10-Day Egypt Tours

Experience Egypt: Ultimate 10-Day Journey Through Ancient Wonders

Your dream Egypt adventure starts with ten days.

Ten days gives you enough time to explore the Great Pyramids at sunrise, cruise the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan, and discover Abu Simbel’s magnificent temples. We’ve designed countless 10-day Egypt tours that blend iconic sights with authentic experiences, ensuring you see both the famous landmarks and hidden treasures that most travelers miss. Our private Egyptologist guides bring ancient stories to life while you walk through the Valley of Kings, marvel at Karnak Temple, and explore the Egyptian Museum’s incredible collection.

This comprehensive itinerary balances must-see attractions with comfortable pacing, allowing time to absorb each destination’s significance while enjoying top-rated accommodations and seamless transportation throughout your journey.

Planning Your Perfect 10-Day Egypt Adventure

Start planning at least three months ahead for the best experience.

Flight bookings to Cairo typically offer better rates when reserved early, especially during peak season from October to April. We recommend arriving at Cairo International Airport by early afternoon to maximize your first day. Our airport representatives meet every client personally, handling visa procedures and ensuring smooth transfers to your hotel.

Visa Requirements Made Simple

U.S. travelers can obtain a tourist visa on arrival for $25 USD, valid for 30 days. The process takes 15-20 minutes at dedicated visa counters before immigration.

European Union citizens follow the same procedure, while Canadian and Australian visitors also qualify for visa-on-arrival services. Latin American travelers from most countries can apply online through Egypt’s e-visa system 7-14 days before departure.

Best Travel Seasons

October through April offers ideal temperatures ranging from 20-25°C (68-77°F) during the day. Summer months reach 40°C (104°F) in southern Egypt, making outdoor exploration challenging between 11:00 am (11:00) and 4:00 pm (16:00). We schedule temple visits during cooler morning and late afternoon hours, ensuring comfortable sightseeing regardless of season.

Packing Essentials

Comfortable walking shoes are crucial for pyramid exploration and temple visits. Lightweight, modest clothing respects local customs while keeping you cool.

Don’t forget sun protection, as shade can be limited at archaeological sites.

Days 1-3: Cairo’s Ancient Treasures

Cairo welcomes you with an extraordinary blend of pharaonic monuments and vibrant contemporary culture that spans over 5,000 years of continuous civilization.

Your first morning takes you to the Giza plateau, home to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Standing 146 meters (481 feet) tall, this architectural masterpiece required over 2.3 million stone blocks. The Great Sphinx guards the complex with its enigmatic smile, carved from a single limestone outcrop during the Fourth Dynasty. We arrange camel rides at sunset, offering spectacular photo opportunities with the pyramids silhouetted against golden desert light.

The Egyptian Museum houses the world’s most extensive collection of pharaonic artifacts, including Tutankhamun’s golden burial mask and the royal mummy collection. King Tut’s treasures occupy an entire wing, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of ancient Egyptian artisans. Our Egyptologist guides explain the significance of each artifact, making connections between objects and the rulers who once wore them.

Islamic Cairo Exploration

The medieval streets of Islamic Cairo contain over 600 mosques, madrasas, and monuments dating from the Fatimid through Ottoman periods.

Khan el-Khalili bazaar offers authentic shopping experiences where skilled craftsmen still practice traditional metalwork, jewelry making, and textile production. The Citadel of Saladin provides panoramic city views while housing several historic mosques.

Coptic Cairo Heritage

Egypt’s Christian heritage comes alive in Coptic Cairo, where the Holy Family reportedly stayed during their flight to Egypt. The Hanging Church, suspended above Roman fortress walls, contains beautiful wooden screens and ancient icons. Ben Ezra Synagogue marks the spot where baby Moses was allegedly found, connecting Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions in one remarkable neighborhood.

Luxury Nile Cruise: Sailing Between Luxor

Board your Egypt Nile Cruise in Luxor for four days of scenic river sailing combined with extraordinary temple visits along the Nile’s banks.

