Reviewed · GIZA TOURS

Giza pyramids and saqara and memfis

★ 5.0 · 61 reviews From $40 Operated by Lovely Egypt Tours · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The best part of this Cairo outing is the private guide and car, which let you see the Giza Pyramids at your own pace instead of following a large group. You’ll hear stories about the kings, gods, and building methods behind the monuments, then have time for photos and a short camel ride.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, and I like that bottled water is included for the ride through Cairo. The main point to check is the tour’s scope: the description centers on Giza, while Saqqara and Memphis are listed with separate fees. Confirm those details before you pay.

Key points at a glance

Giza pyramids and saqara and memfis - Key points at a glance

  • Private from start to finish: Only your group and guide take part, making it easy to ask questions or slow down for photos.
  • Sabry is a possible guide: He has been praised for friendly service, patient explanations, and strong Spanish and English.
  • Giza is the confirmed focus: The stated four-hour visit covers the pyramids and Sphinx, while Saqqara and Memphis have separate entrance charges.
  • A 15-minute camel ride is included: You can take part if you wish, making this a small taste of desert transport rather than a long riding trip.
  • The $40 price is not the whole bill: Entrance fees, tips, and area charges are extra, including 700 Egyptian pounds for Giza.
  • Hotel pickup keeps things simple: The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. and includes private transport and bottled water.

Giza first: the pyramids and Sphinx

Giza pyramids and saqara and memfis - Giza first: the pyramids and Sphinx

Giza is the heart of this experience. The main visit is built around the Great Pyramid, the other major pyramids on the plateau, and the Sphinx. You’ll have a guide beside you to explain the kings and gods linked to the site, and to discuss how ancient builders may have moved and placed the enormous stones.

That personal explanation matters here. The pyramids can look simple from a distance, but the scale is hard to grasp until you are close to the stone blocks. A private guide can point out details that are easy to miss and can answer the questions that come to mind as you walk.

The Sphinx adds a different mood. It is lower and more compact than the pyramids, but its human head and lion’s body make it one of Egypt’s most recognizable monuments. Plan to give yourself time for photographs, since the tour allows room for both explanations and picture stops.

The stated admission for the main tour is free, but the Giza area entry fee is listed separately at 700 Egyptian pounds per person. That charge is important when you work out the real cost. The tour price covers the service, not every ticket at the site.

A few more days out in Giza to weigh up

What the private format changes

A private tour is useful at Giza because your day is not tied to strangers’ interests. If you want a longer explanation of pyramid construction, you can ask for it. If your group has had enough ancient history and wants photographs, you can move on without waiting for a full coach.

The guide’s role seems to be one of the stronger parts of the service. Sabry is repeatedly praised for his warm manner, patience, and ability to explain Egyptian history. He has also been singled out for speaking Spanish and English well, which can be a major help if you want more than a basic sightseeing stop.

Other names connected with the company include Mahmood as a driver and Ehaab as a guide. The person assigned to your booking may differ, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise. If language matters to you, request your preferred language when booking and confirm it before the morning pickup.

A private car also cuts down on the minor annoyances of a group excursion. You have somewhere to leave the heat for a moment, and bottled water is provided during the drive. Still, four hours is a short window for several major sites, so a guide who keeps the visit moving will be an advantage.

The camel ride: a short taste, not a full excursion

The included camel ride lasts 15 minutes. That is enough for a memorable photograph and a brief feel for riding near the pyramids, but it is not a long desert trip.

You can choose to take part, according to the tour details. If you are unsure about riding, ask the guide how the activity will be handled before you begin. The short duration makes this a small add-on rather than the main reason to book.

I would treat the camel ride as a fun extra, not as a reason to pay a higher price. The real value lies in the private transport and guiding at Giza. Also remember that the listed inclusions say camel riding is included, while tips remain your responsibility.

