down at Cairo International Airport, make your way to your hotel in the city center. Uber is one of the easiest, cheapest, and safest ways to navigate the city. Favorable exchange rates mean that 5-star hotels are relatively affordable in Cairo, so make the most of this by checking in to the top-rated Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City . It’s conveniently located within easy reach of the city’s top attractions and spoils with a magnificent rooftop pool that overlooks the waters of the River Nile. Once you’ve checked in, unpacked, and freshened up, it’s time to head out and explore the City of a Thousand Minarets.

Your first stop should be The Egyptian Museum , home to some 120,000 artifacts excavated from the tombs and temples of the ancient pharaohs including mummies, sarcophagi, and fabulous gold jewelry. The main attraction is the death mask of Tutankhamun, though this and other Tutankhamun relics are due to be relocated to the Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza plateau when it opens later in 2020. After gazing in wonder upon the treasures of the ancient world, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Cairo’s fascinating medieval landmarks. These include Al-Azhar Mosque (the city’s first mosque) and the Hanging Church (one of the oldest places of Christian worship in Egypt).

In the evening, cross the river to Gezira Island to explore the cultural venues and first-class restaurants of contemporary Cairo’s upscale Zamalek neighborhood. Le Pacha 1901 is a vintage boat with no fewer than nine gourmet eateries on board.

Day 2: Giza and Saqqara

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After breakfast at your hotel, join a private guided tour to the ancient monuments of Giza and Saqqara. Air-conditioned, chauffeured transport is included, as are the services of a professional Egyptologist guide. Your first stop will be the world-famous Pyramids of Giza , located just outside Cairo on the west bank of the River Nile. The necropolis comprises three separate pyramid complexes and the Great Sphinx of Giza; a tableau that you will recognize from every Egyptian travel brochure ever printed. The largest and oldest of the pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Giza, is more than 4,500 years old and is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still standing.

Spend several hours exploring the temple complexes before returning to your vehicle for the hour-long drive to the ancient city of Memphis. What’s left of the former capital of the first nome of Lower Egypt can be explored with a stroll around the Mit Rahina Museum , where a colossal fallen statue of Rameses II provides a stunning example of the detail and accuracy with which the ancient sculptors were able to depict human anatomy. The next stop on the itinerary is Saqqara , the Memphis necropolis. Don’t miss the stepped Pyramid of Djoser, built in the 27th century B.C. As the oldest stone-cut monumental structure in the world, it is believed to have been the blueprint for the smooth-sided pyramids at Giza.

Lunch at a traditional Egyptian restaurant is included in your tour, which lasts for approximately eight hours. As you’re likely to be tired by the time you return to the hotel, opt for dinner at on-site Ottoman restaurant Osmanly followed by an early night.

Day 3: Aswan

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Day three begins with an early start and an Uber ride back to the airport in time to catch an EgyptAir flight south to Aswan. The flight takes roughly 1.5 hours, after which you’ll make your way to arrivals where a representative will be waiting to transport you to the Oberoi Philae . This luxury cruise ship will be your home for the next four nights, during which you’ll travel in style along the River Nile to Luxor. Nile cruises are an excellent way to see Egypt’s most iconic sights in a short amount of time, and the Oberoi Philae is a particularly decadent choice of transport with a swimming pool, a spa, and a fine dining restaurant on board. You’ll experience the latter over lunch after settling into your cabin.

The ship remains moored in Aswan for the rest of the day, giving you the chance to take part in an onshore excursion to the Nubian Museum . This excellent attraction documents the culture of the Nubia region, which extends from Aswan to Khartoum in central Sudan. Clearly labeled displays take you on a journey through 6,500 years of history, with artifacts from the Kingdom of Kush and early Coptic and Islamic places of worship. Perhaps most interesting is the description of the international, UNESCO-led project to relocate the region’s most important temples ahead of the flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Return to the ship for cocktails and dinner overlooking the Nile.

Day 4: Aswan to Edfu

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After breakfast, the fourth day of your vacation begins with a tour to Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple. Built between 1960 and 1970 to control the annual flooding of the Nile, the dam is an incredible feat of engineering that measures 364 feet in height and 12,562 feet across. You can find out about its construction (and the controversies that surrounded it) at the Aswan High Dam visitor’s pavilion. One of the effects of building the dam was the creation of Lake Nasser and the flooding of a vast area of land including several important ancient temples. Amongst these was Philae Temple , which was relocated block-by-block to higher ground on nearby Agilkia Island.

During your visit to Philae, your guide will explain its connections to the goddess Isis and how the 30th-dynasty pharaoh Nectanebo I was the first to start work on the temple complex. Today it bears evidence of additions by rulers of the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods. Afterwards, return to the ship for an afternoon cruise to Edfu. Lunch will be served en route before making a stop at the Temple of Kom Ombo . The temple dates back to the time of King Ptolemy VI Philometor, who ruled during the 2nd century B.C. It is unique amongst Egyptian temples because of its double design, with two identical sides dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and falcon god Horus the Elder respectively.

Day 5: Edfu to Luxor

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Wake up in Edfu, a city famous for the Temple of Horus . The focus of your morning excursion, the temple was built between 237 and 57 B.C. in honor of the son of Isis and Osiris and was later buried by desert sand after pagan religions were abandoned with the arrival of Christianity in Egypt. The hot, dry sand kept the temple immaculately preserved until it was excavated in the mid-19th century, and it remains one of the most intact monuments in all of Egypt. Take note of the blackened ceiling of the hypostyle hall, evidence of early Christian attempts to eradicate its heretic imagery with fire. The symbolism behind the temple’s magnificent reliefs and statuary will be explained by your guide.

The rest of the afternoon is spent cruising along the river to Luxor. On the way, you will travel through the Esna Lock. Make sure to be on deck to watch as you enter the gates and the water levels are manipulated to allow the ship to continue its journey downriver. Lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are all enjoyed on board as you watch the passing landscape and the traditional feluccas plying the river as they have done for thousands of years.

Day 6: Luxor

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Today starts early, and will be one of the highlights of your trip. The morning is dedicated to exploring the West Bank, otherwise known as the necropolis of ancient Thebes. This hugely powerful and influential city served as the capital of Egypt during periods of the Middle and New Kingdoms and the most famous area of its necropolis is the Valley of the Kings . More than 60 royal tombs have been discovered in the valley. Your guided visit includes a tour of two of the most famous: that of Rameses VI and boy king Tutankhamun, whose tomb represents one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made. You’ll also learn about the artisans responsible for the tombs at nearby workers’ village, Dier el-Medina.

Later, recharge your batteries while escaping the heat of the day with lunch and a swim back on board the Oberoi Philae. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the temples of Luxor and Karnak , both located on the east bank of the River Nile. These are amongst the country’s most recognizable sights, so don’t miss the opportunity to snap a photo of yourself standing in between Luxor’s colossal statues of Rameses II, or in Karnak’s Great Hypostyle Hall. Karnak is believed to be the world’s second-largest temple complex after Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, with literally hundreds of kiosks, pylons, and obelisks to explore. To see it lit up at night, enquire about attending the Karnak Sound and Light Show .

Day 7: Luxor to Cairo

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On your final day, enjoy a last breakfast on the ship before being transferred back to Luxor International Airport for your return flight to Cairo. If being on a cruise ship for the majority of your vacation has left you feeling like you’ve missed out on the authentic Egyptian experience, this is your chance to immerse yourself in local culture. Spend the afternoon at Khan El-Khalili , a meandering souk that dates back to the 14th century and hosts stalls overflowing with artisan crafts and produce. Cobbled streets wind their way between silver shops and spice merchants, fabric stores and leather workshops. Remember to haggle for the best price when purchasing souvenirs, and stop at iconic Fishawi’s café for a cup of mint tea when you need a break.

If you have one more evening in Cairo before catching your international flight the following day, treat yourself to a stay at spectacular The Nile Ritz-Carlton Cairo . Its elegant Bab El-Sharq restaurant is rated as one of the best Egyptian restaurants in the capital, with a romantic open-air setting, live music, and belly dancing performances. Share a plate of traditional mezze and take a moment to reflect on the wonders you’ve seen throughout the past week.

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Egypt 1-Week Itinerary And Tours

Egypt 1-Week Tours and Itineraries

Discover the world of gods and pharaohs with a 1-week tour in Egypt. Marvel at the hands that created the monumental pyramids in Giza , then discover the gems of ancient Egypt at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo . Cruise down the River Nile and visit Luxor , home to the famous temple complex by the same name. Wander among the towering ruins of Karnak and visit the Temple Of Philae, located on a small island in the Nile. Continue to Kom Ombo , whose giant, richly carved columns are testament to the finest craftsmanship of ancient Egypt. Delve into the magnificent creations of mighty rulers and people steeped in art and architecture with one of our 1-week Egypt itineraries below.

Egypt Travel Guide
Best Time to Visit Egypt

10 Trips in Egypt with 31 Reviews

Starts Cairo, Egypt
Ends Cairo, Egypt

Museums, Monuments And Nile Cruise In Egypt

Trip customizable
Best price guaranteed
Tour Type Private Tour
Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Cruise Cultural, religious and historic sites , Cruise , Museum and gallery visits & Honeymoon 'data-more-tripid='18173'>+2 more
Accommodation Hotel & Ship Cabin
Transport Flight, Private Vehicle & Cruise Ship
Age Range 1-99 yrs
Operated in English, Spanish
View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

Egypt In 7 Days Cairo, Giza, Luxor & Nile Cruise

Free cancellation
Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Cruise
Transport Flight, Minibus, Cruise Ship & Private Vehicle
Age Range 5-79 yrs
Operated in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Pharaonic Encounters

Tour Type Small Group Tour
Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites
Accommodation Hotel & Sleeper Train
Transport Boat & Sleeper Train
Age Range 8-95 yrs
Operated in English
May 11 10+ seats left
May 25 10+ seats left

Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor & Aswan Tour

Accommodation Hotel
Transport Train, Flight & Private Vehicle

Hurghada and Pharaonic Monuments Of Egypt Tour

Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & City sightseeing
Accommodation Hotel & Resort
Transport Flight & Private Vehicle
Age Range 1-79 yrs
Operated in English, French, Italian, Spanish

Luxury on the Nile

Tour Type Cruise Tour
Activities Luxury
Accommodation Hotel, Ship Cabin & Luxury Hotel
Transport Cruise Ship, Flight & Private Vehicle
May 15 10+ seats left
May 29 10+ seats left

Highlight of Egypt

Transport Boat, Ferry, Flight & Private Vehicle

Ends Luxor, Egypt

Journey to the heart of the Nile

No booking fees
Tour Type Group Tour
Activities Explorer
Transport Boat, Bus & Flight
Age Range 15-99 yrs
Jul 06 10+ seats left

Mysteries of the Egyptian Nile

May 18 10+ seats left

Egypt's Hidden Wonders - 7 days

Transport Flight, Private Vehicle & Coach
Age Range 18-80 yrs
Brochure Price: US$ 2,365
Special Deal (20%): - US$ 473
Total Price from: US$ 1,892
May 07 10+ seats left
May 14 10+ seats left

Traveling to Egypt for 1 week? Chat with a local travel specialist in Egypt who can help organize your trip.

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From Pyramids to Bazaars: Your Ultimate One-Week Journey Through Egypt

Limited vacation time but still dreaming of visiting Egypt? While 7 days won’t be enough to see it all, you can actually do quite a bit with one week in Egypt. With this suggested one week in Egypt itinerary , we will take you from bustling Cairo all the way down to the Abu Simbel temple in the south. Highlights include famous temples and monuments along the way as well as a Nile cruise .

Ready to explore Egypt in one week? Here’s what we suggest for your Egypt tour .

Cairo: 2 Nights

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and likely where you will fly into. This city is crowded and busy, but don’t let that overwhelm you because it is also home to some must-sees in Egypt. We recommend spending two nights in Cairo so you can see the following:

The Egyptian Museum holds some of the best treasures of ancient Egypt and is absolutely a must-visit. Right now, the museum is located in Cairo. However, a new, bigger, and more modern museum is under construction in Giza , overlooking the Great Pyramids . Read more about the upcoming Grand Museum of Egypt , which is expected to open in 2020.

Must-sees in the museum include the collection from King Tutankhamun ’s tomb, including his gold mask, and the hall of mummies, where you can learn more about the mummification process and see several Egyptian mummies up close.

You can visit the museum at any time during your stay in Cairo. However, it is recommended that you visit the museum prior to visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza. The museum will provide a good information base for everything to come in your Egypt trip. It is also suggested that you visit the museum with a private Egyptologist guide as there are hundreds and thousands of artifacts, and it’s easy to miss the most important and impressive ones.

The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx

The Great Pyramids of Giza are an iconic symbol for Egypt, and no visit to this country is complete without seeing them for yourself.

Time, weather, and pillaging have taken a toll on these structures, yet the Great Pyramids of Giza still awe and inspire. They are incredible to see both from a distance, where you can view them all at once, and up close, where you can really appreciate the sheer size of the rocks used to build them.

It is possible to actually go inside one of the pyramids, though it is hot and tight, so it’s not a good idea if you are claustrophobic. That being said, if stepping inside one of the pyramids is on your bucket list, tell your guide, and they will happily arrange a ticket for you. Please note that you are not allowed to climb up the pyramids.

Also located near the pyramids is another world-famous structure: that of the Sphinx . You may be interested to know that the Sphinx was actually carved from 1 solid piece of limestone.

Khan El Khalili Bazaars

Khan El Khalili is Cario’s bazaar district and is a great place to go for souvenirs, for a meal, or just to see the famous markets. While the vendors here are mainly geared towards selling to tourists, the vendors themselves are primarily locals which means you are more likely to find authentic, local, and Egyptian made merchandise for sale.

The Khan El Khalili bazaar is a bit of a maze, so take your time wandering around and try to pay attention to where you have been and where you are going. Visiting in the evening, when it’s cooler, is a good plan because you can then stop in one of the many restaurants for a meal or take a break at a traditional coffee house. One of the best-known Egyptian coffee houses with the most delicious Egyptian food in this area is called Fishawi’s, and it dates back to 1773. It is possible to get a guided tour of this area if you are worried about getting lost.

Great Shopping Experience in Khan el Khalili Bazaars

The Great Pyramids of Egypt may be the best-known, but they certainly aren’t the only pyramids in the country. If you are interested in seeing more of Egypt’s pyramids and hoping to escape the crowds, consider a trip to Saqqara, which is just 19 miles (30km) from Cairo.

Saqqara has a number of pyramids, though the best-known is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is also sometimes just referred to as the Step Tomb. Saqqara served as the royal burial place for Egyptians during the Second Dynasty, though it was used for burials for the nobles in the First Dynasty.

Aswan-Luxor Via Nile Cruise (3 Nights)

Aswan and Luxor are two of the most popular places in Egypt. It is in these cities, as well as between them, where you will find many of Egypt’s most impressive temples and ancient sites. Here’s what you can expect to see on a 3 night Nile Cruise .

Before you board your cruise in Aswan, you’ll want to visit Abu Simbel. You can either drive this route (which takes about 3 hours each way) or take a flight.

While Abu Simbel is a fair distance from Aswan, it truly is a must-see when in Egypt. There are two temples here, built by Ramses II . The main temple has 4 massive statues of Rameses II himself, while the smaller temple is dedicated to his queen, Nefertari , and the goddess Hathor.

As impressive and inspiring as these temples are, what perhaps makes them even more fascinating is the fact that they had to be disassembled and transported when the Aswan High Dam was built. This procedure remains one of the most incredible engineering feats in the world.

Edfu Temple is dedicated to the god Horus and is considered to be one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt. It is often included in Egypt tour packages. What makes this temple so impressive is the number of carvings and inscriptions that can be found on its walls. Some of them show medical procedures, and others are actually recipes for perfumes.

Kom Ombo temple is unique because it is a double-sided temple. Half of the temple is dedicated to the falcon god, Horus, while the other half is dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Egyptian gods , these two deities are, in fact, enemies.

At Kom Ombo, you will also find the small but very interesting crocodile museum. Crocodiles were abundant in this area in the past, and excavators discovered several crocodile mummies in the area, which you can see on display in the museum today.

Note: If you do not wish to take a Nile Cruise, you can travel between Aswan and Luxor by land. That being said, a Nile cruise is one of the best ways to get the real Egypt experience. Read our post on how to choose a Nile Cruise .

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Abu Simbel temple, one of the most amazing historical sites in upper Egypt

Luxor: 2 Nights

For many, Luxor is the favorite destination in Egypt. It’s much quieter than Cairo but has plenty to see and do. It’s also where you can take a hot air balloon ride over some of the ancient sites (which can be arranged as part of your Egypt luxury tour . Here’s what you can’t miss in Luxor.

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple rivals Abu Simbel for most people in terms of being the most impressive temple. Karnak Temple is absolutely massive and has a rich history as so many Pharaohs contributed to it over a period of 2000 years. In fact, Karnak is better described as a city of temples rather than just a single temple on its own.

Karnak temple has much to explore, but one of the most interesting sections is the Hypostyle hall, which features 134 columns and is the largest room of any religious building in the world.

Karnak temple is best explored with a guide during the day. However, they do have a sound and light show at night, which you may be interested in seeing as well.

Entrance to the temple of Karnak, Luxor, Egypt

Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple is another impressive temple. While smaller than Karnak Temple, it’s still quite impressive and definitely worth a visit. It was dedicated to the cult of Amun Ra and played an important role in ancient Egyptian festivals.

Within this temple, you’ll find a granite shrine dedicated to Alexander the Great as well as a towering obelisk. At one point, there were two obelisks in this temple, however, the second obelisk was moved and can be found today in Paris, France.

Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is where you will find the tombs of many of ancient Egypt’s pharaohs. While dozens of tombs have been discovered, archaeologists are still discovering new ones. Many of the tombs are still being studied and excavated. However, there are several tombs that you can go inside and see for yourself.

The tomb of Seti I is thought to be the best preserved in terms of the decorations and colors. You can also step inside the tomb of Tutankhamun, though since he died so young, his tomb is not nearly as ornate as the others. His mummy can still be seen within his final resting place.

Photos are allowed to be taken within some of the tombs, however, if you do want to take pictures you will need to buy a special photography permit with your ticket. The guide for your Egypt tail made tour will be happy to help you with this.

The hidden tombs of the Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Queens

The Valley of the Kings tends to get most of the attention when it comes to royal tombs. However, the Valley of the Queens is pretty impressive as well, and often less crowded. The valley contains the tombs of more than 75 queens and princesses, however, like with the Valley of the Kings, new tombs are being uncovered on a regular basis.

There are currently four tombs in the Valley of the Queens that are open for viewing. These are the tombs of Nefertari (the most popular), Titi, Amunherkhepshef, and Khaemwaset.

Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple

Queen Hatshepsut is one of the most famous Egyptian queens and also most fascinating figures of ancient Egypt . She was the second female pharaoh of Egypt and, undoubtedly, one of the most powerful women in Egyptian history . Though perhaps not very popular as many of her statues and cartouches were destroyed and erased after her death.

Queen Hatshepsut’s temple is considered to be one of the top monuments in Egypt. The temple was meant to tell the story of her life and was designed by her steward and suspected lover who was buried not too far away on the hill.

Queen Hatshepsut Temple in the West Bank of Luxor

Habu Temple

Habu Temple is yet another impressive temple found near Luxor. It is the temple of Rameses III and was built in this specific place because legend says that it is here where the god Amun first appeared.

The building served as a temple, but there was also a nearby palace thought to be used by Ramses III. It also remained an important structure through history, it was used as a place of refuge during wars and during the Greek and Roman pyramids, it was transformed into a Coptic church.

Note: If you have an early morning flight from Cairo back home, you may want to consider flying into Cairo the night before and spending your final night in a hotel there rather than in Luxor.

One week in Egypt will be a fast trip, but it is absolutely worth it. With 7 days Egypt tour , you can visit the most popular main attractions, relax a little with some scenic Nile Cruising, and dive into the local culture. Just be warned, you’ll likely leave wanting to come back.

To help make the most of your time, consult one of our Egypt travel experts. At Osiris Tours, we pride ourselves on being one of the best Egypt tour companies on the market. Let us help you plan your dream Egypt vacation .

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Best Egypt 1 Week Itinerary (Things To Do In Egypt In 7 Days)

Let’s read about the detailed Egypt 1 Week itinerary or Egypt Itinerary 7 days with two options – Type A or Type B with the best things to do in Egypt, what to shop in Egypt, vegetarian food, visa information, nightlife in Egypt, and other helpful information.

Egypt is a land of ancient Egyptian civilization and the place of the first human civilization; many historical sites, temples, tombs, monuments, and sunny beaches are a favorite tourist destination. This country is one of the most affordable and safe countries to visit.

Check Best Hotel stays in Cairo, Egypt

Egypt Visa Information – Egypt 1 week Itinerary

Indians and many nationals can apply for Evisa to Egypt.
Click here to apply .

Visa Fees – 69 USD for Normal, 148 USD for Urgent, and 168 USD for Super Urgent.

Standard : If you choose this standardized service, you will receive your e-visa result within three working days.
Urgent: If you select Urgent, your processing time is faster. You will receive your e-visa within two days after all approvals.
Super urgent: Using this service, you can expect to receive your e-visa result within one working day. This service has the fastest processing time so far.

Egypt 1 week Itinerary (Things To Do In Egypt In 7 Days)

Let’s read the detailed Egypt 1-week itinerary or Egypt itinerary 7 days with day-wise things to do and recommended tours.

Egypt Itinerary 8 Days Video tour

Egypt Itinerary 7 Days (Itinerary Type B)

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo, check-in at the hotel.

Upon arriving in Cairo, you will check into your hotel. Explore a little bit of Cairo to get used to the new country that first day.

Day 2: Tour the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and the Great Pyramids of Giza.

The Great Pyramids of Giza are among Egypt’s most famous and recognizable landmarks. The pyramids are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. They were constructed as tombs for the pharaohs and their wives. Take a tour of The Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

Visit to Egyptian Museum – It has the world’s most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts after seeing the pyramids and the Sphinx. You get a chance to see the treasures of Tutankhamun will be among the ancient pharaohs’ items.

Day 3: Visit Saqqara and Memphis for the day.

Distance of Saqqara from Cairo – 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Cairo

Step Pyramid of Djoser - egypt itinerary

Visit to ancient Memphis – Memphis was Egypt’s historic capital during the Old Kingdom, so visiting this place would enchant history lovers in Egypt’stour. Many pharaohs lived in the city, which served as a place of worship for the god Ptah. The historical remains of ancient Memphis lie in the contemporary town of Mit Rahina. Here you can visit the Temple of Ptah’s ruins and one of Egypt’s most fabulous statues, Ramses II, as they are accessible to visitors.

Day 4: Travel to Luxor and explore the Valley of the Kings and the Luxor Temple.

The ancient city of Thebes was Luxor, which is situated on the east bank of the Nile. The Valley of the Kings and the Luxor Temple are the city’s most significant ancient Egyptian landmarks.

Many of the New Kingdom pharaohs’ tombs are located in the Valley of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tombs are considered some of the most spectacular specimens of ancient Egyptian art, with elaborate hieroglyphs and reliefs.

Day 5: Take a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings, visit the Temple of Hatshepsut

Take a ride by hot air balloon and stop by the Hatshepsut Temple. This temple, constructed for the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, is regarded as one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples. It is famous for its distinctive construction on the Deir el-Bahri cliffs. The three floors of the temple, as well as the numerous statues and wall decorations, are worth sighting.

Day 6: Travel to Aswan, and visit the Aswan High Dam and the Temple of Philae .

Aswan – The southern Egyptian city of Aswan is famous for its gorgeous surroundings and serene ambiance. The Temple of Philae and the Aswan High Dam are two of the city’s numerous noteworthy landmarks.
The massive Aswan High Dam was constructed in the 1960s to prevent flooding of the Nile River. This dam is regarded as one of the biggest in the world and the best example of civil engineering. So explore this dam and discover its effect on Egypt.
The goddess Isis is honored at the Temple of Philae, situated on an island in the Nile River. The temple is renowned for its elaborate hieroglyphs and lovely ornamentation.

Day 7: Go back to Cairo and leave for your home

Spend the final checkout day in Cairo, do some shopping, and experience some cultural markets in Cairo.

Best Tours in Egypt – Egypt 1 Week Itinerary

Cairo : Dinner Cruise on the Nile River with Entertainment
Red Sea Governorate : Orange Bay Snorkeling Cruise with Lunch
Luxor valley of the Kings full-day tour .
Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Valley of the Kings

Shopping In Egypt – Egypt itinerary 7 days

Shopping: Egypt is known for its rich history and culture, so buy a variety of trinkets and souvenirs to remember your trip.

What To Eat In Egypt – Vegetarian Food In Egypt

Food: African, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern flavors and ingredients are combined to create Egyptian cuisine. A few well-liked foods to try are:

egypt itinerary 7 days - vegetarian food of Egypt

Koshary: A special street dish made with rice, lentils, chickpeas, and pasta street dish known as “ koshary ,” is served with hot tomato sauce and fried onions.
Falafel: Fried balls of chickpea flour and seasonings, primarily eaten with pita bread, pickled vegetables, tahini sauce, and salad.
Foul Medames: Often served with bread, foul medames is a well-liked breakfast meal comprised of mashed fava beans, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Egyptian Desserts: Egypt is well known for its desserts, especially baklava, made with phyllo dough layers filled with nuts and honey.

