Egypt in 10 Days: A Classic Itinerary from Cairo to Abu Simbel

A day-by-day 10-day Egypt itinerary: the Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum, Luxor's temples and tombs, a Nile cruise, Aswan and Abu Simbel – plus how to add the Red Sea.

By Best Travel Tale Editorial Team
Updated 19 October 2026 · 2 min read

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Collage: the Pyramids of Giza, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, a felucca at Aswan and Abu Simbel
Photos: Pixabay contributors, credited in our guide to the best places to visit in Egypt

This itinerary covers Egypt's unmissable ancient sites in ten days at a pace that leaves time to enjoy them: the Pyramids and the new Grand Egyptian Museum, the temples and tombs of Luxor, a short Nile cruise, Aswan and the colossal temples of Abu Simbel. Finish with a few days on the Red Sea if you can.

Days 1–2: Cairo and the Pyramids

Spend your first morning at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, arriving at opening time. In the afternoon, explore Islamic Cairo – Al-Muizz Street, the Citadel and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. On day two, head south to Saqqara's Step Pyramid and the quieter Red and Bent Pyramids at Dahshur.

Day 3: The Grand Egyptian Museum

Give the Grand Egyptian Museum most of a day. The Tutankhamun galleries alone deserve a couple of hours. Book timed tickets online and take an evening flight or sleeper train to Luxor.

Day 4: Luxor's East Bank

Start at Karnak, the largest temple complex ever built, before the tour groups arrive. Rest in the heat of the day, then visit Luxor Temple at dusk, when it's beautifully lit.

Day 5: Luxor's West Bank

Watch the sunrise from a hot-air balloon, then visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. If you have time, the tombs of the nobles and the workers' village at Deir el-Medina are less crowded and just as beautiful.

Days 6–8: Nile cruise to Aswan

Board a three-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan, stopping at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. Afternoons on the sundeck, watching villages and palm groves drift by, are the highlight. Our guide to Nile cruises explains how to choose a boat.

Day 9: Abu Simbel

Take an early-morning trip from Aswan to the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel, about three hours each way by road, or take a short flight.

Day 10: Aswan

Visit the island temple of Philae, sail around Elephantine Island in a felucca and end your trip with dinner in a Nubian village on the West Bank. Fly back to Cairo for your flight home.

Add the Red Sea

The Red Sea resorts of Hurghada are about four hours from Luxor by road, making them easy to add at the end of your trip – or to use as a base for a long day trip to Luxor. See our guide to Red Sea family holidays for where to stay.

Tips for the trip

  • Buy entry tickets online where possible and carry a card – many sites no longer accept cash.
  • Start early every day to beat the heat and the crowds.
  • Book a licensed guide for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.

For more ideas, see our pick of the 15 best places to visit in Egypt.

Frequently asked questions

Is 10 days enough for Egypt?

Ten days is enough for the classic highlights – Cairo, Luxor, a short Nile cruise, Aswan and Abu Simbel – at a comfortable pace. Add four or five days if you want to relax on the Red Sea afterwards.

Should I fly or take the train between Cairo and Luxor?

Flying takes about an hour and saves a day. The overnight sleeper train is a classic experience and saves a night's hotel, but it takes around ten hours.

Do I need a guide in Egypt?

You can visit most sites independently, but a licensed Egyptologist guide brings the temples and tombs to life and saves a lot of time, especially in Luxor and at Karnak.

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