Discover the Best of Egypt in 12 Days: An Itinerary Including a Nile Cruise and Hurghada

Egypt…man, what a show-stopper of a country, so vibrant and full of history and culture. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore the wonders of Egypt and immerse yourself in its rich history and culture. With its world-renowned landmarks and stunning landscapes, Egypt is a must for everyone’s bucket list. 

While I typically travel without much of a plan, I don’t recommend doing this for your trip to Egypt. In fact, I recommend planning your trip with a reputable tour company to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you choose to book something through the link, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you 🙂

Should you book a tour guide for Egypt?

I highly recommend booking a tour group or private tour for your time in Egypt. It really allows you to get the most out of your time in Egypt because all the details of your trip are taken care of.

Instead of having to book transportation, someone will pick you up at your hotel and take you everywhere you need to go.

Having a driver saves you time and allows you to see everything you want to see. It also allows you to bring tons of water, sunscreen, and snacks to keep you going throughout the day without having to carry a massive backpack.

Plus, Egypt is FULL of history and culture. Having a tour guide allows you the opportunity to learn from people who know it best.

You can check out my tips to traveling in Egypt for more information.

There are so many Egypt tour options, which one do you recommend?

I HIGHLY recommend Captivating Egypt Tours. I booked this private tour as a solo traveler for a price very similar to the group tour prices. I was able to tag along with 2 other girls who happened to be traveling at the same time as me to lower my cost so it ended up being a small group versus private.

However, the smaller the group size the better. You won’t feel as rushed, your trip can be catered to what you want to see.

You can also get amazing pictures because your guide doesn’t have to worry about 20 people.

Plus, you really get to know your guide in such a fun way. It’s a really cool experience to learn and potentially make a new friend in another country.

My experience booking with Captivating Egypt Tours included sending him a list of the places that I really wanted to see during my time in Egypt.

He created an itinerary specific to things that I wanted to see and arranged all the accommodations, travel, cruise, guides, and private transfers throughout the country. This also included many meals! 

This blog post includes the itinerary that I took that was created by Captivating Egypt Tours, with a couple of minor tweaks based on where I would have liked to spend more after my experiences.

12 Days in Egypt Itinerary Overview:

• DAY 1: Arrive in Cairo
• DAY 2: Cairo. See the Pyramids of Giza and Saqarra.
• DAY 3: Aswan. See Nubian Village and Philae Temple. Start Nile Cruise.
• DAY 4: Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor. See Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo, and Abu Simbel.
• DAY 5: Luxor East Bank. See the Luxor Temple and Karnak, with hot air balloon ride.
• DAY 6: Luxor West Bank, end of Nile cruise. See the Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple.
• DAY 7: Hurghada. Travel to Hurghada from Luxor.
• DAY 8: Hurghada.
• DAY 9: Hurghada. Travel back to Cairo.
• DAY 10: Cairo. See the Egyptian Museum, the Coptic Church, the Hanging Church, the Mohammad Ali Mosque, and Khan el Khalili.
• DAY 11: Alexandria
• DAY 12: Cairo and travel home

Detailed 12 Days in Egypt Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo

Today, you’re going to arrive in Cairo and probably have some intense jet lag. I recommend using this day to try some shawarma or grab some falafel. 

The rest of your days in Egypt are going to be jam-packed so this will be a good day to stroll through some streets and eat some great food.

Cairo can get a bit overwhelming, so this is a good way to slowly acclimate to Egypt.

To be honest, out of all the cities in Egypt, Cairo was certainly not a place I would spend a lot of time. There are SO many people and plenty of other beautiful places in Egypt.

However, Cairo is a must-visit for your first time in Egypt due to all the historic sites and museums to visit. 

Day 2: Cairo. See the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara

Begin your time in Egypt by exploring the bustling city of Cairo on day 2 of your Egypt itinerary. Start the day by marking off one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza.

Many people choose to ride camels through the desert while visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza. You will see plenty of people to book this through. If you booked with a tour (which you should), this might already be included!

