9 Days in Egypt - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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

An excellent choice for first-time visitors, this Cairo to Hurghada highlights itinerary offers a mix of historical sites, culinary experiences, and outdoor activities. Highlights include a tasting tour in Cairo, a visit to the pyramids of Giza, a Nile cruise with stops at historic temples en route, a snorkeling excursion to the Giftun Islands, a Jeep ride through the desert, and a submarine tour of the Red Sea's coral reefs. 

Get a taste of koshary (Egypt's national dish made with lentils, rice, chickpeas, pasta, and tomato sauce) and other local specialties on a food tour in Cairo. On your second day, you'll take a deep dive into Egyptian history with a tour of the Great Pyramid of Giza and its slightly smaller companions and a visit to the Egyptian Museum, home to Tutankhamun's mask and more than 120,000 other artifacts. Then, your driver will take you to the rock-cut Abu Simbel Temples before you embark on a Nile cruise from Aswan. Your first stop is the Temple of Kom Ombo, where you'll learn about ancient rituals that took place.

Your cruise continues to Luxor on Day 6. You'll learn about the life of pharaohs buried at the Valley of the Kings, then (with the help of your guide!) try to decipher the hieroglyphs on the towering obelisks at the Karnak Temple. Back on board the ship, you'll savor a celebratory sunset dinner and one last night on the Nile. In the morning, you'll disembark from the cruise and fly to coastal Hurghada. Enjoy free time at the beach, then join a snorkeling trip to the Giftun Islands. Cap off your Egyptian adventure with a Jeep tour through the desert, followed by a submarine tour of the Red Sea's colorful corals and marine life. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Journey Down the Nile: Cairo, Luxor, Esna, Kom Ombo & Aswan

History and archaeology enthusiasts will appreciate the abundance of ancient sites on this Nile cruise journey, which adds Esna and Kom Ombo to the itinerary. After touring the pyramids of Giza and getting acquainted with Christian and Islamic landmarks in Cairo, you'll spend the rest of your time sailing to historic sites, such as Luxor Temple and Aswan Dam, along the Nile. Wrap up your trip back in Cairo with a free afternoon for shopping and museum-hopping.

Kick off your Egypt adventure in Cairo with some souvenir shopping in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and a tour of the city's Islamic and Christian sites, including the famous "Hanging Church" positioned atop the ruins of a Roman fortress. Then, you'll spend a morning in the presence of Giza's ancient pyramids and Great Sphinx before visiting Memphis, an open-air museum with remnants of royal tombs, temples, and a towering statue of Ramesses II. The following day, you'll fly to Luxor, where you can walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes before boarding your Nile cruise ship.

Your first stop on the river is the Valley of the Kings for a tour of the temples and a climb up to Deir el-Bahari for a view of the surrounding cliffs. Then, you'll continue along the river, stopping at the Temple of Edfu to study the hieroglyphics in the complex's sanctuaries and chapels. When you arrive in Aswan on Day 7, you'll have time to see inscriptions, reliefs, and murals depicting scenes from Egyptian mythology at Philae Temple. Your cruise concludes in Cairo, where you'll disembark and explore on your own, perhaps browsing ceramics, textiles, and artifacts at the Museum of Islamic Art. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Egypt City, Desert & Coast Adventure

This active Egypt adventure is ideal for outdoorsy travelers. You'll visit the Great Pyramids on camelback, camp amid the volcanic landscapes of the Black Desert, take a Jeep safari to the mushroom-shaped rock formations of White Desert National Park, trek up Mount Sinai to see the sunrise, enjoy stargazing at a Bedouin camp, and snorkel along Africa's largest coral reef system in Ras Mohamed National Park.

On arrival in Cairo, your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel to freshen up. From there, you'll have free time to do as you please, perhaps heading to Cairo Tower for birds-eye views or sailing the Nile River on a traditional wooden boat called a felucca. On Day 2, you'll join a guided tour of the pyramids of Giza, riding atop a camel to fully appreciate the grandeur of these ancient structures. Then you're off to Bahariya Oasis, where you'll embark on a Jeep excursion that takes you to date palm groves, along the edge of a salt lake, and over the volcanic landscapes of the Black Desert. 

