- DurationApprox. 12–13 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Alexandria hotel
- PriceFrom $109 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This private Giza Saqqara Memphis tour from Alexandria follows the story of the pyramids from start to finish in one long day. At Saqqara you see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the first great stone monument; at Giza, the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, where pyramid building reached its peak; and at Memphis, the remains of the capital that ruled Egypt when they were built.
Giza is about 3 hours from Alexandria by the desert road, so the day starts early and you spend around six hours in the vehicle in total. Your guide uses the drive to set the scene, and the sites are visited in the order that keeps queues and walking in the heat to a minimum. Saqqara and Memphis are far quieter than Giza, which makes a pleasant contrast after the crowds at the Sphinx.
Highlights
- The Great Pyramid, the panoramic viewpoint and the Great Sphinx
- The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, the oldest of the pyramids
- The fallen colossus of Ramesses II and the alabaster sphinx at Memphis
- Private Egyptologist guide who links the three sites into one story
- Lunch and entry fees for the listed sites included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle from and back to your Alexandria hotel
Itinerary
06:30 – Pickup in Alexandria
Your guide and driver collect you from your Alexandria hotel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with cold water. The drive along the desert road to Giza takes about 3 hours, with a short rest stop on the way if you would like one.
09:30 – Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx
Arrive at the Giza Plateau early, before the heat builds. Walk around the base of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, drive up to the panoramic viewpoint for the classic photograph of all three pyramids, then finish at the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre. Entry inside the Great Pyramid is an optional extra ticket.
12:00 – Saqqara and the Step Pyramid
A 30-minute drive south brings you to Saqqara, the vast burial ground of Memphis. See the Step Pyramid of Djoser, designed by Imhotep around 4,700 years ago, walk through its colonnaded entrance and courtyard, and, where open, step inside one of the decorated Old Kingdom tombs or the Pyramid of Unas with its carved Pyramid Texts.
13:45 – Lunch
Lunch at a local restaurant near Saqqara, usually Egyptian grills, rice, salads and fresh bread, with vegetarian options. A good place to rest before the last stop.
Meals: Lunch
15:00 – Memphis open-air museum
Memphis, the first capital of united Egypt, is now a palm-shaded village, but its open-air museum holds the colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II, lying on its back so you can see the carving close up, as well as an alabaster sphinx. After about 45 minutes you set off for Alexandria, arriving around 19:00 to 19:30.
Good to know: Some tombs at Saqqara open and close in rotation, so your guide confirms on the day which ones you can enter.
What’s Included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your Alexandria hotel
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entry fees to the Giza Pyramids area, Saqqara and Memphis
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
Not included
- Entry inside the Great Pyramid (about $20–30) or the Serapeum at Saqqara (about $7)
- Drinks with lunch
- Camel or horse rides
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $289 |
| 2 travellers | $175 |
| 3–5 travellers | $135 |
| 6+ travellers | $109 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth going from Alexandria to Giza for a day?
Yes, if you do not have time for a night in Cairo. It is a long day, with about six hours on the road, but the desert road is fast and comfortable and you see all three key pyramid sites with a private guide. If you can, a night in Cairo lets you add the Grand Egyptian Museum the next day.
Can I add the Grand Egyptian Museum?
Not comfortably on the same day, because of the drive. If the museum matters more to you than Saqqara and Memphis, choose our Cairo trip from Alexandria with the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum instead.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. Expect around 4 to 5 km in total over sand and uneven ground, mostly at Giza and Saqqara. The vehicle takes you between the main areas of each site. Wear comfortable shoes and a hat; there is little shade at Saqqara.
Can I go inside a pyramid?
Yes, with an extra ticket bought on the day. The Great Pyramid costs about $20–30. A cheaper and often quieter option is the Pyramid of Unas or one of the smaller pyramids at Saqqara when open. Passages are low and steep, so not suitable for anyone with claustrophobia or limited mobility.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
