10 Days in Egypt: Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara, Luxor & Valley of the Kings & Hurghada, El Gouna & Red Sea
Our most popular 10-day route combining Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara, and Luxor & Valley of the Kings, optimized for Egyptian National Railways (ENR) Talgo High-Speed Day Trains (Cairo–Alexandria–Luxor) & Abela Egypt Sleeping Trains (#86/#87) schedules and open-jaw flights.
Route Overview: Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum (3N) → Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara (3N) → Luxor & Valley of the Kings (3N)
Budget Estimate: E£80520–E£139080 ($1,650–$2,850 USD per person)
Arrive via Cairo International Airport (CAI) & Ramses / Bashtil Upper Egypt Rail Stations, transfer to Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum Historic Center & Old Quarter, and settle in with an evening walk.
Tour Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM — Giza Plateau) — The world's largest archaeological museum featuring the Grand Staircase of 60+ royal statues, the Hanging Obelisk, and 12 main galleries overlooking the Pyramids (E£1,200 / ~$25 foreign adult admission; 100% card-only payment). and Islamic Cairo: Al-Muizz Street, Khan el-Khalili Bazaar & Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan — Walk the 10th-century walled Fatimid spine from Bab al-Futuh to Al-Azhar Mosque and sip mint tea at historic El Fishawy Cafe (1773). with pre-booked morning slots.
Day trip to Hurghada, El Gouna & Red Sea (Giftun Island National Park (Orange Bay / Mahmya) Snorkeling Cruise — Full-day boat excursion over shallow turquoise sandbars and coral heads teeming with clownfish and blue-spotted rays.) via Cairo & Grand Egyptian Museum Central Station.
Morning Egyptian National Railways connection to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara; afternoon walk through Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara Historic Center & Old Quarter.
Visit Pyramids of Giza (Khufu, Khafre & Menkaure) & The Great Sphinx — Enter at 07:00 sharp via the Mena House / Sphinx Gate before tour coaches arrive (Plateau Area Ticket E£700; Interior of Great Pyramid of Khufu E£1,500 extra; Visa/Mastercard only)., Panorama Point & Nine Pyramids Lounge — Look across all six main and queen pyramids aligned against the desert horizon without aggressive camel touts., and sample Ta'ameya (Egyptian Fava Falafel).
Explore Dahshur: The Red Pyramid & The Bent Pyramid of Sneferu (45–75 mins by regional transit) and enjoy dinner in Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Saqqara Waterfront & Cultural District.
Transfer to Luxor & Valley of the Kings (Luxor & Valley of the Kings Central Station / Luxor International Airport (LXR) & Luxor Railway Station) and check into Luxor & Valley of the Kings Historic Center & Old Quarter.
Full day discovering Valley of the Kings (West Bank) — Standard ticket (E£750 + E£20 electric taf-taf tram) includes 3 royal tombs (don't miss Ramesses IV, Ramesses III & Merenptah); add the breathtaking vaulted astronomical tomb of Seti I (E£2,000), Ramesses V & VI (E£220), and Tutankhamun (E£700)—or unlock every single open tomb with the Luxor Premium Pass ($250)! and Karnak Temple Complex & Avenue of Sphinxes — Walk among the 134 towering sandstone columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall at 06:30 opening (E£600)., with Ful Medames for lunch.
Relaxed morning at Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari) & Valley of the Queens (Tomb of Nefertari) — Three colonnaded limestone terraces built into sheer desert cliffs (E£440). followed by a farewell dinner in Luxor & Valley of the Kings Waterfront & Cultural District.
Connect to Luxor International Airport (LXR) & Luxor Railway Station or express transit for your onward flight.