How Many Days to Spend in Egypt?

Wondering how many days in Egypt is appropriate for exploring its ancient wonders and stunning beaches? Read on, you will find the answer with itinerary suggestions for your Egypt tour.

How Many Days in Egypt is Enough?

We often receive questions like, "Is 5 or 7 days enough for exploring Egypt?", or "What's the ideal duration for an Egypt tour?"

Generally, we recommend the ideal duration of 10 - 12 days for an Egypt tour, as you can explore the best Egypt has to offer from north to south. However, 7 days are also enough for most iconic attractions, including the Giza Pyramids, the Nile Cruise between Aswan and Luxor, along with the ancient temples along the riverbank.

If you have about 14 days for the trip, you can take an additional splendor Nile Cruise from Abu Simbel and visit more popular cities such as Alexandria, Fayoum, Hurghada, etc.

If you can have more than 15 days of vacation, you can experience Egypt in depth or combine your Egypt tour with a nearby country, like Jordan, Morocco, Turkey, Kenya, etc.

Spend About 10 Days in Egypt - Ideal Duration

We suggest 10 - 12 days, as you can experience the best of Egypt at a relatively relaxed pace. It allows a circle starting from Cairo to Aswan, then take a cruise along the Nile River through Kom Ombo, Edfu, and arrive in Luxor. Then, fly to Hurghada for a leisure beach holiday by the famed Red Sea.

Here's a brief itinerary with recommended things to see and do:

Day 1-3 Cairo

Pyramids of Giza, Cairo

In three days in Cairo, you can explore the city's rich history, vibrant culture, and bustling streets and have time to enjoy a meal or something you like, not rush from one site to another.

The iconic Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx should always be must-sees. It usually takes half a day. When the huge pyramids and sphinxes gradually appear in front of your eyes, the kind of shocking feeling can't be felt in any book or video. If you want, you can take a bit more time to go inside the pyramid to explore and see what it looks like.

Not far away from the Giza Pyramids, the famous new Grand Egyptian Museum is now soft-open. You can also take a half-day trip there or visiting the Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo to see phraros antiquities.

Use one day to wander through Islamic Cairo, visiting the Citadel of Saladin, the stunning Mosque of Muhammad Ali, and Coptic Cairo's Hanging Church. In addition, visiting the Khalili bazaar will be a special experience in the strong Arabian atmosphere.

Day 4-7 Nile Cruise

Nile Cruise

You can definitely listen to the call from an ancient civilization on a four-day, three-night Nile cruise. You can start from Aswan to Luxor. Both banks of the Nile River are pristine natural scenery.

During the journey, you can visit five temples along the way, including the Sobek Temple and the Temple of Horus. Sobek Temple differs from many Egyptian temples because it is dedicated to two gods, which will definitely give you a different experience.

The Temple of Horus is the best-preserved temple in Egypt and the only one with a roof remaining. When you see the vast tower gate of the temple, you will be struck by magnificent momentum. Its majesty seems to have never decayed over the generations but rather adds a sense of vicissitudes.

In addition, you can also visit the High Dam and Valley of the Kings, which are both very popular attractions in Egypt. More than that, you can watch the sunrise and sunset from the boat. In the evening, you can also enjoy Egyptian cuisine and participate in a distinctive Egyptian song and dance performance.

Day 8-10 Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh

A Beach Resort in Hurghada

Nothing would be better than a beach holiday for relaxing and refreshing after a week-long exploration. Thus, we recommend setting Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh as your last stop in Egypt. Both of them offer stunning views of the Red Sea as well as incredible snorkeling and diving experiences.

Spend 5-7 Days in Egypt - Quick Look

Temple of Karnak, Luxor

If your time is limited and you only have 5-7 days to travel in Egypt, you can choose 1 or 2 cities to visit depending on your preferences. Generally, if you are a fan of ancient Egyptian civilization, you can choose Cairo and Luxor to explore. As we mentioned above, these two cities boast the most iconic heritages in Egypt.

Especially if you are very interested in Egyptian temples, Luxor is a must visit. With its complex of Pharaonic temples, it is the city with the highest concentration of ancient Egyptian ruins; the famous Luxor Temple and Temple of Karnak are also located here.

If you are seeking to combine pyramids with a beach holiday within just one week, we would recommend Cairo plus Alexandria. Beyond the beautiful scenery of the Mediterranean coast, Alexandria also has some fantastic historical sights to see, such as the Great Library and the Pharos Lighthouse. The most important thing is that Alexandria is just about a 2.5-hour drive from Cairo, which is quite accessible.

Spend About 14 Days in Egypt

Abu Simbel Temples

If you have about 2 weeks on vacation, you will have more time to explore mysterious Egypt. You can add 1 or 2 destinations into the 10-day itinerary we mentioned above, like Abu Simbel, Alexandria, Fayoum, or any city you're interested in.

Abu Simbel Temples, carved into a mountainside under the order of Ramses II, are one of Egypt's most extraordinary sights. Moreover, Abu Simbel is also the starting point for some Nile cruises, giving you an unforgettable journey down the river. For those visiting in February or October, the Abu Simbel Sun Festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, when the sun aligns perfectly with the temple's inner sanctum, illuminating the statues of Ramses II. It's a magical addition that blends history, culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. An exploration to Abu Simbel usually takes a day after Cairo or Aswan, then connect with a Nile River cruise tour.

Fayoum is about 100km from Cairo, which usually take 1.5 hours to drive. It is one of the oldest cities in Africa, and the Fayoum Oasis is one of the five great oases of Egypt. Take 2 or 3 days to explore Fayoum, you can not only visit the pyramids and temples of different periods but also participate in various interesting activities in the Fayoum Desert, such as sand skiing and camel riding. Besides, you can play in the water by the ancient Lake Moeris and visit ancient whale fossils in Wadi Al-Hitan. At night, you will camp in the desert and join the local people's party to experience Egyptian customs. As soon as you look up, you will see a sky full of stars, and you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable night.

Spend Over 16 Days - Egypt & More

For those with more than 16 days to explore Egypt, you can arrange more authentic experiences, explore some off-the-beaten-path destinations, and even extend your journey to nearby countries.

There are some great oases in Egypt's western desert. You may consider venturing into the Black and White Desert for unique landscapes, go further west to explore the Siwa Oasis for its unique Berber culture and salt lakes, or spending extra time on the Red Sea.

To make your travel experience more diverse, this duration makes it considerable for combining Egypt with nearby destinations. Jordan is a popular option. Just need a short flight to Amman, then it is quite convenient to get to Petra, the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum by car. You might also visit Morocco for a completely different North African experience with its vibrant souks and stunning desert landscapes. Or, Kenya for thrilling wildlife safaris.

Contact Odynovo for A Worry-Free Trip

If you want to plan an Egypt itinerary, please contact us simply. Our private and tailor-made service will provide you with a personalized itinerary based on your needs and interests within 24 hours.