Private Tour All Inc Giza Pyramids, Saqqara Memphis, Lunch& Camel

Giza can feel unreal in the best way. This private day pairs a real Egyptologist guide with early morning access and built-in photo time at the Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx, plus a 30 minute camel ride so the day goes beyond quick sightseeing. You also get the Old Kingdom story arc in one sweep, moving from Giza to Saqqara and finishing in Memphis with Egypt’s older, dustier capital sites.

Two things I really like here are the private format (pickup from your hotel and you only share with your group) and the way the guide experience gets praised for English, humor, and even smart photo help, including guides such as Reham and Reemo. One thing to consider: two major sights have extra ticket costs, the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Menkaure Pyramid, so check your budget early.

Key things to know before you go

• Camel ride included for 30 minutes so you actually have time to enjoy it, not just pose and rush
• Real Old Kingdom progression from Giza to Saqqara Step Pyramid to Memphis, instead of isolated stops
• Private air conditioned car with hotel pickup and drop-off to keep the morning low-stress
• Admission included at most key stops, but Khufu and Menkaure tickets are separate
• Photo-friendly viewpoints and guided timing so you can plan your pictures around the light and crowds

First Light at Giza, Camels, and the Big Sphinx Moment

Your day starts early, with pickup and a 7:00 am start time, then about a 30 minute drive to the Giza Plateau. The first stop is where the whole scale hits you, three pyramids in front of you and the Sphinx later on, so you get the full set of iconic shapes without hopping around in confusing order.

You’ll spend about 2 hours 30 minutes at the Giza complex area. That time matters, because Giza is not just about staring. It’s also about context, angles, and getting your bearings, and a good guide helps you translate what you’re seeing into why it mattered to the ancient builders and rulers. You also get a panorama viewing moment for photos with the three pyramids lined up, and then the day adds a 30 minute camel ride for a classic, slow-paced change of pace.

At the Sphinx stage, you go from the math of the pyramids to the symbolism of Egypt’s ancient kings. The Sphinx is described as a giant limestone statue with a human-like head and a lion body, and the storytelling theme is power, protection, and myth. Even if you’ve seen photos before, the sheer closeness changes how you read it.

A practical note: Giza mornings can be bright and warm. Plan to wear sunscreen, and bring water, even though this tour also includes lunch later.

Inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu: The Ticket Add-On Worth Planning

After the initial Giza time, the tour includes a dedicated stop at the Great Pyramid of Khufu. This is the one you’ll want to commit to, because seeing the outside is just the setup. The tour’s schedule gives you about 1 hour for this portion, which is a realistic window to experience the monument without feeling trapped in a museum line.

Here’s the key detail for your wallet: Khufu’s admission is not included. The additional ticket price listed is $30 per adult, $15 per student, and $15 for children. That sounds simple, but it affects value. Since you’re already paying $130 for the day with most other admissions covered, the best approach is to decide early if you want the inside experience.

If you do, go in with the mindset that the Great Pyramid is an engineering and astronomy statement as much as it is a holy structure. Your guide’s role becomes important here, because the pyramid can feel like a pile of stone until someone connects the numbers, the mass, and the idea of cosmic planning. You’ll stand in front of the pyramid’s stone blocks and hear scale facts like the pyramid being made of millions of blocks, with individual stones described as ranging from a couple of tons up to the very heavy ones. It’s the kind of information that makes the site click.

Khafre and Menkaure: Two Pyramids, Different Feel, Same Plateau Energy

The itinerary includes stops for the second-largest pyramid connected with Pharaoh Khafre and the Menkaure Pyramid. The Khafre stop is timed and described in a way that makes one detail stand out fast: it appears larger in part because it sits on higher ground, built up about 10 meters above the base of the biggest pyramid.

That matters because it changes how you look. From one angle, Khafre can look like the star of the trio, and your guide helps you understand why your eyes play tricks. For me, this segment is one of those “small time, big payoff” parts of the tour, because it’s where you start noticing differences in platform height and the way each pyramid’s shape tells you something about its builder and era.

Menkaure is the third Giza pyramid stop, and it’s also flagged as having an additional ticket cost. The listed admission for Menkaure is $8 per adult, $4 per student, and $4 for children. The tour’s schedule gives about 30 minutes at this stop, so it’s not meant to be a slow, long museum visit. It’s more like a focused look that helps you complete the Giza set.

If you’re the type who hates rushing, this is where you might feel the time pressure. If you’re okay with shorter, targeted viewing, you’ll likely love how the whole day builds toward the next big shift, the Sphinx and then the trip south to Saqqara.

Saqqara and Djoser’s Step Pyramid: Where Pyramid Design Evolves

After Giza, the tour drives about 30 minutes to Saqqara and then about 30 minutes to lunch later in the day. Saqqara is where the “pyramid story” expands beyond the famous three at Giza.

You’ll spend about 1 hour 30 minutes exploring the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the surrounding area. The tour highlights the museum of Imhotep, plus nearby tombs of high officials, and also mentions the pyramids of kings Titi and Unas. This area can feel more human and archaeological than the Giza Plateau because you see more layers of how the Old Kingdom experimented and refined its architecture.

