An 8 day Egypt travel itinerary for you to consider.
Camel rides at the Giza Pyramids… Sailing on the Nile in Aswan..
And of course, a rickety night’s sleep on a night train.
Egypt was a travel experience like no other!
Following my turbulent trip to pharaoh land, I have put together an 8 day Egypt itinerary for you to consider.
Egypt is not an easy country to navigate with a bad reputation for food hygiene, hassle culture, and road safety.
However, it is all worth it when you are standing next to some of the greatest global wonders.
This itinerary follows the Nile south as far as Abu Simbel near the Sudanese border, including temples, tombs, pyramids, and some welcoming Nubians.
This blog recommends the best landmarks, tours, and accommodation options following my trip.
There is no better place to start than the capital!
The colossi guarding the temple at Abu Simbel.
Day 1 - Explore Cairo.
My expectations for Cairo were a lot of chaos, and it was well and truly delivered!
On my first morning in Tahrir Square as I left my accommodation and went to visit the statue of ‘Umar Makram’ in the centre of the square, I tried to cross the road and had to dodge a tuk-tuk, motorbike, and speeding car within 30 seconds.
That is when I knew that Cairo was to be an exciting few days to start my solo trip in Egypt.
Planning your Egypt trip is essential to make the most of your anceint adventure.
Day 1 of your trip should be spent exploring inside the city of Cairo, so you can leave a full day on day 2 to visit and learn about the Pyramids.
I would recommend that you choose to stay in Tahrir Square as it is very central and has good transport options. You don’t want to be walking far in the summer months due to the heat.
Egypt is known for hotels being overrated compared to other countries, therefore, booking an Internationally recognised brand in Cairo is a good shout.
A highly rated centrally located hotel - The Nile Ritz-Carlton.
Egyptian Museum.
Starting your 8 Egypt day Egypt trip at the century old Egyptian Museum is a great way to start your ancient history lesson.
A morning visit is very beneficial as you will beat the long queues to enter, along with tour group crowds, which arrive by coach load as the day progresses.
A ticket to the museum costs 300 EGP (£5) for an adult, which I found to be very cheap as there are over 120,000 artefacts on site.
IMPORTANT TIP - You can only pay by card at all of the famous landmarks in Egypt, therefore, cash will not be accepted.
The Museum opens at 9am daily, so I would recommend visiting before 10am, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy a nice breakfast. The Nile Ritz- Carlton hotel serves an incredible breakfast.
Some of the notable highlights to plan your Museum tour around include:
King Tut’s dedicated room.
Stone from the Old Kingdom.
Arty wall reliefs.
Replica pyramids.
A giant colossi statue of ‘Amenhotep III’ and ‘Queen Tiye’.
Queen Hatshepsut’s original mummy.
90 minutes - 2 hours is enough time to explore thoroughly and to learn some important information and facts about ancient Egypt.
The main exhibition hall at the Egyptian Museum.
Coptic Cairo.
An underrated activity in a city break to Cairo is visiting Coptic Cairo.
The religious history of Cairo is mixed, with churches, mosques, and a synagogue standing side by side in this area of the city, all showcasing different periods of history in the Egyptian capital.
I would recommend getting an Uber to the area and then exploring on your own.
There are information boards throughout the different religious buildings.
You should visit these three buildings as a bare minimum to experience a little bit of each religion:
Ben Ezra Synagogue
It is centuries old and apparently it is located on the site where baby Moses was found.
The Hanging Church.
A church with a rich heritage, and one of the oldest and most important Coptic Christian churches in Egypt
Amr ibn al-As Mosque.
The oldest mosque in Africa, dating back to 642 AD.
Despite Cairo’s chaos and ‘no rules’ in some areas, the respect for different religions seems to be very strong.
The religious art on the streets of Coptic Cairo.
Khan El-Khalili Bazaar.
A trip to the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar makes for a very intense cultural experience for International visitors.
Walking the narrow market streets is an attack on the senses, and haggling with the locals is a fun travel experience.
I did end up buying some random souvenirs, which is all part of the fun!
The famous bazaar makes Cairo one of the best Egyptian cities for culture.
It is a very short distance from Coptic Cairo.
The bazaars are a great place to enjoy the Egyptian culture.
Day 2 - Ancient wonders at Giza & Saqqara.
