Sharm El Sheikh & Cairo 🇪🇬
"World-class Red Sea diving meets the chaos of the Great Pyramids."
With a 10-day window, you can split your time between high-end beach resorts in Sharm and the urban energy of Cairo. Your budget allows for 5-star accommodations and private guided tours of the Giza Plateau.
A perfect blend of Red Sea relaxation and Sinai desert exploration followed by a historic road trip into the heart of Cairo's ancient and Islamic wonders.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Arrival and Red Sea Relaxation
Morning — Arrive in Sharm El Sheikh and take a private transfer to your resort in the Nabq Bay or Naama Bay area.
Afternoon — Settle into your resort and spend the afternoon lounging by the Red Sea or snorkeling right off the hotel pier to see vibrant coral reefs.
Evening — Head to Naama Bay for a walk along the promenade and a traditional Egyptian dinner at Tam Tam overlooking the water.
💡 Download the 'InDrive' or 'Uber' app for fair taxi pricing within Sharm.
Day 2 · Snorkeling Ras Mohammed National Park
Morning — Breakfast at the resort followed by a morning swim in the turquoise waters of the Red Sea.
Afternoon — Take a boat excursion to Ras Mohammed National Park for world-class snorkeling and diving at Shark and Yolanda Reefs.
Evening — Visit 'The Farsha Mountain Lounge' in Hadaba for sunset drinks and snacks in a stunning, eclectic cliffside setting.
💡 Rent high-quality snorkel gear from your hotel for about $5 per day.
Day 3 · Desert Adventures and Starry Nights
Morning — Sleep in and enjoy the resort amenities or visit the 'Al Sahaba Mosque' in the Old Market for its stunning architecture.
Afternoon — Engage in a desert safari; take an ATV quad bike tour through the Sinai mountains to see the 'Echo Mountains.'
Evening — Enjoy a Bedouin-style dinner in the desert under the stars, often including traditional music and a fire show.
💡 Wear a scarf (shemagh) during the ATV tour to protect your face from dust.
Day 4 · Day Trip to Bohemian Dahab
Morning — Day trip to Dahab (approx. 1 hour drive) to experience the laid-back 'backpacker' vibe.
Afternoon — Experience the 'Blue Hole' in Dahab, a world-famous diving site, followed by a relaxed seaside lunch in the bohemian town center.
Evening — Return to Sharm El Sheikh and explore the 'Old Market' (Sharm el Maya) for spice shopping and local seafood.
💡 Dahab is significantly cheaper than Sharm for souvenirs.
Day 5 · Red Sea to Cairo Roadtrip
Morning — Final morning swim in Sharm; finalize car rental arrangements for the scenic road trip to Cairo.
Afternoon — Pick up your rental car and start the drive toward the Suez Canal; stop at the Springs of Moses (Uyun Musa) along the way.
Evening — Arrive in Cairo and check into a hotel in Giza with a view of the Pyramids to watch the evening Sound and Light show from your balcony.
💡 The road to Cairo has many checkpoints; keep your passport and rental documents easily accessible.
Day 6 · Wonders of the Ancient World
Morning — Early morning visit to the Giza Plateau to see the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx before the crowds and heat.
Afternoon — Enter the Great Pyramid of Giza (if not claustrophobic) and visit the Solar Boat Museum nearby.
Evening — Dinner at 139 Pavilion at the Marriott Mena House for an upscale meal directly facing the illuminated pyramids.
💡 Hire a licensed guide at the gate to avoid unofficial 'touts' offering camel rides.
Day 7 · Pharaohs and the Mighty Nile
Morning — Drive into Central Cairo to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (limited tours) or the original Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square.
Afternoon — Head to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) to see the Royal Mummies in their new resting place.
Evening — Take a traditional Felucca (wooden sailboat) ride on the Nile at sunset, bringing your own snacks and drinks.
💡 Traffic in Cairo is intense; leave 45 minutes earlier than GPS suggests.
Day 8 · Islamic Cairo and the Grand Bazaar
Morning — Explore the Saladin Citadel and the stunning Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali.
Afternoon — Wander through the labyrinthine alleys of Khan el-Khalili bazaar to shop for lamps, jewelry, and textiles.
Evening — Walk to the nearby Al-Azhar Park for dinner at Studio Masr, offering panoramic views of the Citadel and the Cairo skyline.
💡 Stop at 'El Fishawy' cafe in the bazaar for a mint tea; it has been open for over 200 years.
Day 9 · Religious Heritage of Old Cairo
Morning — Drive to Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo) to explore the ancient fortress of Babylon and several of the world's oldest churches.
Afternoon — Visit the Hanging Church, the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.
Evening — Head to Downtown Cairo (Talaat Harb) for a modern Egyptian dinner at 'Felfela' and enjoy the Belle Époque architecture.
💡 Coptic Cairo is very walkable and peaceful compared to the rest of the city.
Day 10 · The Ancient Capital and Saqqara
Morning — Half-day trip to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, to see the colossal statue of Ramses II.
Afternoon — On the way back to Cairo, stop at the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, the oldest stone structure in the world.
Evening — Final farewell dinner in New Cairo or Zamalek before heading to Cairo International Airport for your flight.
💡 Saqqara is a large site; your rental car or a hired driver is essential to see it all.