Cairo and Upper Egypt
(Cairo – Aswan – Luxor – Dahab – Saint Catherine – Cairo)
Summary
A two week itinerary starting and ending in Cairo that allows for whistle-stop exploration of Upper Egypt before heading across the Red Sea to Sinai. This itinerary allows for budget rest and relaxation in Dahab and a trek up Mount Sinai. A good introduction to the country.
Description
Spend the first two days in Cairo (see full Cairo Itinerary) visiting the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and the markets before taking an overnight train south to Aswan (or alternatively take a cheap flight to Aswan), and then working your way back north.
Spend one day in Aswan enjoying the river Nile (See Aswan Attractions) and its surrounding by sail boat and depending on the tightness of your schedule and budget spend a second day making the trip south to Abu Simbel.
On Day four/five you can relocate to Luxor where the majority of Pharoahnic monuments are located (See suggested Luxor Itineraries) and stay for two days.
From Luxor you can take a bus to Hurghada to catch the ferry to Sinai. The ferry brings you to Sharm El Sheikh (1.5hours) where you can stay, or head north to less developed resorts like Dahab (1 hour bus/tax) and Nuweiba (2 hours)
It’s a long day of travel but the rewards are great. You can enjoy the all the wonders that the rugged Sinai peninsular has to offer including diving, snorkelling, trekking, and camping to mention but a few.
After two or three days in Dahab you can take a bus to Saint Catherine to visit the monastery and climb the sacred mountain.
Once you have recovered, an overnight bus journey will return you to Cairo in time to catch the flight home. If you have time to spare, an afternoon in Alexandria is highly recommended, a mere two hour train journey away.
Possible Itinerary
DAY 1: AM Arrive Cairo PM Visit Cairo
DAY 2: AM Visit Cairo O/N Train to Aswan
DAY 3: AM Arrive Aswan PM Visit Aswan
DAY 4: AM Visit Aswan PM Train to Luxor
DAY 5: Full Free Day in Luxor
DAY 6: Full Free Day in Luxor
DAY 7: AM Free in Luxor PM Bus to Hurghada
DAY 8: AM Ferry to Sharm El Sheikh PM Bus to Dahab
DAY 9: Free day in/around Dahab
DAY 10: Free day in/around Dahab
DAY 11: AM Free time in Dahab PM Excursion to Climb Mt Sinai
DAY 12: AM Visit Monastery PM Recover O/N Bus to Cairo
DAY 13: AM Arrive Cairo PM Free Afternoon in Cairo
DAY 14: Fly Home
