Itinerary Cairo, Aswan & Luxor

November is an excellent season to visit Egypt—comfortable temperatures, little rain, and pleasant conditions for exploring historic sites from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$1,200
🏨 Accommodations	$1,200
🧳 Gear	$100
🗺️ On-site	$1,200
Total	$3,700

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇪🇬 Cairo - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Giza Pyramids & Sphinx ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h)

  • Egypt’s iconic ancient tombs and guardians—arrive early to avoid crowds, camel ride optional.

• [ ] 🏛️ Egyptian Museum ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • World’s greatest trove of Pharaonic treasures—King Tut's mask, royal mummies. Book tickets in advance.

• [ ] 🏙️ Islamic Cairo & Khan El Khalili Bazaar ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Wander centuries-old streets, shop for souvenirs, soak up vibrant street life.

• [ ] 🏛️ Coptic Cairo ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Visit the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue; traces of Egypt’s Christian past.

• [ ] 🏙️ Al-Muizz Street ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • One of the oldest streets in Cairo, filled with mosques, medieval gates and local eateries.

• [ ] 🏛️ Citadel of Saladin & Mosque of Muhammad Ali ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Fortified medieval Islamic city, panoramic city views, impressive 19th-century mosque.

• [ ] 🌳 Al-Azhar Park ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Relax with cityscape views and gardens—ideal for a sunset stroll.

• [ ] 🏛️ Museum of Islamic Art ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Extensive collection of Islamic art and artifacts in a beautifully restored building.

• [ ] 🏙️ Zamalek Island ⭐ (~2h)

  • Upmarket leafy district—cafés, galleries, Nile views.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Sequoia Nile Restaurant Lounge ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Upscale riverside venue—a must for evening Nile views and Mediterranean cuisine.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Felfela ⭐⭐⭐

  • Cairo institution—falafel, koshari, and mezze. ~$10-15.

• [ ] 🍜 Abou Tarek ⭐⭐

  • Legendary koshari eatery—authentic and quick. ~$5-10.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Manial Palace (~1h)

  • Ottoman-era palace with eclectic architecture—great for history buffs.

• [ ] 🏙️ Nile River Felucca Ride (~1.5h)

  • Traditional boat ride—sunset is especially beautiful.

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🇪🇬 Aswan - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Philae Temple ⭐⭐⭐ (~2.5h)

  • Island temple complex dedicated to Isis; scenic ferry crossing.

• [ ] 🏛️ Unfinished Obelisk ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Ancient stone quarry—see how pharaonic obelisks were carved.

• [ ] 🌳 Nubian Village Visit ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Colorful houses, warm hospitality—consider guided tours for authenticity.

• [ ] 🏙️ Aswan Souk ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Bustling market with spices, handicrafts, Nubian trinkets.

• [ ] 🏛️ Nubian Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Celebrates Nubian culture and history—fascinating artifacts.

• [ ] 🏙️ Elephantine Island ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Explore ancient ruins, visit local villages—ferry needed.

• [ ] 🏙️ Aga Khan Mausoleum ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Impressive hillside mausoleum—can be admired from a Nile cruise.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Makka Restaurant Nile Terrace ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Riverside dining with classic Egyptian fare, view of illuminated temples.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Al Masry ⭐⭐

  • Traditional Egyptian—try Aswan-style grilled fish. ~$10-15.

• [ ] 🍜 Nubian House ⭐

  • Local specialties—guava juice, Nubian bread. ~$5-10.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Kalabsha Temple & Lake Nasser (~3h)
  • Out-of-town site—combine with a lake cruise if interested.

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🇪🇬 Luxor - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🛕 Karnak Temple Complex ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Towering columns, sacred lake—Egypt's most spectacular temple site.

• [ ] 🏛️ Valley of the Kings ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Royal burial ground with stunning tomb art—King Tut’s tomb is a highlight.

• [ ] 🛕 Temple of Hatshepsut ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Dramatic cliff-side mortuary temple of Egypt’s legendary female pharaoh.

