Giza Pyramids, Saqqara & Dahshur: Day Trip with Lunch & Pickup

Summary

Wander Giza’s pyramids then step inside Saqqara and Dahshur’s secrets with local stories and lunch

You’ll stand beneath Giza’s towering pyramids and meet the Sphinx face-to-face before wandering Saqqara’s ancient tombs in near silence. With an Egyptologist guide sharing stories (and jokes), plus a stop at Dahshur’s oddly beautiful Bent Pyramid and a local lunch included — expect more than just photos by the end.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the sudden quiet when our car left Cairo’s chaos behind. Our guide, Hossam, was already telling us how the Giza Pyramids still puzzle engineers — he said even his grandmother has her own theory. We pulled up to that wide plateau and honestly, the size of Cheops’ pyramid just didn’t register until I was right under it. The limestone felt rougher than I expected, almost warm in the morning sun. Camels grumbled nearby (smelled them before I saw them), and Hossam pointed out where the capstone used to be — “Imagine it shining in the old days,” he said. I tried to picture that but mostly just felt small. The Sphinx looked both fierce and a bit tired; there were school kids practicing their English with us (“Welcome! Where you from?”). That made me smile.

After Giza we headed south for our day trip to Saqqara — not far but suddenly quieter again, more palm trees and less traffic. At Saqqara, Hossam explained how Zoser’s step pyramid was basically Egypt’s first experiment with stone buildings. The air smelled faintly dusty-sweet, maybe because of all those old bricks or maybe just my imagination running wild. I tried to say “Saqqara” properly; Hossam laughed (I definitely got it wrong). There weren’t many other visitors around so we lingered, touching cool stone walls and peeking into tombs with faded blue paint still clinging on after thousands of years. It felt strange — like time folded in on itself for a second.

Dahshur was last — about 10 minutes away but it felt like another world again. The Bent Pyramid actually looks kind of awkward in person (no offense to King Senefru) but somehow that made me like it more. Our guide told us why its angle changed halfway up; apparently even pharaohs had construction fails. The Red Pyramid glowed a little in the late sun, reddish stones catching light as we climbed partway up (not as steep as Giza but my legs still noticed). Lunch was simple koshary at a local spot — noodles, lentils, crispy onions — nothing fancy but honestly perfect after all that dust and walking.

I keep thinking about those moments between sites: dusty roads outside the window, Hossam humming along to some old Egyptian pop song on the radio, the way every pyramid had its own mood somehow. If you’re curious about ancient Egypt beyond just postcards, this day trip from Cairo is probably going to stick with you too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Giza, Saqqara, and Dahshur Pyramids

• Meet guide and transfer from hotel
• Visit Giza Pyramids and Great Pyramid
• See the Great Sphinx of Giza
• Explore Saqqara and King Zoser's Step Pyramid
• Visit Dahshur Pyramids including Bent and Red Pyramids
• Transfer back to hotel

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Cairo to Giza Pyramids, Saqqara & Dahshur?

The tour lasts one full day including transfers between Cairo, Giza Plateau, Saqqara and Dahshur.

Is hotel pickup included for this Giza Pyramids tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from central areas like Giza, Downtown Cairo, Zamalek and Dokki.

What kind of lunch is provided on this tour?

A traditional Egyptian lunch such as koshary or falafel is included if you choose the all-inclusive option.

Are entry fees covered in this day trip?

Yes, main entrance fees for all sites are included in your booking price.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and most areas visited are wheelchair accessible.

Will we have an Egyptologist guide during the tour?

Yes, your tour includes an Egyptologist guide throughout the day.

How far is Dahshur from Saqqara?

Dahshur is about 10 kilometers south of Saqqara; it takes roughly 10-15 minutes by car.

Are camel rides included on this Giza Pyramids day trip?

A 20-minute camel ride is included if you select the all-inclusive price option during booking.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by private air-conditioned vehicle from central Cairo or Giza hotels; entry tickets for all main sites; guidance from a knowledgeable Egyptologist; bottled mineral water throughout; plus a traditional Egyptian lunch (like koshary or falafel) if you choose the all-inclusive option—before returning comfortably back to your hotel at sunset.