Few places ignite the imagination like Cairo. Capital of a civilization that shaped the world, it’s a megacity where minarets punctuate the skyline and the Nile glides by as it has for millennia. Here you’ll sip mint tea in medieval markets, shoot sunrise photos over the Pyramids, and taste Egypt’s beloved street food between museum visits.

Ancient Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur reveal how pyramids evolved long before Giza’s giants. In Islamic Cairo, Mamluk mosques and Fatimid gates trace 1,000 years of urban life; in Coptic Cairo, early churches tell a quieter story. For adventurers, a felucca sail, a desert excursion, or a hot-air balloon over Luxor adds that once-in-a-lifetime rush.

Practical notes: Egypt is friendly and affordable, with midrange budgets stretching far—especially for food. Dress modestly for religious sites, carry cash for tips, and check current travel advisories before you go. Alcohol is available in hotels and licensed venues; try local wines if you’re curious.

Cairo

Electric, historic, and endlessly photogenic, Cairo is your launchpad. Zamalek’s leafy streets are ideal for café hopping; Downtown is perfect for Belle Époque architecture; Islamic Cairo dazzles at golden hour from Al-Azhar Park. By night, the city hums with live music, rooftop bars, and Nile boats.

How to get there: Fly into Cairo International (CAI). Search fares on Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com. Airport to Zamalek/Garden City is ~45–60 minutes by taxi; expect around 250–400 EGP depending on traffic.

Where to stay (midrange-friendly):

• Zamalek or Garden City for river views and easy nightlife. Browse options: Hotels.com Cairo | VRBO Cairo.
• Heliopolis/New Cairo for families and modern malls; Downtown for historic façades and walkability.

Days 1–4: Giza Pyramids, the GEM, Old Cairo, and a Nile night out

• Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM): Start at the Giza Plateau for classic shots of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, then visit the GEM’s preview galleries and colossal statues. Consider this in-depth day:
  Cairo 8 Hour Private Tour of Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum

  

  Tip: For adventurous photos, ask to stop at the Giza panoramic point; golden hour is magic.
• Upgrade the adrenaline: Add a camel ride and insider access on this top-rated option:
  Optional ViP all-inclusive Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Inside Pyramid

  

• Islamic & Coptic Cairo: Trace a millennium of faith and architecture—the Citadel and Mohammed Ali Mosque, Sultan Hassan’s soaring iwans, the Hanging Church, and Khan el-Khalili’s maze.
  4-hours private Tour: Islamic Mosque, Coptic Cairo & Khan el-Khalili

  

  Photography tip: Catch sunset views over the Old City from Al-Azhar Park’s hilltop terrace.
• Nile by night + ATV add-on: For nightlife and boating in one, combine an evening dinner cruise with optional ATV rides near the pyramids earlier in the day:
  Pyramids Sphinx Camel ATV Bike Shopping and Nile Dinner Cruise

  

• Ancient Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur (half or full day): See the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Red and Bent Pyramids—fewer crowds, superb photos, and a deep-dive into pyramid evolution.
  Private Day Tour Saqqara Pyramids, Memphis and Dahshur

  

Eat & drink like a local (midrange focus):

• Breakfast/coffee: 30 North (Zamalek) for specialty roasts; Ovio (Zamalek/Heliopolis) for European-style eggs and pastries; Kafein (Downtown) for a hip café near vintage cinemas.
• Street-food lunch: Abou Tarek (Downtown) serves Egypt’s beloved koshary—lentils, pasta, chickpeas, and tangy tomato sauce. Zooba (Zamalek) elevates taameya (falafel) and koshary with bold dips. Kazaz is great for shawarma sandwiches on the go.
• Dinner: Abou El Sid (Zamalek) for classic molokhia, vine leaves, and tagines; Sobhy Kaber (Shubra) for grilled kofta and lamb ribs; Sachi (Zamalek) for Mediterranean-Japanese plates and a solid wine list featuring local labels.
• Nightlife: Cairo Jazz Club (Agouza) for live sets; The Tap West/East for casual drinks and sports; Crimson Bar & Grill (Zamalek) for riverside sunsets and a decent selection of Egyptian wines and cocktails.

Optional day trips from Cairo (pick one for Day 10 or swap into earlier days):

• Alexandria (3–3.5 hours each way by highway): Sea air, Greco-Roman history, and boulevards along the Corniche. Consider:
  1 Day tour to Alexandria from Cairo

  

  Lunch ideas: Balbaa for mixed grills and seafood; Délices for old-world patisserie; Fish Market on the Corniche for harbor views.
• El Fayoum: Wadi El Rayan & Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (2–2.5 hours): Fossil-studded desert, waterfalls, and sandboarding—an adventurous, wildly photogenic day.
  Private Tour to Whales Valley & Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls in El Fayoum

  

Aswan

Serene and sun-kissed, Aswan is where the Nile is at its most beautiful. Colorful Nubian villages, the island Temple of Philae, and granite outcrops set a slower pace—perfect before you cruise north.

