8 Days in Egypt - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Egyptian Highlights From Cairo to the Red Sea

This Cairo to the Red Sea highlights tour is an excellent choice for travelers interested in archaeological sites and coastal adventures. After a food tour in Cairo, you'll visit several famous pyramids with an Egyptologist guide, hit Karnak Temple and other historic sites on a three-day Nile cruise, and cap off your trip with some swimming and snorkeling in Hurghada.

On a Cairo food tour, get your first taste of Egyptian cuisine, including kushari (the national dish made with lentils, chickpeas, pasta, and tomato sauce). The next day, you'll visit some of Egypt's most iconic sites, such as the Great Pyramid of Khufu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, with your Egyptologist guide. Then, you'll fly to Aswan on Day 3 for a sunset felucca (traditional sailboat) ride before setting off on a Nile River cruise aboard a larger ship. After a good night's rest in your cabin, you'll enjoy breakfast on board, then admire the wall carvings and statues at the Temple of Kom Ombo.

Your next stop along the Nile is Edfu, where you can see one of Egypt's best-preserved shrines. Following that, you'll continue a short ways north to Luxor and walk among the massive statues at the Karnak Temple complex, the second-largest ancient religious site in the world, and take a stroll down The Avenue of the Sphinxes at Luxor Temple. After a sunset dinner on board and one more night on the ship, you'll disembark to see the rock-cut tombs of the Valley of the Kings. Then, your driver will transfer you to Hurghada for a swim in the Red Sea and a snorkeling trip to Giftun Island before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Voyage Down the Nile: Cairo, Luxor, Esna, Kom Ombo, Aswan & Abu Simbel

History enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous archaeological sites on this Nile River voyage. Before boarding the ship in Luxor, you'll have time at the Royal Mummies Hall in Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza. Then, you'll cruise the Nile, making stops along the way to climb up to Deir el-Bahari and see the temples dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, decipher hieroglyphics in Edfu, marvel at the largest known ancient obelisk in Aswan, check out the murals at Philae Temple, and stand in the presence of towering pharaoh statues at Abu Simbel Temples.

Start with a city tour of Cairo that includes souvenir shopping at Khan el-Khalili bazaar and the chance to see mummies at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Spend Day 2 visiting the pyramids and the Great Sphinx in Giza, before a quick one-hout flight takes you to Luxor the next day where you'll board a cruise ship. Your first stop is the Valley of the Kings for a tour of the tombs and a climb up to Deir el-Bahari to see cliff views and the temples dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut. Then, your cruise continues to the Temple of Edfu, where you'll hear tales of ancient Egypt while checking out hieroglyphics.

Your final day on board the Nile cruise includes a stop in Aswan for a visit to the largest known ancient obelisk and a tour of the reliefs and murals at Philae Temple. The following morning, you'll disembark the ship and meet your driver, who will take you to Abu Simbel. Here, you'll see the towering pharaoh statues and the cliff-carved Abu Simbel Temples. On your last day in Egypt, you'll have free time to explore on your own, perhaps joining a boat tour on Lake Nasser, where you can watch for wildlife, like freshwater crocodiles and monitor lizards, as you pass ancient ruins on the shore. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Active Egyptian Adventure: Snorkeling, Hiking & Desert Camping

This slower-paced Egyptian adventure is mostly based in Sharm el-Sheikh, and perfectly balances active and leisurely outdoor experiences. You'll hike up Mount Sinai to see the sunrise, snorkel in Ras Mohammed National Park, and camp in the White Desert. This tour also includes free time in Sharm el-Sheikh for swimming and sunbathing, a short trip to Cairo to visit the pyramids and an optional excursion to Dahab for trekking and diving. Romantic activities, such as a dinner cruise on the Red Sea and a night of stargazing in the desert, make this a great choice for honeymooners and couples. 

On arrival in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, you'll ease into your Egyptian adventure with a dinner cruise on the Red Sea. The following morning, you'll join a full-day boat tour that includes snorkeling in Ras Mohammed National Park, a visit to the beaches of White Island, and a barbecue lunch on board your boat. You'll have free time the next day to swim and relax at your resort in Sharm el-Sheikh before meeting your guide for an evening journey to Mount Sinai. Here, you'll trek in the dark to reach the summit for sunrise. The next day, head into the desert for a camel ride and stargazing at a Bedouin camp. 

