Exploring the Pyramids of Giza remains one of the most epic travel experiences of my life. There are great travel days, epic travel days, and then the ultimate, which are few and far between—perfect travel days. My day at the Pyramids was perfect, with everything falling into place. In this blog I share my experience how I explored the Pyramids with a free personal guided tour. But first, I’m going to provide some Giza tips so you can have an epic experience at the Pyramids like I did.
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Getting to Giza from Cairo
Traveling from Cairo to Giza by taxi typically takes about 30 minutes and costs between $5 and $10 USD. It’s a short yet iconic drive, with your first glimpse of the Pyramids visible for most of the journey. Add in the ancient Egyptian architecture, and you have one of the most epic cab rides of your life.
If you are looking for things to do in Cairo, check out my blog, Cairo, Egypt – Ultimate 2 Day Itinerary
Giza Pyramids Area Accommodations Options
Giza offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget to luxury. As a budget traveler, I stayed at the Grand Pyramids Inn, which cost $43 USD for two nights.
Finding my Hotel in Giza Was a Challenge
Finding this hotel was an adventure as the location on Google Maps was wrong. Finally, I surrendered and called the hotel, and the manager gave me directions over the phone, but that didn’t help either. After a few attempts, he sent a driver to pick me up after I shared my location. Then a stranger pulls up and says, ‘Get in?’ Well, not exactly like that, but I took a chance, got in the car and made it to the hotel safely. Thank God he wasn’t a kidnapper!
If you are looking for hotels in Giza, I recommend Booking.com, which is what I use to book hotels.
The Grand Pyramids Inn Hotel Experience
I finally arrived at my hotel in Giza. I was so excited. The rooms were newly renovated and small but very nice. However, the highlight of the hotel was the outdoor seating area. I stepped outside, and there was the Great Pyramid of Giza right across the street. To the right, a stunning panoramic view of Giza’s ancient architecture was visible. I took a time out for a pyramid selfie, which was perfect with the Pyramids right behind me. What was even more impressive was that I had the entire place to myself at this point.
I Enjoyed a Rooftop Pyramids View Lunch
Now that I had settled in, it was time for a rooftop lunch while admiring the pyramids from a distance. The hotel suggested a local take-out spot called GFC, so I decided to give it a shot. It was Egyptian fast food, which was perfect for my starving self while admiring the Pyramids. There was breaded chicken, kofta meat kabobs, yellow rice, some naan bread, and a box of fries. Oh, and an iconic can of Pepsi with Egyptian writing. It was a lot, but I was starving and ate it all. The iconic fast food paired perfectly with the Pyramids.
Be Prepared for Sales Pitches
The hotel manager went all in on selling me a Pyramids guided tour. I made it clear that I already had a tour booked with Guru Walk, which I was very excited about. He told me it wasn’t a very good tour and that his was the best. I wasn’t going to change my plans after communicating with my guide the days prior. Then came the pitch to see the Pyramids Sound and Light show that evening. I decided to go for it, and he arranged for a tuk-tuk to pick me up and bring me back home, which was a great experience.
On the second evening, he arranged a tuk-tuk guided tour of Giza, which I also enjoyed. Of course, I bought the best chocolates in the world from a friend of the manager that were delivered to me on the rooftop. This is the norm in Egypt. If it’s your first time visiting, be prepared to be sold hard everywhere you go. It’s just how it is. Nonetheless, my experience at this hotel was truly amazing.
I Attended The Pyramids of Giza Sound and Light Show
My first night in Giza was unforgettable, as I got to experience the Pyramids Sound and Light Show. The hotel manager arranged a ticket and tuk-tuk transportation for $25 USD. This is about half the price you will find online for the show.
The show was quite impressive. They project images and a laser light display onto the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza, accompanied by a chorus of Egyptian music and narration. They tell the story of the Pyramids’ history, which makes for an excellent warm-up before the big day. I know this show receives mixed reviews, but I really enjoyed it. It wasn’t crowded, and how many times in your lifetime will you experience a laser light show over the Pyramids of Giza?
If you choose to buy tickets for this show ahead of time, you can do so on TripAdvisor.
Getting to the Pyramids from My Hotel in Giza
The big day had arrived, but first I had to get to the Pyramids from my hotel. The hotel told me all I needed to do was walk towards a busy area, and I would have no trouble finding a taxi. However, it wasn’t that easy. Every cab that went by was full, and I began to worry that I would miss my tour. I began texting my guide, and he gave me some advice, telling me not to worry. A few minutes later, I got lucky and was in a taxi heading to the Pyramids. I was excited and nervous at the same time, as I didn’t want to miss out on my epic day.
My Tour Meeting Point Was in Front of the KFC
Now that I was in a taxi, my guide texted me asking to meet him in front of the KFC near the entrance. Excuse me? You’re telling me there’s a KFC at the Pyramids, the most iconic wonder of the world? As unsure as I was, there was the KFC, and my guide, Sherif, was waiting for me. Let my epic day at the Pyramids begin.
How I Discovered My “Free” Pyramids of Giza Guide
I’m sure you’re curious about how to found a free guide for the Pyramids. It involved a bit of luck. I often use a free walking tour app called GuruWalk, which offers many options for Cairo and Giza. As it turned out, I was the only person who signed up for the Giza Pyramids & Sphinx Free Walking Tour hosted by Sherif that day. That’s how I ended up with a free personal guide. It wasn’t exactly free, though, since GuruWalk’s business model is that the tours are free, and you tip based on how satisfied you are with the experience. I also ended up paying for ATV rentals – more about that part of the day later.
If you are interested in how I find tours when I travel, read my blog, My Long-term Solo Travel Planning Methodology.
