A day-by-day 10-day Egypt itinerary: Saqqara and the Pyramids, a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, three nights on the Red Sea, and a last day in Cairo.
A 10-day Egypt itinerary fits Cairo, a Nile cruise and the Red Sea: two nights in Cairo for Giza and Saqqara, a flight to Aswan, three nights sailing to Luxor, three nights at Hurghada on the Red Sea, and a last night in Cairo for the museum and the old bazaars. Expect early starts and two domestic flights.
Key takeaways
- Nine nights in four places: two in Cairo, three on a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, three at Hurghada, and one more in Cairo before the flight home.
- Abu Simbel is a long morning: the program lists a three-hour drive each way from Aswan on Day 4.
- The two flights are Cairo to Aswan on Day 3 and Hurghada to Cairo on Day 9. Domestic flights are booked separately and are not part of the program price.
- The sunrise balloon over Luxor on Day 6 is optional and costs extra. Pickup is around 4 am.
- Two museums, two days: the Tutankhamun galleries are inside the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza on Day 2, and the Royal Mummies Gallery, with 17 kings and 3 queens, is in Cairo on Day 9.
The 10 days at a glance
| Day | Where | Main sights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cairo | Airport pickup, hotel, dinner |
| 2 | Saqqara and Giza | Step Pyramid, Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum |
| 3 | Aswan | Flight, Philae Temple, Nubian village, cruise check-in |
| 4 | Aswan to Edfu | Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo Temple |
| 5 | Edfu to Luxor | Edfu Temple, Esna lock, Karnak and Luxor Temple |
| 6 | Luxor to Hurghada | Optional balloon, Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Kings |
| 7 | Hurghada | Orange Bay boat trip and snorkeling |
| 8 | Hurghada | Pool time, sunset quad bike safari |
| 9 | Hurghada to Cairo | Flight, Royal Mummies Gallery, Citadel, Old Cairo |
| 10 | Cairo | Airport transfer and flight home |
The plan follows our 10-Day Essential Egypt with Red Sea & Hot Air Balloon program. Entry fees change, so they are confirmed when you book.
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo
You are met at Cairo Airport and taken to your hotel, chosen to your budget from 3-star to 5-star. Dinner is at one of Cairo's most famous restaurants. Nothing else is scheduled, which suits a long flight from the US.
Day 2: Saqqara, the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Saqqara, an ancient burial ground, has the Step Pyramid, and you go inside the Teti Pyramid. At the Giza Plateau you see the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure and the Sphinx, plus a camel ride for the view of the nine pyramids. The GEM comes next; its standard admission includes the Tutankhamun galleries. A quad bike ride is an optional extra, and the papyrus museum is a shop.
Day 3: Fly to Aswan, Philae and the cruise
After an early drop-off at Cairo Airport, you fly to Aswan. A ferry takes you to Philae Temple, an island sanctuary of the goddess Isis, with a perfume stop and a welcome drink. You then board the deluxe five-star Nile cruise for lunch. By boat you visit a Nubian village and a crocodile house, and dinner is on board.
Day 4: Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo
An early start, with a breakfast box for the road. At Abu Simbel you see the Great Temple, with four colossal statues of Ramses II, and the smaller temple of Hathor and Nefertari. The program notes that the guide may only explain the site from outside the temple itself. Back on board, the ship sails and stops at Kom Ombo Temple and its crocodile museum at sunset, then continues to Edfu for the night.
Day 5: Edfu, Esna and Luxor
Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, is an early visit by local transport before breakfast on board. The ship sails toward Luxor and makes a short stop at the Esna lock, a gate that moves ships between river levels. At sunset you visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, then return to the ship for dinner.
Day 6: Luxor's West Bank, then the Red Sea
The sunrise balloon is optional and shared, with transfers included; our balloon guide covers whether it is worth it. After breakfast and a 9 am check-out you visit Hatshepsut Temple, the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon, with a stop at an alabaster and marble workshop. After lunch in Luxor, a private ride takes you to Hurghada.
Day 7: Orange Bay by boat
Pickup is at 7:30 am for a shared boat trip to Orange Bay, from 8 am to 4 pm. The program lists a beach stop, snorkeling over the coral reef, an open buffet lunch, free drinks, masks and life jackets, and a chance to see dolphins. Scuba diving from the yacht is an optional extra. More on the sea is in our Red Sea guide.
Day 8: Pool time and a desert quad safari
The morning is free for the pool, with lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon a shared quad bike safari (a quad bike is a four-wheeled off-road motorbike) heads into the desert for sunset. It stops for tea at a Bedouin village, with views of the Red Sea mountain ranges. Horse riding on the beach is an optional extra.
Day 9: Fly to Cairo for the Royal Mummies and Old Cairo
After breakfast you fly to Cairo. The tour starts at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat, home of the Royal Mummies Gallery, then the Citadel of Salah al-Din with the Muhammad Ali Mosque. Old Cairo follows: Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Al-Azhar Mosque if it is open, Al-Muizz Street, the Fishawy Cafe and koshari, a street dish of rice, lentils and pasta. The flight time is left open, so confirm it when booking.
Day 10: Fly home
After breakfast you are picked up at the hotel and taken to the airport for your flight home. No sightseeing is scheduled.
Who this itinerary suits
It suits first-time visitors who want the big names (Giza, Abu Simbel, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings) plus beach days before flying home. The cruise is a calm way to see the temples between Aswan and Luxor; see whether a Nile cruise is worth it. It suits early risers best, because Days 3, 4 and 5 all start early.
What to change if this is not quite your trip
- No cruise: the 10 Days Cairo, Luxor & Red Sea program stays in hotels, with the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square, Coptic Cairo, a flight to Luxor and three days at leisure at Hurghada.
- Desert instead of beach: the Egyptian Adventure keeps the Nile cruise and swaps the Red Sea for Siwa Oasis, with the Oracle Temple, salt lakes, Cleopatra Spring and a 4x4 safari. The return to Cairo is an overnight bus.
- Children: the 10-Day Egypt Family Tour has a private Egyptologist guide and a free day at Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea, then Aswan and a Nile cruise, with more domestic flights.
- More comfort: the Palace Hotels of Egypt tour uses historic hotels and a five-star cruiser, and ends with a day at the GEM, but has no beach stop.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough for Egypt?
It is enough for the classic route plus some beach time, but the pace is brisk. Our guide to how many days to spend in Egypt compares other lengths.
How many nights are spent on the Nile cruise?
Three: the first in Aswan, the second at Edfu and the third in Luxor. The ship sails north, and check-out on Day 6 is by 9 am.
Which months suit this itinerary?
Late autumn to early spring is the most comfortable for temples. Luxor's average daily high is 29.0°C (84°F) in November and 24.3°C (76°F) in December, against 41.4°C (107°F) in July, when Hurghada averages 35.0°C (95°F). These are long-term monthly averages, not forecasts.
Do US travelers need a visa for Egypt?
Yes. A single-entry tourist e-visa costs $30 and is paid by card on the official government portal. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after arrival and have one blank page. Fees change, so check the portal before paying.
