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Day Tours

Memphis, Saqqara and Dahshur

1 days$0/ per person
  • Giza Pyramids
  • Memphis Museum
  • Saqqara
  • Camel Ride
  • Egypt Tours
  • Cairo Day Tour
  • Pyramid Tour
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Outdoor Tour
Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur — How the Pyramid Was Invented, Duration: 8–9 hours, Every operator in Cairo sells this route. Almost none of them sell the story that makes it worth a full day. The standard version is three disconnected stops: an old pyramid, two more pyramids, and a big statue lying down. Guests come back saying it was "fine." The version below is a single argument delivered in chronological order — the invention of the pyramid, solved in real time across a hundred years and thirty kilometres of desert. Djoser's Step Pyramid is the first attempt: six stacked mastabas, 2670 BC, the oldest large stone building on earth. Ten kilometres south at Dahshur, Sneferu tries twice in one reign — the Bent Pyramid, where the angle had to be changed mid-build because it was cracking, and then the Red Pyramid, where he finally gets it right. Twenty years later his son Khufu builds the Great Pyramid at Giza. Sell it in that order and the day has a spine. Guests who do Saqqara before Giza understand Giza. Guests who do it after are just looking at more pyramids.
Before Giza, there was a problem: how do you build a mountain out of stone without it falling down? At Saqqara you stand in front of the first answer — a stepped mountain built for King Djoser by Imhotep, the first architect in history whose name we know, and the world's oldest large stone monument. Then you walk down into the Serapeum, a black granite catacomb where twenty-four sarcophagi, each weighing seventy tonnes, hold the mummified sacred bulls of Egypt. Ten kilometres south, in near-total silence, stand two pyramids almost nobody visits. One of them changes angle halfway up because it was cracking as it rose. The other, beside it, is the first true pyramid ever completed. You can walk into both, for free, and usually alone. Then Memphis: the capital that ran all of it for three thousand years, now a quiet field of palms with a colossal Ramesses II lying on his back. Three sites, one story, and a fraction of the crowds at Giza.

Tour Overview

Country

Egypt

Duration

1 days

Starts

Hotel

Ends

Hotel

Age Range

6 – 99

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Tour Guide

English speaking Guide

Hotel Rating

Meals Included

Optional Lunch

Tour Style

Tour Style

History

Trip Type

Private

Guiding Style

Fully Guided

Tour Pace2/5
Physical Rating3/5

Trip Map

Route line appearance

Tour Highlights

Saqqara The Step Pyramid of Djoser — The world’s oldest stone pyramid, a groundbreaking architectural marvel by Imhotep. The Serapeum of Saqqara — An underground necropolis housing massive granite sarcophagi of sacred Apis bulls. Mastaba Tombs Mereruka, Ti, Kagemni — Beautifully decorated tombs showcasing ancient Egyptian art and scenes of daily life. Imhotep Museum — Exhibits dedicated to Imhotep and artifacts from the Saqqara necropolis. Dahshur: The Bent Pyramid — A unique pyramid with a distinctive bent shape, reflecting early pyramid-building experiments. The Red Pyramid — Egypt’s first successful true smooth-sided pyramid, representing a major architectural achievement. Memphis (Mit Rahina Open-Air Museum) — The ancient capital’s vast open-air museum featuring colossal statues and ruins.

