Egypt 7 Day Itinerary

So you’re considering an Egypt 7 day itinerary? Awesome. The land of pharaohs, pyramids, and ancient mysteries is waiting for you! Seriously, my trip to Egypt right before the pandemic was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken in my entire life. I particularly loved my Nile river cruise. There is just something so golden and beautiful about the light on the Nile.

Personally, I really recommend spending at least 12 days in Egypt. There is just so much to see and do. But here’s what an Egypt 7 day itinerary could look like if you just want to see the main sites. Make sure you check out my recommendations at the end of this post for some other things I want you to think about.

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Day 1: Arrival and Settling In

After a long flight, you'll probably want to check into your hotel and relax. Cairo can be a bit overwhelming at first, so take some time to adjust to the heat, the noise, and the hectic atmosphere. If you book your trip through me, please let me book an airport transfer for you as the Cairo airport can be a bit chaotic. Once at your hotel, maybe grab a bite to eat or explore the nearby streets. Remember, you're in Egypt now! Soak it all in. I can arrange a walking tour for you if you’d like. But for your arrival day in the country, I recommend keeping the day light and open so you can get over your jet lag.

Day 2: The Great Sphinx and The Great Pyramids of Giza

Start the second day of your Egypt 7 day itinerary with a visit to the Great Sphinx of Giza, the iconic lion-headed statue with a human face. It's a truly amazing sight. The Sphinx is thought to be a guardian of the necropolis of Giza, and it's believed to have been originally painted with bright colors. If you have a guide with you, they will know all the best spots to get a photo of you with the Sphinx so definitely take advantage of their knowledge!

Next, head over to the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Climbing inside the pyramid is an optional adventure, but it's a very interesting experience that gives you a real sense of the ancient Egyptians' engineering prowess. (I did the climb! And I actually can’t believe they let us do this! It felt very spooky, actually.) The Great Pyramid was built as a tomb for the pharaoh Khufu, and it's the largest pyramid in the world. Again, your guide will have all sorts of good tricks for getting great photos. It’s like they all went to photography school together lol.

After exploring the pyramids, visit the Egyptian Museum, where you'll find an incredible collection of artifacts, including the golden mask of Tutankhamun. The museum is home to over 120,000 artifacts, and it's a great place to learn more about ancient Egyptian history and culture. When I was last in Egypt, the museum still wasn’t open! So I will just have to get back to Cairo sometime soon!

I strongly recommend having a guide and driver for this entire day in Cairo. This will prevent people from hassling you throughout the day. Unfortunately, you should expect a bit of hassling throughout Egypt. Don’t let anyone convince you to get on a camel. A good guide will help protect you from the scammers. (Tip: Bring pens. I gave a pen to anyone who was either super helpful or super annoying. Apparently there aren’t enough pens in Egypt.)

The beautiful Philae on Day 3 of this Egypt 7 day itinerary.

Day 3: Nile River Cruise Begins in Aswan

Today, fly to Aswan, the southernmost city in Egypt. From there, embark on your Nile River cruise. As you sail down the river, you'll be surrounded by stunning landscapes, ancient temples, and small villages. Your first stop will be Philae, a beautiful island temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. What makes Philae particularly interesting is its relocation during the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. Rising waters threatened to submerge the temple complex, prompting an international effort led by UNESCO to preserve this cultural treasure. The entire temple was meticulously dismantled and relocated to higher ground on the nearby island of Agilkia, showcasing not just the historical significance of the site but also a remarkable feat of modern engineering and international collaboration.

Visitors to Philae can explore the temple grounds and appreciate the beautiful carvings and architectural details, all while surrounded by lush greenery and the serene waters of the Nile. The site is often described as one of the most picturesque in Egypt, drawing travelers who are fascinated by its beauty and historical significance.

Later in the day, consider also visiting a Nubian village, where you can learn about the traditional way of life of the Nubian people. The Nubians are an indigenous people who have lived in Egypt for centuries. They have a rich culture and a unique language. We smoked a little shisha with the Nubians. It was pretty cool.

Day 4: Temple of Kom Ombo

Today, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, a unique double temple dedicated to two different gods: Sobek, the crocodile-headed god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. The temple is beautifully preserved, and you can explore its courtyards, hypostyle halls, and sanctuaries. Kom Ombo is a relatively small temple, but it's well worth a visit. As someone who lives in Florida, I find their obsession with crocodiles pretty cool.

Hieroglyphics at Karnak Temple on Day 5 of this Egypt 7 Day itinerary.