Spending a Day at the Pyramids Tips
The top tip for visiting the Pyramids of Giza is to find yourself a guide. I’ve heard many horror stories about bad experiences there. Most of these stories involve backpackers visiting the pyramids alone who complain about being harassed for photos, camel rides, and overpriced experiences. These kinds of scams are common in Egypt, but they are much worse at the Pyramids. I didn’t have to deal with any of this because I had a local guide in Sherif. Book a tour with Sherif at Guru Walk or find another guide, but don’t visit the Pyramids without one.
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Giza Pyramids Entrance Tickets
To enter the Pyramids grounds, I first needed to purchase an entrance ticket. A ticket to the pyramids for the day is about $15 USD. This does not include going inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, which costs an additional $30 USD.
The Pyramids of Giza at First Glance
My guide, Sherif, a National Geographic photographer, took my phone for the day, taking photos and videos, allowing me to enjoy the experience fully. As I walked up the main road leading to the Pyramids, I locked in on the Great Pyramid, with a steady procession of camels. It was iconic; my imagination was already racing, and it’s a feeling words can’t describe. The Pyramids, Angkor Wat, and Machu Picchu—pictures and words don’t do them justice. You need to see them in person to truly appreciate them. We stopped at the Great Sphinx of Giza for my first iconic photos. Someone pinch me — I must be dreaming.
We Explored the Great Pyramid of Giza
Next, we headed to explore the Big Daddy, the Great Pyramid. This is what we came for, right? But not before Sherif shared some history and interesting pyramid facts. Approximately 2.4 million blocks were used to build the Great Pyramid for the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. To think that this gigantic iconic masterpiece was his tomb. Narcissism that would make Donald Trump blush, if you ask me. We then took some time to take some videos and epic pics. It was amazing as Sherif directed me to create the perfect moments and shots. These are moments I will never forget, and some of the best travel photos I have from the 44 countries I have visited around the world.
I chose not to go inside the Great Pyramid based on my guide’s recommendation. He said it’s mostly just an empty space and not worth the chaos. I’ve watched videos online of the interior, and I agree I didn’t miss anything. Of course, it’s your decision, but it’s not my thing. Plus, my guide was excellent at avoiding the crowds. However, he did suggest a better, more unique temple experience, which would be our next stop.
I Visited the Tomb of Meresankh or (Mars Ankh) III
Instead of entering the Great Pyramid, we chose to visit a smaller tomb, the Mars Ankh tomb. The terrain was rocky, but with some decent running shoes, it wasn’t an issue. Visiting this tomb took us off the beaten path of the pyramids, as there was almost no one around. We nearly had this experience all to ourselves.
Once inside, to the right are red and stone-coloured ancient Egyptian paintings that are very clear, depicting daily life at that time. There is a small, separate room with some carved statues that are also impressive. The artwork in this tomb is truly exceptional.
I even got to go down a very narrow stairway to the basement, where the tomb of Meresankh III lay, who died around 2520 BC. It was so narrow that only one person at a time could go down, but thankfully, I was alone in the tomb at that moment, allowing me to take my time. It was dark, a little scary, and there were no mummies down there as I breathed a sigh of relief. If you’re after a unique Pyramids experience off the beaten path, I recommend visiting the Meresankh Tomb.
My Camel Experience at the Pyramids
When I decided to travel the world, one of the top items on my bucket list was to ride a camel. My dream was to do this around the pyramids, and the moment had finally arrived. Sherif knew a guy he preferred and had already arranged my bucket list adventure.
Getting to Know My Camel
Before riding a camel, you should get to know each other and create a bond. It sounds funny, but it’s true. Once the camel trusts you, you can jump on and the partnership is formed. When I was introduced, he was chillin’ on the sand, lying down. I started a conversation, and we hit it off like you wouldn’t believe. My camel was smiling from ear to ear, no joke. That was it, it was time to saddle up and enjoy my epic camel ride around the pyramids in the Sahara Desert.
My Camel and I ventured into the Sahara Desert
We started our journey into the desert, and my guide agreed to meet me at various spots along the way to take pictures and videos of my camel adventure. Next, we stopped for some classic pyramid photos—the cheesy jump over the pyramid and pointing a finger at the pyramid point. The photo session continued with the iconic pyramid backdrop, and Sherif even joined in for some shots. These moments will stay with me forever, and the pictures always bring a smile to my face whenever I look at them. Sherif captured some amazing videos while I was riding the camel, which have turned into some killer TikToks. My pyramid camel adventure was exactly what I hoped for, thanks largely to my incredible guide.
We Rented ATVs and Rode Them in the Sahara Desert
After a day at the Pyramids, it was time for some thrills. For a measly $20 USD, we rented ATVs from a shop near the entrance to the Pyramids. There I was, just Sherif and myself joyriding in the Sahara Desert with the iconic Pyramids in the background. There couldn’t be a better way to end a perfect day at the Pyramids of Giza.
If you are heading to Egypt, I’m sure the Pyramids are on your itinerary. Ensure your day at the pyramids is an unforgettable adventure, not a disappointment. If you take anything from this blog and my experience, find a good guide. The Pyramids can be the time of your life or a disappointment. Choosing the right guide will help make your day at The Pyramids of Giza perfect and one of the best days of your life.
Want to know what goes in my backpack for long-term travel? Read my blog, My Carry-On Packing List for Solo Travel: How to Pack Light.
I often stay in hostels when I travel. There are many reasons why I choose hostels, but it’s not because I can’t afford expensive hotels. To learn more, read my blog, ‘Hostels for Solo Travel at 49.’
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