16 Days in Egypt - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Highlights of Egypt: Cairo, Nile Cruise & Sharm el-Sheikh

Ideal for first-time visitors, this Egypt highlights tour offers a balance of history, culture, adventure, and relaxation. After touring the pyramids in Cairo, you'll set off on a six-day Nile cruise that includes stops at Luxor Temple and other ancient sites along the way. Afterward, you'll return to Cairo for a folk music and dance show and a tour of the city's Christian and Islamic landmarks before ending your journey with an overnight hike up Mount Sinai, a snorkeling excursion in Ras Mohamed National Park, and some leisurely beach time in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. 

Kick off your trip in Cairo with a Nile River dinner cruise, complete with belly dancing. The next day, an Egyptologist will take you to Khafre, the best-preserved of the main Giza pyramids and other popular sites. Then, you'll fly to Luxor and board a ship for a six-day cruise. Before leaving Luxor, you'll walk the Avenue of the Sphinxes to see the statues of Ramesses II guarding Luxor Temple. Over the next few days, you'll cruise to Aswan, stopping en route to see ancient inscriptions at the Temple of Horus and intricate carvings at the Temple of Kom Ombo. Once in Aswan, take a sunset sail on a traditional wooden boat. 

A quick flight to Abu Simbel on Day 8 offers a chance to learn about ancient rituals and see temples carved into the sandstone cliffs. Then, it's back to the boat for a celebratory dinner and a peaceful sleep to the sway of the river. In the morning, you'll disembark and fly back to Cairo for a folk music and dance show at Wekalet El-Ghoury. The following day, you'll check out Cairo's Christian and Islamic architecture, including the medieval Citadel of Saladin. Finally, you'll fly to Sharm el-Sheikh and cap off your trip with a trek up Mount Sinai to see the sunrise and a snorkeling excursion in Ras Mohamed National Park. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Egypt's Highlights & Hidden Corners: Cairo, Siwa, Luxor, Hurghada & More

Experience Egypt's popular highlights ,plus lesser-visited sites like Siwa and Hurghada, on this Cairo to Hurghada itinerary. Highlights include the pyramids of Giza, a tasting tour in Cairo, a 4WD excursion to the natural springs and petrified forests of Siwa Oasis, a three-day Nile cruise with stops at ancient temples along the river, a snorkeling tour to the Giftun Islands, and a sunset desert safari in Hurghada. 

Start in Cairo with a sunset dinner at Cairo Tower's revolving restaurant. Then, embark on a full-day tour that includes the pyramids of Giza and a chance to browse ancient artifacts at the Egyptian Museum. You'll also visit historic mosques in Old Cairo and barter for souvenirs in Khan el-Khalili bazaar. From there, head to Alexandria to explore Egyptian literature at Alexandria Bibliotheca. Afterward, your driver will whisk you west to Siwa Oasis, your base for touring Shali Old Town's mud-brick structures and taking a dip in the natural springs. Return to Cairo for a tasting tour before your flight to Aswan on Day 9. 

In Aswan, you'll visit the Unfinished Obelisk, a 137-foot (42 m) long structure still sitting in the quarry where it was carved, then board your Nile cruise. Along the river, you'll stop at the Temple of Edfu to marvel at the towering facade and engraved columns and then continue to Luxor for a tour of Karnak, the world's second-largest temple complex. After three days on the ship, you'll disembark and head to the Valley of the Kings to see the rock-cut tombs. Lastly, your driver will take you to Hurghada to snorkel the Giftun Islands, followed by a sunset desert safari by quad bike. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Adventurous Egypt: Cities, Deserts, Nile Cruise & Red Sea

Active travelers will appreciate this Egypt adventure's quick pace and outdoor excursions. You'll tour ancient pyramids in Giza, soar above Luxor in a hot-air balloon, cruise the Nile to Aswan, visit Islamic sites around Cairo, climb Gebel al-Ingleez, camp under the stars in the White Desert, snorkel in the Red Sea, and catch a ferry to neighboring Jordan for a full day of trekking around the ruins of Petra. 

Your adventure begins in Cairo with a visit to the Giza pyramids and the 5,000-year-old Great Sphinx, followed by a tour of the tombs in the ancient city of Memphis. Then, you'll fly to Luxor, where you'll soar over the city in a hot-air balloon and walk amid massive columns inscribed with hieroglyphs at Karnak Temple before boarding a cruise to Aswan. Next, you'll learn about Egyptian engineering feats at Aswan Dam and tour the Temple of Philae, which is dedicated to the goddess of love. Afterward, return to Cairo to see Islamic sites, such as the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, and hunt for treasures in a historic market. 

Your driver will chauffeur you to the Bahariya Oasis on Day 10, where you'll observe migratory birds at Lake Marun and climb Gebel al-Ingleez, a former World War I lookout post with panoramic views. You'll also have a chance to see the glittering quartz and limestone rock formations of the White Desert before camping under the stars. Then you'll trade the desert for the coast and spend two days in Dahab, swimming and snorkeling in the Red Sea. From there, you'll make a day trip by ferry to Jordan for a trek around the cliff-cut Nabataean city of Petra before capping off your journey with a Nile dinner cruise once back in Cairo. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Egypt & Jordan's Ancient Ruins & Natural Landscapes

This fast-paced Egypt and Jordan trip is a fit for outdoorsy travelers and history and culture enthusiasts. In Egypt, you'll step back in time as you stroll the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor, admire the reliefs at Abu Simbel, and marvel at the detailed depictions of gods and pharaohs at the Temple of Seti I. You'll also dine in a family home in Cairo, unwind in a hot spring in the Dakhla Oasis, and visit a Nubian village near Aswan. Then, you'll head to Jordan to hike a section of the Jordan Trail, take a Jeep tour of Wadi Rum's Mars-like landscapes, and trek the Petra archaeological site at your own pace. 

On arrival in Cairo, sample koshary (the national dish made with lentils, rice, chickpeas, pasta, and tomato sauce) and other Egyptian dishes as you dine at a local family's home. The next day, you'll embark on a tour of the area's famous ruins, including the Saqqara Necropolis, a burial ground for the royal family and noblemen of Memphis. Then, catch a flight south to Aswan, where you'll cruise to a Nubian village and learn about the local culture and traditions, such as basket weaving. Afterward, your driver will take you to Abu Simbel to see the temples' massive statues and intricately carved reliefs. 

Back in Aswan, you'll board a felucca (traditional sailboat) for a Nile cruise that includes a stop at Kom Ombo to learn about ancient rituals. You'll disembark in Edfu on Day 5 and continue by road to Luxor for a stroll on the Avenue of Sphinxes. A day trip to the Temple of Seti I offers the chance to admire detailed depictions of gods and pharaohs. Then, you're off to the Western Desert to see mud-brick churches that reflect a mix of Egyptian, Roman, and Byzantine influences. Your adventures end in Jordan with a trek through the rust-red Wadi Rum desert to Aqaba and a hike to the rock-cut monuments in Petra. 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.