Popular things to do at night in Egypt – Egypt Itinerary 7 Days

River Cruise: Enjoy the late evening Nile River cruise. You can experience Egyptian meals on these cruises while sailing across Cairo’s illuminated landmarks and structures.
Dance & Music Show: Experience traditional Egyptian music and dance performance. You can experience Traditional Egyptian music and dance performances at many locations in Cairo and other cities. The most popular shows are belly dancing shows or whirling dervish shows.
Visiting a souk (market): Many souks, or markets, stay open late into the night in Cairo and other cities, and they provide a fantastic opportunity to witness the vibrant Egyptian life. You can buy textiles, jewelry, and souvenirs from these night markets.
Exploring Bars & Clubs: Clubs, pubs, and lounges are only a few of the possibilities available in Cairo and other cities.
Enjoying a desert safari: Many tour operators provide desert safaris, including a trip to the desert in the evening or around dusk to observe the sunset and stargazing. You can explore Bedouin customs like camel riding, campfires, and live music here.
Great Pyramid of Giza Light Show Tour: Experience a unique and remarkable experience by touring the Great Pyramid of Giza at night, which several tour operators offer.

Best Time To Visit Egypt – Egypt Itinerary

October to April is the best time to visit Egypt, with lots of sunshine and little rain.
July is the hottest month and so avoid visiting this month.

Currency of Egypt

Egyptian Pound. Carry USD or Euros to Egypt, and you get better conversion rates in Egypt.

FAQs about Egypt 1 Week Itinerary

Egypt itinerary 7 days - things to do in egypt

Is Egypt a safe country for tourists? It is a reasonably safe country with general precautions and respecting local cultural traditions.
Do we get vegetarian food in Egypt? – Though many Egyptians don’t understand the concept of vegetarianism, some great vegetarian Egyptian foods like Koshari, Fiteer Baladi, Tamaya, Mulukhiyah, Hummus, Ful Medames, and Shorbat Adas.

I hope you loved reading about Egypt Itinerary 7 days with things to do, what to shop, nightlife options, what to eat, visa information, and other valuable tips.

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One Week Egypt Itinerary

May 27, 2021

Egypt, home to the last remaining Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, is a bucket list destination for many travelers. However, given geopolitical turmoil in recent years coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not necessarily the easiest country to navigate currently. A silver lining for non-rev travelers, right now may be the best time to snag an open seat to see the Great Pyramid and all Egypt’s many ancient delights with the smallest crowds we may see for a long time to come. To help you plan your adventure, we have shared the one week Egypt itinerary we followed, and a handful of helpful tips and recommendations to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Our dating and wedding anniversaries are only one day apart, and in this special year we were celebrating 12 years in love, 6 years in marriage. We were excited to be vaccinated, to see borders slowly opening back up, and to be celebrating a fun ( albeit totally made up ) milestone in our relationship. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to do something truly unique and special, and as we started brainstorming places to go we started seeing glowing reviews of Egypt on our airline’s non-rev traveler Facebook group*. We swapped stories of our childhood dreams of visiting the Great Pyramid, and upon realizing the current dip in tourism to Egypt may not be seen again for a very long time, we committed to taking advantage of this atypical time in tourism.

After some research, we decided to contact a guide who was highly recommended by the employees who had visited recently. We worked together to develop a one week Egypt itinerary to fit our schedule and allow for all the activities and sites we wanted to fit in. ( Read more on hiring a guide versus self-guide in the Sojourn Information section below. )

*I have touted the many benefits of joining online non-rev forums in earlier posts . We might not have considered Egypt had it not been for a couple of key posts on that page, and those posts also helped us navigate tricky COVID regulations. I’m so glad to have this resource to help us navigate non-rev travel, and highly recommend seeking out groups and forums like this for every airline employee and their pass riders.

Days 1-2: Giza and Cairo

Day 1 begins in the heart of ancient Egypt – Memphis , the first ancient capital. The open air museum is small, so you’ll only spend a few minutes learning the 5,000 year old history and exploring the grounds before moving nearby to the first of two incredible pyramid complexes – Saqqara .

Saqqara, the necropolis for ancient Memphis, is home to the oldest known step pyramid in the world – the Pyramid of Djoser. However, the entire complex features 5 pyramids, dozens of tombs and monuments, and is one of the most popular active excavation sites in Egypt. Archeologists believe there could be hundreds or more tombs left in the area to discover.

After exploring the grounds and entering one tomb at Saqqara, it’s time for what you’ve been waiting your whole life to see in person – the Pyramids of Giza , which were the burial grounds of the Fourth Dynasty. The largest of the pyramids at this complex, known all over the world as the Great Pyramid, held the record as the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,800 years.

The complex can be explored on foot, but by far the best way to get both panoramic and up-close-and-personal views is by camel*. There are different options for camel services – from 10 minutes near the base just for photos to over an hour trekking the nearby dunes and around the base. We opted for the latter, and it was worth every single Egyptian pound. We were given as much time as we wanted to enjoy the views from up high, learn how to work with the camels, and take in the breathtaking grandeur of the Great Pyramid from standing at the base.

Round out the evening with a delicious candlelight dinner on the patio of 139 Restaurant , with a spectacular view of the pyramids.

Day 2 can be spent exploring Cairo at your leisure. Begin the day at the Egyptian Museum , where the highlight is the sarcophagus and other treasures of the boy King Tutankhamen. The new Grand Egyptian Museum is slated to open summer 2021 at the Giza complex, and many of the original museum’s exhibits have already been moved to the new site. The original museum will remain in Old Cairo, so after summer 2021 you will have both options to explore.

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Old Cairo, where you can visit the first mosque in Egypt and shop the bustling street markets. We opted for a more leisurely stroll in the Al Azhar botanical garden , taking in 180 degree views of the “City of 1,000 Minarets”.

Later in the day, head back to Giza for ATV rides over the sand dunes – taking in your last views of the pyramids before departure to the Red Sea.

Pro tip: Whatever you do, do not take a “Nile dinner cruise” in Cairo. The better option is a sunset felucca ride in Luxor. Trust me on this one.

Days 3-5: Diving the Red Sea in Hurghada

On Day 3 travel to Hurghada from Cairo. There are flight options, but Rufio didn’t want to test the Egypt Air safety record more than once this trip, so we arranged for a private car. Arrive early afternoon and spend the rest of the day lounging on the beach enjoying the cool sea breeze – a perfect respite after two long days in the hot Giza sun.

The first dive day with Blue Paradise Dive Center will start out with a shallow reef dive to check gear and weights. I’m usually disappointed by check dives, but as I soon learned the reefs around Hurghada can never disappoint. As soon as we were on the reef, it became obvious what a flourishing ecosystem we had entered.

Over the next two days we would see hard and soft corals in every color of the rainbow, thriving healthy populations of various reef fishes, the biggest eels we’ve ever seen, and more nudibranchs than we could count! As an added bonus, we got to observe a pod of mating dolphins on our last boat ride.

Diving in Hurghada felt like being submerged in an aquarium. Each dive seemed to be better than the last, and I found my heart exploding with pure bliss at several points. After months of “ languishing ” amid the pandemic, I felt for the first time in a long time like I was flourishing again!

Days 6-7: Luxor

Valley of the kings.

Day 6 begins on the west bank of the Nile. Stop by the Clossie of Menmon en route to the first site, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut . Queen Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs, and her reign was considered one of the great ones. Her temple is notable as the only structure belonging to a female in the Valley of the Kings.

Next move fully into the Valley of the Kings , where your admission ticket grants you entrance to 3 of any tombs that are currently open to visitors. The tombs that are open change periodically for preservation purposes; there are also a few tombs that can be entered for an added price. During our visit, our guide recommended the tombs of King Ramses I, King Ramses IX, and King Ramses III (all included in the standard admission ticket) so we could see varying types of tomb structures and some of the best preserved wall paintings in the valley.

End the day with a sunset felucca ride on the Nile. Feluccas, which are traditional wooden sail boats with no motor, have been used for centuries for transporting goods and people down the Nile. They are still used today for fishing and other commerce purposes, but can be hired for a few hours to drift lazily down the river as the sun sets over the Valley of the Kings. You are welcome to bring food and beverages onboard, and we even negotiated a special shisha (hookah) delivery while on the water!

Tip: If you have some extra time, add a tour of Valley of the Queens to your itinerary.

Karnak and Luxor Temples

Your 7th and final day in Egypt is promised to be just as breathtaking as your first. End with a half day spent wandering the expansive Karnak Temple followed by the smaller, but historically and culturally important Luxor Temple .

Both temples were incredibly important religious and cultural sites from the Middle Kingdom through the New Kingdom. Luxor Temple has been an important site for multiple religions over the centuries and is one of the oldest nearly continuously operating religious sites in the world – young couples still sign their marriage certificates in the mosque that was added to the complex in 640 AD.

Tours of Karnak and Luxor only fill up the morning, so if you have time before your departure, take some time to enjoy the very reasonably priced spa services at the Hilton Luxor . Your tired feet will thank you after a week of trekking miles across the many amazing sites in Cairo and Luxor!

Sojourn Information

Tour guide vs. self guide.

We were hesitant to hire a guide, because we rarely use organized tours and are quite proud of the many self-navigated itineraries we have devised for ourselves over the years. We did end up hiring a guide, which offered us many advantages over not having one, but there were a few things I would have changed in retrospect.

As I started my normal pre-trip research it became obvious that reliable information on traveling Egypt was harder to come by than most destinations. Additionally, countless other airline employees posted time and again their recommendation to hire a guide for Egypt – the recommendation was consistent, which isn’t typical among this spontaneous, adventure-junkie type population and indicated to us it was probably for a good reason. Once I realized we were going to need a private car hire to get us to and from our dive site in order to have the best flexibility in our travel times, having a trustworthy contact on the ground to help us at least with our transportation seemed like a good idea. At that point, I reached out to the guide most recommended on our non-rev Facebook page, and he happened to be available to help us the week of our travel.

Ahmed Mido was an absolute pleasure to work with, and even better to have as company as we visited the sites in Giza. He was super flexible with our schedule – adding, rescheduling, and removing activities as we wished – and most importantly ensured we had transportation at every step along the way. He also set us up with his counterpart in Luxor, who seamlessly took over as soon as we arrived and made sure we had everything we needed until the moment of departure.

Do you need a tour guide for Egypt? For Giza , I would say without a doubt we would not have had the rich experience that we did without Ahmed. He filled our brains with all the pertinent history we needed to know to fully appreciate the pyramids and surrounding sites, and even the sites we visited in Luxor. The sites around Giza and Cairo are a good distance apart and driving in this area is a nightmare, so having arranged transportation was a huge burden lifted.

I think Luxor could potentially be done on your own – you do lose out on the rich history lessons the well-versed guides provide, but if you started with Ahmed or someone as knowledgeable in Giza then much of what you learn on the front end is repeated when you get to Luxor. Luxor is also much smaller and easier to navigate – we could have possibly gotten away with renting a car here, as the aggressive driving isn’t nearly as bad as the Cairo/Giza area.

One downside of hiring a guide is you are obligated to visit several handcraft markets during your tour days. The good news is licensed guides will only take you to licensed shops, so you are guaranteed by the government to be purchasing authentic goods. You are not obligated to buy anything at these stops, but Rufio and I always did because we know these families have been struggling economically for years since the Arab Spring, which was only further punctuated by the pandemic. I had buyer’s remorse only on one of our purchases, but am incredibly satisfied with everything else we brought home.

Non-Rev Tips

There are a handful of cities you can connect through to Cairo; international flights to Luxor are less attainable at the moment, but may be coming back online soon as international travel starts back up. As of this writing, American citizens still need a confirmed flight out to transit through the EU. We relied on credit card rewards points and miles to book our confirmed roundtrip FRA-CAI flights on Lufthansa and one-way LXR-CAI on Egypt Air while in country .

Where to Stay

You may never have a better view than that from the Marriot Mena House Cairo . The hotel has a storied history – hosting dignitaries, artists, celebrities, and even peace treaties over its 150 years as a lodge – and you can even swim in Egypt’s first pool! More than the view, the hospitality is some of the best we’ve ever experienced, and the interior design is beautiful.

In Hurghada, Hilton Hurghada Plaza is a beautiful place to relax on the shores of the Red Sea. Given our diving schedule and the fact it was Ramadan – so most local businesses were shuttered for the week – we opted-in to their very affordable all-inclusive package on arrival, and definitely were able to eat and drink more than our money’s worth during our stay.

The pyramid view at Mena House is only rivaled by the view of the Valley of the Kings from the Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa . Nestled right on the shore of the Nile, the property is beautiful and the spa was the perfect retreat to relax our tired muscles before our long flight home.

There have been terror attacks at high profile sites in Cairo and other regions in recent years, resulting in many countries still issuing travel advisories for Egypt. While terror attacks are still possible, it is reassuring to see high levels of security at the resorts and most of the historic sites.

Hassling and various types of scams on the streets are common, but easily avoided with a stern and uncompromising “no” to any unsolicited “help” in most cases. I did find it surprising that the “guards” at most of the sites will try to give you access to off-limit areas, give you an unsolicited “tour”, or offer to take photos (again, in areas where photos are allegedly “prohibited”)…of course always for a price. They are a little more relentless than some of the folks on the streets or outside the gates of the sites, so you’ll have to stick to your guns, unless you want to offload all your Egyptian pounds.

That’s a lot of air quotes. I have little patience for hasslers.

We didn’t experience this ourselves, but were warned several times that taxi drivers will also agree to one price before you get in and then demand a higher fare at the end of the ride – just anecdotal, but be prepared if you do find yourself in need of a taxi ride.

There wasn’t a high affinity for mask-wearing among the general public, but masks were required indoors at all the hotels and at the Egyptian Museum. Vaccination coverage isn’t high yet, but we did learn that the hospitality industry was prioritized right after the elderly and healthcare workers. Many of the folks we interacted with closely were already fully or partially vaccinated, as were we. As an added bonus, nearly all of our activities were outdoors and as noted crowds are incredibly thin at the moment.

Egypt required a negative PCR test, preferably with 72 hours of arrival but they would allow 96 hours for travelers from North America and other regions with long travel periods. When we departed, Frankfurt was requiring a negative test (PCR or rapid) within 48 hours of arrival into country. We mistakenly thought the rule was 48 hours from departure , and realized our PCR test would be expired by the time we landed. We (luckily) were able to scramble and get a rapid test on site at ATL (actually the site was set up for Rome and Amsterdam passengers, but a number of Frankfurt passengers were in the same boat we were – we all made it with only a few minutes to spare, as boarding was wrapping up when we all got our results and were cleared to board).

By the time we returned to FRA the next week, the rule had changed to allow negative tests or proof of vaccination or immunity for some travelers. Since we needed a negative test for re-entry to the U.S., we had the Hilton Luxor schedule an on-site test for us the day before departure. The cost was around $130, which is $10-20 more than testing at local hospitals or other approved sites – but no transportation was required and results were guaranteed within 24 hours.

Note COVID-19 entry regulations can change and revert day to day, so be constantly monitoring airport, airline, and country websites before heading to the airport. Read my post on non-rev in the time of COVID for more tips on travel during the pandemic.

What to Pack

Egypt is a conservative religious country, so to be respectful and avoid unwanted stares or catcalls it is best to cover shoulders and past your knees. Despite the heat, I put light leggings under two tunic dresses I packed, just to feel covered. You will surely see many tourists wearing shorts, tanks, bare midriffs – but always best to observe local customs to the best of your ability. The exception would be at resort pools – everyone we saw were wearing Western swimsuits.

We took all our new dive gear to test out in Hurghada, which was one of the reasons we wanted to hire a car instead of rely on public transportation. The checked bag carrying our gear was large, so we didn’t want to deal with crowded train or bus stations with our hands so full.

See our Essential Travel Gear page for all of the items we depend on for our non-rev travels.

We think right now is the perfect time to visit Egypt! As you can see from our photos, we had all these amazing sites and our huge dive boat almost entirely to ourselves. We had all the time and space we needed to wander around and take everything in, which could have been overwhelming with throngs of tourists in our way. Hire a reputable and knowledgeable guide, get a COVID-19 vaccine, take a pre-departure COVID-19 test, pin this one week Egypt itinerary to help you plan, and GET OUT THERE!

Disclaimer: Some links may be affiliates. That means if you make a purchase using the link, I’ll earn a small commission to help me run this blog, at no cost to you! As always, the opinions and recommendations presented in this post are mine, and always an honest reflection on our experiences. Thank you for reading!

*Ethical considerations on camel rides in Giza

The subject of whether camel riding in Egypt is ethical is complicated . For owners who employ ethical training and care standards, it can be a good and sustainable source of income for families living in an economically depressed region – but it can also easily turn into a breeding ground for animal abuse. In general, I oppose utilizing animal services and associated touristy gimmicks around the world – in most cases animals are simply abused for the sake of tourism dollars. In fact, on this trip I refused to include a horse carriage ride as part of our Luxor itinerary, and I would highly advise against using any of the assorted horse-drawn carriage or horseback riding services offered at the Giza complex. Horses aren’t as well suited for the environment as camels AND rampant abuse and malnourishment was evident among the majority of horses I witnessed in the area. The major considerations for ethical camel hire in Giza is whether the trainer uses abusive training tactics, like whipping, and whether the animal is fed, watered, and vetted appropriately. In Giza, the care of the camels runs the gamut from highly ethical treatment and care to obvious abuse and neglect – and it’s impossible to know which operators are good and which are abhorrent until you are physically present. In this case, I weighed the decision to ride based on a few factors. First from an animal safety perspective, this is their natural habitat and these animals are evolutionarily suited for the harsh climate and traversing the desert sands, so the environmental stressors were less of a concern than for the horses working in the heat. Further, a single rider doesn’t pose a physical safety risk for the camel. Next, I trusted our highly-recommended guide to only hire reputable operators for our various activities, and he never let us down. The camels we met appeared healthy – well-fed, no obvious signs of physical abuse or neglect, and the trainer took them to a water source between each ride to rest and rehydrate. Further, our trainer used only verbal commands – even when the camels acted rambunctious – not whippings or other physical punishment, and in general seemed to be very calm and caring with them. The decision to ride a camel should always be given these thoughtful considerations, but you won’t necessarily have the ability to make a decision until you meet the camels and the trainer in person, so keep your expectations realistic. You should always refuse a ride if a camel looks malnourished, sick, hurt or if the trainer engages in physical punishment.

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One Week in Egypt: My Highlights of Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan

Want to explore Egypt with me? Nab one of the last two spots on either my Red Sea Dive + Yoga Retreat or my Mainland Egypt Yoga + Ancient Adventure Retreat ! Both rescheduled to new dates in 2021!

In my last post, I gave the whole scoop on my Travel Talk Tour of Egypt — what I liked, what I loved, and what I loathed about the logistics of the tour I painstakingly chose . In this post, we’re getting down to the fun stuff… the magical sights of Egypt that many of us have been dreaming of seeing since we first watched a Mummy movie and/or were drawing scarabs in the margins of our grade school textbooks with colored gel pens.

No? Just me? Well, y’all missed out ’cause Lisa Frank had a super dope Cleocatra Cat line.

I’d already spent a few days exploring Cairo independently when the tour kicked off, but I was more than happy to see it from a new perspective. I moved over to the tour hotel in Giza (after my Uber literally broke down and the engine essentially caught on fire halfway there and I had to catch another one from the side of the road — ah, the glamour of travel) and our first night we piled into a conference room for a rundown of the tour and an eye-ing up of potential new best friends.

Post-meeting, most of the group headed out for an optional extra excursion — a dinner cruise on the Nile with bellydancing and a traditional Egyptian buffet. While I did suffer some serious FOMO, I decided to hang back, order room service, and finish up some work before we set off the next morning, and in the end I was glad I did. As I shared previously, this was a super duper intense tour and while that would be perfect for someone who wanted to cram as much as possible into limited vacation days, I was on a much longer trip and so had to take care not to burn out in the midst — which, let’s face it, I basically did anyway despite my best intentions. (And frankly, I heard the dinner cruise wasn’t exactly unmissable — everyone I talked to said the music was so loud they couldn’t really chat anyway.)

We were all up bright and early the next morning — on this tour, an 8am meet time was a sleep in — and off to explore the pyramids of Saqqara. If you just said, “pyramids of what? ” then welcome to the club. As I’ve already confessed, I really did no research for this part of my Middle East trip, so I literally hadn’t even heard of Saqqara when I saw it on the itinerary.

But I quickly understood why we were beginning our journey there. Our fabulous guide Sam explained that while we all know the three in Giza, there are actually one hundred and twenty pyramids around Egypt. Saqqara, a forty-five minute drive south of Giza, is where pyramid building in Egypt first began. However, they looked a little different than the ones that grace a thousand postcards and profile pictures — the so-called “ step pyramids ” mark the transition between a bench-like mastaba style of burial and the true pyramid shape we know today.

After, we were back on the bus and en route to Giza! Though I’d already spent a day at the pyramids wandering around with friends, taking a million photos and exploring the inside of the Great Pyramid, I was excited to hear the insights of a guide and have some free time to take in the Cheops Boat Museum (40 EGP for a student ticket), which I’d only realized after the fact that I’d missed.

The boat museum was small but fascinating, and well worth the small extra admission fee. There really is so much to explore at the pyramids — I didn’t even go inside the Pyramid of Khafre or the Pyramid of Menkaur! (I felt the Great Pyramid of Khufu gave me the full pyramid penetration experience.)

Again, I skipped the optional extra for the day, which in this case was a camel ride. I knew I’d be riding a camel in Dahab, where I felt super comfortable with how the animals were being cared for. Here, I just couldn’t be sure… I wasn’t vehemently against it, but I also wasn’t confident enough to enjoy the whole thing.

The photos from everyone who went were incredible, which gave me a slight pang of regret, but I think when it comes to animal interactions on your travels, it’s best to err on the side of caution and go with your gut.

Post-pyramids, we stopped briefly at a perfume store, which I wasn’t too jazzed about, before headed back to the hotel to load up the bus with our luggage for our first very long overnight bus ride to Luxor. If you read my previous post you already know that the bus and I had some serious relationship issues , so I won’t dive back into that again other than to say that I pretty much kissed the ground in Luxor when we arrived.

Though we hadn’t arrived in our hotel rooms until around 2am, we were up again at 7am. No one said touring Egypt would be easy! After a quick photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon, mostly memorable for the hilariously tacky, brightly printed Egyptian dress shirts we all bought — which, fear not, will make an appearance in my felucca post — we were off on a day of Luxor exploration.

Again I circle back to this very rare experience I had on this trip where I was basically going in blind. When Sam said, “we’re going to the Valley of Kings,” I had a vague mental picture in my mind of what I thought that was. Ha! Turns out I was totally misplacing a different ancient Egyptian site. The total lack of research I’d done — which for a control freak like me would normally be stressful — turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I’d say that after the felucca ride, visiting the Valley of Kings was my second most magical moment in Egypt. And I had no idea it was coming!

Turns out the Valley of the Kings is where the hidden tombs of so many great Egyptian Kings have been uncovered… including our famous friend King Tut. A general ticket (160 EGP) allows you to go in three of the tombs of your choice, and then you can buy extra tickets to some of the special ones, like Tutankhamun’s (200 EGP) . I was fascinated when our guide confessed that really, King Tut is no big deal in Egyptian history — he’s just famous because his was the last tomb to be found, and the only one found intact, untouched by tomb looters.

Part of the reason I likely didn’t have any reference for the Valley of Kings is that until very recently, photos were completely banned inside. Today, they are allowed with a very expensive photo ticket that I of course couldn’t resist splurging on — minus King Tut’s tomb, which is still strictly off limits for photos.

We visited the tombs of King Ramses III, King Ramses IV, King Tutankhamun… and one other I forgot, but I’d say it’s a safe bet he was a Ramses. Whoops!

I was blown away. I could not stop marveling at how beautiful and intact and colorful and special these tombs were, and that we were walking freely in them! Or that they had remained hidden for so long, buried away been the harsh and relentless desert landscape. If you too are ever lucky enough to make it here, don’t miss the lucite 3D model in the visitor’s center that shows how deeply the various tombs all recess into the hills.

My favorite part of the day? Learning that there is still one King of Egypt who’s tomb has yet to be discovered. I got chills just thinking about how exciting it would be if they found it in our lifetime.

I’d be on the first flight back to Cairo, that’s for sure.

I was wowed enough to fill a whole day and then some, but we still had a few more stops to make. After a fairly brief visit to a sculpture workshop, where I surprised myself by buying a tiny onyx pyramid, we were on to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (80 EGP). This is what I had somehow mentally labeled as the Valley of Kings. Whoops.

I guess, in my defense, they are both in Luxor.

Though it wasn’t addressed on the tour, I read in my guidebook about the 1997 massacre at this temple, and it was hard to take my mind off of it while we were there. I felt very safe throughout my time in Egypt, and if I didn’t the armed guard that accompanied our tour everywhere would have made me feel so, however it’s impossible to deny the impact various terrorist attacks have had on Egypt’s modern history, economy, and tourism industry.

There’s good news, though, for those that rely on tourism for their livelihood — and for tourists who are looking for a relief of pressure from desperate vendors. Tourists are finally returning to Egypt — the number of foreign arrivals has increased every year since the economy-crushing Arab Spring in 2011.

