Few destinations stir the imagination like Egypt—the cradle of pharaohs, hieroglyphs, and river-borne life. From the Great Pyramid of Giza to the colossal temples of Abu Simbel, the country’s past is written in stone and sunlight. This 10-day itinerary balances blockbuster sights with local flavor, quiet moments on the Nile, and time to wander souks and neighborhoods.

Expect variety: Cairo’s energy, Aswan’s golden-hued serenity, Luxor’s temple-lined banks, and the unique rhythm of a multi-day Nile cruise. You’ll trace ancient trade routes, watch desert light shift across pylons and colonnades, and float above the West Bank in a sunrise balloon. Thoughtful food stops—koshary, grilled kofta, Nubian stews—anchor each day in the present.

Practical notes: Egypt issues visas on arrival for many nationalities; carry cash for tips and small purchases, though cards are increasingly accepted in cities. Dress modestly at religious sites; midday heat can be intense, so start early and hydrate. Ramadan may affect opening hours and dining—plan accordingly.

Cairo

Cairo is a living museum: a city of minarets, bookshops, street carts, and the Nile’s broad sweep. In Giza, the last remaining ancient Wonder of the World rises from the desert edge; downtown, Belle Époque facades surround the Egyptian Museum. Zamalek’s leafy streets hide cafes and galleries, while Islamic Cairo’s lanes echo with coppersmiths and Quranic calligraphy.

• Top sights: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Egyptian Museum (Tahrir), Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili, Coptic Cairo, Nile Corniche.
• Local bites: koshary at Abou Tarek, mezze and molokhia at Abou El Sid, street falafel and taameya at Zooba, charcoal grills at Sobhy Kaber.
• Good to know: Traffic is part of the story—pad your plans, start early for the plateau, and pre-arrange rides for comfort.

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Cairo and Hotels.com Cairo—look in Zamalek for calmer evenings or near Tahrir for museum access.

Getting to Cairo: Compare flights on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. Nonstops from major hubs often land late morning or midday.

Day 1: Arrival, Zamalek Stroll, Nile Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive in Cairo and settle into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk in Zamalek: browse Diwan Bookstore, then espresso at 30 North or a cold karkadeh at Kafein.

Evening: Early dinner at Abou El Sid (classic mahshi, vine leaves, rabbit molokhia) or modern street-food takes at Zooba (taameya with dukkah, hawawshi). If you’ve energy, a short felucca sail from a Nile dock offers a quiet city intro.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel Ride, Pyramid Interior

Morning: Beat the heat at Giza. A guided small-group tour keeps touts at bay and maximizes time for the Great Pyramid and panoramic viewpoints.

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

Afternoon: Lunch is included on the tour. Afterward, linger for a final Sphinx photo, then return to the city. Cool down with mango juice at El Abd Patisserie and a sweet basbousa.

Evening: Dine with a view at 9 Pyramids Lounge on the plateau (reserve ahead) for sunset silhouettes, or back in town at Sobhy Kaber for smoky mixed grills and tangy pickles.

Day 3: Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili, Nile Dinner Cruise

Morning: Explore the Egyptian Museum at Tahrir—Old Kingdom statues, Amarna-era pieces, and gilded treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Bring a light layer; galleries can be cool.

Afternoon: Dive into Islamic Cairo. Walk from Bab Zuweila to Al-Muizz Street to admire Mamluk façades, then Khan el-Khalili’s alleys. Lunch at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant for mezze and cinnamon-scented umm ali dessert.

Evening: Cap the day with a dinner cruise—live music, belly dancing, city lights sliding by the Corniche.

Book: Pyramids, Sphinx with Optional ATV Bike, Dinner Cruise & Shopping (dinner cruise option)

Aswan

Aswan, at Egypt’s southern bend, trades bustle for warm Nubian hospitality and sandstone cliffs glowing at dusk. Feluccas stitch the water between Elephantine Island and the riverbanks; nearby, the Temple of Philae rises like a mirage from Lake Nasser.

• Top sights: Philae Temple, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Elephantine Island, Nubian villages, Abu Simbel (day trip), Kom Ombo, Edfu (via cruise).
• Eats & treats: El Dokka (boat-access only, classic Upper Egyptian dishes), Makka Restaurant (kebabs and tagines), afternoon tea at the Old Cataract terrace.
• Why base here: It’s the serene embarkation point for the most scenic stretch of the Nile.

Stay (pre/post cruise): See VRBO Aswan and Hotels.com Aswan.

Day 4: Fly Cairo → Aswan, Board Nile Cruise, Philae Temple

Morning: Fly Cairo to Aswan (~1.5 hours; typical fares $60–$150). Compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Transfer to your 5-star cruise—cabins usually open before lunch.

Afternoon: Visit the islanded Temple of Philae by motorboat and admire Isis’s sanctuary framed by papyrus capitals. Quick stop at the Unfinished Obelisk quarry for insight into ancient stonework.