After your day immersing in the chaos of downtown Cairo, your second day will be spent exploring some ancient wonders on the outskirts of the city.
Some popular tours will cover the Giza Plateau, Saqqara and Memphis, usually starting with an early morning visit to the pyramids.
This will definitely be the best and most efficient option on an 8 day Egypt itinerary.
Pyramids of Giza & the Sphinx.
You will finally get the chance to tick off a bucket list wonder!
The Pyramids of Giza are even more impressive in real life than in the videos and pictures you have seen.
Visiting the pyramids without a guide is one option, but be warned, the hassling locals are notorious for scamming tourists, so be very careful.
I recommend that you enter inside a pyramid, despite the fact that there is not a lot to see inside, I still found it fascinating to be wandering the chambers of such mysterious landmarks.
Another activity while you are at the Giza Plateau which is a must is a Camel ride with a bucket list view.
The viewpoint which you get taken to is perfect for a photo, with all three pyramids offering an awesome backdrop.
The Sphinx.
Another famous photo opportunity in Egypt is the kissing selfie with the Sphinx of Giza.
The globally famous statue is majestic, despite being several thousand years old.
The best time to visit is after you have finished exploring the three pyramids, as it is on the way out of the Giza Plateau.
There are several viewpoints to grab your photos and admire the beauty of the unique creature. I would recommend heading to all of the different viewpoints.
The famous photo at the Giza Plateau.
Saqqara Necropolis.
After enjoying my selfie with the sphinx, I headed on my 45 minute journey from Giza to Saqqara and was pleasantly surprised.
I had not planned to visit the necropolis before arriving into Egypt.
The site is way more chilled than the Giza Pyramids, so it makes for a nicer time to wander leisurely, reading the information boards etc.
As soon as I arrived at Saqqara I learned some interesting ancient facts about the site.
It is home to the oldest pyramid in the world, called the ‘Step Pyramid of Djoser’, and as you can see below, it differs in design from the more common pyramids.
I found the step pyramid to be aesthetically pleasing and captured some awesome Instagram shots.
Make sure you also head into the Mastaba tombs while on site!
The oldest pyramid in the world.
Two options for your Cairo to Luxor travel:
Luxor is located 300 miles from Cairo and can be reached by road, however, for a shorter trip, here are two options which will save you time:
Sleeper train.
An authentic travel experience to say the least, the sleeper train takes you south through the night. I would be lying if I said that I enjoyed a full night’s sleep, however, I did manage some, which freed up time exploring Luxor on Day 3.
I felt safe on the train and was served dinner and breakfast during the journey.
Internal flights.
A faster travel option, however, you will need to book an early morning flight to Luxor, and it will take some of your Day 3 time up.
You can get some bargains at around half the cost of the sleeper train with an advance booking though.
Book your Cairo to Luxor flight now:
Arriving for the night train at Ramses Station in Cairo.
Day 3 - Luxor East Bank.
Luxor is abundant with globally famous landmarks which makes it a favourite for visitors.
Once you arrive in Luxor you should split your two days over the famous East Bank and West Bank, which are split by the River Nile.
Starting on the East Bank side will include a visit to Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Market, and a museum about mummies!
Most of your first day in Luxor is walkable, other than Karnak Temple, which may require a taxi in summer months, as it is slightly further out.
In the morning, I would recommend you have a wander along the main corniche which runs next to the Nile, which will lead you to the Mummification Museum.
After your lunch, a combo tour of both Luxor and Karnak Temples is a great way of exploring both with a knowledgeable local, and it will include return transport from your accommodation to both sites.
You can finish your evening with another dose of Egyptian culture in the market, which is a short walk to the highly rated restaurants in the city, which is a big draw to Luxor for visitors.
An authentic East Bank restaurant you must try - Sofra Restaurant.
Standing with the pharaohs at Luxor Temple.
Mighty colossi guarding Luxor Temple.
My highlight of Luxor Temple are the giant colossi statues guarding the entrance!
My tour guide explained that the statues are of Pharaoh Ramses II and were built in a show of power at the temple.
The statues would have been immaculate in ancient times, and have stood the test of time very well.
Other famous historical figures who have added to the temples’ design over the centuries include King Tut and Alexander the Great.