Saqqara and Memphis need careful checking

Giza pyramids and saqara and memfis - Saqqara and Memphis need careful checking

The title refers to Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis, but the detailed stop information names Giza and gives a four-hour visit for the pyramids and Sphinx. At the same time, the extra-fee section lists Saqqara at 600 Egyptian pounds per person and Memphis at 200 Egyptian pounds per person.

That creates an important booking question. Do not assume that the $40 price includes visits to both places. Ask the provider to confirm whether Saqqara and Memphis are part of your planned route, how much extra time they require, and which admission fees you must pay.

This matters because the sites serve different purposes. Giza gives you the famous pyramid and Sphinx views. Saqqara and Memphis are listed as separate paid stops, so adding them may change the pace and cost of the day. The supplied details do not promise that all three areas fit into the stated four-hour visit.

The safest plan is to get the exact route in writing before departure. If your priority is the Great Pyramid and Sphinx, the published Giza focus is clear. If Saqqara and Memphis are essential, confirm them as part of your booking rather than treating the title as proof.

Entrance fees can change the value

Giza pyramids and saqara and memfis - Entrance fees can change the value

At $40 per person, this looks like an affordable way to arrange a private car and guide in Cairo. But the price does not include entrance fees or tips, and the additional charges listed are substantial:

  • Giza area entry: 700 Egyptian pounds per person
  • Inside the Great Pyramid: 1,500 Egyptian pounds per person
  • Saqqara: 600 Egyptian pounds per person
  • Memphis: 200 Egyptian pounds per person

These costs are not minor extras, especially if you want to enter the Great Pyramid and add both Saqqara and Memphis. The tour can still be good value, since a private vehicle, hotel transfers, guide, water, and camel ride are included, but you should compare the full amount rather than the advertised base price alone.

Entering the Great Pyramid is optional according to the separate fee. I would decide in advance if that experience matters to you. The outside views are the core of the visit, while the interior option adds a large extra charge and should be weighed against your budget and interest.

Tips are also extra. The information does not set a required amount, so carry enough local currency for a gratuity if the guide and driver provide good service. Ask about any payment expectations before the tour begins to avoid confusion later.

Hotel pickup at 8:00 a.m.

Giza pyramids and saqara and memfis - Hotel pickup at 8:00 a.m.

Pickup and drop-off at your Cairo hotel are included, with a stated start time of 8:00 a.m. That is a useful arrangement if you do not want to negotiate a taxi to Giza or find your way to a meeting point.

You should give the provider your hotel details carefully and be ready at the agreed time. The service includes a private car, so your group does not share the vehicle with other participants. Bottled water is included, which is a small but welcome touch on a warm sightseeing day.

The four-hour estimate includes the visit to Giza, but the information does not give a detailed minute-by-minute schedule. Cairo traffic can affect any road journey, and adding Saqqara or Memphis could make the day longer. Ask whether the four hours count from hotel pickup or from arrival at the monuments.

What the guide adds to the monuments

Giza pyramids and saqara and memfis - What the guide adds to the monuments

The guide is there to provide more than a ride and a few photo stops. The planned subjects include ancient kings and gods, the purpose of the monuments, and theories about how the pyramids were built.

That gives you a better way to look at the site. Instead of seeing three enormous stone structures as one general picture, you can connect each monument to the people and beliefs behind it. A good guide also helps you decide when to listen and when to step back for a clear view.

Several comments about the service praise patient explanations and plenty of time for photographs. That fits the private format well. You are not simply being hurried from one viewpoint to another, though the short tour length means you still need to keep an eye on the clock.

Sabry receives especially strong praise for clear explanations, friendly conversation, and taking good photographs. A few comments also describe him as local to the pyramid area. That can make the visit feel more personal, but guide availability is not guaranteed, so request him by name if he is important to your choice.

Who should book this experience

Giza pyramids and saqara and memfis - Who should book this experience

This tour suits a first visit to Giza when you want the basics handled for you. Hotel pickup, a private car, a guide, water, and a short camel ride cover the practical parts without forcing you into a large group.

