Cairo Full Day Tour – Pyramids, Sphinx, Citadel and Old Cairo Private

This private full-day tour covers both sides of Cairo’s identity in a single ambitious day: ancient Egypt in the morning at the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, and the city’s Islamic and Coptic heritage in the afternoon at the Citadel, Coptic Cairo, and Khan El Khalili. Your licensed Egyptologist accompanies you throughout — from the 4,500-year-old monuments on the Giza Plateau to the 12th-century fortress of Saladin to the medieval bazaar lanes of Khan El Khalili. Hotel pickup and drop-off from anywhere in Cairo or Giza.

This is the most comprehensive single-day Cairo tour we offer, and the ideal choice for travellers with limited time who want to experience both the ancient and the living city.

What You Will See

• All three Giza Pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure) and the Queens’ Pyramids
• Valley Temple of Khafre — interior visit
• The Great Sphinx — full guided storytelling
• Panoramic viewpoint for photography
• Citadel of Saladin and Mosque of Muhammad Ali
• Hanging Church and Coptic Cairo quarter
• Khan El Khalili bazaar — free browsing time included

Tour Itinerary

• 07:30 — Hotel pickup in private A/C vehicle
• 08:15 — Arrive Giza Plateau; begin pyramids tour
• 08:15–12:00 — Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure, Valley Temple, Great Sphinx
• 12:30 — Lunch at a local restaurant (included)
• 13:30 — Citadel of Saladin and Mosque of Muhammad Ali
• 15:00 — Coptic Cairo: Hanging Church and surroundings
• 16:00 — Khan El Khalili bazaar and free time
• 17:30 — Return hotel drop-off

What Is Included

• Private licensed Egyptologist guide throughout (English, Arabic, Italian)
• Private A/C vehicle and professional driver
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Citadel and Coptic Cairo admission fees
• Bottled water all day
• All taxes and service charges

Not Included

• Giza Plateau entry — $30 per adult / $15 children
• Inside the Great Pyramid (optional) — $30
• Tips for guide ($15–20) and driver ($10)

Is One Day Enough for Both Sites?

With a private guide and a well-planned itinerary, yes — but it is a full day. The key is a 07:30 departure to reach Giza before the crowds build. Mornings at the pyramids are cooler and much less congested than afternoons. By 12:30 you are done with Giza and can move into the city refreshed. This pace works well for most travellers, including families with older children.

If you prefer to dedicate more time to one area, consider our Giza Pyramids Half Day Tour or the Old Cairo Private Tour as standalone experiences. For the Grand Egyptian Museum instead of Old Cairo, see the GEM & Giza Pyramids Tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour too long for one day? It is a 10-hour day with varied pace — outdoor sites in the morning, shorter indoor visits in the afternoon. Most guests find it energising rather than exhausting. The private format means the pace adjusts to you.

Can children join this tour? Yes. The mix of outdoor pyramids, a fortress, and a bazaar tends to work well for children aged 8 and above. Your guide adapts the storytelling accordingly.

What if I want to skip one site? No problem — the itinerary is flexible. If you prefer to spend more time at Giza and skip Coptic Cairo, or extend Khan El Khalili browsing time, just tell your guide.

Is lunch included? Yes — a local restaurant lunch is included in the tour price.

Ready to experience all of Cairo in a single private day? Contact Elias Tours Egypt to reserve your tour today.