Giza Pyramids Day Tour
Cheops, Khafre, Mykerinos & The Great Sphinx
About this tour
Private guided tour of all three Giza pyramids and the Great Sphinx, with an expert English-speaking guide bringing 5,000 years of history to life.
What you'll see on the Giza Plateau
The Great Pyramid was built for the Fourth Dynasty king Khufu, known to the Greeks as Cheops, around 2560 BC. It rose about 146 meters and remained the tallest human-made structure on Earth for nearly four thousand years. Next to it stands the pyramid of his son Khafre, which still keeps a cap of its original smooth limestone casing near the top and looks taller because it sits on higher bedrock. The smallest of the three belongs to Menkaure (Mykerinos). Below them lies the Great Sphinx, carved directly from the plateau's limestone and generally attributed to Khafre, together with his granite-lined Valley Temple, where the king's body is thought to have been prepared for burial.
How the day runs
Your driver and guide collect you from your hotel in Cairo or Giza in a private air-conditioned vehicle. From most Giza hotels the plateau is only minutes away, while central Cairo can take 45 minutes or more depending on traffic. The visit usually starts at the Great Pyramid, continues to Khafre and Menkaure, then stops at the panoramic viewpoint where all the pyramids line up for photos. The last stop is the Sphinx and Valley Temple. Lunch is included at a local restaurant before you are driven back to your hotel. The whole outing takes about eight hours, and the pace is set around your group, so you can linger where you like.
Good to know before you go
The plateau is open desert with very little shade, so wear comfortable closed shoes, a hat and sunscreen, and carry water, especially from May to September. Mornings are cooler and less crowded, which is why we prefer an early start. Entry tickets are not part of the price and are bought at the gate; going inside the Great Pyramid needs its own separate ticket, and the interior passages are narrow, steep and humid, so they are not ideal for anyone with claustrophobia or knee trouble. Camel and horse rides are offered on the plateau by independent operators at your own cost. Phones and cameras are fine outdoors.
What's Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking tour guide
- Lunch
Not Included
- Entry tickets to sites
Pricing
- 1 Person: USD 70 total
- 2 Persons: USD 100 total
- 3+ Persons: USD 120 total
Prices marked per person are per person; all others are the total for that group size.
Entry tickets not included
Frequently Asked Questions
Are entrance tickets to the pyramids included?
No. Entry tickets to the Giza Plateau are not included in the tour price. You pay them at the site, and any extra tickets, such as entering the Great Pyramid, are also separate. Ticket prices are set by the Egyptian authorities and change from time to time, so we confirm current rates when you book.
What does the price cover?
The price covers a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver, an English-speaking guide for the day, and lunch. It is a group total: $70 for one traveler, $100 for two, and $120 for a group of three or more. Tips, entry tickets and optional camel rides are not included.
Can we go inside one of the pyramids?
Usually, yes, with an additional ticket bought at the site. Which pyramids are open inside can change as the authorities rotate access for conservation. Inside you will find bare stone passages and burial chambers rather than decoration, so it is more about the experience than the sights. Your guide will tell you what is open on the day.
Is the tour suitable for children and older travelers?
Yes. The tour is private, so the pace follows your group, and the vehicle can drive between the main viewpoints to cut down on walking in the sand. Children usually enjoy the Sphinx and the panorama most. Anyone with mobility concerns should skip the pyramid interiors, which involve crouching and steep ramps.
Other Day Tours
- Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshour, from USD 70
- Cairo City Tour, from USD 70
- Bike Tour to the Pyramids, from USD 30 per person
- Dinner with Pyramids View, from USD 35 per person