10 Day Guide to Egypt - Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, & Hurghada

 Going to Egypt?  Here is the perfect 10 day guide for First Timers. 

Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, & Hurghada 

Going to Egypt was absolutely foreign to me (literally). It was my second time in Northern Africa (the first being a one day stop in Tunisia on a cruise) & I really had no idea what to expect. When doing my research I learned that Egypt is a MASSIVE country and it has many different landscapes, the city, the sea, the desert. This itinerary will give you a good mix of the 3! 

Day 1: Departure  

• Take a nonstop flight from JFK - Cairo, these are usually afternoon flights and land in the very morning of the next day 

Day 2-3: Cairo 

• Where to stay: 
• Zamalek: An upscale island district on the Nile, known for its leafy avenues, modern restaurants, and a more relaxed, cosmopolitan atmosphere.
• Cairo Mariott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino 
• Downtown Cairo: The historic heart of the city, offering a vibrant mix of culture, markets, and traditional experiences
• St Regis Cairo 

• Giza: Located west of Cairo, primarily famous as the home of the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
• Marriott Mena House Cairo 
• Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at First Residence

• Resturants: 
• Luuma 
• Pier88 Nile River
• Crimson Bar & Grill 
• Pyrmaid View Resturants: 
• 139 Pavillion
• Khufu's
• Pyrmaids Lounge 

• Transportation: 
• Get a private driver for Cairo, we got a private driver to take us to all major sites. The cost wasn't that expensive and very worth it. The private also doubled as a guide and was able to bring us to different sights
• Uber: Ubers in Cairo are very very inexpensive and good to go short distances

• Things to Do: 
• The Pyrmaids of Giza and the Sphinx  
• Khan el - Khalili Bazaar 
• The Grand Egyptian Museum 
• Salah El Din Citadel 

Day 3: Cairo To Aswan 

• Take an afternoon flight from Cairo to Aswan & spend the night in Aswan

• Hotels: 
• Mövenpick Resort Aswan
• Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
• Things to do: 
• Aswan Market 
• Felucca Boat Ride
• Abu Simbel Temple

Day 4-7: Aswan & Nile Cruise Details (This all varies depending on which one you choose) 

• Day 4: Aswan

  • High Dam
  • Unfinished Obelisk
  • Philae Temple (boat ride)

  Day 5: Kom Ombo

  • Kom Ombo Temples

  Day 6: Edfu & Nile Sailing

  • Edfu Temple
  • Nile River scenery (sailing to Luxor)

  Day 7: Luxor

• Valley of the Kings (tombs)
• Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Colossi of Memnon
• Karnak Temples

Day 7-9: Hurghada 

• In the afternoon take a private driver from Luxor to Hurghada (about 3.5 hours)
• The perfect end to a sightseeing trip for us was going to Hurghada. An unbelievable beach town on the Red Sea. We stayed at the Rixos Magawish and it was one of the nicest resorts I have ever been to. 
• Hotels: Rixos Premium Magawish Suites and Villas, Sunrise Tucana Resort,  Jaz Casa Del Mar Beach 
• Things to do: Snorkeling and Scubadiving.    

Day 10: Departure 

• Fly from Hurghada to Cairo, Cairo to JFK
• **Hack** Hurghada flies to places like London and Paris, it may be easier to fly there and then take a non stop flight home