One amazing week in Egypt / 7 day itinerary
See the best of Egypt with this 7 day itinerary
Egypt boasts the only remaining iconic structure from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramid of Giza, which makes it one of the most incredible countries to visit.
I spent a week in Egypt, with a 7-day itinerary that I put together myself. I could have easily engaged in one of the many Egypt tours that are advertised, but I was looking to travel on a budget.
I booked everything myself, and I ended up having an amazing time.
So, keep reading and see how if this itinerary works for your Egypt trip too.
Best time to visit Egypt
The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April. You definitely want to avoid summer, as it can get very hot.
I travelled in March, and I was surprised with how cool the evenings were. I didn’t go well prepared enough, as a puffer jacket would have been a great addition (except in March, you don’t expect to need one, which is why I didn’t take one!)
But keep in mind that the temperature will change in the different areas of Egypt because of the micro-climates. So, along the Nile, it will be cooler than in the more desert areas.
Is Egypt safe?
Egypt is safe to travel to. As a female traveller, never once did I feel unsafe.
That being said… many people report they felt harassed, especially in tourist locations.
For this reason, I opted to book a tour guide in Cairo to visit the main tourist attractions. However, it was not due to the harassment specifically; it was also so I could get a better understanding of what I was looking at.
After all, I am not going to travel all that way, to famous sites just to stand there and look at them. I want to know what I am looking at.
But I have to say, when I quickly glanced at a shirt while visiting Edfu Temple, the seller followed me and kept asking me to buy it. He wouldn’t leave me alone, and the tour guide had to end up telling him I wasn’t interested.
But the worst part is, I was actually interested! I just wanted to look at it in peace to understand if I liked it enough to buy (I’m picky with souvenirs).
At the same time, I get it. These guys are trying to make a living, and with the regional conflicts, tourist numbers are low. But is Egypt a safe place to visit? Absolutely.
7-day Egypt itinerary
How did I come up with this 7 day Egypt itinerary? To begin with, I knew I wanted a few days in Cairo, because there is just so much history there to see.
Secondly, I was stressed from work! So, I wanted to relax and be taken care of, which made me think that a Nile River cruise would also be a great idea to incorporate into my plan.
Now, sadly, I missed out on so many other incredible places and experiences. But, I also don’t feel like I’ve missed out, you know?
So, if you’re limited on time, and if all you have is 7 days to travel to Egypt, then this itinerary should get you seeing all the major attractions.
Day 1 – Cairo
One of the first things I like to do when exploring a new city or country is visit a museum. This way I feel like I am getting acquainted with the history and culture of the place I am visiting.
Egyptian Museum
When you arrive, you will see people pouring out of buses and entering the museum. This would have to be the most visited museum in the country!
But don’t let that put you off because it is huge! There are two stories of galleries and artefacts to see. So, the museum can handle the volume of people that are passing through the entrance.
There is a great map on the wall with a trail to follow. Now, the problem is… there is just so much to see. You could literally spend days here to see it all.
When I visited, the Tutankhamen exhibition was here, but I am sure it’s probably been moved to the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Wherever it is, you must go and see it. It is incredible to see with your own eyes (and I say eyes because photos and videos were prohibited in the gallery).
Egyptian Museum cost: EGP 550
Opening hours: 9 am until 5 pm daily
How much time to spend at the Egyptian Museum: you could spend days here. But at least allow yourself 2-3 hours to see most of it.
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/museums/egyptian-museum
Pyramids Sound and Light Show
Yes, it is the same show that is in the Indiana Jones movie, and yes, it is a bit kitsch, but I’d go again in a heartbeat.
Imagine the booming British voiceover while watching the pyramids and sphinx light up.
It truly is so much fun and a different way to see the pyramids.
When I went, I bought the VIP ticket so I could get an upfront seat (as I’m short) with a cushion (nice and comfy). With the ticket, I also received a free drink, which I picked up after the show.
Sound and light show cost: USD $20 or $26 for VIP
Opening hours: check website for details as it changes depending on the season
Official website: https://www.soundandlight.show/en
Day 2 – Cairo
And now for the main attraction!
This is the day I have been dreaming about for so long. And it’s finally here, and I can barely contain myself. I am so excited.
Giza full-day tour
I organised this tour through my accommodation.
Once you’ve selected your hotel, get in touch with them and ask them if they have any tours you can book through the hotel. This way, you know you’ll most probably get a good tour, because it’s in the hotel’s interest to recommend good experiences.
The day tour was around $150 USD for the full day for two, including car, driver, and guide. It was very good value because I got the experience of an excellent guide.
I still needed to pay for the entrance fees, so factor that into your expenses for the day.
The first stop on the tour is the Great Pyramid of Giza, the most incredible link to ancient Egypt.
