Itineraries · Complete guide
7 Days in Egypt: The Perfect Cairo, Luxor & Aswan Itinerary
A day-by-day 7-day Egypt itinerary covering the pyramids, Luxor's temples and Aswan, with travel logistics, timing and variations.
By the Egypt Knight Tours team · Updated September 2026 · 3 min read
In this guide
If you have one week, this is the route we recommend most often. It covers the biggest names in Egypt without rushing, and it works for couples, families and friends. The timings below suit a private tour, which lets you start early and avoid the crowds.
Your 7 days in Egypt at a glance
| Day | Where | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cairo | Arrive, airport transfer, rest |
| 2 | Giza | Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum |
| 3 | Cairo | Old Cairo, Khan el-Khalili, or Saqqara |
| 4 | Luxor | Fly south, Karnak and Luxor Temple |
| 5 | Luxor | Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, optional balloon |
| 6 | Aswan | Philae Temple, felucca ride, Nubian village |
| 7 | Aswan or Cairo | Abu Simbel option, then fly home |
Day 1: Arrive in Cairo
Land at Cairo International Airport, where your driver meets you. Check in, rest and enjoy a first walk or dinner. Book a Cairo airport transfer so you are met at arrivals.
Day 2: Giza pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Start early at the Giza Plateau for the Great Pyramid, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx. In the afternoon visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. Read our Egypt pyramids guide for tickets and timing.
Day 3: Old Cairo, Khan el-Khalili or Saqqara
Explore Coptic Cairo, Islamic Cairo and the bazaar, or head to Saqqara and Memphis for the first stone pyramid. More in the Cairo travel guide.
Day 4: Fly to Luxor
Take a morning flight of about an hour. Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, ideally with the evening light on the columns.
Day 5: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple
Cross to the West Bank early. Visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. A sunrise hot air balloon is a wonderful addition. See the Luxor travel guide.
Day 6: Aswan
Travel to Aswan by short flight or by road with temple stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Visit Philae Temple by boat, then take a felucca around Elephantine Island. Read the Aswan travel guide.
Day 7: Abu Simbel, then home
If your flight is late, take the early trip to Abu Simbel, about three hours each way. Otherwise fly from Aswan to Cairo and on to your international flight.
Variations
- Nile cruise version: replace Days 4 to 6 with a 3 or 4 night Luxor to Aswan cruise. See the Nile cruise guide.
- Slower pace: drop Day 3 or the Abu Simbel extension.
- More time: try the 10-day itinerary for a cruise and the Red Sea.
- Less time: see the 5-day itinerary or 3-day itinerary.
Costs and booking
Costs depend on your hotels and how many days are private. See how much a trip to Egypt costs for realistic budgets. To have it all arranged, browse our Egypt tour packages or use the Egypt trip planner.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Egypt?
Yes for the highlights. Seven days lets you see Cairo and Giza, Luxor and Aswan without rushing, using short domestic flights.
How do you travel between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan?
The fastest way is a domestic flight of around an hour. Alternatives are the overnight train or a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
Should I do Abu Simbel in a 7-day trip?
It is a long day trip from Aswan of about three hours each way, but many travellers consider it a highlight. Add it if you have a spare day.
Can I do a Nile cruise in 7 days?
Yes. A 3 or 4 night cruise between Luxor and Aswan can replace the separate Luxor and Aswan days.
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