Grand Panorama Loop of Egypt
Cover Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, the Red Sea, and Alexandria, featuring overland temple routes and the historic Mediterranean city.
This itinerary loops Egypt's major regions together, leaving plenty of time in Aswan, Luxor, and Hurghada. It bypasses cruise ships in favor of domestic flights and private transfers. The Cairo portion includes Saqqara and Dahshur, Luxor adds Dendera, Hurghada offers a two-night seaside break, and the trip wraps up in Alexandria. Perfect for travelers with ample time who want to see everything in one go.
From December to February, the Red Sea water is cold and Alexandria is rainy, making swimming less enjoyable.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival in Cairo & Downtown Check-in
The drive from the airport to the city center takes about 1 hour. Rest near your hotel in the evening.
Stay: Downtown and Tahrir Square
Day 2 · Giza & The Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo & Giza（Giza Pyramids & Great Sphinx、Grand Egyptian Museum）
Charter a private car to and from Giza (approx. 1 hour one way, 8 hours total for the day).
Stay: Downtown and Tahrir Square
Day 3 · Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur
Cairo & Giza（Dahshur、Memphis Open Air Museum、Saqqara / Pyramid of Djoser）
Take a private car south (approx. 1 hour). The three sites are about 20 minutes apart from each other, taking about 7 hours in total.
Stay: Downtown and Tahrir Square
Day 4 · Old Cairo & National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
Cairo & Giza（Coptic Cairo / Hanging Church、National Museum of Egyptian Civilization、Citadel of Saladin、Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan）
Hop between sites using city taxis; drives between points take 10 to 20 minutes.
Stay: Downtown and Tahrir Square
Day 5 · Flight to Aswan & Philae Temple
Aswan & Abu Simbel（Philae Temple (Temple of Isis)、Unfinished Obelisk、Nubian Museum）
Take an early morning flight to Aswan (approx. 1.5 hours). In the afternoon, take a car and a small boat to Philae Temple.
Stay: Nile Corniche
Day 6 · Day Trip to Abu Simbel
Aswan & Abu Simbel（Abu Simbel Temples）
Depart in the early morning. The drive takes about 3.5 hours one way, returning to Aswan after midday.
Stay: Nile Corniche
Day 7 · Felucca Island Cruise & Nubian Village
Aswan & Abu Simbel（Elephantine Island、Kitchener's Island (Aswan Botanical Garden)、Tombs of the Nobles (Qubbet el-Hawa)、Nubian Village (Gharb Soheil)）
Charter a traditional felucca at the pier for a half-day cruise around Elephantine Island and Kitchener's Island, then head to the Nubian Village on the West Bank.
Stay: Nile Corniche
Day 8 · Overland Temple Route to Luxor
Aswan & Abu Simbel（Temple of Kom Ombo、Temple of Edfu） → Luxor（Temple of Khnum, Esna）
Take a private car north along the river, stopping at three temples (approx. 9.5 hours total; a direct drive takes only about 3 hours).
Start early to arrive at Kom Ombo before the cruise ship crowds.
Stay: Luxor Temple and Nile Corniche
Day 9 · West Bank & Valley of the Kings
Luxor（Valley of the Kings、Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut、Medinet Habu (Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III)、Ramesseum）
Cross the river by ferry or bridge and hire a private car on the West Bank. Sites are 10 to 20 minutes apart (approx. 6 hours total).
Stay: Luxor Temple and Nile Corniche
Day 10 · East Bank: Karnak & Luxor Museum
Luxor（Karnak Temple Complex、Avenue of Sphinxes、Luxor Museum、Luxor Temple）
Take a taxi or horse-drawn carriage. Karnak is about 10 minutes from the city center. Visit the temples in the late afternoon.
Stay: Luxor Temple and Nile Corniche
Day 11 · Dendera & Drive to the Red Sea
Luxor（Dendera Temple Complex） → Hurghada
Drive north to Dendera (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue via Qena to Hurghada (approx. 4 hours).
Stay: Sakkala
Day 12 · Giftun Island Snorkeling Boat Trip
Hurghada（Giftun Island & Mahmya Beach、Hurghada Marina）
Take a full-day boat trip from the marina (approx. 1 hour round-trip boat ride), including snorkeling stops.
Stay: Sakkala
Day 13 · Return to Cairo & Khan el-Khalili
Fly to Cairo (approx. 1 hour) or take a private car/bus (approx. 5 to 6 hours). Explore the historic market in the evening.
Stay: Downtown and Tahrir Square
Day 14 · Train to Alexandria
Alexandria（Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa、Pompey's Pillar & Serapeum、Citadel of Qaitbay）
Take a morning train to Alexandria (approx. 2.5 hours). Use local taxis to travel between sights.
Stay: Downtown · Raml Station
Day 15 · Bibliotheca Alexandrina & Return to Cairo for Departure
Alexandria（Bibliotheca Alexandrina、Alexandria Corniche） → Cairo & Giza
Walk or take a taxi to the library in the morning. Take an afternoon train back to Cairo (approx. 2.5 hours).
This is best suited for late-evening flights; ensure you leave plenty of time to get to the airport.