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The Ultimate 15 Days in Egypt Itinerary: Pyramids, Nile, Red Sea & Desert

Fifteen days is the perfect duration for a complete Egyptian adventure. Unlike shorter trips that rush through the highlights, a 15-day itinerary allows you to experience the "Grand Slam" of Egypt: the ancient history of the Nile Valley, the urban energy of Cairo, the turquoise relaxation of the Red Sea, and the surreal landscapes of the White Desert. This guide balances high-intensity sightseeing with necessary downtime, ensuring you see the Pyramids, cruise the Nile, and sleep under the stars in the Sahara without burning out.
  • Updated: November 28, 2025

Egypt is not a weekend destination. It is a civilization that spans 5,000 years and two continents. Most travelers make a critical mistake. They try to cram everything into 7 or 8 days. The result? They spend their entire vacation in airports or buses. They get “temple fatigue” by Day 4.  Also, they see the monuments, but they miss the magic. With 15 days, you unlock the luxury of time. 15 days in Egypt allow you to move beyond the standard “Cairo-Luxor-Aswan” route. It opens up the map.

  • The History: You will explore the heavy hitters (Pyramids, Valley of the Kings) without rushing.
  • The Relaxation: You will recharge on the beaches of the Red Sea.
  • The Adventure: You will venture off the beaten path into the White Desert, a surreal landscape of chalky rock formations that resemble the surface of the moon.

The Route This itinerary follows a logical counter-clockwise loop: Cairo → Aswan → Luxor → Hurghada → White Desert → Cairo.

This route minimizes backtrack travel. It mixes culture with nature. Consequently, you get a vacation that feels like three trips in one. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the logistics day by day. We cover the best sleeper trains, the “magic hours” to visit temples to avoid crowds, and exactly where to find the best coral reefs in the Red Sea.

FUN

The Cairo Kickoff (Days 1-3)

Cairo at a Glance What to Know Before You Go

Most people land in Cairo and head straight to a downtown hotel. Do not do this. Downtown Cairo is loud, traffic-choked, and overwhelming for a first-time arrival. Instead, start your trip on the Giza Plateau. Waking up to a view of the Pyramids is the psychological anchor you need for this trip.

Day 1: Arrival & The Plateau Sunset

How many day you need in Cairo for sightseeing and touring the iconic sites

  • Logistics: Land at Cairo International Airport (CAI). Buy your $25 visa sticker at the bank kiosks before passport control.
  • The Transfer: Use Uber or a pre-booked private transfer to get to Giza (approx. 1 hour).
  • The Hotel: Check into a hotel with a “Pyramid View.” High-end: Marriott Mena House. Budget/Mid-range: Great Pyramid Inn or Guardian Guest House.
  • The Activity: Do not enter the complex yet. Have a rooftop dinner at your hotel. Watch the Sound and Light Show from your balcony. Rest.

Day 2: The Heavy Hitters (Giza & Saqqara)

Pyramids sphinx from east side

Start early (8:00 AM). The tour buses arrive at 10:00 AM. Beat them.

  • Morning: The Great Pyramid (Khufu).

  1. Buy the extra ticket to go inside. It is hot, humid, and claustrophobic, but climbing the Grand Gallery is a rite of passage.
  2. The Sphinx: Walk down the causeway to the Valley Temple. Stand before the Sphinx.
  3. The Panorama Point: Hire a camel or horse (negotiate the price firmly beforehand) to take you out to the “9 Pyramids View” in the desert for the iconic photo.

  • Afternoon: Saqqara (The Step Pyramid).

  1. Hire a private driver for the afternoon (Uber is unreliable for the return trip from Saqqara).
  2. Drive 40 minutes south to Saqqara.
  3. See: The Step Pyramid of Djoser (the oldest stone building in the world) and the Pyramid of Teti (for the incredible “Pyramid Texts” inside).

  • Evening: Return to Giza. Sleep early.

Day 3: Urban Cairo & The Night Move

The Core Pillars Must-See Sites on Every Classical Itinerary

Today, you dive into the city. Check out of your hotel and put your bags in the car.