Here you will be able to pay extra to go inside the pyramid. My guide advised against it, as she said there was another pyramid we would visit later on that we would go into instead. However, as the queue was short, she encouraged us to at least go onto the pyramid and look into the entrance.
We are then taken to an area where there are camel rides. Our guide chooses the camel operator and tells us how much to pay and tip. She says they will ask for more, but be firm.
And then, of course, we go and see the Sphinx. It is so busy here! But I think that’s because there really isn’t a lot of room at the viewing area, so hundreds of people are squished in trying to get that Kodak moment.
Giza entrance fee: EGP 1000
Opening hours: 7 am until 5 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/monuments/the-great-pyramid
Next, we are taken to Saqqara. It is a short-ish drive from Giza and it doesn’t take too long to get there.
Along the way, we are taken to a carpet school where you can purchase carpets. Some tours will take you to these places whether you like it or not because the guide gets a kickback from the sales. However, I expressed a willingness to go, so the guide took me to the shop that she recommended.
In Saqqara, we visit the Mastaba of Mereruka tomb, where we are shown a selection of hieroglyphics and explained their meanings.
We then visit the pyramid of Teti, although now it is just a pile of rubble with an entrance leading underground. I can’t believe I am actually inside a pyramid. It’s amazing, and almost all of the hieroglyphics are intact.
The entrance in and out is treacherous and not great if you have a bad back, but your efforts are duly rewarded.
Entrance fee: EGP 200 for Tomb of Mereuka or EGP 1000 for an all-inclusive ticket
Opening hours: 8 am to 4 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/archaeological-sites/saqqara
Our final destination is the Memphis Open Air Museum and Walking Trail.
Here we will see a discarded and unfinished statue of Ramses. It was discarded because it has two belly buttons.
Ramses was also famous for uniting and ruling both Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt.
After leaving, our guide asks us if we are interested in seeing a papyrus or perfume factory. If I had my time over, I would like to see how papyrus is made.
We are driven back to our hotel and that is the end of the tour.
Opening hours: 8 am to 4 pm daily
Official website: nil known
Nile River Dinner Cruise
What could finish off an incredible day of visiting the pyramids better than taking a cruise down the Nile River?
I knew I wanted to do a dinner cruise, but I didn’t know where to begin. So, I went to Google Maps and searched along the shores of the river for cruising companies.
I came across Dahabiya by Cafelluca. I contacted them, and they got in touch straight away with the menu and pricing. I travelled during Ramadan, so there was a special iftar menu.
The price was, again, very reasonable, so I booked. I needed to pay a 50% deposit at the time, which was managed through a payment link via WhatsApp. I know it sounds dodgy, but it is very common in this region to do all business via WhatsApp.
The cruise was absolutely fantastic. It was a little windy and cold, but that didn’t deter from the excellent evening we had cruising down this remarkable river.
Official website: https://www.dahabiyacairo.com/
Cairo Tower
As if this day couldn’t get any better, while we’re in the heart of the city, let’s go and visit Cairo Tower.
I do enjoy getting a birds-eye view of a city, and visiting a tower is the best way to do it!
By now it will be dark, but you will still get an excellent idea of how expansive the city is.
Note: the viewing area is outside, so if you’re visiting in the cooler months, be prepared for cool weather and wind.
Entrance fee: EGP 250
Opening hours: 9 am to 1 am daily
Day 3 – Cairo
Today is our final day in Cairo. Tonight we will be flying out to Luxor for the next amazing instalment of this trip.
Baggage lockers aren’t a thing in Cairo, but there is a hotel where you can leave your luggage for the day for a fee. Make your way to New Royal Grand Hotel Cairo and head to the reception on level 6.
National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation
This museum is not as large as the Egyptian Museum, which we visited on day 1. But it is just as impressive.
At the time I visited, the museum had the Mummy Gallery. I am not sure if this has been moved to the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. If it has been moved, substitute this museum for GEM because you do not want to miss the mummies.
You can’t take photos or videos of the mummies, but they are certainly a site you won’t forget.
This museum is almost just one large room on the main level. It does have great displays and artefacts, and the descriptions are quite detailed.
This really is a great museum for getting a better understanding of the different aspects of Egyptian life.
Entrance fee: EGP 500
Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/museums/national-museum-of-egyptian-civilization-nmec
Sultan Al Nasir Muhammad Mosque
The Sultan Al Nasir Muhammad Mosque sits in the grounds of the Saladin Citadel. When you purchase a ticket, you get entry to the mosque, the Military Museum, the Police Museum, and the Al-Jawhara Palace Museum.
But first, we’re here to see the mosque because it is a stunning building. Upon entering, it feels like a room out of a fairytale.
Muhammad Ali is buried in a tomb within the prayer hall.
