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Cairo & the Nile Valley: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
Egypt compresses five thousand years into one river valley. The pyramids open the trip at Giza, then Luxor delivers the Valley of the Kings and temples the size of city blocks, and a felucca sail brings you into Aswan as the Nile turns gold. Winter light makes all of it kinder.
Cairo & the Nile Valley is a 900 km one-way journey (bus & ferry). It works best as 6–8 days; the plan below is the 7-day version for November, built from 129 verified places, with timetable-estimated transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 6-day plan · 7-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go
7
days
1380 km
distance
23.0 h
in transit
39
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Winter is the season: 25°C days at the temples instead of the 40°C+ of high summer.
- Heavy transit: day 3 (14h20) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 8 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Cairo → Giza
🌡 7.2–35.6°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 10.5h light
09:00
Egyptian Centre for Culture & Artmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Immerse in traditional Egyptian music and arts.
90 min · Cairo
10:30
Grand Egyptian Museummuseums & heritage
Explore ancient treasures in a modern, expansive museum.
50 min · Cairo
open: 09:00-18:00, W and Sa 09–21
11:20
National Museum of Egyptian Civilizationmuseums & heritage
Experience Egypt's rich heritage through diverse exhibits.
50 min · Cairo · LE550 (students LE300)
open: Daily 9AM-5PM
12:30
Pharaonic Villagehistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Step into a replica ancient village with actors portraying historical scenes.
90 min · Giza
open: 9AM–7PM
14:00
Great Pyramid of Gizahistory & sagas
Stand in awe of the world's most famous monument.
50 min · Giza
open: 8AM-noon, 1-4PM
14:50
Pyramids Sound and Light Showhistory & sagas
Experience history narrated by the Sphinx with a dazzling laser display.
90 min · Giza · LE130
open: Daily 7PM in English, 8PM in another language
16:20
Nile Pharaoh Cruising restauranthistory & sagasboat trips
Dine on international and Egyptian cuisine with a view and belly dancing.
60 min · Giza
18:30
El Mandara Coffee Shoplocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Relax with locals over hookahs, black tea, or Egyptian coffee indoors or outside.
75 min · Giza · LE3-10
Overnight: Giza
e.g. Marriott Mena House
Day 2 Around Giza
🌡 7.2–35.6°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 10.5h light
09:00
Queens' Pyramids and Nobles' Tombshistory & sagas
Explore ancient burial sites and trace the legacy of noble families.
50 min · Giza
09:50
Pyramid of Khafrehistory & sagas
Marvel at this imposing structure, slightly smaller but seemingly taller.
50 min · Giza
10:40
Pyramid of Menkaurehistory & sagas
Admire the smallest pyramid, surrounded by queens' tombs and a temple.
50 min · Giza
11:30
Great Sphinx of Gizahistory & sagas
Behold the enigmatic lion-bodied, human-headed sentinel of Giza.
50 min · Giza
12:20
Cairo Horse Riding Schoolhistory & sagas
Ride compassionate, rehabilitated horses in the desert near the pyramids.
90 min · Giza
13:50
FB Stableshistory & sagas
Enjoy a scenic ride viewing the Pyramids and Sphinx from the desert.
90 min · Giza
15:20
El Gizawy restaurantlocal & traditional
Savor local specialties with a view of the pyramids, popular with locals.
60 min · Giza
Overnight: Giza
e.g. Marriott Mena House
Day 3 Luxor → Edfu
🌡 5.8–38.3°C · 🌧 ~0 rain days · ☀ 10.7h light
09:00
Pharaoh's Stableshistory & sagas
Ride horses to hidden spots along the Nile, including sunset and Nile rides.
90 min · Luxor
open: +20 10 6324961
10:30
Luxor Passport Office
Experience the formal processing of documents in a bustling office.
50 min · Luxor
open: Sa-Th 8AM-4PM
11:20
Hot air balloon rides
Soar silently over ancient temples at sunrise, feeling the gentle breeze.
90 min · Luxor · LE950-1,900, ask around (accommodation a
14:40
Temple of Horus at Edfuhistory & sagas
Marvel at the perfectly preserved columns and carvings of this majestic temple.
50 min · Edfu · Adults LE140, students LE70
open: Daily Oct–May 07:00–16:00, Jun–Sep 07:00–17:00
See the remaining 4 days of the 7-day plan →
Route map
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