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Cairo & the Nile Valley — a 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
The 8-day version for November: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · 7-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go.
8
days
1380 km
distance
23.0 h
in transit
46
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 4 (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 Around Giza
🌡 7.2–35.6°C · 🌧 ~2 rain days · ☀ 10.5h light
09:00
Giza Zoo
Visit an old-fashioned zoo near the riverside, with varied animal exhibits.
90 min · Giza
10:30
Orman Botanical Garden
90 min · Giza · LE5 per person and LE20 per car
open: 9AM–4PM
12:00
Mena House Oberoi Golf Course
90 min · Giza
13:30
Egyptian Museummuseums & heritage
Discover timeless artifacts in a historic setting.
50 min · Cairo · Adult 550 LE, student: 275 LE; photograp
14:20
Cairo Jazz Clublocal & traditional
Swing to live music in a cozy, vibrant atmosphere.
90 min · Cairo
open: Daily 5PM-3AM
15:50
[[Dahshurhistory & sagas
Walk among unique pyramids in a tranquil setting.
50 min · Cairo
16:40
Khufu’s Restaurantlocal & traditional
Enjoy traditional Egyptian dishes while taking in pyramid views.
60 min · Giza
Overnight: Giza
e.g. Marriott Mena House
Day 4 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
Day 5 Edfu
🌡 7.5–39.7°C · 🌧 ~0 rain days · ☀ 10.8h light
10:50
St. Pachomius Monastery
Sense the serene, spiritual atmosphere in this active Coptic monastery.
50 min · Edfu
Overnight: Edfu
e.g. Massa Hotel · Horus Hotel
Day 6 Edfu → Aswan
🌡 7.5–39.7°C · 🌧 ~0 rain days · ☀ 10.8h light
11:10
Nubian Museumhistory & sagasmuseums & heritage
Discover the rich history of Nubia through well-curated exhibits and artifacts.
50 min · Aswan · Adults , students
open: Daily 9AM–5PM. Also Th–F 6PM–9PM
12:00
Kubbet el-Hawahistory & sagaslocal & traditional
Enjoy panoramic views of Aswan and the Nile from this scenic shrine/tomb.
50 min · Aswan · included in Tombs of the Nobles
12:50
Elephantine Island: Nubian Villages & Aswan Museummuseums & heritage
Explore vibrant Nubian villages and learn history at the local museum.
50 min · Aswan · , for students
13:40
Philae Templehistory & sagas
Appreciate the classical Egyptian architecture of this relocated temple dedicated to Isis.
50 min · Aswan · , students ; roof (panorama) , students
14:30
Kalabsha Templehistory & sagas
Marvel at relocated ruins, dedicated to the Nubian sun god amidst lush greenery.
50 min · Aswan · , students
Overnight: Edfu
e.g. Massa Hotel · Horus Hotel
Day 7 Aswan
🌡 7.2–39.4°C · 🌧 ~0 rain days · ☀ 10.8h light
11:10
Aswan Botanical Gardensboat trips
Wander among diverse plant species and birds on a serene island garden.
50 min · Aswan · (as of 12/2021) (price listed 2021)
open: Ticket office closes at 6PM during summer and 5PM during winter times.
12:00
Monastery of St Simeonhistory & sagas
Feel the ancient history in the ruins of this early Christian stronghold.
50 min · Aswan · , students
open: October-May 8AM-4PM; June-September 7AM-5PM
12:50
Unfinished Obeliskhistory & sagas
Gaze at the massive stone block, abandoned due to a crack, in the quarry.
50 min · Aswan · , students
13:40
Mausoleum of Mohammed Shah Aga Khanhistory & sagas
See the elegant exterior of this tomb of a revered Islamic leader.
50 min · Aswan
14:30
Gerf Husseinhistory & sagas
Discover a reconstructed temple, echoing tales of Ramesses II's might.
50 min · Aswan
15:20
Trajan's Kioskhistory & sagas
Stand beneath towering columns, tracing ancient carvings under the open sky.
50 min · Aswan
16:10
Aswan Moonlocal & traditionalbudget eats
Enjoy flavorful fish and crab soup, watched by cheerful service.
60 min · Aswan · Mezze LE4-9; pizza LE19-25; kebob LE25; (price listed 2017)
Day 8 Around Aswan
🌡 7.2–39.4°C · 🌧 ~0 rain days · ☀ 10.8h light
09:00
Beit el-Walihistory & sagas
Observe vibrant, relocated rock-cut art honoring Ramesses II and gods.
50 min · Aswan
09:50
Dedwenhistory & sagas
Sense the sacred aura of a serpent goddess shrine within Kalabsha's walls.
50 min · Aswan
10:40
Rent a bikeboat trips
Pedal smoothly across the bridge, feeling the gentle Nile breeze.
90 min · Aswan
12:10
Camel ridesboat trips
Troddle gently on a camel's back, heading towards ancient monastery ruins.
90 min · Aswan
13:40
Tea with the local shopkeeperslocal & traditional
Sip tea, exchanging smiles and English practice with friendly locals.
90 min · Aswan
15:10
Ferial Gardens
Stroll leisurely through lush, tranquil gardens along the Nile Corniche.
50 min · Aswan
open: 10AM–6:55PM
16:00
Al-Masry Restaurantcoffee & bakes
Savor juicy kafta and tender kebabs, paired with fresh salads.
60 min · Aswan