Private Memphis, Sakkara & Dahshur Pyramids Tour from Cairo

Summary

Guided Day Trip to Ancient Egyptian Pyramids Near Cairo

You’ll get to walk through Egypt’s early history with someone who knows all the hidden details—see pyramids without crowds and touch stones older than most cities. If you want real stories and easy travel from Cairo, this tour covers it all in just half a day.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Cairo always feels a bit cooler before the city wakes up. Our driver met us right at the hotel lobby—no waiting around. We set off towards Sakkara first, watching the city fade into open fields. It’s only about 40 minutes out, but you can smell the difference: dust and wildflowers instead of car exhaust. Our guide, Hossam, pointed out tiny roadside bakeries selling baladi bread as we passed.

At Sakkara, the Step Pyramid stands alone on a sandy plateau. Up close, it’s rougher than I expected—limestone blocks stacked like giant stairs. Hossam explained how this was Egypt’s first pyramid, built for King Zoser. He even showed us where workers’ graffiti still marks some stones if you look closely near the north side. The site felt quiet except for a few birds and the crunch of gravel under our shoes.

Dahshur was next—a short drive through palm groves and sleepy villages. The Bent Pyramid looks odd from every angle; you can see where they changed its slope halfway up. Not many tourists here, so it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The Red Pyramid nearby is massive—you can actually go inside if you don’t mind crouching through a long tunnel (it smells faintly of old stone and earth). Our guide shared stories about ancient engineers trying to perfect their designs here.

We finished at Memphis, which used to be Egypt’s capital thousands of years ago. There’s a huge statue of Ramses II lying on its back in an open-air museum—hard to believe it’s been here since 3100 B.C. The Alabaster Sphinx sits nearby; its face is worn but still proud. A few local kids were selling postcards by the gate, joking with our guide in Arabic as we left.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Memphis, Sakkara & Dahshur Pyramids

• Pickup from hotel in Cairo or Giza
• Visit Sakkara Pyramid and Step Pyramid of King Zoser
• Visit Dahshur Pyramids (Bent & Red Pyramids)
• Visit Memphis ancient capital, Ramses II statue, Alabaster Sphinx
• Transfer back to hotel

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Absolutely—it’s family-friendly and wheelchair accessible. The vehicle is comfortable and there are plenty of chances to rest along the way.

How long does the tour last?

The whole experience takes about five hours, including pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Cairo or Giza.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes—all entry tickets are covered in your booking price. No surprise costs at any of the sites.

What should I bring with me?

A hat or scarf for sun protection helps, plus comfy shoes for walking on sand and stone paths.

What’s included

Your ride (air-conditioned), all entrance fees to Sakkara, Dahshur, and Memphis sites, an expert local guide who really knows their stuff, plus snacks—water, Pepsi, chips, cake—and all taxes are taken care of too.