How to Plan a Trip to Egypt 2023/2024 & Itinerary Ideas

Egypt is home to vast pyramids, huge temple complexes, and also the incredible Nile River. It offers easy access to the Red Sea for scuba diving and snorkeling.

But planning an Egypt trip could be overwhelming, such as selecting a Nile cruise from abundant choices. Dealing with travel permits adds further uncertainty.

In this article, we provide not only tips on cruise options and information about the areas that require travel permits, but also handpicked itineraries, costs, the best times to travel, and more.

A) Where to Go in Egypt

Enjoy a hot air balloon ride in Luxor

If you are a first-timer to Egypt, then Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan are highly recommended. To travel between Luxor and Aswan, a Nile cruise is the most classic and relaxing option.

For a leisurely beach getaway near the Red Sea, Hurghada is one of the most popular choices. If you have limited time, Alexandria also offers the coastal charm of the Mediterranean.

If you seek somewhere off the beaten path, you can consider a desert safari in the White Desert or trek up the holy Mount Sinai.

China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.

Our trip to Li Jiang and Shaxi Yunnan We arrived at Lijiang on 9/8. We enjoyed the time in Lijiang a lot with good hotel selection and a well planned program. We went onto Shaxi for the local singing festival of the local minority groups. It was a fantastic experience. What makes the trip most memorable is our guide Alice. She took excellent care of us, anticipating our every need. She was personable, warm and very knowledgeable. We shared many laughters and traded stories. She brought smiles to us during the entire trip. We will specifically ask for her again when we come back to Yunnan. Five star service. More Consumer, Sep 2023

Great trip around Shanghai This was our first time ever visiting Shanghai so we wanted to see good places to go to and good food to eat in Shanghai. That's why we booked with China Highlights. They're very responsive and quick to arrange our 3 day trip. Our guide name is Qi and she is a very sweet and helpful person. She knew we wanted to explore many local foods, so she brought us some local breakfast foods when she picked us up from our hotel, just so we can try everything! She was knowledgeable as well about the culture and history of the places we went to. Will definitely recommend this tour and use China Highlights again for our next trip to China! More Sherry, Sep 2023

Great way to see the city Private tour with China highlights made seeing Xi'an super easy. We saved a lot of time with a private driver, and our guide Jenny took really good care of us, sending instructions for where to meet once getting off the train and made everything feel really safe and easy. She also accommodated a number of last minute changes to our itinerary without batting an eye. She was very patient, knowledgeable and friendly. It was great having a guide who grew up locally in the area to show us around (which is not always the case, from my previous experiences elsewhere). Would definitely recommend! More Stephanie N, Sep 2023

One Day Beijing Trip (Great Wall, Summer Palace) With Jennifer My tour guide Jennifer made this quick one day trip to Beijing great! The day started out a bit overcast and rainy when I landed, but Jennifer’s positive attitude and kind communication (along with her being able to keep up/put up with my jokes) made it fine.Despite this, Jennifer and our driver Chen were able to swing an extra photo shoot stop at the Olympic Stadium. I guess it gives me an excuse to come back to visit again, and when I do - I will use China Highlights and this great fantastic team. More Alan Landau, Sep 2023

Mervyn is what we call a perfect tour guide! Mervyn is what we call a perfect tour guide! She is extremely informative all the way through. She knows hers stuff and she is also enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and very willing to help. The whole day was perfect. A great amount of walking and a lots of physical activity ( hiking) and she was all smiling, accommodating and keeping us informative. She was absolutely the best tour guide we've ever encountered in China. Her English is perfect! Everything was so well organized. Her knowledge of the local culture and history is impressive. Fantastic More pdaroundthewrorld, Sep 2023

Best Great Wall experience Used China Highlights for a private all-day tour of Jinshanling portion of the Great Wall. One of the best days of my life! Tour guide Alan and a driver met me at my hotel and the ride was very comfortable. Alan was extremely knowledgable and friendly, I really enjoyed talking with him. The scenery was astoundingly beautiful; this is a less touristy portion of the Wall. The hiking was fun, Alan brought plenty of water, and showed me things I would not have noticed by myself. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a local restaurant for lunch that Alan had arranged - delicious! Once in a lifetime experience. More LZviajera, Sep 2023