After leaving Luxor, we piled back onto the bus for the four hour ride to Aswan. Upon arrival, we checked into the hotel, and those who had signed up for the evening’s optional excursion, a felucca ride and dinner at a local Nubian family home, turned right back around to leave again. I opted out, and reveled in having an evening to catch up on some emails, absorb some alone time over room service, and repack my bag for our next adventure.

I was thrilled with my decision to take it easy when our alarms went off the next morning at 4am for the one option excursion I did enroll in — the trip to Abu Simbel temple. Abu Simbel (160EGP) is four hours south of Aswan, along the border with Sudan, and I’d heard from many, many sources that it was the one absolute can’t miss temple in mainland Egypt. I wasn’t the only one who’d heard that rumor — there were only two in our entire group who didn’t go, and only out of strict budgetary concerns. Frankly, I wish Travel Talk Tours would just up the price slightly and include it — it’s not like the extra fee includes admission, and we took our own tour bus, so it’s hard to understand why it’s an “extra.”

There are actually two twin temples at Abu Simbel — the larger, dedicated to the King, and a smaller yet still enormous neighboring one dedicated to Queen Nefertari’s. Now, King Ramses II had more than forty wives, but only one of ’em got a massive temple built in her honor. That’s what I call being a main squeeze. Teach us your secrets, Nefertari!

Abu Simbel was impressive and amazing but it was absolutely mobbed when we were there. I actually kind of regret the patience and ninja-like angle skills I deployed to get these photos (photo ticket 300 EGP), as they don’t really accurately reflect how many fellow tourists we were bobbing and weaving around.

Like pretty much every temple we’d visited, I took one thing I heard or read and was totally fixated on it. In this case, it was the fact that this now set-back temple once sat directly on the waterfront . Yet in 1963, when the completion of a new nearby dam threatened to flood them forever, UNESCO and the Egyptian government worked together to relocate the enormous, precious ancient sites back up the banks, an archeological undertaking unlike anything that had been attempted before.

“Workers even recalculated the exact measurements needed to recreate the same solar alignment, assuring that twice a year, on the date of Ramses II’s ascension to the throne and his birthday, the rising sun would continue to shine through a narrow opening to illuminate the sculpted face of King Ramses II,” wrote one BBC author who chronicled the incredible feat . The entire production was the catalyst for UNESCO forming its list of World Heritage sites, which many travelers now use a a blueprint to travel the world.

Of course, once I heard this story, my mind went one place — scuba diving ! Yo, you’re telling me I could have been diving through these ancient halls? As I walked through Abu Simbel, I could think of nothing but how magical it would feel to swim up eye to eye with the many faces of Ramses, watching fish dart furtively through the temple’s chambers.

Then I heard the river in front of us was infested with crocodiles. Womp womp.

On the way back from Abu Simbel, the group animosity towards the bus we’d spent eight hours in before noon was growing. As we approached Aswan, we were meant to continue on to tour Philae Temple, which I’d actually been extremely excited to see, the Aswan Dam, and the Obelisk. However, by the time we approached the city, my new tour bestie Erica confessed she literally would die if she spent another minute on the bus, and while my Philae Temple FOMO was killing me, I agreed, so we bolted back to the hotel with about half the group.

I was glad we did, as it gave us time to prepare for what was next — two nights onboard a felucca! Our opt-out gave us time to head to a market for some snacks and supplies, repack our bags, and actually chill and have a drink by the pool before we boarded. If you can believe it, it was only day four of the tour at the point! We were ready for a little laid-back vacation from our hectic travels.

I loved the felucca experience so much I’m going to be writing an entire post about it. Stay tuned!

We reluctantly returned to land on day six of the tour, and re-boarded our bus for a few hours to reach the Temple of Edfu, two and a half hours south of Luxor. “Couldn’t we have taken the felucca all the way to Edfu?!” I asked Sam, who laughed in response, even though I literally could not have been less kidding.

Let’s just say the Egyptian wine was flowing on the felucca, so we had all felt fresher before than we did that day at Edfu (100 EGP) . In fact, after steadfastly covering my legs the entire trip, I was so delirious when I got dressed that morning I actually pulled on baggy short shorts.

While Sam had surprised me the first day by saying that outside Cairo, girls were welcome to wear shorts in Egypt — but may elicit some stares from those not used to seeing so much leg — I hadn’t felt comfortable doing so. To be honest, I didn’t feel great wearing them and would definitely personally recommend sticking to more modest attire like I did the rest of the trip.

Upon returning to Luxor, we checked into the Steigenberger Hotel , where we had the entire blissful afternoon to lounge poolside overlooking the Nile. My friends Shannon and Sam, who I’d spent my solo time in Cairo exploring with, also happened to be in Luxor, and so they hopped over to our hotel to meet my new tour crew and swap stories of our Egyptian travels so far.

After sunset, our group reconvened for what I’d later deem my third favorite magical moment of the tour, after the felucca ride and the Valley of Kings: walking through the Temple of the Luxor at night. There wasn’t anything about this particular temple’s history or origins that captivated me, rather, it was just the surreal experience of walking through it, the walls, carvings and sculptures illuminated against a piercing black sky. Somehow, it brought the temple to life for me in a way that visiting others during the day just hadn’t. I was captivated.

Which I suppose gave me the energy for one last night out! Though I was still hurting from our felucca fiesta, Sam, Shannon, Erica and I treated ourselves to dinner at The Lantern Room, which I was fairly suspicious of when we first walked in. But if there’s one thing I learned in Egypt, it’s don’t judge a book by its cover a restaurant by its menu font or choice of chair upholstery. It was a gorgeous meal and after, Erica and I couldn’t help but join a few of the boys for a night out at, where else, one of Luxor’s two Irish pubs.

Egypt is quite simply not a nightlife destination outside perhaps a few small pockets, and so we essentially had the place to ourselves, and much to our amusement the bar owner happily ceded control of the music, the air conditioner, and eventually, the bartending itself to his enthusiastic patrons. We tipped him handsomely when he agreed to stay open an extra hour for us, shrugging, smiling, and sipping from his drink as we entertained ourselves in his establishment turned private party. It was one of those bizarre, perfect, hilarious nights that you think back on years later and go, ah, yes, those were the days.

The next morning marked, sadly, my last full day on the tour. We had just one last temple to tackle before the ten hour bus ride back to Cairo — the Temple of Karnak (120 EGP). While it’s an expansive, beautiful structure, I admit that at this point, I was flat templed-out. You hear that phrase a lot when it comes to backpacking Southeast Asia but I don’t think I’ve ever heard it used when it comes to Egypt — perhaps other travelers are savvier about staving off sleep deprivation and reaching for water instead of just one more glass of Egyptian white wine.

Regardless, Erica and I were pretty over it, and spent most of the time at Karnak searching for last-minute flights back to Cairo, and purchasing literally every flavor of Schweppes we could find and holding a tasting on one of the benches near the parking lot. Ah, the glamor of travel strikes again.

Pomegranate is the best Egyptian Schweppes flavor, by the way.

We got back to Cairo long after the sun went down, but a small group of us gathered around the pool for one last late-night meal together. Because I’d pre-booked a liveaboard in the Red Sea that conflicted, I had to depart one day and night early from the tour. Luckily, what was on the itinerary — visiting the Egyptian Museum, and checking out the mosques and markets of Islamic Cairo — I’d already done on my own pre-tour, so I didn’t miss any sights.

I did, however, miss out out on extra day with my new crew, which was a tough pill to swallow! After just a week I’d made some seriously fast friends, a few I feel beyond certain I will see again.

How could we not? We’d experienced the trip of a lifetime together. Egypt tops so many bucket lists, and after spending ten action-packed, magic-filled days traversing its mainland highlights, I firmly believe it belongs there. I wanted to go to Egypt because, well, everyone wants to go to Egypt — it just felt like something I had to do and see before I died.

But when I arrived, I found that it fit me, and there was something about it that spoke to my unique soul in a way I hadn’t expected. Turns out, Egypt isn’t a box I’ll tick off on my never-ending list of destinations to visit. It’s a place that I feel connected to now, and I think I’ll be drawn back to sooner than I ever expected.

Is Egypt on your bucket list?

See the Red Sea: A Review of the King Snefro Liveaboard and PADI Travel

My Travel Plans for 2018

Should You Take a Group Tour in Egypt? Reviewing My Experience with Travel Talk Tours

Beautiful. I too had been to Egypt for 12 days four years back, covered all the places. Your pictures refreshed my memory. This year I had been to Raja Ampat Papua New Guinea Indonesia.

Wow, all places on my bucket list 🙂 I have so much more of Indonesia to explore.

Awesome! I’ve really wanted to go to Raja Ampat for the diving, but I just want to clarify one thing. It is located in Papua, Indonesia not Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is the separate nation on the island of Papua otherwise known as Irian Jaya. Raja Ampat falls on the far west side of Iran Jaya and therefore is in Papua. P.S. You should visit Tana Toraja

Also, don’t forget to visit Sumba! It is truly an amazing place with untouched nature and a culture with traditions seen nowhere else on this planet, being refered to by archaeologists as the living Megalithic culture. You can also see the Minangkabau culture in Sumatra as well as stay in Malang to go to Mt Bromo and see nature (such as Madakaripura and the other amazing waterfalls) including nearby temples

Ah, I can’t wait to get to Sumba someday 🙂 I have SO much more of Indonesia to explore. Thank you for the local tips!

When I was in 4th grade I got a book about Egypt. I looked through every single page/picture of that book over and over again, dreaming of someday going there. I am now 35(how did that happen?) and this made me want to book a ticket ASAP! Thank you for reminding me how awesome Egypt it going to be!

You’re so welcome Heather! Maybe a next birthday present to yourself? 😉

This has totally cemented my decision to go to Egypt next year. It’s been high on my ‘list’ for years but perhaps I’ve been a little nervous so I was thrilled to see you would be going AND that you had such a fab time!!! 🙂

I did indeed! I’m hooked on Egypt and excited to have a Red Sea retreat in the works 🙂 Can’t wait to show this corner of the world to an incredible group of women!

Wow what an amazing place, I would love to visit Egypt one day but not sure it will happen

In the meantime, you can virtually come along on my trip <3

If you led a tour to Egypt I would be so in ????????

It’s in the works 😉

So happy to hear that ????

I just stumbled accross your blog after seeing you feature on ‘We are travel girls’ and oh my I am in love! Your content is amazing and has the exact spirit I want to channel in my own blog posts! I visited Egypt as a child and having read this post I am eager to visit again! I was curious as to how much of the political unrest you experienced when travelling that part of the world? Love the blog xoxo – Vicky @thebumblingbug

Hey Vicky! In Egypt, I didn’t experience any political unrest. There was definitely a lot of visible security — our tour group had an armed guard, many hotels had metal detectors, and there are military checkpoints checking passenger vehicles all through Sinai. But it all felt very routine, and didn’t make me feel ill at ease in the slightest. I hope that answers your question! 🙂

Hahah, I have no idea that the pyramid has their own names!

I didn’t either until I cracked open my guidebook in the planning stages 😉

This was a really nice read! 😀 Tbh I never really thought much about the idea of traveling to Egypt, but it seems like a really cool place actually, and I think your decision to go on a group tour was a good one

I think so too! I had a great balance of solo and guided time — it was honestly a dream trip! And there’s still more to share!

Egypt is definitely on my bucket list and I’m so glad you went prior to me making the voyage because I love seeing a destination through your eyes {and photos!}. This post is another one that had me hooked! Thanks for a great read Alex.

You’re so sweet Rachel! I’m honored to show you Egypt through my eyes 🙂 And there’s more to come!

Can’t waitttt!

This post is the stuff of my Egyptian-filled daydreams over the years. It’s a place I dreamed of seeing for years until a few years ago when the political unrest just made it seem too unstable a place to visit. I’m glad to see that – while precautions undoubtedly still need to take place – it’s really coming back into its own as a great place to visit. Your pictures are beautiful and have only reaffirmed my love for this country I’ve never even been to. I’m excited to hear about your felucca experience!

Thanks Marni! I’m loving sharing this trip so much, I literally don’t want my coverage to end, ha ha.

Wow, this trip looks amazing! I’ve been dying to visit Egypt for years!

I feel you — it was top of my bucket list for so long, I was finally like, why am I not making this happen? So relieved that I finally did.

I loved my tour of Egypt, too – but I’m SO glad I went for the fancier option that included a quick flight to Abu Simbel instead of that super long bus ride! 😉

And yes, the pomegranate Schwepps is 100% the best one.

Oh girl, if there’s one thing I could change about this trip it would be flying in and out of Abu Simbel and between Cairo and Luxor. And taking the felucca all the way to Edfu. Okay so basically anything that involves less time on the bus ????

Wow, amazing pictures! Must be so cool to get to live what we saw in history books when we were at school. This is a tour I would enjoy so much.

I hope you get the chance to experience it someday then, Susana!

Egypt is one place I’ve never been to. It’s long been on my bucket list, primarily because I want to visit the Valley of the Kings. After reading your blog, I might just think about finally booking my trip! We are heading to the Caribbean this summer, so maybe I’ll pencil in Egypt early next year. Your amazing photos have awoken my travel bug! Good advice about not trying to fit too much in btw.

Thanks Elyn! Next year will give you plenty of time to plan the perfect Egypt trip. Don’t forget the Red Sea — I’ll be blogging about my time there soon!

My inner travel addict is crying at the fact that most of the pyramids you named are mystery to me. I used to be obsessed with ancient Egypt, but I think as this obsession waned I stopped researching the country. I’m happy to notice that your posts are bringing part of this passion back, I’m loving all your photos of inside the temples!

So glad to hear that, Dominique! Egypt is magical and definitely deserves a spot back on your bucket list 🙂

I’ve been to Egypt this year in May and I absolutely loved it! The history, the amazing temples, it has been on my bucket list for so long that I couldn’t believe I was seeing it with my own eyes! I didn’t go to the Red Sea, but I guess that’s a good excuse for coming back 🙂

Absolutely! I didn’t go to the SOUTH part of the Red Sea, so that’s my excuse for going back 😉

Egypt is definitely on my list — as are several other destinations in the continent of Africa! One of my mother’s best friends actually was born and grew up in Egypt, coming to the US as a young adult, so I would love to go back with her sometime. It sounds like having that local perspective makes it that much better.

Um, that sounds amazing! Can I come on that trip?! I dream of returning to Egypt.

I would love that! Absolutely! I will let you know when it happens.

Im doing much research for an upcoming trip to Egypt commencing April 16, for me a dream since childhood. Thanks for sharing your unvarnished travel experiences and I’ve taken many notes. Would you mind sharing the name of the actual tour group that you did the killer 10-day tour with. I’m not sure I’m up to that regimen,but it sounded like an excellent tour.

Hey Victoria — it is linked to in this post! The group is Travel Talk Tours.

I thoroughly enjoyed your blog and your Egypt experience. Your photography skills are quite sharp as the pictures have turned out to be very beautiful. Just one thing, what is the weather like in Egypt? and what is the best time to visit?

Hey there! I have only been to Egypt in the summer when it’s HOT 🙂 So I can’t say I’m the expert on annual weather in Egypt, but I’m sure there are tons of resources for that. I like the heat, so I’ve been happy there in my trips in April, July, and September.

travel more & worry less

Egypt one week itinerary, things to do & travel tips.

There are many places to go to in Egypt to learn about its history and culture, or just to enjoy the beautiful scenery. This Egypt one week itinerary is taking you through the highlights of the country and helping you to plan the perfect, stressless trip.

If you have limited time to visit Egypt, no worries – you can absolutely see the highlights of the country in just one week . I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be a very busy and exhausting trip, but it’s definitely manageable and it’s totally worth it.

Table of Contents

Flying to Egypt

You can easily fly to Egypt from Turkey , Italy , or many other places. I choose to fly to Egypt from Berlin, Germany. Why? Because I found the cheapest flights from there, plus, Berlin is always a good idea .

There are extremely cheap flights between Sofia (where I live) and Berlin. Sometimes they cost as little as 6 EUR! From Berlin, you can fly on a budget to Hurghada. Berlin is one of my favorites cities and I wanted to visit Hurghada to do some snorkeling and diving, so that was the best option for me.

In total, all of my flights (Sofia – Berlin – Hurghada – Berlin – Sofia) cost me 155 EUR.

You can easily fly to Berlin on a budget from pretty much anywhere in Europe . So, when you’re planning your trip to Egypt, consider the same trip as an option.

What to pack for one week in Egypt

You honestly don’t need more than 2 pairs of jeans or pants, a few shirts / t-shirts, and a swimsuit, if you’re planning to visit the coast.

Egypt is a Muslim country so you need to dress more conservatively. While guys can wear shorts in the hot weather, for girls is a no-no. Of course, there are tourist girls that do it, but I wouldn’t advise you to, especially if you’re traveling solo. You’ll be attracting plenty of attention anyway.

As a girl, you should always cover your shoulders, chest, and knees.

Other packings essentials include a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes.

Visa for Egypt

If you’re a citizen of the EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Georgia , you can obtain a visa upon arrival, or get yourself an E-Visa prior to your arrival.

The citizens of only 9 countries can visit Egypt without a visa for 3 months. Plus, some other that can visit the country visa-free under certain conditions. Make sure to check your country visa requirements for Egypt when starting planning your trip.

For those who can get an E-Visa in advance, I’ll recommend them NOT TO. I did that because I decided that it would save me time from waiting to get a visa on arrival at the airport. It did.

However, when I applied for the E-Visa, I didn’t go to read all the terms & conditions and in the end, I was charged ways more than the cost of the visa. I was charged more than double the price of the E-visa, which is 25 USD. The rest of what they charged me was for a processing fee.

You can easily get a visa on arrival at your port of entry. Yes, you might need to wait a while, so it’s totally up to you how you’ll decide to get your visa.

Egypt one week itinerary

Day 1: hello egypt arriving in hurghada .

As mentioned above, I found very affordable flights from Berlin to Hurghada and that’s why our adventure around Egypt started from there. If you’re flying into Cairo, check the next section to see how you can make this same itinerary work.

Depending on your time of arrival, you can use your first day to explore the town of Hurghada. There are plenty of markets, shops, restaurants, and cafes, but nothing interesting (except for the Sea, of course). Check the Marina and the impressive Abdulmoneim Riadh Mosque.

How to get from Hurghada airport to your hotel:

The Hurghada international airport is very close to the town of Hurghada. However, you can not just simply walk from the airport to the center. The only option you have is to take a taxi. A taxi from/to the airport shouldn’t cost you more than 150 – 200 EGP.

On our flight, my friend and I meet a local guy who was seating right next to us. I started a conversation with him and asked him how can we reach the center of Hurghada from the airport. Then, he explained that the airport is so close you can even walk to the center, but that’s not possible due to their restrictions.

Unfortunately, I don’t remember that guy’s name, but I want to thank him for being so kind to wait for us at the airport and offer us his taxi. He spent probably more than an hour with us, looking for our hostel and making sure that we’re fine. Moreover, he recommended us the best place to eat in Hurghada. Once again, thank you!

Where to eat in Hurghada:

You guessed it, but yeah, that’s the restaurant, which our friend from the plane recommended us. The name of the place is El dar Darak and they have the best tahini salad ever!

We ate at this place on all of our evenings in Hurghada. You can check the restaurant’s reviews and the location on TripAdvisor here .

Where to stay in Hurghada:

There are plenty of hotels in Hurghada to choose from. In my opinion, you just need to decide if you want to stay closer to the new center or the old center (where most of the snorkeling/diving trips start from). If you choose the second then you need to know that when you want to go to the new center, you should take a taxi. A taxi ride shouldn’t cost more than 20 – 25 EGP (this is just 1 EUR).

Get a 10% OFF discount on Booking.com

Day 2: Snorkeling trip in Hurghada

Colorful coral reefs, turquoise waters, and more than 2000 different species of fish! On your second day in Hurghada go on a fun snorkeling trip. You should book your tour the day before after you arrive, or do it in advance.

This was not my first time snorkeling in the Red Sea and that’s why I was so excited. The first time I went snorkeling in the Red Sea was on my trip to Jordan . The underwater world was amazing, so I couldn’t wait to see it again.

The snorkeling trip lasts for 8-9 hours and includes pick up & drop off at your hotel, beverages, a very filling lunch, and the snorkeling gear + some extras. And all that at a very affordable/cheap price.

Going snorkeling in Hurghada is an absolute must-do!

Day 3: Hurghada to Luxor

After spending one-day snorkeling in Hurghada, the Egypt one week itinerary continues to Luxor. Luxor is a must stop for everyone visiting Egypt. After all, that’s where the greatest archeological sites are located.

There is an early bus leaving from Hurghada to Luxor, make sure to get on it. You’ll arrive in Luxor around 1 PM. Don’t waste much time, leave your things in your hotel and head straight to the Karnak temple.

The Karnak Temple Complex is the first open-air museum and the largest ancient religious site in the world. It was built over 2 000 years ago! The name “Karnak” means the Most Selected Place. After the Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple is the second most visited place in Egypt.

The Karnak temple works until 5:30 PM, so you’ll have about 2, 2 and a half hours to explore it.

Karnak temple

After Karnak, head directly to the Luxor temple. The good news is that the Luxor temple is open until 10 PM and that it might be actually better to visit it in the evening. It looks amazing with the lights.

Luxor temple is where all the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom were crowned. Some even say that Alexander the Great has been crowned here too. Luxor temple is far less complex than Karnak temple and an hour, hour and a half should be enough to explore it.

Karnak temple entry fee is 150 EGP.

Luxor temple entry fee is 140 EGP.

Luxor temple

I told you that this Egypt one week itinerary is exhausting but definitely manageable and totally worth it. By visiting Karnak and Luxor temple on the day when you arrive in Luxor, you already have visited half of what is it to see in the city.

After exploring Luxor temple and getting something for dinner, it’s time to go to bed – tomorrow you’ll need to get up very early.

Where to stay in Luxor:

I’d recommend staying on the East bank of the Nile, as there is where most of the hotels and restaurants are located. Plus, it would be easier to explore the temples on the first day. Luxor temple is in the middle of the city, so you can easily walk there from the place where you’re staying.

Day 4: Exploring the Valley of the Kings & taking the night bus to Cairo

Day 4 from the Egypt one week itinerary is for exploring the Valley of the Kings. Before that, you have the opportunity to get on a hot air balloon. Flying over the Valley of the Kings is a great experience. It was my first time flying on a hot air balloon and I really enjoyed it. We missed the sunrise while waiting to get on the ballon, but that’s another story…

If you want to experience the hot air balloon, you’ll need to get up very early in the morning. Usually, you’re meant to go and see the sunrise over the Valley of the Kings. First, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Nile river from where you get on the boat to cross the river to the West Bank of Luxor. The flight lasts for 40 – 50 minutes.

You need to listen to your pilot who will give you some instructions before the flight. I jumped out of the balloon before we were allowed to and I don’t have any excuse for it (I just forgot that we need to wait). Don’t do like me, it’s very important for the landing!

The Valley of the Kings from the balloon

After the hot air balloon flight, it’s time to explore the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings is a valley where rock-cut tombs were excavated for the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom. They are very well preserved, but unfortunately, most of the treasures have been stoled a long time ago.

Nowadays, you can only see the decorated with scenes from the Egyptian mythology walls. The Mummies and the treasures that have been found are now stored in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

It’s essential to note that the Valley of the Kings is huge. Even if you wish to, it would be difficult and very time consuming to visit all of the tombs. With the latest discoveries, the valley is known to contain 63 tombs.

Your entry ticket to the valley includes a free visit to 3 tombs of your choice (not all of them can be visited for free, however). We visited the tombs of Ramses IV, KV 8 Merentpah & Ramses IX that were recommended to us by our tour guide.

For the exploration of the Valley of the Kings, I recommend joining a tour. The places you’ll visit on the tour are not so close to each other, so it’s better to have your transfers cover. Also, you’ll get a knowledgeable guide to tell you more about the tombs and Egyptian history.

The Valley of the King’s entry fee, which includes a visit to 3 tombs is 200 EGP + 4 EGP for the electric train.

The Hatchepsut temple entry fee is 100 EGP + 4 EGP for the electric train.

Optional, you can also go and see the Valley of the Queens (100 EGP for 3 tombs).

Hatchepsut temple

If you do that on a tour, you should be back at your hotel around 3 or 4 PM. You can use the rest of the day to go on a pleasant felucca ride to Banana Island. There, you can check the banana, mango, and mandarin plantations and the two Nile crocodiles. You’ll spend around 40 – 45 minutes on the island and then you’ll head back to the city at sunset. Enjoying the beautiful sunset over the Nile River on a felucca is a must-have experience for your Egypt one week itinerary .

After a day full of exploring, it’s time to get on the night bus to Cairo. The bus ride between Luxor and Cairo takes about 8 hours. You will arrive in Cairo around 5 or 6 AM.

Day 5: Exploring Cairo

Cairo is a chaotic city – there are millions of people living there and the traffic is insane. An absolute must-do when you’re in Cairo is to visit the Egyptian Museum. I’m usually not into museums, but this is the place where you can see mummies, the Tutankhamun mask, and much more.