Itinerary

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  1. Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur — How the Pyramid Was Invented
    Detailed Itinerary 07:30 — Hotel pickupPrivate air-conditioned vehicle. The early start is the single most important decision on this itinerary — Saqqara opens at 08:00 and the coach groups arrive around 10:00. Being ahead of them is worth more than any inclusion you can add. Roughly 45–60 minutes to Saqqara, about 30 km south of Cairo. 08:15 — Saqqara: the Step Pyramid of DjoserThird Dynasty, around 2670 BC. Six mastabas stacked in diminishing size, 60 metres high, designed by Imhotep — deified centuries later as a god of medicine and architecture. The enclosure wall, the dummy chapels of the Heb-Sed court and the fluted engaged columns are all stone imitations of reed and timber buildings: an architect working out how to translate a material he knew into one nobody had built with at this scale before. The pyramid reopened to visitors in 2020 after a fourteen-year restoration. The southern passage is enterable on a supplementary ticket: a stone corridor to a railing overlooking Djoser's burial shaft. Notably it is the least claustrophobic pyramid interior in Egypt — far easier than Giza or Dahshur — which makes it the right recommendation for nervous or older guests. 90 minutes for the complex and interior. 09:45 — The Serapeum of SaqqaraUnderrated, and the reason to buy the inclusive ticket. A rock-cut catacomb of the Apis bulls, sacred to Ptah, in use for over a thousand years. Twenty-four black and red granite sarcophagi, each around 70 tonnes, sit in side chambers off a long vaulted gallery. It reopened in 2014 after a long restoration. Guests consistently rate it the surprise of the day. 40 minutes. Requires the inclusive ticket or a separate 340 EGP add-on. 10:30 — Mastaba tombs: Mereruka, Ti, KagemniThis is where the painted Old Kingdom wall art lives, and it is better preserved here than almost anywhere in Egypt. Mereruka, a Sixth Dynasty vizier, has 32 chambers of daily-life scenes — fishing, herding, metalworking, musicians, force-feeding hyenas. The Tomb of Ti is comparably fine. 45 minutes across two tombs. Tomb access rotates — the Ministry closes individual tombs for conservation without notice, so your guide checks the day's list at the gate and picks the best two open. Never name specific tombs in your published itinerary. 11:15 — Imhotep MuseumIncluded in the main site ticket. Small, modern, well laid out — finds from the necropolis including the faience tiling from the Step Pyramid's underground chambers. A useful air-conditioned twenty minutes before the drive south. 12:00 — Dahshur: the Bent PyramidRoughly 10 km south. Sneferu's first attempt at a true pyramid: begun at around 54 degrees, then changed to 43 degrees partway up when structural cracking appeared. It is the clearest surviving evidence of ancient engineering going wrong and being corrected mid-project, and it retains more of its original polished limestone casing than any other pyramid. You can go inside, and the entry is included in the Dahshur site ticket at no extra charge. 45 minutes. 13:00 — The Red PyramidNext door, and the payoff of the whole narrative: the first successfully completed true pyramid, 105 metres high, built around 2600 BC. Interior access is free with the site ticket, and the three corbelled chambers with their soaring stepped ceilings are more impressive than anything you can enter at Giza. Dahshur is the quietest major pyramid site in Egypt. On a weekday morning your group may have it entirely to themselves. 45 minutes. See the interior warning below — this descent is genuinely demanding. 14:00 — LunchLocal restaurant near Saqqara or Badrashin, or a Nile-view option in Maadi on the return. Egyptian set menu: mezze, grilled meats or tagine, bread, salad, dessert. 60 minutes. 15:15 — Memphis (Mit Rahina open-air museum)Capital of Egypt for most of the Old Kingdom and a functioning city for three thousand years. Almost nothing of it survives above ground — the Nile shifted, the stone was quarried for Cairo, and the site is now palm groves and scattered blocks. What remains is worth the stop: the colossal limestone Ramesses II, roughly ten metres, lying on his back in a purpose-built shelter, and a fine alabaster sphinx. Manage expectations in advance — guests who arrive expecting a city are disappointed; guests who arrive expecting one extraordinary statue and a lesson in how completely a capital can vanish are not. 45 minutes. Closes at 16:00 — this is the hard constraint on the whole day (Tripadvisor listing). 16:15 — Return to CairoHotel drop-off around 17:00–17:30.
    Optional extensionsAbusir — the Fifth Dynasty pyramid field between Giza and Saqqara. Rarely open and requires advance permission, but a genuine draw for repeat visitors. Giza Plateau add-on — possible but not advised in the same day; see the note below. Carpet school or papyrus institute — do not include these. They are commission stops and clients recognise them.
    Why Visit Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur offer a fascinating journey into the earliest phases of pyramid construction and ancient Egyptian burial practices. Saqqara and Dahshur are less crowded than Giza but equally rich in history and architectural innovation. Visiting Memphis, the ancient capital, provides a broader understanding of Egypt’s Old Kingdom civilization. Together, they reveal the genius of ancient architects, the religious beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife, and the grandeur of early Egyptian culture.
    Overnight:
    Your Hotel
    Meals:
    Optional Lunch
    Visit:
    Memphis, Saqqara, Dahshur
    Entrance Fees:
    $40

