Egypt’s story spans pharaohs and modern buzz—millennia of tombs, temples, and desert horizons balanced by café chatter and Nile breezes. This 10-day itinerary hits Egypt’s greatest hits with a historian’s eye and a local’s palate, prioritizing the pyramids, Luxor’s temple complexes, and world-class museums.

You’ll start in Cairo for the Giza Plateau, Sphinx, and the new Grand Egyptian Museum, then head south to Aswan for Nubian heritage and serene Nile scenery. Finish in Luxor, exploring the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s terraces, and Karnak’s forest of columns.

Practical notes: bring small bills for tips, modest attire for mosques, and a hat for relentless sun. Ride-hailing works well in cities; domestic flights save time. Egyptian cuisine rewards curiosity—koshary, ta’ameya (Egyptian falafel), and grilled river fish are must-tries.

Cairo

Sprawling, kinetic, and historic, Cairo is where ancient stone meets modern pulse. It’s the gateway to the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), and storied quarters like Coptic and Islamic Cairo. Evenings glow along the Nile Corniche with tea, music, and river breezes.

• Top sights: Giza Plateau, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili, Coptic Cairo’s Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue.
• Food to try: koshary, molokhia, stuffed pigeons (hamam mahshi), and street-fresh ta’ameya in baladi bread.
• Where to stay (mid-range picks): Search neighborhoods like Zamalek (leafy and central) or Downtown/Corniche for value and access. VRBO Cairo | Hotels.com Cairo
• Getting to Cairo: Find competitive international fares via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk on the Nile Corniche. Coffee stop: Cake Café (Zamalek) for pastries and iced coffee, or Beanos near Tahrir for a quick pick-me-up.

Evening: Celebrate night one with a Nile dinner cruise—music, whirling tanoura, and skyline lights.

Recommended activity:

2-Hour Nile River Dinner Cruise From Cairo

Dinner alternatives if you prefer land: Abou El Sid (classic Egyptian dishes in a vintage salon setting), Koshary Abou Tarek (fast, iconic koshary), or Zooba (modern street-food favorites).

Day 2: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx

Morning: Start early at the Giza Plateau. Begin at the Great Pyramid of Khufu, then Khafre, Menkaure, and the panoramic viewpoint. A short camel ride makes for great photos with the skyline of pyramids.

Afternoon: Visit the Sphinx and Valley Temple, then enjoy a late lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge (for sweeping desert views) or Abou Shakra (grills and mezze). Consider returning for the Sound & Light Show after dark.

Evening: Dinner in Zamalek: Crimson (rooftop Nile views) or Left Bank (creative salads, mains, and desserts).

Recommended activity:

Top Rated Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel ride, lunch & inside pyramids

Day 3: Grand Egyptian Museum and Old Cairo

Morning: Dive into the Grand Egyptian Museum—colossal statues, royal exhibits, and state-of-the-art displays. Time your visit for 2–3 hours to avoid fatigue; the collections are vast.

Recommended activity:

Grand Egyptian Museum

Afternoon: Head to Coptic Cairo: the Hanging Church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus (linked to the Holy Family), and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Coffee at El Ibrahimi Café; sweets from El Abd downtown on the way back.

Evening: Explore Khan el-Khalili’s lanes at twilight. Classic dinner: Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant (traditional dishes in an atmospheric setting) or Sobhy Kaber (beloved for grilled meats and liver).

Day 4: Day Trip to Alexandria (from Cairo)

All day: Trade desert tones for sea air. In Alexandria, see the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Roman amphitheater, Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, and the site of the ancient Lighthouse at Qaitbay’s fortress. Lunch could be fresh-caught fish at Fish Market or Gad for shawarma and ta’ameya before returning to Cairo in the evening.

Recommended activity:

Alexandria Day Trip From Cairo

Aswan

Aswan is Egypt’s serene southern capital, where granite outcrops, palm-fringed islands, and Nubian culture shape a gentler rhythm. Temples like Philae shimmer on the river, and feluccas slice through golden light at sunset.

• Top sights: Philae Temple, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Nubian Museum, Elephantine Island, and optional Abu Simbel excursion.
• Where to stay: Look on Aswan’s Corniche or Elephantine/Kitchener islands for views and value. VRBO Aswan | Hotels.com Aswan

Day 5: Fly Cairo to Aswan, Philae Temple

Morning: Fly Cairo to Aswan (~1.5 hours; ~$60–120 one way). Book via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Check in and refresh.

Afternoon: Visit the island-set Philae Temple by boat, then the Aswan High Dam for sweeping views of Lake Nasser. Stop at the Unfinished Obelisk to see traces of ancient quarrying.

Evening: Tea at the Old Cataract terrace at sunset. Dinner options: Al Dokka (boat to Elephantine; grilled fish and mezzes), El Masry (local staples), or Panorama for Nile views.