Things to do in Cairo:

Visit the Egyptian Museum – the entry fee is 160 EGP. The museum is definitely one of Egypt’s top sightseeing spots.
Explore Islamic Cairo – Islamic Cairo is part of central Cairo around the old walled city. It’s part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site as one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities.
Get lost in Khan el Khalili – Located in the Islamic Cairo, Khan el Khalili is a big souk and one of Cairo’s main tourist attractions. You can find pretty much everything there. Make sure to find the Bab al-Ghuri gate.
Coptic Cairo – In this area you will find the Babylon Fortress, the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church, and other Coptic churches.

Where to stay in Cairo:

In Cairo, I’ll recommend you to stay in Dahab hostel – a great place, centrally located, wonderful terrace and friendly staff.

P.S. there is a great place for fresh juices 2 minutes walk from the Dahab hostel. Craving a fresh orange juice, a sugar cane juice, or some kind of a mix? They have varieties of combinations to choose from, or you can create your own. I can not find it on the map, but it’s on Talaat Harb Square . Once you’re there, you’ll easily spot it. Even if you don’t go there, there are many other juice places all over Cairo to satisfy your thirst.

Day 6: Exploring the Great Pyramids of Giza and taking the bus back to Hurghada

The last wonder from the Ancient world that remains to stand and it’s also on the list of the New World Wonders, the Great Pyramids of Giza is definitely a site that you need to see with your own eyes. Everyone has seen so many photos of the pyramids, but once you’re standing in front of them, only then you realize how truly great they are.

And you start thinking. How were they build? That’s still one of the leading world’s mysteries.

The Great Pyramid, which is also the tallest one was built around 2 580 – 2 560 BC and it’s 146 meters tall. You can get inside it at an additional cost.

The entry fee for the Pyramids complex is 160 EGP and includes entry inside one of the smallest pyramids. Honestly, there is nothing to see inside the pyramids, so I wouldn’t pay an extra 360 EGP to get inside the Great one. Even if there is something to be seen inside it, it is not open to visitors.

What I didn’t like about the Great Pyramids of Giza is that the complex feels like one huge bazaar. You’ll be chased by people who want to sell you things or take you somewhere. It’s very annoying. What else is annoying is all the people climbing on the pyramid to take pictures. Why do you people do that?

There is a spot from where you have a great view of all 3 main pyramids. To get to that spot, you DON’T need to get on a carriage, you can easily walk there within 30 minutes or so. Just follow the road and cars.

What else I didn’t like about the pyramids is the garbage and the collapsing buildings in the surrounding areas.

The surroundings of the Great Pyramids of Giza

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and a human face. The Sphinx is believed to symbolize the Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt as an embodiment of the God of the Sun and that’s why he’s facing East.

Do you know who broke the Sphinx’s nose?

There are several stories about what happened to the Sphinx’s nose. The most popular among them is that a cannonball fired by Napoleon’s soldiers in 1798 hit the nose and broke it.

The nose, however, has been missing long before that according to some pieces of evidence, such as an oil painting by Louis Norden, that dates before the French military campaign in Egypt.

The real reason why the Sphinx’s nose broke off is most likely to be erosion. The rock in which the Sphinx was carved could easily be affected by natural erosion.

The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx could be seen for 3 – 4 hours (depending on how much time you’ll spend taking pictures).

You can spend the afternoon exploring other parts of Cairo or relaxing. We decided to take the earlier bus back to Hurghada.

Day: Diving in Hurghada

Last but not least on your Egypt one week itinerary is diving in Hurghada.

On this trip, I finally decided to try diving for the first time . I was excited about trying something new, something that I haven’t tried before. I’ve been snorkeling in the Red Sea before and I knew how beautiful the underwater world is and of course expected the diving experience to be amazing.

I got more used to it during the second dive. The truth is that it was so new and different for me, so I was breathing very heavily the whole time, just to make sure that I actually breathe. That was exhausting.

I didn’t do my best on this first experience, but I’m highly motivated to become a diver one day. I know that the fear that obsessed me, it’s a fear that I can overcome and that I can actually become comfortable with it.

And of course, the wholly other, incredible world that is waiting for you under the water is absolutely worth it!

Day 8: Goodbye Egypt!

Our Egypt one week itinerary finishes here. Depending on the time of your flight, you can explore a little bit more or just relax until it’s time for you to go.

But what if you’re flying into/out of Cairo?

You can do the absolute same trip starting in Cairo:

Day 1: Explore Cairo
Day 2: See the Pyramids and explore more of Cairo
Day 3 & 4: Snorkeling and diving in Hurghada
Day 5: Visit the Karnak & Luxor temples
Day 6: Hot air balloon flight + the Valley of the Kings
Day 7: Back to Cairo

If you have more than one week in Egypt , you can do this itinerary slowlier and add some other places. I would suggest adding Aswan, Alexandria, Dahab, and the White Desert.

Egypt Travel Tips

The water in Egypt is NOT drinkable. I brushed my teeth with it and that was fine, but don’t drink it. When you go to a restaurant, even if you don’t order, most of the time, you’ll be served a bottle of water.

How much does it cost to visit Egypt – Excluding the flights, for one week in Egypt , I spent around 300 EUR. In general, Egypt is a very affordable travel destination. If you do a lot of tours and visit a lot of attractions, that would add up quickly. Accommodation, eating out and transportation in Egypt are cheap.

I already covered the entry fees for the temples, etc above, the transportation prices you can find below. Here’s what I paid for the tours:

Full-day snorkeling trip = 20 EUR
Full-day diving trip = 30 EUR
Hot air balloon flight = 50 USD
Banana island tour = 150 EGP
Valley of the Kings tour guide + transportation = 90 EGP

Bargaining – Bargaining in Egypt is very common, so go for it. What I usually do is that when I want to buy something, I decide how much I am willing to pay for it and then I ask for the price. When they say that it costs 3 or 4 times more than what I am willing to pay, I start bargaining.

Nothing is free – Locals will come to you for a photo, or to show you around, tell you about a certain place. None of that is free, in the end, they will ask you for money and even get mad if you refuse to give them any because you wanted nothing from them. That’s very common, have it in mind and don’t accept random invitations.

Is it safe to visit Egypt?

I’d say that Egypt is generally a safe country to visit. If you’re a girl traveling alone , it might be a bit overwhelming, but if you use common sense and dress appropriately, so you don’t attract any unwanted attention, you’ll be fine.

With local girls in Luxor

Why I couldn’t wait to leave Egypt?

I meet many nice and friendly locals in Egypt. Most of them are very welcoming and genuine. Unfortunately, however, there are also many people that will try to scam you, lie to you, will chase you annoyingly, and will want something from you. The second kind of people was too much.

Thinking about it now, I’d say that I couldn’t wait to leave Egypt because I was so mentally tired from all those people, everywhere, all the time. That’s it. Rather than that, Egypt is awesome.

Getting around

Buses – For long-distance trips, you have 3 options: airplane, bus, and train. Flying is, of course, the most expensive of them all. Many tourists choose to travel around Egypt by train. A train ticket might cost as much as flying.

I choose to travel around Egypt by bus. It wasn’t amazing but it wasn’t bad too. Here’s how much it cost me to travel around Egypt by bus:

Hurghada to Luxor = 4 to 5 hours, costs 110 EGP
Luxor to Cairo = 7 to 8 hours, costs 215 EGP
Cairo to Hurghada = 6 to 7 hours, costs 190 EGP

Local buses – The local buses in Egypt are like marshrutkas. To get on one, you need to wave at it and then tell the driver where you want to get off. They are pretty cheap too. The price range depending on the distance (I think).

On the local bus to Karnak temple

Taxi – Very common and affordable in Egypt. Make sure to ask at the reception of your hotel how much should cost the trip you want to take to prevent the chance of being scammed.

Uber – Uber was available in all of the cities we visited – Cairo, Hurghada, and Luxor.

Metro – In Cairo, you can use the metro to get around. I always like to use the metro when possible to get around a new city, so when I found out that Cairo has a metro, I was very excited to get on it.

We used Uber to get from our hostel in Cairo to the Great Pyramids of Giza. We got there in half an hour and it cost us 60 EGP.

The metro in Cairo is unsurprisingly crowded but with the heavy traffic on the streets, I’d say is the best way to get around the city. Plus, the ticket for the metro is almost for free. A single ride costs only 3 EGP (0.15 EUR).

Crossing the streets in Cairo, especially

The traffic in Egypt is complete madness! In Hurghada, I don’t even remember seeing traffic lights, while in Cairo where there are, often someone just ignores them. When crossing the streets in Cairo, especially, or anywhere else in Egypt, you need to be very careful. Don’t expect anyone to let you cross, as they rarely will.

If it’s you’re first time facing such heavy and crazy traffic, you can try and wait next to someone local. When they go, you go too.

Hopefully, this one week Egypt itinerary and travel tips would help you plan and have a stress-free trip. If you have any additional questions or anything to add, feel free to contact me.

Thanks for reading,

If you like this post, please share it with your friends and follow Owl Over The World on Facebook & Instagram for more travel tips & inspiration.

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO EGYPT:

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission if you make a booking after clicking. It comes at no extra cost to you but it helps me with the running of this site! As always, opinions are my own. Thank you!

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Bilyana is the founder of Owl Over The World and the girl behind the screen. Besides being a travel blogger, she's also a mountain freak and a full-time dream chaser. She writes about her adventures around the world wanting to inspire you to travel more & worry less.

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Egypt in 7 days
Itineraries

If you have only one week for your trip there are two great itineraries in Egypt , always thinking that you can make the most of the days. The two options differ in one fundamental aspect, a choice you will have to make if you have a week: river or sea. That is to say, you will have to choose between the wonders of the Nile or those of the Red Sea , being, perhaps, the first option the most widespread among first-time travelers to the land of the pyramids.

Both itineraries include the capital, Cairo, with the city of Giza, which is very close and is always included in the same itinerary. Afterwards, the paths fork into two: a cruise on the Nile with a visit to the ancient temples; or diving, snorkeling and sea tours in one of the most important cities of the Red Sea.

Your choice will depend on what you like the most, of course, but also on the time you have, which is not much but not scarce. A week in Egypt is great and your trip will be unforgettable. So here we give you all the information you need about these two routes through Egypt in one week to help you make a good decision and make the most of every minute of your vacation.

Itinerary I: Pyramids and temples. Cairo and Nile cruise

This is usually the most requested option for most tourists wondering what to see in Egypt in a week, as it includes a good part of the treasures of the great empire and you can also feel the Arab culture that currently defines the country.

With this one-week Egypt itinerary you will see the highlights of the Egyptian capital and embark on a cruise on the waters of this legendary river, which is the best way to visit many temples that the ancient civilization built on its banks.

From Cairo to Luxor there are two options: the most economical is the night train, which takes 9 hours and is the best option to avoid wasting a day or half a day traveling. The most expensive but fastest option is by plane, on a direct flight that takes 2 hours but if you book well in advance it can be more economical.

In Luxor you will board the type of boat hired for the Nile cruise to visit different historical sites in the city of Luxor itself, as well as Edfu and Kon Ombo during the remaining days until the end of the trip in Aswan. Once there, direct flight to Cairo and return to your country of origin.

Places and sites of interest

Cairo : Coptic Quarter, Egyptian Museum, Saladin Citadel, Khan el-Khalili, Cairo Tower, City of the Dead, Islamic Quarter.
Giza : Sphinx and pyramids of Cheops, Kephren and Mykerinus.
Luxor : Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Museum of Ancient Art of Luxor, Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut.
Edfu : Temple of Edfu.
Kon Ombo : Temple of Kon Ombo, Crocodile Museum.
Aswan : Abu Simbel Temples, Nubian Village, Aswan High Dam and Aswan Market.

Itinerary II: Pyramids and silver. Cairo and Red Sea (Alexandria, Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh)

In this one-week tour of Egypt you will see the highlights of Cairo and some of the fabulous beaches of the Red Sea, the other geographical jewel of the country. As you do not have many days, our advice is to choose one of the three main coastal destinations in Egypt: Alexandria, Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh.

Arrival at Cairo airport and transfer to the hotel by private car, which should be arranged in advance with your travel agency or, if you go on your own, with a local service. From Cairo to Guiza, the agencies that organize visits to the pyramids usually include hotel pick-up, transfer to Guiza and return trip.

From Cairo to the Red Sea cities, the best option is by plane , bearing in mind that your trip is a week long and that you have already spent a few days. Both Alexandria, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh have direct flights to the capital, so it is best to book a return flight, so you can catch your flight back to your home country from Cairo airport. And, as in all cases, if you book well in advance you will find good deals.

Cairo : Coptic Quarter, Egyptian Museum, Saladin Citadel , Khan el-Khalili , Cairo Tower , City of the Dead, Islamic Quarter .
Giza: Sphinx and the Pyramids of Cheops, Kephren and Mykerinus.
Alexandria : Kom el Dekka archaeological site, National Museum of Alexandria, Library of Alexandria, Pompey’s Column, Quaitbay Citadel, Montazah Palace, Promenade.
Hurghada : Sindbad Submarine, Abu Nuhas Shipwrecks, Hurghada Aquarium, Giftun Islands, Astronomical Night in the Desert, Gubal Strait.
Sharm el-Sheikh : Al Sahaba Mosque, Old Market, El Fanar Beach (Ras Um Sid Natural Park), Sunset on the coast, Ras Muhammad National Park, Quad biking in the desert.

Egypt in 30 days

A month in Egypt is a privilege of time spent in one of the most wonderful countries in the world.

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The Ultimate One to Two Week Egypt Travel Itinerary

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Last Updated On: April 5, 2024

Egypt has countless attractions, ranging from nature, to temples, to mummies, to vast pyramids. Egypt’s has an incredibly rich history dating back to the beginning of civilization and as such, Ancient Egyptian society left behind so many amazing sights, all somehow incredibly well preserved, despite the numerous tomb raiders that looted Egypt throughout history.

Before reading this itinerary, make sure to read my Egypt Travel Guide!

Also, with all the negative press Egypt has been receiving in recent years, many people ask if Egypt is a safe place to travel? This post will clear that up!

How many days do I need to spend in Egypt?

The million dollar question. While planning for Egypt, for some reason I thought there was just too many attractions and I’d never be able to see them all. Well, there certainly is an endless amount of temples and sights. Unless you’re an archaeologist or major history buff, how may temples can you see, and how much history can you ingest before you’ve had enough? As I write this post, I’ve already forgotten most of the temple names let alone the history behind it!

It turns out a week is enough, in my opinion, to see the main historical sights of Egypt. Opting for 8 days in Egypt would be the best choice in this regard, allowing ample time to explore landmarks like:

The Great Pyramids of Giza & The Sphinx
Sakkara Pyramids
Egyptian Museum of Cairo
Valley of the Kings

Philae Temple

Karnak temple in luxor.

Luxor Temple
Abu Simbel Temple
Nile Cruise

List is long I know, and you may want more time at each place, but there’s a reason most tours around Egypt are around a week long. If you have more than 1 week, then I’d highly recommend a visit to the Red Sea and the Sinai peninsula. If you’re looking to scuba dive, Dahab has some of the best and is the cheapest diving in the world. It’s one of my all time favorite places.

To Tour or not to tour?

As I was traveling solo, I booked a tour with TopDeck Tours that had fairly cheap prices, about $400 for a 7 day tour that visited all these sights. Turns out, the price did not include entrance fees, the Nile cruise, or any of our food which is ridiculous. After all our extra expenses, the tour probably ran me over $1000 in total.

Egypt is such a cheap place to travel through (which I realized after I arrived in Egypt), that I could have done the exact same itinerary for half the price. I essentially paid the extra money for the company of other travelers, which in the end was probably worth it as we had a great time.

Map of Itinerary

Egypt Two Week Itinerary Day by Day

If a guided tour is not your style, that’s okay, I’m here to provide a general itinerary for seeing all the sights, which also happen to be the same itinerary as most guided tours. The main thing to remember when touring Egypt is the main sights are all located along the Nile, because Ancient Egyptians believed this river to be the lifeblood of anything and everything they did in life. Naturally, they all lived along the Nile and all the impressive monuments they built were as well.

Day 1-2: Great Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx, Egyptian Museum Day 3: Alexandria Day 4: White Desert Tour overnight Day 5: White Desert Tour, overnight train to Aswan Day 6: Abu Simbel Temple Day 7: Nile Cruise Day 8: Nile Cruise D ay 9: Nile Cruise Day 10: Arrive in Luxor Day 11: Valley of the Kings and Karmac temples Day 12: Fly to Sharm El Sheikh for the Red Sea Day 13: Dahab Day 14: Dahab Day 15: Dahab

Very good map detailing Egypt's main sights along the Nile.

Day 1-2: Egyptian Museum of Cairo and Pyramids of Giza

Cairo is a huge city and one of the most populated in the world. I found it to be very dirty, with ugly buildings and trash everywhere so I was perfectly content just checking the main sights and getting out.

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is one of the first stops on most people’s itineraries when traveling to Egypt. With over 120,000 artifacts, the museum houses an incredible display depicting ancient Egypt’s glorious reign. You can enjoy mummies, sarcophagi, pottery, jewelry and of course King Tutankhamen’s treasures. King Tut’s goodies include his socks, underwear and the boy-king’s death-mask made of solid gold, described as the most beautiful object ever made. The displays are not all labeled very well and it’s a little haphazard but you’ll enjoy it nevertheless.

The place is massive, and devout history buffs could spend a few days here alone. It is inevitably overwhelming but there are some big attractions to see here but more visually stunning attractions ahead.

Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx

Likely the most iconic of Egypt’s attractions are the great pyramids of Giza. Located within the city of Cairo, the pyramids can be seen afar pointing to the sky. There are three pyramids in total, and they are every bit as impressive as I’d always imagined. Nowadays, modern Egyptians built around the pyramids so when you’re standing on them, you can actually see downtown Cairo, which is good and bad I suppose.

For my detailed 1 day itinerary of Cairo, please read here!

Many pictures you’ll see of the pyramids make it look like it’s this lost city in the middle of the desert. Quite the opposite.

The great pyramids are actually some of the oldest monuments in Egypt, built during the old kingdom four thousand years ago. It’s absolutely incredible they’ve stayed in such good shape so long after they were built. Truly some incredible people in those times.

The Sphinx is located just a kilometer or two away from the pyramids. The statue of the pharaoh’s head on the lion with the pyramids in the background is probably one of the best pictures you’ll get in Egypt. The Sphinx to me was a bit underwhelming, far smaller than what I thought.

Day 3: Alexandria

The ancient capital of Egypt, Alexandria is Egypt’s second biggest city, located right on the Mediterranean. We spent a day seeing all the sights in Alexandria but sadly enough, most of its ancient wonders have been pillaged over the centuries, not kept up, and have decayed. Trains run regularly from Cairo and I’d only recommend visiting Alex if you have plenty of extra time.

From Cairo, you can either take an Uber (about 1000 LE one way) or take the train. There are also numerous buses daily that take you to Alexandria but I found the trains to be quite nice.

Day 4-5: Overnight Tour to the White Desert

Ah, how I wish I visited this place. I heard all about it from other travelers I met in Egypt and it sounded like a surreal spot. It’s called the white desert because the sand is literally bleach white. Like snow, instead of sand. Trips are easily organized from Cairo to spend a few nights camping under the stars in a much more untouched part of the country.

Trips leave regularly from Cairo and should not cost more than $150 for an overnight tour ($100 is reasonable).

Day 5-6: Overnight Train to the Abu Simbel Temple

Located near the southern town of Aswan, Abu Simbel is an archaeological site comprising two massive rock-cut temples in southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser. The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses The Great in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari.

Because of the construction of the Aswan High Dam (which is also an impressive sight), the entire complex was man-moved to a new sight which is where it is now. MAN-MOVED! That’s pretty impressive considering how delicate and massive these sculptures are. I was a really big fan of the statues at Abu Simbel.

Day 7-10: Nile River Cruise

The Nile River cruise is a staple attraction of Egypt. The relaxing ride on a luxury ship with some of the most fantastic sunsets you’ll see is a great way to see Egypt. The cruise stops at some very famous and wonderful temples along the way making it a fantastic and economical way to see Egypt.

A cruise down the Nile is something well warranted. Whether it’s done on a Felucca (a large Arabian Dhow, much more modern than the ones in Mozambique however ) or a cruise ship, it is a good way to relax, take in the sights along the Nile, and a good form of transportation to see Egypt’s other attractions.

The most popular Nile cruise routes go from Aswan to Luxor, allowing you to visit almost all the sights covered in this post. Expect to pay about $60-$80 a night for a nice cruise ship, and this price includes all your meals.

After a long day of walking around temples and bumpy car rides, it’s not too bad to just relax on one of these boats, and take in the beautiful Nile views. The accommodations were quite nice and all had balconies to watch the sunsets from.

Located on an island (Philae Island), and accessible only by taking a ferry ride out, the Philae Island is rich with vegetation, lovely flowers and magnificent temples. Because of its beauty and abundance, it was rightfully once called the ‘Pearl of Egypt’.

Egypt was conquered by the Greeks, and then the Romans and architecture from both these civilizations along with ancient Egyptian are all on display in this place.

Edfu Temple

Of all the temples I saw in Egypt, and I saw many, I think this one was the best preserved. It’s a huge temple, second only to the Karnak temple in Luxor and is dedicated to the falcon God Horus. Our guide here attempted to tell us the story of Horus fighting with ISIS(another Egyptian God), but between his questionable English, and my awe of the giant structure, I didn’t get much history out of it.

To be honest, whatever history I did learn in Egypt was immediately forgotten because there’s just so much of it.

Day 10-11: Luxor and surrounding area

The Valley of the Kings near Luxor is a valley where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and privileged nobles of the New Kingdom. The valley contains 63 tombs and chambers, ranging in size from a simple pit to a complex tomb with over 120 chambers.

The royal tombs are decorated with scenes from Egyptian mythology and give clues to the beliefs and funerary rituals of the period. All of the tombs seem have been opened and robbed in antiquity except for the famous tomb of Tutankhamun.

Temple of Hatshepsut

One of Egypt’s most iconic temples, this temple is located in Luxor and built by Queen Hatshepsut. Compared to the other temples and monuments in Egypt, I thought this temple looked the most different from the others. It’s incredible to think that this area was once so green and fertile, and what a temple like this would have looked like during its prime.

Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Valley of the Kings

This was a great experience. As an optional excursion, we decided to all do a hot air balloon tour through the Valley of the Kings. While not as impressive as the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkey , how often will you get to take a hot air balloon over Ancient Egyptian temples? I booked this through a hostel that my friend recommended and paid 250 EGP (~$35) per person as of 2014! This is likely 600-800 EGP in 2018 with the exchange rate but it is still a complete STEAL for a hot air balloon! Would not hesitate to recommend this activity!

Karnak is the largest temple in Egypt and probably some of the largest in the world. We came here last on our week long Egypt Tour and I was so burnt out by temples, I almost skipped this one. Thank god I did not. This temple is just simply amazing. The Temple of Karnak actually consists of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples located outside of Luxor town. One of most famous structures of Karnak is the Hypostyle Hall, a huge hall area with over a hundred giant columns.

The carvings on the columns are quite well preserved in places, and some paint can be seen on rare occasions. The tall ornate columns standing in a row dwarf the visitors strolling by as they look up to admire the awesome sites.

Day 11-15: Red Sea and Dahab

From Luxor, take the Egyptair flight from Luxor to Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh. There is also a bus option but this will take much longer and the bus from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh regularly shuts down due to unfavorable activity.

From Sharm El Sheikh airport, take a taxi to Dahab, the beautiful and infinitely chilled beachfront town that is probably one of my all time favorite places in the world. There is world class diving to be had here at perhaps the cheapest prices in the entire world. There is also fantastic kitesurfing in the Bay with otherworldly views.

The construct of green water, desert, and granite mountains here make for some of the most breathtaking scenery on Earth in my opinion. It feels like a place that shouldn’t have great diving, but it absolutely does! Read more about Dahab in my Ultimate Dahab travel guide!

Egypt One Week Itinerary

So what if you only have 7-8 days for a visit to Egypt? This depends on what you want to see. If you’re focused on history, temples and mummies, then follow this itinerary to check off the historical sights. This more or less eliminates the Red Sea and the White Desert

Day 1 – Cairo: Egyptian Museum and Great Pyramids of Giza Day 2 – Alexandria : Full day trip in Alexandria, overnight to Aswan Day 3: Abu Simbel Temple Day 4: Aswan to Luxor 3 night Nile Cruise tour Day 5: Same as above Day 6: Same as above Day 7: Luxor, explore Karmak temples and the Valley of the Kings Day 8: Return to Cairo for flight out.

Egypt One Week Itinerary Focusing on Diving

If your plan is to soak in the diving and views of the Red Sea, use this itinerary instead. If this is your first time in Egypt, then at the very least you need to see the pyramids! The other temples are fantastic but the Pyramids are still the most iconic and just a 1 hr Uber ride from the airport.

Day 1-2 – Cairo: Egyptian Museum and Great Pyramids of Giza Day 3 – Fly to Sharm El Sheikh : There are regular flights to Sharm so take an early morning flight out of Cairo Day 4-8: Dahab/Sharm El Sheikh Diving

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The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt

Ready for a 7-day journey to Egypt that combines relaxation, adventure, and cultural discovery? We've sifted through a wide range of multi-day guided tours, meticulously analyzing them based on service, price, guest ratings, and activities. These 7-day tours to Egypt are the absolute best based on these criteria, so that your trip planning can be easy and fun. They offer the perfect balance between a leisurely holiday and thrilling escapades, allowing you to immerse yourself in the essence of each destination for a full week. From exploring iconic landmarks to savoring the local cuisine, every moment of these tours is designed to provide an enriching and unforgettable experience. Get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime and make the most of your week-long escape with one of these amazing tours below.

