After your arrival at Cairo International Airport, settle into your hotel in Giza or downtown Cairo and enjoy a leisurely breakfast with views of the city skyline. Use the morning to rest from travel, complete check-in, and arrange a private guide and driver for the day so you're ready for an afternoon visit to Giza without rushing.
Head to the Giza Plateau for your first encounter with Egypt's ancient wonders: a guided walk around the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure, plus close-up views of the Great Sphinx; include a brief interior visit if you both want to see the passageways (tickets permitting). Pause for a rooftop lunch at a nearby cafe overlooking the plateau to soak in the scale and take sunset-ready photos before returning to the hotel to freshen up.
For a relaxed first evening, enjoy a traditional Egyptian dinner cruise on the Nile or dine at a charming Giza restaurant serving koshari, mezze and grilled fish while exchanging highlights from the day. If you have energy, stroll around the Khan el-Khalili bazaar area to experience lively markets, sip mint tea at El-Fishawy cafe, and pick up a small souvenir before heading back to your hotel for the night.
Begin your day after breakfast with a private guided visit to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square — linger over Tutankhamun’s treasures, the gilded mask, and the newly displayed royal mummies in the upper galleries while your guide pieces together the stories behind the artifacts. Follow with a stroll through nearby Mohamed Mahmoud Street or across the square for coffee at a classic Cairo cafe to collect your thoughts before heading toward Old Cairo.
In the afternoon transfer to Coptic and Islamic Cairo: explore the Hanging Church and the Church of St. Sergius in Coptic Cairo, then walk through the fortified walls of the Babylon fortress and visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue if open. Continue to the nearby Citadel of Saladin and the impressive Mosque of Muhammad Ali for panoramic city views, taking time to relax at a terrace cafe overlooking historic Cairo.
As dusk falls, head to Khan el-Khalili bazaar for souvenir browsing and a sensory dinner — try a mezzes platter and hibiscus tea at a traditional coffeehouse such as El-Fishawy. Finish the night with a short felucca sail on the Nile (if you prefer a quieter evening) or return to your hotel to rest and prepare for your early transfer to Luxor the next day.
After an early breakfast in Cairo, transfer to Cairo International Airport for your short domestic flight to Luxor; on arrival, check into your hotel or a traditional Nile-side guesthouse and drop your bags before heading out. Begin on the East Bank with a guided visit to the magnificent Karnak Temple complex — stroll down the Avenue of Sphinxes, admire the Hypostyle Hall’s towering columns, and let your guide bring the pharaonic rituals to life.
Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a riverside restaurant near Luxor Temple, sampling grilled fish or mezzes while gazing across the Nile. In the afternoon explore Luxor Temple itself as the light softens; wander through the colonnades and chapels where Ramses II and Amenhotep III left their marks, and consider a brief detour to the Luxor Museum for intimate displays of sculptures and artifacts that connect the East Bank temples to the royal burials you'll see later.
Return to your hotel to freshen up, then take an atmospheric evening walk back to Luxor Temple to see it beautifully lit after dusk — the quieter mood makes for romantic photos and a memorable introduction to Thebes. Finish the night with a candlelit dinner at your hotel or a nearby rooftop terrace, savoring Egyptian classics and planning the West Bank’s tombs and monuments for tomorrow.
After breakfast, cross to Luxor’s West Bank with your private guide to begin at the Valley of the Kings; explore several tombs (including Tutankhamun’s burial chamber if tickets permit) and admire the vivid funerary paintings while your guide explains the iconography and royal rituals. Follow this with a short stop at the nearby Tomb of Ramses IV or Seti I for a deeper sense of craftsmanship, then pause for mint tea at a simple café near the site before continuing the day.
Head to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari to walk its striking terraces and learn about Egypt’s most famous female pharaoh, then visit the Colossi of Memnon — stand between the two giant seated statues and imagine the grandeur of the lost mortuary complex. If time allows, include a quick visit to the artisans’ village in the West Bank for alabaster or papyrus shopping and to watch local craftsmen at work before returning toward the river.
