My Budget 7-Day Egypt Itinerary: Ideas for an Affordable Visit!
My husband and I set out on our vacation using this budget 7-day Egypt itinerary. We went with the company Travel Talk, and added time in the Sinai Peninsula (Dahab) afterwards
This post details my budget 7-day Egypt itinerary and vacation experience with this company, and also has ideas of what to do, see, and expect!
Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you!).
Before our 7-day Egypt itinerary and guided tour officially started, my husband and I arrived to Cairo two days early.
We wanted to have enough time at the Pyramids since we felt the tour itinerary didn’t provide enough. We stayed at Pyramids View Inn, and had a wonderful experience.
Breakfast view
View from hotel rooftop
Breakfast on the rooftop, staring directly into the eyes of the Sphinx, is easily one of my most memorable travel moments!
On our first day in Cairo, we went to the pyramids on our own. Hardly anyone else was there (it was the last day of Ramadan), and we explored the entire complex on foot.
While we had to fight off constant nagging from local vendors, it wasn’t too terrible. Just be prepared to say “no” over and over. Be assertive, and they won’t get too far. Will they ever stop hassling you though? Probably not.
Day 1: CAIRO (Saqqara & Giza)
During a buffet breakfast at the Oasis Hotel near Cairo, our tour officially began!
By 7am we left on the charter bus for the drive to Saqqara. In its prime, the complex of Saqqara was a vast burial ground serving as the necropolis for the ancient capital of Memphis.
Its most famous point is the ancient step-pyramid of Djoser. This is the oldest complete stone building complex known to history… let that sink in!!
While there, we could enter a few of the tombs, and it was honestly SO amazing.
We had a close-up view of the hieroglyphics on the walls, and some even have original color. Photography is not technically allowed, but if you give the guards a small tip, it suddenly is!
As it was the first day of the Muslim holiday, Eid, the crowds at Saqqara were a bit crazy. Our group was followed the entire time by groups of teens. Tons of locals were there, but they were all men.
We also had a few issues with the “tomb guards” harassing people in our group for “not paying enough tip money” for photos. Since it was day one of our tour, most of us weren’t used to the “baksheesh culture” which exists among locals.
What is baksheesh? – It is the expectation that foreigners will give tips or bribes to locals for anything and everything. Read more about my cultural advice for traveling to Egypt
Leaving Saqqara, we headed towards the Great Pyramids of Giza. It was INSANITY thanks to the holiday. It was the total opposite of how it was the day before! (See photo comparison below!):
Day before Eid
Day of Eid
Our group was told to stay very close together. As young foreigners, (and many in our group being young girls with shorts on) we were followed and photographed by the locals like no other! 😓
We barely saw or enjoyed the pyramids from up close sadly. Every kid was trying to take selfies with us, and groups of men were just following us around. See my video:
Eventually, we went further away for a distance view of the three Pyramids. There, we all did a camel ride, which was fun and surprisingly relaxing. Next, we saw The Sphinx up close too.
Lunch at a tourist restaurant with a set menu was next. The food was average, but that seems to be the case for tourist places.
Finally we returned to the hotel, and got acquainted with everyone. Our group was primarily Australians in their early 20’s, but we met a few Brits, and one other American!
We then began our 9 hour bus ride to the town of Luxor, arriving at 1:30 in the morning!
Day 2: LUXOR (Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple)
Today we stopped first at giant statues called the Colossi of Memnon, built in 1350 BC. Battered by desert winds and occasional Nile floods, these two statues have been here for over 3,400 years! 
Next, we made our way to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Located beneath surrounding cliffs, it is impressive to see from a distance!
Up close, there are many statues, carved pillars, and original hieroglyphics in excellent shape. I was also excited to see a place dedicated to the first female Pharaoh!
While the temple’s 3,400 year-old history is fascinating, I’ve never been so sweaty in my life! Since we went in June it was almost 110°F that day!
While our guide Adham explained the site to us, our group was, as usual, hounded by vendors. It is honestly super annoying, but you get used to it. 🙄
Our next destination was the famous Valley of the Kings. This was one of the most fascinating parts of the trip, and possibly my favorite.
You can almost FEEL the sheer history of this valley, which I’d learned about in pure wonder since I was a kid. When you enter, they are very strict about no photos, so it forces you to just soak in what you’re seeing with your own eyes.
While there, we learned the extraordinary history of this area. Adham explained the layout of the multiple underground tombs of these ancient Pharaohs, laid to rest in all their splendor. The most famous burial site here is of course King Tut’s!
A ticket allows you entry into 3 tombs, so we descended the adorned passageways into the 4,000 year old burial chambers of Ramses IX, IV and Seti I. The artwork on the walls are still colored, and it is seriously awe inspiring!