Wonderful experience! Our tour guide was Mervyn, and she was amazing! She had great knowledge of Xi'an and the silk road, and we learned so many things we didn't know before. The Muslim quarter is a must-see, with so many streets of food. Terracotta warriors were breathtaking. We did a Hanfu experience and enjoyed walking the city at night in our tang Dynasty outfits. We wish we spent more than 2 days here as there's so much to do. Definitely recommend this tour and will be visiting again! More Laura A, Sep 2023

Unforgettable trip to Guilin We enjoyed an incredible two day trip in Guilin, taking a brief half-day boat cruise on the Li River and cycling around Yangshuo in the afternoon with our guide Gary. Gary met us at the airport and made us feel very welcome, providing us with five-star service. He gave us a lot of insight about Guilin and the Guangxi region and even gave us a tai chi lesson on the boat. He provided us excellent dining suggestions for the evening as well as suggestions of things to do. Thank you Gary for making our trip to Guilin so memorable! More Regis B, Sep 2023

Rated 5 out of 5 stars We were paired with great guides on every city, very knowleadgeble and hardworking people that made our trip fabulous. Jack in Beijing was brilliant and very resourceful making sure we enjoyed the city even when he wasn't with us. In Xi'An we were paired with Crystal that was incredibly smart and made sure we felt we had not only a guide but a friend to rely on in Xi'An, we loved how she made sure we tried the best food and fruit available and helped us from arrival to departure from Xi'An. Finally, kudos to Gary (Wei Li) that worked with us in Guiling and Yangshuo. Gary is a local to Guiling and truly proud of his city and origins. We learned a lot from him and he trully went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time in Guiling adjusting the itinerary to our liking and taking time to explain everything. On our flight out of Guiling we had a bit of an issue with our tickets (booked by ourselves) and Gary promptly lent a hand to help us sort it out with the airport staff, trully a champion. If you are heading to Guiling with Chinahighlights, make sure to have Gary as your guide. More Moises, Sep 2023

Amazing tour! Our guide, Linda, was by far the best person to have for our tours of The Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, and Mutianyu Great Wall. She was an encyclopedia with great knowledge of Chinese History and was able to explain every detail of what we were seeing. She picked us up with a very nice car and driver from our hotel both days, at the time most convenient to us, and dropped us back off wherever we wanted at the end of our tours. Both the Forbidden City and the Great Wall are marvels of human and Chinese achievements and are a must to see in Beijing. Visiting them both with a tour guide that feels more like a friend was certainly helping enjoying it even more. More Robin Z, Sep 2023

Stunning Yellow Mountain and beautiful Ancient Villages We had the most fantastic experience with our tour guide, Jack Fan, who is very knowledgeable about the Yellow Mountain and was able to get us quickly to the most stunning highlights. He was our "photographer" anytime we wanted a photo and that was very often. We made the most of our time having him guiding us. He was truly the mountain man as he is a local there. He is very passionate about what he does. He loves history, nature, and travel, which is a must for a guide. He provided historical facts about the stunning Ancient villages at Hong Cun and Xidi. He answered any questions we had about history, nature, and current things we had. I felt like he was a professor, and we were his students in a very good way. He was NEVER late, and neither was our driver. They never bought us anywhere to "sell" us things. He took us to buy tea only when we asked to buy a specific tea, staying much later than he should have! I wanted to check out lotus and rice fields, which was not on the itinerary, but he squeezed it in for us. We were very well taken care of. I highly recommend Jack for a tour guide who speaks English. More annemompt, Sep 2023

