Cairo & Giza —
Where Ancient Egypt
Comes to Life.
A city of twenty million people layered over five thousand years of history. The Pyramids of Giza on the western edge of the desert. The Egyptian Museum in the heart of the city. Islamic Cairo unchanged since the medieval period. There is nowhere else on earth quite like this.
Cairo & Giza — A Destination Unlike Any Other
The Nile, the desert, the pyramids, and the old city — Cairo and Giza hold more extraordinary places within a few kilometres of each other than most countries hold in their entirety. This film gives you a sense of what it actually feels like to be here.
We have been working in Cairo and Giza for years. We know the sites, the timing, the people, and the details that make the difference between a good visit and an unforgettable one.
Cairo sits at the northern tip of Egypt where the Nile Delta meets the desert — a city of twenty million people built on five thousand years of continuous civilisation. It is overwhelming, beautiful, chaotic, and unlike anywhere else on earth. Islamic Cairo is one of the great medieval cities of the world, its mosques, madrasas, and bazaars almost unchanged since the fourteenth century. The Egyptian Museum holds the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in existence. Coptic Cairo preserves some of the earliest Christian churches in the world.
Twelve kilometres to the southwest, at the edge of the Sahara, sits the Giza Plateau — one of the most extraordinary places on earth. The three pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure have stood here for four thousand five hundred years. The Great Sphinx has guarded the plateau for the same length of time. These are not ruins — they are among the best-preserved ancient structures in existence, and standing at their base for the first time is an experience that changes the way people think about history, time, and what human beings are capable of.
Eye on Egypt Travel has been working in Cairo and Giza for years. We know these sites in depth — the monuments, the history, the best times to visit, and the details that most visitors never discover. Whether you are coming to Cairo for the first time or returning to go deeper, we design every visit around what matters most to you.
The Sites of Cairo & Giza
Cairo & Giza contains some of the most significant ancient, medieval, and historic sites on earth. Here is what you will find — and what we can show you.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu
Built around 2560 BCE, the oldest and largest of the Giza pyramids. The interior contains three burial chambers connected by the Grand Gallery — one of the most remarkable architectural spaces in existence. At 146 metres in its original height, it was the tallest structure on earth for nearly four thousand years.
The Great Sphinx
Carved from a single limestone outcrop, 73 metres long, guarding the Plateau for over four thousand years. The enclosure immediately surrounding it — the Sphinx Temple and the lower terrace — is permanently closed to standard visitors and accessible only through a special permit.
Pyramids of Khafre & Menkaure
The second and third pyramids — Khafre retaining its original smooth casing stones at the apex, Menkaure accompanied by three subsidiary pyramids and a beautifully decorated valley temple. Both offer private interior access as part of a Giza plateau permit.
Practical Information for Cairo & Giza
Everything you need to know before your visit — logistics, timing, and what to expect on the ground.
Getting There
Cairo International Airport (CAI) is served by direct flights from most major European, North American, and Gulf cities. Transfer time from the airport to central Cairo hotels is typically 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. All airport arrivals, hotel pickups, and inter-site transfers are arranged by our team in private luxury vehicles.
How Long to Allow
Two to three days is the minimum to do Cairo and Giza justice without rushing. Day one: Giza Plateau private access at dawn, then the Egyptian Museum in the afternoon. Day two: Islamic Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili. Day three: the Solar Boat Museum, the Memphis ruins, and the Saqqara necropolis — the oldest pyramid complex in Egypt, rarely covered by standard itineraries.
Best Time to Visit
October through April offers the most comfortable temperatures — warm days, cool evenings, ideal for early morning monument visits. Summer months (June through August) are very hot but entirely manageable with early starts, which our before-hours access naturally provides. We operate year-round and factor Ramadan schedule changes into every itinerary automatically.
What to Wear
Comfortable, breathable clothing covering shoulders and knees is recommended at all sites. The Giza Plateau involves walking on uneven limestone and sand — flat, closed-toe shoes are strongly advised. Early morning visits can be cool even in summer; a light layer for the first hour is worth carrying. Inside the pyramids it is warm, slightly humid, and the corridors are low — wear practical clothing and be prepared to crouch.
Visa & Entry
Most international visitors require a visa to enter Egypt. Tourist visas are available on arrival at Cairo International Airport or in advance through the Egyptian e-visa portal. Our concierge team advises on visa requirements for your specific nationality when you confirm your booking and can assist with the e-visa application process on request.
Currency & Tipping
The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is the local currency. Major international credit cards are accepted at hotels and most restaurants. We recommend carrying some local cash for gratuities and small purchases. Tipping for guides and drivers is customary in Egypt but entirely at your discretion — our concierge team will advise on appropriate amounts if you'd like guidance before your visit.
Experiences We Arrange in Cairo & Giza
Beyond the standard visit — exclusive access to the most extraordinary places, arranged through government permits, before public hours, with specialist guides.
Cairo & Giza is where your bespoke journey unfolds.
Let us design it around you.
We arrived at the Giza Plateau at 5:30 in the morning and there was nobody there. Nobody. We walked into the King's Chamber in complete silence and stood there for twenty minutes completely alone. I have never experienced anything like it in thirty years of travelling.
The Destination in Photos
Your Egypt Journey Doesn't Have to End Here
Cairo & Giza pairs naturally with every other destination we cover. Most of our guests combine two or more destinations in a single journey.
Luxor
More Ancient History Per Square Kilometre Than Anywhere on Earth. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and Luxor Temple after hours.
Aswan
The most beautiful city in Egypt — Philae at sunrise, Abu Simbel by private flight, and the Nile at golden hour from the deck of a private felucca.
Petra, Jordan
Walking the Siq in silence and arriving at the Treasury as the sun rises is an experience that stays with people for the rest of their lives.
Cairo & Giza — Frequently Asked Questions
Start Planning Your
Cairo & Giza Journey
Tell us your travel dates, your interests, and how long you have — and we will design a Cairo & Giza itinerary around what matters most to you. We respond within 24 hours.