Egypt Discovery
ExcursionCairo

Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara & Memphis Day Tour

Hotel pickup in Cairo, private Egyptologist, visits Khufu, the Sphinx, Saqqara and Memphis; small private groups and a steady walking pace

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara & Memphis Day Tour is a 1-day private guided excursion covering Giza, Saqqara and Memphis near Cairo, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Cultural
  • Archaeology & history
  • Photography
Best for
  • Couples·
  • Solo traveller·
  • Groups

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration
Full day (8 hours)
Travel style
Private Guided Tour
Accommodation
N/A
Operated by
Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Memphis
Includes
Private Egyptologist guide · Private air-conditioned vehicle · Cairo hotel pickup and drop-off · Lunch · Standard site entrance fees
Best for
Ancient Egypt enthusiasts · Couples · Families with older children · Private tour travellers
Guide languages
Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Best time to go

October to April is generally more comfortable for walking; Cairo daytime temperatures are often around 20 to 28°C in these months, though conditions vary. May to September can bring temperatures above 35°C, so an early departure, sun protection and water matter. Giza can be busy, especially during school and public holidays; Ramadan and major holidays may affect opening hours, traffic and lunch timing, so confirm arrangements in advance.

  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • The excursion includes a private Egyptologist guide.
  • A private air-conditioned vehicle is arranged for the excursion.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off are provided within Cairo city limits.
  • Lunch is included at a local restaurant in Giza or the Memphite area.

02Overview

A first look

See the three Giza pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure), the Great Sphinx, Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser, and Memphis’s colossal Ramses II statue. Standard site entrances are included; interior pyramid tickets are not included.

Background

The facts

This full-day private excursion links the Giza Plateau, Saqqara and Memphis, archaeological sites in the ancient Memphite region near modern Cairo. It includes the Great Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Khufu, viewed from outside unless separate interior access is arranged.

From central Cairo, Saqqara is roughly 30 km to the south. The route also reaches Memphis, south of Cairo, where the open-air site displays the Colossus of Ramses II and other remains. Walking is on uneven ground and ancient stone surfaces.

Memphis was founded around 3100 BCE and served as an ancient Egyptian capital. Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser dates to the 3rd Dynasty, around the 27th century BCE, and is widely regarded as Egypt’s earliest large-scale stone monument. The sites form part of the Memphis and its Necropolis UNESCO World Heritage property.

Standard site entrance fees are included. Access to pyramid interiors and premium tombs, including certain tombs at Saqqara, costs extra unless requested. Site opening times can vary, so check current hours before travel; Cairo’s summer heat makes sun protection important.

Named in this entry

Giza Plateau·Great Pyramid of Khufu·Great Sphinx·Saqqara·Djoser’s Step Pyramid·Memphis·Colossus of Ramses II·Memphis and its Necropolis·Cairo·Ancient Egypt

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This private Cairo excursion suits first-time visitors, history-minded adults and older children who want to compare the Giza Plateau with Saqqara and Memphis in one day. It also suits couples, families or solo travellers who prefer an Egyptologist’s explanations and a flexible pace over a large coach group.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose a shorter visit if several hours of walking and standing would be difficult. It is not a good fit for travellers who need step-free access or plan to use a stroller across the archaeological sites.

What lingers

  • 01Visit the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre Pyramid and the Sphinx on the Giza Plateau (two to three hours).
  • 02Explore Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser; unlike rushed itineraries, we allow time for burial complexes and reliefs.
  • 03Stop at ancient Memphis to view the colossi, including the seated Ramses II statue and alabaster pieces.
  • 04All standard site entrance fees are included; Khufu pyramid interior and premium tombs are excluded and charged separately.
  • 05We do not operate mass coach group trips to these sites; all tours are private and tailored.
  • 06Operated by a licensed Egyptian tour operator; private air-conditioned car, English-speaking Egyptologist and Cairo hotel pick-up included.

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • See the Giza Plateau, Saqqara and Memphis in one excursion.
  • An Egyptologist explains the Step Pyramid of Djoser and Khufu.
  • Private pacing allows time to pause at each site.
  • Lunch is included at a local restaurant.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off are arranged within Cairo city limits.

Things to Consider

  • An eight-hour outing can be tiring for younger children.
  • Sand, steps and uneven stone make walking demanding.
  • Summer sun and heat can limit comfortable time outdoors.
  • Pyramid interiors and premium tombs cost extra if requested.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most large-coach excursions follow a set group schedule. We arrange a private Egyptologist-led visit, allowing the pace at each site to be adjusted. Unlike a Giza-only visit, this route also reaches Saqqara and Memphis.

