Egypt! The land of the Pharaohs, majestic pyramids, endless deserts, sacred temples and history rich land.… It had been on my bucket list for a while now. Then, in April 2026, I finally did it: I booked the ticket, packed my bags, and set off for this majestic country. Today, I want to share my travel journey, tried-and-tested tips, and what you need to plan your own trip to Egypt. Here is exactly how I broke down my time to get the perfect mix of sightseeing, history, and relaxation.
ARRIVAL IN EGYPT AND STARTING IN ASWAN (THE SOUTH)
As we landed in Cairo, we could immediately feel the intense atmosphere. However, that did not stop us from catching our next flight to Aswan, which is located in the southern part of Misr. Known for its picturesque and postcard –perfect scenery, Aswan was an important part of our itinerary. On the first day, after some much-needed rest we walked along the banks of Nile River, spending the evening watching the felucca boats drifting slowly across the water as the sun set. It was magical! The next morning, our day started at 7.00 AM with a guided trip to Abu Simbel alongside an Egyptologist. The drive through the desert looked endless. Then after nearly three and a half hours, we finally reached the Abu Simbel temples, which is located near Lake Nasser, an artificial lake created in the 1960’s. After a short walk, there they were: the four giant statues of Ramsess ll, they were impressive, colossal and magnificent! We spent some time exploring the main temple before proceeding to the second temple that was dedicated to one of his beloved wife, Nefertari and Hathor, the goddess of Love, and music before returning back to Aswan.
FROM ASWAN TO LUXOR: DISCOVERING HIDDEN GEMS
On the very next day, on Wednesday, we checked out of our hotel and took a private transfer toward Luxor. Traveling by car was a deliberate, strategic decision as it allowed us to stop at the few temples, rural villages and the countryside. Originally we planned on visiting the Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder and Temple of Khnum which is known for the beautiful ceilings and well preserved colors; however, since the long journey got tiring, we eventually opted for only two temples. We ended up visiting Kom Ombo Temple ,which is located in Kom Ombo and Temple of Khnum in Esna.
Looking Back, That Road trip was splendid, full of vibrant green vegetation, mango trees and date palms. No words could explain how content I was seeing all that authentic Egypt. That drive took us 5 hours…It was refreshing and it was worth every single minute.
OUR STAY IN LUXOR
Since we had our hot air balloon ride cancelled and reported to Saturday, we decided to visit Luxor, and the surrounding area. We stayed in a strategic location in the East Bank known as Luxe Nest Serviced Apartments 101. It was a few minutes’ walk from the Nile Corniche, museums, shops, grocery stores, souk, restaurants, The Avenue of Sphinxes, Luxor Temple and museums, So on that day we visited the Luxor museum and mummification museum, local shops for souvenirs and strolled along the Corniche. We got most of our souvenir from a shop called Hassle Free., and I highly recommend you to check it out if you are in Luxor. It’s a small, cosy shop run by an old man. He was so welcoming and not pushy at all. We felt very safe buying from him as his prices were not exaggerated at all. We ended up buying magnets, scarab beads, postcards, keychains, papyrus, relief arts, statues, brass jewelries…oh god; it was such a good shopping experience!
The following day we did a full day guided tour booked on GetYourGuide. It covered various sites on both the East and the West bank of Luxor. It included places like the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Queens, the Valley of the Kings (3 tombs +the Tutankhamun one), a perfume workshop, an alabaster workshop, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Avenue of Sphinxes and 5 minutes stop at Colossi of Memnon along an Egyptologist. Our tour also included lunch at a local restaurant. I do recommend this type of tour if you have a very limited time in Luxor.
On our 6th day in Egypt and 3rd day in Luxor, our day started at 5.00 am. We got picked up in front of our apartment and crossed the river by a van. At around 6.30 am, we took off and eventually reached 2500 feet and maybe plus above the ground. It was breathtaking; the sunrise, the field, the view on the valley…We could catch a glimpse of the Medinet Habu, and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut before landing on a farmer’s field before being driven back to our hotel and oh, to make the experience more memorable, we crossed the river by boat. Moreover, on that evening, we went for a stroll on the streets of Luxor and it was completely safe to walk at night and you can still take horse carriages, shop, and visit some of the temples at night.
RETURNING TO CAIRO
The next day, we flew back to Cairo, and headed directly to our hotel, located next to the famous Marriott Mena House and El Remaya Square in Giza. As soon as we step foot in our hotel, we were just stunned. The location was just perfect; it was situated next to the Pyramids. After several busy days, we decided to slow down a little and enjoy our trip on a relaxed pace. The following morning, we visited the Grand Egyptian Museum and spent approximately four hours exploring its incredible collection of artefacts before enjoying dinner at Pavilion 139, located inside the historic Mena House Hotel.
The next day was intentionally reserved for rest. On Wednesday, we finally visited the Giza Plateau. I do recommend starting your visit early as the temperature can get extremely hot. One thing I appreciated was the free shuttle service operating between the different pyramid viewpoints and the Great Sphinx, making it easy to move around the vast site.
BACK HOME
The following day, it was time to return home. We flew with Saudia Airlines, connecting through Jeddah. As the trip came to an end, I felt grateful for the incredible experiences, ancient history, and unforgettable memories Egypt had given us.
MY HONEST TAKE AND WHAT I RECOMMEND
- I kinda feel sad I skipped Cairo but I told myself id prioritize rest because these last days were packed with adventures and now my body was telling me to slow down.
- Even though I skipped the Edfu Temple, I highly suggest you to visit it.
- Keep small change for tipping.
- If you are not used to the heat, I do suggest you take protective measures as it could get really hot.
- Bottled water, a hat, and sunscreen are a must.
- Prebooked trips and transfers can truly be a lifesaver and can save you from all the stress of potential scams and negotiations.
- If you are travelling with taxis, always negotiate the price before getting in and make it absolutely clear whether they are quoting you in Egyptian Pounds, US Dollars, or Euros.
- Try Egyptian cuisine (I felt in love with The Egyptian lentil soup)
- Visit Abu Simbel because it’s absolutely worth the journey.
- Take your time for each attraction and do not rush. The colors, the temples , the details, it is all worth the time.
Things I Regret Missing
- Felucca ride on the Nile
- Dendera Temple of Hathor
- The streets of Cairo
- Edfu temple
- Visiting Philae temple or simply more days in Aswan
Egypt exceeded all my expectations. From the unforgettable shopping adventure, incredible architecture to the quite moments of reflections sitting by the Nile River, I left Egypt, a suitcase full of souvenirs, phone storage full of photos, a content heart and memories that will stay with me forever.