I’ve finally decided to make my childhood dream come true—and at the same time, fulfill my two boys’ dreams (ages 9 and 13).
Just to give you some context, we’re used to "backpacker" vacations—the little one even crossed Malaysia on my back. But now I’ve got a teenager, so if I pack too much, he complains, and I’m getting older, so I’m more tired 😉.
I’ve put together this itinerary trying not to rush, based on a felucca trip with a small local agency that has a solid reputation.
Day 1: Late arrival in Cairo
Day 2: Cairo - Flight to Aswan (11:20 PM)?
Day 3: Aswan? Cairo?
Day 4: Aswan
Day 5: Sail Day 1
Day 6: Sail Day 2 (camel market + Kom Ombo)
Day 7: Sail Day 3 (Jabal El Silsila)
Day 8: Sail Day 4 Edfu - transfer to Luxor - arriving at 2 PM
Day 9: Luxor (Valley of the Kings)
Day 10: Luxor (Karnak)
Day 11: Luxor / Cairo?
Day 12: Cairo: Giza
Day 13: Cairo Giza again - Flight home at 11 PM
My main question is about how much time to allocate in Aswan, Luxor, and Cairo to avoid missing out but without feeling rushed.
We definitely have:
- 3 full days in Cairo
- 2.5 days in Luxor
- 1 day in Aswan
I can adjust a bit:
- By adding 1 day in Aswan or Cairo
- By adding a half-day in Cairo or Luxor.
Hello everyone,
Day 1: Arrival at Cairo Airport—what time???
Day 13: Is that the time for your 11 PM flight??
Day 3: Aswan? Cairo? I don’t get why Cairo?? Since on Day 4 you’re in Aswan, so that’s almost two days in Aswan??
Day 6: If you’re doing a felucca cruise to the livestock market, you need to know the day, because it depends—it’s not the same thing. The camel market is on Saturdays and Sundays, and depending on the day of the week, it’s cows, sheep, goats, and others.
Day 11: Luxor - Cairo?? Is this still undecided, or is it the flight time??
Thoutmosis
Hi everyone, and thanks for shedding some light on this!
I’ve put my answers to your questions in bold.
Day 1: Arrival at Cairo airport — what time??? - Like midnight, basically a wasted day
Day 13: Is your flight at 11 PM?? - Yes, that’s the departure time for the return flight
Day 3: Aswan? Cairo? I don’t get why Cairo?? Since you’re in Aswan on Day 4, that means almost two days in Aswan??
That’s the question — are we only spending one day in Aswan?
Day 6: If you’re doing a felucca cruise to the livestock market, you need to know the day, because it depends. The camel market is on Saturdays and Sundays, and on other days of the week, it’s cows, sheep, goats, etc.
Yep, I know — we’re good, it’ll be on Saturday. I’d already planned for that, and the provider specifies the right days
Day 11: Luxor to Cairo?? Is that not decided yet, or is it the flight time?? It’s not decided yet.
I think we’ll actually take off for Aswan on Day 3. We’re gonna skip Abu Simbel — too much driving from Aswan for my taste. So one day in Aswan should be enough, and that’ll give us time to relax a bit after the arrival trip.
So, in my opinion, we’ll spend most of our time in Luxor on Day 11 before heading to Cairo.
Hello everyone,
For day 13, you can still make the most of the day since your flight is at 11 PM. To be sure you don’t miss it, it’s best to arrive early—accounting for the 2-hour time difference plus the journey and traffic, I’d recommend leaving 4 hours before your flight. You can always grab a coffee or something while you wait. Honestly, it’s the safer option, and if you’re organized, it’s no problem, even with teens.
Now, if you wanted to see as much as possible, the cruise wasn’t the best solution. For me, it’s just watching the banks go by (been there, done that, and it kills my mood—I’m used to moving around, taking tons of photos and videos, so cruises are a no-go for me now). But if it’s a real passion for you, that’s your call, and I get it.
