The classic first trip to Egypt follows the Nile: Cairo for the pyramids and museums, Luxor for the temples and tombs, then Aswan and a cruise between them. Ten to twelve days is comfortable; a week works if you fly between cities. This guide shows what each stage offers and how to link them.
A practical order is Cairo, then Luxor, then Aswan, so you finish with the calm of the river. Flights between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan take about an hour each.
Give Cairo three days: the Giza pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili and Coptic Cairo. See our 3-day Cairo itinerary.
Stay in Giza for pyramid views or Downtown and Zamalek for restaurants. Add Saqqara and Dahshur for the oldest pyramids if you have a spare morning.
Luxor holds more ancient monuments than any other place in Egypt. Spend two days: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, and the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple on the West Bank. Fly from Cairo (about an hour) or take the overnight train.
Start the West Bank at dawn, with a sunrise balloon if you like, and keep the East Bank temples for the afternoon and evening. Two nights is a minimum; three is comfortable.
Sail between Luxor and Aswan in three to four nights, stopping at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, or travel by road and train. In Aswan, see Philae Temple and a Nubian village, and consider the early-morning trip to Abu Simbel. Read our Nile River guide.
Cruises usually run Luxor to Aswan in 4 nights or Aswan to Luxor in 3 nights. Abu Simbel is an extra early-morning trip from Aswan, by road (about 3.5 hours each way) or by plane.
With extra days, add the Red Sea – Dahab for snorkelling and mountains, or Hurghada for resorts – or head into the Western Desert for the White Desert and the oases, with our 5-day and 8-day oases tours.
Another good extension is Alexandria, about 3 hours north of Cairo, for the Greek and Roman side of Egypt and seafood by the Mediterranean.
–Reasons why you should visit Cairo
–Discover Cairo’s Top Attractions: A Comprehensive Guide to Cairo
–Cairo and Beyond: Exploring the Highlights of Egypt on a Guided Tour
–Exploring the Great Pyramids: Wonders of Ancient Egypt
–Cairo’s Culinary Delights: A 3-Day Food Tour
–Discovering Saqqara on a Day Trip from Cairo
–Top 10 Places to Visit in Cairo in 3 Days
–Exploring Cairo in 3 Days
–Where to eat in Cairo?
Answers to the questions we hear most often from travellers planning their first classic route through Egypt: how long to stay, when to go and how to travel between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.
Eight to ten days is comfortable; a week works if you fly between cities and skip Abu Simbel.
October to April, when days are warm and evenings cool. Summer is very hot in Luxor and Aswan.
Yes for most first-time visitors: you see Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan without repacking, and the river views are part of the experience.
Yes, as an early-morning excursion of about three hours each way by road; it depends on the package you choose.
A private tour gives you flexibility and a guide just for your group; a group tour costs less. We can arrange either.
Entry tickets, special tombs, the balloon ride, drinks and tips are not always included, so compare what each package covers, not only the price.
| Stage | Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 2 to 3 days | Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum, Islamic and Coptic Cairo |
| Luxor | 2 days | Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings |
| Nile and Aswan | 2 to 4 days | Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Nubian village, Abu Simbel |
| Optional extras | 2 to 4 days | Red Sea, White Desert, Alexandria |
Start in Cairo for the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, fly or take the sleeper train to Luxor, and finish with the Nile and Aswan. Add the Red Sea or the desert if you have extra days.
Book this experience: our Egypt tour packages combine Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Nile with hotels, transfers and guided visits. For the river alone, see the 4-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan (from $775).
Pyramids of Giza | Ibn Tulun Mosque | Mosque Madrassa of Sultan Hassan | Prince Mohamed Ali Palace (Al Manial Palace) | The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization | Mosque of Mohamed Ali | Nile River in Egypt | Sharia Al Muizz Li Din Allah | Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo | The Egyptian Museum in Cairo | Khan Al Khalili | Al Azhar Mosque | Grand Egyptian Museum | Cairo Tower | Al azhar park | Downtown | Zamalek Island
Plan the classic route with a local guide on our Egypt tour packages.
Egypt travel blog dedicated to providing the best possible information for traveling to Egypt. Our articles include information on best holiday Destinations in Egypt, Things to do in Egypt, How to get Around in Egypt, and of course planning Your Perfect Itinerary for your holidays in Egypt.