After camping under the stars, you'll set off on another Jeep safari—this time to see the quartz crystals and mushroom-shaped rock formations of White Desert National Park. Next, your driver will chauffeur you back to Cairo so you can learn about Islamic architecture along El-Moez Street and practice your bartering skills in the Khan el-Khalili souk (market). Following that, you'll fly to Sharm el-Sheikh to summit Mount Sinai to see the next day's sunrise. Finally, you'll round out your trip with dinner and stargazing at a Bedouin camp, followed by a snorkeling tour in Ras Mohamed National Park. Learn more

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

Travelers keen on culture will enjoy this Cairo and Siwa Oasis tour. In Cairo, you'll sail on a traditional boat, browse the world's most extensive collection of Pharaonic artifacts at the Egyptian National Museum, prepare an Egyptian meal with a local family, and attend a folk music and dance performance. Then, in Siwa Oasis, you'll tour the mud and saltwater structures of Shali Old Town, soak in natural pools, and overnight at a Bedouin camp. 

You'll get your first cultural lesson in Cairo as you sail the Nile on a traditional wooden boat—the same type of transportation used since the time of pharaohs. Then you'll try another type of traditional transportation as you sightsee on camelback at the pyramids of Giza. The following day, you'll visit the Egyptian National Museum, home to the world's most extensive collection of Pharaonic artifacts. Before leaving Cairo, you'll also have the chance to cook Egyptian food with a local family and experience folk arts with a music and dance performance by the Al-Tannoura Troupe at the Wekalet el-Ghouri Arts Center. 

On Day 6, your driver will whisk you to the resort town of Marsa Matruh for a seafood lunch en route to Siwa Oasis. Here, you'll learn local history on a guided tour of Shali Old Town's mud and saltwater structures, followed by a visit to the Siwa Museum, where you'll find thousands of years of Siwan history revealed through ceramics, jewelry, instruments, and traditional wedding outfits. Afterward, you'll take a dip in the natural springs at Bir Wahed and end the evening with dinner at a Bedouin camp. Finally, you'll return to Cairo for one last taste of om ali (bread pudding) and other local fare on a food tour. Learn more

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

Experience ancient wonders on this Egypt and Jordan itinerary. Best suited to travelers interested in history and outdoor adventures, this tour moves at a fairly quick pace to cover a lot of ground. In Egypt, you'll visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, cruise the Nile, learn about Egyptian rituals at the Temple of Khnum, and soar above the Valley of the Kings in a hot-air balloon. You'll spend the second half of your trip in Jordan, marveling at mosaics in Madaba, touring a Crusader castle in Karak, trekking the trails of Petra, and traversing the Mars-like landscapes of Wadi Rum.

Your multicountry journey begins in Cairo, where you'll explore the bazaars and visit the Great Pyramid of Giza—one of the Seven Great Wonders of the Ancient World. Afterward, fly to Aswan and sail on a traditional wooden boat to Elephantine Island, where you can stroll through ancient ruins before boarding your Nile cruise. You'll stop at several historic sites along the river, including the Temple of Khnum, home to mythological and astrological carvings. After disembarking in Luxor, you'll get a birdseye view of the river and Valley of the Kings on a hot-air balloon ride, then take a closer look at the necropolis on a guided tour.

The second half of your trip takes you to Jordan. After a quick flight and a good night's rest in Amman, the capital city, your driver will take you to Madaba to see the famous mosaic map at St George's Church. From there, you'll continue to Karak, where you can climb to the top of the Crusader castle to view the countryside, then hop back in the car for the drive to Petra. Here, you'll have a full day to explore the tombs and trails of this archaeological site, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, before wrapping up your adventure with a Jeep excursion through the rust-red desert of Wadi Rum. Learn more

More Great 9-Day Egypt Itineraries

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