Private Day in Giza Saqqara and the Egyptian Museum

Name: Pyramids Land Tours
Rating: 4.9

A private experience shaped around your time and interests.

★ 4.9 · 2,678 reviews on TripAdvisor · Licensed since 2001 · Free Cancellation

8-Hour Private Tour of the Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum

Egypt Pyramids tour

This tour is all you can ask for if what you crave is a guided tour in and around Cairo that would not have you spending the full day or more than a day.

This guided tour is just for 9 hours, but trust us that you’d enjoy every bit of the time you spend on this tour.

The first part of this tour is an amazing 25 minutes camel ride around Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx . On getting to Giza, your first stop is the Saqqara. Saqqara Necropolis is a large burial ground that is situated near Memphis, Egypt .

Saqqara features over 10 Pyramids and other tombs and mortuaries. Some of the Pyramids in Saqqara include the following; the Pyramid of Djedkare, Pyramid of Unas, Pyramid of Userkaf, Pyramid of Teti, Pyramid of Merenre, Pyramid of Khendjer, and the popular Step Pyramid of Djoser which is the first Pyramid erected in Egypt.

The Step Pyramid of Djoser is a 6-tier, 4-sided structure that was erected in the Third Dynasty for the burial of the first King of Third Dynasty; King Djoser. Before King Djoser reigned in Egypt, mastaba tombs were the traditional graves, but he changed that by introducing Pyramids as tombs for kings and noblemen.

From then, your tour continues to Giza Necropolis where you would enjoy some amazing tourist sights such as the Giza Pyramid complex and the Great Sphinx.

Egypt museum tour

To round off this guided tour, you will move to the Egyptian Museum to see and feel the grand collection of over 200,000 Egyptian artifacts that includes all examples of ancient Egyptian art including scenes of daily life in Ancient Egypt and symbols such as Ankh .

Also included in this tour’s package is lunch in a good restaurant, a professional Egyptologist guide, and a pickup and drop-off at the hotel.

Please note

Pickup & Timing: Your guide contacts you the evening before your tour via WhatsApp to reconfirm the exact pickup time and your hotel details. Pickup is from the lobby of any hotel in Cairo or Giza (Luxor or Aswan for southern tours). If you're staying in an Airbnb or non-hotel accommodation, share your location pin when booking so your driver can find you easily.

What You'll Pay On-Site: All entry fees listed in the itinerary are included. If you choose optional upgrades during the tour — such as entering the Tutankhamun tomb, the Seti I tomb, or the Great Pyramid interior — these are paid on-site by credit or debit card. Your guide will advise whether each upgrade is worthwhile before you decide. Cash is no longer accepted at most major archaeological sites in Egypt.

Weather & Sun Egypt is hot and dry for most of the year. From October to March, daytime temperatures in Cairo are comfortable (18–25°C / 65–77°F), but mornings can be cool. From April to September, expect 35–45°C (95–113°F) at open-air sites. The Giza Plateau, Valley of the Kings, and Karnak have almost no shade. Your guide schedules site visits to avoid the worst midday heat, but sun protection is essential regardless of season.

Dress Code: Dress comfortably and modestly. At mosques (Al-Hussein, Al-Azhar, Alabaster Mosque), shoulders and knees must be covered — this applies to all genders. At archaeological sites, there is no dress code, but lightweight long sleeves protect against the sun better than sunscreen alone. Comfortable closed-toe shoes with grip are essential — sites involve walking on sand, uneven stone, and rough terrain.

Photography: Photography is permitted at most outdoor archaeological sites. Inside tombs (Valley of the Kings), photography is generally prohibited unless you purchase a separate photography ticket. Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum, photography rules vary by gallery — your guide advises on the day. Drone photography at all archaeological sites requires permits that are extremely difficult to obtain. Do not fly a drone without confirmed authorization.

Payments & Currency Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). Most tourist-facing businesses accept credit/debit cards and USD. Your guide and driver accept tips in EGP, USD, or EUR. ATMs are widely available in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Recommended tipping: $5–10 per person for your guide on a half-day tour, $10–15 on a full day. $3–5 for your driver.

Health & Safety: Drink only bottled water (provided on your tour). Tap water in Egypt is not safe for tourists. Carry any personal medications you need — pharmacies are available but may not stock specific brands. Apply sunscreen before departure, not on-site — you'll be in the sun within minutes of arriving at most sites. Travel insurance is required for all tours and is not provided by Pyramids Land.

Cultural Notes: Egyptians are genuinely welcoming. "Shukran" (thank you) and "Salaam alaikum" (peace be upon you) go a long way. At tourist sites, you may be approached by local vendors or people offering unsolicited help (leading you to a viewpoint, taking your photo). A polite "la, shukran" (no, thank you) works. Your guide manages these interactions so you don't have to.

What to bring

Comfortable closed-toe shoes with grip (sand, uneven stone, rough terrain at all sites)
Hat with a brim — essential at Giza, Saqqara, Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and all open-air sites
Sunscreen (apply before departure — you'll be in the sun immediately on arrival)
Sunglasses
Camera or smartphone (charged — there are no charging points at sites)
A light scarf or shawl for mosque visits (shoulders and knees covered)
Small daypack for water, camera, and sun protection
Any personal medications you need during the day

We provide bottled water throughout the tour. You do not need to bring your own.

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