Egypt: Half Day Tour Pyramids of Giza And The Sphinx From Cairo Airport
My mom and I had an overnight layover scheduled in Egypt en route from SFO to Dubai, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to explore Egypt for half day tour of the pyramids and the Sphinx. The best part is that the tour company picked us up from the airport which is one less planning to take care of!
Tour Overview
Private tour includes:
Private pick-up from the airport
Private tour guide (our tour guide was our designated photographer)
Local tour to shops and restaurants
Other half day tours options:
This private tour includes camel ride to the dessert
This tour includes a specific Egyptologist tour
Travel time: 35 mins one way drive from the airport
Exploring: 3-4 hours will allow you to take in all the enchanting surroundings thoroughly including Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx.
Nile River
From the moment we got picked up to the airport, we went straight to the Pyramids of Giza to cut additional travel time. While we were on the road, we quickly stopped to see a glimpse of the Nile River which is the longest river in Africa. Imagine the stories it could tell, if only it could talk! This was just a teaser of the historical feast we were about to indulge in.
Fun fact about the Nile River:
This river was the lifeline in the desert, providing water, transportation, and fertile land for agriculture. Without the Nile, the great civilization of Egypt might have been just a mirage.
Exploring the Pyramids of Giza
In our exploration, we discovered we could enter the Pyramid of Menkaure which is the smallest of the three main pyramids of the Giza. However, they have a strict ‘no cameras’ policy inside. I guess some mysteries are meant to be experienced in person and not through a lens.
At first, I thought the Giza of Pyramids were located in a remote and isolated place, but it’s actually not as deserted as you would think! There are a lot of open spaces and camels roaming around with their owners. If you plan to ride a camel, bring a cash as this is the most convenient way to pay for a ride!
Another fun fact: The pyramids were originally covered in casing stones made of highly polished Tura limestone, meant to reflect the sun’s light and make them shine like jewels. I recommend wearing your sunglasses as your eyes might become sensitive from the sun reflecting to the beaming stones.
Food & Souvenirs
After immersing ourselves in the ancient world, our lovely tour guide introduced us to the flavors of Egypt at a local food spot. And what’s a trip without bringing a piece of it back home? Yes, we did some souvenir shopping, seeking out those unique finds that would forever remind us of this incredible journey.
Til this day, I still can’t believe I visited this ancient place. It’s such a surreal experience! I hope you find this guide helpful for your next quick trip to Egypt!🌟🐪
