4.9(3,513 Reviews)

Private Tour: Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur from Cairo

  • 6hDuration
  • Max 12 peopleGroup Size
  • Arabic, German, Greek, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, RussianSpeaking Guide
  • Mobile ticketAccepted

About this experience

Duration6 Hours
Group SizePrivate Tour
Starts AtCairo
LanguagesArabic, German, Greek, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian
Private Day Tour from Cairo

Sakkara, Memphis and Dahshur Private Guided Tour with Lunch and Transfers

Three of Egypt's most remarkable ancient sites, explored in a single well-paced day with expert guidance, lunch, and door-to-door transfers.


This Sakkara Memphis Dahshur private tour brings together the Step Pyramid complex, the ancient capital of Memphis, and the pioneering royal pyramids of Dahshur into one comprehensive, unhurried excursion from Cairo. A dedicated guide and private vehicle ensure you move at a pace that suits your group, with no shared buses or crowded queues.

Dahshur sits about 40 kilometres south of Cairo and shelters two of the oldest true pyramids on earth, the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, both commissioned by Pharaoh Sneferu during the Fourth Dynasty. The Red Pyramid in particular offers visitors the rare opportunity to descend into the burial chambers of a smooth-sided royal pyramid with relatively few crowds.

Sakkara, the vast necropolis that served Memphis for over three thousand years, is anchored by the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's oldest monumental stone structure and a masterwork of the architect Imhotep. The site encompasses mastaba tombs, the Pyramid of Unas, and the Serapeum, giving a far broader picture of ancient Egyptian funerary culture than Giza alone can offer.

Memphis, the first capital of unified Egypt, may be modest in scale today but its open-air museum shelters a colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II and an alabaster sphinx that anchor the city's extraordinary historical legacy. Together the three stops form a coherent narrative of the formative centuries of Egyptian civilization.

Tour Highlights

Stand before the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Sakkara, the world's earliest large-scale cut-stone construction, dating to around 2650 BCE.

Explore Dahshur's Bent and Red Pyramids, the experimental royal monuments that paved the way for the iconic Giza complex.

Walk through Memphis, the ancient administrative capital of Egypt, and view its celebrated Ramesses II statue and alabaster sphinx.

Benefit from a private, knowledgeable guide throughout the day, offering context and interpretation unavailable on group tours.

Enjoy comfortable door-to-door transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle, with pick-up and drop-off at your Cairo hotel.

A sit-down lunch is included during the tour, giving you time to rest and recharge between sites.

Discover the Serapeum and the mastaba tombs of Sakkara, ancient monuments that receive a fraction of the attention given to Giza.

Itinerary

1
Hotel Pick-Up in Cairo

Your private guide and air-conditioned vehicle collect you directly from your Cairo hotel, marking the start of a well-organised day that minimises transit time and maximises time at the sites.

2
Dahshur Pyramid Field

The first stop is the quieter Dahshur plateau, home to the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid built by Pharaoh Sneferu. You have the option to enter the Red Pyramid and descend into its burial chambers, an experience that remains accessible and crowd-free compared to Giza.

3
Sakkara Necropolis

At Sakkara your guide introduces the Step Pyramid complex of Djoser, the surrounding mortuary precinct, and selected tombs and monuments across the necropolis. The Pyramid of Unas and its interior Pyramid Texts are among the highlights depending on current site access.

4
Lunch Break

A sit-down lunch is included at a local restaurant, providing a natural pause between the morning visits and the afternoon stop at Memphis.

5
Memphis Open-Air Museum

The final stop is the ancient capital of Memphis, where the open-air museum displays the recumbent colossal statue of Ramesses II and a well-preserved alabaster sphinx. Your guide provides context on the city's role as the administrative heart of the Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom periods.

6
Return Transfer to Cairo Hotel

Following the visit to Memphis, your private vehicle returns you directly to your hotel in Cairo, completing the full-day circuit of Egypt's most significant pre-New Kingdom monuments.

