3-Week Egypt Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Egypt tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffEgypt travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Day Egypt Itinerary, incl. Cairo and Alexandria

  A 21-day Egyptian adventure through 9 cities from Cairo to Alexandria. A luxurious blend of a 3-night Nile cruise, 5 nights in Hurghada, 4 nights in Sharm El Sheikh, with visits to over 15 major sites including Pyramids, Valley of Kings, and Karnak Temple. Costs approx. $140 per day including accommodation.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Cairo & Giza

    Land in Cairo and meet your guide at the airport. Book afternoon flights to avoid morning traffic jams. Start your Giza Plateau visit early at 8:00 AM before crowds fill the site and temperatures rise. You'll see the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre's Pyramid and the Sphinx. Visit the Egyptian Museum in the afternoon when it's less crowded.

    
  • Days 3-6

    Aswan & Nile Cruise

    Take the overnight train to Aswan. Choose upper berths for a smoother ride. Visit the High Dam and Philae Temple in Aswan early for better photos. Start your 3-night Nile cruise with stops at Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu. "The temple of Kom Ombo is uniquely dual-dedicated to both Sobek and Horus. Bring a good camera as the hieroglyphics here are exceptionally well-preserved."

    
  • Days 7-8

    Luxor

    Visit the Valley of the Kings first thing before it gets too hot inside the tombs. See Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Spend day 8 at Karnak and Luxor Temples. "Book the Karnak Sound & Light show. While touristy, seeing the temples illuminated at night offers a completely different perspective."

    
  • Days 9-13

    Hurghada

    Spend five days relaxing on the Red Sea coast. Try snorkeling, desert safaris or boat trips. "Book snorkeling trips through your hotel rather than street vendors. They're more reliable and usually include better equipment."

    
  • Days 14-17

    Sharm El Sheikh

    Take the 2-hour ferry from Hurghada. Four days here gives you time for world-class diving, beaches and trips to Ras Mohammed National Park or the Colored Canyon. Take motion sickness pills for the ferry if needed.

    
  • Days 18-19

    Alexandria

    Fly to Cairo then drive to Alexandria (3 hours). Visit the modern Library, Pompey's Pillar and the Catacombs. "The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are incredibly well-preserved but quite steep. Wear good shoes with grip as the limestone steps can be slippery."

    
  • Days 20-21

    Cairo

    Back to Cairo for final sightseeing and shopping at Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Visit Coptic Cairo or Islamic Cairo if you haven't already. Most bazaar shops open after 10 AM.

    

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• 20 Day Egypt Itinerary, incl. Cairo and Luxor

  A grand 20-day tour through 12 Egyptian cities including Cairo, Luxor, and Alexandria. Highlights feature 4 nights Nile cruise, 4 nights desert camping, and luxury hotel stays. Expert guides lead comprehensive tours of ancient sites, with all entrance fees and domestic flights included.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Cairo & Pyramids

    Start in Cairo. Schedule airport pickup 4 hours before international flights to account for heavy traffic. Visit the Pyramids early at 8:00 AM before crowds arrive. Spend a full morning at the Egyptian Museum focusing on the Tutankhamun collection when you're fresh. "The guides all went far beyond expectations, though prepare for intense city traffic," noted one traveler.

    
  • Days 3-7

    Desert Safari

    Take a 4-hour drive west to Bahariya Oasis for your desert adventure. The White Desert camping stands out as a highlight. "We especially loved camping in the White Desert, driving off road and seeing a stunning sunset," one reviewer shared. Pack warm clothes for cold nights. Basic bathrooms are available at campsites. Visit crystal formations and black mountains on your way to Farafra and Dakhla Oases.

    
  • Days 8-12

    Luxor & Nile Cruise

    Fly from Kharga to Luxor instead of taking the long drive. Start with East Bank temples. Visit Karnak Temple early for the best morning light. Consider a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings for excellent views. Take the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo temples. Be aware that some ships are older and you might hear generator noise at night.

    
  • Days 13-16

    Sharm El Sheikh

    Fly from Aswan to Sharm for beach time and snorkeling. "This was the most relaxing portion - everything was super," according to one traveler. Take optional trips to Tiran Islands for great reefs. The resort area offers a nice break from sightseeing.

    
  • Days 17-20

    Alexandria & Final Cairo

    Drive 3 hours to Alexandria to see the modern library and ancient catacombs. Finish in Cairo exploring Islamic Cairo and Coptic sites. Book a dinner cruise on your final night for city views.

    

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• 17 Day Egypt & Jordan Itinerary, incl. Cairo and Petra

  The historic sites of 10 Egyptian cities unfold over 17 days, from Cairo to Luxor. Marvel at the Great Pyramids, Abu Simbel temple, Valley of the Kings, and multiple UNESCO sites while enjoying comfortable hotels and a desert camp. Costs approx. $410 per day.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Amman, Jordan

    Your trip starts with an airport transfer to Amman. The next day brings a 2-hour drive to the Roman ruins of Jerash. Stop for lunch at a local women-run café that supports the community. In the afternoon, visit the Jordan Archaeological Museum and Citadel. Pack a water bottle and hat for the afternoon heat. The Citadel's steps can be tricky, so good walking shoes are essential.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Petra Region

    A 3-4 hour drive along the King's Highway takes you to Petra. Stop to see Mount Nebo and the Byzantine mosaics in Madaba. Learn about current excavations from an archaeologist before spending a full day in Petra. Start at 7 AM to avoid crowds and peak heat. Walking the Siq takes about 30 minutes. The evening candlelit experience is worth considering (17 JOD).

    
  • Day 5

    Wadi Rum Desert

    Drive 2.5 hours to the red sands of Wadi Rum. Take a 4x4 desert tour and watch the sunset before camping overnight. Pack warm clothes since desert nights get cold, particularly from November to February. You'll stay in a comfortable desert camp with private bathrooms.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Dead Sea & Bethany

    A 3.5-hour drive brings you to the Dead Sea. Stop at a community café for lunch. Swimming tip: bring water shoes since the salt crystals can hurt your feet. The area is remote with few restaurants outside hotels. Visit Bethany's baptism site before heading back to Amman for your Egypt flight.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Cairo

    After a short flight to Cairo (1h15m), get settled in. Visit the Pyramids early next day around 8:30 AM before the crowds arrive. Learn about sustainable farming and cook traditional Egyptian food with the Nawaya project. Visit Sakkara's pyramids in the afternoon but remember sun protection.

    
  • Days 10-11

    Aswan & Abu Simbel

    Fly to Aswan (1h30m) to see the Philae Temple and enjoy dinner with a Nubian family. The next day, take a 45-minute flight to Abu Simbel's impressive temples. The Philae Temple light show is available in the evening (70 USD).

    
  • Days 12-14

    Luxor

    Drive north by the Nile (3-4 hours) to Luxor, stopping at Kom Ombo and Edfu temples. Explore the Valley of the Kings (bring extra cash for tomb entries), meet an archaeologist at Hatshepsut's temple, and visit the vast Karnak Temple complex. See Luxor Temple at night for unique photos.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Cairo

    Back in Cairo, visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili bazaar. Ask your guide which shops offer fair prices in the bazaar. End your trip with a food tour around Tahrir Square before your airport transfer.

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