Two places, two different desert stories. AlUla rises from palm-filled oases and ochre canyons, where Nabataean tombs glow gold at sunset. Cairo hums with energy, a city where new espresso bars sit within walking distance of Fatimid mosques and centuries-old souqs.

AlUla’s Hegra (Madain Saleh) was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, a cousin to Petra with its own monumental rock-cut façades and inscriptions. Nearby, the Dadan kingdom and Jabal Ikmah form an open-air library of ancient scripts. In Egypt, the great pyramids of Giza still dominate the skyline, while Saqqara’s Step Pyramid tells the story of how it all began.

Expect big skies, museum masterpieces, and meals that linger in memory. Pack modest attire for religious sites, sunscreen and a hat for midday heat, and appetite for ful, ta‘ameya, and fragrant Saudi spiced rice. Ride-sharing is the easiest way to move around Cairo; in AlUla, guided tours or a car are best.

AlUla

AlUla is Saudi Arabia’s open-air museum: Hegra’s Nabataean necropolis, Dadan’s sandstone lion tombs, and Jabal Ikmah’s inscriptions framed by dramatic canyons. Evenings bring star-filled skies and the mirror-clad Maraya—an architectural mirage reflecting the desert.

Top sights include Hegra (Madain Saleh), Dadan & Jabal Ikmah, AlUla Old Town, Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil), the Oasis Trail (Daimumah), and Harrat Uwayrid viewpoint. Active travelers can zipline or hike; culture lovers will enjoy Old Town’s mudbrick lanes and artisan studios.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on Hotels.com (AlUla) or villas on VRBO (AlUla).
• Getting there: Fly into ULH via Riyadh (RUH) or Jeddah (JED). Typical total travel time is 4.5–7 hours with a connection; one-way fares often range ~$90–$220. Search options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival in AlUla — Old Town and Sunset Viewpoint

Afternoon: Arrive in AlUla and check in. Shake off the travel at AlUla Old Town: wander the mudbrick alleys, browse crafts and dates, and sip iced hibiscus at Pink Camel Pastry Boutique & Café—their cardamom lattes and date cakes are local favorites.

Evening: Drive up to Harrat Uwayrid Viewpoint for a sweeping canyon sunset. For dinner, book Suhail in Old Town: slow-cooked lamb with rice perfumed by saffron, jareesh wheat, and smoky okra—classic Najdi flavors served with modern finesse.

Day 2: Hegra (Madain Saleh) and Oasis Trail

Morning: Guided visit to Hegra, the UNESCO site with more than 100 Nabataean tombs. Highlights include the iconic Tomb of Lihyan, Son of Kuza (Qasr al-Farid) with its solitary façade and chisel marks that feel tangible through time. Allow 3–4 hours with stops.

Afternoon: Lunch at Somewhere AlUla for Levantine bowls—think pomegranate molasses-kissed chicken and za’atar fries—then stroll the shady Oasis Trail (Daimumah) beneath date palms and mudbrick canals.

Evening: If events are on, swing by the shimmering Maraya for a photo stop or performance. Dine at Tama at Habitas: share mezze, grilled local vegetables, and spiced fish while lanterns glow under the desert sky. Consider a guided stargazing session to cap the night.

Day 3: Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, and Elephant Rock

Morning: Explore the Dadan archaeological site, once capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms, then continue to Jabal Ikmah, often called “the open-air library,” where ancient inscriptions and petroglyphs tell stories of travelers and rituals.

Afternoon: Lunch in a palm garden at AlNakheel (simple grills, rice, and fresh bread). Cool off by Elephant Rock (Jabal AlFil); the sandstone trunk is most photogenic late day. If you crave action, book the AlUla zipline or a canyon walk.

Evening: Casual dinner back in Old Town; if you want something contemporary, return to Somewhere for light bites. Early night—tomorrow you fly to Cairo.

Cairo

Cairo is a layered city: Pharaonic wonders on the west bank, medieval mosques and caravanserais to the east, and modern cafés perched over the Nile. It rewards curiosity—duck down side streets for street art, perfumers, and the city’s famous koshary.

Essential stops include the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir (with key collections on view while the Grand Egyptian Museum rolls out), the Citadel, Al-Muizz Street, Khan el-Khalili, and Coptic Cairo’s churches and museum. Evenings shine on a felucca under coppery skies.

