The grand journey: Egypt in 30 days
A month across Egypt: Cairo, Alexandria and El Alamein, Siwa, Fayoum, the White Desert, Middle Egypt, Abydos and Dendera, Luxor, a Nile cruise, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Red Sea.
Overview
A month is enough to see Egypt from the Mediterranean to Nubia. This journey links the Western Desert oases with the rock tombs of Middle Egypt, the temples of Abydos and Dendera, four nights sailing upstream on the Nile and a final rest by the Red Sea. Each section is confirmed separately in your written quote.
Day by day
- 1
Day 1 · Arrival in Cairo
ArrivalAirport welcome and transfer.
Cairo airport welcome · Cairo
- 2
Days 2–4 · Cairo and Giza
By roadGiza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis.
Pyramids of Giza · Great Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum · Saqqara · Dahshur · Memphis
- 5
Days 5–6 · Museums and Historic Cairo
On footThe Egyptian Museum, the Royal Mummies Hall, Al-Azhar, Khan el-Khalili and Coptic Cairo.
Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) · National Museum of Egyptian Civilization · Historic Cairo · Al-Azhar Mosque · Khan el-Khalili · Coptic Cairo
- 7
Days 7–8 · Alexandria and El Alamein
By roadThe library, the Qaitbay Citadel, the catacombs and the El Alamein memorials.
Alexandria · Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Qaitbay Citadel · Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa · El Alamein memorials
- 9
Days 9–12 · Siwa Oasis
By roadThe long road to Siwa, Shali, the Oracle of Amun, the Great Sand Sea and the drive back to Cairo.
Siwa Oasis · Shali fortress · Temple of the Oracle of Amun · Great Sand Sea
- 13
Day 13 · Fayoum
By roadWadi El-Rayan and Wadi El-Hitan.
Fayoum · Wadi El-Rayan · Wadi El-Hitan (Valley of the Whales)
- 14
Days 14–15 · White Desert
By roadBahariya and a night in the White Desert.
Bahariya Oasis · Black Desert · White Desert
- 16
Days 16–17 · Middle Egypt
By roadMinya, the rock tombs of Beni Hasan and Tell el-Amarna.
Minya · Beni Hasan tombs · Tell el-Amarna
- 18
Day 18 · Abydos and Dendera
By roadThe road south via the temples of Seti I and Hathor to Luxor.
Abydos · Dendera
- 19
Days 19–21 · Luxor
By roadKarnak, Luxor Temple, the West Bank, Medinet Habu and an optional balloon flight.
Karnak · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Medinet Habu · Sunrise balloon (optional)
- 22
Days 22–25 · Nile cruise
On the cruiseFour nights sailing upstream to Aswan via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Nile cruise · Esna lock · Edfu · Kom Ombo
- 26
Days 26–27 · Aswan and Abu Simbel
By roadPhilae, a Nubian village and Abu Simbel.
Philae Temple · Nubian village · Abu Simbel
- 28
Days 28–29 · Red Sea
By roadRoad to Hurghada and a boat day to the Giftun Islands.
Hurghada · Giftun Islands
- 30
Day 30 · Return
DepartureAirport transfer for your flight.
Cairo airport welcome
At a glance
- Duration
- 30 days
- Cities
- Cairo & Giza · Alexandria · Desert & oases · Luxor · Aswan & Abu Simbel · Red Sea
- Pace
- Relaxed
- Best for
- Sabbaticals, retirees, deep-culture travellers
Licensed guide in your language, subject to availability
Included in this program
- All planned road transfers and domestic flights, with 4×4 in the desert
- Four nights on a Nile cruise, with meals as stated by the ship
- Licensed guides on sightseeing days
- Hotel and camp nights as stated in your quote
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses and tips
- Optional activities not in your quote
Road reality
- Cairo ⇄ Alexandria: about 3 h each way by road (≈220 km)
- Cairo ⇄ Siwa: a full day each way by road via Marsa Matruh (≈ 800 km)
- Cairo ⇄ Fayoum: about 2 h each way by road; the last stretch to Wadi El-Hitan is a desert track
- Cairo ⇄ Bahariya: about 4.5–5 h each way by road (≈ 370 km); desert sections by 4×4
- Cairo → Minya: about 4 h by road (≈ 250 km)
- Luxor ⇄ Dendera and Abydos: about 1 h to Dendera and 3 h to Abydos by road
- Aswan → Luxor: 3–4 nights by Nile cruise, or about 3.5 h by road with Kom Ombo and Edfu
- Aswan ⇄ Abu Simbel: about 3.5 h each way by road (≈280 km), early start
- Aswan → Hurghada: about 7 h by road via Luxor and Safaga (≈ 500 km), or a flight connection via Cairo
- Hurghada → Cairo: domestic flight about 1 h (road 5–6 h)
Times are approximate and depend on traffic, season and schedules.
Good to know
- Desert and Middle Egypt sections follow official advisories and permits; we confirm them in writing.
- Best between October and April; each section can be shortened.
Gallery
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Useful for this trip
Written itinerary
Every day in writing before you pay anything.
Reference: WF-0000 · The grand journey: Egypt in 30 days
| Day 1 | Cairo airport welcome · Cairo Arrival |
| Days 2–4 | Pyramids of Giza · Great Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum · Saqqara · Dahshur · Memphis By road |
| Days 5–6 | Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) · National Museum of Egyptian Civilization · Historic Cairo · Al-Azhar Mosque · Khan el-Khalili · Coptic Cairo On foot |
| Days 7–8 | Alexandria · Bibliotheca Alexandrina · Qaitbay Citadel · Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa · El Alamein memorials By road |
| … | |
Relationship: named licensed Egyptian tourism company
Usually included / Not included · cancellation terms stated in writing
Contact us for a quote
Tell us the basics; you receive a WF reference.