12 Days in Egypt - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Highlights of Egypt: From Cairo to the Red Sea

Take in Egypt's historic grandeur with this ultimate highlights itinerary. From the iconic pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx to the bustling streets of Cairo and its Khan el-Khalili bazaar, this trip explores the treasures of the Egyptian Museum, the ancient temples, giant statues, and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. Take a traditional felucca boat on the Nile near Aswan and snorkel the underwater world of the Red Sea near Sharm el-Sheikh. Round off your trip with a Bedouin desert safari and stargazing tour. 

Begin in Cairo with a Nile dinner cruise with Egyptian music and belly dancing performances. The next day, you'll explore the iconic pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the ruins of Memphis and Saqqara with an Egyptologist before flying to Luxor. There, you'll tour the temples of Karnak and Luxor and get a birds-eye view of Luxor city on a sunrise hot-air balloon excursion, and then see the Tomb of Tutankhamun. Continue in Aswan, where you'll visit the Edfu and Kom Ombo temples en route. Tour the Temple of Philae and Aswan High Dam and sail the Nile on a felucca (traditional sailboat).

Take a day trip to Abu Simbel, famous for its rock-cut temples. Return to Cairo, where you'll tour the 5,000-year-old treasures of the Egyptian Museum, including royal mummies, before exploring Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Fly to your beach getaway in Sharm el-Sheikh for a semi-submarine trip in the Red Sea to see coral reefs and fish. Afterward, snorkel with wildlife in the Red Sea near Ras Mohamed National Park and White Island, followed by a Bedouin safari and stargazing with an astronomy guide. Then, return to Cairo for your departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Ancient Landmarks & Natural Landscapes of Egypt: Giza, Luxor, Aswan & Fayoum

History and culture enthusiasts will enjoy this itinerary covering ancient landmarks and natural landscapes of Egypt itinerary. From exploring the Temple of Seti I and the Dendera Temple of Hathor to discovering the Valley of the Queens and cooking traditional Egyptian dishes with a local family, this itinerary dives into Egypt's rich history and culture. Final days spent sandboarding in Fayoum and exploring the labyrinthine alleys of Khan el-Khalili bazaar make for an exciting conclusion to your trip.

In Cairo, begin your trip by learning to make koshary—Egypt's national rice, lentils, and chickpeas dish. From there, wander across the Giza Plateau to see the three main pyramids and the Great Sphinx before taking an overnight train to Luxor. There, you'll walk down the Avenue of Sphinxes at Karnak Temple and admire the engravings at Luxor Temple. Continue to the Temple of Seti I, with its intricately carved hieroglyphs, and then the Dendera Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the sky goddess. While in Luxor, explore the Valley of the Kings and the adjacent mortuary temples, Deir el-Bahari.

The next day, discover Ramesses III's Temple, the ancient village of Deir el-Medina, and the Valley of the Queens before stopping at the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the falcon god, en route to Aswan. You'll visit the UNESCO-listed Abu Simbel Temples there, followed by a full-day tour of Aswan, a felucca ride on the Nile, and a train back to Giza. In Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum, Cairo Citadel, and Old Cairo. Afterward, take a day trip to Wadi al-Hitan and the Wadi el-Rayan waterfalls and sandboard down the nearby dunes. See the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization before departing Cairo. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Egypt City, Desert & Coast Adventure

Dive into Egypt's history and landscapes on this city, desert, and coast active adventure, which includes a visit to the pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, camping in the Black Desert, and snorkeling in the Red Sea near Sharm el-Sheikh. Travelers seeking a blend of cultural experiences and outdoor adventure will enjoy watching the sunset at Cairo Tower, discovering the temples, museums, fortresses, and springs in the desert oasis of Siwa, a night hike up Mount Sinai, a Bedouin safari and stargazing tour, driving through the far-reaching desert around the Bahariya Oasis, and a Nile dinner cruise. 

Your adventure begins in Cairo, where you'll catch a sunset at Cairo Tower, explore the Giza pyramids and Sphinx, and visit ancient ruins in Memphis and Saqqara. From there, head to the far-off Siwa Oasis via El-Alamein and Marsa Matruh, discovering fortresses, temples, and springs. Then, drive to Bahariya Oasis and set up camp in the Black Desert. Explore landmarks like the Al-Marsous Mountain, El-Hez village's cold spring, the rock formations of the White Desert, Gebel al-Izzaz's (Crystal Mountain), Al-Ghurabi's wandering dunes, and the picturesque El-Ghorab, before camping under the stars.

On Day 7, return to Cairo for a tour of Al-Muizz, one of the oldest streets in Egypt, and a shopping trip to Khan el-Khalili bazaar. From Cairo, fly to the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, venturing on a night hike up Mount Sinai and visiting St. Catherine Monastery. Afterward, change gears and climb atop your camel to ride through the desert to a Bedouin camp, enjoy a stargazing tour, and snorkel with marine life in Ras Mohamed National Park and Yolanda Reef. Fly back to Cairo on Day 11 for a Nile dinner cruise and a final day of exploring the Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo's squares, citadels, and mosques before your departing flight. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Egypt & Jordan Cultural Tour: Cairo, Amman & More

Discover the best of Egypt and Jordan's historical and cultural highlights during this cultural tour of Cairo, Amman, and beyond. From Cairo, history buffs will enjoy visiting the pyramids of Giza and artifacts at the Egyptian Museum and Luxor's Valley of the Kings. Visit temples, tombs, and the lush Aswan Botanical Garden on your Nile River cruise before continuing over to Jordan to explore the citadel and Roman Theater in Amman. Nature lovers will feel at home in the ruins of the UNESCO-listed city of Petra, on a Jeep tour through the Wadi Rum desert and floating in the salty Dead Sea. 

Your adventure begins in Cairo, Egypt, with Coptic Cairo, home to some of the oldest Christian landmarks. The next day, visit the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Egyptian Museum. Then, fly to Luxor for a Nile River cruise. Visit Karnak Temple's Great Hypostyle Hall and Luxor Temple. Next, discover the tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramesses VI in the Valley of the Kings as you cruise to Esna. Admire the hieroglyphics at the Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. Afterward, set sail for Aswan's High Dam and Philae Temple before meeting a local Nubian family.

After disembarking, fly to Cairo for panoramic city views from Cairo Tower's observation deck. Then, fly to Amman, Jordan, on Day 8 to see the King Abdullah I Mosque and Rainbow Street, full of colorful murals. On a city tour, explore archaeological sites and ruins like the Amman Citadel, the Roman Theater, and the Greco-Roman city of Jerash before driving to UNESCO-listed Petra. Wander through the Siq to reach the Treasury and the Monastery El Deir. Take a Jeep tour of Wadi Rum's dunes and rock formations and head to the Dead Sea to float in the salty waters before departing from Amman. Learn more

More Great Egypt Itineraries

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