10 Day Egypt Itinerary

Egypt is without a doubt one of the most popular bucket-list countries, and designing a 10 day itinerary in this African country is no easy feat. With abundant history, gorgeous monuments, and so much ground to cover, there’s a reason Egypt has captivated the world and tourism industry for as long as it has. It’s certainly a crowning jewel in the Middle East region.

From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the allure of the temple-lined Nile River, there’s so much to see in Egypt. A 10 day itinerary seems short when you start considering everything there is to see and experience in Egypt. But it is also a great opportunity to get a taste of what makes the country such a unique, unforgettable destination.

Image looking up at the Great Pyramids and wandering through ancient temples where intricate hieroglyphics are still intact. Delve underground into ancient tombs of queens and kings to admire the same colorful, decorated walls that greeted the mummies when they were placed there thousands of years ago. See King Tutankhamen’s burial masks up close in all their glittering, golden glory, and enjoy a sunset felucca ride down the Nile.

I get excited about Egypt all over again just writing about itinerary. Our trip took us from Cairo and down the Nile to venture in the paths of ancient Egyptian rulers. While there are many ways to design a trip to Egypt, here’s what we ultimately did. Hopefully this serves as a jumping off point as you decide on your own 10 day itinerary to Egypt–or you can follow this exact itinerary if it seems good to you.

Day 1

Arrival

Our flight arrived on Day 1 late in the afternoon. We benefited from flying from Istanbul, Turkey, having just spent a month living and writing there. There’s a good chance if you come from overseas, you’ll be arriving either in the late afternoon or evening, too.

So today, just focus on taking it easy. Meet your tour guide at the airport or grab your transport and get to your hotel.

We recommend staying near Giza to make Day 2 easier. Now, full disclosure: the area around Giza really isn’t that great. You can run into plenty of scams and petty crime if you aren’t wary.

But that’s not a big deal if you do as we did. Book yourself a nice hotel with pyramid and/or sphinx views. Hotels with views are available for budget, mid-range, and luxury prices. There’s nothing like arriving to Cairo and spending the first night admiring those bucket-list Egyptian wonders from the comfort of your hotel as you enjoy a nice dinner.

Day 2

Giza

What better way to start off your first full day on your 10-day Egypt itinerary than visiting the pyramids of Kings Cheops, Chephren, and Menkaure? We greatly enjoyed wandering around the base of the pyramids. You can also purchase tickets to journey under the pyramids. You will need to stoop and the passage can feel quite narrow. There isn’t a ton to see–and to be honest, you’re going to spoiled with underground tombs when you get to teh Valley of Kings–but if you’ve come all this way and want to explore every part of the pyramid, go right ahead.

While in the area, you will also want to make a visit to the sphinx. You can also delve into some smaller temples within the complex where you can get your first glimpse of ancient hieroglyphics carved into the stones.

There are some great photo opportunities and viewpoints that you won’t want to miss around Giza as well, offering jawdropping views. Plus, plenty of people trying to sell you on camel rides, so be prepared for lots of touts.

But don’t let that distract you from this amazing experience. Definitely get here as early as possible to avoid the crowds and the heat.

Saqqara

Next up on your Egypt itinerary is Saqqara. See the very first pyramid of Egypt. Built for King Zoser, this pyramid is surrounded by other tombs and smaller pyramids. You can visit the tombs and the rest of the funerary complex around the pyramid. Be impressed by more underground views of hieroglyphics and carvings. This is a nice stop to catch your breath after Giza since the crowds are not nearly as overwhelming here. 

Dahshur

Dahshur will be our last stop on Day 1 of our 10-Day Egypt itinerary. It is home of the Bent and Red Pyramids built in the 4th century. When we arrived here toward the end of the afternoon, we were the only visitors for most of the time. The Bent Pyramid is unique because of its crooked construction, a mistake made by the ancient architects who had to course-correct the steepness of pyramid’s slope when they were partway done with it. The Red Pyramid was the first successful straight-sided pyramid. You’ll have the opportunity to go inside the pyramids here, too, if you so desire.

Afterward, finish your day by journeying back up to your hotel. Enjoy a nice dinner and prepare for an early morning flight to your next destination: Luxor.

