Great Pyramid and Sphinx
The morning at Giza, before the plateau fills up
5.0 on TripadvisorPrivate tour Pyramids, Memphis & Saqqara Private Day Tour
Giza, Saqqara and Memphis in one private day: the pyramid at its peak, the first stone pyramid, and the old capital, with an Egyptologist and lunch.
- Duration
- About 8 hours including lunch
- Sites
- Giza plateau, Saqqara, Memphis
- Pick-up
- Hotel in Cairo or Giza
- Language
- English (other languages on request)
From, per person$956 or more travellers
- Starts any day
- Free quote, no obligation
- Change anything you like
About this tour
This day follows the story from the end to the beginning. You see the finished pyramids at Giza first, then drive south to Saqqara where the Step Pyramid shows how the idea started, and you end in Memphis, the capital that all of them served. By late afternoon the three sites make sense together, which is hard to get from a single stop.
It suits travellers who have one full day in Cairo and want more than the plateau. It works well for couples, small families and friends, and the pace is ours to adjust because the car and guide are only with you. About 8 hours with lunch is a long day, so it is a poor fit for anyone who struggles with heat or long hours on their feet.
If you have already seen Giza, ask about our Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis day tour instead, which leaves Giza out.
Step Pyramid of Djoser
Six tiers, about 62.5 m high, built around 2650 BC
Saqqara necropolis
Tombs and pyramids spread over a desert plateau south of Cairo
Memphis open-air museum
The Ramses II colossus, about 10 m long, lying on its back
Alabaster sphinx
Guarded the temple of Ptah, the main god of Memphis
Lunch stop
A sit-down meal between Saqqara and Memphis
How the day runs
- 1
Around 8:00Pickup and the Giza plateau
Your guide meets you at the hotel and drives you to Giza, about 13 km southwest of central Cairo. You see the Great Pyramid, the pyramid of Khafre and the Sphinx, with time for photos from the viewpoint. Your guide keeps the details short here, because the day has two more sites.
- 2
Late morningSaqqara and the Step Pyramid
Saqqara lies about 30 km south of Cairo. Djoser's pyramid, designed by his architect Imhotep, is a stack of six tiers inside an enclosure wall more than 1.6 km long. Your guide walks you through the colonnade and into the courts to see the dummy buildings that were meant to serve the king after death.
- 3
MiddayTombs and the Pyramid Texts
Around the Step Pyramid you visit one or two decorated tombs, chosen by your guide with the crowds in mind. The pyramid of Unas nearby is the first royal pyramid with Pyramid Texts carved on the walls of its chambers. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities sells separate tickets for several Saqqara monuments, such as the Tomb of Mereruka and the Step Pyramid, and which ones are open changes from time to time. We confirm the list for your date when you book.
- 4
Early afternoonLunch
Lunch is at a local restaurant between Saqqara and Memphis. You order from the menu with your guide's help; tell us about allergies or dietary needs when you book.
- 5
AfternoonMemphis open-air museum
Memphis was the capital of Egypt in the Early Dynastic Period and the Old Kingdom, and little of it remains above ground. The museum holds the limestone colossus of Ramses II and the alabaster sphinx, both easy to approach and photograph. Your guide explains why the city that ruled Egypt left so few ruins.
- 6
Late afternoonReturn to your hotel
You drive back to your hotel in Cairo or Giza. If you want dinner in the city, ask your guide for a place that suits your hotel's area.
How much does this tour cost?
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $150 |
| 2 travellers | $120 |
| 3 to 5 travellers | $105 |
| 6 or more travellers | $95 |
In US dollars, per person, for a private trip. The price in your written quote, made for your dates and group, is the one that counts. International flights are not included.
What’s included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle
- Private Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to the Giza plateau, Saqqara and Memphis
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water
- Taxes and service charges
Not included
- Entry inside the Great Pyramid and other optional interiors (extra tickets, bought on the day)
- Drinks with lunch
- Camera fees at some tombs
- Tips
Booking policies
Important information
Start early
The day has three sites and a long drive between them. Leaving the hotel around 8:00 keeps Giza quiet and gives Saqqara and Memphis the afternoon light.
Wear
Closed shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Giza and Saqqara are on open desert ground, and Memphis has little cover, so layers help in winter mornings.
Extra tickets
Going inside a pyramid or a tomb with an extra ticket is your choice. Your guide can tell you which interior is worth the money on your day.
Seasons
In June to August, the afternoon at Memphis is the hardest part of the day. Ask us about a shorter version in summer.
Payment and deposit
- Prices are in US dollars and the price in your written quote is the one that counts.
- The deposit is 30 percent of the total price (50 percent for trips that start from 18 December to 5 January).
- The balance is due 15 days before arrival. If you book later than that, the full amount confirms the booking.
- Payment instructions come with your written quote.
Cancellation and refund
Send every cancellation by email so that we can confirm it in writing. The charge is a percentage of the tour price, and anything you paid above it is refunded.
| Days before arrival | Normal dates | 18 Dec to 5 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Until 61 days | 20% | 35% |
| 60 to 31 days | 35% | 50% |
| 30 to 15 days | 50% | 75% |
| 14 to 1 days, or no-show | 100% | 100% |
A bank and payment fee of 6 percent is deducted from every refund. Full rules: terms and policies.
Children
- Children under 3 travel free.
- Children from 3 to 11.99 years pay 50 percent of the tour price.
- From 12 years, travellers pay the adult price.
Please give the age of every child at the time of travel when you ask for a quote.
Travel tips
Know before you go
Start early
Pickup around 8:00 gets you to the pyramids before the heat and the coach groups.
Wear
Closed shoes, a hat and sunscreen, expect sand, steps and uneven ground.
Extra tickets
Entry inside the Great Pyramid is an optional ticket bought on the day.
Photos
Photos are free outdoors; some tombs charge for cameras. Drones are not allowed.
Traveller reviews
What our travellers say
A Fantastic Tour of Egypt
“The entire trip was seamlessly executed.”
Best tour guide!!
“He made our trip to the pyramids and Alexandria fun and memorable.”
Amazing 2 week trip
“My friends and I spent two weeks in Egypt and he was with us every step of the way.”
FAQ
Questions about this tour
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and a real person from our team will answer.
How are Memphis and Saqqara different?
Memphis was the living capital. Saqqara was the cemetery above it, where kings and officials were buried. On this tour you see the burial ground first and the capital last.
Can I go inside the Step Pyramid?
Djoser's pyramid reopened to visitors in March 2020 after a long restoration, and the Ministry sells a separate ticket for it on top of the Saqqara site ticket. Interior access can change, so we confirm it for your date when you book. If it is closed, you still see the pyramid and its enclosure from outside.
Is the tour too long for children?
For young children it can be. Ask us about the shorter Giza only tour, or we can drop one site on the day.
Will we have time to shop?
There is no shopping stop planned. If you want one, tell your guide at the start and we will add it at the end of the day.
Can the tour start earlier than 8:00?
Yes. Tell us your hotel and we will plan the pickup time.
Make it a trip
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Before you go
Guides for this trip
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Free and no obligation, from our team in Giza.