10-Day Egypt Tour Review: Cairo, Luxor & Aswan Guide (2025)

So, you’re thinking about a trip to Egypt, right? Honestly, it’s one of those places that’s on almost everyone’s list, you know? I recently went on a ten-day group trip that covered the big hitters, and, as a matter of fact, it was a pretty incredible experience. We’re talking Cairo, the huge pyramids in Giza, then south to Aswan and Luxor, with a peaceful sail on a felucca boat in between. Basically, this is my personal take on what it was really like, a kind of day-by-day rundown of the whole thing. I mean, I want to give you a real sense of what to expect, the amazing parts and, you know, the slightly more challenging bits too. It was definitely a whirlwind of ancient history, beautiful sights, and so many new experiences packed into just over a week, at the end of the day.

First Impressions: Giza’s Giants and Cairo’s Core

Okay, so arriving in Cairo is definitely a lot to take in at first. The plan was to head straight to Giza the next morning, and seriously, nothing prepares you for seeing the Great Pyramids for the first time. They are just enormous, and it’s almost unbelievable that they were built so long ago. Standing at the base and looking up is a really humbling moment, I mean, you feel so tiny. You can even, like, go inside the main pyramid for a small fee, which is a very tight squeeze but sort of a cool thing to do. Obviously, we also saw the Sphinx, which is right there too. As a matter of fact, it seems smaller than you might think, but still very impressive and mysterious, you know?

Then there’s Cairo itself, which is just this huge, sprawling place with so much life. A really big part of the first couple of days was spent at the Egyptian Museum, basically. You could honestly spend a full day in there and still not see everything, but the main attraction is, of course, Tutankhamun’s collection. Seeing that famous gold mask in person is kind of surreal; it just glows. The level of detail on all the items they found in his tomb is just insane, right? In the evening, we went to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, which is a totally different kind of experience. It’s this maze of streets with people selling everything from spices and lanterns to perfumes and souvenirs. The sounds and smells are just everywhere, and you pretty much have to haggle for prices, which is all part of the fun, in a way. It’s a little bit of a sensory overload, to be honest, but absolutely a can’t-miss part of being in Cairo.

South to Aswan: A Slower, Calmer Speed

After the fast pace of Cairo, taking an overnight train south to Aswan was, like, a welcome change of speed. Aswan just has a more laid-back feel to it, and you can really notice the change in atmosphere. So, the first thing on our list was a visit to the Aswan High Dam, which is this massive modern structure. I mean, it’s pretty interesting to see how it controls the Nile’s flow and creates Lake Nasser, you know? It’s basically a huge feat of engineering that completely changed this part of Egypt. But the real highlight of Aswan, for me anyway, was the Philae Temple. You have to take a little motorboat to get to it because it was actually moved stone by stone to its current island to save it from the rising waters of the dam. It’s just a beautiful temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, and it feels very special and secluded on that little island. You can almost picture what it was like thousands of years ago, which is really cool.

Another very interesting spot we checked out in Aswan was the Unfinished Obelisk, which is still lying in the rock quarry where it was being carved. It’s absolutely gigantic, and it apparently cracked before they could finish it, so they just left it there. As a matter of fact, it gives you this amazing insight into how they made these massive stone structures. You can literally see the tool marks and the lines they were following, so you get a much better appreciation for their work. In the afternoon, we also had some free time, so a few of us took a boat over to a Nubian village on the west bank of the Nile. The houses are all painted in these bright, happy colors, and the people are incredibly friendly. It’s just a nice way to see a different side of the local culture and relax by the water. Honestly, Aswan feels a lot more peaceful and is a bit of a nice break before the next leg of the trip.

