7-Day Egypt Adventure from Durban: Cairo, Luxor & Sharm El Sheikh

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo & City Introduction

Morning: Fly from Durban to Cairo (connecting flight via Johannesburg). Check into your hotel and freshen up.

Afternoon: Visit the iconic Egyptian Museum to discover ancient artifacts and treasures.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxing dinner overlooking the Nile River Corniche to soak up Cairo's vibrant atmosphere.

Day 2: Pyramids & Historic Cairo

Morning: Explore the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx with a guided tour.

Afternoon: Visit the Khan El Khalili Bazaar to experience bustling markets and shop for souvenirs.

Evening: Dine at a traditional Egyptian restaurant and consider a short Nile dinner cruise for splendid nighttime views.

Day 3: Fly to Luxor & West Bank Exploration

Morning: Fly from Cairo to Luxor. Check into your hotel and prepare for exploration.

Afternoon: Tour the Valley of the Kings and the impressive Temple of Hatshepsut on Luxor’s West Bank.

Evening: Relax at your hotel or enjoy a quiet stroll in Luxor city center.

Day 4: Balloon Ride & East Bank Highlights

Morning: Experience a breathtaking hot air balloon ride over Luxor at sunrise, followed by breakfast.

Afternoon: Visit the majestic Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.

Evening: Take a short Nile felucca cruise to watch the sunset and unwind.

Day 5: Fly to Sharm El Sheikh & Beach Time

Morning: Fly from Luxor to Sharm El Sheikh. Settle into your beachfront hotel.

Afternoon: Relax on the Naama Bay beaches or snorkel at Ras Mohammed National Park.

Evening: Enjoy a seaside dinner at one of the busy promenade restaurants in Naama Bay.

Day 6: Diving & Desert Safari

Morning: Go for a guided scuba dive or snorkel at the famed coral reefs around Tiran Island.

Afternoon: Rest before embarking on a desert safari with quad biking and Bedouin-style tea.

Evening: Experience a traditional Bedouin dinner and cultural show in the desert camp.

Day 7: Leisure & Departure

Morning: Spend your last hours relaxing by the hotel pool or visiting the Old Market (Sharm Bazaar) for last-minute shopping.

Afternoon: Transfer to Sharm El Sheikh airport for your return flight to Durban (via connecting flights).

Evening: Arrive in Durban, concluding your memorable Egyptian adventure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Flight Durban → Cairo (round trip & intra-Egypt flights): 10-12 hours total, approx. ZAR 7,000 - 9,000 per person
• Egyptian Museum (Cairo): 2 hours, ZAR 120 per person
• Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx: 3 hours, ZAR 300 per person
• Khan El Khalili Bazaar: 2 hours, free entry, shopping optional
• Nile dinner cruise (Cairo): 2 hours, ZAR 350 per person
• Valley of the Kings tour (Luxor): 3 hours, ZAR 250 per person
• Hot air balloon ride (Luxor): 1 hour flight + transfers, ZAR 1,600 per person
• Karnak & Luxor Temples: 3 hours combined, ZAR 200 per person
• Nile felucca cruise (Luxor): 1-2 hours, ZAR 150 per person
• Snorkeling/Ras Mohammed National Park (Sharm El Sheikh): Half day, ZAR 500 per person
• Diving at Tiran Island: Half day, ZAR 1,200 per person
• Desert safari and Bedouin dinner: 4 hours, ZAR 600 per person

Total estimated cost: approximately ZAR 13,000 - 15,000 per person (excluding daily meals and personal expenses)

Tips

To extend your trip, consider adding an extra day in Luxor to visit the Medinet Habu Temple and the Colossi of Memnon, or another day in Sharm El Sheikh for additional diving experiences. To reduce the itinerary, combine the Pyramids visit and Egyptian Museum on a single day in Cairo by starting early, and shorten Sharm El Sheikh’s beach time, focusing on key highlights only.