Some grand columns at Karnak Temple.
The Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak is one of the most picture perfect settings in the whole of Egypt!
Karnak was developed over a period of 1000 years by many consecutive pharaohs, and they would all agree that the giant carved columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall are the most impressive.
Despite being thousands of years old, the columns still display much of the original artwork, running all the way up their 24 metre height.
Wandering in between the columns with the sunshine glowing them up was a special moment for me.
Day 4 - Luxor West Bank.
It is time to cross the river Nile and head to the West Bank, which is home to some more famous ancient relics.
I recommend heading to the Colossi of Memnon to start your day, on your way to the other temples and tombs, as it is a very short stop on the way, and the two giant statues on site are famous for singing at sunrise.
Most tours of the West Bank commence early in the morning as the heat gets unbearable while walking around the sites later in the day, especially in the summer!
Unlike the East Bank, transport will be required to travel in between the different landmarks on the West Bank, as they are more spread out.
A picturesque setting at the Temple of Hatshepsut.
A very interesting stop on your West Bank tour is the Temple of Hatshepsut.
The three story temple is built into the nearby cliffs, creating a very picturesque setting. I thoroughly enjoyed walking up the ramp, even if it was over 40 degrees!
Unfortunately the exterior is the highlight, aesthetics wise, with much of the inside destroyed and damaged.
It is said that Queen Hatshepsut had the temple designed to showcase her life, however, after she died, her step son destroyed much of it, to tarnish her legacy.
It is still worth the visit though, so make sure it gets added to your Luxor itinerary.
The colourful hieroglyphics at Medinet Habu.
Tomb exploring at the Valley of the Kings.
Along with the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings takes its place as one of the most important historical highlights in the world, therefore, it is no surprise that millions of tourists visit it each year.
There are currently 63 tombs discovered, with ongoing excavation works hoping to uncover many more in the future.
When I visited, my entrance ticket covered 3 tombs, with the more famous tombs being available to add for an extra cost. There are only around 10 tombs open at any given time, however, it is surreal just walking around the grounds and imagining the scenes thousands of years ago.
My favourite tomb - KV62 - King Tutunkamun.
Visiting King Tut’s tomb costs extra, but it is worth every penny. Coming face to face with his 3300 year old original mummy is a surreal moment, and definitely one for the history books!
How about the famous Queens?
If you are in awe of the tombs of the most famous pharaohs, then you should head just down the road to Valley of the Queens, which is home to over 100 tombs.
The most popular one for tourists to visit is Queen Nefertari’s colourful tomb.
A Hot Air balloon ride over the West Bank treasures.
The most famous activity in the former capital is a hot air balloon over the city, which will offer you a different perspective of the ancient temples and necropolis’.
The prices are very cheap in Luxor compared to many other global destinations.
The popular tours are only £60 per person, and include return transport to and from your accommodation, the balloon ride, and live commentary about the city in English.
It is an early start though, as you want to catch the sunrise over Valley of the Kings!
Entering a tomb at Valley of the Kings.
My favourite Luxor landmark.
I enjoyed all of the ancient relics in Luxor, as they all tell a different story and offer a mesmerising glimpse into the past.
However, the temple which offered the most surprises and is underrated on the West Bank of the city is Medinet Habu.
The Mortuary Temple of Ramses III is the main attraction on site, and it is the best preserved temple in terms of hieroglyphics and inscriptions.
The First Pylon is covered in giant inscriptions of Ramses in battle.
It captured my attention instantly!
Day 5 - Travel to Aswan & explore the city
Aswan is a popular city in Southern Egypt, therefore, a must on any backpacking itinerary which wants to explore the different vibes in Egypt.
Aswan is far more relaxed than Luxor and Cairo, and is home to the Nubian people, who are one of the oldest civilisations in the world.
Your second day will be focused on learning about the locals, and interacting with some of them, so your first day can be spent exploring some other ancient relics.
The Luxor to Aswan train takes around 3 hours and regular trains run on the morning, so I recommend catching the 8am service, so you have all afternoon, and evening in Aswan.
The trains aren’t the most reliable but are comfortable once boarded.
A wander along the main corniche in Aswan will give you the opportunity to visit the market, see the Nile, and to ride a felucca boat.
Visiting the unfinished obelisk is an interesting activity which is cheap and shows the scale of the monuments.
