Cairo: Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur Pyramids Day Trip

Summary

Walk Memphis streets see Saqqara’s Step Pyramid and climb inside Dahshur’s Red Pyramid

You’ll walk among Memphis’ ancient statues, explore Saqqara’s Step Pyramid up close with a local guide, and even climb inside Dahshur’s Red Pyramid. With hotel pickup and comfortable transport from Cairo included, expect real moments of awe — plus a few laughs as you try to read hieroglyphs or pronounce “Djoser.”

What’s the experience like?

Ever wonder what it feels like to stand in front of something that’s been around for 4,000 years? I didn’t think much about Memphis before this day trip from Cairo — honestly, I only knew the name. But when our guide (his name was Ahmed, super patient with my endless questions) pointed out the giant statue of Ramses II lying on its back, I just stood there for a second. The stone looked almost soft in the morning light. There were school kids giggling nearby, and the air had that dry, chalky smell you get around old stones.

Saqqara was next — it’s not far, maybe twenty minutes by car? The landscape changed to this pale yellow dust, all flat except for the Step Pyramid poking up like some weird Lego tower. Ahmed told us it’s the first stone building ever made. He showed us these ancient carvings inside one of the tombs; the colors are still so bright after thousands of years. I tried to read some of the hieroglyphs (no luck), but Ahmed just laughed and said even Egyptians get lost sometimes. The silence inside was kind of heavy — you could hear your own shoes scuffing on the cool floor.

Dahshur felt different again — emptier, somehow. We saw both the Bent Pyramid (it really does look bent) and then climbed partway into the Red Pyramid. The stairs were steep and smelled faintly metallic; my knees were shaking by the time we got back out. Ahmed explained how these pyramids show how they figured out pyramid-building over time — trial and error on a massive scale. I kept thinking about all those hands shaping stone blocks under this same sun.

I still think about that moment standing at Dahshur looking back toward Cairo, everything shimmering in heat haze. It’s not just “seeing pyramids” — it’s feeling small in a good way. If you’re curious about Egypt beyond Giza, this private tour is worth it just for how quiet these places are compared to the crowds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur

• Visit Memphis ancient capital
• See Ramses II statue and alabaster Sphinx
• Explore Saqqara Step Pyramid and temple
• View oldest religious texts and decorations
• Visit Dahshur pyramids including Red and Bent Pyramid

Top questions

How far is Saqqara from Cairo?

Saqqara is about 17 km south of Giza and can be reached by car from Cairo in roughly 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.

Are hotel pickups included in this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup is included as part of your private tour from Cairo.

What will I see at Memphis?

You’ll see the huge statue of King Ramses II, an alabaster Sphinx, and other ancient artifacts at Egypt’s oldest capital.

Can I go inside any pyramids during this tour?

Yes, at Dahshur you can climb inside the Red Pyramid if you wish.

Is lunch included?

No lunch is mentioned in the inclusions for this tour.

How long does it take to visit all three sites?

The tour covers Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur in one full day with private transport between each site.

Is this tour suitable for children or older travelers?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult's lap during transfers.

Who leads the tours?

A private local guide leads your day trip to Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup in Cairo with all transfers by modern air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees to each site along with a knowledgeable local guide sharing stories and history throughout Memphis, Saqqara’s necropolis including Djoser’s Step Pyramid, and Dahshur’s unique pyramids before returning comfortably to your hotel.