1 Week in Egypt - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Egypt

On this well-rounded trip through Egypt, you'll see grand pyramids at Giza, admire Roman ruins in Alexandria, ride a camel in the desert, and go for a dip in the Red Sea.

Begin the tour in Cairo, visiting the Egyptian Museum to see precious artifacts and get an overview of Egypt's history and culture. On day two, you'll go to see the grand pyramids of Giza, then experience the charm of the Nile River at sunset while on a dinner cruise. Continue on to Alexandria, home to Roman ruins, the impressive Catacombs of Kom El Shoukafa, and the restored Library of Alexandria, a center of learning since ancient times.

Head to the coast for the second part of the trip. You'll base yourself in the resort town of Sharm El Sheikh, a gateway to some of the country's most beautiful outdoor attractions. Enjoy a safari day around Dahab, including a camel ride and a snorkeling excursion at Blue Hole, a sinkhole that's hugely popular with divers. Then you'll have a free day by the Red Sea. Enjoy a walk on the pedestrian promenade in Naama Bay, do some more snorkeling at Yolanda Reef, or stop at St. Catherine's Monastery to see the site where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Cairo Adventure & Nile Cruise

This weeklong journey starts with a few days of sightseeing around Cairo, then transitions into a cruise down the Nile River with stops at ancient temples and cultural sights along the way.

Kick off the trip in Cairo. You'll base yourself in the capital city for the first few days, visiting the Egyptian Museum, touring Islamic Cairo, and shopping for souvenirs in colorful marketplaces. You'll also side-trip to the pyramids of Giza and spend some time in Memphis, returning to Cairo at night to enjoy the city's souks, shops, museums, and bustling dining scene.

On day four of the trip, you'll take a domestic flight to Aswan, where you'll board a boat for a cruise down the Nile. Highlights along the next day's journey include the temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Day six is packed with sights, too, featuring stops at the Valley of the Kings to see rock-cut tombs for kings and powerful nobles (including Tutankhamun) and Hatshepsut Temple, the memorial of Queen Hatshepsut. Tour Karnak Temple, one of Egypt’s largest surviving temples, and the famed Luxor Temple, founded around 1400 BCE. You'll spend the last night in Luxor before heading back to Cairo to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: History & Culture of Egypt 

Take a deep dive into Egyptian history and culture on this busy weeklong trip around the country that includes visits to the gargantuan rock-cut temples at Abu Simbel, the Great Pyramid of Giza, Luxor Temple, and Aswan High Dam.

Cairo is the starting point of your trip. You'll stay in the capital city for two nights, sightseeing and side-tripping to Giza to see world-famous pyramids, then catch a domestic flight to Luxor on day three. Here, you'll visit Karnak Temple, one of Egypt’s largest surviving temples, and the world-famous Luxor Temple, which dates back to 1400 BCE. Move on to the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon, where you'll see a pair of imposing statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III originally meant to guard the temple's entrance.

The temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo, some of the best-preserved in Egypt, are next on the agenda. On day six, you'll take a short flight to visit a very special place: the massive rock-cut Abu Simbel Temples, built by the Egyptian king Ramses II, who reigned 1279–1213 BCE. Finish the trip in Aswan with a few more must-see sights, including the Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple, which you'll visit on a boat. You'll take a flight out of Aswan to end the adventure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Egypt & Jordan Cultural Tour

On this short but sweet 7-day itinerary, you'll spend a few days in Egypt and a few more in Jordan, taking in unforgettable cultural sights including the pyramids of Giza and the ancient city of Petra.

The adventure begins in Cairo. Spend a few days here, touring the Egyptian Museum, shopping in the souks of Islamic Cairo, and day-tripping to Giza and Memphis to see world-famous pyramids in person, including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the  Pyramid of Saqqara. Midway through the trip, you'll cross the border to Amman, Jordan, to start the second half of the journey. 

On your first day in Jordan, walk around Jabal Weibdeh, the city's oldest neighborhood, stop into the King Abdullah II Mosque, dine in a shisha café, and see Dead Sea Scrolls on display at the Jordan Museum. Continue on to the ancient city of Petra, nicknamed "Rose City," where you'll hike through natural geological formations and climb to the top of the highest temple. Spend the last full day of the trip on a safari tour around Wadi Rum in a Jeep driven by a local guide. Relax in Amman on the last night of the itinerary before catching a flight out. Learn more

More Great Egypt Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Egypt? Check out these other Egypt itineraries, with Nile River cruises, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.