Adventure Ancient Egypt - 7 Day 7 Days, $600.00
7 Days Cairo & Luxor, Sharm El Shiekh Holiday 7 Days, $1150.00
7 Days Cairo & Aswan, Luxor with Alexandria Holiday 7 Days, $1230.00

Which 7-day tour options are available in Egypt?

Here are the important factors:

30 trip options analyzed
$145 average price per day (USD)
4.69 of 5 average rating
27 people or less on average

You'll be surprised at the array of tours lasting 7 days in Egypt, as there is something for everyone. It's no wonder that visitors can't get enough of these tours, boasting an impressive average guest rating of 4.69 out of 5 stars. Picture yourself joining a group of like-minded adventurers, with an average maximum size of 27 people, ensuring a fantastic blend of social and personalized experiences. For physical activity , the tours are marked as easy, relaxing, and moderate, with a prevalent number on easy tours. With our thorough analysis of 30 tours lasting 7 days, we've found the best. So rest assured that Egypt has something to captivate every kind of traveler.

(All tour prices are in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically.)

So, let's get to it and see...

The 10 Best 7-Day Tours in Egypt

Adventure ancient egypt - 7 day.

Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for tours lasting 7 days.

This 7-day trip is ideal for travelers of all ages. And priced at only $86 per day, it's a great value, too. Experience a trip that takes you to 5 remarkable destinations, including Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu. You'll start and end your journey in beautiful Cairo. It's offered by Itaca Holiday , a very popular company with rave reviews and knowledgeable guides.

Sightseeing
River Cruise

7 Days Cairo & Luxor, Sharm El Shiekh Holiday

On Sale: 5% Off See Prices
High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Priced at just $156 per day, this terrific 7-day trip is ideal for travelers of all ages. Cairo kicks off your expedition, serving as both the starting and finishing point. Organized by the reputable Ancient Egypt Tours , this is one of the best tours on this list. Act fast to take advantage of the current sale.

In-depth Cultural

7 Days Cairo & Aswan, Luxor with Alexandria Holiday

Check out this incredible voyage that has received a 5 out of 5 rating from previous guests. And since the priority is on local culture and family-friendly activities, this tour is a great choice. With a duration of 7 days, this journey ensures an intimate group size of 20 people, and is good for travelers of all ages. Discover a journey that spans 4 destinations, with notable stops in Aswan and Luxor. You'll start and end this amazing trip in Cairo. This fantastic option, organized by Ancient Egypt Tours , presents an unbeatable value at just $167 per day. Don't miss out on this limited-time sale.

7 Days Cairo and Nile Cruise Holiday

Spanning over 7 days, this voyage has a maximum size of 20 individuals. Welcoming travelers of all ages, it is organized by Ancient Egypt Tours , a very popular company with plenty of great reviews. This trip takes you on an adventure to 5 destinations, including Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu. Cairo will be both the start and end of your journey. Available at an unbeatable price of only $174 per day, this option also has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars from previous guests. It's also on sale right now!

Cairo and Nile Cruise Tours - Included Internal Flights

On Sale: 50% Off See Prices

Here's your chance to take off on an exceptional trip that has garnered a 4.6 out of 5 rating. With a duration of 7 days, this jouney will have 35 participants, and it warmly welcomes guests from 12 to 90 years old. Expertly organized by Getaways Egypt , this amazing trip is an incredible value at just $84 per day. Take advantage of the current sale and secure your spot today!

Egypt Must see sites (Cairo & Luxor) 7 Days / 6 Nights

This memorable journey is offered by Your Egypt Tours which has received plenty of positive reviews. The trip itself has a guest rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, and is priced affordably at $286 per day. Along the way, this journey encompasses 4 destinations, including Giza and Luxor. Cairo will be the beginning and end of your trip. This terrific trip also highights local culture and family-friendly activities. The maximum group size is 12 people, welcoming guests from 4 to 65 years old.

Pyramids & Nile Cruise - Return Flights Included

On Sale: 65% Off See Prices

Set off on an extraordinary journey that has been awarded a 4.8 out of 5 stars by previous guests. With a duration of 7 days, this journey offers an intimate group setting, accommodating 25 individuals, while extending a warm welcome to guests from 19 to 59 years old. This itinerary covers 7 captivating destinations, with stops in Giza, Aswan, Luxor, and Abu Simbel, among others. Begin and conclude your remarkable journey in the gorgeous destination of Cairo. Brought to you by Beyond The Nile Tours , this exceptional deal is an incredible steal at a mere $58 per day. Don't miss out on this limited-time sale.

Cairo and Nile Cruise Tours - Return Flight Included

With this option you can experience an unparalleled trip for 7 unforgettable days. It ensures an intimate group setting with 15 participants at most. Immerse yourself in a travel experience that includes 7 destinations, featuring Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, and Edfu. You'll start and end your journey in beautiful Cairo. Nourbelle Tours , the organizer of this journey, extends a warm invitation to guests guests from 13 to 75 years old. This extraordinary opportunity offers exceptional value at only $68 per day. It's also on sale right now!

Affordable Egypt Holiday : Cairo - Luxor - Alexandria , Khan El Khalili 7 days with flight /hotel/Guide

This fantastic journey has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Uncover the beauty of 4 destinations on this itinerary, with highlights such as Giza and Luxor. Cairo kicks off your expedition, serving as both the starting and finishing point. With an emphasis on local culture and family-friendly activities, you know you'll have an amazing adventure. Lasting 7 days, the maximum group size is 15 people, and it's good for guests from 12 to 85 years old. Organized by Egypt Direct Tours , this is a great deal because it's only $142 per day. Take advantage of the current sale and secure your spot today!

Go Tour Egypt - 7 Days ( Cairo & Luxor , Overnight Train Round Trip )

With a stellar 4.9 out of 5 rating, this extraordinary trip is the perfect choice. And since the priority is on local culture and family-friendly activities, this tour is a great choice. You'll start and end this amazing trip in Cairo. Spanning across 7 days, the trip accommodates 9 individuals, and is suitable for travelers of all ages. Offered by Egypt Best Holidays , this remarkable trip is priced at just $74 per day. Don't miss out on this incredible experience.

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt , The Best Historical Tours in Egypt , The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt , The Best 3-Day Tours in Egypt , The Best 2-Week Tours in Egypt , The Best 3-Week Tours in Egypt , The Best River Cruises in Egypt , Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Egypt , The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Egypt , The Best Coach Bus Tours in Egypt , The Best Adventure Tours to Egypt , The Best Eco Tours in Egypt , The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt , The Best Cultural Tours in Egypt , The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Egypt , The Best Honeymoon Tours in Egypt , The Best Tours Under $1000 in Egypt , The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt , The Best Budget Tours to Egypt , The Best Tours for Seniors to Egypt , or The Best G Adventures Tours to Egypt for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Cairo , The Best 3-Day Tours from Aswan , The Best 3-Day Tours from Luxor , The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cairo , The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Luxor , The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Aswan , The Best 10-Day Tours from Cairo , The Best 10-Day Tours from Luxor , The Best 2-Week Tours from Cairo , The Best 2-Week Tours from Hurghada , or The Best 2-Week Tours from Luxor for more package tour options.

How much do 7-day tours to Egypt cost?

Travelers to Egypt will have a large number of terrific options for tours lasting 7 days at a variety of great prices. The price of tours lasting 7 days here can vary by type, destinations, length, and travel style. Based on thorough data from 30 tours lasting 7 days, their average daily price is a very reasonable $145 per day. If you're interested in more information about tours here, see our guide to tour prices in Egypt .

And for more information on Egypt, see Egypt Travel Costs and Egypt Hotel Costs .

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Luxurious Nile cruise ship sailing past ancient Egyptian landmarks.

A Week in Egypt: Discover the Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary

Eager to delve into the mesmerizing wonders of Egypt in a week? Well, you’re in for a thrilling journey that will make the history books come alive. Our ‘A Week in Egypt: A Complete Itinerary’ will whisk you through the Land of the Pharaohs, revealing its storied past and vibrant present. Every day, a new spectacle of Egypt’s grandeur will unfold before your eyes, giving you a chance to immerse yourself in a culture that’s as timeless as it is fascinating.

Explore the incredible 7-Day Cairo and Nile Cruise journey presented by One Nation Travel.

Day 1: Arriving and Overnighting in Cairo

Setting Foot in Cairo – The City of a Thousand Minarets

After landing at the bustling Cairo International Airport, your first glimpse of Egypt will be the city’s skyline, a unique blend of ancient minarets and modern skyscrapers.

Cairo by Night: Experiencing Egypt’s Capital After Hours

Once settled in your accommodation, take the opportunity to relax and acclimatize. However, if you’re up for it, a nighttime stroll around Cairo will give you a taste of the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 2: Uncovering the Secrets of the Pyramids and Egypt Museum Tour

Egyptian Museum in Cairo facade with pinkish walls, grand columns, and historical artifacts on display.

A Morning with the Pyramids

As you journey towards the Giza plateau, prepare for a sight that’s nothing short of jaw-dropping. The monumental Pyramids of Giza await your discovery, steeped in history and wrapped in an enigma.

Afternoon Exploration of the Egyptian Museum

Post-lunch, it’s time to head over to the Egypt Museum. Housed here are countless artifacts that echo the voices of a civilization long past, but still incredibly alive in the cultural consciousness.

Day 3: Taking Flight from Cairo to Aswan – An Overnight Sojourn on a Nile Cruise

A Scenic Flight to Aswan

Your Egyptian escapade takes a thrilling turn as you board a flight to the enchanting city of Aswan.

Overnight Nile Cruise: Aswan at Its Best

Once in Aswan, it’s time to board your Nile Cruise. As night descends, prepare yourself for an overnight sojourn on the world’s longest river – an experience you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Day 4: Aswan – Kom Ombo – Edfu: Tracing the Path of the Pharaohs

Temple of Kom Ombo, an ancient Egyptian structure, overlooking the Nile River at sunset.

Mystical Morning at Aswan

Begin your day exploring Aswan’s ancient wonders, which include the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple.

Sailing to Kom Ombo

Next, it’s time to set sail for Kom Ombo, home to a unique double temple dedicated to two gods: Horus and Sobek.

Evening at Edfu

As the day winds down, find yourself in Edfu, where the Temple of Horus, an incredibly well-preserved piece of ancient architecture, awaits your exploration.

Day 5: Edfu – Luxor (East Bank): Discovering Ancient Marvels

Ancient Temple of Edfu in Egypt, with large stone entrance and hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Wrapping Up at Edfu

After a peaceful night on the cruise, a morning visit to the bustling Edfu market is a must.

Arrival at Luxor – City of a Hundred Gates

From Edfu, your Nile Cruise will take you to Luxor. Once you set foot in this city, you’ll be greeted by the marvels of the Luxor and Karnak temples on the East Bank.

Day 6: Luxor (West Bank) – Flying Back to Cairo: A Journey Back in Time and Space

Luxor's Valley of the Queens and Cemetery with ornate tombs set against a desert backdrop.

West Bank Wonders of Luxor

Luxor’s West Bank houses the famous Valley of the Kings , Valley of the Queens, and the stunning Temple of Hatshepsut, all waiting to be explored.

The Return to Cairo

As the sun sets over Luxor, you’ll be whisked away back to Cairo, where you can spend the evening reminiscing about your journey along the Nile.

Day 7: Departure from Cairo: Farewell, Egypt

Last day in cairo: a city that never fails to amaze.

Use your final day to relax, shop for souvenirs, or visit any sights you may have missed in the bustling metropolis of Cairo.

Departure: Saying Goodbye to the Land of the Pharaohs

As you prepare to depart, the memories of the past week — the pyramids, the temples, the Nile, and the Egyptian people — will form a montage of unforgettable moments.

What are the must-visit sights in Cairo? The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and Khan El Khalili Bazaar are some of the must-visit sights in Cairo.

Is a Nile Cruise worth it? Absolutely! A Nile Cruise is not just a mode of transportation; it’s a unique experience offering stunning river views, delicious food, and easy access to key archaeological sites.

Is it safe to travel around Egypt? Egypt is generally safe for tourists. However, like any destination, it’s advisable to follow standard travel safety precautions.

What’s the best time to visit Egypt? The best time to visit Egypt is during the fall and winter months, from October to April when the weather is cooler.

Can I get around Egypt using public transport? Egypt has a good network of public transport, including trains, buses, and taxis. However, for a more comfortable experience, private or tour-based transport is recommended.

What kind of food can I expect in Egypt? Egyptian cuisine offers a variety of dishes. You can expect meals like Ful Medames, Kushari, Shawarma, and delicious sweet treats like Baklava.

Our ‘A Week in Egypt: A Complete Itinerary’ is a comprehensive guide designed to navigate you through the fascinating landscapes of Egypt. From the towering pyramids to the vibrant bazaars, and the mighty Nile to the ancient temples, each day presents an adventure that gets you closer to the heart of Egypt. So, pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey!

Top 3 Must-Experience Egypt Travel Packages

8-Day Egypt Tour: Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor

Best Time to Visit Egypt

Discover the ideal time to visit Egypt for comfortable weather and unforgettable experiences. Explore ancient wonders and vibrant culture without the crowds.

The Ultimate Egypt 8-Day Itinerary: Explore Ancient Wonders

Embark on an 8-day journey through Egypt’s majestic landmarks, from the Great Pyramids to the temples of Luxor, blending ancient history with vibrant culture in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

How Many Days to Spend in Egypt: A Comprehensive Guide

Determine the ideal duration for your Egypt adventure. Explore history, culture, and scenic vistas with our expert travel guide.

What is The Best Tour Company for Egypt: Your Ultimate Guide

The best tour company for Egypt offers a perfect blend of historical exploration and luxury. With expert guides, top-notch accommodations, and seamless logistics, they make your journey to the land of the Pharaohs an unforgettable experience.

Best Things To Do in Cairo: A Guide to Egypt’s Timeless City

Experience Cairo’s rich history and vibrant culture. Find the top attractions to make your Cairo visit unforgettable. Start planning now!

The Ultimate 10-Day Egypt Itinerary: Pharaohs, Pyramids & the Nile

Embark on an unforgettable 10-day journey through Egypt, exploring ancient wonders, vibrant cities, and serene Nile landscapes. Perfect for history buffs and adventure seekers alike.

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

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Egypt in 1 Week

Egypt in 2 weeks.

Egypt & Beyond in 3 Weeks

Top Egypt Travel Packages

Egypt in 7-10 days.

Day 1-2, Cairo : Walking tour of the city with an egyptologist. Tour the pyramids and the sphinx. Explore the Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.

Day 3-4, Aswan : Camel ride to the Monastery of St. Simeon, Nubian Museum, excursion to Elephantine Island, Abu Simbel - one of the most recognizable symbols of Egypt

Day 5-6, Nile River Cruise : Sail along the nile and stay overnight in a Felucca (traditional Egyptian sailboat . Visit Kom Ombo Temple.

Day 7-8, Luxor : Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple Complex, Valley of the Kings, go shopping in a local bazaar.

See All Egypt in One Week Trips

Day 1-2, Cairo : Walking tour of the city with an egyptologist. Tour the pyramids and the sphinx. Explore the Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and the Khan al-Khalili bazaar.

Day 3-5, Alexandria : Spend some time learning about this ancient port city. Visit the Kom ash-Shuqqafa catacombs. Alexandria Library,

Day 6-7, Aswan : Temple of Philae, enjoy a meal with a local family, Camel ride to the Monastery of St. Simeon, Nubian Museum, excursion to Elephantine Island, see Abu Simbel - one of the most recognizable symbols of Egypt

Day 8-10, Luxor : Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple Complex, Valley of the Kings, go shopping in a local bazaar, Mummification Museum

Day 11-12, Red Sea : El Gouna resort, go snorkeling, and enjoy fresh local cuisine.

See All Egypt in Two Weeks Trips

Egypt and Beyond in 3 Weeks

Day 3-5, Aswan : Temple of Philae, enjoy a meal with a local family, Camel ride to the Monastery of St. Simeon, Nubian Museum, excursion to Elephantine Island, see Abu Simbel - one of the most recognizable symbols of Egypt

Day 6-8, Luxor & Nile River Cruise : Edfu, Temple of Sobek, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple Complex. Sail and stay overnight on a traditionally Felucca.

Day 9-11, Amman : Enjoy street food on Rainbow Street, visit the Roman Amphitheatre in Old Town, Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, Temple of Hercules, Turkish bath houses. Excursion to Aqaba.

Day 12, Petra : Explore the famous treasury, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. See it by night lit up by thousands of candles.

Day 13, Wadi Rum : Beautiful desert views reminiscent of Lawrence of Arabia, take a half day jeep safari to explore this area.

Day 14-15, Tel Aviv : Church of St. Peter, enjoy the cosmopolitan city, explore markets and beaches.

Day 16, Tiberias : Bahai Gardens, views of the Mediterranean, history tour to discover pre and post biblical sites and ancient legends.

Day 17, Bethlehem : Sea of Galilee boat ride, Capernaum, Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth

Day 18-21, Jerusalem : Church of the Nativity, Yad Vashem, Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Church of All Nations, St. Stephen’s Gate, Wailing Wall. Excursion to Ma'aleh Adumim.

S ee All Egypt in Three Weeks Trips

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Home / Egypt Travel Blog / One Week Egypt Tour Packages – What Not To Miss!

One Week Egypt Tour Packages – What Not To Miss!

Have you always wanted to go on an Egypt Tour ? But isn’t one week too little a time to explore all of Egypt that you’ve always wanted to? We agree, while 7 days Egypt Tour Packages isn’t really enough to see it all, you can actually do quite a bit with a one week time in Egypt. You can still visit all your favorite places and get in a ton of new Egypt Travel Experiences to talk about for years.

In a week, you can go all the way from bustling Cairo to all the way down to the Abu Simbel temple in the south.

Ready To Explore Egypt In One Week? Here’s How You Can –

1. cairo: 2 nights.

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and most likely where you will land when you fly into Egypt. Cairo is crowded and busy, but has some of the must-sees in Egypt. Places you can visit during Cairo Tours are –

THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM

The Egyptian Museum has some of the best possessions of ancient Egypt and is a must-visit. The museum is located in Cairo however a new modern museum is under construction in Giza, overlooking the Great Pyramids of Giza.

Must-sees in the museum include King Tutankhamun’s tomb and his gold mask and the hall of mummies where you can see several Egyptian mummies from near.

THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA AND THE SPHINX

The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are iconic Egyptian monuments. They are incredible to see from a distance and up close, the sheer size of the rocks looks like mighty huge mountains.

If you want you can go inside the pyramids but since there’s no airway, it is very hot and tight and not a very good idea if you are claustrophobic.

KHAN EL KHALILI BAZAARS

Khan El Khalili is Cairo’s biggest bazaar shopping district and is a great place to go for souvenirs, meals, or just to see some famous markets. While the vendors look forward to only selling to tourists and you can likely find the best authentic, local, and Egyptian made merchandise for sale.

Visiting the Khan El Khalili bazaar in the evening, when its cooler, is a good plan because then you can stop in one of the restaurants for a meal or take a break at a traditional coffee house. You can also get a guided tour of the area if you are worried about getting lost.

Saqqara has a number of pyramids but the best known among them is the Step Pyramid of Djoser. It is also sometimes referred to as the Step Tomb. Saqqara served as the royal burial place for ancient Egyptians during the Second Dynasty. But in the First Dynasty, it was used for the burials for the nobles.

2. ASWAN-LUXOR THROUGH A NILE CRUISE: 3 NIGHTS

Aswan and Luxor are the two most popular places in Egypt. These cities are where you will find many of Egypt’s most impressive temples and ancient sites-

Though Abu Simbel is far away from Aswan, it is a must-see when in Egypt. There are two temples here, built by Ramses II.

When the Aswan High Dam was built, the temples had to be disassembled and transported to where they are situated today.

The Edfu Temple is dedicated to the god Horus and it is one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt. This temple is so impressive because of the number of carvings and inscriptions that can be found on the walls of the temple.

The Kom Ombo temple is so unique because it is a double-sided temple. Half of the temple is dedicated to the falcon god, Horus and the other half of the temple is dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek.

At Kom Ombo, you can visit the crocodile museum. You can find several crocodile mummies on display in the museum.

3. LUXOR: 2 NIGHTS

Luxor is a favourite destination of many people in Egypt. It’s a much quieter place than Cairo but has plenty of things to see and do. You can take a hot air balloon ride over some of the ancient sites during Luxor Tours –

KARNAK TEMPLE

The Karnak Temple is absolutely huge and has a rich history. Karnak is actually better described as the city of temples rather than just a single temple on its own.

Karnak temple has a lot to explore and also houses the Hypostyle hall, which is the largest room of any religious building in the world. You can explore the Karnak Temple with a guide during the day.

LUXOR TEMPLE

Luxor Temple is smaller than the Karnak Temple but it is still quite impressive and definitely worth a visit. It was dedicated to the cult of Amun Ra and was an important part in ancient Egyptian festivals.

Among the temple, you can find a granite shrine dedicated to Alexander the Great.

VALLEY OF THE KINGS

You will find the tombs of many ancient Egyptian pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings. While there are dozens of tombs in here, many new ones are still being discovered today. You can also go inside the tomb of Tutankhamun.

VALLEY OF THE QUEENS

The valley of the Queens contains the tombs of more than 75 queens and princesses and new tombs are being uncovered on a regular basis all the time.

You can currently see 4 tombs that are open for public viewing – the tombs of Nefertari, Titi, Amunherkhepshef, and Khaemwaset.

QUEEN HATSHEPSUT’S TEMPLE

Queen Hatshepsut’s temple is considered to be one of the top monuments of Egypt. It is said that the temple was meant to tell the story of her life. It is also said that it was designed by her steward and suspected lover who is said to be buried not too far away on the hill.

HABU TEMPLE

The Habu Temple is the temple of Rameses III. It also remained as an important structure throughout history. It was used as a place of refuge during the wars.

One-week Egypt Tour Packages doesn’t sound like much but it is absolutely worth it. With the right planning and itinerary, you can visit the most popular main attractions of Egypt, relax with some scenic Egypt Nile Cruise , and dive into the local Egyptian Food And Culture . But just beware! You’ll likely leave Egypt wanting to come back as soon as possible.

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Best 7 Day Egypt Itinerary: How to spend one week in Egypt

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Egypt is an incredible country, and when planning your trip, you may feel overwhelmed about which places to visit and how to start planning your time. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you the best 7-Day Egypt Itinerary that highlights all of the best places to visit in Egypt in one week. I’ll also discuss some essential planning advice and information to help you get ready to visit this magical destination!

This is your first day in Egypt. You will probably arrive around lunchtime and will be very tired after the long journey. Get to your chosen accommodation in Cairo and spend the day relaxing. Take the evening to rest and acclimatize after a busy travel day, by enjoying a dinner near your hotel. You will need a lot of energy for the rest of the week of Egypt’s adventures.

Take your first full day to explore the busy capital of Egypt – Cairo.

There are plenty of interesting sites in Cairo that you can explore.

Pro Travel Tip: If you want to save money while traveling in Egypt, I would highly suggest you take an Uber whenever you need to go somewhere. It’s going to be the cheapest option and will save you the process of bargaining when looking for a ride.

If you would like to learn more about the history of Egypt, The Egyptian Museum is an excellent way to spend the morning. There, you can see more than 12,000 Egyptian antiquities, including the solid gold mask of King Tutankhamun weighing 11 kg (24,25 lbs).

After that head to the Cairo Tower. It’s a 187 m (614 ft) free-standing concrete tower that offers incredible views over the city.

Another interesting site to visit in Cairo is the Saladin Citadel also known as the Citadel of Cairo. It’s probably the most popular non-pharaonic monument in the capital of Egypt. You can easily catch an Uber from your hotel to get to it. There are three mosques located on the grounds of the fortress. The views from there are truly amazing. The price to go inside is 50 EGP.

The Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Saladin Citadel of Cairo, Egypt.

If you’re not feeling comfortable enough exploring Cairo on your own, you can always book a guided tour to do that.

Don’t forget to try several different places that offer local Egyptian cuisine while in Cairo. All the meals that we’ve tried in Egypt have been nothing but amazing. Some of the local dishes that we tried and loved were lentil soup, falafel, ful medames, manshy, and fattah. The restaurant that I highly recommend for you to eat at is called Felfel. It’s a very famous place built within the alleyway, between the two buildings, located there since the 60s. It has very impressive and beautiful decor inside.

Another great way to experience Cairo and try even more Egyptian food is to go on a food tour. That way you will try a larger amount of local dishes and meet many amazing people along the way. I recommend this Cairo No Diet Tour where you will visit at least 5 different food stops and get insider tips for Cairo.

The meal that deserves number one on my list hands down is koshary (also spelled as koshari or kushari). It’s Egypt’s national dish and very popular street food. Kushari is made of rice, macaroni, spaghetti, and lentils mixed together, topped with chickpeas, tomato sauce, and crispy fried onion. So, basically, they just put together all of my favorite carbs and proteins and made a meal out of it. Koshari originated in the mid-19th century. The place where we tried it was called Koshary Abou Tarek, and it’s the only dish that they make there.

