🇪🇬 Egypt Uncovered: The Ultimate 15-Day Travelogue
Egypt Uncovered: A 15-Day Master Plan Through the Land of the Pharaohs
Egypt is a place that many dream of, but few truly experience in its raw, unfiltered glory. After 15 days of navigating chaotic city streets, silent desert dunes, and monumental temples, I’ve realized that this isn't just a trip—it’s a journey through the very soul of civilization. If you are planning your own odyssey, here is exactly how to do it.
The Arrival: Cairo’s Pulse (Days 1–3)
Day 1: Landing in the Chaos Your journey begins the moment you touch down in Cairo. After clearing immigration and grabbing a local SIM (Vodafone or Orange are best), skip the aggressive airport taxis. Instead, use inDrive—a 40km ride to Giza should cost you around 600 EGP.
Where to Stay: We checked into Ahmed’s Airbnb in Giza. There is nothing like waking up to a direct, unobstructed view of the Great Pyramids from your window; it’s a core memory you won't get anywhere else.
Day 2: The Titans of Giza
The Morning: Start with breakfast at 9 Pyramids Lounge. Sipping coffee while staring at the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World is a surreal experience.
The Giants: Spend the afternoon wandering between Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. You don’t realize the scale until you are standing at the base of a single stone block.
The Treasure: Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) to see the Tutankhamun collection.
The Food: End the day with a bowl of authentic Koshary at the legendary Abou Tarek.
Day 3: The Architecture of Death Travel to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's oldest monumental stone structure. Don't miss the Tomb of Mereruka; the level of detail in the carvings is breathtaking.
The Desert Escape: The Siwa Oasis (Days 4–5)
Day 4: The Long Desert Road Getting to Siwa is a commitment. Take the West Delta bus from Cairo. Crucial Pro-Tip: Book two seats per person. It sounds like a luxury, but for a 10-hour desert haul, that extra legroom is a total game-changer.
Day 5: Salt Lakes and Ancient Oracles Siwa feels like another world.
The Float: Visit the turquoise Salt Lakes. Because of the high salinity, you float effortlessly. Warning: Wear sandals—the salt crystals are sharp as glass.
The History: Explore the Temple of the Oracle (where Alexander the Great once visited) and take a dip in Cleopatra’s Bath.
Logistics: Stay at Hotel Talid and find a guide named Ali; his Tuk Tuk is the best way to see the hidden gems.
The Mediterranean & The Deep South (Days 6–8)
Day 6: Alexandria’s Coast Trade the sand for a sea breeze. Explore the Montazah Palace Gardens, the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the Citadel of Qaitbay, which stands on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Day 7: South to the Land of Gold Fly from Cairo to Aswan and check into the Obelisk Nile hotel, located right on the water's edge. Spend your evening in the Nubian Village, where the streets are a riot of color and hospitality.
Day 8: Abu Simbel & The Pearl of Egypt Take the pre-dawn road trip to Abu Simbel to see the massive temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari. Later, take a boat to the Philae Temple, a stunning site dedicated to Isis.
The Temple Trail: Aswan to Luxor (Days 9–11)
Day 9: Riverside Wonders Hire a private transfer from Aswan to Luxor. This allows you to stop at Kom Ombo (the crocodile temple) and Edfu, which is the best-preserved temple in all of Egypt. Arrive in Luxor just in time to see Luxor Temple glowing under the moonlight.
Day 10: Sunrise over the Necropolis Start at 5:00 AM with a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. Seeing the ancient Theban Necropolis from above as the sun rises is the only way to truly grasp its majesty. Later, explore the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple.
Day 11: The Blue Ceilings of Dendera Take a trip north to Dendera to see the Temple of Hathor. Its astronomical ceilings are famous for their vibrant blue pigments that look almost new.
The Final Return: Layers of Cairo (Days 12–15)
Day 12: Spiritual Roots Back in Cairo, explore Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church. Spend the afternoon getting lost in the labyrinthine alleys of the Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
Day 13: The Royal Mummies Visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) specifically for the Royal Mummies Hall. Seeing the ancient kings and queens in a modern, respectful setting is a powerful experience.
Day 14: The Great Food Crawl Eat your way through the city! Hit Hagoga, Kebda el Falah, and Tabali for authentic street-style liver and falafel. Don't leave without a parcel of traditional pastries from El Abd Patisserie.
Day 15: Final Farewell Wrap up your 15-day journey and head to the airport, carrying the stories of the sands back home.
💡 Pro-Logistics & Survival Tips
Transport: Skip private day cabs in Cairo; Uber and inDrive are more affordable and higher quality.
Connections: Hire local legends like Ali (Siwa), David (Aswan), or Abdul (Luxor) for stress-free sightseeing.
Bargaining: Be brave and persistent; bargaining is expected and a core part of the local culture.