Guide costs at archeological sites
 

I am in the process of planning a DIY trip through Egypt. Wanted to know if you can acquire a guide at major archeological sites "on the spot" and if so, at what cost?

Also, if it is preferable to book a guide ahead of time, any recommendations and based on your personal experience, what does it cost to hire a guide for a day through an archeological site?

Thanks in advance...

The only places I know you can do it and get yourself someone that may not be too awful is 1) at the Cairo Museum - however I am pretty sure he will try to take you to his friends papyrus shop after the tour, and 2) at the Citadel Mohamed Ali Mosque (only at that mosque - they don't cover the rest of the Citadel)

Don't know the cost.

Oh yeah, there is a guy named Yasser that sometimes hangs out at Coptic Cairo looking for customers to tour around too.. but he's not always there.

I should add that the Museum has a set cost, but the others I think just take what ever you will give them.

I would not hire anyone that offers to be a guide at the Pyramids. In my experience that is simply asking for trouble unless you really don't care about a tour and just want to be taken shopping.

Ah, the "shopping" gambit . . .

If not "on the spot" can anyone recommend references for helping locate reputable guides in country?

You can try your hotel for recommendations.

Check with tour like Lady Egypt and state that you're only interested in hiring guides and not have them plan your trip.