Enjoy finding some freshly made local desserts, and exploring the various shops in Cairo. No matter what you’re buying on the market, don’t forget to bargain.

If you are looking to have a long day out, then you should also consider taking a trip to Alexandria. Alexandria is located 180 km (112 mi) from Cairo and is a beautiful waterfront area with plenty of fascinating history and beautiful sights.

This is a tour which you can book to go to Alexandria from Cairo for one day. You will be able to see all the main highlights of Alexandria and the tour takes around 10 to 12 hours. You also have another option to go with this one instead.

Day 3: Visiting the Pyramids at Giza and Night Train to Aswan

Day three of your trip is fully dedicated to one of the main highlights of the Giza pyramid complex, also called the Giza Necropolis. The Giza Pyramids were constructed around 4,500 years ago.

The complex itself includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, along with smaller pyramids, remaining worker’s village, cemeteries, and the Great Sphinx of Giza.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the oldest and the only remaining seven wonders of the ancient world. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is built from an estimated 2,3 million stone blocks each weighing an average of 2,5 to 15 tons.

I can’t even begin to describe how magical and breathtaking the place itself is. It feels surreal to be standing at the foot of the giants that you used to see only in movies.

You can get to the complex by bus, or taxi, and make sure you set aside a full day for exploring.

There are two points of entry to the pyramid complex in Giza, one located near the Great Pyramid which is used mostly by tourists, and the other one near the Sphinx used mainly by locals. It’s better if you use the Great Pyramid entrance as that way you won’t have to walk very far to get to the pyramids. Expect to see a lot of crowds near the entrance. The further you walk around and explore, the less crowded it will become for those perfect photos.

The Great Pyramid & Sphinx, Cairo, Egypt

Weekends will be more crowded as schools are closed at that time so be prepared that there will be even more people.

There will be people trying to sell you stuff or offer you camel rides everywhere. Don’t be afraid to say no and walk away because if you feel bad for saying “no” and start replying, the conversation may go for hours.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to do a lot of walking, it’s about 3 km from the panoramic view to the Sphynx and on top of that you’ll walk a lot just around the area. So, because that was impossible for my mom, we just got a horse carriage. Again, remember to bargain as we paid way too much for it. You can also hop on a horse or a horse carriage for around $10 to get around the Giza Plateau. Another popular option is to go on a camel ride which will cost you around 300 EGP. In my opinion, it’s a very fun and interesting way to explore the Pyramid complex. The only thing you should look out for when choosing your ride is whether the animal is treated well.

There is another more adventurous way to explore the pyramids – booking an ATV tour. It will guarantee a lot of fun along the way and great pictures at the end.

Pro Travel Tip: If you want to avoid being overcharged like we were while visiting the Pyramids I highly recommend you book your tour online in advance. That way you’ll know how much it costs and what is included. You won’t have to bargain afterwards and feel that you got scammed at the end like we did.

The entry ticket to the Giza Pyramids costs 200 EGP for adults and 100 EGP for students. You will pay an extra 400 EGP if you want to go inside the Great Pyramid. Going inside the other two pyramids will cost you 100 EGP each.

Keep in mind that there is not a lot to see inside the pyramids. It’s more about the experience in itself rather than seeing something magical.

If you want to bring your tripod, you’ll get charged additional 20 EGP.

Try and arrive as close to opening time as possible to enjoy a full day of exploration and to avoid the crowds. It is open from 6 am until 5 pm.

My top recommendations for the day at the Great Pyramids of Giza are: go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu, take the perfect photo with the Sphinx, and take in the view from the lookout point from where you can see all three of them lined up, just enjoy walking around the complex, and if you can come back in the evening watch the Sound and Light Show.

I haven’t seen it myself but I have to warn you that a lot of people have mixed feelings about it. The people that we were traveling with who had seen it told us that it was very boring and not worth the money. If you would like to check it out for yourself, click here to visit the official website.

After a busy day, head back to collect your belongings from your hotel. Tonight is the time to head to Aswan for the next part of your adventure. I recommend booking the overnight train to Aswan on this night, to save both time and paying for a night in the hotel. Riding a train in Egypt is an experience in itself. First class is your best option for trains in Egypt for a relaxing and stress-free journey. They will even offer you a small breakfast in the morning.

After a restful night on the train, enjoy a day exploring the highlights of Aswan.

First, head out to see the Unfinished Obelisk. This monument from ancient Egypt was ordered to be built by Hatshepsut, the second historically confirmed female pharaoh of Egypt, more than 3,500 years ago. If finished the obelisk made out of bedrock would have been around 42 meters and would have weighed nearly 1,090 tonnes. Because of the cracks that appeared during the carving process, the project was abandoned. This open-air museum is a very interesting place to visit just don’t forget to put on sunscreen and grab your hat, as there is no shade.

After that stop to see the Aswan High Dam. It’s the world’s largest embankment dam built across the Nile River. The Dam is 3,600 meters long, 980 meters wide, and 111 meters tall at its highest point. It provides irrigation water and electricity for the whole of Egypt.

Continuing our adventures, take a short boat ride over to Agilika Island where you can visit the Philae Temple.

This temple dedicated to the goddess Isis was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. It would have been buried underwater but you can still enjoy its beauty today. It was saved by UNESCO’s rescue project during the building of the Aswan High Dam. Transferred block by block from their original place on Philae Island to Agilika Island.

Another place that you can visit in Aswan is the Nubian Museum to learn even more history. We were too tired by that point after all the exploring, so we just embarked on our beautiful cruise ship, where we stayed for the remainder of the trip.

There are plenty of different options for Nile cruises, so research which one suits your budget and needs best. Food is usually included in all trips, so enjoy the service and amenities onboard after boarding.

Almost all Nile cruises include an optional excursion to Abu Simbel. You will probably pay a little bit extra if you want to do it but visiting the Abu Simbel Temples is even more exciting to some people than visiting the Pyramids of Giza!

The excursion usually involves a very early start at about 3 am. It took us 6 hours to get there but believe me, it’s well worth it. I found this to be the most interesting temple that I visited during my trip to Egypt.

The site has two massive rock temples; The Small Temple of Hathor and Nefertari and The Great Temple of Ramesses II.

This complex was also relocated in its entirety in 1968 to an artificial hill to save it from submersion during the creation of the Lake Nasser and the Aswan Dam.

The Great Temple at Abu Simbel took around 20 years to build and was completed on the 24th year of the Ramesses the Great’s reign (1265 BC). There are four majestic 20 meters (66 ft) statues, at the entrance each representing Ramesses II seated on a throne.

There is a lot of history and impressive facts surrounding this place which I can’t even start to tell you in this blog post. So, put it on top of your list, and don’t miss a chance to visit this stunning place!

I suggest you visit the Temple of Kom Ombo later on this day. You can even see the mummified crocodiles there! I was shocked to see how well preserved they are after 2000 years.

After such an early start you will simply want to spend the rest of the day relaxing on your ship and enjoy an evening watching the scenery of the Nile River. We even had a pool on the upper deck to enjoy it to the fullest. A lot of cruises will offer cultural entertainment during the evening time or you can simply go to bed and prepare for the next day on our Egypt itinerary.

You will most likely be offered another optional early morning trip today, to the Temple of Horus located in Edfu. We started at 5 am with a horse carriage ride to get there.

This temple was built between 237 and 57 BC and is one of the most well-preserved monuments in Egypt. It is dedicated to Horus, the avenging son of Osiris and Isis.

Temple of Horus in Edfu, Nile River, Egypt.

Take some rest following your morning excursion, as your ship sails to Luxor, which was once an Ancient Egyptian capital.

Again it will depend on the cruise company you choose but most of them will make an overnight stop in Luxor, and this gives you the perfect chance to explore the area.

Visit the large Ancient Egyptian temple complex – the Luxor Temple, which was built by Ramesses II in approximately 1400 BCE. It’s better if you visit it either early in the morning before the crowds arrive or later at sunset time.

Enjoy some delicious Egyptian cuisine, and if you are lucky enough you will get the chance to see the Karnak Temple Light and Sound show, it’s an amazing night time activity to add to your Egypt Itinerary.

Again, if you feel more comfortable with booking a tour rather than exploring alone, which I highly recommend, you should check out this tour. It includes exploring the East and West banks.

Day 7: West Bank of the Nile

The final day of the cruise is another action-packed one with plenty of sightseeing that needs to be done. Egypt is certainly a non-stop adventure for visitors!

This is the perfect time to add some more activities to your Egypt itinerary. If you’re not afraid of heights and would like to try something more adrenaline-oriented, then I would suggest you go on a hot-air balloon ride. Again you’ll have to wake up very early to do it (hotel pick-ups usually go from 3 to 4:30 am) and pay some extra but it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so I truly believe that it’s well worth it.

If you’re still not convinced then I’d recommend starting the morning with seeing the Colossi of Memnon. They are two impressive statues of Amenhotep III who reigned in Egypt during the 18th dynasty. They have stood at that place since 1350 BCE.

There is nothing else that you can see there, so after spending 15-20 minutes continue your journey to one of the most impressive sights of your visit to Egypt, the Valley of the Kings.

It’s another massive sight of Ancient Egypt that will blow your mind by its size and majesty. There are many different temples to explore here that are included in the price of your entrance.

The Valley of the Kings is a royal burial ground that was used during the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties to bury pharaohs. Some of the most famous kings are buried here including Tutankhamun and Ramses II. You will be very impressed by the preservation of these tombs, and you can even still admire the colors and details of the paintings.

It’s one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. There are over 60 tombs in this area, however, only eight of them are open to the public.

Your entrance ticket which costs 240 EGP per person will include three of the tombs. If you would like to see more than three you have to buy an additional ticket. The list of open tombs changes frequently as they may be closed for renovation during your visit. If you would like to take pictures inside with anything other than your cell phone you’ll need to pay 300 EGP (check this information when you get there, as the rules change all the time).

Tomb of Ramses the 4th, Valley of the Kings

We visited the tombs of Ramesses IV, Ramesses III, and the tomb of Tausert and Setnakht as our tour guide told us that they were the most interesting 3 tombs included in the ticket.

Tomb of Seti I is considered to be the best one in the Valley of the Kings. However, I didn’t go inside myself because the visit to the tomb of Seti I will cost you additional 1,000 EGP, which is around $62!

One of the largest and most impressive tombs is of Ramesses V and VI and it will cost you an extra 100 EGP.

Visiting the tomb of Tutankhamun and seeing his mummy will cost you 300 EGP.

There is another tomb that comes with an even bigger price tag and it’s the tomb of Queen Nefertari. It’s located on the west bank of Luxor in the Valley of the Queens. The price to get inside is 1,400 EGP. Again, I didn’t go inside myself, so I won’t give my opinion about whether it’s worth it or not.

My only advice to you is to choose wisely, as visiting too many tombs in one go can get too repetitive and very expensive.

If you would like to read even more information about all the temples I would suggest you check out this blog post. It was written by the Earth Trekkers and they have a lot more in-depth information for your visit.

After the Valley of the Kings, head to visit the stunning Temple of Hatshepsut. She was one of the most powerful female rulers after all. She reigned in Egypt for about 20 years. The ticket cost is 140 EGP.

Don’t forget to visit the Karnak Temple Complex. The most impressive part of which is the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows.

Sadly this brings us to the end of your time on the River Nile. If you are traveling home after this 7-Day Egypt Itinerary, tonight you will head to a hotel or airport before flying home tomorrow. You can return to Cairo via the train, and once again I’d recommend booking first-class tickets for a comfortable journey.

Today is sadly the end of our time in Egypt. If you are flying home, this day will be dedicated to traveling.

If you have more time, I would highly encourage adding more time in this amazing country. If you have more time in Cairo before or after your travels, I’d recommend visiting the White Desert or Black Desert. You can also find tours that combine the two, although this can be quite an exhausting day out! They both offer spectacular scenery, with the White Desert in Farafra showcasing snow-white to cream-colored rocks. The Black Desert is a spectacular sight, with black tips to its landscape. I would also highly recommend looking into more hot air balloon rides over Egypt. They are an amazing way to get a different perspective on the landscape and scale of the country, and are in my opinion a must-do in Egypt!

Gebel Dist ('Pyramid Mountain'), the Black Desert, from Bahariya Oasis, the Western Desert, Egypt.

The best choices for trip extensions are relaxing trips to Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh. Hurghada is a beach resort town on the coast of the Red Sea and stretches for over forty kilometers. It’s well known for its amazing scuba diving, with many dive schools if you are a beginner located in the Sekalla district. The area features endless resorts and restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Enjoy exploring the old town, El Dahar, with traditional souks and coffee shops.

There are so many amazing different activities that you can experience in Hurghada. You can book a 3-hour Desert Safari ATV Ride, go on a Snorkeling Trip to Giftun Island, take a Submarine Trip to see the underwater world of the Red Sea, or you can book an even longer trip which includes an ATV drive through the desert, visit to the Bedouin village and a traditional Arabic evening.

Sharm el-Sheikh is another resort town located between the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea. Another great diving destination, with amazing marine life at Ras Muhammad National Park, it’s known for its variety of luxury resorts. Naama Bay is filled with restaurants and bars and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy an all-inclusive escape following a busy week of exploring.

Where To Stay in Egypt?

What can be better than staying in a hotel where you can see the Great Pyramids while having your breakfast? These are the top options to do that!

This is probably one of the most popular hotels to stay at if you want a breathtaking view of the pyramids while eating your breakfast. It’s located less than half a kilometer (0.62 mi) away from the complex. The hotel itself is surrounded by 40 acres of green gardens, and has a fitness center, a pool, and a spa.

Located at a 4-minute walk away from the Sphinx, this is another gem of a hotel to enjoy the majestic view of the pyramids. This hotel has a rooftop terrace from which you can enjoy the Sound and Light show without paying for the ticket.

This bed and breakfast is located right in front of the Giza Plateau and needless to say it offers one of the best views of the pyramids and the Sphinx. You can drink your free tea while sitting on the rooftop terrace enjoying the view. They will even arrange a free arrival pick-up shuttle from the airport for you.

FAQs for Visiting Egypt

If you are focusing your trip on seeing the main outdoor sites, I’d recommend traveling to Egypt between October and April. Around that time you’ll experience great weather, and it won’t be too unbearably hot.

The busiest travel season is between December and February, so it can be a little more crowded and expensive during that time. I went to Egypt in April and the weather was perfect.

If you are planning to spend a lot of time touring the country, I would avoid visiting during the summer months as it can be extremely dry and hot, making traveling quite unpleasant.

To visit Egypt, you will need a visa to enter. You can either apply in advance for an Egypt e-Visa online, or queue at the border upon your arrival into the country. The visa will cost $25 US for a single entry visa (for up to 30 days) or $35 US for a multi-entry visa.

It’s impossible to say that any country is entirely safe, as bad things can happen anywhere in the world. I can only share my honest personal opinion with you and what I can say is that from my time in Egypt, I’ve felt very safe, welcomed, and comfortable during the whole time.

Educate yourself before traveling to Egypt about common tourist scams and current issues. Check authorized travel advisories for the country.

If you are not comfortable traveling alone, I would highly suggest you book a group tour. That way you won’t have to worry as much as you will always be with your group. It also means you don’t have to do a lot of planning for your trip and can sit back and enjoy the journey.

For a trip to Egypt, you will want to pack a similar wardrobe as to any other hot-climate destination you may visit. The most important thing is that all of your clothes should be lightweight and breathable.

Also, keep in mind local traditions and keep your knees and shoulders covered as much as possible. Don’t wear short pants and crop tops. Be polite and respect other traditions, cultures, and religions. A scarf is very handy to pack and carry everywhere with you, so you can cover your head when visiting mosques.

Egypt uses European plugs, so you may need to pack an adaptor.

To stay protected from the sun and hot weather, use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat when you are outside.

You don’t want to be caught short at any point so I’d suggest always carrying hand sanitizer and a toilet roll.

The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. Tipping is expected everywhere in Egypt, so be prepared with small notes for your hotel, restaurant, and cruise ship staff.

If you are looking to enjoy the main highlights of Egypt, seven days will be enough. One week is the perfect amount of time for touring Egypt. This allows you to see places like Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor while cruising along the Nile River. The trip will be jam-packed and you will have to wake up pretty early almost every day but it will allow you to see all the main sights of the country in a short time and will be worth it for sure.

If you can afford a more extended trip time-wise in Egypt, you could add several days or even a week at a beach resort near the Red Sea, such as Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh. Also, these destinations are perfect for scuba diving. After a busy week of sightseeing, relaxing in a resort is the perfect end to your time in Egypt.

I hope this 7-Day Egypt Itinerary has given you some inspiration for your next trip. Egypt is one of my favorite destinations and is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. The longer you can afford to spend in this country, the more enjoyable your trip will be, as it can become quite hectic and tiring with so many amazing sites to see. I hope you have an amazing time in Egypt, and that you enjoy exploring the culture and history of this country as much as I did.

Egypt Travel Tips

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7 Day Egypt Tours & Trips

Filter for departure dates and price to find the right 7 day Egypt tour with TourRadar. Choose from 493 trips with 1,782 customer reviews, that range from 4 up to 7 days.

250+ Egypt 7 day tour packages with 1,782 reviews

In-depth Cultural
Christmas & New Year

Pharaonic Encounters

Very informative and great service very well organised

Discover Egypt, Pyramids & Nile cruise 5* Included Internal Flights

I was under the impression that I was going on a Group tour. To see it was an individual tour through me off a little. The itinerary and guides were good. The girl in Cairo was very good, and the driver was helpful. There are cultural differences that take getting used to. Wifi is spotty and slow. TV channels were disappointing. Access to alcohol was limited. Everyone you meet wants/expects tips.

€131 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Marvel Egypt 7 Days ( Cairo , Nile Cruise & Sleeper Train Round Trip )

This tour was an exceptional one. Enjoyed Nile cruise, Pyramids and all other temples in Luxor, Cairo and Aswan. I highly recommend this tour. Tour guides Peter, Mina were awesome in organizing and sharing information. Coordinate well and so we can just relax and enjoy. Itd be great if a hotel with proper heating is available. The staffs were very nice but freezing inside was so uncomfortable. Sleeper train was good but it was freezing and couldn’t sleep at all. If these 2 can be improved a bit, it will enhance user experiences. Thank you!

Queen Cleopatra - 7 days

Queen Cleopatras is a great tour, highly recommended, Anas is a great guide, he explained everything about Egyptian culture and toke care about our group! I will recommend to head office to deliver schedules with the tours to be able to plan our days. Cruse was amazing, service is great and everyone is very friendly! Also there is laundry available at your room! Ruby II is a great option, the room is very nice! I won’t recommend to take the train from Cairo to Aswan, service is great but services are not good (very old and dirty), washrooms very dirty!

Jewel of Egypt & The Nile Tour with Balloon - Internal Airfares Included

We had a great time on this trip. The small number of people (only 10) on the trip was great. We covered alot of ground and saw all the main sites. Also did the Alexandria and Abu Simbel add ons. Ahmed, our tour manager in Cairo, was very helpful and was always available via WhatsApp. Our guides were knowledgeable and we were lucky to have Sab'h on the cruise portion as she is from Luxor. The sites were amazing. The Pavillion Hotel and its grounds/pool were a perfect end to the trip. Definately recommend for a first time trip to Egypt!

€110 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

History & Civilization Egypt 7 days (Cairo-Aswan-Nile Cruise-Luxor)

I was a solo traveller, and the Skyways team went out of their way to ensure my trip was safe and enjoyable. It was in fact really wonderful, we saw so much with expert guides. They needed to tailor some things for me, such as booking a private rail compartment, and to organise a hotel room to rest in before my return flight to Cairo from Luxor, which Mustafa did without hesitation. Communication was very good, the drivers and transfer staff were on time and helpful, the tours themselves were guided by knowledgeable people. I would recommend this company as they do listen and do everything to make sure the trip goes smoothly.

River Cruise

Cairo and Nile Cruise Tours - Included Internal Flights

Wel organized, very good acomodation. Just great

Cairo and Nile Cruise 7 Days Tour

I had wonderful experiences during the tour. The number of participants is adequate and I was able to listen to what our guide explained. The tour guide Hassan Tayea kindly supported us. His knowledge about ancient Egypt was marvelous. The cruise ship was comfortable and the crews were so friendly. All in all,

Cairo and Nile Cruise Tours - Return Flight Included

Ägypten / travel with TourRadar 2024/03 We are two women who traveled to Egypt with TourRadar in Austria. We were extremely satisfied with the booking, which can be done online or with very friendly and experienced staff on the phone. The travel group consisted of just the two of us and all of our extra requests were fulfilled. Even the arrival at the airport in Cairo was perfectly organized and an SUV with a very friendly and very safe driver and a travel companion took us to the hotel. Everything was perfectly organized and carried out throughout the entire trip. Both tour guides from Beyond The Nile Tours in Cairo and during the Nile cruise were studied experts (languages, history, tourism) and explained everything in a very friendly, passionate and understandable way. The cruise ship was equipped with large cabins, was modern and had friendly staff and good food, mostly in buffet form. Abu Simbel is a must, we had 2 drivers in a small coach for the long journey and here too, despite our extra requests, everything was perfect and on time. We always had the same drivers, tour guides and contact persons during the trip, which is very pleasant. So people, go to Egypt, fantastic

Pyramids & Nile Cruise - Return Flights Included

The tour was amazing. It was thoroughly organised so we didn't have to do anything and just had a good time. The hotel chosen is excellent, the cruise had a wonderfully designed lounge and very nice sundeck with a pool and stunning views of the Nile. The food was great, the chef was particularly warm and friendly and went above and beyond to accommodate dietary preferences. All the staff were lovely and the tour guides were not only knowledgeable but also fun, friendly and pleasant particularly Ahmed Elkallaf.

7 Days 6 Night Package For Cairo, Luxor, Aswan And Alexandria

The tour was fabulous. They hit all the hotspots and made it very enjoyable. There was ample amount of time at each historic site so that was very beneficial for me and my husband. We loved being able to take our time in discovering and exploring each site. Ms. Nada who worked with me before and during the trip was the ABSOLUTE BEST. she helped me tremendously! The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable as well as very personable. The only thing I did not like about this tour was the fact of the train rides. We had to ride the train by ourselves without a guide with us. This made us very nervous about missing our stop or not having someone be there at the pickup point. It made the transportation very worrisome.

Sightseeing

7 Days Cairo and Nile Cruise Package

Mohammed, our tour guide for the cruise portion, was very kind, accomodating, and knowledgeable. Rahem for Cairo was also great. While we had communication issues with some other tour guides and timing became an issue at the start of the trip, it was an overall success.

Around Egypt - 7 Days ( Cairo , Aswan , Abu Simbel , Luxor & Sleeper Train Round Trip )

I loved the group we had. Everyone was so fun and lovely. Our tour guide Khaled was super knowledgeable and so sweet. All of the temples were incomprehensibly beautiful and Khaled did an amazing job of explaining everything to us. Thank you a lot! Highly recommend.

7 Days Cairo & Aswan, Luxor with Alexandria Holiday

Mohamed was fantastic! My flight coming in from Turkey was delayed till around 2:30 am. He was there waiting for me at the airport and had a great attitude. From that moment on, he was wonderful in getting me checked in to the hotel and taking good care of me the entire trip. He was always on time and made things flexible for me when necessary. He also always made sure he was in contact with me and that I was taken care of.The hotel stay in Giza was wonderful and all arrangements on the train trip down to Aswan and Luxor were well done. All restaurants were very good and I enjoyed the food. The guides in Luxor were wonderful as well. The only time I did not enjoy so much was my time in Aswan. The only reason I would go there is if you are making the trip to Abu Simbel. This is an honest review and I would highly recommend these guys if you want to have an amazing and safe time in Egypt!

Luxury Private Egypt Tour

What people love about 7 day egypt tours.

Brilliantly organised. Great guides and a wonderful itinerary. Takes all the stress out of travel in Egypt. Highly recommended.

We had a great time. Peter was very friendly and accommodating. Khalid (our guide) certainly loved his job and his topic. He was very informative and helped everyone in a manner above and beyond his job description. The attractions we visited were phenomenal and the schedule was well planned. We were picked up, transported and delivered as expected. The only thing that we felt was slightly unusual was that everyone had to pay for water on the boat. I would rather pay a little extra on the tour price (or at the start of the trip) and at least have unlimited access to one of the necessities of life.

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Egypt Travel Guide | All You Need to Know

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What to do in Egypt ? One week itinerary

One week trip to Egypt : What to do in Egypt?

Egypt is a country that is often controversial. Indeed, many of you have told me in stories that you thought the country was a risky destination. In my opinion, I haven’t been all over the country, but the part I have been to is very safe.

Whether it’s in the hotels with high security or on the road with frequent police checks, you feel really safe. Even in the streets of Hurghada or Luxor I did not feel any fear. Beware, I am only talking about what I know. If you go to the north of Sinai for example, it’s probably risky.

By the way, you can find my front page stories on our Instagram account.

How to visit Egypt in 1 week ?

We offer you a detailed itinerary to discover what to do in Egypt ! Note that this trip is done in one week if you don’t take a day off. I recommend 10 days in Egypt to fully enjoy the country.

Hurghada / Red Sea (Days 1 to 3)
Luxor / Valley of the Kings (Days 4 and 5)
Cairo and its Pyramids (Days 6 and 7)

Travel to Egypt : what to do ?

