Giza Pyramids, Saqqara & Memphis: Private Day Tour with Lunch

Summary

Walk among pharaohs at Giza’s pyramids and Saqqara with a local guide

You’ll stand beneath Giza’s pyramids as morning light hits ancient stone, listen to stories beside Saqqara’s step pyramid, share laughter over koshary lunch, and wander through Memphis where pharaohs once ruled — all with a local guide who brings Egypt’s past into sharp focus.

What’s the experience like?

You know that weird moment when you’re standing in front of something you’ve seen in books your whole life, and it just feels… quieter than you expected? That’s how it started for me on the Giza Plateau — sand crunching under my sneakers, our guide Amr waving us over to see where the sunlight hit Cheops’ pyramid just right. There were camels grumbling nearby (one tried to nudge my backpack, which I’m still not over), and the air was dry but not hot yet. Amr had this way of explaining things that made you forget he probably said it a hundred times before — like when he pointed at the Sphinx and told us how nobody really agrees on its nose story. I tried to get a photo without tourists in it. Didn’t happen. Still worth it.

After Giza, we bumped along in an air-conditioned van (thank god for that) toward Saqqara. The landscape changed — more palms, less city noise. The step pyramid looked older than old, if that makes sense; rougher edges, dustier stones. Amr let us touch one of the blocks (“gently!”), and honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so much just from cool limestone under my hand. Lunch came after — koshary with spicy sauce and falafel that tasted way better than anything back home. Li laughed when I tried to say “shukran” to the cook — probably butchered it.

Memphis was last. It felt sleepier than the other sites, with kids kicking a ball near the Colossus of Ramses II and old men sipping tea in plastic chairs by the gate. The statues were massive but sort of peaceful too; there’s this weird hush around them even with people chatting nearby. I kept thinking about all those centuries stacked up here, and how tomorrow these stones would still be here long after we’d gone back to our hotel rooms or wherever else life takes us.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, and Memphis

• Transfer from hotel to Giza Plateau
• Explore Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, Menkaure
• Visit the Great Sphinx statue
• Tour Saqqara Complex and Step Pyramid
• Explore ancient capital Memphis and temples
• Transfer back to hotel

Top questions

How long does this private day tour from Cairo last?

The tour is a full-day experience starting in the morning and returning by late afternoon or early evening.

Is hotel pickup included for Giza Pyramids & Saqqara tours?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from hotels in Giza, Downtown Cairo, Zamalek, or Dokki are included.

What sites are visited on this day trip?

The tour covers the Giza Pyramids (Cheops, Chephren, Menkaure), Sphinx, Saqqara step pyramid, and Memphis including the Colossus of Ramses II.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

If you select the all-inclusive option, lunch is included—usually koshary or falafel at a local spot.

Are entrance fees covered in the price?

Main entrance fees are included depending on your booking option.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and most areas are wheelchair accessible; infant seats are available on request.

Will there be a local Egyptologist guide?

Yes, an Egyptologist guide accompanies you throughout the day trip from Cairo.

Is there a camel ride included?

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

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your Cairo or Giza hotel by private vehicle with an Egyptologist guide at your side; entry fees for all main sites; bottled water throughout; plus an authentic Egyptian lunch—think koshary or falafel—if you book the all-inclusive option. There’s also an optional camel ride before heading back to your hotel at sunset.