Cairo: Giza Pyramids, Memphis, Sakkara & Dahshur Day Trip

Summary

Giza pyramids up close then dusty Memphis statues and quiet Dahshur

You’ll start your Cairo day trip with hotel pickup and head straight to the Giza Pyramids for that first jaw-dropping view. Wander ancient Memphis among toppled statues, snack on fresh falafel, climb sandy paths at Sakkara’s Step Pyramid, then end nearly alone at Dahshur’s Bent & Red Pyramids—where silence feels ancient too.

What’s the experience like?

It’s strange how the city just falls away as you drive out of Cairo — one minute there’s honking traffic and tea stalls, and then suddenly we’re rolling past low desert scrub. Our guide, Amr, had this gentle way of pointing things out without making it feel like a lecture. The first glimpse of the Giza Pyramids is… honestly hard to describe. They’re just there, massive and worn and kind of silent in a way I didn’t expect. The air smelled like sun-baked stone and camel sweat (not bad, just real), and I could hear kids laughing somewhere behind us. Amr told us about the workers’ village — I’d never thought about who actually built these things before.

I tried to take one of those classic pyramid photos but my finger was in the shot. Whatever. We wandered around Khufu’s pyramid for a while; the limestone blocks are rougher than they look in pictures — almost sharp if you brush your hand along them. The Sphinx looked smaller than I imagined but somehow more alive? There was a group of school kids posing for selfies and one little girl waved at me shyly. After that we drove to Memphis (the original one), where the statue of Ramses II is lying on its back under a dusty roof. The whole place smells faintly of old earth and maybe something floral from the gardens nearby.

Lunch was quick — falafel wraps from a roadside spot Amr swears by (he was right). Then Sakkara: the Step Pyramid rising out of yellow dust, with stray dogs dozing in the shade. It felt quieter here, less crowded than Giza. Amr explained how this was basically Egypt’s prototype for all later pyramids. At Dahshur, we saw the Bent Pyramid — honestly it looks like it’s shrugging at you from across the sand — and then the Red Pyramid with its weird pinkish glow in late afternoon light. There weren’t many people around; just wind and distant voices carrying over the plateau.

I still think about that moment standing at Dahshur with sand in my shoes and nothing but sky ahead. You know when you realize you’re standing somewhere older than most stories? That hit me here more than anywhere else on this Cairo day tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Giza Pyramids and Ancient Sites

• Pickup from hotel in Cairo or Giza
• Visit Giza Pyramid Complex overview
• Explore Great Pyramid of Giza (Khufu Pyramid)
• Visit Pyramid of Khafre and Sphinx temple
• See Pyramid of Menkaure complex
• Tour Memphis City, see Ramses II statue and Alabaster Sphinx
• Explore Saqqara and Step Pyramid of Djoser
• Visit Dahshur, see Bent and Red Pyramids
• Return and drop off at hotel

Top questions

How long does this Cairo day trip last?

The tour lasts about 8 hours including all stops from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for Giza Pyramids tours?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza are included.

What sites are visited on this Cairo day tour?

You visit Giza Pyramids (including Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure), Memphis City, Sakkara (Step Pyramid), and Dahshur (Bent & Red Pyramids).

Are entry fees covered on this tour?

Yes, all entry fees for included sites are covered in your booking.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No formal lunch is included but there is time to buy food locally during the tour.

Will I have an English-speaking guide?

Yes, an expert local guide accompanies you throughout the day trip.

Can infants join this Cairo pyramids day trip?

Specialized infant seats are available; check suitability based on health recommendations.

Are transfers private or shared?

Your transfers are by private air-conditioned vehicle for comfort throughout the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Cairo or Giza by private air-conditioned vehicle; an expert local guide who brings each site to life; all entry fees so you can skip ticket lines; bottled water along the way; plus all taxes and services taken care of so you can just focus on what’s around you.