It’s a shame to skip Abu Simbel, but if you have no choice, then stay two nights in Aswan before the cruise. After your cruise, you’ll disembark after Edfu, so it’s about a two-hour drive to Luxor, hopefully passing through Esna and the Temple of Khnum.
The time you’re going isn’t too hot yet, so sightseeing won’t be unbearable. At your age, you’ve still got all that youthful energy 😏, and if the teens aren’t too difficult, the visits will be a breeze 😏.
Thoutmosis
Thanks for your insights and great tips—I’ll take them for my peace of mind 🙂.
Life is all about choices, and I’m not one for rushing. They were easier to travel with as backpackers when those two were just 1 year old (we definitely turned heads back then)...
A felucca cruise is a childhood dream—taking the time to do nothing, just soaking in the scenery (my inner mountain lover coming through). I don’t want to see or consume as much as possible; I want to *live* the trip. I’ve been a backpacker for 25 years (well, with a break...) and we’ve always preferred quality over quantity.
Abu Simbel will have to wait for another time if we return—along with Lake Nasser, the White Desert, and who knows what else...
I’ll be going at the end of October, so I’ve got time to fine-tune things before then...
Hello everyone,
Mountain lover from Toulouse? Probably originally from there?
Same here, which is why we always try to stay in small hotels or, when possible, in guesthouses or with locals.
We always plan everything ourselves, like many others, but even some "backpackers" freak out when it comes to Egypt—why? Weird.
For our next trip, at the end of October, it’s still hot but bearable. Though in Aswan and Abu Simbel, it’ll be a different story.
Thoutmosis
Here’s our tentative itinerary—unless you tell me it’s a bad idea:
D1 Outbound flight
D2 Cairo – The city
D3 Cairo – Saqqarah + flight to Aswan at 11 PM
D4 Aswan – Philae – Elephantine
D5 Sailing – 1st villages
D6 Sailing – 2nd market + Kom Ombo
D7 Sailing – End of cruise – Edfu + road to Luxor (14 hours?)
D8 Luxor – Karnak + hot-air balloon
D9 Luxor – Valley of the Kings + evening bus
D10 Hurghada – Red Sea
D11 Hurghada – Red Sea + late-night bus
D12 Giza – we’ll see
D13 Giza
This gives us two nights in each place, which we really need.
I think we’ll stay in Hurghada itself to minimize transport. We all dive, but I’m also planning to do some snorkeling. From what I’ve gathered, given the limited time, the best option is a boat excursion, right?
And I’ve heard the beaches are all pretty developed—is that correct? What a shame.
Another little question: if we had to pick one sound and light show, which one should we go for?
I’ve read that:
- Philae is great but a bit harder to get to
- Karnak: easy access but the quality is so-so
- Cairo: haven’t read anything, but we’re staying with a view of the pyramids
Hello everyone,
I saw the other post with the schedule, and if that’s what you want, no one’s going to argue with you, but...
Is it really more packing and unpacking? It’s already so tight—one little hiccup and it’s a nightmare. That’s why I always say to plan for some flexibility.
Hurghada is already a 4h30 drive, and then there’s the transfer to Cairo if your return flight is from there—another long trip??? I wouldn’t do Hurghada myself. Some will say it’s doable, sure, but as usual, they’re not the ones in your shoes.
For the sound and light show at Philae, it’s really a matter of taste. It also depends on how many days you’re spending in Aswan. If you plan to visit the islands, that takes time, especially if you go all the way to Sehel Island. If you’re just visiting, take a small motorboat—feluccas are *very* slow, so you’ll lose even more time. I saw Philae and Karnak a long time ago, so I don’t know if they’re still the same. As for explanations, nothing special in my opinion. Cairo’s the same—plus, they no longer have the French version. It was taken down for renovations, but anyway, if you have a hotel facing the pyramids, they usually have a rooftop terrace. No need to buy a ticket for the sound and light show—we did that in 2018, and the view of the whole site was beautiful. You could do the same. Of course, others might have a different opinion.