• [ ] 🏛️ Luxor Temple ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Strikingly lit at night—combine with a post-sunset visit.

• [ ] 🏙️ West Bank Tombs (Valley of the Queens) ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Smaller, beautiful tombs—Nefertari’s is breathtaking (extra fee).

• [ ] 🎨 Luxor Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Curated displays—some of Egypt’s best-preserved statues and finds.

• [ ] 🌳 Banana Island ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Take a felucca to this lush island—banana groves, birdwatching.

• [ ] 🏛️ Medinet Habu Temple ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Less crowded, vivid hieroglyphics.

• [ ] 🏙️ Deir el-Medina (Artisan’s Village) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Workers’ village with beautiful tombs and insight into everyday ancient life.

• [ ] 🏙️ Colossi of Memnon ⭐ (~1h)

  • Iconic statues—great photo stop on the West Bank.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Sofitel Winter Palace Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Elegant colonial-era hotel with views, cocktails, and charm.

• [ ] 🍸 Luxor Corniche Stroll ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Riverbank promenade, illuminated temples—great for people watching.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Sofra Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐

  • Luxor’s best for traditional Egyptian—try molokhia and pigeon. ~$20.

• [ ] 🍜 El Hussein Restaurant ⭐⭐

  • Great mezze and grilled meats, local atmosphere. ~$10-15.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Hot Air Balloon Ride (~2.5h, sunrise)
  • Amazing aerial view of the Nile and pharaonic sites—book early.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇪🇬 Cairo

• [ ] 🎬 Cairo Time (2009) — ⭐ 6.9 — A romantic drama set against the city’s magic — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 📺 Egypt’s Treasure Guardians (2016) — ⭐ 7.3 — BBC doc on Egyptian archaeology — BBC, YouTube

🇪🇬 Aswan

• [ ] 🎬 Death on the Nile (1978/2022) — ⭐ 7.3/6.3 — Agatha Christie's classic (set on the Nile) — Prime Video
• [ ] 📺 Great Egyptian Discoveries (2019) — ⭐ 7.6 — Documentary on temples and local culture — National Geographic

🇪🇬 Luxor

• [ ] 🎬 Luxor (2020) — ⭐ 6.0 — Meditative drama exploring memory and history with Egypt’s sites as backdrop — Amazon
• [ ] 📺 Ancient Egypt (BBC, 2003) — ⭐ 8.0 — Historical reenactment series of ancient life — YouTube

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🍜 Local specialties

🇪🇬 Cairo

• [ ] Koshari (rice, pasta, lentil dish)
• [ ] Taameya (Eygptian falafel)
• [ ] Molokhia (herbed green stew)

🇪🇬 Aswan

• [ ] Ful Medames (fava bean dish)
• [ ] Grilled Nile tilapia
• [ ] Hibiscus tea (karkadeh)

🇪🇬 Luxor

• [ ] Fatta (meat and rice dish)
• [ ] Stuffed pigeon
• [ ] Besarah (fava bean dip)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇪🇬 Cairo

1. 🌤️ Giza Pyramids
2. 🌙 Sequoia Nile Restaurant Lounge
3. 🛍️ Khan El Khalili Bazaar
4. 🏨 Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo
5. 🍽️ Felfela

🇪🇬 Aswan

1. 🌤️ Philae Temple
2. 🌙 Makka Restaurant Nile Terrace
3. 🛍️ Aswan Souk
4. 🏨 Mövenpick Resort Aswan
5. 🍽️ Al Masry

🇪🇬 Luxor

1. 🌤️ Karnak Temple
2. 🌙 Sofitel Winter Palace Bar
3. 🛍️ Luxor Souk
4. 🏨 Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor
5. 🍽️ Sofra Restaurant

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Cairo
• [ ] ✈️ Cairo → Aswan
• [ ] 🚅 Aswan → Luxor
• [ ] ✈️ Luxor → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Cairo	3	Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir	$360
Aswan	3	Mövenpick Resort Aswan	$420
Luxor	4	Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor	$560
Total	10		$1,340