Modern cruise vessels offer spacious cabins with private balconies, full-service spas, and sun decks perfect for watching rural Egyptian life unfold along the riverbanks. For a more intimate and traditional experience, travelers may also choose a dahabiya cruise, known for its smaller size, quiet sailing, and relaxed pace on the Nile.

Meals feature international cuisine alongside traditional Egyptian dishes, while evening entertainment includes folkloric shows and Nubian music performances. The gentle pace allows time to read, relax, and process the incredible sights you’ll experience at each port of call.

Luxor serves as your embarkation point, often called the world’s greatest open-air museum. The Valley of Kings contains 63 discovered tombs, including those of Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, and Seti I. Each tomb features unique wall paintings and hieroglyphic texts from the Book of the Dead, designed to guide pharaohs through their afterlife journey. Karnak Temple complex spans over 100 hectares (247 acres), with construction spanning 2,000 years and contributions from dozens of pharaohs.

Temple Hopping Along the River

Edfu Temple, dedicated to falcon-god Horus, stands as Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temple. Built during the Ptolemaic period, its walls contain detailed reliefs depicting the eternal struggle between good and evil. Kom Ombo’s unique double design honors both Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon god, with perfectly symmetrical halls and sanctuaries.

The cruise includes small group excursions with up to 12 participants, ensuring intimate experiences without crowded tour bus atmosphere. Professional guides share archaeological insights while allowing time for personal reflection and photography at each sacred site.

Aswan’s Nubian Culture and Engineering Marvels

Aswan showcases a gentler side of Egypt where Nubian traditions blend with pharaonic monuments and modern engineering achievements.

The Philae Temple complex, relocated stone by stone to Agilkia Island, demonstrates remarkable international cooperation in preserving cultural heritage.

Dedicated to Isis, goddess of magic and motherhood, these temples feature some of Egypt’s most beautiful reliefs and hieroglyphic inscriptions. Evening sound and light shows illuminate the monument while narrating the legend of Isis and Osiris.

The High Dam Achievement

Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, created Lake Nasser while controlling the Nile’s annual flood cycle. This massive concrete structure stretches 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles) across the Nile and stands 111 meters (364 feet) tall. The project required relocating several ancient monuments, including Abu Simbel, demonstrating Egypt’s commitment to balancing progress with heritage preservation.

Nubian villages offer authentic cultural experiences where colorful houses line the Nile’s banks and traditional crafts continue through family generations. Boat trips to Elephantine Island reveal archaeological sites dating to ancient Egypt’s southern frontier, where pharaohs monitored trade routes to sub-Saharan Africa.

Abu Simbel: Ramesses II’s Desert Masterpiece

Abu Simbel represents ancient Egypt’s most dramatic architectural statement, carved directly into cliff faces overlooking Lake Nasser.

The Great Temple’s four colossal statues of Ramesses II, each standing 20 meters (65 feet) tall, announce the pharaoh’s power to anyone approaching from the south. Built in the 13th century BC, this UNESCO World Heritage site celebrates Ramesses II’s military victories while honoring the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun-Ra, and Ptah. The smaller temple honors Queen Nefertari, Ramesses II’s beloved wife, with her statues standing equal in size to the pharaoh’s – unprecedented in Egyptian art.

Inside the Great Temple, eight pillars shaped like Osiris support the hypostyle hall while battle scenes cover the walls depicting the famous Battle of Kadesh. The sanctuary contains four seated statues, and twice yearly on February 22 and October 22, sunlight penetrates 60 meters (197 feet) into the temple to illuminate three of the four figures.

The entire complex was dismantled and relocated 65 meters (213 feet) higher between 1964-1968 to save it from flooding when Lake Nasser was created. This extraordinary UNESCO rescue operation involved cutting the monuments into 1,036 blocks, each weighing up to 30 tons, then reassembling them with millimeter precision.

