For most of us, time and money are the big factors with any trip. Although you could take a lifetime to explore Ancient Egypt, some of us may only have one week to do so. Luckily, one week in Egypt can suffice to take in all the major sites. It will be a packed itinerary with lots of early morning wake up calls, but with a once in a lifetime trip like this - it is worth it.
This itinerary focuses on the history of Ancient Egypt while taking a cruise down the Nile River and also exploring areas of Cairo. This itinerary does not include two travel days, which would extend your trip to 9 days if you are flying in from a long distance.
This is the itinerary I used during my trip to Egypt and I left very satisfied, feeling like I saw everything I wanted to see. It is a bit tight, so if you had extra days you can spread out some of the sites. If you wanted to add another day, I would suggest another day in Luxor to take more time seeing the sites there.
Here is what the ultimate one week Egypt itinerary looks like:
Day 1
Cairo - Day trip to Saqqara, Dahshur, & Memphis
Begin your trip where it all started for the ancient Egyptians. About an hour south of Cairo (with Cairo’s infamous traffic) lies the ancient cities Dahshur, Saqqara, and the original capital of Memphis.
Today, Memphis is a small, open air museum that is highlighted by a giant unfinished statue of Ramses II that lies on its back. It’s a spectacular chance to get up close to one of these incredible statues.
Dahshur has two of the earliest pyramids, the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. Both created under Pharaoh Sneferu, you have the opportunity to go inside both pyramids, though they are long, narrow and will require a bit of athleticism to make it down into the tomb chambers. Both the Red and Bent Pyramids are considered transitional pyramids between the earlier step pyramids and the later true pyramids that were built in Giza.
The Bent Pyramid's unusual bent shape was a result of a change in the angle of inclination during its construction. The Red Pyramid was the world's first successful true smooth-sided pyramid.
Wrap up your first day by visiting Saqqara, an archeologist’s wonderland. This is the site of Pharaoh Djoser’s Step Pyramid. The Step Pyramid is considered the oldest stone-cut building in the world, built during the 27th century BC as a part of the larger funerary complex for the Pharaoh Djoser.
Another highlight is visiting some of the first mastabas ever made, including that of Mererutka. Inside you will find some of the earliest hieroglyphs from the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. The mastaba contains more than 30 rooms and features intricate reliefs and paintings that depict scenes from daily life.
Return to your hotel in Cairo after visiting the three ancient sites for a great first day in Egypt.
Day 2
Cairo - The Great Pyramids - Sphinx - Egyptian Museum - Cairo’s Bazaar
This is the day you’ve been waiting for. The day in which you get to see the last remaining of the 7 Wonders of the World: The Great Pyramids of Giza. Located about 20 minutes outside of Cairo, venture to the Great Pyramids to see the magical pyramids that were built roughly 4500 years ago. Take a camel ride for an experience you'll never forget, riding to the point where you can see all 9 pyramids together.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the taller of the two Great Pyramids of Giza, standing at approximately 481 feet (147 meters) tall. The Great Pyramid of Khafre, also known as the second pyramid, is slightly smaller at 446 feet (136 meters) and still has some of its original limestone casing at the very top.
Nearby is one of the most iconic and recognizable symbols of ancient Egypt, the Great Sphinx. This massive statue of a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, is believed to represent the Pharaoh Khafre.
After spending your morning in Giza, head back to Cairo and discover the treasures of the Egyptian Museum. Filled with ancient statues, jewelry, sarcophagi, and mummies, the highlights of the museum include Narmer’s Palette (believed to be the first written document) and the room of King Tut’s treasures including his famous golden burial mask. Spend at least 2 hours examining world famous treasures and artifacts.
Finish the day by visiting Cairo’s eccentric and bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar market. Go souvenir shopping with a plethora of options for jewelry, spices, perfumes, and countless Egyptian knick knacks. Return to your hotel in Cairo for the night.
Day 3
Cairo to Aswan - Felucca Boat Ride - Philae Island - Nubian Village
Fly to the Egyptian town of Aswan, located in Ancient Nubia. After visiting the Aswan Dam and an unfinished obelisk, take a ride in a felucca boat on the Nile River and admire the Tomb of the Nobles from afar.
Depending on when you arrive, you may be able to visit both the Temple of Isis at Philae Island, as well as visit a Nubian village.
The Temple of Isis is a beautifully intact temple complex built during the Ptolemaic period. A visit to the temple will get you in the mood for all the incredible temples you will be seeing on your trip. Spend at least 1.5 hours exploring the ancient temple.
If you have time, visit a Nubian village located about 30 minutes down the Nile river from Aswan. Take a motorboat down a very scenic stretch of the Nile river and visit a Nubian family in their home for a very memorable close to the day. Spend the night in Aswan aboard your Nile cruise ship.
Day 4
Abu Simbel - Nile Cruise Aswan to Kom Ombo
Today you will be waking up bright and early to head out to the magical temple of Abu Simbel. About 3 hours drive from Aswan, arrive at sunrise to the intimidating 67 foot statues of Ramses II carved out of a mountainside. This was one of The Top Temples to Visit in Egypt. Explore Abu Simbel for a few hours before heading back to Aswan, where you will start your Nile cruise.