The Statue Of Dr. Magdi Yacoub in Aswan.
Philae Temple
Most of my favourite temples in Egypt are located in Luxor, however, the most picturesque one is located close to Aswan.
The island temple of Philae is located 8km from Aswan, so it is a must visit during your Aswan stay.
The temple was originally built over 2500 years ago, however, in recent decades, the temple complex has undertaken a complete relocation due to rising flood waters.
It now sits on Agilkia Island which can be reached via taxi boat from the Philae Marina.
You can negotiate the price with your sailor, and you will usually get to spend an hour or two on the island.
I noticed wall inscriptions from different civilisations as I wandered around!
The First Pylon at Philae Temple in Aswan.
Day 6 - Feel the essence of Nubia in Aswan.
After you have sussed out Aswan on your first day in the city, you should add some purpose to your second day.
To learn about the history of the locals!
A morning museum visit will give you a history lesson about the Nubia civilisations throughout history, and then an afternoon trip to the most famous Nubian Village will offer you a hands-on-experience with the Nubian locals.
Nubian Museum
The museum is immaculately laid out in chronological order, including models on villages and Abu Simbel.
I found it to be a very interesting museum in Egypt, and very quiet and tranquil when I visited. A complete contrast to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The main exhibition room at the Nubian Museum.
Nubian Village
After you have learned about the history of the locals, it is now time to go and visit one of the colourful Nubian villages.
Gharb Soheil Village is the most popular spot for tourists to visit, either by official tour or on your own.
I took a taxi boat from Elephantine Island where I was staying, and had several hours exploring the quirky village before being transported back to my guest house.
My most vivid memories are the abundance of bright colours and street art which cover the buildings, schools, walls, and inside the Nubian homes.
I also noticed a love of camels in the villages, with children riding them unsupervised.
It is awesome seeing how different cultures live!
If you want to know where to start, I would say exploring the bazaars is fun, as the locals are characters to say the least.
Want to stay in an authentic Nubian Guesthouse?
I enjoyed an unforgettable experience in the Bob Marley Guest House on Elephantine Island in Aswan.
Just picture yourself in an idyllic moment, overlooking the River Nile from the sun terrace at Bob Marley’s.
It brings some peace to a destination which can be very full on.
The owners were also really helpful and kind and recommended some beautiful meals from the menu when I enjoyed dinner with a view on my last evening.
The rooftops of Gharb soheil in Aswan.
Entering inside a Nubian home.
When I was planning my Egypt trip, I noticed how welcoming the Nubian people are for guests visiting Gharb Soheil Village.
Guests entering inside traditional Nubian homes is popular, therefore, I couldn’t wait to visit for myself.
Local tea was served as soon as I entered, which I found to be very sweet!
After snacks and tea, the locals began a music show, playing drums and singing, before they invited us guests up to dance along.
It was a unique travel moment.
You will see some crocodiles!
Crocodiles have lived side by side with the Nubians for centuries, as they were viewed as protectors and spiritual beings from the Nile.
The houses are covered in crocodile art, model crocodiles, and I even saw a real crocodile, which was kept as a pet in one of the Nubian gardens.
I kept my distance!
Decor inside a Nubian home at Gharb Soheil.
Day 7 - Abu Simbel tour.
An early start for Day 7 will see you head to the southern wonder of Abu Simbel Temple!
As it is located around 290km from Aswan, the temple is a popular day trip for Aswan visitors.
The best official tours transport you down to Abu Simbel before sunrise, so that you can enjoy an early morning visit to the iconic landmark.
I enjoyed both temples on site, and after our tour guide explained the history of the place and showed us some awesome spots, we were free to wander at our own leisure.
There was something special about walking around such a majestic landmark.
It felt like we were in a movie!
I suggest booking your tour in advance, as it is a very popular acvtivity in peak months.
The entrance to one of the temples at Abu Simbel.
Day 8 - Fly back to Cairo.
On your last morning you will fly back to the capital.
A good thing about Egypt is that if you book your internal flights in advance you can grab a bargain, and you are only looking at a 1 hour 20 flight time despite the distance.
There are options to fly every hour throughout the morning, which will get you back to Cairo for lunch time.
I spent my last day relaxing after a very hectic week.
