Explore the medieval bazaar in Islamic Cairo for souvenirs, spices and coffee houses; most shops open 10:00am–10:00pm — great intro to Cairo’s atmosphere.
Visit the Great Pyramid, Khafre and Menkaure and the Sphinx; Giza opens 6:00am–5:00pm. Allow time for photo stops and optional interior pyramid entry (extra fee).
Explore the Step Pyramid complex of Djoser in Saqqara (open 8:00am–4:00pm) and optional quick stop at nearby Memphis open-air museum to see giant Ramses statue.
Visit the GEM (if operating public sections) or Tahrir Egyptian Museum to see Tutankhamun treasures and a vast pharaonic collection; museums usually open 9:00am–7:00pm. Book tickets in advance to skip lines.
Option for a dinner cruise on the Nile with live entertainment (board ~8:00pm) or dinner at Andrea (Zamalek) for seafood and Nile views; cruises usually depart 8:00pm–11:00pm.
Visit Philae Temple on Agilkia Island via short motorboat ride; site typically open 8:00am–5:00pm and is beautifully preserved with evening sound & light shows (if interested).
Cross to a colorful Nubian village for a cultural visit, then take a short felucca sail on the Nile for sunset views; flexible timings (late afternoon recommended).
Depart extremely early (bus ~3–4am) or take a short morning charter flight to Abu Simbel to avoid heat and crowds; the site opens early — plan the early start.
Explore Ramses II’s colossal rock temples (open from sunrise to late afternoon); the engineering and reliefs are spectacular and well worth the early start.
Enter the tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs including Tutankhamun’s tomb area (special tomb tickets extra); Valley generally open 6:00am–5:00pm. Plan 2–3 tombs included in the basic ticket.
Pre-dawn pickup for a hot-air balloon over the West Bank — spectacular sunrise views over tombs and the Nile; operators normally run flights 5:00am–7:30am (book in advance).
Choose a day trip to Fayoum’s Wadi El Hitan (whale valley) and Tunis village pottery, or use the day for relaxed museum visits, shopping and walking tours in Cairo; Wadi El Hitan trips typically depart early and return by evening.
Reserve a table for a romantic final dinner on a luxury Nile dinner cruise or an upscale rooftop restaurant with city views; cruises generally depart ~8:00pm.