Great Pyramid
Built for Khufu, originally 146.6 m high, now 138.5 m
5.0 on TripadvisorPrivate tour Giza Pyramids & Sphinx Private Day Tour
A private morning on the Giza plateau: the Great Pyramid up close, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx, with an Egyptologist and your own car.
- Duration
- About 5 hours
- Where
- Giza plateau
- Pick-up
- Hotel in Cairo or Giza
- Language
- English (other languages on request)
From, per person$456 or more travellers
- Starts any day
- Free quote, no obligation
- Change anything you like
About this tour
This is the short, focused way to see Giza. One site, one morning, no driving across the region. It suits first-time visitors with a free half day, travellers on a layover, and families with children who would find a full day of temples too much.
Because the plateau is the only stop, you can spend your time where it counts: standing at the foot of the Great Pyramid, walking out to the viewpoint where all three big pyramids sit in one frame, and then going down to the Sphinx. Your guide sets the pace, and you decide whether to add a ticket to go inside a pyramid.
It is not the right choice if you also want Saqqara, Memphis or a museum. For those, look at our longer day tours. It is also a day of walking on sand and open ground with little shade, so it is hard going in the middle of a summer day.
Panoramic viewpoint
The three main pyramids and the queens' pyramids in one view
The Sphinx
73 m long and carved from the plateau's own bedrock
Khafre's Valley Temple
Stands beside the Sphinx; your guide explains how the two relate
Time to choose
Go inside a pyramid with an extra ticket, or stay outside and take photos
How the day runs
- 1
Early morningPickup and the drive to the plateau
Your driver collects you at the hotel in a private air-conditioned car. The plateau lies about 13 km southwest of central Cairo, and your guide uses the drive to tell you what the next hours look like and what you can skip if you are tired.
- 2
MorningThe Great Pyramid
You stand at the base of Khufu's pyramid, built around 2600 BC. It was made from an estimated 2.3 million blocks, and the top has lost about 8 m since it was finished. Your guide shows you how the blocks were laid and points out the three small queens' pyramids beside it.
- 3
Late morningThe other pyramids and the panoramic viewpoint
Khafre's pyramid looks taller than Khufu's, although it is smaller, because it sits on higher ground and rises at a steeper angle. From the panoramic viewpoint on the plateau you see the whole group at once, which is the photo most guests keep. Plenty of time is left here for pictures.
- 4
Around 11:00The Sphinx and the Valley Temple
The Sphinx is 73 m long and 20 m high, cut from the same limestone bedrock as the pyramids. Scholars cannot agree who ordered it, but many favour Khafre. Your guide points out the Dream Stele between its paws, where Thutmose IV recorded that the Sphinx asked him to clear it of sand.
- 5
MiddayBack to your hotel
The car returns you to your hotel. If you want to continue on your own, we can drop you in town instead and your guide will suggest where to eat nearby.
How much does this tour cost?
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $70 |
| 2 travellers | $55 |
| 3 to 5 travellers | $50 |
| 6 or more travellers | $45 |
In US dollars, per person, for a private trip. The price in your written quote, made for your dates and group, is the one that counts. International flights are not included.
What’s included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle
- Private Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to the Giza plateau
- Bottled water
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- Entry inside the Great Pyramid or another pyramid (extra ticket, bought on the day)
- Camel or horse rides
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips
Booking policies
Important information
Start early
The plateau is open daily from 8:00 to 16:00, and the first hour after opening is the cooler and quieter one. In summer, an early start is the difference between a comfortable morning and a tiring one.
Wear
Closed shoes with grip, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The ground is sand and loose stone, and there is almost no shade.
Going inside
The passages inside a pyramid are narrow and low, and the air is warm. Skip it if you dislike tight spaces. Tell your guide before we arrive so the time is used well.
Photos and sellers
Photos of the pyramids from outside are no problem. Leave drones at home. Expect offers of rides and souvenirs near the pyramids; a firm "no, thank you" is enough, and your guide keeps you moving.
Payment and deposit
- Prices are in US dollars and the price in your written quote is the one that counts.
- The deposit is 30 percent of the total price (50 percent for trips that start from 18 December to 5 January).
- The balance is due 15 days before arrival. If you book later than that, the full amount confirms the booking.
- Payment instructions come with your written quote.
Cancellation and refund
Send every cancellation by email so that we can confirm it in writing. The charge is a percentage of the tour price, and anything you paid above it is refunded.
| Days before arrival | Normal dates | 18 Dec to 5 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Until 61 days | 20% | 35% |
| 60 to 31 days | 35% | 50% |
| 30 to 15 days | 50% | 75% |
| 14 to 1 days, or no-show | 100% | 100% |
A bank and payment fee of 6 percent is deducted from every refund. Full rules: terms and policies.
Children
- Children under 3 travel free.
- Children from 3 to 11.99 years pay 50 percent of the tour price.
- From 12 years, travellers pay the adult price.
Please give the age of every child at the time of travel when you ask for a quote.
Travel tips
Know before you go
Start early
Pickup around 8:00 gets you to the pyramids before the heat and the coach groups.
Wear
Closed shoes, a hat and sunscreen, expect sand, steps and uneven ground.
Extra tickets
Entry inside the Great Pyramid is an optional ticket bought on the day.
Photos
Photos are free outdoors; some tombs charge for cameras. Drones are not allowed.
Traveller reviews
What our travellers say
A Fantastic Tour of Egypt
“The entire trip was seamlessly executed.”
Best tour guide!!
“He made our trip to the pyramids and Alexandria fun and memorable.”
Amazing 2 week trip
“My friends and I spent two weeks in Egypt and he was with us every step of the way.”
FAQ
Questions about this tour
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and a real person from our team will answer.
Is half a day enough for Giza?
For the plateau, yes. The three pyramids, the viewpoint and the Sphinx fit comfortably in a morning, and your guide keeps the pace flexible.
Can I see Khufu's solar boat on this tour?
Not here. The restored boat was moved from the old museum beside the pyramid to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Our Grand Egyptian Museum and pyramids day tour covers it.
Should I pay to go inside a pyramid?
Only if you are comfortable in narrow, steep passages. The outside views are the main event, and many guests are happy to stay out in the open.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, from the age at which they can walk on sand for a couple of hours. We plan breaks around them, and the car is never far from the entrance.
Can we start at sunrise?
Not at the plateau itself. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities lists the plateau as open from 8:00 to 16:00, which is after sunrise in every season. We plan the pickup so you arrive when the gate opens, and that is the quietest and coolest time to be there.
Make it a trip
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Before you go
Guides for this trip
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Free and no obligation, from our team in Giza.