Land at Kom Ombo, where you will explore the temple at sunset / night. Spend a few minutes checking out the unique crocodile mummy museum before leaving Kom Ombo and returning to your cruise ship for the night. A visit here will last about 1 hour.
Day 5
Edfu Temple - Luxor Temple - Karnak Temple
Today you will be seeing three of the best temples in all of Egypt. Start with another early wake up call to venture from your cruise ship to Edfu Temple. We rode on a horse carriage through darkness which turned into a magical sunrise, a wild experience in and of itself. We arrived just as the sun was hitting the temple in the early morning light. Go early and beat the crowds.
The imposing temple complex of Edfu, similar to the Temple of Isis and Kom Ombo, was built in the Ptolemaic period. Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples in the country, is dedicated to the falcon god Horus. After visiting the temple for a 1.5-2 hours, head back to the cruise ship and sail to Luxor.
Upon reaching Luxor, explore the east bank’s temples, starting with ancient Egypt’s biggest complex: Karnak Temple.
The vast ancient Egyptian temple complex is considered the largest religious building ever constructed. The complex includes several temples, chapels, and obelisks, built over a period of about 2,000 years by many pharaohs, including Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, and Ramses II. A visit here will last at least 1.5-2 hours.
In the evening, discover Luxor Temple illuminated at night. Luxor Temple was built during the New Kingdom period, around the 14th century BCE, and many pharaohs, including Amenhotep III, Tutankhamun, and Ramses II, contributed to its construction and expansion.
Seeing a temple at night is a unique experience itself, so make sure to see at least one temple after dark on your trip. A visit here lasts about 2 hours. After a big day of temples, return to your cruise ship for the evening.
Day 6 - Luxor’s West Bank
Hot Air Balloon - Temple of Hatshepsut - Valley of the Kings -
Valley of the Queens - Medinet Habu - Colossi of Memnon
Today is a packed day, seeing some of Ancient Egypt’s most memorable sites all in one day. Start the day, like many of the other days, super early, with the chance to see ancient Egypt from the sky in a memorable hot air balloon ride. The 45 minute ride allows you to see aerial views of the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu Temple, and the Nile River. This is hands down one of the Most Unforgettable Things to Do in Egypt.
After your magical hot air balloon ride, visit the Temple of Hatshepsut nestled in the mountainside. Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple is one of the most impressive and well-preserved temples of ancient Egypt, with its unique design featuring terraces, colonnades, and statuary blending in with the natural rock formations of the site. A visit here lasts about 1.5-2 hours.
After lunch, head to the Valley of the Kings, and ancient burial site where you can go inside ancient Pharaoh’s tombs including King Tut’s tomb that displays his mummy. The Ramses V and VI tomb, as well as Seti I’s tomb, are some of the best preserved. A visit here can easily last 2 hours, depending how many tombs you want to visit.
A visit to the Valley of the Queens is in order to see Queen Nefertari’s tomb, the most preserved tomb in all of ancient Egypt and a spectacular way to end your time in Luxor. The colors are in incredible condition, and the tomb entrance is air sealed to prevent any further damage. You are only allowed to visit this tomb for 5 minutes, but there was hardly anyone at Valley of the Queens when we visited and we had the whole tomb to ourselves. It was a magical experience.
You can also factor in a quick 15-20 minute stop at the Colossi of Memnon. These two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III are some of the largest ancient Egyptian statues still standing today.
If you have extra time, consider visiting the colorful Medinet Habu Temple, and the worker’s village of Deir El Medina. Stay at a hotel in Luxor tonight.
Day 7
Fly to Cairo - Saladin Citadel - Coptic Cairo
This day you will fly back to Cairo and take a visit to the architectural masterpiece that is the Saladin Citadel. The Saladin Citadel was an islamic fortress built in the 12th century to protect Cairo from the Crusaders. From the fortress walls you have an incredible view of Cairo.
Inside the Saladin Citadel, the Muhammad Ali Mosque was built in the 19th century by Muhammad Ali Pasha, who wanted to create a monument that would rival the beauty and grandeur of the mosques in Istanbul.
Afterwards, take a tour of Coptic Cairo, visiting an underground church where Jesus allegedly lived for 3 years as a child in hiding. The rest of the day can be spent at your leisure before you head back home the next day. Overnight in Cairo.
If you have the incredible opportunity to visit Egypt, use this itinerary as a template for your trip. You can take what you like, remove what you don’t want, and mix stuff around.
If you book a Nile cruise for a few days - which I would highly suggest - you will need to fly from Cairo to either Aswan or Luxor to begin your journey, and then fly back to Cairo from the other city. I prefer traveling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor as you get to end the cruise in Luxor, Egypt’s ancient capital, which is filled with tons of premium historical sites.
Cairo is a different vibe than the other areas of this itinerary, but it is your arrival city and gateway to the pyramids. There are also some fascinating things to see in Cairo, including one of the best museums in the world. For more information on traveling to Egypt, read these articles for the Best Things to do in Egypt, and 10 Unforgettable Experiences to do in Egypt.
