Destination: Egypt

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Whistle-Stop Nile Tour

ONE WEEK / CAIRO TO ABU SIMBEL

The Whistle-Stop Nile Tour will race you through Egypt’s major attractions, teasing you with a brief taste of the country’s flavours.



On a punishing schedule, one week is just enough time to see the bare highlights of this magnificent country. Fly into Cairo. Two days in the capital allow you to take in the astounding Pyramids of Giza and seek out the treasures in the Egyptian Museum, as well making an evening visit to the Khan al-Khalili, the city’s grand bazaar.

Catch the overnight train to Luxor ( book this as soon as you arrive in Cairo to be sure of a berth), arriving early in the morning – the perfect time to head over to the West Bank to see the monuments of the ancient necropolis of Thebes. In two days you can visit the major sights, including Medinat Habu, Deir al-Bahri (temple of Hatshepsut) and the Valley of the Kings. Spend afternoons or evenings on the East Bank at Karnak and Luxor Temple.

Jump on a morning train to Aswan (five hours) and you’ll be able to spend a relaxing afternoon sailing on a felucca on the Nile.

At a push the next day you could go to Abu Simbel to visit the grandest of all Pharaonic monuments, before hightailing it by train back to Cairo.