- DurationApprox. 7–8 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Cairo or Giza hotel
- PriceFrom $74 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
This private Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur day tour takes you south of Cairo to where the pyramid age began, away from the crowds at Giza. With your own Egyptologist guide, you follow the story from the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2650 BC, to the two pyramids of King Sneferu at Dahshur, where builders worked out how to make a true smooth-sided pyramid.
Between the pyramids, you visit Saqqara’s decorated Old Kingdom tombs, whose walls show butchers, boat builders, dancers and farmers in fine detail, and Memphis, Egypt’s first capital, where a giant statue of Ramesses II lies in its own hall. Dahshur is quiet and open, and you can usually go inside the Red Pyramid at no extra cost. Lunch at a countryside restaurant breaks up the day.
Highlights
- The Step Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt’s first great stone monument
- Old Kingdom tombs at Saqqara with vivid painted and carved scenes
- The colossal statue of Ramesses II and the alabaster sphinx at Memphis
- The Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid at Dahshur, often almost empty
- Option to climb down inside the Red Pyramid
- Private Egyptologist guide, tickets and lunch included
Itinerary
08:00 – Hotel pickup
Your guide and driver meet you at your hotel in Cairo or Giza. The drive south along the canal road, past palm groves and farmland, takes about 45 to 75 minutes. Your guide sets out the day’s story: how the Egyptians went from mud-brick tombs to stone pyramids in a little over a century.
09:15 – Saqqara Step Pyramid and tombs
Explore the Step Pyramid of Djoser, designed by the architect Imhotep, and its ceremonial courtyard with the original colonnaded entrance. Then visit one or two Old Kingdom tombs, such as those of the nobles near the Teti pyramid, where carved and painted scenes show daily life, offerings and animals in remarkable detail.
11:30 – Memphis open-air museum
Drive a few minutes to Mit Rahina, the site of ancient Memphis, founded around 3100 BC as the capital of a newly united Egypt. In the small open-air museum you see the colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II lying in its own hall and the alabaster sphinx, among palm trees and village life.
12:30 – Lunch
Stop for lunch at a local countryside restaurant near Saqqara. Expect Egyptian dishes such as grilled chicken or kofta, rice, salads, dips and fresh bread, with vegetarian choices on request. Drinks are extra. It is a relaxed break before the afternoon at Dahshur, which is about 20 minutes’ drive away.
Meals: Lunch
14:00 – Dahshur: Bent and Red Pyramids
At Dahshur, see the Bent Pyramid, whose angle changes halfway up, and the Red Pyramid, the first successful smooth-sided pyramid. Fit visitors can climb down the long, low passage into the Red Pyramid’s corbelled chambers. Then drive back to your hotel, arriving around 16:00 to 16:30.
Good to know: Going inside the Red Pyramid involves a steep, low passage of about 60 metres and is not suitable for anyone with heart, knee or back problems or claustrophobia.
What’s Included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
Not included
- Extra tickets such as the Serapeum or special Saqqara tombs
- Drinks with lunch
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $172 |
| 2 travellers | $109 |
| 3–5 travellers | $88 |
| 6+ travellers | $74 |
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
How long does the tour take?
About seven to eight hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, depending on traffic and how long you spend at each site. Saqqara takes the most time, around two hours. Because the tour is private, you can shorten or extend any stop with your guide.
Can we go inside the pyramids?
Usually yes. Entry to the Red Pyramid at Dahshur is included in the site ticket, and the Bent Pyramid’s interior is sometimes open too. At Saqqara, the interiors of Djoser’s and Teti’s pyramids and the Serapeum need extra tickets, which you can buy on the day by card.
Do we visit the Giza pyramids on this tour?
No. This tour focuses on the older and quieter pyramid fields south of Cairo. If you would like to see Giza and Saqqara in one day, choose our Giza, Saqqara and Memphis day tour, or book this as a second day after visiting Giza.
How much walking is there?
Moderate walking of around three kilometres on sand, gravel and uneven stone, with the vehicle parked close to each site. There is little shade at Saqqara and Dahshur, so bring a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes, especially between April and October.
Is the tour suitable for families?
Yes. Children enjoy the open spaces at Dahshur and the giant statue at Memphis, and the private vehicle makes breaks easy. Children under 6 travel free and children aged 6 to 11 pay half price. The Red Pyramid passage is best for older, confident children.
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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.
