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, the Great Sphinx, Saqqara, and Memphis in Cairo, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Best time to go
The most comfortable months are October through April, when daytime temperatures in Cairo are usually milder and site visits are easier on foot. From May to September, heat and sun exposure can be significant, so early departures are preferable. During Ramadan and major public holidays, opening hours, traffic, and lunch timing may vary, so advance confirmation is recommended.
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 Cairo day excursion combines four major archaeological locations in the Memphite region: the Giza Plateau, the Great Sphinx, Saqqara, and Memphis. The route typically begins with hotel pickup in Cairo, then continues west to Giza, where the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the surrounding pyramid field are viewed from the exterior unless a pyramid interior ticket is purchased separately.
Saqqara lies roughly 30 km south of central Cairo and is best known for the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built during the 3rd Dynasty around the 27th century BCE and widely regarded as the earliest large-scale stone monument in Egypt. Depending on time and ticket choice, visitors may also see elements of the necropolis landscape, but premium tomb access is not included unless specifically requested.
Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt founded around 3100 BCE, is now an open-air archaeological site south of Cairo. The main items typically seen are the Colossus of Ramses II and other exposed remains from the old city, displayed in an outdoor setting that involves walking on uneven ground.
The drive between Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis is generally short by Egyptian regional standards, but traffic in greater Cairo can affect timings. Standard entrance fees for included sites are covered in the product unless stated otherwise, while gratuities and optional extras such as pyramid interiors remain excluded unless arranged in advance.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This tour suits first-time visitors to Cairo, history-focused travelers, and adults or older children who want a guided overview of ancient Egypt in one day. It is also appropriate for private travelers who prefer a steady pace, more time at each site, and direct commentary from an Egyptologist guide.
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.
Bundled in
- Hotel pickup
- Private transfer
- Private Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- 8 hours guided private tour
- Private Egyptologist guide for the day
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for transfers during the excursion
- Lunch (as stated in product details)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Cairo city limits
Not included
- Entrance tickets if specifically requested differently from standard site access (pyramid interiors, premium tombs are extra)
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks unless specified with lunch
- Personal travel insurance
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children under 12 travel at a reduced child rate where applicable; infants under 2 travel free if sharing a seat with a parent. 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.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Hotel pickup within Cairo city limitsMap
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
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.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.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.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.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.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
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: EXC-CAI-104545
You Might Also Like
AswanAbu Simbel by Plane from Aswan – Day Tour
We arrange a private return flight from Aswan International Airport (ASW) to Abu Simbel Airport (ABS) for a day visit to the temples at Abu Simbel. Flight time is approximately 40–50 minutes each way. On arrival our English-speaking Egyptologist will guide you at the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. The site forms part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae (UNESCO, 1979). We include standard site entrance fees, airport handling and domestic flight taxes, and private transfers to and from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise. Practical notes and trade-offs: the tour requires an early start and is tightly scheduled according to domestic flight timetables; the on-site visit is usually brief (typically 1–2 hours) so you should expect a short, focused walk around the façades and interiors. There is limited shade at the site and much walking is on uneven ancient stone. Photography opportunities are best outside the temples; the solar alignment that illuminates the inner sanctuary of Ramesses II occurs around 22 February and 22 October each year. Flights use regional aircraft and luggage/weight limits set by the carrier apply. The tour is operated by our Egyptologists and ground team, licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETAA).
From £374
Aswan1 Days
Abu Simbel by Road from Aswan Day Tour
A full-day road transfer from Aswan to the twin rock-cut temples at Abu Simbel, returning the same day. Walk among the four seated colossi of the Great Temple of Ramesses II and cross to the adjacent Temple of Nefertari, both moved above the original Nile shore during the 1960s resettlement. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can confirm local entrance arrangements and Egyptologist-guided visits. The road option lets you see Lake Nasser and the desert landscape between Aswan and Abu Simbel, rather than traveling by air.
From £72
CairoAlexandria 2 Nights from Cairo – Wad Natrun & Pompey's Pillar
Two-night private itinerary from Cairo to Alexandria, visiting Wad Natrun monasteries, Pompey's Pillar, the Kom el-Shoqafa catacombs, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Roman Museum. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange private transfers and an Egyptologist to accompany key visits. Cairo to Alexandria is about 220 km (roughly 2.5–3 hours by car). Unlike rushed one-day coach excursions, this itinerary gives you two nights and a full day in Alexandria to see the main sites at a steady pace. Trade-offs: expect early starts, a long road transfer each way and limited shade at several outdoor sites.
From £179