  • Morning: The Egyptian Museum (Tahrir or GEM).

  1. If the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is fully open, go there for the Tutankhamun collection.
  2. If not, visit the historic Tahrir Museum for Old Kingdom masterpieces.

  • Afternoon: The Citadel of Saladin.

  1. Take an Uber to the Citadel. Visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali (The Alabaster Mosque).
  2. The View: This offers the best panoramic view of Cairo. On a clear day, you can see the Pyramids in the distance.

  • Evening: Khan el-Khalili Market.

  1. Get lost in the medieval souk. Buy spices, lamps, or silver.
  2. Dinner: Eat Koshary (Egypt’s national dish) at a local spot like Abou Tarek.

  • The Transit: Head to Ramses Station for the Wataniya Sleeper Train to Aswan (approx. 12 hours) or take a late flight.

Pro Tip:

Download Uber and Careem. They are lifesavers in Cairo. They remove the need to haggle with taxi drivers and overcome the language barrier.

FUN

The Nile Valley (Days 4-8)

Don't Miss the Aswan Souk - Aswan Travel Guide

After the chaos of Cairo, you fly (or take the sleeper train) south to Aswan. This is where the pace slows down. The Nile here is cleaner, bluer, and surrounded by smooth granite boulders. This phase is about the rhythm of the river.

Day 4: Aswan Slow Down

  • Arrival: Arrive in Aswan. Check into your hotel (recommended: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract for luxury or Basma Hotel for mid-range).
  • Morning: Philae Temple.
  1. Take a motorboat to Agilkia Island. This temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and was dismantled and moved block by block by UNESCO to save it from the rising waters of the dam.
  2. Tip: Go early (7:00 AM) to beat the crowds, or late afternoon for the golden light.

  • Afternoon: The Nubian Village.

  1. Take a motorboat to the village of Gharb Soheil.
  2. It is touristy, but the colorful houses and crocodile tanks are iconic. Buy spices (hibiscus/karkadeh) here; they are fresher than in Cairo.

Day 5: The Abu Simbel Convoy

The Best Day Trips from Aswan

This is the earliest wake-up call of the trip, but it is non-negotiable.

  • 04:00 AM: Depart Aswan by private bus/car for the 3-hour drive through the desert to Abu Simbel.
  • 07:00 AM: Arrive at the Great Temple of Ramesses II.
  1. The Sight: Four colossal statues (20 meters high) carved into the mountainside.
  2. The Interior: Walk inside to see the sanctuary that illuminates only twice a year.

  • 1:00 PM: Return to Aswan and board your Nile Cruise.

  1. Lunch: On board.
  2. Afternoon: Felucca ride around Elephantine Island at sunset.

Day 6: Sailing the Nile (Kom Ombo & Edfu)

Crocodile Temple at Kom Ombo Crocodile in ancient Egypt Egypt FunTours

The ship moves today. Enjoy the sundeck.

  • Morning: Kom Ombo Temple.

  1. The ship docks right in front of it.
  2. This is a “double temple” dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus.
  3. Don’t Miss: The Crocodile Museum next door (mummified crocodiles).

  • Afternoon: Edfu Temple.

  1. Take a horse carriage from the dock to the temple.
  2. Significance: It is the best-preserved temple in Egypt. The roof is still intact, so you can feel the true darkness of the sanctuary.

  • Evening: Sail through the Esna Lock (a mechanical marvel) towards Luxor.

Day 7: Luxor West Bank (The City of the Dead)

2-day Luxor tour from Cairo by plane - Egypt Fun Tours

You arrive in Luxor, the world’s greatest open-air museum.

  • Morning: Valley of the Kings.

  1. The Ticket: A standard ticket gets you into 3 tombs.
  2. The Add-On: Pay extra for the Tomb of Seti I (KV17). It is expensive (approx. $50 USD), but it is the finest tomb in the valley.
  3. Also See: The Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62) – small, but historic.
  • Mid-Day: Hatshepsut’s Temple: The terraced architecture built into the cliff face at Deir el-Bahri.
  • Afternoon: Stop at the Colossi of Memnon (two massive statues) on the way back to the ship.