An Unforgettable Tibetan Adventure - Qinghai Train Ride Y971 I recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to Tibet, a land steeped in mysticism and rich cultural heritage. My train trip on the famous scenic Qinghai route on train Y971 Lhasa played a significant role in making this trip an extraordinary experience.Upon my arrival in Lhasa via an overnight train, I was warmly welcomed by the guide assigned Tenzin Lhatse. He had waited for more than 3 hours as he was not informed there was a change in the train schedule. Nontheless, it did not dampen his warm attitude and the seamless transferfrom the train station to the hotel set a positive tone for my stay.The highlight of my stay was undoubtedly the visit to the iconic Potala Palace. The sheer grandeur and architectural brilliance of this historic site left me in awe. The guidance of my knowledgeable tour guide, who revealed the stories behind each shrine, enriched my experience. However, the strict visitor limits and rules underscored the importance of preserving this ancient marvel. The Old Barkhor Street Walking Tour was a journey through time. From Jokhang Temple to the bustling local market, each stop offered insights into Tibetan daily life and folk customs. The Pandatsang Compound's history and the cup of Tibetan sweet tea at Ani Tsangkhung Nunnery added unique flavors to the tour.Overall, my journey through Tibet was an incredible odyssey into a world of spirituality, culture, and natural beauty. I'm glad to have taken this step with my wife to challenge the train ride which was totally worthy of this lifetime. More GOH-family-tours, Sep 2023

Wonderful trip to the Chinese Silk Road Special shout out to our guide for the Gansu leg, Helen, who was the most caring guide we have come across in all of our travels. Make sure you ask for her! More ED, Sep 2023

Fantastic first trip in Shanghai My partner and I were visiting China for the first time. Our tour guide was Martin, who was friendly and very knowledgeable. He adjusted the tour to our needs and gave us an extensive tour of Shanghai as well as many fascinating insights on China. He also went above and beyond and offered us plenty of recommendations on what to do in the evenings, how to get there, and even made bookings for us. Martin, thanks again! More Regis, Sep 2023

Yangshuo is magical from the misty… The guide Lily has a great knowledge in hidden gems and the history about the places. Very memorable experience that i have thanks to them. More Dony Yugo, Sep 2023

Beijing is AMAZING Linda Wang our amazing tour guide helped us to have an unforgettable trip to all the best of Beijing. From organizing the driver (also excellent) to drop us/pick us up exactly when we were leaving busy tourist sites, excellent food recommendations, fascinating knowledge relevant to us and our children (13yo and 11yo) making The Forbidden City, Tiannamen Square, Great Wall, Beijing Zoo and The Hutongs thoroughly enjoyable. Handling all the entrance/exit passport and ticket requirements, interpreting, answering any questions we had about local culture, we were so comfortable and happy, never rushed, everything you could want and more. More Michelle A, Sep 2023

Incredible 2 day tour of Jiuzhaiguo Our tour guide Mary spoke perfect English, was so nice to us and took us to all the best sights in Jiuzhaiguo. It was an unforgettable tour with incredible views! More Declan O, Sep 2023

Helen is the best Panda tour guide going around! I had a fantastic Panda tour with Helen in Chengdu City. From the moment she picked me up, my energy was low from a heap of travelling, but Helen quickly brought me up a notch with her breathtaking passion for Pandas. Not only did she provide a fantastic experience accommodating my every need, but she was also a genuinely kind and joyful company to tour the city with. I can't recommend Helen enough - you won't regret it! More Isaac C, Sep 2023

Two days in Xi’an What an amazing few days in Xi’an! Our guide Jenny was first class - very knowledgeable and very helpful, she went out of her way to make sure we had the best experience like ordering us coffees & food and booking dinners for us. The highlight was of course visiting the Terracotta Warriors, but we also really enjoyed visiting a local family to make dumplings. Can’t recommend this trip and Jenny enough! More Marvin K, Sep 2023

Fantastic experiences in Guilin and the beautiful surroundings together with Vincent. Lib230524097 More Go44854472794, Sep 2023

1. Cairo: Uncover the Hidden Gems of the Pyramids

Cairo is the epitome of Egypt, boasting the great wonders that are the pyramids. For the most celebrated Giza complex, we suggest that you visit it in the early morning to avoid the big groups.

To create impressive moments, we'll arrange a rooftop sunset coffee/drink to benefit from an appealing view of the pyramids. You could also enjoy a great panoramic view of Cairo from the Cairo Citadel.