Stay here for a few moments to enjoy the peacefulness.
Military Museum
The Military Museum was pretty good, and weirdly, I did not really think about the wars that Egypt would have seen in its time. Although I should have known better, as there always seems to be at least one war ongoing at any one time.
While I liked the museum, I did find it lacking in contextual details for a lot of the exhibits.
I have now run out of time for any other sightseeing locations, which is a shame because there are so many more places I would have loved to visit, including the Hanging Church, Bab Al-Ghuri and Khan el-Khalili, which are souks in the bazaar district.
Nonetheless, I had an amazing three days in Cairo, and now I am ready to fly to Luxor.
Entrance fee to Saladin Citadel: EGP 550
Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/archaeological-sites/cairo-citadel/
Day 4 – Luxor and Valley of the Kings
I arrived at Luxor late in the evening on day 3, but we are up early for a sunrise visit to Karnak Temple. This was offered as an additional tour before we were collected for our cruise.
Karnak Temple
If you get the opportunity to go to Karnak Temple, take it. Here you will find some of the most amazing temple structures.
Firstly, there’s the Avenue of the Rams that you will pass as you walk into the temple.
Then you go into the Hypostyle Hall, which is one of the most beautiful and impressive things I have seen.
From here, there is Sphinx Avenue, which is said to have been a connection to Luxor Temple.
Entrance fee: EGP 600
Opening hours: 6 am to 5 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/archaeological-sites/karnak
Nile Cruise
As my first cruising day was a Tuesday, I needed to find a cruise that departed on the right day. This can be a little tricky as most cruises leave on Mondays and Thursdays, or they cruise from Aswan to Luxor. So, that wasn’t going to work for me.
But, luckily, I found a cruise on Get Your Guide that departed on a Tuesday! Hurrah!
The cruise went from Luxor to Aswan, which is actually my preferred route, so I could end the journey at one of the most memorable sites in Egypt, Abu Simbel Temple.
We get picked up from Karnak Temple, and then the tour itinerary starts.
We don’t head to the cruise ship straight away. There are still a few more incredible things for us to see before we settle into our cabins on the boat.
Valley of the Kings
The first place we are taken to is the Valley of the Kings. I would go back in a heartbeat just to visit these tombs again. Honestly, this is an absolute highlight of my trip.
The ticket we buy gives us entry into three tombs. I also purchased the extra ticket to see Tutankhamen’s tomb.
Our guide tells us the three tombs we should visit and in which order, so each one has a bigger wow factor than the last.
Tomb 1: Merenptah
Tomb 2: Ramses IX
Tomb 3: Ramses III
Ramses III is indeed the most beautiful of the tombs we visited. It is also the widest, which means he was rich, because it meant he could afford more workers to chisel such a wide and cavernous tomb.
I cannot stress enough about visiting here. You will not be disappointed. And to be able to walk amongst such history… mind-blowing.
Entrance fee: EGP 750 plus extra to see Tutankhamen’s tomb
Opening hours: 6 am to 5 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/archaeological-sites/valley-of-the-kings/
Alabaster Factory
You will be taken to an alabaster factory and, look, it’s up to you whether you purchase something or not. I did, and I love what I bought. It’s a scarab carved into a piece of stone. The colour it was painted with has since faded, but I don’t mind.
So, buy or not. It’s your choice.
Hatshepsut Temple
One of the most interesting pharaoh stories! But basically, she sent away the legitimate king to the army, and then made up a story about how her father is actually Amun-Re, the sun god, so she would be the next king.
The high priests put her in charge, but then the real king returned. He was unimpressed and destroyed her claim to the throne as well as her temple.
Fortunately, the temple has been restored, because it is absolutely stunning.
Entrance fee: EGP 440
Opening hours: 6 am to 5 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/monuments/hatshepsut-temple
Amenhotep III and the Colossi of Memnon
Our guide brings us here to show us how the statues were made differently in blocks, as opposed to large carvings into rock.
The different methods are fascinating. It doesn’t cost anything to see these statues, and we don’t stay for long either.
After we leave here, we are taken to a convenience store to buy drinks and snacks for the cruise, as the items on board can be expensive.
We arrive at the boat, and we are checked in. We have a late lunch, and before we know it, the boat starts moving down the river.
Our Nile River cruise has officially begun.
Day 5 – Edfu and Kom Ombo
We dock in Edfu and disembark from the ship. Our guide has organised a horse and carriage to take us to Edfu Temple.
Our horse click-clacks through the streets and it is really interesting to look at the buildings as we go by. It doesn’t take long to arrive at the temple.
Edfu Temple
Our guide explains that Edfu Temple was built during the Ptolemy Dynasty. The Greek rulers built temples for political reasons, because it turns out if your people are happy, then they allow you to continue ruling.
