Egypt folds 5,000 years of history into one spellbinding ribbon along the Nile. From the Great Pyramid of Giza to the gold-drenched tombs in Luxor, you’ll trace the arc of pharaohs, priests, conquerors, and scholars. This 9-day Egypt itinerary balances headline monuments with neighborhood eats and Nile-side sunsets—ideal for travelers who want rich culture without overspending.

Begin in Cairo for the Pyramids, Sphinx, and storied markets, then fly to Aswan to board a classic Nile cruise north to Luxor. These vessels move at the river’s ancient pace: temple stops in Kom Ombo and Edfu, desert horizons, and starry nights on deck. In Luxor, step into the Valley of the Kings and gaze at Hatshepsut’s engineering genius before circling back to Cairo for a last taste of the city.

Practical notes: Egypt’s winter (Oct–Apr) is prime sightseeing weather; summers are hot, so start early and hydrate. Carry small change for tips, use ride-hailing apps for predictable fares, and dress modestly at religious sites. Book key experiences (Pyramids guide, hot-air balloon, Abu Simbel) ahead to secure early departures and fair prices.

Cairo

Cairo, the “Mother of the World,” crackles with energy—call to prayer over traffic horns, Nile breezes meeting coffee steam in historic cafés. In Giza, the Fourth Dynasty still towers over the suburbs; downtown, Belle Époque facades frame Egypt’s modern era. Save time for Khan el‑Khalili’s workshops and the century-old El Fishawy café.

• Top sights: Giza Pyramids & Sphinx, Egyptian Museum (Tahrir), Islamic Cairo (Sultan Hassan, Al‑Rifa’i), Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church), Nile Corniche.
• Good eats: Abou Tarek for classic koshary; Abou El Sid (mahshi, molokhia, mezze) for old-school ambiance; Zooba for hip Egyptian street food; 9 Pyramids Lounge for sunset pyramid views.
• Where to stay: Search stays on VRBO Cairo or compare hotels on Hotels.com Cairo. For value, look in Downtown, Garden City, or Giza near the plateau.
• Getting there: Find international flights to Cairo on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo

Afternoon: Land in Cairo and settle into your hotel. Stroll the Nile Corniche for your first feel of the city, then pop into the Egyptian Museum foyer area to orient yourself for tomorrow (the main galleries reward a fresh morning). Coffee at 30 North or a mint tea at Groppi’s downtown keeps jet lag at bay.

Evening: Dinner at Abou El Sid (order vine-leaf mahshi and a tahini salad) or Zooba (ta’ameya—Egyptian falafel—and liver sandwiches). Cap the night at El Fishawy in Khan el‑Khalili, where brass lamps and mirrors have reflected Cairo’s conversations since the 18th century.

Day 2: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx

Morning: Head early to Giza for cooler air and fewer crowds. Walk the Great Pyramid’s base to savor its scale, then continue to Khafre and Menkaure. If open during your visit, consider limited-entry interior tickets; otherwise, explore panoramic viewpoints along the desert road.

Afternoon: Join a guided visit for context and navigation around the plateau.

Recommended tour: Private Giza Pyramids & Sphinx Tour with Optional Pyramids Entry. We love this for its Egyptologist guides and flexible entry options.

Evening: Dine at 9 Pyramids Lounge just outside the plateau for golden-hour views of the Sphinx and pyramids; try grilled kofta and fattoush. Back in town, grab a hibiscus karkadé from a juice stand and rest up.

Day 3: Museums, Old Cairo, and a Nile Night

Morning: Visit the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir for royal mummies, jewelry, and Middle Kingdom masterpieces. Note: Portions of the collection are shifting to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which may offer preview galleries—ask your hotel about current access.

Afternoon: Explore Coptic Cairo’s Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue, then continue to Islamic Cairo to admire the Mamluk giants: Sultan Hassan and Al‑Rifa’i facing each other across a sunlit square. Lunch at Felfela for pita, dips, and pigeon stuffed with herbed rice.

Evening: Float along the Nile with dinner and live music.

Recommended experience: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel Ride, ATV, Shopping, Dinner Cruise (choose the dinner-cruise focus) for an easy hotel pick-up and festive evening.

Aswan

Aswan is Egypt at its most relaxed: granite outcrops, palm-fringed islands, and Nubian culture set to the rhythm of feluccas. Philae Temple, rescued from rising waters, is a jewel of Ptolemaic art. Use Aswan as your gateway to Abu Simbel or as the embarkation point for a Nile cruise.

• Top sights: Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam, Nubian villages on Elephantine and around Gharb Seheil.
• Food to try: Nubian stews with okra, grilled tilapia, and hibiscus juice. For a casual lunch, look for fresh baladi bread stuffed with ta’ameya and salad.
• If you need a pre/post night: Search VRBO Aswan or Hotels.com Aswan.

Day 4: Fly Cairo → Aswan, Board Your Nile Cruise

Morning: Fly from Cairo to Aswan (about 1.5 hours; ~$80–150 one way). Search fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Transfer to your boat (30–45 minutes).

