One week in Egypt is enough to see the essentials — the Pyramids of Giza, the temples and tombs of Luxor — and, if you want, to end with a few days on the Red Sea. The key is not to try to do everything. Below are two tried-and-tested 7-day itineraries, one focused on ancient Egypt and one that mixes history with the beach, plus the ready-made packages that cover them.
7 Days in Egypt at a Glance
| Day | Classic Egypt | History + Red Sea |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Cairo | Arrive in Cairo |
| 2 | Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum | Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum |
| 3 | Islamic and Coptic Cairo, the Citadel | Fly to Luxor; East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temple |
| 4 | Fly to Luxor; East Bank temples | West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut |
| 5 | Hot air balloon at dawn, West Bank | Transfer to the Red Sea |
| 6 | Aswan: Philae, High Dam, Nubian village | Snorkeling or diving |
| 7 | Abu Simbel or departure | Beach day and departure |
Itinerary 1: Classic Egypt in 7 Days
Days 1–3: Cairo
Arrive in Cairo and rest. On day 2 visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, then the Grand Egyptian Museum with the treasures of Tutankhamun — see the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum tour (from $80). Day 3 is for the Citadel and the old quarters on the Citadel, Coptic and Islamic Cairo tour (from $50), with a Nile dinner cruise in the evening.
Days 4–5: Luxor
Fly south to Luxor, the ancient Thebes. Explore Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank tour, then rise before dawn for a hot air balloon ride and visit the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut on the West Bank tour.
Days 6–7: Aswan
Continue to Aswan for Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, and a sunset boat to a Nubian village. On the last day, join an early trip to Abu Simbel if your flight allows. Read our guides to Philae Temple and the Nubian village.
Tip: Prefer to travel between Luxor and Aswan by boat? The Egypt Nile Cruise 7 Days 6 Nights package (from $1,200) combines Cairo with a Nile cruise.
Itinerary 2: History and the Red Sea in 7 Days
Spend two days in Cairo and two in Luxor as above, then head to the coast for three days of sun and sea. From Luxor, the nearest Red Sea resort is Hurghada; for Sinai — Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab — you usually fly. On the coast, snorkel the reefs, try a dive, or take a desert trip. See Sharm vs Dahab vs Hurghada to choose your beach, and one week in Sinai for ideas.
A ready-made option starting from Taba is the St. Catherine, Dahab, Cairo & Luxor 7 Days package (from $1,300).
Ready-Made 5- to 7-Day Packages
| Package | Duration | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo & Luxor 5 Days by Air | 5 days | $1,100 |
| Cairo & Luxor 5 Days by Train | 5 days | $1,100 |
| Egypt Nile Cruise 7 Days 6 Nights | 7 days | $1,200 |
| Cairo, Luxor & Alexandria 7 Days by Train | 7 days | $1,200 |
| St. Catherine, Dahab, Cairo & Luxor from Taba | 7 days | $1,300 |
Planning Tips
- Fly between Cairo and Luxor to save a day; the overnight sleeper train is the atmospheric alternative.
- Go between October and April for comfortable sightseeing — see the best time to visit Egypt.
- Get a full visa — the free Sinai Only stamp does not cover Cairo or Luxor. Read our Egypt visa guide.
- Budget for tips — see tipping and money in Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7 days enough for Egypt?
Yes, for the highlights: Cairo and the Pyramids, Luxor, and either Aswan or a few days on the Red Sea. With 10 days or more you can add a Nile cruise and Abu Simbel at a gentler pace.
What is the best 7-day Egypt itinerary?
Three days in Cairo, two in Luxor and two in Aswan for history lovers; or two in Cairo, two in Luxor and three on the Red Sea for a mix of culture and beach.
How do you travel between Cairo and Luxor?
By a one-hour domestic flight or by overnight sleeper train.
Can I add the Red Sea to a week in Egypt?
Yes. Hurghada is the easiest beach to combine with Luxor; Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab are best reached by air.
