Exciting Private Day Trip of Giza

A private half day on the Giza plateau with your own Egyptologist: the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the Valley Temple of Khafre, the Great Sphinx and the panoramic viewpoint over all three Pyramids, with the plateau ticket and pickup from your hotel in Giza or central Cairo included.

Duration: 4 hours
Tour type: Private, your own group
Pickup: From your hotel
Lunch: Not included
Guide: Private Egyptologist, English-speaking
Entrance fees: Included

From$70 per person

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Overview

The Pyramids of Giza are the last survivor of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world and still the image of Egypt for most of the world. Built for three kings of the 4th Dynasty, Khufu, his son Khafre and Khafre's son Menkaure, around 2600 to 2500 BC, they stand on a limestone plateau at the edge of the Western Desert, with the Great Sphinx guarding the causeway to Khafre's pyramid. This private half-day tour concentrates on Giza alone, with time to walk around the monuments and understand how and why they were built.

Your Egyptologist meets you at your hotel and you drive to the plateau. You start at the Great Pyramid of Khufu and continue to the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, then visit the Valley Temple of Khafre and the Sphinx beside it, and finish at the panoramic viewpoint in the desert, where all three pyramids line up. You are back at your hotel by lunchtime, about four hours after pickup.

Who this tour suits

First-time visitors who want the Pyramids and the Sphinx explained properly by their own guide, without a coach group.
Travellers with only a morning free in Cairo, or a layover long enough for a half day.
Families who want to set their own pace and take breaks when they need them.
Visitors who plan to spend the afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum, two kilometres away.

It is a weaker fit if you also want to see Saqqara, the Step Pyramid and Memphis; those need a full day. Two good partners for this tour are our Grand Egyptian Museum tour and the quad bike safari near the Pyramids at sunset.

Why a guide makes the difference here

The Pyramids look simple and are not. Your Egyptologist explains how the blocks were quarried and moved, how the builders lived in the workers' town south of the Sphinx, what the boat pits and the queens' pyramids were for, and why the Sphinx faces east. The guide also handles the practical side of the plateau: tickets, the shuttle buses between the stops and the vendors, who are less persistent with a guide present.

What you will love

The Great Pyramid of KhufuThe largest of the three, about 4,500 years old and built from more than two million blocks.
The Great SphinxThe lion with a king's head, carved from the bedrock of the plateau, seen from the Valley Temple.
The Valley Temple of KhafreMassive granite pillars and alabaster floors where the king's funeral began.
The panoramaThe viewpoint in the desert where all three pyramids line up for the classic photo.
Your own EgyptologistA private guide who explains how the pyramids were built and who built them.
An early, quieter startArrival at the opening time, before the heat and the coach groups.
Back by lunchtimeAbout four hours in total, with the afternoon free for the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Your stops

Stop1

07:30 Pickup from your hotel in Giza or Cairo

Your Egyptologist and driver meet you in the hotel lobby and drive you to the plateau in a private air-conditioned car, arriving for the 08:00 opening. On the way your guide explains how the visit is organised and what you would most like to see.

Stop2

08:00 The three Pyramids of Giza

You start at the Great Pyramid of Khufu, about 139 metres high today and for nearly four thousand years the tallest building on earth. Your guide explains how it was planned and built, and shows you the boat pits and the small queens' pyramids beside it. You continue to the Pyramid of Khafre, which still has some of its smooth casing stones near the top, and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure. Going inside one of the pyramids is possible with an extra ticket; guides may not explain inside, so your guide prepares you before you enter. About 90 minutes.

Stop3

09:45 The Valley Temple and the Great Sphinx

At the bottom of the causeway stands the Valley Temple of Khafre, built of huge granite blocks with an alabaster floor, where the king's body was received before burial. From its side you walk out to the terrace in front of the Great Sphinx, about 73 metres long and 20 metres high, carved from the living rock. Your guide explains who it represents, why it was buried in sand for much of its history and how it has been restored. About 45 minutes.

Stop4

10:45 The panoramic viewpoint and drive back

A short drive brings you to the panorama in the desert south-west of the pyramids, where all three stand in a line with the city skyline behind them, the best place for photos. If you wish, your guide can arrange a short camel ride here, paid locally, or a stop at a papyrus institute on the way back. You are back at your hotel by about 11:30 in Giza or 12:15 in central Cairo.

Price

Group size and pricing

9 or more people$70per person5–8 people$70per person2–4 people$110per personSolo$185per person

Prices are per person in US dollars. Children pay less, see the children policy below.

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What is included

Included6 items

A private half-day tour of the Giza plateau: the three Pyramids, the Valley Temple, the Sphinx and the panorama.
Your general entrance ticket to the Giza plateau.
A stop at the panoramic viewpoint for photos of all three pyramids.
A visit to the Great Sphinx from the Valley Temple terrace.
A private English-speaking Egyptologist guide for your group.
Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Giza or central Cairo in a private air-conditioned car.

Not included2 items

Tickets to go inside the Great Pyramid or another pyramid (bought on the day).
Lunch, camel or horse rides, tips (optional) and visits not in the program.