Return to your hotel to freshen up, then take an early evening felucca ride on the Nile for golden-hour views of the East and West Banks, finishing with dinner on a rooftop terrace overlooking Luxor Temple lit at night. Cap the night with a relaxed stroll through the nearby souks or a quiet drink at your hotel, reflecting on the day’s tomb discoveries and preparing for your transfer to the Red Sea tomorrow.
After a leisurely breakfast on the Nile, pack and check out for your transfer to the Red Sea — choose a ~4-5 hour private car transfer to Hurghada (scenic eastern desert route) or a short domestic flight/transfer to Sharm el-Sheikh via Hurghada if preferred. En route, stop at a roadside café for strong Egyptian coffee and a light snack, and stretch your legs at a panoramic viewpoint to admire the shifting desert colors as you leave Luxor’s river landscapes behind.
Arrive at your beach hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada, check in, and head straight to the shore for your first snorkel or reef-introduction — popular spots include Ras Mohammed or Naama Bay in Sharm or Giftun Island & the Red Sea reefs off Hurghada; many hotels and dive centers offer a guided half-day snorkel with equipment. After the water, enjoy a relaxed seafood lunch at a beachfront restaurant (try fresh grilled sea bream or a mezze platter) and stroll the promenade to take in the Red Sea breeze.
Freshen up and watch the sunset from your hotel’s terrace or a beach bar — pair the view with a chilled hibiscus drink or a glass of Egyptian wine. For dinner, choose a romantic table at a seaside restaurant (consider Farsha Café or local hotel fine dining in Sharm, or Marina-side dining in Hurghada) and cap the night with an easy walk along the lit promenade or a quiet drink as you plan snorkeling/diving options for New Year’s Eve.
Start the day with a guided boat trip to Ras Mohammed or Tiran Island for a morning snorkel — drift together over colorful coral gardens and swim among parrotfish and clownfish while your guide points out signature sites like Jackson Reef. If you’re certified divers, arrange a two-tank dive with a reputable center such as Camel Dive Club to explore dramatic drop-offs and tunnels; otherwise relax back at Naama Bay with fresh fruit and Egyptian coffee at a beachfront café.
After a seafood lunch at a seaside restaurant (try Fares Seafood in Naama Bay or the stylish terrace at Farsha Café), spend a lazy afternoon by your hotel pool or on a quiet stretch of beach at Shark’s Bay, enjoying a couples’ massage or snorkeling from the shore to see reef life up close. Alternatively, take a short trip to Ras Um Sid for easy coastal walks and panoramic views, then browse the local boutiques in Soho Square for a festive outfit or a small New Year’s keepsake.
Dress up for a romantic New Year’s Eve dinner — choose a beachside table at a hotel like Iberotel Palace or a lively celebration at a beach club in Naama Bay with live music and fireworks over the sea; reserve in advance to secure prime views. After midnight, wander the lit promenade hand-in-hand, sip hibiscus or a celebratory cocktail, and return to your hotel for a quiet nightcap on the terrace while planning tomorrow’s early flight to Amman.
After an early flight from Sharm el-Sheikh/Hurghada to Amman, collect your bags and transfer to your hotel for a short refresh before stepping out to explore the Citadel on Jabal al-Qal'a — wander among the Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace ruins and enjoy sweeping views across the white-stone city. Follow with coffee and a light brunch at a nearby café in downtown Amman (try Hashem or a specialty spot in Al Balad) to fuel up while your guide sketches the city’s layered history.
Head to the Roman Theatre and the Jordan Museum to see artifacts from the Dead Sea Scrolls era and the Man on the Mountain displays, then stroll Rainbow Street for boutique shops and a casual mezze lunch at Sufra or Fakhr El-Din’s more relaxed cousin. If time allows, take a short drive to the King Abdullah Mosque to admire its blue dome and serene interior, or visit a local art gallery in Jabal Amman to catch contemporary Jordanian works.
As dusk falls, enjoy a romantic dinner on a rooftop terrace with city views—choose a modern Levantine restaurant such as Romero or Fakhreldin for refined Jordanian cuisine and mezze plates to share. After dinner, take a relaxed post-meal walk along Rainbow Street for live music or a cozy café dessert, then return to your hotel to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s day trip to Jerash or the Dead Sea.
