Egypt Itineraries for 5 Days (Top 4 Options for First-Timers)

Are 5 days enough to experience the marvels of Egypt? Honestly speaking, 5 days are not enough to visit all the iconic highlights at a comfortable pace, such as the pyramids, the Nile, and the Valley of the Kings. But you still can get a taste of some of them with careful planning and expert tips.

From the impressive pyramids of Giza to the awe-inspiring temples in Luxor, we present to you four carefully-crafted itineraries that will allow you to experience the best of Egypt within a limited time frame of 5 days.

Itinerary 1: Giza and Cairo Highlights

Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza

If you want to avoid the hassle of moving from city to city, this itinerary is best for your first-time visit. As the capital of Egypt, Cairo showcases Egypt's rich history, typical Egyptian culture, and bustling modern life.

Here is a well-organized Cairo-centric itinerary:

Days 1–3 in Cairo (the Giza pyramid complex, Cairo Citadel, the Khan el-Khalili market, Saqqara, and El Tannoura Dance Show)
Day 4 in Alexandria — a day trip from Cairo (the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Library of Alexandria)
Day 5: Cairo departure (private airport transfer)

Stepping back in time, you'll have a date with the ancient civilization at the awe-inspiring pyramids, the Great Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and still more wonders of the ancient world in Alexandria.

Itinerary 2: Nile Cruise Adventure

Ships cruising on the Nile, Egypt

Taking a 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan perfectly balances cultural immersion and natural landscapes. If you're looking for a leisurely vacation, this itinerary is an ideal option, especially when you're traveling with your family or taking a romantic trip.

Days 1–2: Nile cruise from Luxor (cruise check-in, the Luxor Temple, the Karnak temple complex, the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon)
Day 3: Nile cruise (the Temple of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus in Edfu, an Egyptian cooking class on board)
Days 4–5: Nile cruise to Aswan (city tour to visit the Aswan High Dam, the Philae temple complex, and the Unfinished Obelisk, Abu Simbel, cruise check-out)

Similar to Itinerary 1, you can discover Luxor and Aswan without changing hotels. But differently, your hotel will be a cruise ship, and you'll have more relaxing hours interspersed with excursions grand temples and picturesque scenery along the Nile.

With abundant cruise choices, you're recommended to take the luxury modern Nile cruises or traditional dahabiya for more comfortable experiences. If you want a more exclusive service, go on a dahabiya houseboat, which is only for 10–12 people!

Are you feeling overwhelmed with selecting the ideal cruise for your preferences? Cruise the Nile with us.

We would carefully select the best cruise at the best agent rate for you. Travel with us and you'll have private guides for all offshore excursions instead of joining the large-group tours. Simply forget about your worries with a perfectly-planned schedule: sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the tranquility and beauty of the Nile.

9-Day Essential Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise

Itinerary 3: Pyramids and Red Sea Retreat

Diving in Hurghada

If you would like some leisurely beach time after the pyramids, go on this 5-day trip to Cairo and Hurghada.

Hurghada is full of beach fun, embracing great resorts, boutique hotels, and rich water adventures. You can lazily bask on the sunny beaches of the Red Sea, or snorkel into its crystal waters and see the lovely fishes and colorful coral reefs. If you're looking for a thrilling beach vacation, Hurghada is best for you, particularly for families with teenagers.

If you're more interested in undisturbed private time, we could also customize your trip to visit El Gouna or El Quseir.

The following itinerary is a summary for your reference:

Day 1: Arrive in Cairo
Day 2: The Giza pyramid complex with camel rides, the Great Sphinx, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and the El Tannoura Dance Show
Day 3: The Egyptian Museum and a foodie tour, then fly to Hurghada
Day 4: Your choice of beach activities at the Red Sea — snorkeling, sunbathing, swimming…
Day 5: Depart from Hurghada

12-Day Best Egypt Tour with Sharm El Sheikh

Itinerary 4: 5-Day Egypt Itinerary with Mount Sinai

View from the Mount Sinai, Egypt

Take this itinerary if you would like to add some Sinai pilgrimage activities to the Cairo must-sees, like the Giza pyramids.

You can follow the tracks of the Holy Nation, from the desert monasteries in Wadi El Natrun to sacred Mount Sinai.

Mount Sinai is a significant place for pilgrimage trips in Egypt. Hiking up and down (approximately 4 hours) is the best way to appreciate the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God.

When visiting Mount Sinai, you're advised to take a private tour to effectively handle the permission requirements from the government and navigate through the multiple checkpoints encountered along the journey.

Here is a summary itinerary for your reference. For any further interests, we are always ready to customize a trip for you.

Days 1–3 in Cairo (the Giza pyramid complex, the Great Sphinx, Cairo Citadel, food tours, the Hanging Church, Wadi El Natrun, Khan el-Khalili market, and the Egyptian Museum)
Days 4–5 at Mount Sinai (Saint Catherine's Monastery and a trek up Mount Sinai)

9-Day Egypt Tour with Mount Sinai

How Much Does a 5-Day Egypt Tour Cost?

A private Egypt tour of 5 days falls in the price range of US$800–1,300 per person. Children under 10 can receive discounts of between 30% and 50%. The bigger your family or more friends you invite, the more money you can save (per person).

If you're celebrating Christmas and New Year in Egypt, consider departing before December 20th for more affordable international flight tickets.

Traveling with us is helpful to optimize your costs. You'll have a unique and personalized travel experience that goes beyond traditional group tours.

With our private transfers, you can forget about navigation hassles. We also carefully handpick boutique hotels at the best agent rate that showcase the local charm. You can eat as locals do, if/when you like. But, if you have any special needs, such as having a vegan diet, you can also enjoy exceptional dining experiences with us.

12-Day Egypt Luxury Tour with Abu Simbel

Want More Itinerary Options?

You can check our handpicked itineraries and the costs for various durations: 5 days, 7 days, 8 days, 10 days, 12 days, 14 days, and 3 weeks...

If you have your own bucket list or want to travel to Egypt along with Jordan or Israel, just let us know. If you don't have enough inspiration yet, check out our best Egypt tours.