Great Egypt Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend?
It is no surprise that a trip to Egypt is high on the list of many people’s bucket lists. Home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world, the country is a potpourri of ancient ruins that hark back to the dawn of history. However, it is not just history and heritages that pull so many travelers towards this country. The sheer beauty of the Nile cutting through the heart of a majestic desert is a sight to behold, while there are few places in the world that rival the sandy stretches of Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh.
While archaeologists are enamored enough by the legends of this land to spend a lifetime here, you can experience a slice of it in less time. Below is an overview of possible Egypt itineraries based on the number of days you have.
How much time should I spend in Egypt?
Regardless of how long you plan to spend in Egypt, you still have the chance to experience the best of the country. A quick, four or five-day window to explore Egypt allows you to cover the mesmerizing cities of Cairo, Alexandria, and Aswan without tiring yourself out.
With about a week to spare, you can cast your net further afield and add destinations like Saqqara to your Egypt travel itinerary. Give yourself more than a week if you want to cruise down the River Nile from Aswan to Luxor, discover the ruins of Karnak and explore the Valley of the Kings. For a well-rounded overview of the country that brings you face to face with almost all its major highlights, we recommend a ten-day trip.
Egypt in 5 days or less
Although five days might not sound like much, the duration is enough to cover Egypt’s major attractions. No trip to the country is complete without spending at least a day in Cairo. Browsing through the collection of the famous Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is a must while in the city, so is a stroll down the historic Tahrir Square, located at the heart of this sprawling metropolis.
There is no way you could miss out on the pyramids of Giza while in the capital. Up next on your itinerary should be Alexandria, a glittering jewel of the Mediterranean that is home to the Library of Alexandria and the towering Pharos Lighthouse among other attractions.
For more inspiration, check out our list of 5-day tours in Egypt.
Egypt in a week
You might want to add one or two more destinations to our five-day Egypt itinerary and make it a week-long affair. Add Saqqara to your itinerary while in the capital city. Often overshadowed by their brethren in Giza, the pyramids of Saqqara are nevertheless a sight to behold. While there, do not forget to see the Pyramid of Djoser.
Next, fly from Cairo to Aswan and take an express train up to Luxor. The journey itself is just a four-hour affair maximum. However, you can alight at Kom Ombo and Edfu stations to explore these places thoroughly and make the most of your trip. Dedicate an entire day to discovering Luxor, whose ruins and monuments preserve eons of history. Walk up the massive ochre terraces leading to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a masterpiece of ancient architecture, and travel back in time in the Valley of the Kings.
Browse through our 7-day Egypt itineraries for tour options that are ready to be booked.
Egypt in 10 days
A ten-day Egypt tour could simply be an expansion of the seven-day itinerary above. Set aside two more days to explore Cairo and tick Memphis and Dehshur off your bucket list. A visit to Khan el-Khalili bazaar is a must during your stay in the capital. Take a stroll down the lanes of Coptic Cairo and see its Hanging Church, which has been around since the third century AD, as well as the Greek Church of Saint George and the Babylon Fortress.
Spend a day exploring Aswan and dedicate the next day to Philae and Abu Simbel. The latter, a complex consisting of rock-cut temples, has been in existence for over three millennia now. You can then drive down to Luxor, a city that was once the capital of Egypt and the center for the worship of the god Amun.
Egypt in 2 weeks
Kick-off your two-week Egypt tour from Alexandria, whose history goes back to the time of Alexander the Great. Gaze at the Mediterranean from the city’s waterfront Corniche, formally called the 26 of July Road, and take in all the attractions that this place has to offer. Head south from Alexandria to Hurghada for some me-time on the beach. Sail to the Giftun Islands known for their swathes of powder sands and go offroad driving through the acacia-studded wadis that make up the Eastern Desert.
Ras Muhammad National Park, a haven for nature lovers located across the Gulf of Suez from Hurghada, is a must if you are a nature lover. Those that prefer scuba diving will be hard pressed to find a location better than Elphinstone Reef, whose coral-studded seascape is considered by many to be the best scuba diving location in Egypt.
From there you can continue to Cairo and carry out your onward journey to Aswan and Luxor as per the ten-day itinerary.
Planning a trip to Egypt?
Contact our travel experts in Egypt for a customized trip. If you would like to book a package trip or join a group, check out our tours in Egypt.
