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AFRICA / EGYPT

Egypt in 7 or 10 Days: Cairo, the Nile and an Optional Red Sea Stay

The pyramids. A few days on the Nile. And that moment you look at each other and say, “We’re finally here.”

Two routes through Egypt, with the places to go, where to stay, and the details that help the trip come together.

Explore the itinerary
Alisha and Matt together on a Bora Bora beach

A trip from Alisha & MattPlanned with couples in mind.

Two travelers beside a camel with a pyramid behind them at Giza
A pretty good use of your next chapter.

YOUR TIME7 or 10 days

THE ROUTECairo + the Nile

TRAVEL STYLECulture, with time together

THE EXTRA DAYSA Red Sea finish

THE TRIP, IN A FEW WORDS

Yes, the pyramids.
And so much more.

Start in Cairo. Explore temples along the Nile. Stand in places you’ve seen in history books, then head back to a hotel someone else is cleaning.

The seven-day version brings the highlights together. Have ten days? Give Cairo more time, spend longer on the Nile, and finish by the Red Sea.

See how the route fits together
A LITTLE ORIENTATION

Follow the Nile.
Then follow your pace.

Your route at a glance. The ten-day version adds a Red Sea stop before returning to Cairo.

ROUTE DIAGRAM · NOT TO SCALE
Cairo & GizaPyramids + city discoveries
AswanYour Nile cruise begins
LuxorTemples + royal tombs
Hurghada10-day route only
↳ Both routes return to Cairo
THE PLAN

Your days, laid out.

Pick your trip length. Open a day for the details.

THE 7-DAY ROUTE

7-day Egypt itinerary

DAY1

Hello, Cairo.

CAIRO · ARRIVAL
The three pyramids of Giza across the desert

You made it. Give yourselves a little room to arrive before the sightseeing begins.

  • Arrive in CairoArrange your airport pickup before you travel.
  • Settle into your hotelStay near the airport for a late arrival, or head to your Giza base.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Marriott Mena House, or Hilton Cairo Heliopolis for a late arrival.

DAY2

Cairo, then south to Aswan.

CAIRO → ASWAN
Two travelers in the courtyard of the Mosque of Muhammad Ali

A day of museums, city views, and the bazaar before heading south.

  • Grand Egyptian MuseumPlan your museum visit with your guide.
  • Citadel & Mosque of Muhammad AliExplore another side of Cairo.
  • Khan el-Khalili BazaarLeave time to browse.
  • Continue to AswanChoose an evening flight only after confirming the museum, city visits, and airport transfer fit.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Confirm your overnight arrangements with your cruise operator.

DAY3

Your Nile chapter begins.

ASWAN · CRUISE EMBARKATION
A traveler walking between the columns at Philae Temple

Explore Aswan before boarding the cruise that takes you toward Luxor.

  • Philae TempleReach the temple by boat.
  • Optional felucca sailDiscuss this with your guide around your cruise boarding time.
  • Board your Nile cruiseCheck embarkation arrangements and the sailing schedule.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Aboard your Nile cruise.

DAY4

Temples along the river.

KOM OMBO · EDFU · THE NILE
Two travelers in front of the Temple of Kom Ombo

Today follows the river, with temple visits along the way.

  • Temple of Kom OmboVisit as part of your cruise itinerary.
  • Temple of EdfuConfirm the stop sequence with your cruise operator.
  • Time on the NileKeep a little space for the view from the boat.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Aboard your Nile cruise.

DAY5

A big day in Luxor.

LUXOR → CAIRO
Sunlit carved sandstone columns at Karnak Temple

Royal tombs and temple complexes fill the day. Coordinate this busy schedule carefully with your guide.

  • Valley of the KingsDiscuss which tombs you want to visit and any separate tickets.
  • Temple of HatshepsutInclude the visit in your West Bank plan.
  • Karnak & Luxor TemplesFit both to opening hours and your departure.
  • Return to CairoArrange the return flight around the sightseeing and airport transfer.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Marriott Mena House.

DAY6

The pyramids. Finally.

GIZA · SAQQARA
Two travelers walking hand in hand in front of the Sphinx and a pyramid

The day for the places you’ve pictured for years. Let your guide arrange the order and timing.

  • Pyramids of Giza & the SphinxGive this part of the trip room to breathe.
  • Inside the Great Pyramid, optionalCheck access and tickets before including it.
  • Saqqara & the Step PyramidContinue exploring with your guide.
  • Optional evening showConfirm availability and decide whether you want another outing.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Marriott Mena House.

DAY7

Home, with a few more stories.

CAIRO · DEPARTURE

Check your transfer time, pack the souvenirs, and head home together.

  • Transfer to Cairo airportAllow the time recommended by your driver and airline.
  • Fly homeKeep this day clear for your departure.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Your own bed is up next.

