You know those adventures where every day feels like three because you’ve seen, learned and experienced so much?
That was Egypt for me.

Ten days.
Four cities.
A Nile cruise.
A hot air balloon.
Temples. Tombs. Bazaars. Snorkelling.
A desert drive.
Countless “wow” moments.

If you’re planning your first trip to Egypt, here’s the exact itinerary I did with TourRadar and honestly the one I’d recommend to anyone – especially if you want history, culture and a little luxury rolled into one: Best Of Egypt – 5* Cruise

The Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Cairo

I flew from Edinburgh to Cairo via Frankfurt and avoided a 13-hour layover by booking a room at StayCity Aparthotels, just five minutes transfer from Terminal 1.

Lufthansa was smooth, I arrived refreshed and immediately felt the buzz of Cairo at the airport where a Timeless Tours rep whisked me straight to the Jaz Hotel.
Simple, clean, refreshing pool and the best part…just a short drive from the Pyramids.

At 6:30pm our group met for the first time. We met our guide, Ash, and got the full breakdown of the next nine days. Spoiler: none of us were emotionally prepared.

We were given a super helpful briefing on how to navigate Egypt, the key dos and don’ts that make all the difference in having a safe, smooth and truly unforgettable experience. I’ll be sharing a full blog on this soon because the insights were genuinely fascinating. And thank you to Ash for being so honest and upfront from the very start.

Day 2 – Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Saqqara & Flight to Aswan

We started strong.
Like…goosebumps strong.

Standing in front of the Pyramids of Giza hit differently. They’re one of the rare wonders that actually exceed the hype. Immense, ancient and somehow quiet despite the crowds.

Then came the Sphinx, another pinch-me moment.

In the afternoon, we explored Saqqara, home of the Step Pyramid, Egypt’s earliest large-scale stone monument. It’s older than Giza and gives such a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of pyramid engineering.

Then it was off to Aswan!
A short evening flight with EgyptAir, a quick check-in at the Basma Hotel, and a very tired but very excited group.

Day 3 – Boarding the Nile Cruise & Philae Temple

All aboard the Lady Mary – our floating hotel for the next few days.

Think:
Modern rooms
A pool with Nile views
A rooftop deck
A gym
And…my room had a bathtub overlooking the river. Romance level: me, myself, and I.

We visited Philae Temple by boat – one of my absolute favourites. Peaceful, surrounded by water and dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love and magic. The temple was relocated piece by piece in the 1960s to save it from rising waters, an engineering miracle that rivals the temple itself.

If you’re ever in Aswan, do not skip Philae. It’s myth, archaeology and serenity all in one place.

Day 4 – Abu Simbel & Kom Ombo Temple

1am alarm. Brutal.
Abu Simbel. Worth. Every. Second.

Carved directly into a mountainside by Ramses II over 3,000 years ago, Abu Simbel is simply breathtaking. The Great Temple was designed so sunlight illuminates its inner sanctuary twice a year…talk about ancient precision.

The Small Temple, built for Queen Nefertari (his great love), is equally impressive and one of the few temples dedicated to a woman.

Like Philae, Abu Simbel was also moved in the 1960s to avoid submersion – cut into massive blocks and reassembled like the world’s most impossible puzzle.

In the evening, we visited Kom Ombo Temple, a rare double temple perfectly symmetrical and dedicated to two gods. Sobek the crocodile-headed god and Horus the Elder (Haroeris), often depicted as a falcon-headed god.

Day 5 – Nile Relaxation, Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple

A slow, dreamy morning sailing the Nile.
28–30°C in November.
Sunbathing. Reading. Chatting.
And watching merchants throw goods up to the ship from tiny rowboats,  an experience in itself.

Our afternoon was packed:

Karnak Temple

Massive. Iconic. Mind-blowing.
Walking among the 134 towering sandstone columns feels like stepping into a parallel universe where everything was built on an unimaginable scale.

Papyrus workshop

A quick lesson on how ancient Egyptians made the world’s first paper and a chance to buy authentic souvenirs.

Luxor Temple at night

Lit up and stunning. The perfect way to end the day.

We rounded off the evening with a fun show back onboard the Lady Mary.

Day 6 – Hot Air Balloon & Valley of the Kings → Hurghada

4am wake-up. Again.
But a sunrise hot air balloon over Luxor? Worth every missed hour of sleep.

Imagine:
24 balloons inflating in the early morning light…
Flames lighting up the sky…
Floating silently as the sun rises over the Nile.
MAGIC!

Then onto the Valley of the Kings, where Egypt’s greatest pharaohs began their journey to the afterlife. The tomb art is so well preserved it almost feels freshly painted. This place makes history feel alive.

We also visited the Temple of Hatshepsut, dedicated to Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh.

After a packed morning, we left Luxor and headed to Hurghada, ready for a change of pace. Check-in: Gravity Hotel & Aquapark and hello all-inclusive resort life.

Day 7 – Snorkelling the Red Sea

Early start, full-day snorkelling trip.

The Red Sea is one giant, natural aquarium – crystal-clear water, colourful coral, tropical fish everywhere. The light lunch on board and warm November sun didn’t hurt either.

Day 8 – Resort Day

No alarms.
No ruins.
Just pools, slides, sunshine, naps, repeat.

The perfect reset before Cairo round two.

Day 9 – Road Trip to Cairo & City Highlights

5am departure, six-hour desert drive back to Cairo…surprisingly easy and scenic.

Once back, we explored:

• The iconic Khan el-Khalili bazaar (chaotic in the best way)
• Al Rifa’i Mosque
• The Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan
• The Hanging Church (one of Egypt’s oldest Coptic churches)
• And finally…the brand-new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

The GEM blew me away

Even before entering the galleries, the scale, light and architecture make you stop in your tracks. The panoramic windows perfectly frame the Pyramids – intentional, powerful and symbolic.

The museum took decades, over a billion dollars and survived political upheaval and a pandemic. Now? It’s one of the largest museums on the planet.

Inside, don’t miss:

Tutankhamun’s 5,000+ treasures (finally all together)
Khufu’s 4,600-year-old Solar Boat
A colossal statue of Ramses II greeting you at the entrance
More than 100,000 artifacts
High-tech immersive exhibits
Pyramids views from inside

It’s not just a museum…it’s a masterpiece in itself. After the Pyramids, this is the must-see in Cairo.

Day 10 – Farewell, Cairo

I didn’t expect leaving to feel emotional, but Egypt has a way of getting under your skin. The history, the people, the landscapes, the surprises…it all stays with you.

Final Thoughts

Egypt is a lot…in the most incredible way.

For your first visit you need a well organised tour to navigate the country especially if you are planning to visit all the famous landmarks.

Ten days gave me a taste of adventure, culture and relaxation, but I barely scratched the surface. I didn’t see Alexandria, the northern coast or the oasis of Siwa.

Which means only one thing: I’m 100% going back.

If you enjoyed this guide to Egypt: The Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary, don’t forget to subscribe for more travel tips, insights, and recommendations. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out – I’m always here to help you plan your next adventure

Happy travels xoxo