Planning Your Abu Simbel Visit

Early morning flights from Aswan take 45 minutes, allowing you to explore the temples before afternoon heat becomes intense. Road trips require 3.5 hours each way through desert landscapes but offer opportunities to see Lake Nasser’s vastness and occasional wildlife sightings. We recommend overnight stays in Aswan to maximize your Abu Simbel experience without rushing.

Red Sea Relaxation: Desert Meets Ocean

Complete your Egyptian adventure with two days along the Red Sea coast, where world-class resorts meet extraordinary marine ecosystems. This extension is a key part of our Cairo and Red Sea holiday itineraries, designed to balance cultural discovery with coastal relaxation.

Hurghada offers luxury beachfront accommodations with direct access to coral reefs teeming with colorful fish species. The clear, warm waters maintain temperatures between 22-28°C (72-82°F) year-round, perfect for snorkeling and diving activities. Many resorts feature private beaches, multiple pools, and spa services designed to help you unwind after intensive sightseeing.

Underwater adventures reveal some of the world’s most pristine coral formations. The Red Sea contains over 200 coral species and 1,100 fish species, including parrotfish, angelfish, and occasional dolphin sightings. Diving excursions cater to all skill levels, from shallow reef snorkeling to advanced wreck diving experiences.

Desert safari adventures combine four-wheel driving through Eastern Desert landscapes with Bedouin cultural experiences. Traditional dinner camps feature authentic cuisine, folk music, and stargazing opportunities far from city light pollution. Camel trekking and quad biking offer alternative ways to explore the dramatic terrain between the Nile Valley and Red Sea coast.

Practical Tips for Your Egyptian Journey

Currency and payments require some advance planning for smooth transactions throughout your trip.

Egyptian pounds (EGP) are the local currency, though U.S. dollars and euros are widely accepted at tourist sites and hotels. ATMs are readily available in major cities, but carry cash for smaller vendors and tip money. We recommend exchanging money at banks or authorized exchange offices rather than airports for better rates. Credit cards work at upscale establishments, though Visa and Mastercard have broader acceptance than American Express.

Tipping, known locally as “baksheesh,” is customary and expected for various services. Restaurant servers typically receive 10-15% of the bill, while hotel staff, guides, and drivers appreciate 20-50 EGP for good service. Keep small bills handy, as making change can sometimes be challenging.

Communication stays easy with international roaming or local SIM cards available at Cairo airport. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels and many restaurants, though connection speeds vary outside major cities. We provide 24/7 support throughout your journey, ensuring assistance is always available when needed.

Creating Lasting Memories: Photography and Cultural

Capturing Egypt’s wonders requires understanding local customs while maximizing photographic opportunities.

Photography permits are required inside some tombs and museums, typically costing 100-300 EGP depending on the location. The Great Pyramid’s interior and King Tutankhamun’s tomb require special tickets with limited daily availability. We help secure permits in advance, ensuring you can photograph the experiences most important to you.

Respect local customs when photographing people, especially in rural areas and religious sites. Always ask permission before taking portraits, and consider offering to show subjects their photos on your camera screen. Many Egyptians are proud to share their heritage but appreciate courteous approaches.

Morning and late afternoon provide the best lighting for monument photography, avoiding harsh midday shadows while capturing golden hour warmth. The Great Sphinx faces east, making sunrise shots particularly dramatic. Nile cruise sunsets offer spectacular opportunities with feluccas and monuments silhouetted against colorful skies.

Religious sites require modest dress regardless of gender. Cover shoulders and knees, and women should carry scarves for mosque visits. Remove shoes before entering mosque prayer areas, and maintain quiet, respectful behavior throughout religious sites.

Traveling with local experts makes navigating cultural etiquette effortless.
Our thoughtfully planned tour packages to Egypt ensure you experience the country respectfully, comfortably, and at the right moments — without missing a single unforgettable scene.

Frequently Asked Questions