10-day Egypt itinerary

DAY1–3

Cairo & Giza, with more time.

CAIRO · GIZA → ASWAN
The three pyramids of Giza across the desert

Spread the city and pyramid visits across your first three days. Your arrival time will shape the order.

  • Grand Egyptian MuseumSet aside time for the visit.
  • Citadel, Mosque of Muhammad Ali & Khan el-KhaliliArrange the city sightseeing with your guide.
  • Pyramids, Sphinx & SaqqaraAdd the Great Pyramid interior or an evening show if you choose, subject to availability.
  • Continue to AswanCoordinate the onward journey with your cruise embarkation.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Hilton Cairo Heliopolis for a late arrival and Marriott Mena House in Giza. Coordinate your onward overnight arrangements with your cruise operator.

DAY4–7

Four days following the Nile.

ASWAN → KOM OMBO → EDFU → LUXOR
Two travelers in front of the Temple of Kom Ombo

Let the cruise set the rhythm. The exact sequence follows its sailing and excursion schedule.

  • Philae TempleInclude the Aswan visit around your boarding time.
  • Kom Ombo & EdfuVisit these temples along the cruise route.
  • Valley of the Kings & Temple of HatshepsutPlan your Luxor West Bank visits together.
  • Karnak & Luxor TemplesComplete your Luxor sightseeing.
  • Continue to HurghadaHave your guide confirm the transfer and timing for your dates.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Aboard your Nile cruise, then Hilton Hurghada Plaza.

DAY8–9

A little Red Sea time.

HURGHADA → CAIRO

After the sightseeing, leave room for a slower finish before returning to Cairo.

  • Beach time in HurghadaKeep the pace easy.
  • Optional snorkeling, diving, or Orange Bay excursionChoose an outing that suits you and confirm arrangements locally.
  • Return to CairoArrange the flight back to Cairo in time for the final overnight before departure.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Hilton Hurghada Plaza, then Hilton Cairo Heliopolis before departure.

DAY10

One last Cairo departure.

CAIRO · HOMEWARD BOUND

Your final day is for getting home, with the airport transfer arranged in advance.

  • Check out & transfer to the airportCheck your airline’s recommended arrival time.
  • Fly homeEgypt is now part of your story.

WHERE YOU’LL SLEEP
Home.

A felucca sailing on the Nile in soft evening light
MAKE ROOM FOR THIS

A little less rushing.
A little more Nile.

The temples are a big part of this trip. So is having a moment between them. Keep some room for the view from the boat.

A GOOD PLACE TO LAND

Where to put your feet up.

Hotel recommendations from our Egypt itinerary.

CHOOSE THE ROOM.
THEN CHECK THE VIEW.
A traveler looking across the Mena House grounds toward the pyramids
GIZA · BOTH ROUTES

Marriott Mena House

The Giza hotel in our plan. If a pyramid view is part of the dream, check the room category before you book.

Find it on the map
HURGHADA · 10-DAY ROUTE

Hilton Hurghada Plaza

The Red Sea stop in our longer plan. Leave room for the beach before returning to Cairo for your flight home.

Find it on the map

Arriving late or staying near the airport before departure? Hilton Cairo Heliopolis is an airport-area option.

A NOTE FROM ALISHA & MATT

Our first piece
of advice?
Get a guide.

There’s a lot to put together here. A local guide helps with the transfers, the timing, and the history that makes each stop mean something.

Alisha & Matt
01

Let someone else handle the logistics.

We used Mostafa Tours on our Egypt trip. Discuss the route, transport, and cruise schedule together before making bookings.

Explore Mostafa Tours
02

Plan the big sites with your guide.

Discuss early visits, opening hours, and how much ground you want to cover. A full day of sightseeing should still leave time to enjoy being there.

03

Keep the practical bits close.

Save your hotel details, transfer arrangements, and guide’s contact information. Print the route if you like having a paper backup. We get it.

BEFORE YOU GO

A few good questions.

Should we choose seven days or ten?

Seven days brings Cairo, Giza, and the Nile highlights together in a compact route. The ten-day plan gives Cairo and the cruise more time, then adds Hurghada. Choose based on the pace you want and the departures available for your dates.

Is this a bookable tour?

Arrange this itinerary as your own trip. Arrange hotels, transport, activities, and a guide separately. The route needs to be checked against your actual travel dates.

Can we change the route?

Yes. Treat the plan as a starting point. Your guide can help adjust the sightseeing, transfers, and overnight stays around your interests and cruise schedule.

How do we keep a copy?

Use “Save this trip” to bookmark the selected route in this browser. “Print this itinerary” opens your device’s print dialog, where you can print or save a PDF.

THERE’S MORE TO SEE, TOGETHER.

What’s next on your list?

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