After returning to our air-conditioned bus, we drove to a nearby Alabaster Factory (a.k.a. Tourist Trap). Then, on the road again for another 3.5 hours to Aswan.
There, our group split up, and those of us who opted for the “Nile Cruise” tour option (instead of the felucca boat option) boarded our ship.
Day 3: LUXOR (Abu Simbel)
We decided to do the optional excursion to Abu Simbel, so we departed at 3:30am. Then, we were off on the 3.5 hour drive south towards the Sudanese border!
Once there, we had time to explore these two amazing monuments carved into the cliff-sides next to Lake Nasser.
Not only can you admire these monuments from the outside, but you can go inside and see sarcophagi and hieroglyphics too. Their 3,200 year old history does not disappoint!
We then had a daunting 3.5 hour drive back towards Luxor. On the way, we stopped at the Aswan High Dam to take a look at the construction. At that point, it had reached 113°F!
Eventually we took a tiny boat across Lake Nassar to the island temple complex of Philae. We had it mostly to ourselves, which made exploring it very peaceful.
Philae Temple is dedicated to the goddess Isis, and was built around 360 BC.
From there, we went back to our cruise ship and down the Nile a bit more, stopping near sunset at the Greek influenced Temple of Kom Ombo, built around 180 BC.
Our local guide told us its history, and we learned half of the temple is dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek. Nearby, there is a small museum where you can see 4,000 year old mummified crocodiles!
Day 4: NILE RIVER CRUISE
Another early morning on the tour, we left at 6:30 to go on a very sad carriage ride to the huge Temple of Horus at Edfu. The horses were in bad shape, but there did not seem to be any other option sadly 🙁 .
We arrived at Edfu with our guide. Completed in 57 BC, this is considered one of the best preserved sites in Egypt.
Passageways of Edfu
We explored this huge building and its series of secret passageways and underground tunnels, and I enjoyed getting to pretend I was Indiana Jones!
After Edfu, we were back on the boat for some food and pool time! Lunch and dinner were on board too, so this was basically a full day on the cruise ship.
Day 5: LUXOR
At noon we left the boat, and reunited with the other group members. We all checked in to the Hotel Oasis in Luxor, and then had free time.
A few of us took a taxi to a nearby (non tourist) market, where we had a rare taste of local life. I fed some kittens, haggled for a silk scarf, and tried some local fruits! Egypt v
Next, we visited Luxor Temple at sunset for a nighttime visit. It was a nice change from the oppressive heat during the days, and the temple lighting makes for a magical vibe.
Luxor Temple was constructed in 1,400 BC, and is known for having huge obelisks in great condition. My favorite part though is the mile long “Avenue of the Sphinxes”.
Day 6: LUXOR (Hot Air Balloon + Karnak)
We chose to do the optional hot-air balloon ride excursion, so it was another early morning. We were up at 3am and went from van to boat to bus to car to arrive at the balloon launching point for sunrise.
It was extra windy, so the pilots had to delay launching to see if conditions would improve. Loading into the balloons, along with the massive flame, was a mildly terrifying ordeal.
Once in the air though, it was smooth and barely felt like we were moving! We flew over Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Egypt from above is STUNNING!
Next was a visit to the MASSIVE complex of Karnak Temple. The intact paint and architectural skill behind the 4,000 year old obelisks there is mind blowing.
From there, we went to a shop for a papyrus making demonstration, and time in the gift shop. We had a buffet lunch, then started a 9 hour bus ride from Luxor to Cairo.
Sunset over the desert was gorgeous, having armed military escorts was intriguing, and the bus getting a flat tire in the middle of nowhere… unexpected!
Day 7: CAIRO (Souks, Churches, Mosques & Museums)
After breakfast, we went to the Egyptian Museum. It has so many amazing pieces!
Some include King Tut’s tomb contents, his sarcophagus, mummies found at the Valley of the Kings (several with original hair, teeth, and nails!), and a crazy amount of ancient artifacts.
We next visited a famous Coptic Christian church. We toured The Hanging Church, a 3rd century church built on top of ancient Roman ruins. 
Next was a visit to the most well known mosque in Cairo, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali.
Us ladies had to cover up, remove our shoes, and wrap up in head scarfs or full body coverings (read my post for advice on how to dress in Egypt). It traps in the heat, and I was miserably sweating. I don’t know how locals do it!
The inside of the mosque is beautiful, and the view of the pyramids enveloped in smog from the city is a memorable sight.
From there we went to the alleyway maze of souvenir shops known as “The Souk” of Cairo. There, we could barter to our hearts desire!
After tea in the square, we said goodbye to the group, and met our new guide who would lead us on to Dahab for a few days of sun and snorkeling!
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