Egypt in 12 Days: 3 Recommended 12-day Itineraries to Egypt
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Egypt 12-day itinerary options
Still unsure about what to do in Egypt? Check out these handpicked 12-day Egypt itinerary ideas.
Itinerary #1: Cruise the Nile and Lake Nasser
| Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo and explore the buzzing city center | Cairo | |
| Day 2 | Visit The Giza Pyramid Complex, Memphis, and Saqqara | City sightseeing | Cairo |
| Day 3 | Fly to Luxor and board your 5-day Nile cruise, with the first stop at Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple | Cruise | Onboard cruise |
| Day 4 | Explore the Valley of the Kings and its rock-cut tombs | Exploration | Onboard cruise |
| Day 5 | Visit Edfu Temple and sail to Kom Ombo to explore its historical temple complex | Temple visits | Onboard cruise |
| Day 6 | Reach Aswan and see the world's largest embankment dam, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Philae Temple | City sightseeing | Onboard cruise |
| Day 7 | Disembark from your Nile Cruise and proceed to Aswan Airport for your flight to Abu Simbel | Transfer | Onboard cruise |
| Day 8 | Embark your second cruise on Lake Nasser and sail for Kasr Ibrim to visit its Citadel and the temples of Wadi El Seboua | Cruise | Onboard cruise |
| Day 9 | Relax on board your cruise to Aswan, while stooping for a visit to Kalabsha temple | Exploration | Onboard cruise |
| Day 10 | Fly from Aswan back to Cairo | Transfer | Cairo |
| Day 11 | Explore Ciros’s Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and join a city tour to discover the Citadel and the bazaar of Khan El Khalili | Sightseeing | Cairo |
| Day 12 | Get ready for your return flight and head to Cairo Airport |
Experience the best of Egypt on a stunning cruise along the Nile River and Lake Nasser. Start in Cairo, exploring the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Embark on your cruise ship in the Nile in Luxor, visiting iconic sites like Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Abu Simbel. Sail in Lake Nasser, stopping at Kasr Ibrim and exploring Penout Tomb and the temples of Wadi El Seboua. Finish your adventure back in Cairo with the treasures of the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities and the vibrant Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Each stop offers a deep dive into Egypt's rich history and culture. See all Egypt tours.
Itinerary #2: Nubians & Beaches
| Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cairo | Cairo | |
| Day 2 | Head to Giza and visit the Sphinx and the three great pyramids of Egypt, then visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo | City sightseeing | Cairo |
| Day 3 | Travel to Aswan and explore its busy markets and the island complex of the Temple of Philae | Temple visits | Aswan |
| Day 4 | Visit the Unesco World Heritage Site of Abu Simbel and enjoy a sail down the Nile on a typical felucca | Cruise | Aswan |
| Day 5 | Explore the temples in Edfu and Luxor | Temple visits | Luxor |
| Day 6 | Head to the Valley of the Kings and discover the ancient Pharaonic tombs and the temple complex in Karnak | Temple visits | Luxor |
| Day 7 | Head to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada for a change of scenery | Beach day | Hurghada |
| Day 8 | Enjoy the stunning beaches of the region where you can try scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing or kitesurfing | Water adventure | Hurghada |
| Day 9 | Relax on the beach in Hurghada or join a desert safari | Beach day | Hurghada |
| Day 10 | Take a boat trip to the nearby islands or visit the Hurghada Grand Aquarium | Boat tour | Hurghada |
| Day 11 | Travel back to Cairo and check out the bazaars in the old town | Exploration | Cairo |
| Day 12 | Say goodbye to Egypt and prepare for your return flight |
Experience Egypt’s wonders spending 12 days between its temples and stunning beaches. Begin in Cairo visiting the Pyramids and the Sphinx, and explore the treasures of the Egyptian Museum. Discover Aswan's Nubian culture and the serene Philae Temple, followed by a unique felucca cruise on the Nile and a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple in Luxor. Head to the coastal city of Hurghada and explore the nearby islands or dive into the colorful depths of the Red Sea. Conclude your journey with a stroll through Cairo's vibrant bazaars and historic streets before your return flight. See all Egypt tours and trips.
Itinerary #3: Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh and Nile Cruise
| Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
| Day 1 | Land in Cairo and start exploring Egypt's largest city | Cairo | |
| Day 2 | Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the world-famous Egyptian Museum of Cairo | City sightseeing | Cairo |
| Day 3 | Embark you Cruise on the Nile and head to the High Dam and the Temple of Philae on Isis Island | Cruise | Aswan |
| Day 4 | Sail to Kom Ombo and visit its majestic temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek | Temple visits | Luxor |
| Day 5 | Keep sailing towards Luxor's Valley of the Kings to discover the ancient pharaoh tombs | Cruise | Sleeper train |
| Day 6 | Disembark your cruise and take a flight to Sharm El-Sheikh | Transfer | Sharm El-Sheikh |
| Day 7 | Enjoy the relaxing vibes of Sharm El-Sheikh and work on your tan on the best postcard-like beaches of Egypt | Beach day | Sharm El-Sheikh |
| Day 8 | Go snorkeling and diving in the crystal clear waters of Sharm El-Sheikh, or try windsurfing or parasailing | Water adventure | Sharm El-Sheikh |
| Day 9 | Explore the old market of Sharm El-Sheikh or go for a boat trip around the nearby islands | Exploration | Sharm El-Sheikh |
| Day 10 | Return to Cairo | Transfer | Cairo |
| Day 11 | Visit Saqqara and Memphis | Exploration | Cairo |
| Day 12 | Say goodbye to Egypt and get ready for your return flight |
Explore Egypt in 12 days, from the Nile banks to the tombs of ancient pharaohs and the beaches of Sharm El-Sheikh. Start in Cairo, visiting iconic sites like the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum. Then, travel south to Aswan, exploring the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple onboard a typical Egyptian boat. Visit Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples before reaching Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. Finally, relax in Sharm El-Sheikh and go snorkeling or scuba diving in its pristine waters. In just 12 days, you'll experience the best of Egypt, from sightseeing to unwinding under the sun. See all private tours in Egypt.
Planning a 12-day Egypt itinerary?
Find the best travel option for a Egypt 12-day itinerary plan. You can travel by car for more freedom, especially if you are not planning to cover long distances. For longer trips, buses and trains are a good option, as they are affordable and connect all the major cities. You can see the best destination along the Nile boarding a cruise or exploring the dunes renting a quad bike. For a hassle-free experience, join one of our pre-packaged 12-day trips to Egypt or connect with travel experts to customize your Egypt trip according to your preferences and pace.
More information:
How many days to spend in Egypt
10 days in Egypt
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