Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur Day Tour: Three Pyramid Sites

Stand before the oldest pyramid ever built, then trace how Egyptian architects perfected the form

This day tour from Cairo visits Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur over six to seven hours with a private Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water. You see the Step Pyramid of Djoser (the first pyramid, built around 2700 BCE) along with tombs carved with wall paintings older than those at Giza, then move to Memphis to view the 65-ton Colossus of Ramses II and an open-air museum, and finish at Dahshur to walk among the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, which show the architectural leap from stepped to smooth-sided forms. Entry fees are included in some options. Lunch is available on the All Inclusive plan.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Saqqara2h · entry included
2. Colossus of Ramses II at Memphis2h · entry included
3. Dahshur2h · entry included

Visit Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur

• Explore Saqqara pyramids and tombs
• Visit Memphis open-air museum
• See Dahshur Bent and Red Pyramids

The experience

The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara is where Egyptian pyramid building began. Built around 2700 BCE, it stands as the oldest stone structure of its scale anywhere on earth, and the site holds tombs decorated with vivid wall carvings that predate the famous paintings at Giza. Because Saqqara draws fewer crowds than the pyramids near Cairo, the complex has a quieter atmosphere. You move through the courtyards and past multiple smaller pyramids from the 5th and 6th dynasties without the press of tour groups. The oldest full ceremonial complex of King Djoser is here, along with the pyramids of Userkaf, Unas and Teti, each marking a stage in how the Egyptians refined their craft.

Memphis, the first capital of unified Egypt founded around 3100 BCE, shifts the focus from architecture to sculpture and statecraft. The open-air museum holds the colossal statue of Ramses II, a limestone figure weighing 65 tons, alongside the Alabaster Sphinx and other royal statuary. Walking among these pieces gives a sense of the political and religious power that Memphis held before the capital moved to Thebes. The Colossus alone, carved from a single block, shows the scale of resources the pharaohs commanded.

Dahshur, 40 kilometers south of Cairo, is where you see the turning point in pyramid design. The Bent Pyramid, built by Sneferu, has a distinctive angled shape: the angle changes partway up the sides, a visible record of a mid-construction decision. The Red Pyramid, also Sneferu's work, is Egypt's first true smooth-sided pyramid, the form that led directly to the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Black Pyramid, built by Amenemhat III, stands mostly in ruins, a reminder that later builders sometimes cut corners on materials. Together, the three pyramids at Dahshur tell the story of how Egyptian architects moved from the stepped form to the geometric perfection that defined the pyramid age.

What’s included

• Private Egyptologist guide in English or Spanish.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• bottled water.
• entry fees to Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur (on selected options).
• lunch (on the All Inclusive plan).
• all taxes and service fees.

Options for this experience

3 options

Car and guide onlyGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:00Excluding lunch and entry fees, with pickup included

All-inclusive VIP top packageGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:00Car, guide, entry fees and lunch, with pickup included

Car, guide and entry feesGuide in English or Spanish · 5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:00Excluding lunch, with pickup included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to11h before

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (3 to 16 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Mego Tours

Is this one for you?Pick Car + Guide + Entry Fees to access all three pyramid complexes; choose Car + Guide Only if you want to explore exteriors without entering; add All Inclusive for lunch that breaks up the six-to-seven-hour day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 16 years); Infant (under 3).

What is the Step Pyramid of Djoser and why is it important?

The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, built around 2700 BCE, is the oldest pyramid ever constructed and the oldest large stone structure in the world. It marks the beginning of pyramid building in Egypt and shows the earliest development of the form, with six stepped levels stacked on top of each other rather than the smooth sides that came later.

Can I see the Colossus of Ramses II on this tour?

Yes. The Colossus of Ramses II at Memphis is one of the main stops. The limestone statue weighs 65 tons and is displayed in an open-air museum along with the Alabaster Sphinx and other royal statues from ancient Memphis.

What is the difference between the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid at Dahshur?

The Bent Pyramid, built by Sneferu, has a distinctive bent shape because the angle of the sides changes partway up: a visible record of a construction decision made mid-project. The Red Pyramid, also built by Sneferu, is Egypt's first true smooth-sided pyramid, showing the refined form that later became standard and led to the Great Pyramid of Giza.

How long does this tour take?

The tour runs six to seven hours total, including travel time between the three sites, time to walk each complex, and stops at Memphis and Dahshur.

What is included in the tour price?

All options include a private Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle transport and bottled water. Entry fees to all three sites are included if you choose the Car + Guide + Entry Fees option or the Top VIP All Inclusive plan. The All Inclusive option also includes lunch.

Do I need to arrange my own pickup?

Pickup from your hotel in Cairo is included in the tour. Some areas (6th of October City, Nasr City, New Cairo and Cairo International Airport) carry a supplement fee, which you can add at checkout.