The pyramids at Giza are going to be way up there on any travellers list of places they must visit. Over fourteen million people visit the Pyramids each year which puts the ancient site up there with the world's top tourist attractions.
That said you might be forgiven for thinking that a visit to the national treasure of Egypt would be a well-ordered, safe and regulated affair. A sort of national Trust visit but without the cream teas. However there are some things to watch out for if you want to stay safe. Learn the Giza Pyramid scams and what to watch to ensure you have a memorable, hassle-free visit.
Getting to Giza from the cruise port at Alexandra
If like me you are visiting Egypt by the luxury of a cruise ship then your journey to Giza will begin at the cruise port of Alexandra. Most people will book an organised tour from the cruise ship and this will include coach travel to Cairo, entrance to the Pyramids and in our case a cruise on the River Nile with lunch and entertainment included.
Our day started early and it was still dark when we headed out of the cruise terminal accompanied by a police escort. The sun was just starting to rise as we made our way through the suburbs of Alexandra and out onto the highway and past hundreds of recently constructed high-rise buildings that seemed to go on forever. At times It felt like the set of some Star Wars movie!
The journey to Giza is three or four hours by coach and will likely include a stop at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (more on this in another blog post). before the onward journey to Giza and the pyramids.
I'm not sure whether I conjured up my expectations of the pyramids from my imagination or a depiction from some movie, but I was expecting a vision of the pyramids rising out of the vast expanse of desert with the pyramids shimmering in the distance through the haze of the midday heat. The reality is somewhat different. My first view of the pyramids was rising over the major metropolis of Giza which is home to a population of over one million people.
What to expect at Giza
If you are part of an organised trip the guide is going to set the scene and explain the basics. Whilst your entrance into the site is included there are optional extras if you want to see inside the pyramids. I wasn't interested in this and by all accounts, I did not miss much. So once off the coach, I was free to explore the site and get my photographs.
My first impression of Giza was just how incredibly busy it was. Thousands of tourists, vendors, "official guides" and of course caels and their handlers. Based on my experiences here are a few things to watch out for.
Giza Pyramid scams to watch out for.
As polite westerners and guests in another country the last thing we want to do is to appear rude or offend anyone. This is a vulnerability that can be exploited by people who who's sole intention is to separate you from your money by whatever means necessary. Tourists will likely pass his way only once but you are on the scammers home ground and they are well practiced in the tricks of the trade - and there are many.
Scam 1 - Showing you the way
"hello, you want good picture? follow me I'm government tour guide. Here I have my official badge and picture. Over here I can show you a place. No? Don't you trust me? You say I lie to you? I don't want your money, I ask for nothing. I'm just trying to help you .....come - it's just here"
Well guess what. The likely outcome is that you will be asked for money or a tip and you will feel pressured to hand over some money. You can see all you need without advice or guidance. There are no special views, your not going the wrong way and the offer of assistance is nothing more than a ruse to make you feel obligated or embarrassed. It can be very tempting to hand over cash to simply extract yourself from an awkward situation and go n your way.
Scam 2 - Let me take your picture
Often combined with Scam 1 is the offer to take your picture in front of some lovely vista. This has the advantage of putting your expensive camera in the hands of a complete stranger (official guide) who will now attempt to get a large tip for taking your portrait. You may find your new friendly tour guide and your expensive camera and SD card with your precious memories heading in the other direction if you don't pay up! As usual you will be made to feel awkward if you do not ley the guide take your photo.
"Why don't you want my picture? You think I steal from you - give me camera (Trying to take from you) I'm official guide here twenty years and yu say I cheat you?...
Scam 3 - Hassle Hassle and more Hassle
There are many vendors in the pathways to the pyramids selling the usual tat as souvenirs of your visit. To save you the effort of approaching a stall and browsing at your leisure, you will likely be approached by a vendor or two with a handful of goods for your "consideration" Their brute force approach is simply to get in your face and not leave you - and I mean not leave you! A polite "no", a rude rebuff, changing direction, or any other avoidance tactic will have no effect. There hope is that you will be so worn down by the experience you will give in and hand over cash to be free of them.
Scam 4 - The camel ride
Personally I've never seen the attraction of sitting atop a camel, horse, donkey or any other animal. A camel has the disadvantage that you require it's owner to get you off his money making beast and until he does you can be taken anywhere and worse still at the same pace you could have walked in the first place. Then there are the inevitable misunderstandings that can arise once your camel trip is over and you want to get off. Was the price per person or for the two of you? What currency did you agree? You thought $30 but now it's $300.
When your two meters up on a camel in the midday sun and your coach is leaving in ten minutes your recollection and bargaining position may be a little compromised.
Scam 4 - Let me get some change
Finally once you have parted with your money (under whatever pressure) your tor guide/vendor/camel owner may not have any change. he will set off at a pace in order to get the correct notes from a friend. You need not worry " Wait - I will be back soon"......
In conclusion none of the above should deter you from visiting the Pyramids at Giza or any other attraction. Just be aware that nothing is for free and an offer or approach by anyone is likely to be motivated by profit and the need for money in very difficult times.
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