Catch a flight to Cairo on Day 5, where you'll visit the Great Pyramids and the necropolis of Saqqara before transferring to the Bahariya Oasis, your base for exploring the White Desert. Hop in a Jeep and admire the otherworldly landscape glittering with quartz crystals and mushroom-shaped rocks. Then, you'll return to Cairo for your flight back to Sharm el-Sheikh, where you can spend your final day relaxing at your resort and swimming in the Red Sea. Alternatively, add an optional excursion to Dahab for a day of hiking in the Colored Canyon and diving at the famous Blue Hole. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Cultural Highlights of Northern Egypt: Cairo & Siwa

With a nice balance of culture, adventure, history, and cuisine, this Cairo and Siwa itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors who prefer a more relaxed pace complimented by a variety of activities. Highlights include visits to pyramids and pilgrimage sites, a cooking class, and a dance performance in Cairo, followed by a tour of a 13th-century fortress, a dip in the hot springs, and an overnight at a Bedouin Camp in Siwa Oasis. 

On your first day in Cairo, take in the city skyline views while sailing on the Nile River in a traditional wooden boat. Head to bed early so you'll have plenty of energy for tomorrow's adventures, which include visiting the pyramid complex of Giza and browsing King Tut's treasure and other ancient artifacts at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Then on Day 3, you'll tour pilgrimage sites in the Coptic Cairo neighborhood, including the country's oldest Christian church. Dive deeper into Egyptian culture later that day with a traditional dance performance at the Wekalet el-Ghouri Arts Center and a cooking lesson in a local family's home the next day. 

En route to Siwa, your driver will take you to the El-Alamein War Museum to learn about Egypt's role in World War II. Afterward, you'll continue to the resort town of Marsa Matruh for a seaside lunch before reaching your next destination: Siwa Oasis. Here, you'll visit the ruins of the Shali Old Town, a 13th-century fortress built with mud and saltwater, then take a dip in the natural springs at Bir Wahed. Savor dinner under the stars and a peaceful overnight at a Bedouin camp before returning to Cairo. You'll have one final day to feast on Egyptian fare, such as om ali (a sweet bread pudding), during a walking food tour. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Highlights of Egypt & Jordan: Cairo, Nile Cruise, Petra & Wadi Rum

Travelers eager to make the most of their time with a multicountry trip will appreciate this Egypt and Jordan itinerary. In Egypt, you'll visit Cairo's historic mausoleums and Giza's ancient pyramids before boarding a Nile cruise. Along the way, you'll have the chance to learn about sacred rituals at the Temple of Kom Ombo, stroll the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor, and examine the murals and hieroglyphs at the Valley of the Kings. Then, in Jordan, you'll trek through the ancient Nabataean city of Petra and tour the rock formations and Mars-like landscapes of Wadi Rum on a Jeep excursion. 

Kick off your journey with a tour of Cairo's historic mosques, mausoleums, and palaces, followed by souvenir shopping in Khan el-Khalili bazaar. On your second day, you'll visit the pyramids of Giza, including the best-preserved one, the Pyramid of Khafre, before seeing Tutankhamun's mask and some of the other 120,000 artifacts housed in the Egyptian Museum. Following that, fly to Aswan for a sail on a wooden boat that takes you to historic sites such as the temple ruins on Elephantine Island. Then, board a Nile cruise headed for the Temple of Kom Ombo, where you'll gain insight into ancient rituals. 

Your cruise continues to Esna on Day 5, where you can inspect the mythological scenes depicted at the Temple of Khnum before sailing to Luxor to walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes. Squeeze in a visit to the Valley of the Kings, a UNESCO-listed necropolis, before your flight to Amman, Jordan. On arrival, your driver will transfer you to Petra for a full day to hike through the archaeological site, stopping at the rock-cut Treasury facade and climbing the 850 stairs to the Monastery. End your trip on a high note with a day of adventure in Wadi Rum, including a Jeep safari across the rust-red dunes. Learn more

More Great 8-Day Egypt Itineraries

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