This particular temple honours the god Horus. The reason this temple has survived when others haven’t due to earthquakes is that it was buried in sand. The sand insulated the temple from the shocks.
One of the important things to note here is the funerary boat, although the real one has been taken to the Louvre.
Entrance fee: EGP 550
Opening hours: 6 am to 5 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/monuments/temple-of-edfu/
Kom Ombo Temple
After travelling further down the Nile, we dock again and walk the short distance to Kom Ombo Temple. This temple is dedicated to two gods, Horus and Sobek. Sobek is the crocodile god.
Again, this temple was built during the Ptolemy Dynasty.
There are some unique features of this temple, including a measuring device for the water depth. If the water level were high, taxes would be increased because more water meant a good crop.
There are also medical and birthing carvings here, which are fascinating to see.
Next to the temple, there is a crocodile museum. Inside, there are mummified crocodiles. It won’t take long to go through the museum, but I recommend a look inside.
Entrance fee: EGP 450
Opening hours: 7 am to 9 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/monuments/kom-ombo-temple/
Day 6 – Abu Simbel and Nubian Islands
Today will be the earliest day of your entire trip because from Aswan, it takes 3 1/2 hours to drive to Abu Simbel Temple and the temple of his wife, Nefertari.
These are fascinating temples because they were relocated by UNESCO due to the building of a dam.
Twice a year, the sun shines directly onto the face of the Ramses II statue inside the temple. Once on 22 February and the other on 22 October.
The temples here are incredible. Not my favourite, but still amazing, nonetheless.
Entrance fee: EGP 750
Opening hours: 6 am to 5 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/archaeological-sites/abu-simbel/
Nubian Islands Tour
This was an additional tour from Aswan that I purchased. I was intrigued by the Nubian culture and decided it would be nice to go and see the island.
The tour includes a traditional wooden boat ride. It isn’t long before we start to pass Nubian-style architecture. It is bold and bright and so pretty.
Our guide tells us the Nubian people were relocated here due to the same dam that affected Abu Simbel.
The Nubian village is so cool. There are many spices here as well as teas. Everything is so bright and colourful.
We are taken to a house where we are served hibiscus tea and are given a baby crocodile to hold.
The tour comes to an end, and we head back to our boat.
Day 7 – Philae Temple and Aswan
Philae Temple is another temple that was moved due to the new dam that was built. To reach the temple, a boat is taken from the mainland to the island on which it stands.
The interesting thing about this temple is that there is evidence of Napoleon’s army using it as a refuge, as there is an inscription.
After we finish visiting the island, we are taken to see the high dam. There isn’t much to see here, but it is good for context, knowing it could have damaged some amazing sites.
Entrance fee: EGP 550
Opening hours: 7 am to 4 pm daily
Official website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/archaeological-sites/philae/
We have free time in the afternoon, so we head to the souk area in Aswan for some souvenir shopping and lunch.
I’ve had an absolutely amazing adventure, and I’ve seen some of the most incredible things.
But with that, our trip has ended, and we now have to fly back to Cairo, so we can fly back home.
What would I do differently?
Is 7 days in Egypt enough? Absolutely not. But I feel as though I maximised my sightseeing with the little time I had there.
I would have loved more time to visit Alexandria and spend more time in Luxor. I would have also spent at least another day in Cairo.
The tour company didn’t offer a hot air balloon ride, but I think it would have been magical to go on one.
Accommodation in Cairo
During my stay in Egypt, for the three nights I was in Cairo, I was in Giza.
Would I stay there again? Probably not. As you can see from the itinerary, I spent a lot of time in Cairo city, so I travelled back and forth to the hotel a fair bit.
Even though Uber is inexpensive, I could have used that time for more sightseeing adventures.
That being said, the view of the pyramids from the balcony of your hotel is a sight to behold.
Travelling around Cairo
Uber is your friend. Make sure when you get to Egypt, you change the payment to cash (if you have it set to card).
The prices for Uber are extremely reasonable. So much so that sometimes the fare feels wrong.
When I was being driven to the airport, I gave my driver a tip, but I didn’t explain that it was a tip, so he parked the car and chased after me into the terminal to return the money because he thought I had given it to him in error.
The roads are crazy, though, but everyone seems to know what’s going on, so sit back and (try to) relax.
If you’re travelling through the city during peak hour, you will get caught in traffic jams. So, try to avoid travelling at that time.
Final thoughts
Seeing the highlights of Egypt in a week has hands-down been one of the most memorable experiences of mine. It was an unforgettable experience and I loved every second of it.
Don’t worry about what’s going on in the neighbourhood because you will be safe in Egypt.
However you spend your time in Egypt, you won’t be disappointed.