How to spend 10 unforgettable days in Egypt

Egypt has a way of making 5,000 years of history feel surprisingly immediate. You can stand inside a pharaoh’s tomb in the morning, sail the Nile before sunset and end your evening eating somewhere that feels decidedly modern. The challenge isn’t finding things to do. It’s figuring out how to fit them into 10 days without needing a vacation from your vacation. For a first visit, resist trying to see everything. Cairo, Giza, Luxor and Aswan create an itinerary that delivers the Egypt you came looking for while leaving enough time to actually enjoy it.

Start where it all gets very real

Days one through three belong to Cairo and Giza. Use your first day to settle into Cairo before exploring the city and its food scene. The following morning, head straight for the Giza Plateau. The Great Pyramid of Khufu remains the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, while the wider complex includes the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, tombs, temples and, of course, the Great Sphinx.

Dedicate day three to the Grand Egyptian Museum. This isn’t something you squeeze into an afternoon. The sprawling complex includes the Tutankhamun Galleries, Main Galleries, Grand Hall, Grand Stairs and Khufu’s Boats Museum. If there’s still energy left, venture into historic Cairo or wander Khan el-Khalili before dinner.

Go south to Luxor

Fly—or take the train—to Luxor for days four through six. Regular connections link Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, making this stretch relatively easy to navigate. Luxor is essentially an open-air museum divided by the Nile. Start on the East Bank with the enormous Karnak complex and Luxor Temple before dedicating the following day to the West Bank.

This is where you’ll find the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s striking Temple of Deir el-Bahari. If you’re willing to sacrifice some sleep, book an early-morning hot-air-balloon ride for an entirely different perspective over Luxor’s landscape. Use day six to slow down. Walk the 3,000-year-old Sphinx Avenue, explore the Luxor Museum or simply find a rooftop overlooking the Nile and give your feet a much-needed break.

Finish on the Nile

Days seven through nine take you farther south to Aswan, where the pace noticeably changes. Visit Philae Temple, accessible by boat, explore Nubian culture and make time for a felucca ride on the Nile. Aswan is where Egypt starts feeling less like an archaeological marathon and more like an actual holiday. Save day nine for Abu Simbel. The colossal temples of Ramesses II overlooking Lake Nasser are far enough from Aswan to require commitment, but they’re also among the country’s genuine bucket-list sights. On day 10, return to Cairo for your flight home.

Know before you go

Egypt is a year-round destination, but its official tourism authority describes winter as mild, while summers—particularly in the south—can be extremely hot. Pack breathable clothing, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and something appropriate for covering shoulders and legs at religious sites. And don’t treat the trip like a race. Egypt rewards the traveller who occasionally stops looking at the itinerary. Ten days won’t let you see everything. But it’s more than enough time to understand why you’ll want to come back.