Egypt: Cairo and the Nile in 9 Days
Egypt
Overview
This route pairs Cairo's Pyramids and museums with a multi-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, taking in the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and an optional day trip to Abu Simbel — the classic way to see ancient Egypt's temple sites without the fatigue of daily long drives.
- Duration
- 9 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Mixed
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €900–€1,150
Route
1. Cairo2. Luxor3. Nile cruise (near Edfu)4. Aswan5. Cairo
Highlights
- The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
- Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple in Luxor
- A multi-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan
- Abu Simbel's colossal rock temples
Worth knowing
- Persistent tip requests ('baksheesh') at sites take some getting used to
- Summer heat (June–August) is intense, especially in Luxor and Aswan
- Abu Simbel requires an early start — it's a 3-hour drive each way from Aswan
Day by day
Day 1
CairoMain activities
- Arrive
- Egyptian Museum, Tahrir Square
Overnight: Cairo
Day 2
CairoMain activities
- Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
- Saqqara's Step Pyramid
Overnight: Cairo
Day 3
Cairo → LuxorMain activities
- Flight to Luxor (~1h)
- Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple at sunset
~1 hour flightOvernight: Luxor
Day 4
LuxorMain activities
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
Optional additions
- Hot air balloon at sunrise
Overnight: Luxor
Day 5
Luxor → Nile cruiseMain activities
- Board Nile cruise ship
- Sail toward Edfu
Overnight: Nile cruise (near Edfu)
Day 6
Edfu → AswanMain activities
- Temple of Horus at Edfu
- Kom Ombo's twin temple
- Arrive Aswan
Overnight: Aswan
Day 7
AswanMain activities
- Philae Temple by boat
- Aswan High Dam
Optional additions
- Nubian village visit
Overnight: Aswan
Day 8
AswanMain activities
- Abu Simbel day trip
~3 hours each wayOvernight: Aswan
Day 9
Aswan → CairoMain activities
- Flight back to Cairo
- Departure
~1.5 hours flightOvernight: Cairo
Alternatives
Shorter version · 6 days
Drop the Nile cruise and fly directly Luxor → Aswan, seeing Edfu and Kom Ombo as day tours from Aswan.
Longer extension · 12 days
Add 3 days on the Red Sea coast (Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh) after Cairo.