13 Days in Egypt - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Egypt Discovery Tour: Ancient Sites, Nile Cruise & Red Sea

Culture enthusiasts will enjoy this leisurely-paced highlights tour of Egypt's ancient sites, the Nile River, and the Red Sea. In Cairo, you'll learn the history of the great pyramids with an Egyptologist guide and marvel at the treasures of the Egyptian Museum. More ancient sites await as you jet south to Aswan for a temple-hopping cruise up the Nile to reach the "open-air museum" of Luxor. Then, it's on to coastal Hurghada for snorkeling among islands and reefs, a wild 4WD adventure in the dunes of the Sahara, and dining around a campfire with local Bedouins.

In Cairo, get your bearings in the capital as you watch a sunset from Cairo Tower, the city's highest point. Next, take a day trip to the pyramids at Giza and the Saqqara necropolis before seeing artifacts from King Tut's tomb at the Egyptian Museum and exploring Old Coptic Cairo with your guide. Then, fly to Aswan for a city tour and board a Nile River cruise toward Luxor, stopping to admire ancient temples like Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Karnak along the way. Disembark your Nile cruise to discover the sprawling Valley of the Kings, then transfer to coastal Hurghada. 

See the Red Sea's vibrant reefs with a snorkeling adventure off Giftun Island, then spend a day in Bedouin villages in the Sahara Desert and take a camel to a local Bedouin camp for dinner. On a day trip to Mahmya Beach, you'll sail, snorkel, and enjoy beach time. The following day brings a morning submarine tour and a flight back to Cairo. There, you'll tour Al-Muizz Street and discover museums like Abdeen Palace on an atmospheric evening tour. On your final day, visit the Al-Manial Palace and Museum on Roda Island before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Highlights & Hidden Treasures of Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria, Siwa, Aswan & Luxor

Unearth the wonders of Egypt on this off-the-beaten-path exploration of Cairo, Alexandria, Siwa, Aswan, and Luxor. Ideal for history buffs and culture enthusiasts, you'll explore the pyramids of Giza, unwind in Bir Wahed's desert hot springs, taste local delicacies on a Cairo food tour, and cruise the Nile River for three days. Additional highlights include a day trip to the waterfalls of Wadi el-Rayan and striking out into the country's north to visit ancient ruins in Alexandria and the Siwa Oasis. Finish with dinner and a cultural show aboard a Pharaonic barge on the Nile.

Begin in Cairo to see the Great Pyramid of Khufu and its protector, the Great Sphinx, followed by a tour of Old Cairo's historic churches. Then, take a nature-focused day trip to Wadi el-Rayan to swim in a refreshing pool below waterfalls and sandboard on nearby dunes. Back in the capital, you'll learn more about Islamic Cairo at the 12th-century Cairo Citadel, the Mohamed Ali Mosque, and in historic streets and bazaars, then head to Alexandria for panoramic Mediterranean Sea views and landmarks like the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa and the Citadel of Qaitbay. 

From Alexandria, travel to the Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert via the El-Alamein military museum and the coastal town of Marsa Matrouh. Spend a day admiring Shali Old Town's traditional Berber architecture, fortresses, museums, temples, and hot springs. After sampling local delights on a food tour back in Cairo, travel to Aswan, board a Nile cruise, and tour Aswan's highlights: Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and Aswan High Dam. Cruise to several temples en route to Luxor, where you'll disembark and fly to Cairo for a final night. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Egypt City, River, Desert & Coast Adventure

This far-reaching active itinerary combines the best of Egypt's landscapes: the city, desert, and coast. Ideal for adventure seekers, you'll explore Cairo's exciting food scene, catch the sunrise from a hot-air balloon over Luxor, cruise the Nile to visit iconic temples such as Karnak, Luxor, and Edfu, head to the oasis of Bahariya to camp in the stark beauty of the Black and White Deserts, and snorkel in the Red Sea's pristine Ras Mohamed National Park. Round off your trip with a midnight hike up Mount Sinai in Sharm el-Sheikh and a traditional Nile dinner cruise in Cairo.

Get settled into Cairo, then kick things off in style with a camel ride to see the pyramids of the Giza Plateau and the Great Sphinx. Dive deeper into the capital with a tour of Coptic Cairo's Hanging Church and Holy Cave, then fly to Luxor to board your Nile cruise. Take a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the "open-air museum" and visit the Valley of the Kings before casting off south toward Aswan. Here, you'll switch to a small felucca (traditional river sailboat) for a scenic trip around Elephantine Island, the Botanical Gardens, and the Agha Khan Mausoleum before flying back to the capital.

Next, you're off to Bahariya Oasis to camp overnight in the otherworldly Black and White Deserts, known for their ancient cities and well-preserved mummies. Then, return to Cairo for a walking food tour before flying to Sharm el-Sheikh for a Bedouin safari and stargazing tour. Spend the next days enjoying Red Sea beaches, taking a sunrise hike up Mount Sinai, and snorkeling with dolphins around White Island and Ras Mohamed National Park. Before departing, fly to Cairo a final time to taste Egyptian specialties on a Nile dinner cruise and wander Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Highlights of Egypt & Jordan: Cairo, Nile Cruise, Wadi Rum, Petra, Amman & the Dead Sea

Discover the best of Egypt and Jordan on this epic multicountry trip across cities, deserts, rivers, and seas. Travelers looking for a blend of history, culture, and adventure will enjoy engaging in experiences like traditional Egyptian cultural performances, touring the hidden corners of Old Cairo, sailing the Nile on a traditional wooden sailboat, camping under the desert stars in Wadi Rum, and exploring the ancient ruins of Petra and Jerash. Additional highlights include a full-day tour of the Egyptian Museum and Coptic Cairo and visiting Jordan's medieval Kerak Castle. 

Your adventure begins in Cairo with a tanoura folk dance performance and visits to the Egyptian Museum and Coptic Cairo's Fortress of Babylon. From there, fly to Aswan and visit Agilkia Island and Philae Temple before boarding a Nile river cruise. Hop aboard a traditional wooden sailboat to see Aswan's landmarks, then cruise north toward Luxor to explore the temples of Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, and Edfu. You'll explore the many temples and complexes of Luxor, including the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Kings, before flying back to the capital for a tour of Islamic Cairo and the Mohamed Ali Mosque. 

Fly to the Jordanian capital of Amman next and transfer to the Wadi Rum Protected Area for a desert Jeep tour. Then, it's on to the famed archaeological site of Petra, starting with the narrow Siq, a natural rock gorge leading to the Treasury, a towering mausoleum. On your way back to Amman via the King's Highway, visit Shobak Castle, the Ottoman village of Dana, and more. Wander the Jerash Roman ruins, Ajloun Castle, and the northern city of Umm Qais, with views of the Yarmouk Valley. After a guided tour of Amman city, drive to the Dead Sea to relax and float atop its salty waters. Learn more

More Great 13-Day Egypt Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Egypt? Check out these other 13-day Egypt itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.