My friends and I took a trip to Kenya and Zanzibar. I usually try to minimize layovers but we stumbled upon a flight that had a 17 hour layover in Cairo, Egypt and we took advantage of a great opportunity. There are so many things I have always wanted to see in Egypt. 17 hours is not nearly enough, but it allowed us time to check some fun off the list! Egypt Air provided us with hotel rooms as well as food vouchers for the day. We found a guide and planned a full day of exploring. We were exhausted from jet lag and the long flight but we built up the energy to make it all happen. We checked in to our rooms at 6:30 am, showered and changed for the day. Our tour guide picked us up at 7:30 am and stayed with us until 6:45 pm when we returned to our hotel. As tiring as the day was, It was absolutely worth it!

What to Do

Visit The Pyramids of Giza

The ancient pyramids of Egypt were built as tombs for the Pharaohs. It is still a mystery to this day, as to how these pyramids were built during a time with such limited resources. Each stone weighs no less than 2.5 tons and there are about 2.3 million stones in the Great Pyramid of Giza making it an ancient wonder of the world. I am still in awe after going inside of the Khufu pyramid in Giza. The stairs are steep and lead to a very low tunnel to walk inside. Inside there was an empty tomb. The height of the ceiling increases at the space where the tomb is located. This was such an incredible experience and I cant wait to go back and walk through the others on a future trip. The cost to enter the Giza complex was 100 Egyptian Pounds or $5.40 USD. The cost to enter inside the pyramid was 200 Egyptian Pounds or $10.80 USD.

The Giza complex is very crowded and chaotic. I suggest going with a tour guide who can assist with maneuvering through the crowds. You will find many people offering to take photos for tips. It can be a bit overwhelming. Security guards monitor your clothing. If you are showing too much leg or cleavage they will ask you to delete your photos. This can be very annoying! They also don’t like women to be too overdressed. My friend had on a gown and a crown and apparently this was not allowed. If they think you are “modeling” or “a paid influencer” they will ask you to delete your photos while they watch to confirm.

Have Lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge

The restaurant is located in a perfect location, just about 10 minutes from the complex. We were so hungry after spending hours walking around and couldn’t wait to eat. There are many dining options including outdoor patios, indoor tables as well as lounge areas with pillows for seating. The views are incredible and there is no other restaurant that can provide such an unobstructed close view of the pyramids. Traditional Egyptian food is served at a very reasonable price. The restaurant was full of tourists which I normally don’t care for, but the views of the pyramids made it all worth it.

Kiss The Sphinx

The sphinx is located in the Giza complex but you will have to take a car to get to it. The complex is along a one way route making it easy to view AFTER the pyramids. The Sphinx was built around 2500 BC for the Pharaoh Khafre. It is one of the most recognizable statues in the world with the body of a lion and the face of a human (Pharaoh Khafre). Although you can no longer go inside the Sphinx, seeing the ancient wonder from a distance is just as spectacular! The best place to get a good selfie or photo is from the viewing platform (located just outside the Temple of the Sphinx). You can capture lots of cool photos (including kissing the Sphinx). There are many others trying to get the same photo, so be sure to bring your patience with you!

Take a Cruise on The Nile River

I couldn’t leave Egypt without visiting the famous Nile River. Unlike other rivers, the Nile runs south to north which was crucial for the development of  Ancient Egypt.  It provided fertile soil, irrigation transportation etc.. The Nile is one of the most important rivers in the world, running through 11 countries.  Although the “Nile Crocodiles” no longer occupy the river, it is still not safe to swim in.  We found a small port along the river offering 1 hour cruises for $5 USD per person.  There is no need to book an expensive tour because there are so many small companies offering less expensive options. 

Shop For Perfume and Souvenirs 

If you are looking for souvenirs, there are many places in Old Cairo selling perfumes/oils, jewelry and other Knick Knacks.  We were given a presentation of traditional Egyptian oils and it was hard to chose one.  Many of the oils have multiple uses including body as well as home fragrance and they are all pure essentials oils and are not diluted with alcohol.  I recommend buying the traditional glass oil burner if you choose to burn in your home.  The scents are pleasant and only a few drops are needed to scent your home. If you chose to buy jewelry, I recommend negotiating prices.  My friend purchased a beautiful gold necklace engraved in hieroglyphics  and the initial price was $1,500.  She was able to negotiate down to $400.  Like most countries, they will hike up the prices for tourists because they think we rich.  

Helpful Information

• Official Language: Arabic
• Currency: The Egyptian Pound. $1 USD = 31 Egyptian pounds (I suggest planning an itinerary in advance to ensure you bring enough currency) Credit cards are accepted but sometimes there are costly fees associated with each purchase which will quickly accumulate. Be sure to contact your credit card company/bank regarding fees and limitations prior to traveling.
• Climate: Dry, Hot, Desert, very little rain. The winter season is from December to March and it is cooler than summer but not cold (around 65 f).  The summer months are hotter and temperatures are around 92 f. 
• Best time to visit: October-April (Autumn-Spring) if you want to avoid the heat **Summer months are hotter **
• Time Zone: Eastern European Standard Time (GMT+2)
• Transportation:  Public transit, busTaxi, private car service, walking, 
• Plan to stay for at least 4 days.
• Safety– I never once felt unsafe. This does not change the fact that there still may be some crime. I advise to always travel in groups. Be aware of surroundings and pay attention to people. Try not to get too intoxicated as this can hinder ability to notice any potential threat or problem. Always check the travel advisory info on the US Embassy website.