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  2. Additional Info
    Cost Build (per adult, 2026 published rates) Saqqara Complex — standard 600 EGP (~$12.50) Step Pyramid complex exterior, Unas, Teti, several mastabas, Imhotep Museum Saqqara — all-inclusive 1,000 EGP (~$21) Adds Serapeum, Mereruka, nobles' tombs Step Pyramid interior (south entrance) 280 EGP (~$6) Serapeum (if bought separately) 340 EGP (~$7) South Tombs 300 EGP (~$6) (Ministry booking portal) Optional Dahshur site 200 EGP (~$4) (Ministry ticket schedule) Includes interior of both the Red and Bent pyramids at no extra charge Memphis / Mit Rahina 200 EGP (~$4)
    Serapeum bought separately comes to 1,220 EGP. The all-inclusive plus Djoser interior is 1,280 EGP — sixty pounds more, and it adds Mereruka and the nobles' tombs, which are the best painted wall art on the site. Always buy the all-inclusive. Total ticket cost per adult, full itinerary: roughly 1,680 EGP (~$35). Card payment is standard at all three gates.
    Add-on Guest price guide South Tombs at the Djoser complex $12 Abusir pyramid field (advance permit, subject to approval) $40 Upgrade lunch to a Nile-view restaurant in Maadi $18
    Guest Brief for the Confirmation Email
    • Early start; roughly 2 to 2.5 hours total driving across three sites
    • Sun protection is essential — Saqqara and Dahshur are open desert with almost no shade
    • Sturdy closed shoes; the ground is sand, loose limestone chips and uneven steps
    • Bring a small torch for the tomb and pyramid interiors
    • Pyramid interiors: the Red Pyramid at Dahshur involves a long crouched descent in hot, unventilated air with a strong odour — please tell us in advance if this is a concern. The Step Pyramid passage is far gentler and is a good alternative
    • Not suitable for wheelchair users; guests with heart or respiratory conditions, serious claustrophobia or in late pregnancy should skip the interiors
    • Card payment is standard at all gates; carry small EGP notes for restrooms and tips
    • Mobile-phone photography is generally free; professional gear may incur a fee
    Season October through April is ideal. May to September is workable only as an early-start product — leave at 07:00, finish Dahshur by 13:00, and accept that afternoon interiors in the Red Pyramid are genuinely unpleasant in high summer. Do not sell a midday start in July or August. Saqqara remains an active excavation site with new tombs announced most years, including three New Kingdom rock-cut tombs at the Bubasteion necropolis reported in July 2026 (Ahram Online). That is a live marketing hook worth refreshing in your listing copy each season — and occasionally a reason a zone is closed off, so check with your handler before departure.
    Three Operational Warnings 1. Saqqara ticket pricing is changing — verify before you publish The Ministry's official booking portal currently lists the Saqqara Complex at 600 EGP adult standard, 1,000 EGP adult all-inclusive, with the Djoser interior (280 EGP), Serapeum (340 EGP) and South Tombs (300 EGP) as add-ons (Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities booking portal). However, there are widely circulated reports that the Supreme Council of Antiquities approved folding the Djoser interior and the southern cemetery into a single comprehensive ticket at 1,400 EGP for foreigners, effective 1 May 2026 (Friends of Egypt tourism group). I could not confirm this on an official Ministry page, and published third-party figures for Saqqara currently range from 300 to 1,400 EGP across sources. This is a real commercial risk. A jump from 1,000 to 1,400 EGP is roughly $8 per head. Get your ground handler to photograph the ticket board at the gate this week, and build a small buffer into your quoted price until it is settled. 2. The Red Pyramid descent is not for everyone The entrance passage is a long, low, steeply inclined shaft that must be traversed crouched. It is hot, unventilated, and has a strong ammonia odour from bat guano and centuries of moisture. Fit guests find it thrilling; others find it genuinely distressing halfway down, at which point turning around is difficult because of the traffic in the passage. Brief this honestly at booking, not at the entrance. Offer the Step Pyramid's southern passage as the gentler alternative and make clear that skipping Dahshur's interiors costs nothing — the exterior and the site atmosphere are the main event either way. 3. Do not bolt Giza onto this day Operators sell Giza plus Saqqara plus Memphis plus Dahshur as one tour. It is physically possible and it produces a bad product: five hours of desert heat, four ticket queues, and no time to stand still anywhere. Sell them as two separate days and pitch the sequence — Saqqara and Dahshur first, Giza second. Guests who understand the Step Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid arrive at Giza able to see what Khufu actually achieved. It is a genuinely better experience and it sells two days instead of one.