If you're traveling with your teens, don't miss the Egyptian Museum, where you can see the mummies and the iconic golden mask of Tutankhamun. Hunting for local dishes in the hidden alleys also keeps them interested. Get more ideas about planning a family trip in Egypt>>>

9-Day Essential Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise

2. A Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan

Nile Cruise

To escape from the chaotic cities, a 4/5-day Nile cruise offers a laid-back way to see the splendid landmarks alongside the amazing Nile River. For milestone celebrations, don't miss a sunrise balloon ride over Luxor and a sunset felucca trip in Aswan.

Unlike crowded group tours from cruise companies, we offer private guides for shore trips. If you value privacy, a dahabiya, with only 5–6 cabins, offers a boutique-like experience on the water. Learn more about the Nile cruise.

Struggling to pick the perfect cruise from the abundant options? Travel with us and we'll expertly match you with the ideal cruise at the best price.

12-Day Egypt Luxury Tour with Abu Simbel

3. Hurghada: Immerse Yourself in the Snorkeling Paradise and Beach Fun

Have fun in the Red Sea

The Red Sea is filled with stunning beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. For a hassle-free choice, Hurghada is a top pick due to its convenience and popularity.

Underwater enthusiasts will find a paradise here — snorkeling and diving in the Red Sea is a treat. Adventure seekers can spice things up with a desert safari and a jaunt to a nearby Bedouin village.

10-Day Egypt Active Family Expedition Tour

4. Alexandria: Have a Glimpse of the Mediterranean

Alexandria

Alexandria seamlessly blends coastal charm with its captivating historical allure in the Mediterranean. You're recommended to take a day trip or two from Cairo.

When visiting it, don't miss the chance to delve into its multicultural catacombs at Kom El Shoqafa, a true historical gem. You can also soak up the mesmerizing sea view from the iconic Lighthouse of Alexandria.

12-Day Best Egypt Tour with Sharm El Sheikh

5. Mount Sinai: Follow in the Footsteps of Moses

A trip to Mount Sinai promises a blend of history, spirituality, adventure, and natural beauty. You can trek up to the summit and wander around the historical marvel — Saint Catherine's Monastery.

Instead of hiking with huge crowds at midnight, we suggest a more peaceful afternoon so that you can have the mountain to yourself. Besides, travel permits and security checkpoints are required. A private tour would help to create a worry-free journey.

9-Day Egypt Tour with Mount Sinai

6. The White Desert: Embrace the Surreal Landscape with a Camping Adventure

If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path atmosphere, venture into the Black and White deserts.

Shutterbugs would love the unique landscapes and crystal-clear stargazing opportunities. Camping under the stars would add a once-in-a-lifetime experience to your romantic celebration or family vacation.

Like Mount Sinai, a private tour is highly recommended due to the hassles of navigation and getting documents from the government.

16-Day Grand Egypt Tour with White Desert

B) How Many Days to Spend in Egypt

Typically, you can explore the diverse facets of Egypt comfortably within 10–14 days. For your first Egypt trip, you're advised to allocate 7–8 days to explore the Golden Triangle route (Cairo–Luxor–Aswan). If you have limited time, you could focus on this route.

For the rest of the time, you can enhance your journey with a 3 or 4-day Red Sea beach retreat, a 3-day White Desert safari, a 1-day Mount Sinai pilgrimage, or a brief 1- or 2-day Alexandria excursion.

If you have more than 2 weeks available, you could delve deeper into Egypt and visit all of the destinations mentioned above. Alternatively, you're recommended to combine Egypt with neighboring Jordan and Israel for a richer Middle East adventure (like the 18-Day Egypt Jordan and Israel's Treasures Discovery Tour). For a deeper North African immersion, adding Morocco to your journey is a fantastic option. You can see the customizable 15-Day Morocco and Egypt Highlights Tour.

you can find more guidance on How Long to Spend in Egypt. As experts in tailoring private tours, we're here to create the perfect itinerary to match your ideal trip length.

C) The Top 3 Handpicked Itineraries for a Trip to Egypt

You can check out the following time-smart 1-week itinerary, the classic 10-day itinerary, and the popular 2-week one below.

1) A Popular 14-Day Egypt Itinerary for Couples

This 2-week itinerary is specially designed for couples seeking a well-rounded trip to Egypt. You'll discover the iconic landmarks comfortably, such as the pyramids, the Nile, and the Red Sea.