Day 8: Luxor East Bank & Departure

Christmas Tours Event - 4-day-christmas-nile-cruise

  • Morning: Karnak Temple: This is the largest religious complex ever built. The Highlight: The Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 massive columns.
  • Late Morning: Luxor Temple: Located right in the city center. It connects to Karnak via the newly reopened Avenue of Sphinxes.
  • The Move: In the afternoon, take a private car or Go Bus to Hurghada (approx. 4 hours). It is time for the beach.

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FUN

The Red Sea Reset (Days 9-11)

The Red Sea Riviera Sun, Sand, and Sea - Best Egypt Destinations

By Day 9, you will likely suffer from “Temple Fatigue.” You have seen thousands of hieroglyphs. You have walked miles in the heat. Now, you need a break.

Hurghada is the cure. Located on the Red Sea coast, it offers some of the clearest water and best coral reefs in the world. This phase is about doing as little—or as much—as you want.

Day 9: The Transfer & Recovery

  • The Drive: Take a private car or Go Bus from Luxor to Hurghada. Duration: It takes about 4 hours. The road winds through the Eastern Desert mountains. It is a scenic, Stark landscape.
  • Check-In: Choose a resort that fits your style. Sahl Hasheesh: For luxury, silence, and pristine beaches. El Gouna: For a modern, European vibe with canals, marinas, and nightlife. Sheraton Road: For the hustle and bustle of the city center.
  • The Agenda: Do nothing. Lie on a sunbed. Order a drink. Swim in the turquoise water. Let your brain process the history you just saw.

Day 10: Into the Blue (Snorkeling & Diving)

Scuba diving - port ghalib diving excursion

You cannot visit the Red Sea without seeing what is under the surface.

  • The Boat Trip: Book a day trip to Giftun Island (specifically, Orange Bay or Paradise Island). The water here is shallow, warm, and crystal clear. It looks like the Maldives.
  • The Activity: Snorkeling: The boat will stop at two distinct coral reefs on the way to the island. What you’ll see: Clownfish, massive coral fans, blue-spotted rays, and often wild dolphins swimming alongside the boat.
  • Evening: Fresh seafood dinner at the Hurghada Marina.

Day 11: The Desert Safari

super safari from safaga bu quads Egypt Fun Tours

You have seen the ancient desert (tombs). Now experience the living desert.

  • Afternoon: Book a Quad Bike Safari: A jeep picks you up and takes you to a station in the desert. You drive your own ATV (quad bike) across the dunes.
  • The Bedouin Village: You ride to a traditional Bedouin camp. Drink sweet tea. Watch the woman baking flatbread on hot metal. The Sunset: Watch the sun drop behind the Red Sea mountains. It is violent and beautiful.
  • The Move: Late in the evening, take a domestic flight back to Cairo (1 hour) or the overnight bus. You need to be in Cairo to launch the final leg of the trip.

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The Wildcard (The White Desert) (Days 12-13)

3-day desert safari trip from Cairo—Egypt Fun Tours

Most tourists never leave the Nile Valley. They miss the Western Desert. For the next two days, you will trade luxury hotels for a tent under the Milky Way. You are heading to the White Desert National Park, a landscape of chalky rock formations that resemble the surface of the moon.

Day 12: Into the Sahara (Black & White)

  • 07:00 AM: Your driver picks you up in Cairo. The drive to the Bahariya Oasis takes about 4–5 hours. The road is straight, empty, and hypnotic.
  • 12:00 PM: Arrive at Bahariya. Switch from your sedan/bus to a 4×4 Land Cruiser.

    • Lunch: Traditional Bedouin meal in the oasis.

  • The Black Desert: Your first stop. These are cone-shaped mountains covered in black volcanic basalt. It looks like Mordor.
  • Crystal Mountain: A ridge made entirely of quartz crystals. You can pick them up (but put them back).
  • Agabat Valley: The “Valley of Wonders.” Massive limestone walls rise from the yellow sand. This is where you go sandboarding down the dunes.
  • The White Desert Camp:
  1. Arrive at the White Desert just before sunset.
  2. The Scene: The wind has carved the white chalk into surreal shapes: The Mushroom, The Chicken, The Rabbit.
  3. Dinner: The Bedouin guides cook chicken and rice over an open fire.
  4. The Night: You sleep in tents (or just sleeping bags) under a sky so clear you can see satellites moving with the naked eye.