How to prepare your trip to egypt , ➡️ when to go to egypt.

You should know that it almost never rains in Egypt, except for an average of 15 days per year… The ideal time to visit Egypt is to avoid the high temperatures . Indeed, in summer the thermometer climbs very high (35 degrees on average in July and August, and 40/45 degrees in Luxor). Therefore, it is not pleasant to visit.

Even in winter it can be pleasant as it is rarely below 20 degrees and the Red Sea will be around 22 degrees.

✈️ Where to get a plane ticket?

We recommend that you compare the best offers and book your flights on Ulysse. You can take advantage of a €10 discount on your first flight booking on Ulysse by registering via our link and using this code : PVWYP4ESA !

Rent a car for your road trip in Egypt

I recommend that you use Skyscanner to find the best price for your car hire! You don’t need to hire a 4×4 or a special car, as the roads are generally in good condition. You don’t need an international driving licence either.

What is the budget for Egypt in 1 week?

The local currency is the Egyptian pound and the exchange rate at the end of 2023 was 33 pounds to 1 euro.

Plane: 400€ per person on average (often cheaper to arrive in Hurghada )
Car rental: 280€ for the week
Petrol costs: 30€ for about 800 km driven (0.40€ per litre of fuel)
Hotels: 60€ per night on average (the price varies a lot if it is a basic hotel or an all inclusive resort)
Restaurants: 20€ per day per person for 2 meals

Total = 1 810€ for a 7 night stay or 905€ per person, excluding activities.

Please note: this budget can obviously vary depending on the price of car rentals and aeroplanes, but also depending on the standard of the hotels/restaurants you choose. We are only speaking from our experience here.

➡️ Are drones allowed in Egypt?

The answer is simple: NO . And I strongly advise against attempting it.

Be aware that ALL luggage is scanned as it leaves the airport. They are used to this and seize several drones a day. So mine was seized for the duration of my trip and I had to pay the custody fee to get it back (€2.5 per day for the first week then €5 per day from day 8 onwards + a small bakshish for the person accompanying you?). I received many messages on Instagram during the stay and a few were not lucky enough to find him….

➡️ Should you buy tickets online to visit the must-see spots?

Indeed, for price, language and ease we advise you to book your activities on GetYourGuide.

What to do in Egypt for 1 week?

Let’s get to the heart of the matter! We are going to reveal our itinerary to visit Egypt in 1 week . I would like to remind you that I did not take time to settle down and that it is better to visit the country in 8-10 days to get the most out of it.

Visiting Egypt: what to do?

Days 1 and 2 of the egypt trip: hurghada / red sea.

The town of Hurghada is located on the east coast of Egypt, on the Red Sea. It doesn’t have anything very interesting to offer, but has some very nice Resorts to enjoy the beautiful beaches and sea trips.

However, if you want to know the history and customs of Hurgada in more depth and discover its most emblematic places, you can also opt for a guided tour. More information right here .

You will also find many diving schools. Indeed, the Red Sea is known and recognized for the beauty of its seabed and its islands.

Also, it is possible to party in the many bars and discos.

The Red Sea

You should definitely plan a boat trip from Hurghada . Whether you like diving or not, the islands and the crystal clear waters are bound to please you.

I recommend this boat trip to discover the Giftun Islands / Orange Bay and enjoy a wonderful snorkeling stop. On my outing we were only 15 on a huge boat and the staff is very nice!

About 30€ per person with lunch, pick up from the hotel and entrance fee to the private island. Book by clicking here

You can also plan three other top Hurghada activities :

adventure tour in 4×4, quad, buggy and camel with a Bedouin dinner included: right here .
Neverland Night show
a dolphin trip, snorkeling and lunch for less than 30€: book on this site.
a 3h quad ride with a visit to a Bedouin village for less than 20€: click here.

Where to sleep in Hurghada ?

I was lucky enough to work with the best hotel in the city and arguably in Egypt . The Rixos Premium Magawish Suites & Villas is just incredible. Everything is done so that you don’t have to leave the resort: an incredible setting, many pools, excellent restaurants, a private sandy beach, many activities every day, a gym, a water sports base, a very attentive staff… In short, it is without a doubt one of the best hotels I have ever tried.

I am well aware that not everyone can stay at the Rixos . For excellent value for money, I suggest this hotel at around 30€ per night. Another possibility is this all inclusive resort at about 100€ per night for 2.

Rixos Magawish Hurghada

Day 3 : Luxor and the Valley of the Kings

For this 3rd day, I took the road with my rental car towards Luxor . The road is very well done in 3h30, it is new on a large part and little traffic. Watch out for speed cameras as you are quickly tempted to speed up. If ever, the fine is only 5€.

There are lots of police checks but greet them with a smile, they are cool! Most of the time they just take the plate to track where you are going.

If you don’t have a car, you can go to Luxor to do the Valley of the Kings on a day trip by booking via this website.

For a more complete visit over 2 days in a 4 star hotel with a one hour hot air balloon flight, a felucca ride, several temples and the Valley of the Kings you can take this excursion with excellent value for money and no headaches… Everything will be organized!

Valley of the Kings

This is the must-see attraction in Luxor . The Valley of the Kings is just across the Nile 5km as the crow flies, but a 45 min drive as you have to take a bridge south of Luxor to get there.

When you take your entrance ticket you are allowed to visit 3 tombs (13 can be visited out of 63). The place has several tombs but I recommend you to visit Tutankhamun’s tomb which is the most legendary. The visit is very quick because the tomb is one of the smallest in the Valley. For the record, he was an Egyptian Pharaoh who reigned for only 9 years from 9 to 18! It remains one of the most famous because of its almost intact tomb which was discovered in 1922 with a huge treasure. For the other 2 tombs to choose from I recommend Ramses III (KV11) and Thutmose III.

Count 240EGP (or 12,50€) for the entrance ticket. But options for some tombs are available for sale: 250EGP for Tutankhamun’s and 1000EGP for Sety I which is the most beautiful (but I was not ready to put 50€).

Valley of the Queens

I recommend that you do not miss the funerary temple of Hatshepsut which is located in the Valley of the Queens. She is one of the only women to have ruled the country and for 22 years! There is not much left of her since everything about her was destroyed after her death by her brother Tutmose III , from whom she had taken over the throne 20 years earlier. However, you will find statues of him.

Count 80EGP (that’s €4) to access Hatshepsut’s temple. It’s worth it!

Karnak Temple

The temple of Karnak is truly sublime! It is the largest in Egypt and hosts several temples including the temple of Amun. I recommend you to come very early in the morning for 2 reasons: one you will be alone in an incredible place and two the soft morning light will make the temple even more beautiful.

Count 120EGP (that’s 6€) to access this beauty.

Where to eat in Luxor?

Apart from the Hilton restaurant which is really good, I could test and validate 2 good local addresses. The food is very good, the service top and the prices very light.

The first address is the Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant . A bit out of the way in the south of the city, this rooftop restaurant with a view on the Nile is an excellent address. Please note that parking is free around the restaurant, so don’t be fooled by the youngsters who will ask you for money to watch your car.

The second restaurant, Bayt Ward , offers very good food in a nice setting and great service.

Where to stay in Luxor?

I stayed 2 nights at the Hilton hotel in Luxor . The value for money is excellent (around 100€ a night with exceptional breakfast) and the setting really incredible. Moreover, the hotel has a part forbidden to children to enjoy an infinity pool with an absolute calm and a breathtaking view on the Nile. The restaurant (more expensive than the restaurants in the city centre) is very good if you don’t want to go out in the hustle and bustle of Luxor. You can book your room here.

Days 5 and 6: Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza

What to do in cairo .

I hesitated for a long time to go to Cairo due to lack of time but I am so happy to have discovered the Pyramids of Giza. On the other hand, I did try to visit the city of Cairo but I strongly advise against it. It’s crowded in every direction, it’s dirty, it honks continuously and I don’t find any charm in this city.

We know that if we choose to come to Cairo it is to visit the pyramids. I recommend you to go there at the opening (9am) to enjoy the place before the tourist groups. It will be less hot and you can enter the pyramids without feeling oppressed.

Count 160EGP to access the pyramids site. If you want to visit the interior, I advise you to choose the one of Khephren which is almost identical to the biggest one (Cheops) but costs 4 times less: 100EGP .

Pyramides de Gizeh

When you’re in the Pyramids compound don’t hesitate to head to 9 Pyramids Lounge for a drink with a great view! I arrived at 10am and was alone. Also, the juices are no more than 2€.

➡️ You can also enjoy a trip to the pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Saqqara and Memphis, the ancient capital of the country. Click here to learn more.

Where to sleep in Cairo?

I tested and validated an exceptional address 5 minutes from the Pyramids of Giza (60 cents in Uber) with a direct view on the pyramids, modern rooms and a very affordable price! You can enjoy the rooftop for breakfast or dinner. The staff is really lovely and will do everything to make your stay as good as you expect. Click here to book this great place!

This is the end of this one week itinerary for your trip to Egypt . I hope you now know what to do in Egypt and I wish you a great trip to this amazing country! ?

For more travel inspiration, check out our guide to north Sardinia or a week-long road trip to Iceland !

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I’ve just found your blog, it’s great! Was it possible to rent a car and drive around? Or did you rent a car with a driver?

Amoureux du Monde

Hi, Thanks a lot 🙂 You can rent a car and drive around easily !

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What to do in the azores.

Article mis à jour le 7 November 2023 par Amoureux du Monde

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From Pharaohs to Pyramids: See the Best of Egypt During a 9-Day Cruise & Tour

Embrace the very best of Egypt on this 9-day tour. In Luxor, walk through an avenue of ram-like sphinxes at Karnak, a complex of ancient temples, churches and pylons, and enjoy the Luxor museum, where you can see two royal mummies. Travel by luxury coach to the Valley of the Kings, where the infamous pharaoh Tutankhamun is buried. Along the Nile, board a felucca — a wooden boat with billowing sails — with a local sailor, who will teach you about traditional sailing practices. In Cairo, meet an Egyptologist at the Egyptian Museum to see treasures recovered from pharaohs’ tombs, and ascend to the Citadel for sweeping views of the city below. And behold the incredible Pyramids of Giza from inside, as an Egyptologist takes you past the Sphinx to the center of a pyramid so that you can see its cavernous wonders.

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Cleopatra Egypt tours are a team of adventurers that will help you discover the best places in the world. We’ll guide you throughout your adventures so you can live unique and life-changing experiences in the best 7 day Egypt tours . You also have the option to make an Egypt 1 week budget On our one week Egypt tours we offer you several private or group packages to Egypt. You can combine your vacation between the Nile cruise in Egypt and the overland Egypt tours in one of our 1 week trip to Egypt , Prepare to be amazed by a place of magic, mystery, and amazing temples and monuments of Egypt on our Egypt tour itinerary 7 days packages .

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General tips:.

The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian pound and they have a variety ATM which accept all the Credit cards .
Subway is a rapid transit system in Greater Cairo, but for tourism private cars highly recommend .
Before you go out drink lots of water, and keep a bottle with you at all times.
It is best to avoid direct sunlight in the peak hours between 11am and 3pm.
Wear a hat or use an umbrella to protect your head from headaches or sunstroke.

Quality Measures :

Pyramids of Giza, Memphis city, the valley of the kings and Queens.
Explore Luxor Sightseeing attractions especially the massive pillars temples of Karnak.
Get chance to unleash your inner adventurer when you visit the Egyptian Museum.
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No Hidden expenses and no surprises.

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Frequent questions & answers.

Below are some of the frequently asked questions and their answers, we hope you find what you are looking for. If you didn’t find what you are looking for, then send us a message and we will find the answer for you.

Is Egypt safe to visit?

Egypt is very safe to visit and the police, tourist police, and army are in prominence wherever you go, giving you the knowledge that you are secure in your surroundings. Egypt prides itself on its high safety record for tourists and will do all it can to maintain this.

How much would it cost to visit Egypt for 7 days?

7 day Egypt tours, with cruise and all transportation and expenses, it would cost about 600-800 USD per person. If you want a budget tour with a limited, we can prepare an itinerary that fits your budget with the same level of service that you will get. Cruise of 4 nights (in general the cruise is 4 nights when it starts in Luxor and ends in Aswan, in the opposite direction it would be only 3 nights). Hotel in Cairo for 3 nights. 25 USD for a visa upon arrival at Cairo airport. Domestic flights (or transfer by sleeper train to Luxor or Aswan) cost about 80-130 USD each way. Private vehicle with air conditioning during your tours you will not have much inconvenience. Therefore, the approximate price of transportation is about 400 USD. Food in Egypt is very cheap. You can eat the Egyptian dish, the koshari, from 2 USD Although if you want to go to more touristy restaurants, calculate about 8 USD to 14 USD per person, eating well and drinking (not alcohol). Considering that breakfast in hotels is included. Full tours, at least these visits: Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Philae Temple. Visit Abu Simbel. the approximate price of entrance fees is about 120 USD.

What to do in Egypt in 7 days?

Egypt in 7 days Day 1: Cairo. Day 2: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx. Day 3: Pyramids of Meidum and Dashur. Day 4: Luxor. Day 5: Valley of the Kings and Tomb of Nefertari. Day 6: Aswan. Day 7: Abu Simbel and Aswan (Aswan).

cost of 1 week trip to Egypt?

1 week in Egypt cost You make Egypt 1 week budget and enjoy a budget package of $400 per person as personal expenses.

Is 7 days enough for Egypt?

Also, our clients asked, how many days in Egypt is enough? 7 days in Egypt is pretty typical for trips to Egypt, 7 days Egypt itinerary gives you enough time to see the highlights and to enjoy a few more relaxed days during the trip. But you’ll want to make sure you hit Cairo and the Nile Cruise at a minimum.

Is 1 week enough for Egypt?

One week in Egypt will be a fast trip, but it is absolutely worth it. With 7 day Egypt tours you can visit the most popular main attractions, relax a little with some scenic Nile Cruising, and dive into the local culture. We hope you discover this wonderful country, one of the most fascinating ever known!

What to see in Egypt 1 week?

What to see in Egypt in a week 1.1 Karnak Temple. 1.2 Luxor Temple. 1.3 Valley of the Kings. 1.4 Temples of Al-Deir Al-Bahari. 1.5 Colossi of Memnon. 1.6 Temple of Edfu. 1.7 Temple of Kom Ombo. 1.8 Abu Simbel.

How do I get my tourist visa?

Usually you need to apply to your local Egyptian Embassy or Consulate General for a pre-entry tourist visa but if you are from North America, Western Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Brazil/Argentina or Hong Kong/Japan/Macau/Malaysia or Singapore you can get your tourist visa upon arrival in Egypt.

How do I get my tourist visa if I live in a different country to that of my passport?

If you hold a residence permit in the country you live in you can apply to the Egyptian Embassy/Consulate General in that country, otherwise you have to apply to the country that issued your passport.

I am staying in a resort in the Sinai; can I visit Cairo or Luxor?

Though many nationalities are exempt from requiring a visa for the many Sinai resorts, a full tourist visa is required if you come to any place in Egypt that lies to the west of the Red Sea/Suez Canal.

I am staying in a resort in Hurghada, can I visit Cairo or Luxor?

Though many nationalities are exempt from requiring a visa for staying in Hurghada, once you leave the confines of the town a full tourist visa is required.

I am going to visit Jordan and/or Israel; will I require a visa when coming back to Egypt?

Yes, as soon as you leave Egypt your visa will be stamped and so you will require another one. If you are from a country that can get their visa upon arrival in Egypt, you can get the new one when you re-enter the country, but if you require a pre-entry visa you should apply for 2 of these, using the second one when you re-enter Egypt.

Can my tourist visa be extended to more than one month?

A tourist visa can be extended if required. To do this you have to apply to Mogamma, in Tahrir Square, or to the equivalent offices in Alexandria, Luxor or Sharm El-Sheikh

What is the difference between a 5 star and a 5 star deluxe hotel/cruise?

The star ratings get higher as the facilities and overall standard of the accommodation gets better and so it is easier to imagine 5 star deluxe (or any suffix added to 5 star) as being 6 star

Why am I being advised to stay in a hotel close to the pyramids rather than in Downtown?

If you are only in Cairo for a few days it is a lot easier for you to see the sites starting from a base in Giza. The traffic from downtown to the pyramids can cause the journey to take over an hour, which means an early start if you want a full day’s experience, especially if you require to enter the Great Pyramid, when you have to be at the plateau before 0800. If you are in Cairo for a while, the Hotels at the Pyramids are all on a resort basis, built in acres of land with outdoor swimming pools and relaxing areas, something which Downtown hotels cannot really provide. This is why you tend to find that the Downtown hotels are built like towers; very tall and narrow, while Giza Pyramid hotels are limited in height, but cover more ground.

Cost also comes into the equation as a simple 4 star Hotel in the Downtown area is more than often more expensive than a 5 star resort in the Pyramids area. Cairo is like most major cities in the world in this regard as city centre property is a lot more expensive. Though it may appear that Downtown hotels do afford the luxury of being able to wander around the area for shopping and restaurants, etc. most of the Pyramid hotels offer free shuttle buses to allow you to do the same, plus taxis are not expensive and will still work out cheaper in the end.

What are the differences between Bed and Breakfast, half board, full board and all inclusive?

Bed and breakfast means that only breakfast is supplied. Half board means that breakfast and dinner are supplied Full board has all meals supplied (breakfast, lunch and dinner) All inclusive means that all meals and drinks are supplied; some hotels also supply alcohol. This latter point should be checked when making the booking.

Do I have to stay in my hotel after the day’s tour has ended?

No, definitely not, and we would encourage you to go out and enjoy the culture of Egypt. Many packages are full board, which tends to make people think they have to stay imprisoned in their hotel, but the sights and sounds of Cairo, especially, are too great to be missed. Why stay in the same hotel, with the same faces, when you could go out and have your dinner on a cruise boat sailing around Zamalek Island, accompanied by either a belly dancer or a Whirling Dervish; or sometimes both. This is your holiday, so enjoy every minute and get out and explore.

I have some expensive items which I do not want to leave lying in my room/cabin, what should I do?

All Hotels and Cruises have safety deposit boxes, sometimes even in your room/cabin. All you need do is ask at reception and they will give you instructions on how to use them, or will safely put away your valuables until you need them.

Where is the main bus depot in Cairo?

The main bus depot is called Cairo Gateway (El Torgoman) bus station and is situated just off the city centre. Any taxi will be able to take you there.

Where do I get the bus in Luxor?

The bus station in Luxor is situated behind the Luxor Temple.

Where do I get the bus in Hurghada?

The bus station is situated in Hurghada town centre.

Where do I get the bus in Sharm El-Sheikh?

The bus station is on the outskirts of the town on Freedom Road. You will require a taxi to get there, though many hotels do have shuttle buses which can do this.

Can I get tickets for the sleeper train service online and if not, how do I order them?

There is no online facility for this but you can order them by telephone. Call El Watania on +20225749474 or +20225749274, or fax them on +20225749074. You will be given a booking reference and you can pay and pick the tickets up at Cairo station at least 24 hours before departure.

How do I get from Hurghada to Aswan?

Many travel books mention the road and bus service between these two towns, but these are not advised for tourists and the buses will often refuse admittance. The advised route is to get the bus to Luxor and then the train to Aswan.

Can tourists use the Cairo/Luxor or Luxor/Cairo bus service?

Though these buses are air-conditioned and are good to use, tourists are advised not to and will be very lucky to either obtain a ticket or even be allowed to board the bus. This journey, for tourists, is restricted to trains or flight.

Can I just turn up at the bus station and buy a ticket?

You can, but you are advised to get your tickets at least 24 hours before travel, if possible. If you wait until the last minute you may find that you cannot get seats that are next to one another, or they may even be at separate ends of the bus. Not a good idea if you have children with you.

Can I hire a car in Cairo?

Car hire is available and many of the world’s major car hire companies are in Cairo. Car hire is NOT advised for those who have not been to Egypt before and therefore do not understand the level of driving employed by Egyptians.

Is it safe to drive in Egypt?

Unless you are used to the way that Egyptians drive, it is not advised to attempt this. Lane etiquette is unknown, cars will cut across you to make a turn, and the use of lights during the night is very seldom done. Though some road signs are in English and Arabic, the majority are in Arabic alone and there are simply not any good road maps, especially town ones.

I am on a tight budget so to save money is it okay to hitchhike between towns?

NO!! If you were to do this you could find yourself paying more for the ride than the fare by bus/train would have been.

Can I hire a bicycle to visit the West Bank at Luxor?

Yes, there are many places that will allow this but before you do so please remember a couple of very important things:

1/ as the day progresses so does the heat, so by the early afternoon it can be exceedingly uncomfortable. Do you really want to be cycling for miles in this, with very little chance of shade? This is especially important for children, who will tire a lot as the day progresses because of the heat.

2/ there are no cycle lanes and so you are sharing the roads with all other forms of vehicular traffic, which is not the best thing to experience. Many cyclists have been injured because of other road users not noticing them.

Can I get to Egypt by ferry boat from Europe?

Sadly the links between Alexandria (and Port Said) and other Mediterranean ports are not available right now due to the ongoing problems in Palestine and Israel. It is hoped that these will be resumed in the not too distant future. Commercial ferries are available, some of which carry passengers, but you would need to contact the relevant port authority for information on these.

How do I get to Abu Simbel?

Abu Simbel can be reached by flight, which is the easiest and most convenient method taking about 4 hours for the round trip and visit, or there are 2 police controlled bus convoys that leave Aswan at 0400 and 1130 that take about 9 hours for the round trip and visit.

Can I get to Esna or Kom Ombo without having to get a cruise?

You can visit either of these sites by taking the train, getting off at the relevant station and then getting a taxi, or by hiring a taxi or private driven car to take you to them (from Luxor or Aswan).

Can I get a cruise from Cairo to Luxor/Aswan?

Though movies like “Death on the Nile” show people using this cruise, it has not been possible to cover this route since the late 1990’s. Flight or train are the only ways to get from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan nowadays.

Can I go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)?

Yes, but ticket sales for this are restricted to 300 people per day; 150 at 0800 and the other 150 at 1500. Tickets for this can only be bought at the main entrance, not the entrance close to the Sphinx. As tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis it is advised to get to the office as soon as possible as buses will arrive at opening times and they tend to get the majority of the tickets. If you can spare the time, try for the tickets in the morning, and if you are not successful you can be first in line for the afternoon tickets.

Can I go inside the Pyramids of Khafre (Chephren) and/or Menkaure (Mycerinus)?

There is no restriction on these sales but only one of them is open at a time, they are changed to allow for them to breathe, dispersing the high levels of carbon dioxide levels that tend to accumulate inside. Tickets are available at the main entrance to the site.

Can I take photographs inside the tombs?

No, photography inside tombs, including the pyramids and Abu Simbel, is strictly forbidden, which has led to all cameras being banned from the Valley of the Kings (you have to leave all cameras at the x-ray point at the second entrance). Excessive flash damages the paintwork inside the tombs and so, because of people who ignore the rules, measures have been implemented to safeguard these ancient works of art. The simple rule of thumb when visiting sites is: no cameras inside, cameras are okay outside.

I notice that the same sites seem to be repeated in every package tour program I see, are these the only sites available for tourists to see?

Though most companies will use the same sites for their packages, this is mainly because the majority of visitors are experiencing Egypt for the first time and so these are the “must see” sites. Egypt has literally hundreds of ancient sites which can be visited and it only takes a request for them to be explored.

Do I need to take anti-malaria tablets/injections?

NO!! Malaria has not been in Egypt for well over 85 years and there is no need for any type of anti-malaria medication. To be honest, it is quite the obverse as any types of anti-malaria medication can actually cause side effects that will simply ruin your holiday. Just because Egypt is in Africa does not mean malaria is here as well.

Can I bring prescribed medication with me?

Yes, but please ensure that you only bring enough for your stay, with just a few day’s extra supply as a back-up. It would also help if you could bring the prescription as well, as proof, or for topping up (there are many pharmacies in Egypt that can do this for you). If you happen to be travelling onwards from Egypt, and so have a lot more of your prescribed medicine with you, please ensure that you do have the prescription as proof.

Is it safe to drink the water in Egypt?

Yes, but not advised! Egyptian water has a high chlorine level in it which can upset the microbes in your stomach, causing diarrhoea. For drinking purposes it is far safer to stick with bottled water, ensuring the seal is intact before drinking it.

Is it safe to brush my teeth with tap water?

Egyptian water is highly chlorinated, not poisonous, and so it is perfectly safe to do this. You often swallow small amounts of water whilst in the shower, or swimming, and this causes no problems, so why should cleaning your teeth?

How should I dress for entering a mosque (male)?

Protocol does ask for men to wear long trousers as opposed to shorts, though Egyptians are used to the latter being worn and so say nothing, or little, if it occurs.

How should I dress for entering a mosque (female)?

Protocol does ask for women to cover bare skin as much as possible and so shoulders, especially, should be covered and a simple scarf will suffice. Again, it is advised to wear long trousers, or skirts, as legs should also be covered. Heads do not need to be covered, despite what some tourist books say, though it is a sign of respect if you do this.

What clothes should I wear on the cruise?

You may wear whatever you like on-board the cruise but you are asked to dress for dinner. Casual but neat is acceptable, you do not have to dress formally. Swimwear is not acceptable.

