NatalieAre you planning a trip to Egypt and want to see the highlights of Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel in 7 days? I’m here to tell you how I would spend (in my humble opinion) the ultimate week in Egypt
When thinking about where I would go on my honeymoon, I would be lying if I said Egypt. However, after experiencing this amazing country, I can’t recommend it enough to anyone looking to explore a unique culture and extensive history and see one of the world’s wonders. So, whether you’re looking for a honeymoon trip or just a trip, you will never forget that Egypt is the perfect vacation.
How to Spend 7 Days in Egypt – the Best Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Cairo and Experience the City
Depending on your flight, you will have enough time to land, check in to your hotel, and head to dinner.
For our trip, we chose to stay at the Four Seasons Giza. It was the perfect home base that allowed us to be close to the Pyramids and still see what Cairo had to offer.
If you have time, check out the bustling downtown area of Cairo. Grab an Uber to Tahir Square and explore the restaurants, cafes, and shops surrounding the famous square.
We were lucky enough to try a few different places in the downtown neighborhood.
- Tom and Basal – a fast-casual spot serving up delicious Koshery, the national dish of Egypt
- Felfela – one of the most famous restaurants in downtown Cairo serving up traditional Egyptian food
- El Horreya – a historical café and bar that still serves beer to ex-pats, locals, and backpackers. Don’t expect fancy but expect a memory when visiting this establishment.
If you want to ease more into the Cairo exploration and have the time, we recommend a food tour to get your bearings.
Day 2 – Pyramids and the Step Pyramids
The first day of your tour of Egypt should be the Pyramids, not just for logistical reasons but also from a chronological standpoint. Historically they are the oldest piece of history you will see on your trip and are a good starting point for all you will see.
Morning – Visit the Pyramids of Giza
Visit the Great Pyramids first thing in the morning. An early morning trip will allow for a less crowded visit and better panoramic views.
For additional fees, you can ride a camel (I recommend going with the panoramic camel ride) and go inside the Great Pyramid (I don’t recommend this at all).
Also, right next to the Pyramids, you can find the Great Sphynx, which is worth checking out before you leave the area.
Afternoon – Tour Saqqara or the Egyptian Museum
For your afternoon, you can explore Saqqara (a common pairing with the Great Pyramids) or see the Egyptian Museum.
I recommend seeing the Saqqara and the Step Pyramids. While the Egyptian Museum is an impressive amount of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, seeing the Step Pyramids allows you to see how the Ancient Egyptian learned to build the Great Pyramids and how they expanded their skills.
Evening – Explore Zamalek
If you’re up to it, I recommend exploring and having dinner in the Zamalek district. This is one of the more modern areas of Cairo, where you will see many young people, ex-pats, and locals walking around and enjoying the nightlife.
Some places to check out in Zamalek:
- Nile Hotel Zamalek Rooftop: Great local rooftop to grab a beer and a quick bite to eat while overlooking the Nile.
- Abou El Sid: a must-go-to restaurant if you are looking for traditional Egyptian food in a super ambient atmosphere. Try the grape leaves and Mixed Grill. Trust us.
- Five Bells: Check out this restaurant to sit outdoors and experience classic Egyptian food the way the locals do
Day 3 – Fly to Luxor for the Nile Cruise
We decided to sail the Nile on a Nile Cruise to see the rest of the Egyptian sites – and I recommend exploring this way. Of course, you don’t need to take this route and can opt to fly into Luxor and drive down to Aswan, stopping at temples along the way.
Morning – Fly to Luxor and check into the Nile Cruise
Grab breakfast at your hotel in Cairo and fly to Luxor. You may have time to check the shops around the port before checking into your Nile Cruise.
Afternoon – Explore Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple
Around 2 pm, we met with our guide, who stayed with us the entire Nile Cruise to explore Luxor and Karnak temples. Both ancient temples are must-see attractions– Karnak temple is the second most visited attraction in Egypt (the first, of course, being the Pyramids).
Day 4 – Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut
Early Morning – Hot Air Balloon Ride
I recommend waking up as early as possible to take a hot-air balloon ride over Luxor. The juxtaposition of the area around the Nile with the desert is magical.