TIP: I wouldn’t recommend walking through the Pyramids of Giza. From what I’ve heard, it’s extremely hot and you are hunched over for a long time. The views inside are nothing compared to the outside. You can go inside a Pyramid at your next stop in Saqqara and have a much better experience. 

After exploring the Pyramids, head over to Saqqara, an ancient burial ground and the site of the world’s first-ever pyramid. Here you’ll see the Step Pyramid of Djoser. 

After making all your stops, make your way to the train station to board an overnight train to Aswan. You can choose to fly from Cairo to Aswan, but I personally feel the train ride is a unique experience. 

Sleeper train bonus: if you are traveling as a budget traveler, overnight trains cover your cost of accommodation and travel to help you save a few bucks.

Day 3: Aswan. See Philae Temple and Nubian Village. Start of Nile Cruise.

On day 3, you’ll arrive in Aswan late morning or early afternoon. We arrived about noon, but it’s usually later than what your train ticket says. Unlike Japan, Egypt trains are not on time. 

Head over to the Philae Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. This beautiful temple was relocated to its current location on Agilkia Island. So you’ll take a little boat to get to it.

After you visit the Philae Temple, it’s time to board your Nile Cruise, the perfect way to explore the wonders of Egypt. 

Typically, the cruise ship won’t depart until the evening so this is a perfect time to drop off your bags and catch a little boat to the Nubian Village.

The Nubian village is a vibrant community nestled on the banks of the Nile River. You’ve probably seen pictures of this colorful community all over the internet.

Take in the local culture and traditions of the Nubian people, and marvel at the colorful homes and beautiful scenery. If you plan it right, you can enjoy a sunset on your boat ride on the way back to the cruise ship.

As the sun sets over the Nile River, unwind on the deck of your cruise ship, enjoying a refreshing drink and meet some new people.

The Nile Cruise will be your home for the next few days, as you embark on a trip through the heart of Egypt.

Day 4: Nile Cruise sailing from Aswan to Luxor. See Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo, and Abu Simbel

A Nile River cruise is a perfect way to explore some of Egypt’s most fascinating ancient sites, including the impressive Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo, and the stunning Abu Simbel Temples.

Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, boasts beautifully preserved carvings and intricate hieroglyphs. The temple is one of the best-preserved in Egypt, and its towering columns and grand entrance are sure to leave you awestruck.

Kom Ombo has an amazing array of hieroglyphics. It’s a beautiful temple to see during sunset. It is also next to the Crocodile Museum so you can see both!

Abu Simbel is a true masterpiece of engineering and design, with its enormous statues of Pharaoh Ramses II and stunning rock-cut temples that have been preserved for over 3,000 years. You have probably seen pictures of this all over the internet as well. 

Day 5: Luxor East Bank on Nile Cruise. Luxor Temple and Karnak. 

This is the day of the infamous hot air balloon over Luxor — which I have to say, really lives up to the hype. This was epic. 

I recommend booking the hot air balloon ride for sunrise and watching the sunrise over the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Nile.

TIP: I booked my hot air balloon ride through Viator for about $30-40 cheaper price than booking with my tour group.

The hot air balloon in Egypt is a core memory of mine and I think it will be for you too!

After your hot air balloon ride, use the day to check out Luxor Temple and Karnak. These temples were some of my favorites from the entire trip. 

Day 6: Luxor West Bank, last day of Nile Cruise. Hatshepsut’s Temple and Valley of the Kings.

Today marks the end of your cruise down the Nile. Check out of your room and head over to Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple. This temple cannot be missed, it’s so beautiful. 

After Hatshepsut’s Temple, head to the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings has over 60 tombs of famous kings that ruled over Egypt, including King Tut and Ramses II.

You will want plenty of time at the Valley of the Kings as it really is remarkable being able to enter through the tombs. You will see tons of colorful hieroglyphics all over the walls. 

Note: For the Valley of the Kings, it should be noted that your entrance ticket will allow you entry into 3 tombs. You will be able to choose from the tombs that are open and they will stamp your ticket upon entry to that tomb. There are certain tombs that you can only visit by paying an extra fee, including King Tut’s tomb. 

I recommend ending the day by checking out the market in Luxor, grabbing some falafel and fresh mango juice, and then watching the sunset. Sunsets in Egypt are really some of the best in the world. 