You could get inspiration from the following itinerary, which forms the basis of many of our clients' Egypt trips.

• Days 1–3 in Cairo (the Giza pyramid complex with a camel ride, the Great Sphinx, the Cairo Citadel, the Egyptian Museum, food tours, the Khan el-Khalili market, Saqqara, and the El Tannoura Dance Show)
• Days 4–5 in Alexandria (the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the Library of Alexandria)
• Day 6: Aswan (Abu Simbel)
• Day 7: a Nile cruise from Aswan (cruise boarding, the Aswan High Dam, the Philae temple complex, and the Unfinished Obelisk)
• Day 8: a Nile cruise (the Edfu Temple and the Kom Ombo Temple)
• Days 9–10 in Luxor (the Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Karnak temple complex, and a sunrise hot-air balloon ride and/or a night city tour by horse-drawn carriage)
• Days 11–14 in Sharm el Sheikh (relax by the Red Sea)

To add an exclusive touch, we've included tailor-made activities for you. Get ready for foodie tours in Cairo, a picture-perfect sunrise balloon ride in Luxor, and a serene sunset felucca trip in Aswan.

For a winding-down tour pace, a beach vacation is great to top off your Egypt trip. While Sharm el Sheikh is a popular choice, the untouched allure of El Quseir is a fantastic alternative. Unwinding in your beachfront hotel is a great option as well. We've selected a range of hotels for you from tranquil resorts to adult-only boutique hotels.

If you're looking for more adventurous experiences, we can customize your itinerary with the Black and White deserts and Mount Sinai.

More itinerary options are suggested in Top 4 Egypt Itineraries for 2 Weeks>>>

16-Day Grand Egypt Tour with White Desert

2) A 10-Day Classic Egypt Itinerary for Families with Teenagers

If you are travelling with active teenagers, look no further than this itinerary. It strikes a perfect balance between educational cultural immersion and thrilling adventures.

You can get some inspiration from the following brief itinerary: Cairo – Aswan – Luxor – Hurghada.

• Days 1–3 in Cairo (exploring multi-generational pyramids by camel riding, the Egyptian Museum, Cairo Citadel, food tours, the Khan el-Khalili market)
• Day 4 in Aswan (the High Dam, the Temple of Philae, and  sunset felucca ride)
• Days 5–6 in Luxor (unveiling the Pharaohs' tombs, sunrise balloon ride and/or a nighttime city tour by horse and carriage)
• Days 7–10 in Hurghada (beach activities like snorkeling and diving, a desert safari day trip to a Bedouin village)

In this itinerary, your school-aged children would love to see the multi-generational pyramids by camel riding, which are frequently seen in their textbooks. Exploring the tombs of the pharaohs in Luxor offers a truly unique and extraordinary experience.

Hunting local food, from the hidden alleys to celebrated restaurants, also creates lasting memories together.   

For an iconic Nile experience, we highly recommend the 1-hour scenic felucca ride in Aswan for energetic kids. You can enjoy the authentic and peaceful Nile view while saving more time for adventures compared to the slow-paced 4-day cruise.

In Hurghada, your children could fully unleash their natural instincts in this snorkeling paradise and its all-in-one family beachfront resorts.

10-Day Egypt Active Family Expedition Tour

3) A Time-Smart 7-Day Egypt Itinerary with a Nile Cruise

Lanter shop in the Khan el-Khalili market

This 1-week itinerary showcases the best of Egypt for first-timers: the pyramids in Cairo, the Nile scenery, and the majestic temples in Luxor and Aswan.

As the cherry on top, the Nile cruise means that you won't have to constantly pack and unpack, plus the backdrop is forever changing.

You could get inspiration from the following itinerary, which forms the Egypt part of many Middle East trips for our clients.

• Days 1–3 in Cairo (the Giza pyramid complex, the Great Sphinx, the Cairo Citadel, food tours, the Khan el-Khalili market, and the Egyptian Museum)
• Day 4: a Nile cruise from Aswan (cruise boarding, the Aswan High Dam, the Philae temple complex, and the Unfinished Obelisk)
• Day 5: a Nile cruise (the Edfu Temple and the Kom Ombo Temple)
• Days 6–7: a Nile cruise to Luxor (the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, the Luxor Temple, and the Karnak temple complex)

Want more options? You can check our handpicked itineraries and the costs for various durations: 5 days, 7 days, 8 days, 10 days, 12 days, and 21 days...

