Routes · Africa

Amsterdam to Egypt: Cairo, Luxor and Aswan

Amsterdam → Cairo → Luxor → Aswan

Nile & pharaohs Best season (general guide): Oct–Apr

The classic journey through ancient Egypt follows the Nile, and from Amsterdam it starts with a flight to Cairo. After a few days in the capital, a short domestic flight takes you to Luxor, and from there you continue upriver to Aswan by road, by train or on a multi-day river cruise. You can fly home from Aswan or via Cairo. The itinerary spends three nights in Cairo, three nights in Luxor and two nights in Aswan.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Cairo: day one, Islamic Cairo; day two, Giza pyramids and the Sphinx; day three, Grand Egyptian Museum, then Khan el-Khalili. Then spend days four to six in Luxor: day four, fly to Luxor, then Luxor Temple at night; day five, Karnak; day six, west bank: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut. Then spend days seven and eight in Aswan: day seven, upriver to Aswan, then felucca sail; day eight, Philae temple (or Abu Simbel day trip).

In Cairo, the pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza are the obvious start, but the city also rewards time in its medieval Islamic quarter, the Citadel and the bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Luxor, the ancient Thebes, has more monuments than almost anywhere else: the vast columned halls of Karnak, Luxor Temple lit up at night, and across the river the painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the terraced temple of Hatshepsut. Aswan is quieter and set among granite islands, where feluccas sail in the afternoon breeze and Philae temple stands on its island. Many travellers add the long trip south to Abu Simbel.

October to April is the comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings. December and January are the coolest and the busiest months. From May to September, Luxor and Aswan are extremely hot, Aswan most of all, so temple visits are only practical very early in the morning.

Sun protection, water and good walking shoes are essential at the temple sites. Tipping, known as baksheesh, is customary for small services. Photography rules inside tombs vary, so check before you go in.

Safety note: Canada advises a high degree of caution in Egypt (regional tensions, terrorism) and avoiding all travel to northern Sinai and the Western Desert west of the Giza–Luxor–Aswan–Abu Simbel road; this route's stops (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan) are outside those zones (updated 26 May 2026). The US rates Egypt Level 2 (issued 15 Jul 2025).

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.