• Where to stay: Compare hotels on Hotels.com (Cairo) or browse apartments on VRBO (Cairo). Zamalek is central and leafy; Giza offers pyramid views; Downtown puts you by Tahrir Square.
• Flying AlUla → Cairo (Day 4): Depart ULH in the morning via Riyadh or Jeddah; total travel time typically 5.5–8 hours including transit. One-way fares commonly ~$180–$350. Check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Fly to Cairo — Tahrir and a Nile Sunset

Morning: Fly AlUla → Cairo via RUH or JED. Have a light breakfast at your hotel or Pink Camel before departure. On arrival, use an airport taxi or ride-share to your hotel (45–70 minutes depending on traffic).

Afternoon: Drop bags and head to Tahrir Square. Visit the Egyptian Museum to see royal mummies, gilded coffins, and artifacts from household shrines to colossal statues. Coffee at 30 North (Zamalek) for excellent espresso and cold brew.

Evening: Sunset felucca sail from Zamalek—quiet, breezy, and photogenic. Dinner at Abou El Sid (Egyptian classics—molokhia, pigeon, lamb fetteh) or Zooba (hip street-food staples: ta‘ameya, hawawshi, koshary) for a lighter first night.

Day 5: Giza Plateau and Saqqara

Morning: Early start for the Giza Pyramids. Walk or ride to the panoramic viewpoint to frame Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure in one shot; visit the Great Pyramid interior if tickets are available. Camel or horse rides are optional—agree price first.

Afternoon: Lunch with a view at 9 Pyramids Lounge (Bedouin-style seating, grilled meats, salads). Then drive 45 minutes to Saqqara to see Djoser’s Step Pyramid, one of the world’s earliest monumental stone structures, plus Old Kingdom mastabas covered in daily-life reliefs.

Evening: Return to Giza for the Sound & Light Show if you enjoy theatrical storytelling. Dinner at Khufu’s (fine dining with pyramid vistas) or 139 Pavilion at the historic Mena House for a classic, relaxed setting.

Day 6: Islamic Cairo — Citadel, Al-Muizz, and Khan el-Khalili

Morning: Head to the Citadel of Saladin and the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali for views over Cairo’s minarets. Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered).

Afternoon: Lunch at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant inside Khan el-Khalili (elegant Egyptian stews, grilled pigeon, mezzes). Stroll Al-Muizz Street to admire Mamluk architecture; pause for mint tea at historic El Fishawy, open for generations.

Evening: Explore Zamalek’s galleries and boutiques, then dine at Crimson Bar & Grill (Nile terrace, steaks and Mediterranean plates) or cross the bridge for dessert at Mandarine Koueider—pistachio ice cream and basbousa are standouts.

Day 7: Coptic Cairo and Departure

Morning: Discover Coptic Cairo: the Hanging Church, Church of St. Sergius (tradition links it to the Holy Family’s sojourn), the Coptic Museum’s carved woodwork and manuscripts, and the historic Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at the legendary Koshary Abou Tarek—lentils, pasta, and chickpeas draped in zesty tomato sauce. Pick up last-minute souvenirs in Zamalek (artisan crafts, spices), then transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight.

Evening: —

Where to Eat and Drink (Extras)

• AlUla breakfasts: Pink Camel (pastries, cardamom coffee); Al Hatab Bakery (fresh manaqeesh, sesame bread).
• Cairo coffee: 30 North (single-origin espresso), Sufi Bookstore Café (tea, quiet reading nook), Cake Café (savory croissants).
• Cairo classics: Felfela (downtown institution for falafel and grilled kofta), El Prince in Imbaba (hearty casseroles and liver—go early), and Zooba for modern takes on street staples.

Getting Around and Practical Tips

• Flights: For all legs, compare fares and times on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. In Cairo, ride-shares are convenient and affordable.
• Tickets and timing: Start Giza and Saqqara early to beat heat and crowds. Many sites accept cards, but carry small cash for tips and snacks.
• Dress code: Light, breathable clothing; modest dress for mosques. Sunscreen, hat, and water are essential.

From AlUla’s silent tombs and starry skies to Cairo’s bazaars and river breezes, this week stitches together two ancient worlds with modern comfort. You’ll return with sandstone dust on your shoes and a head full of stories—of kings, caravans, and the Nile at dusk.