Day 6: Nubian Heritage, Felucca, and Optional Abu Simbel

Morning: Optional Abu Simbel excursion (by flight or early road convoy; 30–45 minute flight or ~3.5 hours by road each way; ~$120–250+ depending on transport). If staying local, explore the Nubian Museum—beautifully curated artifacts and culture.

Afternoon: Wander Elephantine Island’s villages and small temple ruins; lunch at a simple riverside eatery serving grilled tilapia and tahini salads.

Evening: Glide on a felucca at sunset. Dinner: Makka (hearty Egyptian fare) or Sofitel’s 1902 if you’re splurging for one refined meal.

Optional upgrade from Aswan: If you prefer to cruise up the Nile instead of taking the train to Luxor, consider a short cruise with guided stops.

2 Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor

Luxor

Luxor is an open-air museum: the West Bank’s Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s terraces meet the East Bank’s Karnak and Luxor Temple, strung together by the Nile. It’s the Egypt of your imagination—painted tombs, colossal pylons, and starlit river nights.

• Top sights: Valley of the Kings (including Tut’s tomb if open), Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Luxor Museum, and the Mummification Museum.
• Where to stay: East Bank near Luxor Temple for walkability and budgets from guesthouses to smart mid-range hotels. VRBO Luxor | Hotels.com Luxor

Day 7: Aswan to Luxor, East Bank Highlights

Morning: Travel Aswan → Luxor by train (~3.5–4 hours; ~$6–15 in AC class) or private car (~3.5 hours; ~$75–120 per car). Check in and cool down with fresh juices at Aboudi Café near Luxor Temple.

Afternoon: Tour the East Bank’s headline temples—Luxor Temple’s graceful colonnades and Karnak’s Hypostyle Hall.

Recommended activity:

Half Day East Bank Tour to Luxor and Karnak Temples (Private)

Evening: See Luxor Temple illuminated after dusk, then dinner at Sofra (heritage décor, excellent tagines) or Al-Sahaby Lane (rooftop views and classic Egyptian plates).

Day 8: West Bank Masterpieces

Full-day focus on the West Bank: Valley of the Kings (pick 3–4 tombs to avoid fatigue; consider Tutankhamun’s if available), Hatshepsut Temple’s geometric terraces under the cliffs, and the Colossi of Memnon standing sentinel over ancient Thebes.

Recommended activity:

Full Day Tour of Luxor West Bank Temples and Tombs (Private)

Day 9: Museums, Karnak Deep-Dive, and Souq Time

Morning: Luxor Museum (elegant, digestible collection—don’t miss the royal mummies) and the Mummification Museum for tools and techniques.

Afternoon: Return to Karnak to wander lesser-visited precincts, like the open-air museum and the Sacred Lake. Late lunch at Al-Kababgy (grills) or Aisha Restaurant for home-style stews.

Evening: Shop the Luxor souq for scarves, spices, and alabaster (bargain kindly). Optional pre-dawn hot-air balloon flight can be arranged locally for spectacular West Bank views.

Day 10: Fly Luxor to Cairo and Depart

Morning: Leisurely breakfast—try feteer meshaltet (Egyptian layered pastry) with honey and cheese. If time allows, stroll the riverside Corniche.

Midday: Fly Luxor → Cairo (~1 hour; ~$50–110). Book via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Connect to your international flight in the afternoon.

Food and Coffee Shortlist (by City)

• Cairo: Koshary Abou Tarek (koshary classic), Abou El Sid (heritage recipes), Zooba (street-food remix), El Fishawy in Khan el-Khalili (centuries-old café), Kazouza (retro Egyptian comfort food).
• Aswan: Al Dokka (boat-access grills), El Masry (local staples), Makka (casual, tasty), Panorama (views), Old Cataract terrace (tea and sunsets).
• Luxor: Sofra (top pick for traditional dishes), Al-Sahaby Lane (rooftop), Aboudi Café (coffees and juices), Aisha Restaurant (home-style meals), Al-Kababgy (grills).

Logistics and Budget Tips

• Budget (mid-range ~50/100): Expect $70–140 per night for well-located hotels; meals $5–15 at local spots, $20–35 at nicer restaurants; domestic flights $50–120 each way; trains cheaper but slower.
• Transport: Use ride-hailing in cities; for intercity hops, prioritize flights to save time. Sleeper trains exist between Cairo–Luxor/Aswan for an old-school experience.
• Tickets: Carry cash for sites; some accept cards, but connectivity can be spotty. Sunscreen, hats, and water are essential.
• Etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered for religious sites; ask before photographing people; small tips are customary for attendants and drivers.

Bonus Cairo Museum Option

If you’re a museum devotee and want a deeper dive into GEM with a private guide and new galleries access, consider:

Top VIP Private Tour Grand Egyptian Museum & the New Galleries

In ten days you’ll stand at the feet of the pyramids, gaze up at Karnak’s columns, and sail past islands that glow at sunset. With this route, you balance show-stopping monuments and museum time with flavorful meals and the calm of the Nile—Egypt at its most timeless and welcoming.