Spanning thousands of years of ancient history, how can you see it all when visiting Egypt? Because Egypt is such a high-traffic tourist destination, there are plenty of strategic trips to book to make the most of your time. While the shorter, five-day tours incorporate the top historical highlights, from the Pyramids of Giza to cruising along the Nile River, with more time, you can also explore beaches, deserts, and even cross over into a second country.

Planning Your Trip to Egypt

Whether you spend five, 10, or 14 days in Egypt, most traditional itineraries begin (and some end) in Cairo. Starting in Cairo allows you to launch into all of the ancient historical sights, followed by excursions along the Nile River (to Luxor, Edfu, and Aswan), to the Red Sea, and into the desert of Siwa. While most five-day trips focus on up to three areas, you can make up to six stops if you have 10 days to spend in Egypt. If 14 days is an option, you can expect the most in-depth tour of Egypt possible, encompassing all of the highlights and opportunities to cross into another country, like Jordan or Morocco. 

Egypt in 5 Days 

Domes and minarets in Old Cairo
Photograph the domes and minarets in Old Cairo

If you only have five days to spend in Egypt, fret not. Depending on your preferences and starting point, you can visit one, two, or three destinations. 

If your top priority is an Egyptian cultural tour, you can remain anchored in Cairo to explore the ancient riches. Discover the Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids of Giza, and the iconic Sphinx, and take a day trip to Alexandria to visit the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, the Citadel of Fort Qaitbey, and the Library of Alexandria. Want to shop for local treasures? Khan el-Khalili Bazaar is a must. 

However, a trip to Egypt isn't complete without visiting the Nile. Luckily, different cruise excursions are available. For example, you can split time between cruising the Nile and relaxing along Red Sea beaches on a culture-meets-sea getaway, which takes you to Hurghada to enjoy the sun, sand, scuba diving, and a famous shipwreck—craving more culture? Make a stop in Luxor to visit the ancient temples. 

Check out this article for more 5-day itineraries. 

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Egypt in 10 Days 

Kick back and relax on the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh

With 10 days in Egypt, there's time to explore city sights, beautiful beaches, ancient temples, and desert oases. You can make the comfortable transfer to three destinations or pick up the pace and conquer six stops, including crossing the border into Jordan. 

On an ancient Egypt and oasis adventure, you'll get to check out all of the highlights in Cairo and Alexandria—plus the gorgeous Montazah Palace Gardens by the sea—along with a stop in the Siwa desert. View the tombs at the Mountain of the Dead, take a 4WD safari, dip into the springs of the Cleopatra Bath, and dine on traditional Bedouin eats. 

You can also take an extended cruise along the Nile River, which stops at Aswan High Dam, the temples at Edfu (including the Kom Ombo temple), Luxor, and a journey to the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Home to colorful snorkeling and beachside dining, you can also get your culture fix at St. Catherine's Monastery (where Moses received the Ten Commandments). 

If you're looking to traverse the border, you can venture from Egypt to Jordan. In addition to experiencing everything Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor have to offer, cross into Jordan via Amman to accomplish a little sightseeing. Then, visit ancient Petra, known for its rosy-hued stone architecture built by the ancient Nabateans and Roman ruins. Plus, there's time for an adventurous, guided safari of Wadi Rum to check out the dunes, incredible rock formulations, and massive rock bridges. 

Check out this article for more 10-day itineraries. 

Egypt in 2 Weeks

The temples of Luxor from the Nile River
Check out the temples of Luxor from the Nile River

You won't miss out on Egypt's best attractions if you have two weeks. There's plenty of time to explore the historical sights in Cairo and Alexandria and board a decent cruise to visit all of the stops along the Nile River. A slower pace also allows for more relaxation or desert exploration. You can also cross into two additional countries, depending on which path you take. 

A well-rounded trip can take you to four regions: Cairo, the Nile, Alexandria, and the Siwa desert. Beyond Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza, you'll cruise the River Nile to attractions like the Valley of the Kings, temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple near Aswan. After a quick return flight to Cairo, you'll join a local Egyptologist in Alexandria to tour the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, the Amphitheater, and the Alexandria National Museum before touching on the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Citadel of Qaitbay, and Montazah Palace Gardens. Capping the trip with the Siwa Oasis, a desert excursion, and a Bedouin overnight.

Two weeks can also allow you to cross into other countries. For example, you can split time between Egypt and Morocco. Once you've experienced the highlights of Egypt, including the Pyramids of Giza and a Nile River cruise that takes you up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor, you'll have time left over to spend a full week in Morocco. Flying from Cairo, you'll land in Casablanca to tour the Hassan II Mosque before setting off to explore the medinas, souks, and gardens of Casablanca, Fes, Agafay, and Marrakesh. Bonus: you'll spend a night at the Agafay Desert Camp and ride a hot-air balloon over Marrakesh.

Check out this article for more 14-day itineraries. 

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.