Travel logistics and where to go in Egypt with only seven days to spare
Following are some basic logistics on travel and tour in Egypt. Some travelers always mention wanting to travel in Egypt preferably with a car and a guide, and while it can be done the distances are too much and you will need to fly between some points and then drive, so at best you’d have to use 2 or 3 different drivers and guides. Following are some suggestions and what’s typically done in terms of sites and sightseeing in Egypt having only seven days to spare.
As most tourists you will likely enter Egypt by flying into Cairo International Airport. On day one, begin your tour of Egypt with a visit to the Ancient Capital of Egypt at Memphis, the Step Pyramid and the Tombs of Sakkara. Next visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Valley Temple and the Solar Boat Museum.
Next day visit the Egyptian Museum, the Hanging Church, Abu Serga Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue. That leaves you only to see the Citadel, the Alabaster and Sultan Hassan Mosques and finally the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. So much for Cairo.
Best continue with a flight to Aswan – after seeing Cairo tour Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel and you will have seen all the essential monuments of Egypt. You will need half day to see the Aswan High Dam, Old Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple, and continue to Luxor.
From Aswan take a flight to Abu Simbel to see the the Temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. Return to Aswan and sail to Elephantine Island and the Botanical Gardens by traditional felucca Sailing Boat, then fly to Luxor. On limited time you should always see at least Cairo and Luxor.
In Luxor visit to the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. In the evening enjoy the Sound and Light Show at the Karnak Temple. Next day return to Cairo and your 7 day trip of Egypt is over.
Should you be able to ad a two or three days more you could add a side-trip to Petra in Jordan. Alternatively, you should consider also a fine side-trip to Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine. It may be you will decide to do Egypt on two separate trips. Anyway this 7-day routing is a best way to start your sightseeing of Egypt.
Finally, please rest assured that all guides in Egypt are licensed Egyptologists. Although having your own guide for the entire trip can be arranged he would then need to travel with you, fly and stay in “his” hotels near yours (where possible), thus his costs would certainly add to your total Egypt tour costs. For that reason it is recommended using local station guides at the different stops along your Egypt itinerary.
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