Sphinx
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Must-Do Experience,
Monument - Historical
Sphinx Reviews
We've found 65 Sphinx reviews from Viator.com travelers and members: what they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved. It's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Review by Richard A, USA, March 2010
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Sakkara
The pyramids were wonderful to see and visit, but the vendors selling things were very annoying and rude. We rode camels in the far lot beyond the pyramids, which was good because we were out away from the crowds. It's pricey, but worth it. The second pyramid is a mess of vendors, animals, stray dogs and trash - not a good place to hang out. Also the Sphinx area is very, very, very crowded and tough to get through. The sights are all wonderful, it's only the crowds that make the visit a hassle.
Review by BRENDAN B, United Kingdom, March 2010
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
The visit to giza pyramids & sphinx could be done with just a driver. The guide did not leave the minibus. The Museum was very good and the guide contributed to the experience. We made a mistake in choosing to visit the Bazaar as we had already visited the Bazaar in Aswan and it was much of the same. The restraunt chosen for lunch was unhygenic as flies were all over the uncovered salad foods. We declined to eat there and were eventually taken to another restaurant where the food management was to an appropriate standard.
Review by Michael B, USA, February 2010
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
I would like to thank both Viator and the tour operator for an outstanding job. This was my first time to Egypt, and I can't wait to come back. The guides did an outstanding job and made the tour very enjoyable. Only item to be aware of around the pyramids is the individuals that want to give you free gifts. They are not free, and they will hassle with you for money. Avoid these individuals, no matter how friendly and sincere they seem to be. Our guide warned us of these individuals. I also recommend taking the side trips when leaving the pyramids and the Sphinx.
Review by Nuno C, South Africa, January 2010
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Sakkara
The guide was awesome, and in fact I took a little too much time at the other sites and got to the Sphinx at 4pm. Make sure you get to the Sphinx before 4pm as it closes then. Still got to see and do everything I wanted. Not sure the walk inside the Great Pyramid is worth 100 EGP.
Review by Olivia S, United Arab Emirates, December 2009
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
The tour guide was friendly but it was a waste of a day. Her main concern was getting me to the next store so she could get her commission. Ten minutes at the pyramids, 10 mins at the sphinx, a 20 min camel ride and maybe 60 minutes at the museum. Didn't even go to the bazaar. Spent 30 minutes at the papyrus shop, 60 mins buying perfume and another 60 at a jewelery place. None of which were on the itinerary and at every place it was clear I was expected to spend money. I think there was some displeasure when I refused to buy jewelery. I have used Viator before and they were great but I will not be recommending this tour to anyone.
Review by Flavio M, Brazil, November 2009
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
The pyramids are impressive. We were with an Egyptologist, but a taxi-driver would be the same and would cost much less. We received no explanation, no history facts, no visit inside the pyramids. The sphinx visit was fine and well explained.
Review by Angela H, United Kingdom, June 2009
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
I had an excellent tour. My tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. She really seemed to enjoy her job. She was happy to take as long as I wanted at each stop and gave me the choice of shopping activities after we had seen the pyramids and sphinx. The perfume and oils shop was the most interesting and very Egyptian.
Review by Seini, USA, May 2009
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
Words can't explain how much I loved this tour! Our Egyptologist was very informative. If nothing else, go see the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx. Definitely worth it to take the camel ride also.
Review by Anonymous, May 2009
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
I went on this tour with my girlfriend and we both thought the tour was decent. In terms of dollars spent, it was probably not worth what we got out of it but I would definitely recommend hiring a tour guide of some sort to travel with you to this sight. Our tour guide was very friendly but not extremely involved in the tour. She gave us information before arriving at each sight and then either waited outside or in the car for us to return. For example, at the Sphinx she gave us a litany of directions such as "after your third consecutive left you'll make a right turn and if you've followed my convoluted directions you will see this really amazing part of the Sphinx". She also gave us relatively strict time limits for many of the sights which seemed a little rude or intrusive. For example, we had less than 5 minutes to actually look at the pyramids and drink them in. She was very helpful when we had questions about life in Egypt.
Review by Dave B, United Kingdom, April 2009
Doing what: Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Private Transport
The marvel of the Pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx and a fascinating history were swallowed by over-theatrical presentation, fragmented commentary and poor lighting. OK, I may be a bit picky but it could have been so much better. It was also very chilly sitting there - don't be fooled by hot days! The wind blows cold across the plateau as night falls. You can hire a blanket on-site but come wrapped up. All in all, disappointing although we did enjoy the company of the guide and watching him play the driver at a form of backgammon while waiting.
Review by David T, South Africa, February 2009
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
The Egyptologist guide was very knowledgeable and very pleasant - answered all our questions and we enjoyed her company. Lucky for us the Giza Plateau was really quiet and we could explore the pyramids and Sphinx without any crowds. Be sure though that the pick up time is adhered to as agreed the previous day. We ended waiting on the sidewalk outside our hotel as the tour company changed the pick up time without ensuring that we were adequately informed.
Review by Gareth J, February 2009
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
The trip was to take 3 - 4 hrs but the guide took us to several different places to try and make some commission from us. We saw the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx which was great but then we were taken round an assortment of expensive shops which were government run but expensive. We were encouraged to spend spend spend. The trip lasted from 10am to 4pm in total. We felt like a couple of walking wallets.
Review by Jamie C, United Kingdom, December 2008
Doing what: Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Private Transport
Was a great experience!!! Was picked up and driven through the hectic, heavy Cairo traffic. Our fantastic guide got us our tickets and showed us the way. The show itself is a bit dated but entertaining. We learned something about the pyramids and the sphinx as well as having a chuckle at the dramatic dialogue. One amazing thing was the fantastic sky full of stars and we saw 5 shooting stars over the pyramids during the show. Take a jacket as it gets cold or hire a blanket on site for 1EGY Pound. We were taken home in time for dinner. Worth doing!
Review by Wayne T, Australia, December 2008
Doing what: Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Private Transport
Felt like we were on the set for a movie epic! The story of the pyramids as told by the Sphinx, what a hoot it was a great night out even in winter.
Review by Michelle R, USA, December 2008
Doing what: Private Tour: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Dahshur
Our guide was horrible!!! He slept over half of the time in the car and would wake up and mumble something about what we where going to see and send us out of the car with a time limit to be back by. He wasn't even going to allow us to get out to see the Sphinx!! He said it was too far of a walk and we could just get pictures from the car. We stood up for what we wanted at that point and said we didn't care about walking since we had hiked Petra, Jordan, for two days and wanted to see the Sphinx. He let us out of the car to see the Sphinx and then came looking for us to rush us out. Our 6-8 hour tour was less than 6 hours, and we didn't even get to see the step pyramid as advertised! How do you make sure you don't get a dud of a guide? I don't know.
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