A week is enough to see the heart of ancient Egypt — as long as you accept that you cannot see everything, and you move between cities in the evening rather than in the middle of the day. Here is a plan that works, followed by a gentler version if you would rather keep a beach in the picture.
Day 1 — Arrive in Cairo
Land, check in and keep the first evening easy. A walk through Khan el-Khalili, the old bazaar, with mint tea in one of its cafés, is the perfect first taste of the city without needing any plan.
Day 2 — The pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Start early at the Giza plateau, before the heat and the crowds: the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx and the panoramic viewpoint over all three pyramids. In the afternoon, go to the Grand Egyptian Museum next door, home of the treasures of Tutankhamun. Give it at least three hours — it is enormous.
Day 3 — Old Cairo, then south to Luxor
Spend the morning in Coptic Cairo or at the Citadel, then take an evening flight or the overnight train to Luxor. Travelling in the evening means you do not lose a daylight day.
Day 4 — Luxor's West Bank
If you can, begin with a hot-air balloon at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings — it is the single most memorable hour many people have in Egypt. Then visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon before the midday heat.
Day 5 — Luxor's East Bank, then Aswan
Karnak in the morning is vast and best seen early. Head to Aswan in the afternoon by road or train, and end the day on a felucca, a traditional sailing boat, as the sun goes down over the Nile.
Day 6 — Abu Simbel and Philae
Abu Simbel is a long drive south of Aswan, so tours leave in the dark — but standing in front of the four colossal statues of Ramses II is worth the alarm clock. Back in Aswan, Philae Temple, reached by a short boat ride, closes the day beautifully.
Day 7 — Fly home from Aswan or Cairo
Depending on your flights, spend the morning in Aswan's Nubian village or fly back to Cairo for the connection home.
The Nile cruise alternative
Days 4 to 6 can also be done on a three- or four-night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. You unpack once, the boat moves while you eat and sleep, and the temples along the way — Edfu and Kom Ombo — are included. It is slower than the plan above but far more relaxing.
The beach version
Prefer to rest as much as explore? Base yourself in Hurghada on the Red Sea. From there, Luxor is a full day trip by road, Cairo and the pyramids are a long but doable day, and the rest of the week is boat trips to the Giftun Islands, snorkelling and desert safaris. Many travellers find this the best balance for a first visit.
A few practical tips
- Start every day early. Temples are cooler, quieter and lit beautifully in the morning.
- Book the big experiences — the balloon, Abu Simbel, a cruise — a few days ahead, especially in winter.
- Carry small cash for tips and entry to small sites; cards are not accepted everywhere.
Find tours for each stop
See the best-rated tours in Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada, all with real traveller reviews.