If you choose the northern option, depart Amman after breakfast for the remarkably preserved Roman city of Jerash — stroll the Cardo Maximus, climb the South Theatre’s tiers for sweeping views, and let your guide bring to life chariot races and temple rituals as you pass Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Artemis. For a quieter start, head southwest toward the Dead Sea and arrive at a private beach club to float in the mineral-rich waters; sample the therapeutic mud and relax while your partner snaps the iconic buoyant photos.
After exploring Jerash, drive up the wooded slopes to Ajloun Castle for panoramic vistas over olive groves and a short walk through the castle’s towers, followed by a countryside lunch at a local homestead serving mansaf or mezze with fresh flatbread. If you spent the morning at the Dead Sea, linger into the afternoon for a spa treatment or light hike on nearby trails (like the Mujib Reserve approaches) and enjoy a leisurely lakeside lunch featuring fresh salads and Jordanian mezze paired with mint tea.
Return to Amman in the early evening and unwind with a sunset coffee or dessert on Rainbow Street, sampling knafeh or a traditional sweet at a cozy café while watching the city light up below. If you prefer a low-key end after the Dead Sea, choose a rooftop restaurant near your hotel for a relaxed dinner—try lamb musakhan or stuffed vegetables—and reminisce about the day’s landscapes as you prepare for tomorrow’s journey to Petra.
Set out early after breakfast to beat the crowds and walk through the dramatic 1.2-km Siq — pause to admire the colorful striations in the mule-track walls before the reveal of Al Khazneh (the Treasury) as it first emerges; your guide will explain Nabataean engineering and point out carved water channels and hidden niches along the way. From the Treasury, take the short climb to the Street of Facades and the Royal Tombs, lingering at the high vantage points for sweeping views of the ancient city and photo opportunities that capture Petra’s layered stonework.
After a light lunch at the Basin Restaurant or a packed picnic beneath the Royal Tombs, tackle one of Petra’s signature hikes — either ascend the steps to the Monastery (Ad Deir) for a dramatic, less crowded panorama, or explore the Little Petra (Siq al-Barid) and the Roman-style theater and colonnaded streets for quieter antiquities and frescoed niches. Visit the Petra Museum or the Al Beidha archaeological site if time permits to add historical context, then return via lesser-used passageways to soak in details of rock-cut houses and ancient water-management systems.
As daylight softens, descend back toward the Treasury for the golden-hour glow and consider a brief camel or horse ride around the outer ruins to enjoy the changing light and desert silhouettes before leaving the site. For dinner, relax at your Wadi Musa hotel or at a nearby terrace restaurant such as Petra Kitchen to savor Jordanian mezze and mansaf while swapping favorites from the day; if available and you booked in advance, attend the Petra by Night candlelit experience for a magical, intimate atmosphere around the Siq and Treasury.
Rise early for a scenic transfer from Wadi Musa to Wadi Rum and meet your Bedouin guide for a crisp morning 4x4 jeep tour through the Martian landscape — visit Lawrence's Spring, the Khazali Canyon with its Nabataean inscriptions, and stop at the striking Burdah Rock Bridge for photos and short walks. Sip mint tea in a desert camp while your guide shares Bedouin stories and traditional hospitality, soaking in the sweeping red-sand vistas before you head back toward the highway.
After a light desert lunch or packed picnic, depart Wadi Rum for the drive back to Amman (or for direct transfer to Queen Alia Airport depending on your flight time), pausing en route at scenic viewpoints for final desert panoramas and a quick stretch in a roadside café. If your schedule allows and you return to Amman with time to spare, enjoy a relaxed late-afternoon visit to the Royal Automobile Museum or a short stroll through Al Balad for a final coffee and souvenir shopping.
Conclude your trip with an easy dinner near the airport or in Amman — choose a rooftop restaurant in the capital for a farewell mezze spread (try Fakhreldin or Sufra for memorable Jordanian cuisine) if time permits, otherwise opt for a convenient airport lounge meal before check-in. Allow ample time for transfer and immigration formalities, reflecting on the contrast between Petra’s carved rose stone and Wadi Rum’s vast sands as you prepare to fly home.