Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur pyramids tour: 3 sites half-day

Three ancient capitals in one morning, starting from your hotel

A half-day tour from Cairo visiting Memphis, Saqqara and Dahshur pyramids with hotel pickup, private air-conditioned vehicle, and a live guide in English, Spanish or Arabic. The itinerary covers the Step Pyramid of Saqqara (the oldest pyramid), the colossal statue of Ramses II in Memphis, and the Red and Bent Pyramids of Dahshur, located 40 kilometers south of Cairo. Entry fees, lunch and guide are available depending on which option you choose at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Saqqara1h
2. Memphis1h

Explore Memphis, Sakkara, and Dahshur

• Pickup from hotel in Cairo or Giza
• Visit Step Pyramid of Sakkara
• Explore Pyramid of Teti in Saqqara
• See Mastaba of Ti in Saqqara
• Visit Memphis City and see Ramses II statue
• Tour Dahshur Pyramids (Bent and Red Pyramids)
• Drop off at hotel in Cairo or Giza

The experience

Your hotel pickup starts the tour, and the driver takes you southwest to Saqqara, 27 kilometers from Cairo. The Step Pyramid of Zoser dominates the site. It marks a turning point in pyramid evolution, built as the form shifted from simple mastabas to the monumental structures Egypt became known for. You'll walk the grounds with your guide, who explains the engineering and the pharaoh it was built to honor.

Memphis comes next, the ancient capital dating back to 3100 BCE. The colossal statue of Ramses II and the great Alabaster Sphinx sit here, and your guide walks you through what these monuments meant to the civilization that built them. The site sits on the Nile's west bank, and the scale of what survives gives a sense of the power concentrated in this single city.

Dahshur closes the tour, about 40 kilometers south of Cairo. The Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid stand here: two of Egypt's oldest, largest and best-preserved pyramids, built between 2613 and 2589 BCE. The Bent Pyramid's unusual angle makes it instantly recognizable, and both structures show the refinement of pyramid construction after the experiments at Saqqara. The tour ends with drop-off at your hotel. The full route takes around five hours, with 20-minute stops at each location built in so you can move through the sites without rushing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza.
• private air-conditioned vehicle for the full route.
• live guide in English, Spanish or Arabic (depending on your option).
• entry fees to all three sites (if selected).
• lunch (if selected).
• bottle of water.

Options for this experience

4 options

Car with driver and an audio guideGuide in English, Spanish or Arabic · 09:00Pickup is included

Private car with a tour guideGuide in English, Spanish or Arabic · 09:00Tour guide included, with pickup

Includes car, tour guide and entry feesGuide in English, Spanish or Arabic · 09:00Entry fees are included and pickup is included

Car+Guide+Entry fees+LunchGuide in English, Spanish or Arabic · 09:00Lasts 6 hours, includes lunch and pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 5h, runs every day at 09:00, from US$ 15 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish and Arabic, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by EMO TOURS EGYPT

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see three major pyramid sites without renting a car or navigating between them: the private vehicle, fixed schedule and included guide mean the logistics are settled, so you focus on the sites themselves. The half-day format works well if you're splitting your time between Cairo's museums and the pyramids, or if you're arriving or leaving the same day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What's the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, and why is it important?

The Step Pyramid of Saqqara, built for Pharaoh Zoser, is the oldest pyramid in Egypt and marks the transition from mastaba tombs to the pyramid form. It's considered a crucial point in pyramid evolution and sits at the center of the Saqqara complex, 27 kilometers southwest of Cairo.

Can I see inside any of the pyramids on this tour?

The tour includes access to the pyramid sites and their grounds. Your guide will explain the structures and their history. The itinerary focuses on the exteriors and the archaeological context of each location rather than interior chamber exploration.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is included only if you select the option that adds it at checkout. The tour also includes 20-minute stops at government-approved shops where you can see papyrus making, natural oils and Egyptian cotton, and local artisans hand-weaving rugs. These are built into the schedule.

How far is Dahshur from Cairo, and what makes the Red and Bent Pyramids different?

Dahshur lies about 40 kilometers south of Cairo on the Nile's west bank. The Bent Pyramid has a distinctive angled slope that makes it visually unique, while the Red Pyramid shows the refined technique that followed earlier experiments. Both date to 2613–2589 BCE and rank among Egypt's best-preserved pyramids.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

All options include hotel pickup and drop-off, private air-conditioned transport, and a bottle of water. Entry fees, a live guide and lunch are optional. Choose the package that matches what you want at checkout. Tipping and personal items are not included.