Day 13: Sunrise & Return

  • The Magic Hour: Wake up before dawn. The rising sun turns the white chalk purple and pink. It is the best photography moment of the entire trip.
  • Breakfast: Coffee and bread in the silence of the desert.
  • The Return: Drive back to Bahariya Oasis to shower and switch cars.
  • The Drive: Head back to Cairo, arriving in the late afternoon (approx. 5:00 PM).
  • Check-In: Book a hotel in Downtown Cairo or Zamalek for your final nights. You are done with the desert; now you want the city energy.

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15 Days in Egypt: The Final Touches (Days 14-15)

Top Historical Sites & Landmarks Alexandria Travel Guide

You have survived the desert and the deep south. Now, you are back in Cairo. For your final full day, you have a choice. You can either look north to the Mediterranean or look inward to the spiritual heart of the city.

Day 14: Choose Your Own Adventure

Option A: The Alexandria Day Trip (The Mediterranean). If you have energy left, hire a driver for the 2.5-hour drive north to Alexandria.

  • The Vibe: It feels European, Greek, and melancholic. It is the city of memories.
  • The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa: A bizarre mix of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art carved underground.
  • The Citadel of Qaitbay: Built on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the Seven Wonders).
  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina: The modern, stunning revival of the ancient library.
  • Lunch: Fresh fish overlooking the Mediterranean harbor.

Option B: Coptic & Islamic Cairo (The City of 1,000 Minarets) If you prefer to stay in Cairo, dive into its religious history.

2 Days Cairo Tour Package

  • Morning (Coptic Cairo): Visit the Hanging Church (built on top of a Roman fortress gate) and the cavernous Abu Serga Church (where the Holy Family is said to have hidden).
  • Afternoon (Islamic Cairo): Walk down Al-Moez Street. It is one of the oldest streets in Cairo, lined with Mamluk mosques, madrassas, and palaces. It is an open-air museum of Islamic architecture.
  • Sunset: Al-Azhar Park. It offers a lush green view over the Citadel and the city skyline.

Day 15: Departure

  • Last Minute Souvenirs: If you missed anything, head to the shops in Zamalek for high-quality cotton or papyrus.
  • The Airport: Cairo traffic is unpredictable. Leave your hotel 4 hours before your flight.
  • The Goodbye: As you fly out, look down. You will see the Nile cutting through the desert—the green ribbon of life you just spent two weeks exploring.

The Grand Slam

Fifteen days in Egypt is not just a vacation; it is an education. You have done what most tourists never do.

  • You didn’t just see the Pyramids; you saw the White Desert.
  • Didn’t just cruise the Nile; you swam in the Red Sea.
  • You didn’t just visit Cairo; you touched the borders of Nubia.

This itinerary is designed to break the “temple fatigue” cycle. By mixing history, nature, and relaxation, you ensure that every sunrise—whether over a temple, a beach, or a chalk rock—feels fresh. You have traveled through 5,000 years of history. Now, it is time to go home and sleep for a week.

Logistics & FAQ

How much does 15 days in Egypt cost?

  • Budget (Backpacker): $800 – $1,200 per person (Hostels, street food, trains).
  • Mid-Range: $1,500 – $2,500 per person (3-4 star hotels, private guides, domestic flights).
  • Luxury: $4,000+ per person (5-star hotels like the Old Cataract, private drivers, private boat charters).

When is the best time for this itinerary?

Because this trip includes the White Desert, the best time is from October to April.

  • Summer (May-Sept): The desert is dangerously hot, and camping is unpleasant.
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Nights in the desert will be freezing (bring layers), but the days are perfect for temples.

Is it safe to camp in the White Desert?

Yes. The White Desert is a designated national park and is safe for tourists. However, you must go with a licensed Bedouin guide who knows the terrain and has the necessary permits.

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