Most visitors never experience the natural masterpieces that lie off the tourist trail—from bubbling hot springs to unearthly landscapes of dead volcanoes to the “Valley of the Whales.”

Welcome the day in the desert, follow in the footsteps of ancient artisans and explore the city’s Coptic heritage on a jam-packed day in the Egyptian capital.

The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open in its entirety — from pyramid views to Tutankhamun’s treasures, here’s what you can expect.