Day 7: Hurghada. Travel from Luxor to Hurghada by car. Option to fly. 

Most people don’t think of Egypt as a tropical vacation on the beach, but Hurghada is a perfect destination.

Most of this day will be spent as a travel day, which could be a great time to relax and sort through all your epic pictures. Then enjoy a sunset and maybe a few drinks at the beach. 

Note: As the majority of Egyptians practice Muslim, there are not as many bars to frequent in Egypt. This is different by the Red Sea in Egypt which includes several bars by the beach and surrounding city.

Day 8: Hurghada 

There are so many ways to spend your day in Hurghada. I recommend taking a trip to scuba dive or snorkel. The water in Hurghada is so clear and there are amazing reefs to check out. 

If you aren’t scuba certified, you can still scuba dive in Egypt. You can go with a guide to get the experience or choose to snorkel. Check out my experience with scuba diving in Egypt.

You can also choose to just spend the day laying on the beach and catching up on the lack of rest you’ve had, this is a busy trip.

Day 9: Hurghada, and flight back to Cairo at end of the day. 

Spend the morning enjoying some time at the pool or relaxing on the beach in Hurghada before heading to the airport.

For travel, I recommend flying back to Cairo so that you can enjoy some of your days in Hurghada and the end of the day in Cairo.

This could be a great night to check out the Sound and Light show at the Pyramids of Giza.

Day 10: Cairo. Egyptian Museum, Coptic church, the Hanging Church, Mohamed Ali Mosque

After relaxing on the coast for a few days, you’ll be ready for the last batch of site seeing. 

Spend a jam-packed last day seeing the Egyptian Museum, Coptic Church, Hanging Church, and obviously the Mosque of Mohammad Ali, and Khan el Khalili. 

Khan el Khalili is the big market in Cairo, this is where one of the most instagrammable spots in Egypt is — the lanterns. It’s a really cool walk-through, so definitely check it out at some point in Cairo.

Tip: Be sure to either wear something or bring something to cover your shoulders and hair for your visit to the mosque. I also wore shoes that were easy to take on and off as you need to be barefoot upon entering the mosque.

Day 11: Day Trip to Alexandria from Cairo

Alexandria is about a 3-hour drive from Cairo. You can organize a private transfer to take a day trip to Alexandria. 

You can see the Catacombs and also check out the Alexandria library! Then enjoy some good food and walk around the city.

Since you have a private transfer, you can leave later and still get back to Alexandria. Or depending on your flight home the next day, you can choose to stay in Alexandria and head back to Cairo in the morning.

Day 12: Cairo and travel home. 

Depending on your flight time, grab a last meal or 2 in Egypt and then head to the airport! Remember, traffic in Cairo is crazy — so make sure you leave yourself enough time to get to the airport. 

Contrary to popular belief, there is SO much more to see in Egypt than the Pyramids of Giza. There are so many options for your time here that don’t include checking out temples. 

While I am an Egypt history buff and thoroughly enjoyed seeing all these sites while they are in such good condition, I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. 

Here are some amazing spots to check out if you are spending longer than 12 days in Egypt, or if you would rather check some of these out versus temples:

• Spend longer in Alexandria. Cairo can be really overwhelming and it was definitely not my favorite place in Egypt. However, Cairo is really a must-visit for the things you can see there.
• Bahariaya Oasis: Spend the night camping in the desert so you can check out both an epic sunrise and sunset. I didn’t get to do this on my tour but a few friends of mine did, and I was so envious after seeing their pictures. 
• Siwa Oasis: I am already planning my trip back to Egypt for this place alone. It’s an Oasis in Western Egypt that includes areas of water that you can float in.

Now that I have the itinerary, what should I pack for Egypt?

Check out my packing list which is detailed here. This should help you out what what to pack for Egypt.

I can honestly say Egypt was one of the best places I’ve ever visited. It’s great for the traveler that wants to get out of their comfort zone and visit a place completely different than their home country (well depending on where you are traveling from).

I cannot recommend taking a trip to Egypt enough. Check it out and let me know your favorite spots!