Practical information for this tour

Opening hours and the best time of day

At the time of writing, the Giza plateau is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00 (official monuments website). Arrive at the opening: the light is softer, the coach groups have not yet arrived, and from May to September the heat on the open plateau becomes intense by late morning. That is why the tour starts with a 07:30 pickup.

Tickets and entry

Your general ticket to the Giza plateau is included, and covers the Valley Temple and the Sphinx enclosure. Going inside the Great Pyramid, or inside Khafre's or Menkaure's pyramid, needs a separate ticket, which is not included; you can buy it on the day, and your guide waits outside, since guides are not allowed to explain inside the pyramids. Visitors now enter through the new visitor centre, and electric shuttle buses run between the main stops on the plateau.

Photography rules

Personal photos and videos are allowed everywhere outdoors on the plateau. Photography inside the pyramids is restricted, and drones are not allowed without a permit. Your guide knows the best angles, including the viewpoint where you can line up all three pyramids.

What to wear and bring

A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen: there is almost no shade on the plateau.
Comfortable shoes for sand and uneven stone.
Light clothes; a layer for winter mornings, which can be cool.
Water and small cash in Egyptian pounds for toilets, a camel ride or tips.

Pickup, timing and getting there

Pickup is from hotels in Giza, where the drive takes 10 to 20 minutes, or from central Cairo, Zamalek and Garden City, 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Hotels in New Cairo, Heliopolis or near the airport are further away; tell us where you stay.

Camels, horses and vendors

Camel and horse rides are offered at the plateau and at the panorama; they are optional and paid locally. If you would like one, your guide helps you agree the price and the length of the ride before you start. A polite, firm "no, thank you" is enough for vendors.

Children, mobility and breaks

Children are welcome and the shuttle buses reduce the walking. The ground around the pyramids is uneven sand and stone; the inside of the Great Pyramid involves a long, steep, narrow passage and is not suitable for anyone with heart or breathing problems or claustrophobia. Tell us about mobility needs in advance.

Travel policy guide

Pricing policy

All prices are per person in US dollars and depend on the size of your group. Your quote lists the final price and what it covers. After the deposit, changes to your plan cost US$25 per request, plus any third-party fees.

Booking confirmation

A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking. The final payment is due 30 days before departure, and bookings made within 30 days of departure are paid in full. We accept Visa or Master Card by secure online payment, Visa or Master Card by email, and wire transfer. We confirm every booking by email.

Cancellation and refund

22 days or more before departure: 100% refund
15 to 21 days: 70% refund
8 to 14 days: 50% refund
0 to 7 days: no refund

No-show travelers are charged 100%. During peak events in Egypt, hotels and Nile cruises do not refund deposits. Groups of more than 10 people may have different terms.

Children policy

Under 2: free, sharing the parents’ bed, meals not included
2 to 5 years: 25% of the adult price
6 to 11 years: 50% of the adult price
12 and over: adult price

Add each child and their age in the enquiry form so the quote is exact.

Optional visits

Add a lunch stop, a longer visit or a second site to your day. Tell us what you want and we add it to your quote with its cost.

Extra expenses

Not included in the price: Entry inside one of the pyramids (additional cost); Any extras not mentioned in the programme.

Tipping guide

Tipping is customary in Egypt and is not included in the price. A usual amount for a private day tour is US$5 to 10 per person for your guide and US$3 to 5 for your driver.

Questions about this tour

How long is the tour?

About four hours from pickup to drop-off from a Giza hotel, a little longer from central Cairo.

Can we go inside a pyramid?

Yes, with an extra ticket bought on the day. The passages are steep and narrow, and your guide waits outside, since guides may not explain inside.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Your guide and car are for your group only. The plateau is shared with other visitors, and is busiest from late morning.

Are camel rides included?

No. They are optional and paid locally. Your guide helps you agree the price and the length of the ride before you start.

Can we add the Grand Egyptian Museum?

Yes. The museum is about two kilometres from the Pyramids and makes a good afternoon after this tour. Tell us when you book and we plan the full day.

Is lunch included?

No. You are back by lunchtime. Your guide can suggest a restaurant in Giza; the meal is paid locally.

What travelers say about Egypt Online Tour

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Tripadvisor

5.0

193 reviews

Ranked #121 of 2,706 tours and activities in Cairo

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Google

5.0

Based on 6 Google reviews

60 Ahmed El Zomor, Cairo, Egypt

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Christiane SMay 2026

Traveled with family

Amazing Egyptian vacation! We did an 11 day private tour of Cairo, cruise on the Nile between Aswan and Luxor and a 4 day stay in Hurghada. The guided tours were very interesting, with extremely knowledgeable guides, attentive and helpful.

Ehrhart MAugust 2024

Traveled as a couple

Egypt package to the Pyramids of Giza and Saqqara was a fascinating journey through Egypt's ancient past ,guide knowledge, the majesty of the pyramids, and the historical depth of Saqqara made this tour truly enriching!

Clayton Z973August 2024

Traveled in a group

our honeymoon to Egypt ,Giza and Saqqara was a magical escape into history The pyramids looming in the distance, the quiet serenity of the desert, and the ancient wonders of Saqqara created moments that will be with me forever!

Guest video reviews

Guides for planning this trip

Answers to the questions travelers ask before they book.

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Exciting Private Day Trip of Giza