Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & Memphis tour: Private Egyptologist guide

Four millennia of Egypt in a single day: pyramids, sphinx, the Step Pyramid and a fallen colossus

A private guided tour of Cairo's four major ancient sites (Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Saqqara and Memphis) with an Egyptologist guide, Egyptian lunch, water and hotel pickup included. The tour runs eight hours and covers the three pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Menakaure; the Sphinx carved from natural rock; Saqqara's Step Pyramid built around 2630 BC; and Memphis, Egypt's ancient capital, where you see the fallen Colossus of Ramses II. Children from age 6 are welcome with an adult.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Giza Pyramids2h · entry included
2. Great Sphinx of Giza30m · entry included
3. Saqqara2h · entry included
4. Colossus of Ramses II at Memphis1h · entry included

Visit Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis

• Pick up from accommodation
• Visit Giza Plateau and pyramids
• Take photos of pyramids with Cairo skyline
• Visit Great Sphinx of Giza
• Explore Saqqara necropolis and Step Pyramid
• Visit Memphis and see Ramses II statue
• See traditional bazaar demonstration
• Return to hotel/accommodation

The experience

Your guide picks you up from your Cairo or Giza hotel and drives you to the Giza Plateau, about 30 minutes away. An Egyptologist walks you through the three main pyramids (Cheops, Khafre and Menakaure) explaining the construction and history of each. You get a chance to photograph all three pyramids rising from the sand together, with the Cairo skyline behind them, before moving on to the Great Sphinx. The Sphinx sits carved from an outcrop of natural rock, with shaped blocks added around the base during renovations that began in the 18th Dynasty.

From Giza, the route heads south to Saqqara, home to the Step Pyramid: the world's oldest major stone structure. Your guide explains how the engineer Imhotep designed it for King Djoser in the 3rd Dynasty, around 2630 BC. The necropolis holds tombs and monuments spanning centuries, and the guide points out what makes this site a turning point in Egyptian architecture.

The final stop is Memphis, the ancient capital. Here you walk among artifacts from Egypt's great rulers and stand in front of the fallen statue of Ramses II, the Colossus. You also visit a traditional bazaar where artisans demonstrate how papyrus artwork is made, and you can buy a piece if you want. Lunch, Egyptian food, and bottled water are included. After Memphis, your driver takes you back to your hotel.

What’s included

• Transport in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional Egyptologist guide in English or Spanish.
• Egyptian lunch.
• bottled water and snacks.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 39 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Cleopatra Egypt Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that works for you. The private vehicle and fixed itinerary mean you move at one pace through all four sites without waiting for a group to assemble or reassemble. The day holds together as a single narrative instead of a series of stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What are the three pyramids I'll see at Giza?

The three main pyramids at Giza are Cheops, Khafre and Menakaure. Your Egyptologist guide explains the history and construction of each one as you visit them on the plateau.

Is the Step Pyramid at Saqqara included in this tour?

Yes. Saqqara is your third stop, and your guide walks you through the Step Pyramid built by Imhotep around 2630 BC for King Djoser: the world's oldest major stone structure.

What will I see at Memphis?

Memphis was ancient Egypt's capital. You see artifacts from major rulers and the fallen Colossus of Ramses II. The tour also includes a visit to a traditional bazaar where artisans demonstrate papyrus artwork.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, Egyptian lunch and bottled water are included. Snacks are also provided during the day.

How long is the tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs eight hours and includes transport in a private air-conditioned vehicle, an Egyptologist guide in English or Spanish, Egyptian lunch, water, snacks, and all taxes and fees. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.