Cairo Layover Tour: Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the Great Pyramids of Giza
- Marvel at the Sphinx's grandeur
- Discover ancient artifacts at the Egyptian Museum
- Enjoy a scenic Nile River boat ride
- Experience Cairo's rich history in a day
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza
- Visit to the Sphinx
- Admission to the Egyptian Museum
- 1-hour Nile River boat ride
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Start your day tour with pick-up from Cairo airport. You will meet your expert tour guide who will be waiting outside the terminal at the street exit gate with a sign of your name. You will be then be transferred to great pyramids
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex bordering present-day Giza in Greater Cairo, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. The pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx are among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and indeed already were even in Roman times. Each of these spectacular structures served as the final resting place of a king of the 4th Dynasty (c.2613–2494 BC). The Great Pyramid of Giza was built for king Khufu (c.2589–2566 BC), and the other two for Khafre and Menkaure, his son and grandson. Khufu’s pyramid is both the oldest and largest of the three, and the first building to exceed it in height would not be built for another 3,800 years!
then The Sphinx - The legendary guardian that stands by the huge funeral complex with its lion body and the head of king Chephren.
The only completely preserved portrait of the king is a three-inch high ivory figurine found in a temple ruin of a later period at Abydos in 1903. All other reliefs and statues were found in fragments, and many buildings of Khufu are lost. Everything known about Khufu comes from inscriptions in his necropolis at Giza and later documents. For example, Khufu is the main character noted in the Westcar Papyrus from the 13th dynasty.
Khafre's pyramid complex consists of a valley temple, the Sphinx temple, a causeway, a mortuary temple and the king's pyramid. The valley temple yielded several statues of Khafre. Several were found in a well in the floor of the temple by Mariette in 1860. Others were found during successive excavations by Sieglin (1909–10), Junker, Reisner,
Menkaure's pyramid complex consists of a valley temple, a causeway, a mortuary temple, and the king's pyramid. The valley temple once contained several statues of Menkaure. During the 5th Dynasty, a smaller ante-temple was added on to the valley temple. The mortuary temple also yielded several statues of Menkaure.
The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, known commonly as the Egyptian Museum or Museum of Cairo, in Cairo, Egypt, is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. It has 120,000 items, with a representative amount on display, the remainder in storerooms. Built in 1901 by the Italian construction company Garozzo-Zaffarani to a design by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon, the edifice is one of the largest museums in the region. As of March 2019, the museum is open to the public. In 2021 the museum is due to be superseded by the new Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza.
Around 16:00 you will be transferred you back to Cairo airport.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Confirm the availability of the tour on your travel dates.
- Check the tour's cancellation policy and any associated fees.
- Be aware of the meeting point and time to ensure timely departure.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and attire suitable for the weather.
- Bring a valid passport and any necessary travel documents.
- Ensure you have sufficient time between connecting flights to accommodate the tour duration.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Entry fees includes basic area only
Traveler reviews
Excellent Cairo Experience!
Our trip started weeks before by planning with Mohamed on what's app. We had mechanical plane issues which delayed our arrival and shortened our 1st tour but Mohamed was very patient and understanding and helped us reschedule. The initial night we did a camel ride around the pyramids at night and felucca ride on the Nile. Ali was a great guide and Khaled was an a very patient and calm driver. We were supposed to go to the Museum but secondary to a late flight and traffic the guide suggested to skip the Museum. Mohamed did refund a part of money. We finally arrived 1 week later to do the day time trip where we went back to the pyramids and Egyptian Museum which was amazing. Syed was very knowledgeable and patient helping my mother with walking and ensuring that we got excellent photos. We did stop for lunch and dinner on bother occasions and the food was amazing! Thanks guys! I wish I would've known a guide about how much of a tip to give. I gave $50 to the guide and $20 to the driver the next night and they appeared fine. Then I have 50 euros the second trip for the guys to share because I didn't have many lbs. Of course, no one can tell you how much to tip but I would just say be prepared to tip everyone. A couple of times I was asked for more or there was a look of disappointment. Also, please book on TripAdvisor as the prices are the best amongst the website and other companies. I highly recommend the company, trust them and you will truly havethe experience of a lifetime!