Arrive at your booked Cairo accommodation (you said already reserved for 27–29 Nov). Settle into a private budget room and store luggage; rest a bit after travel so you’re ready for a light evening wander.
Explore the atmospheric souk in Islamic Cairo at night; many shops and cafés stay open late. Great first taste of Egypt — mint tea and people-watching. (Khan el Khalili is open all evening though individual shops vary.)
Grab a casual dinner at a nearby spot: Abou Tarek for classic koshary or Zööba for modern street-food-style Egyptian dishes; both offer cheap, filling meals and are usually open until late.
Visit the Great Pyramid, Pyramid of Khafre, and the Sphinx. Morning is best for light and fewer crowds; the plateau generally opens around 8:00 and closes mid/late afternoon. Consider a short camel or horse ride for photos.
Head south-west to Saqqara to see the Step Pyramid and Memphis ruins. Site hours typically 8:00–17:00; Saqqara’s quieter than Giza and gives great context to Egypt’s Old Kingdom.
Board a traditional felucca for a 60–90 minute sunset sail on the Nile — peaceful views of Cairo skyline. Typically sunset trips depart 1–2 hours before sunset and run into evening.
Visit the Citadel (usually 9:00–17:00) and enjoy panoramic views of Cairo from the hilltop; the courtyard and mosque are visually impressive and historically important.
Pick up luggage if stored and confirm Watania sleeper printouts/e-tickets; Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) is available until ~17:00 if you prefer it now instead of earlier (check current hours).
Eat close to the railway station — choose a simple restaurant so you can board the overnight sleeper feeling comfortable. Allow extra time for taxi and station checks.
Board the overnight sleeper train to Aswan. Typical departure is around 20:00–21:00 with morning arrival; book a private sleeper cabin for comfort. Confirm exact departure time on your ticket.
Arrive early morning; check into a local guesthouse and deposit luggage. Have breakfast and rest briefly; most guesthouses accept early check-in if arranged.
Take a short boat ride to Philae Island to visit the beautiful Temple of Isis (site hours typically 8:00–17:00). The boat ride and island produce an iconic Nile-at-Aswan experience.
Visit the Unfinished Obelisk quarry and the Aswan High Dam (both generally open 8:00–17:00). These short stops explain ancient & modern stone engineering.
Leave pre-dawn (most organized minibus tours or drivers depart ~3:30–4:00 to reach Abu Simbel by sunrise); the site is open from early morning and early arrival avoids heat and crowds.
Stand before the colossal Ramesses II and Nefertari façades; the site typically opens at dawn and is best seen with morning light. Allow 1.5–2 hours for both temples and museum.
If you want the iconic bird’s-eye view of Luxor, book a balloon flight (pick-up around 4:30–5:00); flights run early and last about 45–60 minutes. This is optional and premium priced; confirm weather & booking in advance.
Start early to beat heat and crowds; Valley of the Kings typically opens around 6:00–6:30. Visit several tombs including Tutankhamun’s (special ticket) and enjoy the well-preserved painted chambers.
Short drive to the terraced mortuary temple of Hatshepsut next to the Valley of the Kings; site hours roughly 6:00–17:00 and the architecture is unique in Egypt.
Enjoy a slow dinner, perhaps try grilled river fish or traditional Egyptian stews; Luxor evenings are laid-back and good for reflecting on the day’s ruins.
Join a day boat trip to Giftun/Orange Bay for snorkeling reefs, swimming and sunbathing. Most trips run 9:00–16:00 and include lunch, masks and snorkels.
Take an afternoon/evening GoBus back to Cairo — travel time is roughly 5.5–7 hours depending on traffic. Book a comfortable coach for the overnight return or late arrival.
Explore the modern library and its museums; Bibliotheca usually opens around 9:00 and is a cultural highlight with rotating exhibits and great architecture.
Walk the Corniche to the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel (open around 8:00–16:00) where views of the Mediterranean are excellent — perfect for photos and coastal breeze.
Pick Montazah Gardens for seaside parks and palaces (open afternoons) or the museum for Pharaonic-to-modern exhibits. Choose based on energy and interest.
See key antiquities including Tutankhamun’s treasures at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir (generally 9:00–17:00) or choose the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization if you want a more modern presentation—both are excellent depending on interest.
Walk Al-Muizz li-Din Allah street and visit small museums, mosques and ornate gates; many sites open afternoons as well but check individual closing times (around 16:00–17:00).
Return to Khan el Khalili for any last-minute purchases and to experience the bazaar in late afternoon light; art, spices, scarves and small antiques are common finds.
If you missed the felucca earlier, enjoy a short sunset sail; otherwise, sit by the Nile for a final coffee/tea and watch the city slow down as evening falls.
Have a slightly nicer farewell dinner at a well-reviewed budget-friendly place (Sofra, Sequoia for a splurge, or local favorite) and recap the trip highlights.
Eat a light breakfast, finish packing and double-check passports, tickets, and airport transfer time. Most guesthouses will organize a taxi or hotel transfer.
Allow at least 2–3 hours before international flight departure for check-in and security; arrange airport transfer with your guesthouse or book a reliable taxi.