Start with a hearty hotel breakfast to recover from travel and plan the day; many central hotels open their buffet around 7–8am. A good Egyptian breakfast includes ful medames and ta'ameya (fava beans and local falafel).
Visit antiquities — GEM (on Giza plateau) houses the Tutankhamun collection in modern exhibition spaces; the Tahrir museum remains a classic option in central Cairo. Both offer unrivalled context for later visits to the tombs and temples.
Try koshary (Egypt’s national street dish) for a quick, authentic meal near Tahrir or downtown; cheap, filling and iconic. Expect a casual, fast-service experience popular with locals and tourists.
Walk through Coptic Cairo to see the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue and charming narrow streets, giving insight into Egypt’s Christian and Jewish heritage. Typical opening hours are 9:00am–5:00pm so plan afternoons accordingly.
Browse the famous bazaar for souvenirs, spices and copperware as the souk becomes atmospheric in late afternoon and early evening; many shops stay open until 9:00pm–10:00pm.
Enjoy classic Egyptian dishes in an atmospheric setting within the bazaar; the restaurant is a good place to try mezze and grilled meats after a day of sightseeing.
Explore the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, and the Sphinx; visit the Solar Boat Museum if time permits. The plateau typically opens early (around 7:00–8:00am) and is best visited morning to avoid the heat and crowds.
Relax with a lunch offering views of the plateau (if you choose a rooftop cafe) or a nearby restaurant serving Egyptian and international dishes. Midday restaurants close around 3:00pm in some areas so plan accordingly.
Visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara and the open-air site of Memphis to see colossal statues and ancient monuments; Saqqara is typically open 8:00am–5:00pm and is quieter in the late afternoon.
Head back to Cairo for dinner in Zamalek; Sequoia offers Nile-front dining with Mediterranean dishes, while Zooba provides modern Egyptian street food in a casual setting.
Early breakfast and transfer to Cairo International Airport for a domestic flight to Aswan; flights typically take about 1h45 and there are multiple departures in the morning.
Take a short boat ride to Philae island to see the elegant temple of Isis, beautifully set on the Nile and typically open from around 6:00am–5:00pm. This is one of Upper Egypt’s most picturesque temple sites.
Enjoy Nubian specialties or grilled fish on the Corniche; the Nubian House offers colourful decor and traditional food, a great cultural interlude in Aswan.
Visit the modern engineering feat of the High Dam (open around 9:00am–4:00pm) and the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries to see an enormous incomplete monument up close.
Take a relaxing felucca sail at sunset around Elephantine Island — a classic Aswan experience that offers calm river views and local life along the banks. Short sails usually operate until early evening.
For road trips, depart very early (around 3:30–4:00am) for the 3-hour drive to Abu Simbel to see the temples before crowds and heat; alternatively, take a short early flight (subject to availability).
Explore Ramses II’s monumental temples carved into the rock, a UNESCO highlight; sites are typically open 6:00am–5:00pm and are spectacular at sunrise and early morning light.
Return to Aswan mid-late morning and have lunch; allow time to refresh at your hotel before boarding a Nile cruise (many cruises embark mid-afternoon).
Board a four- or five-star Nile cruise in the afternoon; most cruises offer a welcome briefing and set sail in the afternoon or evening for the Kom Ombo stop. Check your cruise’s embarkation time in advance (typically 2:00–4:00pm).
Visit the unique double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus set right on the Nile; boat- and cruise-arrival times vary, but morning stops typically run 8:00–10:00am.
Visit the well-preserved Ptolemaic Temple of Horus; access from the dock commonly involves a short horse-cart (calèche) ride, a traditional and picturesque transfer to the temple entrance.
Dinner on the cruise typically features international and Egyptian dishes, followed by optional onboard entertainment such as traditional music or a belly-dance show.
Disembark in Luxor early in the morning and check into a hotel or store luggage if continuing with day visits; Luxor arrival times vary but are usually early to maximise sightseeing.
Visit the vast Karnak complex, the largest religious complex in Egypt, with its hypostyle hall and route of sphinxes; the site typically opens around 6:00–7:00am and is best early before midday heat.
Lunch in Luxor’s compact city centre where you can sample mezze and grilled dishes before an afternoon of sightseeing; many restaurants are open through the afternoon.
Explore Luxor Temple in the afternoon when the light is softer; the temple is illuminated at night and often open until late (check local opening hours which often run until 9:00–10:00pm for evening visits).
Attend Karnak’s sound and light show (if operating) or enjoy a relaxed Nile-side dinner; check show timings (usually after sunset) and book ahead as seats are limited.
Early breakfast and take the short ferry or bridge over to the West Bank to begin visits while sites are cool and less crowded; many tombs open from 6:00am–5:00pm.
Enter several tombs of the New Kingdom pharaohs (including Tutankhamun’s burial chamber replica areas and select original tombs which require extra tickets). The valley opens early, and mornings are best for photography and cooler temperatures.
Visit the cliff-side mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the iconic Colossi of Memnon; both are close by and complete the West Bank highlights.
Take an afternoon flight back to Cairo (approx 1h15) to return to the capital for the final night; evening flight options are frequent but book in advance for best fares and timings.
Return to Cairo and enjoy a farewell dinner at a rooftop or Nile-front restaurant like Sequoia or Pier 88; savor Egyptian and Mediterranean cuisine in a scenic setting.
Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel and confirm departure logistics with reception; allow extra time for traffic when travelling to the airport from central Cairo.
Visit the Citadel for panoramic views of Cairo and the Ottoman-era Mosque of Muhammad Ali; opening hours typically run 9:00am–5:00pm but check locally as times can change.
If you didn’t visit GEM on Day 1, use this morning to see any remaining major exhibits, or head to Khan el-Khalili for last-minute shopping and souvenirs. GEM typically opens 9:00am–7:00pm; check current schedules and ticketing online.
Have a final casual lunch in the city to sample any missed local dishes like molokhiya or ful; budget-friendly and quick places are ideal before airport transfer.
Allow at least 2–3 hours for international check-in and security; Cairo traffic can be heavy so leave early from central Cairo to make your flight comfortably.
Depart Cairo with memories of the Nile, ancient monuments and lively markets; if you have a late flight, consider an afternoon museum visit or a final stroll along the Nile Corniche.