What interests me isn’t so much the sound and light show, but getting evening photos of the site. With the new lighting, it’s much better.
Once you’re in Luxor, head toward the Theban Hills—you’ll see they’re lit up all along. It’s absolutely stunning.
Thoutmosis
To avoid packing and unpacking, we travel light—we’re used to it, and we stay pretty grubby 😉.
For budget reasons, we were planning to take the bus from Luxor to Cairo, but between a 10-hour bus ride or a 4h + 7h trip (via GoBus), the latter’s less awful. Especially since I just snagged flights for 35 € on EgyptAir from Hurghada to Cairo 🙂, which was totally unexpected!
Either way, thanks for all the new insights and info I’ve picked up from your other discussions. No sound and light show for us, but we’re doing a hot-air balloon ride over Karnak instead...
No sound and light show, but a hot-air balloon ride over Karnak...
Oh wow, that sounds like a dream, Cat! Just out of curiosity, how much is it per person? (Because if it’s within my budget, I’m booking it right away 😄)
Thanks!
Christelle
Le monde est comme un miroir, si tu lui souris, il te sourit aussi!
Hello everyone,
Since 2015 and the 2013 accident I narrowly avoided, the number of companies has increased significantly, and as a result, prices have gone up. Forget about 20 €—now it’s more like 50 € or even up to 100 €. You can already spot quite a few companies just by looking at the Luxor map (Google Maps): Sindbad, Salem Hot Air Balloon, Memphis Tour, King Tut, Top Level, etc. They’re buzzing around like a swarm of hornets.
Thoutmosis
Hello everyone,
no worries, same here—I never proofread because I’m usually juggling about ten conversations at once (and now I don’t open several at the same time anymore because I’d get mixed up ). Anyway, as I always say, today’s prices definitely won’t still be good in a week, maybe two, or even a month or two, but the current prices give you a ballpark.
For the price, check in private—unless you’ve already seen what you might be able to do???
Thoutmosis
Hello,
In September, my wife and I, along with another couple, will be traveling to Tunisia and staying at the Sheherasade Hotel near Sousse.
We’d love to hear your recommendations or tips on places to visit, as well as advice on taxis or other transportation options.
Thanks in advance!
We're planning a 2-week trip in late February/early March for a road trip in the High Atlas with a rental car, and we'd love to avoid booking our accommodations in advance. Is that doable, easily manageable, or risky (are accommodations available, expensive, or not great)? Thanks for your tips!
Annie
This autumn’s trip should be in Morocco—barring any geopolitical issues between now and then.
After many trips to the south of Fès, I’m giving the north a try.
My plan is roughly to do a road trip loop from Rabat back to Rabat, passing through Asilah, Tangier, Tétouan, Chefchaouen, Akchour, Fès, Meknès, and Volubilis.
That’s a lot of cities.
Probably a bit too many for our taste—we usually prefer more isolated spots...
So I’m looking for tips on little backroads, secluded beaches, half-day hikes, and offbeat places.
If you’ve also got recommendations for accommodation... (We’re open to splurging over 100 € if it’s a real favorite.)
Feel free to think outside the box—this is an open-ended plan! !😉
Hello,
I’m looking for testimonials from Pieds-Noirs who have recently returned to Algeria.
There can’t be many left after 65 years of the country’s independence.
I’m planning to go back myself soon to reconnect with my roots... before I pass away...
I’ve started making a few pre-bookings for hotels and apartments to rent in Algiers. At first, I received friendly and welcoming responses. Then, when I mentioned I wanted to stay for two or three weeks—maybe even a month—explaining that my trip wouldn’t be strictly touristy but more of a pilgrimage to the places of my childhood, and that it would likely be a very emotional journey, I expected a positive and warm reaction to my approach. Instead, I suddenly stopped getting replies from the three or four people I’d contacted. So now I’m wondering about the reception former Pieds-Noirs can expect...
