Updated September 28, 2026

An Egypt honeymoon itinerary, day by day

Eight to twelve days of pyramids, a dahabiya on the Nile, a balloon over Luxor and time on the Red Sea.

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An Egypt honeymoon can be very romantic or very tiring, and the difference is mostly in the planning. This is the itinerary we suggest to most couples, with the reasons behind it.

Eight days, the classic shape

Days 1 and 2: Cairo. Arrive, rest, then Giza at opening time and the Grand Egyptian Museum after lunch. Two nights is enough for a first visit.

Day 3: Luxor. Fly south in the morning and see Karnak in the afternoon light. Have dinner on a terrace above the Nile.

Day 4: Balloon and West Bank. A dawn balloon flight over the Valley of the Kings, then the royal tombs and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Board a dahabiya in Esna in the afternoon.

Days 5 to 7: Sailing to Aswan. A dahabiya is a small sailing boat with a handful of cabins. It stops at quiet islands and small temples the big ships pass by, such as El Kab and Gebel el-Silsila. One evening the crew sets a table for two on a sandbank.

Day 8: Aswan. Disembark and fly home, or add a night at the Old Cataract hotel.

You can book this as our honeymoon by dahabiya.

Twelve days: add the Red Sea or Jordan

With four more days, you have two good options:

The Red Sea. Three or four nights at a beach hotel in Hurghada, Soma Bay or Marsa Alam. Good for couples who want real rest after the temples.
Petra. A short flight to Amman, then Petra, a night in a Wadi Rum desert camp and the Dead Sea. See Egypt and Jordan in 12 days.

What makes it feel like a honeymoon

Fewer early starts. We keep the dawn wake-ups to the balloon and one temple.
Private moments that are actually private. A private balloon basket, a private felucca dinner, a photographer for a few hours at golden hour.
The right rooms. A Nile-view room or a dahabiya cabin with its own terrace makes a bigger difference than any upgrade.

When to go

October, November, March and April are warm but comfortable. December and January are cooler and busier. Summer honeymoons work if you are happy with early mornings and long afternoons by the pool. See our guide to the best time to visit.

Tell us your dates and we will send a honeymoon itinerary written for the two of you.