Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshour Day Tour
Egypt's Oldest Burial Grounds & the Red & Bent Pyramids
About this tour
Visit Egypt's oldest step pyramid at Saqqara, the ancient capital Memphis, and the Bent and Red pyramids at Dahshour — the predecessors to Giza.
Three sites, one thousand years of pyramid building
At Saqqara you see the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built for a Third Dynasty king around 2650 BC and credited to his architect Imhotep. It is widely regarded as the oldest large-scale cut-stone building in the world. Memphis, Egypt's capital for much of the Old Kingdom and traditionally founded around 3100 BC, survives today as an open-air museum at Mit Rahina, where a colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II lies on its back alongside an alabaster sphinx. At Dahshur, King Sneferu, the father of Khufu, built the Bent Pyramid, whose slope changes angle halfway up, and the Red Pyramid, the first successful smooth-sided pyramid.
How the day runs
Pickup is from your hotel in Cairo or Giza. The drive south along the Nile valley passes farmland and palm groves, and Saqqara is roughly 45 minutes to an hour from central Cairo depending on traffic. Most days begin at Saqqara, where you spend the longest time exploring Djoser's complex and some of the decorated tombs of nobles nearby. Memphis is a short drive away and takes less than an hour to see. After lunch, which is included, you continue to Dahshur, which is quieter and less visited than Giza. The return to your hotel completes a day of about eight hours.
Good to know
This tour suits travelers who have already seen Giza or want to understand how the Egyptians learned to build pyramids, from stepped to bent to true. Saqqara and Dahshur are exposed desert sites with little shade, so bring a hat, sunscreen and water. If you want to climb down into the Red Pyramid, be prepared for a long, low, steep passage that requires bending nearly double; it is not suitable for anyone with back or knee problems. Which tombs are open at Saqqara rotates, and some need their own ticket, so your guide will help you choose.
What's Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking tour guide
- Lunch
Not Included
- Entry tickets to sites
Pricing
- 1 Person: USD 70 total
- 2 Persons: USD 100 total
- 3+ Persons: USD 120 total
Prices marked per person are per person; all others are the total for that group size.
Entry tickets not included
Frequently Asked Questions
Are entry tickets included?
No. Entry tickets to Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur are not included and are paid at each site. Some tombs at Saqqara require an additional ticket. Because the authorities revise ticket prices periodically, we confirm the current amounts with you when you book rather than quoting figures that may be out of date.
Should I do this tour or the Giza Pyramids tour first?
Either order works. Many travelers start with Giza for the famous view, then visit Saqqara and Dahshur to see the earlier experiments that led to it. If you only have one day for pyramids, Giza is the classic choice; if you have two, this tour adds a great deal of context and fewer crowds.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch is included, usually at a local restaurant along the route between the sites. Let us know about any dietary requirements when you book, such as vegetarian meals or allergies, and we will arrange what we can. Drinks beyond what is served with the meal may be at your own cost.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. The vehicle takes you between all three sites, but at Saqqara and Dahshur you walk on sand and uneven ground for an hour or more at each. Memphis is compact and mostly flat. Entering the Red Pyramid is optional and the most physically demanding part of the day.
Other Day Tours
- Giza Pyramids, from USD 70
- Cairo City Tour, from USD 70
- Bike Tour to the Pyramids, from USD 30 per person
- Dinner with Pyramids View, from USD 35 per person