Anyone here who can share their experience of returning? I specified “recently” because it seems that right now, diplomatic relations between the two governments are extremely tense, not to say hostile... even if Macron claims otherwise...
Hello,
I’m traveling to Algeria from October 27 to November 16, 2026.
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through the process about the accommodation attestation required for the visa application:
- Does it need to cover the entire duration of the trip?
- Is this document mandatory for a hotel to rent a room?
- Is it checked during inspections?
- Is a hotel booking (e.g., via Booking.com) sufficient for the visa?
- If so, does it need to be paid in advance?
I plan to visit several cities and do one or more treks with a guide or agency.
If you have any contacts you’d recommend, I’d be grateful!
Also, I’d love to share this trip with a companion who’s already done some traveling.
We’d organize the journey together, of course.
Thanks for your feedback!
Safe travels to all,
Dom, Dijon, 64 years old
I’m leaving for Tunisia in five weeks for a full 15-day trip. I’ll be arriving in Monastir and departing from there as well.
I’d like to do a route that’s a bit different from my first stay, which was more focused on cities and culture (Tunis, Sousse, Kairouan, El Jem).
I’ll be getting around by public transport.
I’d like to head south toward Tozeur, and I saw that you can take a *louage* from Monastir to Sbeitla (2h30). I imagine it’s not too complicated to get to Tozeur from there afterward? The issue is the return trip to Monastir and safety in Sbeitla.
If this route seems too complicated, I might opt for Djerba instead, which looks simpler.
I’m heading to Morocco in September 2026, and part of my trip takes me through Merzouga. I’m looking for a 4x4 driver-guide to explore the area with my partner and me.
Even though I come to Morocco four times a year, it’s been a long time since I’ve made the trip by car. I need to refresh my knowledge! I’ll be traveling in early October. I have a car that’s about 20 years old. The plan is to cross via Algeciras/Ceuta.
A few questions:
1) Does this crossing still exist? If so, do I need to buy the ticket in advance or on the spot? From whom? Any advice is welcome!
2) What documents are required for the car?
3) If anyone is making the trip around the same time, it could be fun to drive together 😊
Hi there,
I’m looking for some friendly recommendations for places to stay in Marrakech for 3 nights in June 2026.
In the meantime, have a great day, everyone! Thanks so much in advance.
I’m reaching out to gather your thoughts on an itinerary (10 days... or more?) I’d like to do at the beginning of June 🙂.
Just so you know, I’m planning to do this trip solo (25 years old), using only public transport and just a backpack. I’ve already been to Marrakech and climbed Mount Toubkal two years ago...
I’ll be arriving in Tangier.
Day 1-2: Explore the city center, hike around Cap Spartel...
Day 3: Stop in Tetouan
Day 4-5-6: Chefchaouen and a day hike in the Rif Mountains
Day 6-7: Discover the city of Fes (I’ve heard so many great things!!)
Day 8: Stop in Meknes and possibly visit the historic site of Volubilis
Day 9-10: Rabat (I’ve heard mixed things... some good, some bad)
After that, I have the choice of heading back to Tangier for my return flight... or going down to Agadir (also a possible return flight) and extending my trip by 5 days :)
From what I can tell, everything is well connected by bus (CTM) or train (ONCF).
Another question: Is the vibe in Moroccan youth hostels for meeting people the same as what you’d find in Western Europe?
Thanks in advance for your replies and your kindness! 😊
Tickets for entry to Majorelle Garden are only issued online via an official site
(though there are fraudulent sites out there). On the official site, they ask for legitimate info
(name, nationality, etc.). What made me go "hmm" was the request for both an email address
AND a password (with confirmation). Is this normal?
Thanks for your replies.
Hi there, a group of girlfriends and I are heading to Tunisia. We’d love to know how much cash we should bring for 6 days, considering everything’s already paid for at the hotel. Thanks for your tips!
I’m finalizing the loop I’d like to do in May over 13 days, starting and ending in Essaouira.
