Buffet breakfast at your Cairo hotel to fuel up for a full-morning visit to the Giza Plateau; most mid-range and higher hotels serve breakfast 6:30–10:00am. Confirm your hotel’s hours the night before.
Visit the Great Pyramid, the surrounding pyramids and the Sphinx while it’s cooler and less crowded; the plateau is usually open from around 7:00am–5:00pm. Allow time for walking, photos and optional entry to a pyramid interior (extra ticket).
Try koshary — a classic Egyptian comfort dish — at Abou Tarek (open ~10:00am–11:00pm) for an affordable, authentic meal near central Cairo after your morning at Giza.
If you want more ancient-artifact time, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) at Giza if operating (typical hours 9:00am–5:00pm) or the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir (9:00am–5:00pm). Both house extensive Tutankhamun and artefact collections.
Recover from the heat with a short late-afternoon felucca on the Nile (around sunset); short sails are usually 45–90 minutes and run from late afternoon into early evening depending on season.
Choose a dinner cruise on the Nile (live music, 7:00–10:00pm typical) for views and atmosphere, or dine riverside at Sequoia in Zamalek (usually open 12:00–11:00pm) for upscale Mediterranean and Egyptian dishes.
Spend the morning viewing major artifacts, Tutankhamun finds and historical galleries; the Egyptian Museum is typically open 9:00am–5:00pm (GEM: check current opening hours).
Enjoy traditional Egyptian dishes (mezze, grilled meats) at a local favourite like Felfela in downtown Cairo (usually open from late morning into the evening); good midday break.
Explore the churches and narrow lanes of Old Coptic Cairo; major sites typically open 9:00am–5:00pm — a gentle cultural contrast to the ancient pharaonic sites.
Wander Khan el-Khalili’s lanes for souvenirs, coffee/tea and ambience; most shops open through the afternoon and into the evening (some close for midday).
Early transfer to Cairo International Airport for a morning domestic flight to Luxor (arrive 90–120 minutes before check-in for peace of mind). Pack a light breakfast or take hotel takeaway; domestic flights typically start early.
Visit magnificent Karnak Temple (open c. 6:00am–5:00pm) — a vast complex with great hypostyle halls and obelisks; allow plenty of time for photos and history.
Visit the Valley of the Kings early (open approx. 6:00am–5:00pm) to see tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs; the Tutankhamun tomb often requires a separate ticket. Expect walking, heat and uneven surfaces.
Luxor Temple is atmospheric at dusk and evening (often lit up after 6:00pm); open hours vary but the temple is commonly available for night visits into the evening.
Short domestic flight back to Cairo, arriving mid-morning and giving you time for last sights or shopping depending on your international departure schedule.
If you haven’t yet visited GEM, this is a convenient final stop (check current opening hours — commonly 9:00am–5:00pm). Alternatively, pick up any final souvenirs at downtown shops or in Zamalek.
Relax with a leisurely lunch overlooking the Nile at Sequoia (if you want upscale) or choose a cosy local café for lighter fare; Sequoia usually opens around noon.
Head to the airport for your onward flight or to your hotel if you have a late international departure. Allow at least 2–3 hours for international check-in and security.