5 Days in Egypt - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Ancient Egypt

Tour pyramids, temples, Roman ruins, and ancient Egyptian monuments on this 5-day tour of the country's top historic sites, including Luxor Temple and the Great Pyramid of Giza.

On this well-rounded tour, you'll base yourself in Cairo, except for one night in the middle of the trip, when you'll stay in Luxor. Start in the capital with a visit to the King Tut exhibit at the Egyptian Museum and a tour of Giza's iconic pyramids and Sphinx. Sample Egyptian-style cuisine and walk around Cairo during a free evening.

On day three, you'll catch a domestic flight to Luxor. This area is home to a wide range of incredible ancient sites and monuments. You'll focus your time touring two main attractions on day three: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. On day four, more impressive monuments await: you'll walk through the Valley of the Kings to see massive rock-cut tombs, gaze up at the towering Colossi of Memnon statues, and tour Hatshepsut Temple, the memorial of Queen Hatshepsut. Catch a quick flight back to Cairo for one last night. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Egypt Cultural Tour

Base yourself in Cairo for this 5-day cultural tour, side-tripping from the capital city to the pyramids of Giza and the ancient city of Alexandria, finishing the trip with a dinner cruise on the Nile River.

This tour has a unique advantage: you'll stay overnight in Cairo for the duration of the trip, eliminating the logistical hassle of moving from hotel to hotel and allowing you more time to see the sights. You'll arrive in the capital city and take some time to settle in before the next morning's excursion to the Egyptian Museum, followed by a side trip to Giza on day two to see the site's iconic pyramids and the Sphinx. Dine in a local restaurant before returning to Cairo for the evening.

On day three, embark on a day trip to Alexandria. Highlights of the day include visits to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoukafa, the Citadel of Fort Qaitbey, and the Library of Alexandria, an ancient center of learning. Return to Cairo and enjoy a free evening. On day four, you'll stay in the city, exploring Islamic Cairo on a guided tour and shopping for treasures in Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. Finish the trip with a dinner cruise on the Nile River, watching the sun go down over the water as traditional Egyptian music plays live onboard. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ancient Egypt Tour & Red Sea Getaway

Combine cultural sightseeing with outdoor adventure on this action-packed trip plan that takes you to some of Egypt's fascinating ancient monuments before detouring to the Red Sea to relax at the beach resort of Hurghada. 

Start in Cairo and begin sightseeing immediately: time is of the essence on a 5-day tour! On day one, you'll visit the Egyptian Museum and go to Giza to see the pyramids and the famous Sphinx. Overnight in Cairo before catching a domestic flight to Luxor on day two. During this day in the Nile Valley, you'll focus on two significant points of interest: the ancient Egyptian temples of Karnak and Luxor. 

On day three, you'll switch gears, traveling by car to the beach resort of Hurghada on the Red Sea. Explore the cafés and markets of El Dahar, the old town, before relaxing on the sand. The area is a hot spot for scuba diving, particularly the SS Thistlegorm Wreck, a famous shipwreck dive site. The following day, go for a refreshing morning swim before heading out for a desert safari adventure on a camel, ATV, or 4x4 vehicle. You'll get back to town in time for one last dinner before the trip wraps up and you fly out. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Cruise Adventure on the Nile River

This short but action-packed cruise down the Nile River includes stops at the temples of Luxor and Karnak, a horsedrawn carriage tour through the temple complex at Edfu, and a side trip by boat to the archeological ruins of Elephantine Island.

The trip gets underway in Luxor. You'll spend a day sightseeing, visiting the temples of Luxor and Karnak, then overnight in town. The cruise down the Nile River begins on day two. You'll float down to the Valley of the Kings, where you'll get off the boat for a guided tour. Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, the focal point of the Deir el-Bahri complex, before the cruise continues along the Nile to Edfu. 

On day three, enjoy a horseback carriage ride through the temple complex of Edfu as your guide explains the site's history and cultural significance. Tour the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo, then cruise onward to Aswan. You'll see the majestic temples of Abu Simbel on day four, followed by an afternoon excursion to the archeological site of Elephantine Island on a traditional sailing vessel. Overnight in Aswan, visit the Philae Temple before catching a flight out. Learn more

More Great Egypt Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Egypt? Check out these other Egypt itineraries, with Nile River cruises, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.