Morning – Visit the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut
After the Hot Air Balloon Ride, you should have enough time to check out the Valley of the King tombs and the Temple of Hatshepsut.
The Valley of the Kings is where the Ancient Egyptian Kings were buried for 500 years (from the 16th to the 11th century BC) to keep their tombs safe from looters.
The Temple of Hatshepsut is a temple built by Queen Hatshepsut, the only queen of Egypt who represented herself as a King.
Evening – Sail to Edfu Via the Nile Cruise
In the evening, your Nile Cruise will finally start its sail down the Nile. Grab a beverage, sit on the top pool deck or your balcony, and watch the villages along the Nile pass by as you make your way to Edfu.
If you opt not to take the Nile Cruise, spend your afternoon exploring Luxor, like the Valley of the Queens or the Noble Tombs.
Day 5 – Edfu and Kom Ombo
Edfu and Kom Ombo are popular stops along the Nile and are home to two of the most famous Ancient Egyptian temples – the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo.
Morning – Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu
Upon arriving at Edfu, we were greeted by our guide and whisked by horse carriage through the village streets to the temple. This is the most popular way to get to the temple in this city and is part of the experience.
The Temple of Horus was the highlight of the two stops as it is the most well-preserved temple in Egypt and is one of the few that maintains its Roman influence.
Afternoon – Cruise Down the Nile
At least on our Nile Cruise, once we re-boarded the boat to make our way to our second stop of the day, the ship hosted a traditional Egyptian Barbeque on the top deck. Looking around, it seems this is something all of the boats do.
Evening – Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo
After sailing down the Nile for a few hours, you’ll arrive at your day’s second stop. This temple is very close to the port and most people walk from the boat to the temple. However, I did see some taxis taking people to and from the temple.
In addition to seeing the temple, make sure to stop by the Alligator museum, where you can see mummified alligators.
Day 6 – Visit Abu Simbel
Morning / Afternoon – Visit Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is an absolute must if you are visiting Egypt. Abu Simbel is a small village in Southern Egypt, just outside Sudan. Its also home to two temples – one for Ramses II and the other for his wife, Queen Nefertari.
Remember that Abu Simbel is about a 3-hour drive from Aswan – so a large portion of your day will be taken up by driving. But I promise it’s worth it.
Evening – Sunset felucca tour
To round out your day nicely, take a relaxing sunset sail on the Nile in a sailboat just like the Ancient Egyptians would have.
They can even drop you off right at your boat after the ride.
Day 7 – Philae Temple and Flight Home
Morning – Visit the Philae Temple
This is a fantastic temple to end your tour of temples since it’s only accessible by motorboat. It also has some of the most beautiful, unique paintings and carvings.
If you have time before your flight, we recommend checking out the market, too – it’s one of the most authentic markets in Egypt.
Afternoon – Fly back home (or continue your trip to Jordan or Morocco?)
Depending on your schedule, you would fly from Aswan to Cairo and to whatever international city you are headed to. Or you could spend another night in Aswan and head out the following day!
The Best Time to Visit Egypt
The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April when temperatures are the most mid, and you’re less likely to get rain. Average temperatures range from 77-86 °F.
The Summertime in Egypt is the least busy time as the temperature can get up to 110+ °F.
What to Wear in Egypt
Overall, Egypt is a very conservative country – for women and men, you’ll want to cover up when walking around the cities or temples.
You can wear anything in tourist locations (like hotels or the Nile Cruise).
Most importantly, you’ll want to wear layers because the temperature changes throughout the day.
Getting Around Egypt
In Cairo, Uber is highly reliable and cheap (think $2-3 US for a ride); however, Uber does not exist in most villages, and it’s not allowed at the airport (make sure to schedule airport transfer before you arrive)
Drivers are very common if you opt not to take the Nile Cruise, and relatively affordable to get between the various towns and temples.
Flights are the easiest way to get between Cairo and Luxor or Cairo and Aswan. While there is a train, it’s used mainly by locals and takes much time (16 hours from Luxor to Cairo)