We’re planning to rent a vehicle and are pretty active—we’re not really into crowds (that’s why I’ve decided to skip Marrakech).
Here’s my proposed itinerary:
Trip Proposal Summary:
From May 13 (morning arrival) to May 26 (morning departure)
Arrival and departure: Essaouira
Day 1 (May 13): Arrival in Essaouira – Settling in / Exploring / Rest
Day 2 (May 14): Essaouira – Water activities
Day 3 (May 15): Essaouira to Tafraoute (~5h30) – route via Agadir – arrival and first exploration; Question: Is a detour to Taroudant worth considering?
Day 4 (May 16): Tafraoute – Hike in the granite rocks – wild bivouac
Day 5 (May 17): Tafraoute – Aït Mansour gorges – oasis – night in a hostel
Day 6 (May 18): Tafraoute → Foum Zguid (~5h) – transition route – simple overnight or bivouac
Day 7 (May 19): Foum Zguid → Zagora (~3h) – Draa Valley – desert prep
Day 8 (May 20): Zagora → M'Hamid El Ghizlane → Erg Chigaga – departure with 4x4 guide – entering the dunes – bivouac
Day 9 (May 21): Erg Chigaga – full desert day – walking, exploring – bivouac
Day 10 (May 22): Desert → Ouarzazate (~5–6h) – leaving the desert – rest
Day 11 (May 23): Aït Benhaddou – early visit – short hike – overnight stay
Day 12 (May 24): Aït Benhaddou → Telouet – route toward the Atlas – start of trek – bivouac
Day 13 (May 25): Atlas → Essaouira (~5–6h) – end of trek – return to Essaouira (overnight)
Day 14 (May 26): Essaouira – free time + return flight
What do you think?
I aimed for an excursion to the Chigaga desert from M’Hamid because it seems less touristy and allows for a more compact loop. Is that a good idea? Is the drive to M’Hamid maybe too tedious?
Open to your great tips if there’s room for optimization!
A lot of people find it important to stick to their budget when traveling—not to skimp, but to visit as many places as possible since traveling is their hobby.
In this post, I want to share some tips for those coming to Morocco who want their trip to be budget-friendly.
1. Prebook everything: hotels or riads, car rentals, or tours. If you book these in advance, it’ll make your life easier. You won’t have to deal with hagglers or people trying to overcharge you for services that are available online for free. Use platforms like Booking, Expedia, carsrental.ma, Airbnb, and other booking services to get this done properly.
2. Exchange your money to Moroccan dirhams as soon as you land. 1 € is always a little over 10 dirhams, but many people get charged as if it were exactly 10 dirhams per euro.
3. When visiting an old site or the old medina, avoid talking to vendors and shop owners—they’re really good at getting your attention and making you overpay for things.
4. Ask your tour guide to buy things for you. Yes, they do get a commission, but you’ll probably pay way more if you buy something yourself that they can get cheaply.
5. Walk everywhere. You don’t need a taxi for every little trip. Pick a good location and walk—most Moroccan cities are safe during normal hours.
6. Buy your food, drinks, etc., from supermarkets at normal prices. They can’t overcharge you since they scan every product.
Hi everyone! 😊
We’re traveling as a family to Marrakech from April 19 to 24, and there’ll be 15 of us (all ages), staying in the Targa neighborhood (El Idrissi Street).
I’d love your advice on a few things! 🙏
🚗 Vehicle rental
We’re thinking of renting 3 cars. We’ve seen really low prices online, but often without insurance.
👉 Do you have any reliable contacts or personal experiences to share?
👉 Would you recommend getting specific “tourist” insurance?
🏛️ Visits – Bahia Palace & Saadian Tombs
We’d like to visit the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, but:
We can’t find single tickets online
We only see guided tours with fixed times (like 9:30 AM / 4-hour tours)
👉 Do you know if it’s possible to book without a guide?
👉 Or do we have to buy tickets on-site? (We’re a little worried about crowds and lines, especially with older folks in the group.)
