How to Negotiate A Camel Ride to the Great Pyramids

The Great Pyramids of Giza are best experienced on a camel. End of story.

Arguing that it's better to approach the last of the 7 original wonders of the world in a minivan, or massive air-conditioned bus, will be an exercise in futility.

It may top the list of tourism cliches, however riding a camel in Giza turned out to not only be one of my favorite experiences from a lifetime of travel, it also resulted in some of my favorite photos as well.

But there's one catch before you can enjoy this epic, time-honored tradition.

You must bargain for your camel.  And let me tell you, it won't be easy.

My 11 days in Egypt quickly taught me that Egyptians are hardcore when it comes to bargaining. It reminded me of my time in India, where I also faced tough negotiators at every turn.

The good news is you can turn this potentially stressful situation into a game, and a fun one too.

How to Negotiate A Camel Ride to the Great Pyramids

Note:  I arranged for a one day tour of the Great Pyramids and Giza through the same Cairo-based tour company with which I booked my Nile River cruise. These companies are a dime a dozen downtown.

These tips are based on the assumption that you are either prepared to hire your camel independently (ie. go straight to Giza on your own), or the tour you arrange leaves the camel negotiating up to you.

1.  Do Your Homework

There are tons of hotels in Egypt, and even the most budget-oriented ones have staff willing to warn you about the potential tricks and scams guides and tour companies play on tourists.  Take advantage of their insider advice so you can anticipate what's coming, and you should be able to maintain control of the experience, and your money.

Just be weary of booking your tours through the hotel itself, as that will increase the cost versus doing it on your own since they will get a commission for the sale.

2.  Treat It Like A Game

The game begins when you arrive in Giza, and walk into one of the little offices where the camel negotiating occurs.

You'll be warmly welcomed with smiles, laughter, a cup of tea, and possibly a bad joke like me. Don't get distracted by the transparent attempts to woo you, but be open to banter and rapport building as it will benefit you just as much as the other guy.

You'll be offered several options. The agent will try to upsell you on the more expensive option, and it's your job to get that experience for as little as possible. Don't worry about the agent's financial well being. He's not going to rent you a camel at a loss to him.

Whatever rate you ultimately agree on, he'll surely be making some profit from the transaction, though it might not be as much as the other suckers walking through his door who haven't read these tips!

3.  Be Dramatic

As you mull over the different options presented, ask a lot of questions. Hem, and haw. Consult your guidebook. Delay. Pretend you have all the time in the world, because in that moment, you do.

Meanwhile the agent is in a race to book book as many tours per day as possible. Time is money to him. Use this to your advantage.  Watch for signs that he's becoming impatient, because they'll mean you're in the driver's seat.

4.  Offer 50-75% Less Than the Initial Rate Quoted

One of the biggest mistakes tourists make when bargaining abroad is to think of the value in terms of their own currency, versus the local currency. If you're thinking in US Dollars while the seller is thinking in terms of Egyptian Pounds, that leave a wide margin for him, and inadvertently inflates expectations and prices for future tourists.

For example, I was quoted $80 for the 2-hour, “long” version of the camel ride around the Pyramids. After applying the techniques in this article, we ultimately settled on $40.  I'm positive a stronger negotiator than myself could've gotten it for even less.

On the plus side, I ended up enjoying an extra 30 minutes on the tour, much to the dismay of the manager, who scolded my camel guide upon our return.

5.  Don't Be Afraid To Walk Out The Door

In the stables on the outskirts of the Pyramids, there are plenty of camels hanging around. And plenty of agents willing to rent those camels to tourists. If you're not satisfied with the rates offered in the first office, don't be afraid to walk out the door and try another one.

If you booked the whole day through a larger tour company, then that company has an agreement with the first office they bring you too, and probably gets a commission for any sales they bring in. By showing that you're willing to go elsewhere, you're potentially removing a sale from both parties.

Be respectful, but firm. And if the guy doesn't try to stop you, or offer you his best deal as you head for the exit, then at least you have a better sense of the going rate for when you go to the next office.

Egypt is hot, dusty, and crowded. It's easy to get overwhelmed by it all, and throwing in the back and forth negotiating of camels can turn an otherwise fun experience into a stressful occasion. Remember to treat it like a game, and not take the whole thing too seriously.

Once you're riding through the desert, on your way to walk like an Egyptian in front of the Great Pyramids, you'll soon realize nothing else matters in those moments.

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