Day 3

Luxor

Yes, you’ll need to take an early flight to get to Luxor on Day 3 of your 10-Day Egypt itinerary. It’s a pain, but it’s going to be worth it. I promise. The Luxor airport is small and easy to navigate. So you can quickly pick up your luggage on arrival and meet your guide and driver to get on with your first day exploring this ancient city.

Karnak Temple

Karnak is the first of two massive temple complexes you will visit on Day 3 of your Egypt itinerary. On the east bank of the Nile, the complex is a mix of temples, massive columns, statues, and other buildings. This expansive open-air museum can take a couple hours to fully explore. YOu’ll see plenty of parts full of people as you’re surrounded by picturesque pillars and ruins–but you can just as easily lose the crowds in the nooks and crannies of this awe-inspiring place.

Luxor Temple

Luxor is up after Karnak. The temple complex was used in some of Egypt’s ancient festivals. We found this temple complex far less crowded, and it was a great way to wrap up our day. The temples are carved in hieroglyphics, and you can see remnants of the colors as well. You’ll find temple here built by King Amenhotep II along with Alexander the Great. There are parts of the temple that were transformed into chapels and churches later on as well. After this, you’ll probably be ready to return to your hotel to relax and have dinner.

Nile River

If you’re up for it, consider hiring a felucca to take you around the river in the evening. Personally, I enjoyed our Nile River boat ride in Aswan more (just more to see along the river). But all the same, you can easily enjoy a sunset ride here and have a great time soaking in the views.

Day 4

Day 4 is going to be jam-packed on your Egypt itinerary. That being said, today is filled with some of the most impressive hieroglyphics and artwork of the trip. Get ready to enjoy the west bank of the Nile River.

Hatshepsut Temple

Start off the day with the impressive Hatshepsut Temple. Htshepust one of the few female pharaos. Her steward and architect design this gorgeous temple carved int he cliff face. You’ll find reliefs and inscriptions depicting her divine birth. Awesome way to start the day.

Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is one of the most popular stops in Luxor. Consisting of an ancient burial ground, there are 63 tombs cut deep into the cliffs. Depending on which tombs are open, you’ll have some fantastic tombs to visit. Some are included with your entrance ticket to the Valley; others require a separate entrance ticket on top of your general entrance fee. Make sure to check with your guide for the latest costs for the entrance tickets, as they always seem to be changing. In any case, the Valley of the king was definitely a highlight of our itinerary.

Our recommended tombs are Ramesses IV, Ramesses III, and Tausert and Seknakht. These tombs are gorgeous. You also won’t be disappointed with any of the tombs you have to pay extra for. Set I is definitely one of the most beautifully decorated tombs we saw. We also paid extra for Tutankhamun’s tomb. While it definitely wasn’t the most impressive, it’s the only one with its mummy still intact. And of course, it’s worth seeing because of Tutankhamun’s popularity–and to put context to some of the treasures you’ll see in The Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Valley of the Queens

The Valley of the Queens is a secluded area near the Valley of the Kings. The wives of pharaohs and princes were buried here. Tombs here are remarkably decorated event though the Valley of the Queens is far less crowded than the Valley of the Queens. It costs extra to visit the tomb of Nefertari, but oh, man. I cannot recommend it enough. This might be the most gorgeous tomb we saw on our Egypt itinerary. I highly, highly recommend it.

Colossi of Memnun

Admittedly, after everything you saw today on the western bank of the Nile, the Colossi of Memnun might not seem as impressive. All the same, they’re worth a short visit. These two statues depict Amenhotep III, and they are wonderful way to end your day before you transfer back to your hotel.

Nile River

If you didn’t do a cruise last night, consider one today. Otherwise, get some rest for the next day of your Egypt itinerary. You’ve got a bit of a drive, but I promise it’s going to be worth it.

Day 5

Dendera Temple

At Dendera, over thirty miles north of Luxor, you’ll find a temple dedicated to Hathor. She’s also known as Aphrodite in Greek mythology. You’re going to be blown away with the towering columns within the temple, feeling like you’ve been transported to another world. It’s not nearly as busy as Karnak or Luxor, so take your time exploring this beautiful temple complex. I think the intact roof makes you feel more like you’ve just time traveled and less like you’re in an open-air museum. Explore the stairways and underground chambers, feeling like you’re Indian Jones.

