Sakkara, Memphis & Dahshur: Pyramid Day Trip with Lunch & Pickup

Summary

See Egypt’s oldest pyramids up close and meet local artisans in one day

You’ll step into ancient Egypt at Sakkara’s Step Pyramid and Memphis’ colossal statues with a guide who brings stories to life. Climb inside Dahshur’s Red Pyramid if you’re brave enough (it’s steep!), browse handmade carpets and papyrus art with locals, then relax over lunch before heading back—still thinking about those silent stones in the desert.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left Cairo when the city noise faded behind us, and suddenly there was just desert—wide, pale, and a little hazy in the morning light. Our guide, Ahmed, pointed out the first low shapes of Sakkara before I even spotted them. He had this way of telling stories that made everything feel close; at one point he picked up a bit of limestone and handed it to me—cool, chalky dust on my fingers—and said it was probably older than any country I’d ever been to. That stuck with me.

Memphis felt quieter than I expected. The statue of Ramses II lies there like some sleeping giant, toes chipped but face still proud. There were schoolkids giggling near the Sphinx (the alabaster one), and Ahmed joked about how even pharaohs needed good PR. We wandered through shade and sunlight between statues and broken columns, not rushed at all—though I did get distracted by a stray cat weaving around my legs. So yeah, not every moment was grand history; sometimes it’s just cats and dust motes.

Dahshur came next—the Bent Pyramid really does look odd from the side, like someone changed their mind halfway through building it. The Red Pyramid is quieter; you can actually climb inside if you want (I did, but wow, those stairs are steep). It smelled faintly of old stone and something almost metallic down there. On the way back we stopped at a cotton shop where a woman showed us how soft Egyptian cotton really is (I bought pillowcases), then watched papyrus being made at Key of Life Papyrus—Li laughed when I tried to say “shukran” properly. Lunch was simple Egyptian food—fresh bread, lentil soup—and honestly after all that walking it tasted better than anything fancy.

I still think about that first glimpse of the Step Pyramid rising out of sand—a shape so familiar but so strange in real life. Six hours went fast; I kept wishing for more time at each spot but maybe that’s just how Egypt gets under your skin.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Memphis, Sakkara, and Dahshur

• Pickup from hotel at 8:00 am
• Visit Memphis ancient capital
• See Ramses II statue and alabaster sphinx
• Visit Sakkara Step Pyramid
• Explore Pyramid of Teti
• Visit Mastaba of Ti tomb
• See Pyramid of Unas replica
• Visit Dahshur Bent and Red Pyramids
• Return to hotel around 1:00 pm

Top questions

How long is the Sakkara, Memphis & Dahshur day trip?

The tour lasts about 6 hours including all transfers and stops.

Is hotel pickup included for this pyramid tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from Cairo or Giza hotels.

What pyramids do you visit on this day trip?

You visit the Step Pyramid at Sakkara plus the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur.

Are entry fees included in the price?

Entry fees are included if you select that option during booking.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

A traditional Egyptian lunch is included if you choose that option when booking.

Can I go inside any pyramids during this tour?

You can enter some pyramids like the Red Pyramid at Dahshur if open on your visit.

Are there stops for shopping or local crafts?

Yes, there are short stops at government-approved shops for perfumes, papyrus art, cotton goods, and handmade carpets.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible but some pyramid interiors have steep stairs not suitable for everyone.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by private air-conditioned vehicle from Cairo or Giza, entry fees if selected during booking, a knowledgeable guide throughout your journey, bottled water to keep cool under Egypt’s sun, a traditional Egyptian lunch at a local restaurant if chosen—and visits to artisan shops where you can see papyrus making or feel real Egyptian cotton before heading back in early afternoon.