🍽️ Restaurants / meals
We’ve spotted the Grand Bazaar Marrakech for a meal.
👉 Any thoughts?
👉 Could you recommend other restaurants in the same budget? (We’re a big group, so it needs to stay reasonable.)
For lunch/snacks, we’ve seen:
Snack Toubkal
Goûter Saveur
👉 If anyone’s been, I’d love your feedback! 😊
🛒 Practical info – Targa neighborhood
We’ll be in Targa (El Idrissi Street).
👉 Are there shops nearby for quick groceries (breakfast, water, etc.)?
If you’ve got any great tips, contacts, or little tricks, I’d love to hear them! 😍
Thanks so much for your help! 💖
We’re heading to Morocco as a family from April 22 to May 8. It’s a bit short to explore such a beautiful and vast country, but school and work commitments, you know how it is...
My partner is a musician and absolutely loves Gnawa music.
Unfortunately, we won’t have time to visit Essaouira, as we’re heading south toward the Valley of the Roses...
Do you know of any places around Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or Kelaat M’Gouna where we might have the chance to meet Gnawa musicians?
We’ll also be staying a few days in Aït Benhaddou and Skoura during our trip toward the Dadès Valley.
If you have any good spots to buy a guembri along the way, I’d love to hear about them too! :)
Mid-May: arriving alone (so, a "petit taxi"?) at Marrakech airport around 4:30 PM,
is it advisable to take a taxi at the airport (cost?) or is it wiser to book one through the hotel before departure (which would cost me 20 €)?
I think I’ve seen lower fares elsewhere (12 €?).
Destination: Riad Sijane near Djemaa El Fna square. Thanks!
I’m planning my next trip outside Europe for next year, but unfortunately, I don’t have a choice with the dates—it’s late June to early July. Last year, I went to Japan for three weeks, and it was constantly 36-37°C with over 90% humidity. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either.
For Egypt, I know it’s a period to avoid if possible, but I’m thinking that by the sea, it might be manageable. Otherwise, I’ll consider another destination.
Day 1: Arrival in Hurghada in the evening
Day 2, 3, 4: Hurghada
Day 5: Hurghada, then drive to Luxor in the early afternoon
Day 6: Luxor
Day 7: Luxor, then drive back to Hurghada in the late afternoon
Day 8, 9, 10, 11: Hurghada
Day 12: Return flight
For the Hurghada trip, either rent a car or—easier—a private car/van.
Is it worth adding an extra day in Luxor?
During the stay, we’re planning activities like camel rides, quad biking, jeep tours, snorkeling, and jet skiing.
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip to Morocco in September-October in our Fiat camper van, which isn’t a 4x4 but has already handled quite a bit of rough travel. While reading up on southern Morocco, we’ve been drawn to the Aguinane oasis but I’m having trouble locating it on the map. Is it possible to get there without a 4x4?
Thanks for your help
Hi there,
Can anyone tell me if it's possible to travel from the Dades Gorges (Msemrir) to the Todra Gorges (Tamtatouche) on a paved road? Thanks in advance for any answers.
Hello,
We’d like to hire a French-speaking guide (agency, professional, or volunteer) to show us around Cairo over three days.
Trip planned for November 22, 23, and 24, 2026—four veteran French travelers.
We’re open to any leads, contact info, or suggestions.
Best regards,
Jacques
Hi there,
I have a layover in Algeria.
I won’t be leaving the airport.
The two tickets aren’t with the same airline.
Do I need a transit visa?
Thanks for any details and your help!
Hi there,
I live in Casablanca and my parents, who are 80, will be joining me in Marrakech at the beginning of May for a few days.
We’ll be renting a car to get around.
Do you have any suggestions for things to see or visit within a 2-3 hour drive max from Marrakech that aren’t too touristy?
My parents can walk a bit, but at 80, no climbing Mount Toubkal!
Thanks so much in advance for your ideas!