Afternoon: Visit Philae Temple by boat—lotus-capital columns basking in island light—then stop at the High Dam. Check into your cabin and catch sunset on the top deck.

Evening: Dinner on board. If time allows, browse Aswan’s spice market for saffron, hibiscus, and cumin blends.

Your cruise (recommended): 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor including Abu Simbel, Air Balloon — a great value bundle covering Abu Simbel, West/East Banks, Edfu & Kom Ombo, plus the Luxor balloon.

Day 5: Abu Simbel and Sail to Kom Ombo

Early morning: Depart pre-dawn by coach for Abu Simbel (about 3.5 hours each way). Ramses II’s colossal statues guard a temple reassembled stone by stone after the Aswan Dam—one of UNESCO’s greatest saves.

Afternoon: Return to the boat and sail toward Kom Ombo. Visit the twin temple dedicated to Sobek (crocodile god) and Horus the Elder. Don’t miss the crocodile-mummy room.

Evening: Dinner and stargazing from the sundeck as you continue toward Edfu.

Alternative if not included on your boat: Private Day Tour to Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan for a focused, cooler early start.

Day 6: Edfu Temple and Nile Scenes

Morning: Horse carriage or shuttle to Edfu Temple, the best-preserved in Egypt, with soaring pylons and reliefs showing Horus’s triumphs.

Afternoon: Sail through palm groves and farmers’ fields, a living Nile atlas. Enjoy an onboard cooking demo if offered, or relax by the small pool.

Evening: Traditional galabeya party night on many boats—fun photos and music. Early to bed for tomorrow’s balloon.

Luxor

Luxor is open-air archaeology: on the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s terraces; on the East Bank, the temple axis from Karnak to Luxor. Sunrises here are unforgettable, especially from a hot-air balloon floating over the green fields of the Nile.

• Top sights: Valley of the Kings (consider Tutankhamun’s tomb), Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak’s Hypostyle Hall, Luxor Temple at dusk.
• Where to eat: Sofra Restaurant & Café (homey Upper Egyptian classics), Al‑Sahaby Lane on a rooftop near Luxor Temple (great mixed grills and tagines), fruit juice stalls on Television St.
• Stay (if extending): Compare options on VRBO Luxor or Hotels.com Luxor.

Day 7: Luxor West Bank and Balloon

Early morning: Hot-air balloon over the West Bank—fields, Nile bends, and the Theban hills glowing pink. Then tour the Valley of the Kings; a good trio is Ramses IV, Ramses IX, and Merenptah, with optional add-on for Tutankhamun.

Afternoon: Continue to Hatshepsut’s temple, a masterpiece of terraces and shadow, and stop by the Colossi of Memnon for photos.

Evening: Disembark or remain aboard depending on cruise schedule. Dinner at Sofra (try the rabbit molokhia or pigeon if you’re curious) or Al‑Sahaby Lane for grilled meats and rice-stuffed vegetables.

Day 8: Karnak, Luxor Temple, Fly Luxor → Cairo

Morning: Walk Karnak’s Hypostyle Hall—134 papyrus-bundle columns like a sandstone forest. Finish at Luxor Temple, whose night lighting is magical if your schedule allows.

Afternoon: Fly Luxor → Cairo (about 1 hr 10 min; ~$70–140). Search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Back in Cairo, check in and grab a fresh juice at Kazaz.

Evening: Dinner in Zamalek: Maison Thomas (vintage pizzeria with thin-crust pies) or Seekh Mashwy for casual kebabs. If you missed a Nile night, stroll the island’s leafy streets and cafés.

Day 9: Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur; Departure

Morning: Before your afternoon flight, head south to the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, then Memphis’ open-air statues, and Dahshur’s Bent and Red Pyramids—proto-Giza engineering in serene desert.

Recommended tour: Half Day Tour To Memphis Sakkara And Dahshur Pyramids for efficient routing and context before you fly out.

Afternoon: Airport transfer for departure. Pick up last-minute gifts: date paste, dukkah, or spice blends from a grocery near your hotel for fixed prices.

Budget Tips for a 43/100 Spend Level

• Prioritize guided days for complex sites (Giza, West Bank) and go self-guided in compact areas (Islamic Cairo, Luxor Temple at night).
• Eat where Egyptians eat: koshary shops, grill houses, juice bars. Breakfasts of ful and ta’ameya are cheap, filling, and delicious.
• Use ride-hailing for transparent pricing; carry small bills for tips. Combine sights by neighborhood to cut transport costs.
• Book domestic flights early; night sleeper trains exist but often cost similar to flights for cabins and take 10–12 hours.

Optional Upgrade: If you’d prefer a shorter cruise, consider a 3-night option starting in Aswan and ending in Luxor like this Aswan→Luxor sailing: 4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor & Abu Simbel + Balloon.

Transport note: For initial and domestic flights, compare fares and times on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. Morning departures help you maximize sightseeing in the afternoon.

In nine days, you’ll stand beneath the Great Pyramid, drift past riverside villages, and read stone-carved stories in Luxor’s temples. This itinerary blends history, river time, and street-level flavor—leaving you with Egypt’s greatest hits and a few secrets to share.