Day 5: Esna Locks and Karnak Temple

Continue your Nile cruise today. You'll pass through the Esna Locks, a series of dams and locks that allow boats to navigate the river's changing water levels. After that, you'll arrive in Luxor, one of Egypt's most famous cities. Your first stop will be the Karnak Temple complex, a massive temple dedicated to the god Amun-Ra. Karnak is the largest religious structure in the world, and it's a must-see for any visitor to Egypt. The temple complex is made up of several different temples, including the Great Hypostyle Hall, which is one of the most impressive structures in all of Egypt.

They Valley of the Kings is truly incredible. (This is a pic from inside.) I would go back again in a heartbeat. Hatshepsut (aka Hot Chicken Soup) is pretty impressive too.

Day 6: Disembarking Your River Cruise and Exploring Luxor

Today, disembark your Nile River cruise and continue exploring Luxor. Your first stop on Day 6 of your Egypt 7 day itinerary will be the absolutely amazing Valley of the Kings, where many of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt were buried. You can visit the tombs of famous pharaohs like Tutankhamun and Ramses II. The Valley of the Kings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian history. I really can’t stop thinking about my visit to the Valley of the Kings and how close they let us get to all of the hieroglyphics. (They have some pretty strict rules about photography inside the tombs…forewarned.)

After that, head to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, a stunning temple dedicated to Egypt's first female pharaoh. Hatshepsut was a powerful ruler who reigned over Egypt for over 20 years. Her temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, and it's a great example of ancient Egyptian architecture.

Your final stop for the day will be the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III. The Colossi of Memnon are located on the west bank of the Nile River, and they're a popular tourist attraction. The statues were originally part of a larger temple complex, but the temple has been destroyed over the centuries.

The Nile runs right through Cairo...watching the traditional Egyptian sailing ships on the Nile is a pretty cool experience.

Day 7: Farewell to Egypt

On your final day of this Egypt 7 day itinerary, fly back to Cairo and then catch your flight home. If you have some extra time, you might want to visit Khan el-Khalili, a bustling bazaar where you can find everything from souvenirs to spices. Or, you could explore Al-Azhar Mosque, one of the oldest and most important Islamic universities in the world.

Alternative Suggestions for Egypt

This Egypt 7 day itinerary assumes independent travel and to be honest, I just don’t recommend that for Egypt. It’s hard to be by yourself in Egypt. It’s also more expensive given the private guiding required. Egypt is a great place to consider a group tour. And if you don’t do a group, I would still recommend booking with a tour provider who knows where you are at all times and can swoop in to help. That’s where I come in! As a Virtuoso travel advisor, even if you want to travel independently, I can make this all seamless for you and ensure that you have in-country, on-the-ground support in Egypt. Basically, you want to have someone available to you at all times in Egypt just in case.

Another suggestion for Egypt is to consider a week-long Nile river cruise with a few days before and after in Egypt. I am a preferred partner with all the main river cruise providers and can VIP your trip. (The above itinerary assumes a much shorter river cruise journey.)

If you are ready for me to plan your Egyptian adventure, please click the orange button below and provide some brief details. Then we can schedule a call to discuss next steps and how I can help!

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Is Egypt Safe?

I know the world seems unsafe at times. But Egypt gets 14 million travelers a year. My recommendation is to book 5 star accomodation throughout your trip and to make sure you buy travel insurance with “CFAR” coverage — cancel for any reason. This allows you to cancel for any reason — like simply not wanting to go. Travel insurance is complex and in my experience, people misunderstand their coverage a lot. It’s important that you think about the reasons you might want to cancel your trip and then carefully read your policy to understand what sorts of cancellation reasons are covered and what reasons are not covered. I am a preferred partner of all the five star hotel brands in Egypt and can VIP your stay. I also, of course, can recommend travel insurance.

Summary of Egypt 7 Day Itinerary

I think this Egypt 7 day itinerary gives you a good taste of Egypt. However, you don’t get to spend much time in Cairo and you don’t get to see Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel is an archaeological site in southern Egypt, renowned for its two massive rock temples built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Its relocation in the 1960s to prevent flooding from the Aswan High Dam represents a remarkable feat of modern engineering and international collaboration. So…if you can swing it, I recommend spending 10 days if not 12 days in Egypt. You should definitely include Abu Simbel in your itinerary. There’s also Alexandria. And of course…there’s the beach!!

About Krista

I’m a Notre Dame grad and a Chicago Booth MBA based in Palm Beach, Florida. But I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England, selling financial data. My career and personal travel have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others at a Virtuoso travel advisor. Let me make your next vacation seamless for you.