18-Day Egypt Jordan and Israel's Treasures Discovery Tour

D) How Much Does a Trip to Egypt Cost?

A private Egypt tour of 1–2 weeks falls in the price range of US$150–250 per day per person. Children under 10 can receive discounts of between 30% and 50%.

You could get more details about the prices when you look at the following handcrafted private tour. The price is based on a group of 2+ people.

• 16-Day Grand Egypt Tour with White Desert from US$4,362 p/p

Travel with us and you'll experience our special activities, such as a highly-rated personalized service, an immersive cultural show, interesting foodie tours, and sunrise balloon rides in Luxor.

To save some costs, you could get early-bird discounts by booking 1 year in advance with us. Here's an even better one: the more friends or family you bring along, the lower the costs for everyone. If you are celebrating Christmas and the New Year in Egypt, departing before December 20th is also beneficial for obtaining cheaper international flight tickets.

For a better understanding of the cost of an Egypt tour, read How Much Does a Trip to Egypt Cost?

2-Week Egypt and Jordan Family Adventure Tour

E) Best Times to Visit Egypt

Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza

Owing to the desert climate, your Egypt trip is rarely affected by rainfall. But the temperature does affect your trip. For comfortable weather, the best time to visit Egypt is from October to April when the temperature goes below 30°C (86°F). With the best weather comes high prices and large crowds. Early-bird booking at least 6 months in advance is better to secure the best availability and deals in this high season.

When temperatures soar over 30°C (86°F) between May and September, you can expect the lowest crowds and great deals with discounts offered of 30–40% on hotels and flights. During these periods, early May and late September are the best times, offering cooler temperatures as well as lower prices.

If you're planning a summer trip, you're advised to visit the cooler northern cities, such as Cairo, Alexandria, and Hurghada. With our flexible schedules, you can make the most of the cool hours to enjoy outdoor activities, such as in the early mornings and late afternoons.

Check out the monthly weather in Best and Worst Times to Visit Egypt.

12-Day Journey Through Egypt and Jordan's Ancient Lands

F) Getting To and Around Egypt

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, serves as the only entrance for international flights. If you're traveling from Europe or America, there are direct flight options available. For Americans, you can find more budget-friendly options with layovers in London, Frankfurt, or Istanbul. If you depart from Australia and New Zealand, Doha or Dubai are better stopovers due to there being no direct flights.

After landing in Cairo, flights are the fastest and most convenient option for long journeys, such as from Cairo to Aswan. But all flights depart from/to Cairo only.

When flights are not available, private transfers are the least stressful and most hassle-free choice in Egypt, such as from Luxor to Hurghada. For once-in-a-lifetime experiences, you could also consider taking a relaxing Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan.

15-Day Best of Israel Jordan and Egypt Family Tour

G) Is Egypt Safe for Traveling?

As a traveler, yes, with the right behavior, Egypt is safe to travel around in most tourist cities, such as Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Hurghada. For some remote areas, a private tour is helpful to ensure your safety.

Book with us to create a trouble-free Egypt tour, which is tailor-made to reduce risk and suit your needs. You will be escorted by careful and wise local guides with private transport. Your travel expert will always be on call for 24/7 live support.

15-Day Morocco and Egypt Highlights Tour

H) Do I Need a Visa to Go to Egypt?

When traveling to Egypt, most visitors have to apply for a visa. An e-visa is available if you're from the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Contact us for more information.

24-Day Panoramic Middle East Bible Journey

Booking Your Egypt Trips With Us

You are warmly welcomed to have us customize your own trip based on your group size, interests, and other needs. Sit back and use our Create My Trip service.

For inspiration, you could also see the following popular Egypt tours:

• 9-Day Essential Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise
• 10-Day Egypt Family Expedition Tour
• 12-Day Best Egypt Tour with Sharm El Sheikh
• 2-Week Egypt and Jordan Family Adventure Tour
• More Egypt Tours