1 Week in Egypt - 3 Luxury Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Luxury Egypt Sailing Adventure: Luxor to Aswan

This weeklong sailing adventure features a five-day cruise from Luxor to Aswan onboard a luxury dahabiya sailboat and stays in 5-star accommodations. It's perfect for first-time visitors to Egypt who are eager to make Nile River travel part of the journey. Throughout, stops for private tours of the Temple of Horus and the Temple of Kom Ombo provide remarkable insights into the Nile's timeless grandeur. Meanwhile, onboard, you can savor a life of opulence thanks to your impressive suite and the ship's welcoming sundeck.

Welcome to Egypt! Your weeklong luxury adventure begins in Luxor, where the 5-star Sofitel Winter Palace invites you in for a rejuvenating overnight stay. Meanwhile, a walk through the famed Valley of the Kings hints at the wonders to come. The next day, after spending the morning touring the Karnak and Luxor Temples alongside an expert guide, you'll board a private sailboat and settle into your elegant room for a five-day cruise along the Nile. Your first destination is the island of El Hegz, and through a walking tour amid its mud-brick houses, you'll get a profound peek into rural Egyptian life.

Continuing south down the Nile, you'll soon disembark in El Kab to walk amid temple ruins dating back as far as 3100 BC. In the afternoon, stop in Edfu to tour the Temple of Horus, then spend the evening learning the art of Egyptian cuisine during an onboard cooking class. Over the following two days, when you're not on land exploring Gebel el-Silsila and the Temple of Kom Ombo, take advantage of the boat's sundeck, perfect for lounging. Eventually, you'll arrive in the idyllic palm-fringed city of Aswan and squeeze in a sightseeing excursion before prepping your departing flight to Cairo. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Luxury Egypt Nile Cruise & Red Sea Relaxation

Discover the intersection of ancient and modern luxury on this finely crafted journey in Egypt. Starting with a four-day cruise onboard the premier Sonesta Sun Goddess, you'll sail from Aswan to Luxor, stopping en route for private tours of Kom Ombo and Temple of Horus. Then, jet to Sharm el-Sheikh, a famous Red Sea beach town, and spend your remaining time playing and unwinding in the sea and desert.

Upon landing in the great Nile city of Aswan, a driver will whisk you straight to the port to board the luxurious Sonesta Sun Goddess—your home for the first three nights. After settling in, return to land for a guided tour of the Temple of Philae and the equally magnificent Aswan High Dam. The following day, relax on deck while cruising to Edfu, then hop off to wander the well-preserved Temple of Horus. Next, an overnight journey to Luxor gifts you with an entire day to explore the wonders of the Valley of the Kings's rock-cut tombs and temples.

Wake up on the Sonesta Sun Goddess to another day based in Luxor, but this time, head first to the 5-star Sofitel Winter Palace to drop your bags before exploring the Habu Temple and the Tombs of the Nobles. Bid farewell to the Nile the following morning and fly to the famous Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. Here, the amenities of ​​Steigenberger Alcazar immerse you in luxury, and its superb location gives you privileged access to Ras Mohammed National Park and the surrounding desert. Lastly, squeeze in a morning at the beach prior to catching your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Off-the-Beaten-Path Luxury in Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria & Siwa

Let Egypt sweep you off your feet with its rightfully famous ruins, rugged landscapes, and lavish accommodations on this luxury driving tour. Less-visited destinations and immersive tours make the itinerary perfect for those seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences. At the same time, fine dining and oasis-like lodges ensure you're well looked after every step of the way. Tour the Giza Plateau alongside a private guide, indulge in the insights of an Egyptologist, swim in Cleopatra Bath, and enjoy a classic Bedouin dinner under the dark desert sky.

Your luxury-wrapped journey begins in the captivating city of Cairo, and with the 5-star Kempinski Nile serving as your base and a private guide introducing you to the Giza Plateau's pyramids and ruins, you'll quickly get a feel for this timeless country. This is ideal, as the following morning, you'll be whisked north to Alexandria and join up with an Egyptologist to peer into the stories of the city's catacombs and Roman Amphitheater. Next, conquer the eight-hour westerly transfer to Siwa Oasis, located within the vast Sahara Desert, and settle into the charming Ghaliet ecolodge for a three-night stay.

Speaking of which, spend your first night enjoying Ghaliet's upscale amenities, then wake early for a day of discovery featuring a swim in Cleopatra Bath and visits to the Oracle Temple and Fatnas Island. While in Siwa, you'll also be treated to a private tour of Shali Fortress and a 4WD desert excursion, complete with stops at natural springs for a dip. Afterward, settle in for a scenic transfer via the Western Desert to Cairo and check into the 5-star Le Méridien. Featuring a palm-fringed pool and on-site restaurants, it's the perfect place to unwind in preparation for your departing flight. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Egypt Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Egypt? Check out these other one-week Egypt itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.