Getting there from Cairo (Day 5): Fly CAI → ASW, ~1.5 hours. Typical fares are ~$70–140 one-way. Compare prices on Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com. Most cruises include airport pickup.

Where to stay pre/post cruise (optional):

• Check riverfront hotels or Nubian guesthouses: Hotels.com Aswan | VRBO Aswan.

Days 5–8: 4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor (Abu Simbel + Balloon)

Settle into your river-view cabin, then explore by day and sail by night. Classic stops include Philae Temple, Kom Ombo (crocodile mummies), Edfu’s towering pylons, and Luxor’s West Bank.

• 4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon

  

  Expect a sunrise drive to Abu Simbel for colossal statues bathed in early light, and a dawn balloon flight over Luxor’s temples and fields—a photographer’s dream.

Local bites between visits: In Aswan, try Kato Dool for Nubian stews and river fish or Al Dokka on an island for grilled tilapia. Onboard meals are included; in Luxor, Sofra Restaurant serves Upper Egyptian classics, while Al-Sahaby Lane rooftop offers old-town views.

Luxor

Luxor is an open-air museum: the Avenue of Sphinxes, Luxor and Karnak Temples on the East Bank, and on the West Bank the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s terraced temple, and Medinet Habu’s vivid reliefs.

Where to stay if adding a night:

• Choose East Bank for convenience, West Bank for quiet guesthouses near the antiquities: Hotels.com Luxor | VRBO Luxor.

Days 8–9: East vs. West Bank + return to Cairo

Use your cruise time or an extra day to linger at Karnak’s hypostyle hall and the newly restored Avenue of Sphinxes. On the West Bank, time the Valley of the Kings early for softer light and fewer crowds.

Travel back to Cairo (evening Day 8 or morning Day 9): Fly LXR → CAI, ~1 hour, ~$60–120. Compare on Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com.

Cairo (Finale)

Days 9–12: Neighborhoods, modern Cairo, and your pick of day trips

Spend an afternoon museum-hopping or browsing Downtown’s bookstores, then head to Zamalek for a sunset stroll along the Nile. Shop for inlaid boxes, spices, and brass lamps in Khan el-Khalili—haggle with a smile.

Foodie finale: Try Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant in Khan for traditional mezze; El Prince (Imbaba) for sizzling liver and kebda sandwiches; or Pier 88 for contemporary plates on the river. For drinks with a view, the historic bar at the Winter Palace (if you kept a night in Luxor) or a Cairo rooftop—ask for local wines like Omar Khayyam or Jardin du Nil.

If you skipped earlier add-ons, slot in one of these now:
Day-Trip to Alexandria from Cairo by Private Car

or the desert-and-waterfalls adventure:
Private Tour to Whales Valley & Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls

Suggested 12-Day Flow (Blocks)

• Days 1–2: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, GEM; Nile dinner cruise at night.
• Day 3: Islamic + Coptic Cairo highlights; Khan el-Khalili; Al-Azhar Park sunset.
• Day 4: Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur.
• Days 5–8: Fly to Aswan; 4-day Nile cruise to Luxor with Abu Simbel and hot-air balloon.
• Days 9–10: Return to Cairo; neighborhoods, galleries, café time, and rooftop drinks.
• Day 11: Day trip to Alexandria (seafood lunch) or El Fayoum desert waterfalls.
• Day 12: Last-minute shopping, museum time, and a celebratory dinner.

Budget tips: Use ride-hailing for value and safety, eat street food lunches (koshary/taameya) and sit-down dinners, and prebook major tours. Shoulder seasons (late Oct–Nov, Feb–April) offer warm days and cooler nights—perfect for photography and balloon flights.

Booking quick links:

• Flights within Egypt: Trip.com (Flights) | Kiwi.com
• Cairo stays: Hotels.com | VRBO
• Aswan stays: Hotels.com | VRBO
• Luxor stays: Hotels.com | VRBO

Across twelve days, you’ll stand where pharaohs, saints, and sultans once walked—then toast the Nile at sunset as the city glows. This itinerary balances big-ticket sights with local flavor, adventure, and time to breathe. Pack curiosity and a good lens; Egypt rewards both.