    Return flight after Day 2

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What's included & what's not

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Included (3/3)

Not included (0 added)

Pricing

Essentials

  • Group departure

Signature

  • Small group (max 8)

Luxury

  • Private Guide & Driver

Additional Extras

Sound and light show

in Egypt are night events held at famous historical sites like the Giza Pyramids, Karnak Temple, and Philae Island

A Nile River dinner cruise

in Egypt is a 2 to 3 hour evening excursion featuring an open buffet, live music, cultural performances belly dancing and Tanoura shows

An optional lunch buffet

Usually features local or traditional dishes, side items, and fruits, though specialized diets (like strict vegan or allergen-free)

Good To Know

What does this Memphis & Saqqara tour include?+
Private transport, a private guide, entrance fees for four sites, a camel ride, lunch, and hotel pickup/drop-off in Cairo.
What makes this different from other full-day tours from Cairo?+
It uniquely combines a camel ride at Giza with a visit to the open-air Memphis museum, unlike most tours that pair Giza with Saqqara or Dahshur and skip the camel ride.

What sites or experiences does this tour cover?+
Visits to the Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Valley Temple of Khafre, Saqqara Step Pyramid, Memphis Open-Air Museum, plus a camel ride and lunch at a local restaurant.

How long is this tour and when does it start?+
Approximately 8 hours with morning pickup and late afternoon return; start time varies by hotel location.

What should I wear when visiting the pyramids and Saqqara?+
Comfortable walking shoes, breathable clothing, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle; a light jacket for winter.

Are entrance fees included?
+
NO, fees for Giza Plateau, Great Sphinx, Saqqara Step Pyramid, and Memphis Museum, camel ride, pyramid interior access is extra.
What is the best time of year for this tour?+
November to February for cooler weather; early morning starts recommended in summer to avoid midday heat.

Send Inquiry

About this tour

Additional information

Confirmation

You receive written confirmation by email once your booking is accepted, usually within 24 hours.

Documents

A valid passport with at least 6 months' validity is required. We advise on visas for Egypt and Jordan before travel.

Pick-up

Hotel pick-up and drop-off in the tour city is included; we confirm your exact pick-up time the evening before.

Group size

Private departures run for your party only. Small-group departures are capped so everyone hears the guide.

Accessibility

Some archaeological sites involve uneven ground, steps and heat. Tell us about mobility needs and we adapt the pace.

Children

Family friendly. Child rates and car seats are available on request; infants usually travel free.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, water, modest clothing for religious sites and cash for tips.

Insurance

Travel insurance covering medical care and cancellation is strongly recommended and is not included in the tour price.

Cancellation & refund policy

30 days or more before departure

100% refund

15 – 29 days before departure

50% refund

14 days or less before departure

No refund

  • • Cancellations must be sent in writing to explore@exploreplus.net; the date we receive your email is the cancellation date.
  • • Approved refunds are returned to the original payment method within 14 working days.
  • • Third-party costs already paid on your behalf (domestic flights, Nile cruise cabins, special-event tickets, visas) are non-refundable once issued.
  • • Date changes requested 15 days or more before departure are free of charge, subject to availability; inside 14 days they are treated as a cancellation.
  • • If we have to cancel your tour for reasons within our control, you receive a full refund or a free date change — your choice.

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