Evening: Dinner on board; later, a quiet felucca glide around Elephantine if time allows. For a pre-boarding bite, Makka Restaurant’s kofta and tahini never disappoint.

Book: 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel, Air Balloon

Day 5: Abu Simbel at Dawn, Sail to Kom Ombo

Morning: Pre-dawn departure to Abu Simbel (by bus or flight). Stand before Ramesses II’s colossi as sunlight pours into the relocated temple—an engineering feat as grand as the statues themselves.

Afternoon: Return to the ship and begin sailing north. Stop at Kom Ombo Temple, uniquely dedicated to Sobek (crocodile) and Horus, and peek into the small Crocodile Museum.

Evening: Themed dinner and galabeya night on board—join the fun. Sip mint tea on the sundeck while the river slips past date palms.

Day 6: Edfu Temple, Esna Lock, Nile Scenery

Morning: Horse-drawn carriage or modern shuttle to Edfu Temple—one of Egypt’s best-preserved sanctuaries, with towering pylons and crisp reliefs.

Afternoon: Transit the Esna lock, watching barges rise and fall as village life unfolds along the banks. Enjoy afternoon tea on deck.

Evening: Arrive in Luxor. Stroll the Corniche or rest up for an early balloon tomorrow.

Day 7: Luxor Balloon, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Luxor Temple

Morning: Sunrise hot air balloon over the West Bank—fields, canals, and the Nile unfolding in gold. Continue to the Valley of the Kings (consider Tutankhamun’s tomb add-on), the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon.

Afternoon: Break for a late lunch; many cruises include a guided visit. If you’re not on a cruise, a comprehensive private day works well:

Optional: Full Day Tour to East and West Banks of Luxor

Evening: Visit Luxor Temple after dusk when columns are beautifully lit; the Avenue of Sphinxes hints at ancient processions.

Luxor

Luxor is open-air archaeology: the East Bank’s Karnak and Luxor Temples balanced by the West Bank’s funerary landscape. Farmers still irrigate by shaduf while colossal columns tower overhead—a living dialogue between past and present.

• Top sights: Karnak, Luxor Temple, Avenue of Sphinxes, Valley of the Kings, Deir el-Bahari (Hatshepsut), Medinet Habu, Ramesseum.
• Where to eat: Sofra (1920s townhouse serving stuffed pigeons and tahini dips), Al-Sahaby Lane (rooftop Egyptian classics), Marsam Café near Medinet Habu (quiet courtyard lunch), Wenkie’s German Bakery (West Bank breakfasts).
• Good to know: Start early; bring small change for tomb photography permits and cold water stops.

Stay (if extending): VRBO Luxor and Hotels.com Luxor.

Day 8: Karnak and East Bank, Fly Back to Cairo

Morning: Explore Karnak’s Great Hypostyle Hall and the Sacred Lake; look for Seti I’s crisp reliefs and the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes. Coffee and croissant at Aboudi Café near Luxor Temple.

Afternoon: Lunch at Sofra—try the pigeon stuffed with freekeh or okra tagine. Pack and fly Luxor → Cairo (~1 hour; $50–$140). Check options on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Evening: Back in Cairo, dinner at Crimson Rooftop in Zamalek for Nile views and Egyptian-influenced plates, or Kazaz downtown for fast, excellent shawarma.

Cairo (Return)

Day 9: Day Trip to Alexandria (Mediterranean Breeze)

Morning: Private car to Alexandria (~2.5–3 hours each way). Start at the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a fascinating blend of Egyptian and Greco-Roman motifs, then the Roman Amphitheatre.

Book: Day-Trip to Alexandria from Cairo by Private Car

Afternoon: Walk the Corniche to the Citadel of Qaitbay (on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria). Seafood lunch at Fish Market or the Greek Club (white-and-blue dining room overlooking the harbor).

Evening: Return to Cairo. Celebrate with koshary at Abou Tarek, then mint tea and pistachio konafa at Abdel Rahim Koueider.

Day 10: Cairo Morning Favorites and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Eish + Malh (shakshuka, sourdough) or Cake Café in Zamalek. Last-minute shopping for spices and brassware along Al-Muizz or Zamalek’s boutique galleries.

Afternoon: Airport transfer for your outbound flight. If time permits, a quick Nile-side stroll offers a fitting farewell.

Alternative/Extras: If you prefer more Cairo in place of Alexandria, swap Day 9 for a combined museum-and-Giza refresh with a felucca or market time:

Cairo 8 Hour Private Tour of Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and Bazaar

Logistics snapshot: Internal flights are the most time-efficient between Cairo–Aswan (~1.5h) and Luxor–Cairo (~1h). The overnight Cairo–Aswan sleeper train exists (12–14h), but for a 10-day trip, flights maximize sightseeing.

In ten days, you’ll stand beneath the Great Pyramid, watch dawn crest over Luxor’s tomb-dotted hills, and drift past palm groves on the Nile. Ancient engineering and living culture intertwine at every turn—this itinerary gives you both the highlights and the textures that make Egypt unforgettable.