Abydos

Pushing north, you’ll visit a temple dedicated to Osiris. The god of the underworld has an equally impressive temple as hathor. There are seven shrines within the complex, and one of the most impressive contains towering columns decorated in scenes celebrating the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh Seti. Visit the Abydos cemetery north of the temple and trace teh ritual stairway leading to the desert necropolis. 

Day 6

On Day 6 of your Egypt itinerary,  you’ll transfer by car to Aswan. But don’t fret about the road trip, because you’re going to make two extraordinary visits along the wall. 

Edfu

First off, visit Edfu to see one of the most well-preserved temples in Egypt. Gorgeous granit temples, intricate reliefs, and impressive columns depict the god Horus. You’ll see carvings depicting Horus’s story of revenge for the murder of his father. Text inscribed on the walls provides important details about temple rituals and the system of ancient Egyption religious beliefs. You’ll lose yourself exploring the imposing gateways, corutyards, halls, chapels, and inner sanctuary. But don’t get too lost, because you’re not done for the day.

Komombo

The unique temple of Komombo is a double temple dedicated to two triads of Egyptian guides. One half honors Sobek and Hathor while the other honors Horus and his family. The symmetrical temple has dual entrances, courts, colonnades, and inner sanctuaries. You’ll also visit the crocodile museum on sight to see the intriguing crocodile mummies found onsight in the catacombs under the temple. Definitely a unique way to end Day 6 of your Itinerary before you make it to Aswan to relax for the evening.

Day 7

Abu Simbel

Today, you’re only visiting Abu Simbel. It’s a fairly long trek, taking up to a few hours, from Aswan to Abu Simbel. But it’s worth it. The spectacular temples here are set in the solid rock above the Nile River.  The first temple is dedicated to Ramesses II and features four giant statues of the pharaoh seated on his throne. The second is dedicated to Nefertari, his chief queen, and the goddess Hathor. The inside of the temples are just as impressive as the outer structures, covered intexts, battle scenes, and images of the pharaoh and gods.

Nile River

Once you make it back up to your hotel and have a chance to relax, consider an even more relaxing sunset trip on the Nile. We opted for a motorboat instead of a felucca ride to cover more ground since the wind wasn’t amenable. We got to see Kitchener’s Island and Elphantine Island along with other gorgeous sights like mausoleums and the Nubian Village along our cruise.

Day 8

Another busy day capped off with a late-evening flight to Cairo! Get ready to enjoy your last full day in Aswan on your 10-day Egypt itinerary

Philae Temple

You might feel a little “templed” out by this morning. But fortunately, Philae Temple/ Temple of Isis is a refreshing change from some of the other gorgeous temples you’ve seen. Located on an island in the middle of the Nile, the Temple of Isis at Philae is accessible only by boat. This is by far one of the most picturesque temple complexes in Egypt as a result. Admire the colonnades, shires, and temples while surrounded by the peaceful waters of the Nile.

Nubian Museum

Some people visit Aswan’s High Dam. We were more interested in history than a modern architectural achievement, so we preferred visiting the Nubian Museum. The Nubian Museum is dedicate to the ancient region spanning southern Egyp and northern Sudan. It contains traditional Nubian musical instruments, jewelry, pottery, and carved wooden figures along with mummified remains. The Nubian civilization is often-overlooked though it flourished alongside ancient Egypt, so it’s worth visiting to learn more.

Unfinished Obelisk

The Unfinished Obelisk is a relatively short visit. By itself, the Obelisk isn’t immediately impressive. But when you learn the story of how obelisks were constructed and transported here, you’ll have a whole different perspective. It’s a worthy stop before you catch your plane up to Cairo, where you’ll spend the night relaxing before a fantastic day in the city.

Day 9

We opted to change up our itinerary for today. Many tours in Cario will take you to Old Coptic Cario where you can visit the Hanging Church and Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church along with the Jewish Synagogue of Ben Ezra. We’ve visited a lot of amazing synagogues, churches, temples, and more religious sites throughout Europe during our long 1.5 year trip, so we instead visited an extra museum and a palace, which we highly recommend.