What Is Included

Included

  • Private licensed Egyptologist or expert guide
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cairo
  • Entrance fees to Sakkara, Memphis and Dahshur
  • Sit-down lunch at a local restaurant
  • Bottled water during transfers

Not Included

  • Gratuities for guide and driver
  • Personal purchases and souvenirs
  • Optional interior entry fees not listed above
  • Travel insurance

Important Information

This is a private tour. All group sizes receive the same dedicated vehicle and guide without sharing with other travellers.
Duration
Approximately 6 hours from hotel pick-up to hotel drop-off, depending on traffic and time spent at each site.
Meeting Point
Pick-up is from your hotel lobby in Cairo. Please confirm your exact hotel address at the time of booking.
What to Bring
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat or headscarf, sunglasses, and a light layer for air-conditioned interiors. Modest clothing is recommended at all heritage sites.
Cancellation
Please refer to the booking platform's cancellation policy for this tour. Free cancellation terms, if applicable, will be shown at checkout.
Accessibility
The tour is rated Easy; however, the pyramid sites involve uneven desert terrain and some sandy paths. Wheelchair access is limited at all three locations. Guests with mobility concerns should contact us before booking.
Age Range
Suitable for all ages. Children are welcome; please note that descending into pyramid chambers involves steep, narrow passages and may not be appropriate for very young children or those with claustrophobia.

Reserve Your Private Tour

Secure your spot on this private guided circuit of Sakkara, Memphis and Dahshur and experience the founding monuments of Egyptian civilisation with expert commentary and no compromise on pace or comfort.

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Egypt?▼
Yes. The three sites on this itinerary complement a visit to Giza and together provide an excellent overview of Egyptian pyramid development from the Step Pyramid to the earliest true pyramids. The private format also gives first-time visitors more flexibility to ask questions and spend time where they choose.
Can I enter the Red Pyramid at Dahshur?▼
Entrance to the Red Pyramid is generally permitted and is included in the Dahshur site ticket. The descent involves a long, low passage that requires crouching; visitors should be comfortable with enclosed spaces. Availability is subject to Egyptian antiquities authority scheduling.
How does Sakkara differ from the Giza Plateau?▼
Sakkara is a multi-period necropolis spanning over 3,000 years of Egyptian history, whereas Giza primarily represents a concentrated royal building programme of the Fourth Dynasty. Sakkara is less visited, allowing for a quieter experience, and includes a wider variety of tomb types, decorated mastabas, and the historic Step Pyramid complex.
What kind of lunch is provided?▼
Lunch is served at a local restaurant and typically includes Egyptian and international dishes. Dietary requirements such as vegetarian or gluten-free needs can usually be accommodated if communicated in advance at the time of booking.
Is the tour available every day of the week?▼
As a private tour, this excursion is generally available daily, subject to guide and vehicle availability. Confirm your preferred date during the booking process to receive immediate availability confirmation.
Are tips for the guide and driver expected?▼
Gratuities are not included in the tour price and are entirely at your discretion. Tipping is customary in Egypt and appreciated by guides and drivers if you feel the service merited it.
SakkaraMemphis EgyptDahshurStep PyramidRed PyramidBent PyramidCairo Day TourPrivate Tour EgyptAncient EgyptPyramid TourEgyptian HistoryOld Kingdom
Last updated: 2025-07-01 | Product ID: sakkara-memphis-dahshur-private-tour

Departure area

The exact meeting point is on your voucher.

Activity Site

Where the experience takes place.

Reviews

Share this experience

Gift more than a trip

Extraordinary experiences,
beautifully gifted

Give the joy of travel with a ToursXplorer Gift Card. Perfect for every occasion.

Offer a Gift Card
  • Instant Delivery
  • Perfect for Any Occasion
  • Give the Joy of Travel
Extraordinary experiences, beautifully gifted

Experiences make the best gifts

More products from this Operator

You might also like

Nearby Icon