Private Sunrise Camel Ride at the Giza Pyramids
Description
You leave your hotel before dawn, while Cairo is still quiet, and reach the desert behind Giza as the sky starts to turn. A camel is waiting. You ride out along the sand ridge with the three pyramids on the horizon and watch the sun come up over them, the light shifting from grey to gold in a few minutes. Your guide handles the photos, and there is no crowd at this hour, just you, the camel handler, and the desert. Honest note: this ride takes in the pyramids from the open desert rather than right at their base, which is exactly why it stays peaceful. The pickup is private and round-trip from any Cairo hotel. Ideal for early risers and photographers who want Giza without the daytime crush.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You climb onto the camel in near-darkness and set off across the desert plateau west of the pyramids. As the sun lifts, the silhouettes of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure sharpen against the sky and the sand turns warm gold. The pace is slow and steady, good for first-time riders, and your handler leads while your guide frames the shots you will actually want to keep. Some mornings there is hot tea by a small fire. The pyramids sit on the horizon here rather than overhead, which is what keeps the whole ride quiet and private.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please share your hotel name and address when booking. Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby for the early morning transfer to the Giza Plateau. Warm layers recommended; desert mornings are cold year-round. The camel ride covers approximately 2-3 kilometers along the desert ridge with views of all three Pyramids during sunrise. Comfortable closed-toe shoes essential.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(4)
Jessy and Ahmud are absolutely amazing and will make your trip to Egypt much better. They are very friendly and FUN! The camel ride couldn't have been more perfect and you will get a fantastic photo shoot to show your friends and family. Highly recommend!
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled that your sunrise camel ride at the Giza Pyramids was such an enjoyable and memorable experience. Jessy and Ahmed will be delighted to hear your kind words. They always strive to make every guest’s Egypt day tour safe, fun, and packed with amazing photo opportunities. We’re glad you enjoyed this private Egypt tour and your time exploring the Giza Pyramids. Thank you for recommending Egypt Day Tours for your Egypt travel adventures! We look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable Egypt day tours
Only giving a 4 because it’s not a camel ride at the pyramids as it may seem described, it is out in the desert with a view of the pyramids from a far. Other than that I give them a 10/10 - great hospitality and the tour guides really made an effort to make sure we enjoyed it and they took AWESOME photos!!! Would definitely recommend this and probably would prefer it over a camel ride at the pyramids during the day because it’s much more quiet and private as opposed to the crowded tourist spots in Giza. Plus you will still have beautiful views!
I have never experienced a camel ride before but it was definitely a memorable one and with our tour guide Loay best guide during our trip. I’d definitely go again! Thank you!
Ahmed added to our Cairo experience in a number of ways. First, he’s a calm, kind presence, adding no pressure in a city that can sometimes feel like an overwhelming journey through chaos. Second, his Toyota Corolla is exactly the car needed to navigate this city with precious few traffic lights. On highways and streets allotted three lanes you find yourself amidst four to five vehicles vying for the opportunity to move forward…minivans carrying 14 passengers, tour buses, and local delivery trucks only heighten the risk of calamity, but Ahmed navigates the traffic with a sure eye and trusted hand. Third, if you’re a photographer, Ahmed will go to great lengths to ensure you maximize your opportunity for those special sunrise and sunset shots at Giza. Our morning expedition in the dunes outside 6th October City began with a camel ride in darkness to a lightening sky. Our camel guide commenced to produce firewood and to set a small campfire. He heated tea in kettles and served us as the sun rose over Cairo to the east and the pyramids to the north. Likewise, Ahmed put out a spread of falafel, pita filled with savory meats, herbs, and cheeses, as well as date cookies. During our sunset photo expedition he delivered us to the rooftop of the best situated hotel below the Giza plateau. Directly in front of us, the Sphinx, with its three major pyramidal companions arrayed like silent sentinels behind. We enjoyed drinks and chatting with other sunset viewers, stories above the hullabaloo of tourists streaming in from noisy buses to see the sound and light show after dark. (We had seen the sound and light show previously, but Ahmed is happy to arrange the same rooftop sunset viewing to include al fresco dinner and the opportunity to view the sound and light show without sitting on plastic folding chairs spread across the tourist plaza). What’s more, Ahmed allowed us to shop and to use a reliable ATM without additional charges for the time and convenience (NOTE—every extra in Egypt typically comes with an incremental cost and additional, accompanying tip.) Ahmed also gave us a glimpse into ‘rolling like a local’ when he helped us purchase shawerma from a local place…the food was great! What’s more Ahmed was ready to handle our transfer back to Cairo airport, which we will take advantage of another time (Our tour package included pre-paid transfers with the rest of our group, so we stayed with that plan…it would have been faster and easier to have booked Ahmed for a