The Nile Adventure: Sailing on a Felucca

Okay, so after Aswan, we spent two days and one night on a traditional felucca sailboat, which was seriously a top highlight for pretty much everyone. A felucca is a very simple wooden boat with a big sail, you know? There’s no engine, so it’s incredibly quiet, and all you hear is the water and the wind. We basically just spent our days lying on the soft cushions on deck, watching the green banks of the Nile float by. It’s such a simple way to travel, and it feels like you’ve kind of gone back in time. You see local farmers working in their fields, kids waving from the shore, and lots of birds. It is just so, so relaxing, at the end of the day.

The crew on the boat, usually two or three Nubian sailors, takes care of everything. They sail the boat, and they also cook all your meals, which are surprisingly delicious. We had some amazing fresh salads, rice, chicken, and stuff, all made on a small stove on the boat. To be honest, eating dinner on the deck as the sun goes down is a really special memory. At night, they moor the boat on the riverbank, and you sleep on the deck under the stars. They give you mattresses and blankets, and honestly, the sky is so clear out there. I’ve never seen so many stars in my life, I mean it was absolutely incredible. You get a little chilly, but it’s totally worth it. It’s a very basic experience—no bathrooms or anything—but it’s an authentic way to experience the Nile that you just can’t get from a big cruise ship.

Luxor: The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum

After our peaceful felucca trip, we arrived in Luxor, and well, it’s immediately obvious why they call it the world’s greatest open-air museum. The number of ancient sites here is just staggering, seriously. First, we explored the East Bank, which is home to Karnak Temple. It’s less of a single temple and more of a huge complex of temples, pylons, and obelisks built over, like, two thousand years. The Hypostyle Hall is the most famous part, with 134 massive columns that just tower over you. You feel incredibly small walking through there, and the hieroglyphs covering every surface are so detailed. It’s almost too much to take in at once, you know?

Later that day, we visited Luxor Temple, which is right in the middle of the modern city. Our guide actually recommended going in the late afternoon and staying until after sunset, which was fantastic advice. As it gets dark, they light up the whole temple, and it just looks magical against the night sky. The next morning, we crossed over to the West Bank, which is where the ancient Egyptians built their tombs. Obviously, the main event here is the Valley of the Kings. You get a ticket that lets you enter three different tombs, and going down into them is just an amazing feeling. The colors of the paintings on the walls are so bright, it’s hard to believe they are thousands of years old. We also visited the Temple of Hatshepsut, which is this stunning, three-tiered temple built into the side of a cliff. At the end of the day, Luxor has so much history packed into one place that you really need a couple of days to even begin to see it all.

Practical Tips and Honest Recommendations

So, if you’re planning a similar trip, I’ve got a few tips that might be helpful. I mean, there are some things you just kind of need to know before you go. This trip is pretty intense, with a lot of walking and some very early mornings to beat the heat, so you really need to be prepared for that, right? At the end of the day, you want to see everything, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint, you know? Here are a few things I learned:

“Having a qualified Egyptologist guide with you makes all the difference. Honestly, they bring the history to life in a way a book just can’t, and they handle a lot of the small details, which is a big help.”

• Packing Essentials: You will definitely need lightweight, breathable clothing, obviously. I mean, think cottons and linens. Also, a good sun hat, sunglasses, and strong sunscreen are absolutely non-negotiable. And, seriously, wear your most comfortable walking shoes. You will be on your feet a lot.
• Money Matters: Basically, you should always have small bills of Egyptian Pounds on you. Tipping, known as baksheesh, is a very ingrained part of the culture. You kind of tip for everything, from the person who guards a tomb to the bathroom attendant. It’s just how it works there.
• Staying Healthy: It’s probably best to stick to bottled water, even for brushing your teeth, just to be on the safe side. And be a little adventurous with the food! You have to try koshari, which is this amazing mix of pasta, rice, and lentils. It’s cheap and delicious, honestly.
• Being Respectful: Egypt is a more conservative country, so it’s a good idea for everyone to dress a bit more modestly, especially when visiting mosques. Basically, that means covering your shoulders and knees. It’s just a simple way to show respect for the local culture.

Read our full review: [10-Day Cairo Luxor Giza Aswan Felucca Full Review and Details]
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