- by StephOnTheMap
- published
Epic 10 Day Egypt Itinerary: Cairo-Aswan-Luxor
Looking for a historical and cultural trip to Egypt with some fun? Then look no further. Discover your epic 10-day Egypt Itinerary to Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor below.
DAY 1
Explore Islamic Cairo
Get your haggling skills at the ready and start day one in downtown Cairo. Make the colourful open-air Khan El Khalili Bazaar your first stop.Â
Its Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo and is the biggest market in Egypt and one of the oldest in the Middle East, making it a must-visit. It’s filled with unique and exotic items, from spices and perfumes to jewellery and souvenirs.
After shopping, visit Al-Muizz Street, one of Cairo’s oldest streets, where you will find medieval mosques and buildings alongside modern vendors and shops.
In the evening try out the famous local dish, koshari at, Abou Tarek for dinner.
DAY 2
Great Pyramids Of Giza
Today discover the only surviving ancient wonder of the world. To make the most of your day, book a tour with Egypt Eye. You will have the chance to learn about the history of the pyramids of Giza, enjoy a panoramic camel ride around the pyramids, and end with an epic photoshoot to capture your special moments.
After your shoot, enjoy some tea or coffee at the 9 Pyramids Lounge before heading to the Grand Sphinx.
In the afternoon, enjoy a traditional Egyptian lunch before ending your tour at Saqqara. Here you will discover the nation’s oldest pyramid. The Step Pyramid of Djoser. You can also enter this pyramid for an additional fee. There was not much inside but it was pretty cool to know I went inside a pyramid.
If you are interested how papyrus is made or perfumes. There is stops along the way on your Egypt Eye tour you can do to learn more about each of them and maybe even pick up a new scent to bring home.
In the evening, enjoy the pyramids sound and light show. If your hotel is close to the pyramids of Giza, you can watch this from your hotel rooftop for free while enjoying a meal. I stayed at the Great Pyramid Inn, which provided excellent views of the pyramids.
Optional: Visit to Dashur pyramids to discover the bent and red pyramids. The red pyramid is also free to go inside for an added adventure.
DAY 3
Egyptian Museum & Coptic Cairo
Wake up early and enjoy a breakfast with a view of the pyramids before heading to the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East. The Egyptian Museum houses the world’s most extensive collection of pharaonic antiquities.
After the museum, walk around Coptic Cairo, where you will discover the hanging church and Mosque of Mohammed Ali before stopping for some street food snacks.
In the late afternoon, take a domestic flight to Aswan to check into your Nubian House accommodation for an authentic experience and enjoy an evening meal on the houseboat.
ASWAN
DAY 4
Nubian Village
Spend time exploring the Nubian Village. The Nubian people have dark skin, speak their own Nubian Languages, and have specific traditions that differ from the rest of Egypt. I recommend staying in the Nubian Village Gharb Seheyl and taking a short boat road across the water to Elephantine Island. Both villages are traditional villages with vividly coloured houses, spice shops & cafes overlooking the Nile River. Interested in finding out things to do in the Nubian Village CLICK HERE.
DAY 5
Embark On River Nile Cruise
Spend the morning relaxing at the golden sandy beach, then catch a motor boat ride early afternoon to the other side of Aswan to embark on a 3-night, 4-day River Nile cruise with Imperial Egypt Tours.
You will embark on the ship before lunch and then visit the High Dam and the temples of Philae.
The cruise ship will be stationed in Aswan overnight, so you can leave the ship to explore Aswan City.
DAY 6
Abu Simbel & Kom Ombo Temple
Visit the incredible World Heritage site Abu Simbel. You will be on a self-guided tour to discover the historic site comprising two massive rock-cut temples.
In the evening, you will visit Kom Ombo Temple, the only double Temple in Egypt shared by the crocodile-headed God Sobek and the falcon-headed God Haroeiris.
DAY 7
Edfu Temple
On day 7, you visit Edfu Temple, which a Temple dedicated to the Falcon God. Then enjoy the views of the Nile by boat as you cruise to Luxor. A BBQ will be on the roof deck in the evening, followed by a night of entertainment.
DAY 8
Luxor
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
Start the day by enjoying a sunrise hot air balloon to view Luxor from the sky.
After breakfast, you disembark the ship and visit the Ancient Theban Necropolis on the west bank of Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings, where more than 60 Egypt Pharaohs have their resting place carved out of the mountain cliffs.
You will also visit the Colossi of Memnon, the only remains of the funerary Temple of Amenophis III. Then Visit the famous Karnak Temple, the largest religious building ever constructed.
DAY 9
Cooking Class in Luxor
Today learn about the art of Egyptian cooking with a cooking class at Sofra Restaurant and Cafe. Your day will start at the local market to pick up some fresh ingredients and spices before heading into the Sofra kitchen to enjoy your culinary experience.
Enjoy a felucca ride into the sunset in the evening and explore a nearby village to learn about local life.
Luxor Temple & Shopping
Spend your last day site seeing around Luxor. Visit the Luxor Temple, shop at the local markets, and enjoy some street snacks along the way.
Need To Know Information
Local Language: ArabicÂ
Currency: Egyptian Pound
Visa’s: Visa on arrival can be obtained by passport holders from the UK, EU, USA, Canada, and New Zealand. For additional countries, please check your entry requirements and eligibility for an E-Visa.
Drones: Drones are prohibited in the country, so please leave them at home.
Tipping: Tipping is expected even for things you would not expect.Â
Local Guide: Have a local tour guide to avoid the hassle of street sellers and beggars.
Dress: Dress conservatively off the tourist resorts to avoid unwanted attention, and always carry a scarf around in case you need to cover your head or shoulders.
Weather: Egypt can get extremely hot, so avoid the summer months of June through August. The preferred time to travel is November through March for cooler weather.
Is Egypt safe? In short, yes, but ensure you have safety measures and do not trust easily. Although it is safe for you to travel around, the country is known for travel scams, pickpocketing, and harassment.
If you are planning a trip to Egypt and found this post useful, please comment and share.
If you have been to Egypt and travelled to Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, I would love to know in the comments what your must-do things are and what you enjoyed most about your trip.
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