What clothes should I wear walking around towns?

When walking around the towns, dress as you would for a hot summer’s day back home. Shorts and t-shirts are actually worn by many locals.

What clothes should I wear when visiting sites?

This really depends on which site you are visiting and at what time of the day. Some offer little shade and so you should ensure that you do not have too much skin available for the sun to burn (the Giza Pyramids, in the afternoon, is a prime example of this). Temples are well shaded so you do not have to cover so much, but remember that even though they are shaded well, tombs tend to accumulate the heat from the sun as well as the many visitors, so try to wear something lightweight in them, especially cotton fabrics. Though many people like to wear open toed sandals, please note that many of the floors are exceedingly uneven and so it can be easy to stub your toes. Ladies, please do not wear high heels; not only can you easily break them, they can also become trapped between the large stones in flooring, and you will also find you will tend to slip and slide on the stone. High heels and sand are not the best partners either as the heels will sink in (you may laugh, but many ladies do insist in wearing high heels).

Is it safe for women to travel alone?

Many women travel alone and have found that they have been safe. The police, tourist police and army are always close by and the Egyptians themselves are generally safe and will try to protect solo travellers. On the whole, it is generally safer for a solo female traveller in Egypt than places like Greece, Italy or Spain.

Although the chances of being confronted are almost negligible, please ensure that you take the same precautions that you would anywhere else and do not be tempted to walk in deserted areas alone: get a taxi back to your abode! You may receive some invitations, which on the whole are innocent, do not accept any of these from strangers.

Do women have to cover arms/shoulders/legs when walking around the cities/towns?

This is a tourist book fallacy. Women walking around these towns can do so as if they were walking around their home towns in the summer. You will be amazed at how many of the local women dress like this as well, looking more like tourists than Egyptian.

Can I use my credit/debit cards easily?

Yes. Most places accept these nowadays, including all decent Hotels and Cruises. You are advised to carry cash when shopping in the many street markets (souks) though the larger malls, and street shops, can accept plastic.

Are there plenty of ATM’s?

Almost every bank has an ATM outside it, or just inside the front doors, and you will normally find that they are guarded by a policeman. Many shopping malls have stand-alone ATM’s and you can also find them located along a busy pavement (sidewalk), or where two busy pavements meet. Airports and railway stations also have ATM’s as do the larger tour company offices.

What voltage does Egypt have, and what kind of plugs?

Egypt has a voltage supply of 220V and the plugs are the 2 round pin type that are common throughout Europe (except the UK).

Can you purchase alcohol in Egypt?

Yes, alcohol is available in Egypt, either in the better hotels, higher class restaurants and cafes, pubs, and beer gardens. You will also find off licences as well. Please note though, it is illegal to drink alcohol in the streets in Egypt, so do not walk around with a can of your favourite tipple.

Are there restrictions about bringing alcohol into the country?

Yes, you are only allowed to bring in 2 litres with you.

What is the legal drinking age in Egypt?

The legal drinking age is 21.

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Itinerary Ideas
How Long to Spend in Egypt: Itineraries for First-Timers

Egypt is the top travel destination in the Middle East and best Arab country for a holiday, boasting pyramids, the Nile, and the Red Sea.

But, when planning your trip to Egypt, how many days are enough? How do we create an itinerary that makes the most of your vacation?

Here, we offer general ideas about trip durations and list four handpicked itineraries from 5 days to 3 weeks, for your inspiration.

Content Preview

1. How Many Days Do You Need
2. Itinerary for a Time-Smart Choice
3. Itinerary for Families
4. Itinerary for Couples
5. Itinerary for an In-Depth Exploration

How Many Days Do You Need in Egypt?

When traveling to Egypt, there are two popular choices: visiting Egypt as part of a Middle East tour or focusing on Egypt.

If you're looking to see the multiple facets of the Middle East during your first visit, you could spend 5–7 days exploring Egypt's iconic destinations, before moving on to the next Middle Eastern country. For a quick trip in a week, you're recommended to visit Cairo for 3 days and then Luxor and Aswan for 2 days each.

If you would prefer to fully embrace the wonders of Egypt, many couples and families spend 10–14 days there for a more-relaxed pace and more diverse experiences. Beyond the "Golden Triangle route" (Cairo–Luxor–Aswan), you could also immerse yourself in an amazing Nile cruise (4–5 days) or unwind on the incredible beaches by the Red Sea.

To delve more deeply, you could extend your Egypt trip for over 2 weeks to go off the beaten path, such as to Mount Sinai (1day) and White Desert (3 days), unveil more hidden gems in the popular cities, or have a longer beach vacation at the Red Sea.

Both highly-rated and experienced at customizing private tours, we're experts at personalizing your itinerary to suit your preferred trip duration.

Get to know more ideas about planning a trip to Egypt >>>

Egypt Itinerary for a Time-Smart Choice: 5–7 Days

For first-timers, 5–7 days offer a compact window of time to discover the most popular destinations at a comfortable pace: Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan.

Cairo is a must for the celebrated pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Luxor is not to be missed owing to the incredible tombs and temples, particularly the Valley of the Kings.
Aswan offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the serene Nile and visit the island temples of Philae. Additionally, Aswan provides easy access to the impressive Abu Simbel site.

You can see the following time-smart itinerary for a week's trip to Egypt. For a shorter 5-day tour, you could visit two of the three cities in one trip.

Days 1–3 in Cairo (the Giza pyramid complex, the Cairo Citadel, and the Khan el–Khalili market)
Days 4–5 in Luxor (the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Karnak temple complex)
Days 6–7 in Aswan (the Philae temple complex, the Aswan High Dam, and a sunset felucca trip along the Nile)

You could also get more itinerary ideas about how to combine Egypt in multi-country Middle East trips or the top itineraries for 5 days in Egypt .

Egypt Itinerary for Families: 10 Days

If you're planning a family trip to Egypt, this itinerary is specially crafted for you. You and your kids could indulge in great cultural highlights and bask on sunny beaches.

You could see more family-friendly activities in the following outlined itinerary. Or tell us your interests and we'd love to help to create your ideal family vacation.

Days 1–3 in Cairo (exploring multi-generational pyramids by camel riding, Cairo Citadel, food tours, the Khan el-Khalili market)
Day 4 inAswan (the High Dam, the Temple of Philae, and sunset felucca ride)
Days 5–6 in Luxor (unveilingthe Pharaohs' tombs, sunrise balloon ride and/or a nighttime city tour by horse and carriage)
Days 7–10 in Hurghada (beach activities like snorkeling and diving, an Aqua Park at the Titanic Palace, and a desert safari day trip to a Bedouin village)

To add more fun to your family trip, we have specifically customized activities for you. You'll have the opportunity to marvel at the pyramids when riding on a camel or horse, sample the unique flavors of Egypt through our foodie tours in Cairo, take a night trip to Luxor by horse-drawn carriage, and experience a jeep desert safari near Hurghada.

We also have more Middle East family vacation alternatives ready to tailor to your needs, such as a 2-week Egypt and Jordan trip and a 15-day Israel, Jordan, and Egypt tour .

You could get more itinerary ideas in Egypt Itineraries for 10 Days >>>

Egypt Itinerary for Couples: 14 Days

This 2-week itinerary is specially designed for couples seeking a memorable trip. Compared with 10 days, you could have a more relaxing tour pace and have a fuller view of Egypt.

You could get inspiration from the following itinerary, which forms the basis of many of our clients' couple trips.

Days 1–3 in Cairo (the Giza pyramid complex with a camel ride, the Cairo Citadel, the Khan el-Khalili market, Saqqara, and the El Tannoura Dance Show)
Day 4 in Aswan (Abu Simbel)
Days 5–8 on a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor (visit the Temple of Horus on a horse-drawn carriage, the Kom Ombo Temple, rustic scenery along the Nile, the Aswan High Dam, and the Philae temple complex)
Days 9–10 in Luxor (the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Karnak temple complex, and a sunrise hot-air balloon ride)
Days 11–14 in El Quseir (relax by the Red Sea and visit Quseir Castle)

You'll experience the magic of Egypt's rich history together through our immersive cultural experiences. Besides the popular pyramid tours in Giza, we have specially arranged a day trip to Saqqara, which boasts a less-crowded experience of the pyramids. Watching the fabulous El Tannoura Dance Show together creates the perfect ending to your romantic evening in Cairo.

For a milestone celebration, what could be more romantic than embarking on a thrilling sunrise balloon ride over Luxor? Hold your beloved and capture memorable pictures with photogenic views.

To enhance the intimacy of your romantic getaway, indulge in a leisurely Nile River cruise between Luxor and Aswan. For even more privacy, we highly recommend sa iling along the Nile in a dahabiya. Just for 10–12 people, it offers more luxury and exclusive experiences for you both!

For your beach time, you're recommended to visit El Quseir for its tranquility and untouched charm. Besides the stunning beach scenery and fantastic water activities, you could also uncover the hidden gems of Quseir Castle.

An Egypt Itinerary for an In-Depth Exploration: 3 Weeks

Beyond the 2-week itinerary sights, with 3 weeks you could discover cultural attractions like Abu Simbel more fully, have more free time for a beach vacation, experience local life, or go for some adventures, such as a hike to Mount Sinai and venturing to a desert oasis — the Siwa Oasis.

But more often, you're recommended to combine Egypt with other countries, such as Jordan and Israel, for your 3-week vacation . You could spend 1 week in Egypt, 1 week in Israel, and 1 week in Jordan.

For further ideas, feel free to contact us and we will create your ideal itinerary based on your preferences, group size, and other needs. You could also check out our 18-Day Egypt, Israel, and Jordan Tour for further inspiration or more itinerary options on 3-Week Itineraries to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel for First-Timers >>>

Booking Your Egypt Trips With Us

Want more itinerary options? You can check our handpicked itineraries for various durations: 5 days , 7 days , 10 days , 12 days , 14 days , and 3 weeks ...

You are warmly welcomed to have us customize your own trip based on your group size, interests, and other needs. Sit back and use our Create My Trip service.

For inspiration, you could also see the following popular Egypt tours:

9-Day Essential Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise
10-Day Egypt Family Expedition Tour
12-Day Best Egypt Tour with Sharm El Sheikh
2-Week Egypt and Jordan Family Adventure Tour
More Egypt Tours

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15-Day Egypt and Kenya Highlights Tour
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Why An Organized Tour Is The Best Way To Experience Egypt Solo

T he temples. The tombs. The pyramids. Egypt has long held a special place in my imagination for its extraordinary millennia-old antiquities. From its golden treasures and dazzling jewelry to its eye-popping architecture and intriguing burial chambers, Egypt’s rich cultural heritage celebrates one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

But when it came time to finally plan a visit, I faced several challenges — even as an experienced traveler (I’ve visited 110 countries). First was the prospect of arranging an extremely complicated trip that included visiting multiple sites scattered around the country, requiring flights, ferries, road vehicles, and cruise ships to access. Second, I was concerned about the cultural barriers and safety of traveling alone as a Western woman in a fairly conservative Muslim country.

The solution? Signing up with an experienced tour company, such as 76-year-old Trafalgar Tours . So I chose their 9-day “ Best of Egypt ” itinerary that included an iconic Nile River cruise. (This was a complimentary individual media tour.) From the lush river valleys to the vast desert landscapes, the voyage included all the archaeological greatest hits: Giza, Sakkara, Memphis, Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the magical Abu Simbel — two rock-hewn temples miraculously moved to higher ground to escape Nile flooding.

These are just some of the reasons why an organized tour is necessary for exploring Egypt on your own.

1. Trip Planning Made Easy

Planning a trip that encompassed Egypt’s antiquities — from the Pyramids of Giza in the north to Abu Simbel 700 miles away to the south — as well as Cairo’s cultural highlights was daunting. So I was happy to let the experts at Trafalgar arrange all transportation, accommodations, most meals, guides, entrance tickets, and other logistics. That allowed me to focus single-mindedly on enjoying the destination itself.

“I wouldn’t know where to start, being unfamiliar with the culture and not knowing who to trust,” said Rosalind Monaghan, a tour member from Albuquerque, at the prospect of designing her own trip.

Pro Tip: Choose a tour company that aligns with your travel style based on level of activity.

2. Safety And Security

With the Department of State warning U.S. citizens to “reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism,” traveling in our group of 31 offered the comfort of safety in numbers. Plus, whenever we were transported by coach in Cairo, the local government reassuringly provided security police to ride along. I never felt unsafe.

“Safety was a big issue for us,” said another tour member, Imelda Velayo from Orlando. “It was so comforting in a foreign country to know that the tour company was there for us.”

Pro Tip: Check the State Department travel advisory before planning a trip.

3. Cultural Enrichment

A knowledgeable local guide can bring a destination to life. We were fortunate that our tour leader, Hatem Abdel Aziz, was a trained Egyptologist and university lecturer — and it showed. Not only did he excel in his knowledge of Egypt’s glorious past, but he also shared revealing insights into Egyptian culture not typically found in a guidebook. His infectious passion enhanced our appreciation of this proud 5,000-year-old empire that achieved such remarkable engineering feats without the use of modern tools or technology.

We learned about fascinating tidbits of the ancient world: how the pyramids were built (with mud-brick spiral ramps to drag up the 2.5-ton limestone blocks) and by whom (skilled laborers and not slaves, as commonly thought); that tombs are always on the west side of the Nile (where the Sun sets) while temples are on the east; that temples were built from the bottom up and decorated from the top down; that no royal palaces remain because they were all made of impermanent adobe; and that hippos were considered evil and therefore exterminated from the Nile.

At each temple and tomb, Hatem explained the elaborate Egyptian cosmology, royal lineages, and mysterious hieroglyphs. He illuminated the exquisite wall paintings and carvings, pointing out startling scenes: men force-feeding geese for foie gras and a hippo biting a crocodile’s head at the Saqqara necropolis ; surgical scalpels and forceps at Kom Ombo Temple ; Christian figures on Luxor Temple , the remains of a one-time Christian church; a three-headed snake (the only one in Egypt) in Ramses IX’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings; and a grinning dwarf-deity playing a harp at Philae Temple .

We also learned about current customs: how Muslims bury their dead (no cremation, embalming, or coffins allowed), why Muslim women cover their hair (to conceal their beauty), why sexes are separated in mosques (to avoid distractions), the main occasions for gifting gold (weddings, births, and Mother’s Day), and the five pillars of Islam (confession, almsgiving, fasting, praying five times daily, and visiting Mecca).

“There’s a difference between just being a tour guide and loving your country,” observed Jeanne Hempen, a retiree from Honolulu. “Hatem really wants us to know the history.”

Pro Tip: Be sure to have U.S. dollars (used throughout the country) or local currency in small bills to tip your tour director and bus drivers. They’re also handy for bargaining with souvenir vendors at many historic sites.

4. Special Experiences

A tour often includes exclusive experiences that are hard to replicate on your own. Trafalgar, for example, features its signature “Be My Guest“ event on every tour, where locals welcome you into their homes to learn about their culture. In the Valley of the Kings, we visited the humble home of village bread bakers who served us mint tea and “sun bread” (so-called because it rises in the Sun) made from local wheat and baked in their earthen oven. Twice a week, each neighboring household bakes its own version with a remarkably distinct flavor from all the others. Wealth here is measured in land and being self-sufficient, the family told us.

At a papyrus shop, we watched the fascinating process of turning papyrus reeds (whose cross-sections reveal a pyramidal shape) into paper — an invention that predated Chinese paper by about 3,000 years. At an alabaster workshop in Aswan, we observed the initial carving of a pot. And at a Cairo perfumery, we sniffed intoxicating scents during an entertaining presentation accompanied by Turkish coffee and lemon mint tea.

Pro Tip: You can buy papyrus paintings (some even personalized), alabaster pots, or perfumes at these stops. Happily, there’s no hard sell.

5. Language Barrier

Although I speak a few European languages, Arabic is definitely not in my repertoire. Having the bilingual tour staff smooth the way was invaluable, despite the availability of translation apps. “I couldn’t have managed the language as a solo traveler,” agreed Amanda Chiavetta from Honolulu.

Pro Tip: Learning a few essential words in Egyptian Arabic, such as min fadlak (“please”) and shoukran (“thank you”), goes a long way.

6. Like-Minded Guests

A group tour offers a valuable bonus to a single traveler: ready-made companions with whom to share the experience. They tend to have similar interests and a love of travel, which facilitates socializing and sometimes even lasting friendships. Plus, they help you avoid the dreaded dinner alone — the bane of solo travelers, especially women.

“You can enjoy the company and meet people with different points of view,” said solo traveler Rosalind Monaghan.

Indeed, I’ll never forget overhearing what the retired Canadian judge in our group said while gazing at the Great Pyramid of Giza: “This is where you bring people who have no hope.”

That sentiment, so moving and profound, could easily have applied to my entire tour.

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COMMENTS

1 Week in Egypt
With a week to spend in Egypt, travelers have several great options. Try a highlights tour that takes you to Cairo, Alexandria, and the coastal resort of Sharm El Sheikh, or choose an itinerary that focuses specifically on history and culture, including a side trip to Aswan and the incredible rock-cut tombs at Abu Simbel. Alternatively, combine a few days of sightseeing in Cairo with a three ...
Egypt in One Week: The Ultimate Guide
Intrepid offers several tours through Egypt, and I joined one of their week-long trips. Whether you're dreaming of a felucca sail along the Nile or eager to hit up the bustling souks, here is your ultimate guide to touring Egypt in one week. Day 1: Cairo. Cairo is (likely) your first stop in Egypt, and there's so much to see and do here.
One-Week Itinerary for Egypt
One Week in Egypt: The Ultimate Itinerary. Home to vast tracts of unspoiled desert, fertile deltas, teeming coral reefs, and the largest city in the Arab world, Egypt is a land of extremes. To see it all in one week is impossible; and yet seven days is enough to begin to understand the age-old magic that has been drawing tourists to this corner ...
One Week in Egypt: The Ultimate Itinerary
Hot tip: similar to the pyramids tour, starting your tour at 7 a.m. gives you the chance to be some of the first visitors to some of these temples and monuments. We got to Karnack Temple around 7:30 a.m. and only us and a few other tourists (plus a camera crew filming a show with Channel 4 in London) were walking around the temple.
Best 1-Week Egypt Tours and Itineraries
Egypt 1-Week Tours and Itineraries. Discover the world of gods and pharaohs with a 1-week tour in Egypt. Marvel at the hands that created the monumental pyramids in Giza, then discover the gems of ancient Egypt at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. Cruise down the River Nile and visit Luxor, home to the famous temple complex by the ...
One Week in Egypt: What Not to Miss!
One week in Egypt will be a fast trip, but it is absolutely worth it. With 7 days Egypt tour, you can visit the most popular main attractions, relax a little with some scenic Nile Cruising, and dive into the local culture. Just be warned, you'll likely leave wanting to come back.
Best Egypt 1 Week Itinerary (Things To Do In Egypt In 7 Days)
Egypt Itinerary 7 Days (Itinerary Type B) Day 1: Arrival in Cairo, check-in at the hotel. Upon arriving in Cairo, you will check into your hotel. Explore a little bit of Cairo to get used to the new country that first day. Day 2: Tour the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and the Great Pyramids of Giza.
One Week Egypt Itinerary
Pyramids. Day 1 begins in the heart of ancient Egypt - Memphis, the first ancient capital. The open air museum is small, so you'll only spend a few minutes learning the 5,000 year old history and exploring the grounds before moving nearby to the first of two incredible pyramid complexes - Saqqara. Saqqara, the necropolis for ancient ...
One Week in Egypt: My Highlights of Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan
Abu Simbel (160EGP) is four hours south of Aswan, along the border with Sudan, and I'd heard from many, many sources that it was the one absolute can't miss temple in mainland Egypt. I wasn't the only one who'd heard that rumor — there were only two in our entire group who didn't go, and only out of strict budgetary concerns.
Egypt One Week Itinerary, Things to do & Travel Tips
Day 3 & 4: Snorkeling and diving in Hurghada. Day 5: Visit the Karnak & Luxor temples. Day 6: Hot air balloon flight + the Valley of the Kings. Day 7: Back to Cairo. If you have more than one week in Egypt, you can do this itinerary slowlier and add some other places.
What to see in Egypt in 7 days (Itinerary: 1 week)
In this one-week tour of Egypt you will see the highlights of Cairo and some of the fabulous beaches of the Red Sea, the other geographical jewel of the country. As you do not have many days, our advice is to choose one of the three main coastal destinations in Egypt: Alexandria, Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. Tour
The Ultimate One to Two Week Egypt Travel Itinerary
Trips are easily organized from Cairo to spend a few nights camping under the stars in a much more untouched part of the country. Trips leave regularly from Cairo and should not cost more than $150 for an overnight tour ($100 is reasonable). White desert in Egypt. Day 5-6: Overnight Train to the Abu Simbel Temple.
The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt
Travelers to Egypt will have a large number of terrific options for tours lasting 7 days at a variety of great prices. The price of tours lasting 7 days here can vary by type, destinations, length, and travel style. Based on thorough data from 30 tours lasting 7 days, their average daily price is a very reasonable $145 per day.
A Week in Egypt: Discover the Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary
Our 'A Week in Egypt: A Complete Itinerary' will whisk you through the Land of the Pharaohs, revealing its storied past and vibrant present. Every day, a new spectacle of Egypt's grandeur will unfold before your eyes, giving you a chance to immerse yourself in a culture that's as timeless as it is fascinating. Explore the incredible 7 ...
One Week in Egypt Tours
One Week in Egypt. Plan an amazing trip for Egypt one week itinerary. Explore 197 Egypt 7 day trips from 120 experts with 1,344 reviews. Classic and off the beaten path itineraries. How to experience the best of Egypt in one week. Itineraries and trips from 84 experts. Compare tours, packages, and independent trips for Egypt in 7 days.
Top Egypt Itineraries
Egypt in 1 Week. Day 1-2, Cairo: Walking tour of the city with an egyptologist. Tour the pyramids and the sphinx. Explore the Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Day 3-4, Aswan: Camel ride to the Monastery of St. Simeon, Nubian Museum, excursion to Elephantine Island, Abu Simbel - one of the most recognizable symbols of Egypt.
One Week Egypt Tour Packages
We agree, while 7 days Egypt Tour Packages isn't really enough to see it all, you can actually do quite a bit with a one week time in Egypt. You can still visit all your favorite places and get in a ton of new Egypt Travel Experiences to talk about for years. In a week, you can go all the way from bustling Cairo to all the way down to the Abu ...
Best 7 Day Egypt Itinerary: How to spend one week in Egypt
Day 3: Visiting the Pyramids at Giza and Night Train to Aswan. Day three of your trip is fully dedicated to one of the main highlights of the Giza pyramid complex, also called the Giza Necropolis. The Giza Pyramids were constructed around 4,500 years ago. The Pyramids of Giza by khalid almasoud.
10 Best 7 Day Egypt Tours & Trips
7 Day Egypt Tours & Trips. Filter for departure dates and price to find the right 7 day Egypt tour with TourRadar. Choose from 493 trips with 1,775 customer reviews, that range from 4 up to 7 days. 250+ Egypt 7 day tour packages with 1,775 reviews. View Map.
What to do in Egypt ? One week itinerary
adventure tour in 4×4, quad, buggy and camel with a Bedouin dinner included: right here. Neverland Night show. a dolphin trip, snorkeling and lunch for less than 30€: book on this site. a 3h quad ride with a visit to a Bedouin village for less than 20€: click here.
Wonders of Egypt Guided Tour
Embrace the very best of Egypt on this 9-day tour. In Luxor, walk through an avenue of ram-like sphinxes at Karnak, a complex of ancient temples, churches and pylons, and enjoy the Luxor museum, where you can see two royal mummies. Travel by luxury coach to the Valley of the Kings, where the infamous pharaoh Tutankhamun is buried.
7 Days in Egypt
One week in Cairo, the several Egypt tour itineraries we have among our unique Egypt travel packages that cover most of the attractive places in Cairo, starting with the tour to the Pyramids of Giza which was built in 4500 years ago by the great pharaohs of ancient Egypt, and became one of the best 7 day tour of Egypt that you should not miss during your Cairo day trips. also in our week in ...
How Long to Spend in Egypt: Itineraries for First-Timers
Egypt Itinerary for a Time-Smart Choice: 5-7 Days. For first-timers, 5-7 days offer a compact window of time to discover the most popular destinations at a comfortable pace: Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Cairo is a must for the celebrated pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Luxor is not to be missed owing to the incredible tombs ...
Why An Organized Tour Is The Best Way To Experience Egypt Solo
Signing up with an experienced tour company, such as 76-year-old Trafalgar Tours. So I chose their 9-day " Best of Egypt " itinerary that included an iconic Nile River cruise. (This was a ...

Egypt in one week: The ultimate guide

Day 1: Cairo

Day 2: The Pyramids of Giza

Day 3: Aswan

Day 4: Abu Simbel

Day 5: The Nile

Day 6: The Valley of the Kings, Luxor

Day 7: Luxor

Feeling inspired?

Megan McDonough

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One Week Egypt Itinerary

Days 1-2: Giza and Cairo

Days 3-5: Diving the Red Sea in Hurghada

Days 6-7: Luxor

Karnak and Luxor Temples

Sojourn Information

Non-Rev Tips

Where to Stay

What to Pack

*Ethical considerations on camel rides in Giza

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