It is also a good fit for families and small groups. You can ask questions at your own level, stop for photographs, and avoid the pressure of keeping up with people you do not know. The private setting may also help if someone in your group needs a slower pace.

Spanish-speaking visitors should ask about Sabry or another Spanish-speaking guide before confirming. The company has also been praised for English service, but the exact guide and language should be confirmed rather than assumed.

I would be more cautious if you want a long, detailed visit to Giza plus Saqqara and Memphis in one short outing. The listed charges show that these are separate attractions, and the four-hour duration may not give each place the attention it deserves.

Who may want a different plan

You may prefer another arrangement if you want every admission ticket prepaid. Here, entrance fees are separate, including a high charge for entering the Great Pyramid. The base price is attractive, but the final cost requires planning.

You may also want more time if ancient Egyptian archaeology is your main interest. The stated duration is approximately four hours, and the description gives Giza as the confirmed stop. A longer private day could suit you better if Saqqara and Memphis are central to your plans.

Finally, check the payment and restaurant arrangements carefully if food is discussed during the day. One piece of feedback describes confusion over who would pay a restaurant bill. That situation may not relate to this exact booking, but it is sensible to agree on meal costs before ordering and to ask for receipts.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is private, with only your group taking part. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information.

Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local Cairo time.

The published score is 4.9 from 61 ratings, with a 97 percent recommendation figure. The strongest praise centers on guides who are friendly, patient, good at explaining history, and helpful with photographs. That is encouraging, but the unclear Saqqara and Memphis wording still deserves a direct question before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a simple private visit to Giza with hotel transport and a guide who can explain what you are seeing. At $40 per person, the service offers good starting value, especially for families or small groups who prefer their own car and schedule.

Before confirming, ask three things: Is Saqqara included in the route? Is Memphis included? Which entrance fees will you pay on the day? If the answer matches your plans, this is a practical way to see the pyramids and Sphinx without arranging every detail yourself.

If your priority is a long archaeological day at Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis, ask for a revised itinerary and total price. That small check will prevent the most likely surprise and help you decide if this four-hour private outing is the right fit.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour takes place in Cairo, Egypt, with the stated visit focused on the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group and guide take part in the activity.

Is transportation included?

Yes. A private car is included.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is included during the tour.

Is a camel ride included?

Yes. A 15-minute camel ride is included, and you may take part if you wish.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees are extra. The listed charges include 700 Egyptian pounds per person for the Giza area, 1,500 Egyptian pounds to enter the Great Pyramid, 600 Egyptian pounds for Saqqara, and 200 Egyptian pounds for Memphis.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

More like this

Giza Tours, compared.

The full Giza Tours list →
Pyramids & Great Sphinx Private Tour with Camel Ride
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 6,335 reviews· from $48

Pyramids & Great Sphinx Private Tour with Camel Ride

Read our review →
Tour to Giza Pyramids and The Egyptian Museum
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 6,016 reviews· from $155

Tour to Giza Pyramids and The Egyptian Museum

Read our review →
Cairo and Giza Highlights Full-Day Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 6,014 reviews· from $76

Cairo and Giza Highlights Full-Day Tour

Read our review →
VIP All inclusive Best of the best Giza Pyramids,Sakkara,Memphis
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,164 reviews· from $144

VIP All inclusive Best of the best Giza Pyramids,Sakkara,Memphis

Read our review →
Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Saqqara & Memphis Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 3,110 reviews· from $90

Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Saqqara & Memphis Tour

Read our review →
Pyramids, Sakkara & Memphis Tour with Lunch
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 2,493 reviews· from $60

Pyramids, Sakkara & Memphis Tour with Lunch

Read our review →
Cairo Pyramids, Sphinx & Egyptian Museum Day Trip
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 2,271 reviews· from $93

Cairo Pyramids, Sphinx & Egyptian Museum Day Trip

Read our review →
Female-Guided Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum City Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 1,614 reviews· from $73

Female-Guided Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum City Tour

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

The whole country, four ways

Pick a pyramid field, a reef or a stretch of river.