Bundled in

  • Hotel pickup
  • Private transfer
  • Private Egyptologist

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Eight-hour private guided excursion
  • A dedicated Egyptologist guide for the day
  • Private air-conditioned transport for excursion transfers
  • Lunch included
  • Hotel collection and return within Cairo city limits

Not included

  • Any entrance tickets requested beyond standard site access, including access inside pyramids and premium tombs
  • Gratuities for the Egyptologist guide and driver
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, unless specified as included with lunch
  • Your own travel insurance

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Bring a hat, sunscreen and water; shade is limited across exposed archaeological areas.

  2. 02

    Wear shoes with firm soles for uneven stone and ground at Giza, Saqqara and Memphis.

  3. 03

    Ask before departure whether any particular Saqqara tomb is open and what its separate access fee is.

  4. 04

    Carry small Egyptian-pound notes for personal purchases and gratuities, which are not included.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The tour is private, with a flexible pace across the sites. You can ask us in advance about adding access to a pyramid interior or a premium tomb, such as Tutankhamun’s; these are not included in the standard visit and may carry extra charges.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Where it fits

This full-day Cairo excursion fits well between a visit to the Egyptian Museum and a Nile itinerary departing from Luxor. It links Giza with Saqqara and Memphis, so you can compare the pyramids of Khufu and Djoser with the remains of Egypt’s ancient capital in one outing.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Visits inside pyramid chambers and some mastaba tombs are not recommended for very young children because of steep steps and low, confined passages. Strollers work for hotel transfers but are difficult on the Giza Plateau and at Saqqara because of gravel and steps; a baby carrier is more practical on-site. Please tell us each child’s age when you book so we can allocate the right vehicle and suggest a child-appropriate pace and route. Each child has their own seat, so transport, the guide and meals cost the same as for an adult whatever their age. Site entry is free for under-6s and full price from 6.

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where
Hotel pickup within Cairo city limitsMap

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Giza PlateauRight here
  • The Great Sphinx of GizaRight here
  • Saqqara necropolis23 km
  • Memphis open-air museum27 km
  • Dahshur pyramids35 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Cover Giza, Saqqara and Memphis with one Egyptologist

  2. 02

    Private pacing leaves time at each archaeological site

  3. 03

    Compare Khufu’s pyramid with Djoser’s Step Pyramid

·In summary

Saqqara lies roughly 30 km south of central Cairo and contains the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built around the 27th century BCE. The excursion also visits the Giza Plateau and Memphis, where the open-air site displays the Colossus of Ramses II.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How long is the Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara & Memphis Day Tour?
    The tour is a full-day outing, generally eight to nine hours door-to-door. Expect an early-morning start with return mid-to-late afternoon depending on Cairo traffic. Road transfers between sites take time; we build travel and visits so you do not rush each location.
  2. 02Are entrance fees included in the price?
    Standard site entrance fees for Giza, Saqqara and Memphis are included in the tour price. Pyramid interior tickets (Khufu) and any optional extras are excluded and are payable separately at ticketing. Prices for tickets can change with Egyptian authorities, so we recommend booking interiors in advance through us.
  3. 03Can I go inside the Great Pyramid (Khufu) on this tour?
    Entering the Khufu (Great) Pyramid is possible but requires an additional interior ticket and is subject to daily visitor limits. Access may be restricted for children or large backpacks and is sometimes suspended for conservation reasons. We can pre‑book the interior ticket for you; it is not part of the standard price.
  4. 04Is this tour suitable for someone with limited mobility?
    Sites include uneven stone, steps and sand; the tour is not fully wheelchair-accessible. We provide door-to-door private transfers and can shorten walking routes, but areas such as the Giza Plateau and Saqqara require stepping on rough ground and low steps. Tell us in advance so we can plan routes, shaded rests and minimise distances on foot.
  5. 05What should I wear and bring for the day?
    Wear sturdy walking shoes, sun protection, and conservative clothing for temple areas. Bring bottled water, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light scarf for dust or sun; summers are hot and shade is limited at midday. A small backpack and hand sanitiser are useful; charging ports are not available at the sites.
  6. 06How much time will we spend at each site and what is the usual order?
    Typical routing is Giza Plateau (pyramids and Sphinx), then Saqqara (Djoser Step Pyramid), then Memphis; time on site varies. Expect roughly 1.5–2 hours at Giza, 60–90 minutes at Saqqara and 30–45 minutes at Memphis, depending on traffic and your interests. Unlike many short excursions that only visit Giza, we allocate time for Saqqara and Memphis for fuller archaeological context.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: EXC-CAI-104545

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