Note: At the time of this writing, the Grand Egyptian Museum was not readily available. There’s a chance by the time you read this, it’ll be open. From what I’ve seen and heard about the museum, it promises to be absolutely amazing. You may choose to swap out one of the museums/sites on Day 9 for this museum. Alternatively, consider an extra day in Cairo to visit it if your flight is too early on Day 10 to fit in, as well.

The Egyptian Museum in Cairo

Start the day at this landmark museum built in 1902. Highly, highly recommend that you have your guide show you the major highlights–or else you could easily get lost in this museum all day. Honestly, the displays weren’t all filled with informative placards, so we loved having our guide interpret all the amazing artifacts we saw. We also spent a good deal of time visiting the very, very popular Tutankhamen exhibit, which is a sight not-to-be-missed.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization consists of one very impressive, large room that gives you an overview of Egyptian culture from ancient times right up until the modern era. It’s a cool, modern museum, but the major attraction is the collection of mummies under the main hall. This wonderful collection tells you about each of the mummies and their legacies in ancient Egypt. Absolutely recommended if you want to see the mummies of all the pharaohs and queens you’ve been learning about throughout your Egypt itinerary.

Prince Mohamed Ali Palace

This palace was built between 1897 and 1911. It’s certainly one of Cairo’s most splendid places. You can visit the grand residence with its mix of Ottoman, Moorish, and Andalusian architectural influences. The lavish reception hall is stunning, and the gardens and mosque are a serene oasis in bustling Cairo. This window into the lives of Egyptian royalty during the colonial era is a nice contrast to the ancient sites you’ve seen throughout the trip.

Khan el Khalili Bazaar

Need to buy some souvenirs or snacks? The bazaar has you covered. You’ll find cafes and stores geared for tourists. Everywhere you go, people will be ready to bargain with you for any of those last-minute purchases you might want to make.

Al Moez Ldin Allah Al Fatmi

Want to do some shopping without the chaos of the bazaar? Opt for a little less chaos here along this notable street filled with more relaxed shops and street food. We enjoyed sampling snacks from street vendors as we window-shopped, ultimately purchasing some jewelry from one of the many friendly stores along the way. We actually prefered this area a bit more than the very touristy bazaar because of its mix of locals and tourists alike. This was a wonderful way to end our last night in Egypt.

Day 10

Depart

Is it time to leave already? 10 days have passed since starting your itinerary in Egypt. It’s very likely that you’ll be spending all of today simply taking off from your hotel to the hotel. But if you’ve got extra time and want to fit in some more Cairo activities, see our list below.

With More Time

The Grand Egyptian Museum

Still in its soft-opening stages at the time of this post, the Grand Egyptian Museum will be the world’s largest museum dedicated to ancient Egypt. Located near the Giza Pyramids, it will house over 100,000 artifacts including the complete Tutankhamun collection. 

Alexandria

This historic Mediterranean port city has ancient ruins like the catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, the Pompey’s Pillar monument, and the Royal Library site. Activities include beachgoing, trying Mediterranean cuisine, and exploring the bazaars

White Desert

Located in Farafra, this national park has bright white chalk rock formations and formations that look like mushrooms or snowballs. Enjoy four-wheel driving, camping under the stars, and viewing the unique geology.

Red Sea

The Red Sea Riviera has coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving. Popular spots are Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, and Hurghada. Activities include beachgoing, water sports, and taking a submarine or glass-bottom boat tour. If we were to spend a few more days in Egypt, I would love to end my trip here to relax and enjoy watersports.

Final Tips

• Be sure to research visa requirements thoroughly before you go.
• Dress modestly when visiting mosques and other sites. Highly recommend loose-fitting long sleeves and shirts for men and women throughout your trip. You’ll also be okay with short-sleeve shirts, but the bonus with long-sleeves is protection from that overbearing sun.
• Learn how to say “no, thank you” (La, shukran) in Arabic to help stop souvenir touts from pestering you. You will likely encounter some very, very aggressive touts.
• Get small bills and coins for tips. You’ll be approached for tips quite a bit. Don’t tip more than you think is fair. Sometimes people will keep asking for more money if they think they can squeeze it out of you.
• Taxis don’t use meters, so you have to negotiate fares in advance. Take the stress out by either organizing a private tour or group tour with a reputable provider–or arrange rides in advance.
• The culture is more conservative than you may be used to, so besides clothing, avoid public displays of affection.