The Sonesta Hotel Tower & Casino Cairo is a great choice to unwind and relax, as it offers guests a beautiful swimming pool, on site restaurant, and sun terrace.
It is only 10 minutes from the airport also!
Important tips for your Egypt adventure.
Here are some tips which will definitely help you to enjoy your trip:
Use Uber in the capital.
Uber is available in Cairo and is the safest and most efficient way of traversing the capital.
When I used taxis, I often struggled with the language barrier or being overcharged. Uber was a fixed rate and a comfortable option. It does not operate in Luxor or Aswan yet though.
Be prepared for the common scams.
At the Giza Plateau and in Luxor, I was approached several times by locals offering to ‘help’ me, or claiming they had spotted me in the hotel. They try many different ways to grab your attention so they can hustle you. Just completely ignore anyone cold approaching you.
Carry low denominations of currency.
One thing is for sure in Egypt, you will be haggling for most things. As soon as the locals spot that you are a tourist they will raise their prices, so carrying low currency will strengthen your negotiations.
I agreed on a price and then went to pay with a larger note for the seller to claim they had no change.
Purchase an e-sim card in advance.
If you are exploring the landmarks on your own, you may need maps or the internet browser, so it will work out cheap to purchase an Egyptian sim card before you visit.
The starting cost is around £10, which will cover your 8 day trip.
Enjoying the Egyptian Museum.
Three awesome tours you should book.
Here are three official tours which will make your trip more enjoyable and reduce hassle of organising your trips.
One for each city:
Cairo: Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara and Memphis Full-Day Tour.
The best way to see the ancient wonders near Cairo is by official tour. The logistics side of Egypt is never fun to organise, so relax and be taken to each site in comfort.
Learning the history of the different landmarks from the tour guide will also enhance your second day in Egypt.
This tour includes some of the underrated and off the beaten track landmarks, so you will see some awesome relics, which many other tourists don’t see.
Aswan Philae Temple, Obelisk, and High Dam Private Tour.
The most efficient way to spend your first day in Aswan, ticking off many of the famous sights in the city, before your day with the Nubian locals.
Prefer to relax and let someone else take care of the logistics?
You can book an 8 night tour with Viator which covers all of the highlights and includes a Nile cruise and hot air balloon ride in Luxor:
Egypt 8 nights: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Nile cruise, Balloon.
This is a great option if you have a bigger budget and preferred to be catered for.
A 4.5/5 rating from 180 ratings suggest that it is incredible value for money!
Our fun tour guide in Luxor.
My favourite spot for hieroglyphics.
One of the popular reasons why visitors choose Egypt is the beautiful hieroglyphics which are unique to the country.
Although the ancient language isn’t commonly used anymore, the artwork which is remaining from yesteryear offers great insights into the way of life thousands of years ago.
There are many places with some awesome inscriptions and artwork, however, my winner is Medinet Habu Temple in Luxor!
The vibrant colours are the most well preserved which I personally witnessed.
Some other travellers on my tour opted to pay extra to go to KV17 tomb at Valley of the Kings, which was that of Seti I and apparently that tomb is still glowing brightly.
It does cost a considerable amount as an extra, however, if you really want to see some beautiful artwork, you should pay it.
It is one of the few regrets I have from my trip.
If you are on a budget, or aren't visiting the Valley of the Kings, then Medinet Habu will still scratch your itch for impressive hieroglyphics.
Enjoying the tombs at Saqqara.
Street art is also popular in Egypt.
Modern street art is popping up throughout Egypt over the last decade, following the Arab revolution, and although it wasn’t widely accepted initially, it is now adding colour to the different cities in the country.
I found some interesting artwork, which was similar with the Amman murals in the Jordanian capital.
The most random street art I found was a portrait of SpongeBob SquarePants on a tree in Aswan.
Ancient street art in Cairo.
Not sure about Egypt. How about Jordan?
If Egypt sounds too chaotic for you, then Jordan is a popular alternative.
I visited the charming Middle Eastern country just a few months before Egypt, and I loved every aspect of my Jordan trip.
Amman is full of historical treasures, the beautiful nature is abundant across the country, in places such as Wadi Mujib, and Wadi Rum, and of course Petra needs no introduction.
The famous wonder is awesome and full of picture perfect settings.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.