10-Day Cultural Immersion Itinerary in Egypt

  • Day 1: The Great Pyramid of Giza
    30 minutes (12.5 miles) from Cairo International Airport

    The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the last standing. You can explore the pyramid, visit the museum, or camel ride through the area to experience the Egyptian culture and history.

  • Day 2: The Egyptian Museum
    20 minutes (6.3 miles) from the Great Pyramid of Giza

    The Egyptian Museum is located in the heart of Cairo and holds thousands of artifacts from the Pharaonic era, including the famous Tutankhamun collection. The museum also offers guided tours, which can add to your educational experience.

  • Day 3: Al-Azhar Mosque
    20 minutes (5 miles) from the Egyptian Museum

    Al-Azhar Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Cairo and has a rich history, dating back to the 10th century. The mosque also offers religious guidance and serves as a hub for the Islamic culture in Egypt.

  • Day 4: Karnak Temple Complex
    1 hour 14 minutes (11.9 miles) from Luxor International Airport

    The Karnak Temple Complex is the largest temple complex in the world, located in Luxor. The complex consists of ancient temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings. The temple complex also offers spectacular light and sound shows and guided tours.

  • Day 5: Valley of the Kings
    15 minutes (3.3 miles) from the Karnak Temple Complex

    The Valley of the Kings is located in Luxor and was the burial site for pharaohs of the New Kingdom. It has been the focus of many excavations and archaeological discoveries. You can visit the tombs and learn about the ancient Egyptian beliefs and customs surrounding death and the afterlife.

  • Day 6: Temple of Abu Simbel
    3 hours 30 minutes (177 miles) from the Valley of the Kings

    The Temple of Abu Simbel is a famous archaeological site in Upper Egypt. The temple is famous for its rock-cut facade depicting King Ramses II and his queen, Nefertari. You can explore the temple and learn about the significance Abu Simbel played in Egyptian history.

  • Day 7: Philae Temple
    51 minutes (32.3 miles) from Aswan International Airport

    Philae Temple is located on an island in the Nile River, and it was built as a temple for the goddess Isis. The temple also has a rich history, dating back to the Ptolemaic era, and was relocated to its current location during the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

  • Day 8: Siwa Oasis
    7 hours 56 minutes (388 miles) from Philae Temple

    The Siwa Oasis is located in the Western Desert and is a scenic place to relax and unwind. The area offers hot springs, mud baths, and touring the Siwa House Museum will provide insight into the lives of the oasis's people. Exploring Siwa and its traditional culture can give you a good overview of rural Egyptian life.

  • Day 9: Khan El-Khalili
    45 minutes (12.7 miles) from Cairo International Airport

    Khan El-Khalili is a famous souk bazaar in Cairo, where you can find all sorts of souvenirs and traditional gifts. The shops, courtyards, and cafes are famous for being designed in traditional Islamic architecture. You can shop, dine, and enter a classic Egyptian atmosphere.

  • Day 10: Saladin Citadel of Cairo
    26 minutes (9.9 miles) from Khan El-Khalili

    The Saladin Citadel of Cairo is an Islamic fortification and it used to be a royal palace. The fortress also has museums and historical landmarks to admire. The area offers a panoramic view of Cairo that is especially beautiful at sunset.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • The Great Pyramid of Giza (3 hours, EGP 200)
  • Egyptian Museum (2 hours, EGP 250)
  • Al-Azhar Mosque (1 hour, free)
  • Karnak Temple Complex (4 hours, EGP 240)
  • Valley of the Kings (2 hours, EGP 240)
  • Temple of Abu Simbel (4 hours, EGP 280)
  • Philae Temple (1 hour, EGP 150)
  • Siwa Oasis (7 hours, EGP 1000)
  • Khan El-Khalili (2 hours, EGP 300)
  • Saladin Citadel of Cairo (1.5 hours, EGP 150)
  • Total Estimated Costs (excluding flights and accommodations): EGP 3,010

Transportation

For longer journeys between cities, consider taking a domestic flight or a private car rental. Within the cities, there are various buses, cabs, and trams, but it is best to negotiate prices before getting into a taxi cab. Renting a bike, quad biking and walking tours are also available.

You can expect to spend between EGP 200 and 2,000 for transportation, depending on style of transportation and distance traveled within Egypt.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you should consider traveling to the Red Sea for some incredible diving or taking a Nile sunset dinner cruise. If you have less time, it is recommended to cut Siwa Oasis for its long journey being quite distant from primary tourist destinations

Airports

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the largest airport in Egypt, and it is located in Cairo, just 14 miles northeast of downtown. Luxor International Airport (LXR) is located in Luxor, 3 miles east of the city center, and Aswan International Airport (ASW) is located in Aswan, 10.7 miles south of the city. The Siwa Oasis is located far from all the traditional traveler's hot spots, so flying to Siwa Matrouh Airport (GSQ) would save considerable time between destinations. It is in the area of Marsa Matrouh, 280 miles from Cairo.

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