The Step Pyramid is a huge moment because it’s the prototype idea you can actually connect to later pyramid building. The guide can help you interpret what you’re seeing as an evolution, not a single finished masterpiece. You’ll also get chances for photos, though Saqqara tends to be more about texture and scale than the easiest postcard angles.

One consideration: the tour keeps a steady pace. The time you get here is designed to cover the highlights without turning the day into an all-day slog. If you really want to linger in every tomb or museum corner, you may wish you had a half-day buffer. Still, as a single-day tour, the balance is good.

Memphis After the Ruins: Ptah, the Triad, and Alabaster Power

Once Saqqara is done, you drive about 15 minutes to Memphis. Memphis is not just a footnote. It’s described as having served as the capital for over 3,000 years and reaching its peak under the 6th dynasty.

This stop is timed at about 2 hours. The itinerary focuses on worship connections, especially Ptah, and mentions the Memphis triad of Ptah, Sekhmet, and Nefertem. It also points out the Temple of Ptah area and a famous alabaster sphinx linked to the city’s former power. You’ll also hear about the decline after the 18th dynasty, a revival under the Persians, and the later shift as Thebes and Alexandria rose.

For me, Memphis is the most satisfying “why it mattered” stop on the day. Giza and Saqqara are big visual hits, but Memphis is where you understand the city as a lived religious and political center. If you like history that connects names, gods, and places, this is where your notes start making sense.

The tour then drives about 60 minutes back to your hotel, so you end the day with daylight fading behind you, not with a late-night rush.

Private Car, Hotel Pickup, and How Guides Shape the Day

This is a private tour, meaning it’s only your group participating. That changes the whole feel. You don’t have to match your pace to other strangers’ shopping habits or wait for slow walkers during the photo windows.

The tour also includes a private air conditioned car and hotel pickup and drop-off. In Cairo, that comfort and predictability matter. Even when traffic is unpredictable, a scheduled driver and a clear plan reduce the mental load. You spend more energy looking and less energy figuring out transportation.

The guide element seems to be one of the strongest reasons people rate this tour so highly. In the reviews connected to this experience, guides such as Reham and Reemo get praised for English, kindness, humor, and for taking excellent photos and videos during the key moments. I like that kind of support because it turns the trip into a conversation, not a script.

Also, there’s a theme of safety and comfort, including positive feedback for solo female travelers who felt at ease with the guide style and the plan. If that matters to you, this private format can be a real advantage.

Price and Tickets: What You Pay, What You Might Add

The headline price is $130 per person for an 8 to 9 hour private tour that includes pickup, a private Egyptologist guide, an air conditioned vehicle, entry or admission fees for most stops, a camel ride for 30 minutes, and Egyptian lunch.

But two admissions are listed as not included:

• Great Pyramid of Khufu: $30 adult, $15 student, $15 child
• Menkaure Pyramid: $8 adult, $4 student, $4 child

For an adult, that means you’re effectively budgeting $130 plus $38 in extra admissions if you plan to enter both Khufu and Menkaure, for about $168 total for that day. If you skip one of the paid entrances, your total drops, but you’ll want to think honestly about what you came for. This tour is built around the Giza trio and the larger Old Kingdom arc, and entering Khufu is often the main “I did it” memory.

Also, consider the value of being guided for the Cairo sites outside the pyramids. Saqqara and Memphis are often the places people rush through on half-day versions. Here, you get more time for those connections and a lunch stop built into the flow.

If you like to travel light, bring a bit of cash for snacks and any extra add-ons. The only optional activity mentioned is an ATV safari desert ride near the Giza area, and the guide can help you arrange it if you want it, but it is not listed as included.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Day)

This is a strong match if you want a one-day Cairo plan that hits the major Old Kingdom names in a logical order. You’ll likely love it if you enjoy explanations, photos, and a guide who helps you understand what you’re seeing, not just where to stand for pictures.

It also fits solo travelers who want comfort and a clear day plan, especially since the guide experience is repeatedly praised for making people feel safe and cared for.

This may feel a bit fast if you want deep time in every tomb, long museum wandering, or if you’re the type who hates paying separate admissions. The itinerary is designed to cover a lot, and that’s the trade. Still, for most people, the pacing is exactly what makes this work as a single day.

Final call: should you book it?

I’d book this tour if you want Giza plus Saqqara plus Memphis in one organized private day, with an included camel ride and lunch, and with a guide who can help you turn big monuments into clear stories. If paying extra for Khufu and Menkaure would stress your budget, consider whether you want both entrances, then plan your decision around that. For most first-timers, the mix of famous sights and less-frequented stops (Saqqara, Memphis) is the reason this day feels worth it.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The tour starts at 7:00 am and runs about 8 to 9 hours.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is this tour private?

Yes, it’s private, and only your group participates.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes a private Egyptologist tour guide, private air conditioned car, entry or admission fees for the included stops, a camel ride for 30 minutes, and Egyptian lunch.

Are pyramid admission tickets included for all sites?

No. The Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Menkaure Pyramid have admission fees not included in the tour price.

How much extra are the Khufu and Menkaure admission tickets?

Khufu is $30 per adult, $15 per student, and $15 per child. Menkaure is $8 per adult, $4 per student, and $4 per child.

Does the tour include camel riding time?

Yes, the camel ride included is for 30 minutes.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.