Giza & Saqqara: Step Pyramid & Ramses II with Egyptologist Guide

Two Ancient Capitals in One Morning: Saqqara's First Stone Pyramid & Memphis

You get hotel pickup, a private Egyptologist guide, and entry to Saqqara's Step Pyramid of Djoser, the world's first stone pyramid, plus Memphis's Colossal Statue of Ramses II and Alabaster Sphinx. The itinerary flexes around your pace and interests. Optional lunch and Dahshur pyramids can be added. Five hours total, return to your hotel by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Saqqara1h
2. Step Pyramid of Djoser2h
3. Memphis30m
4. Colossus of Ramses II at Memphis30m
5. Dahshur1h

Visit Saqqara and Memphis sites

• Pick up from hotel in Cairo or Giza
• Visit Saqqara necropolis and Step Pyramid
• Learn about King Djoser and architect Imhotep
• Explore the Step Pyramid complex and tombs
• Visit Memphis ancient capital site
• See Colossal Statue of Ramses II
• View Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis
• Return to hotel

The experience

You're staying in Cairo or Giza and have a free afternoon, or maybe you've only got one day to see beyond the main pyramids. That's the moment this tour makes sense. A private vehicle picks you up from your hotel and heads south to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser sits waiting. Built in 2670 BC, it's the oldest stone structure on earth, and standing in front of it feels different than the photos suggest. Your Egyptologist guide walks you through the complex (the colonnaded entrance, the Sed Festival court, the enclosure wall), and explains how this pyramid became the blueprint for everything that came after. The structure is massive but also somehow fragile, which is part of what makes it real.

From Saqqara, you drive to Memphis, the ancient capital, where a museum houses the Colossal Statue of Ramses II. The limestone is in remarkable condition for something carved around 1279 BC, and the scale of it (a pharaoh who ruled for 67 years, frozen in stone) hits harder when you're standing next to it than when you're reading about it. The Alabaster Sphinx is there too, possibly representing Queen Hatshepsut, though the guide will tell you what's known and what's still debated. The whole day moves at a pace you control. If you want to linger at one site or move faster through another, the itinerary bends to that. Five hours total, which means you're back at your hotel by early afternoon.

Dahshur is also on the route: 40 kilometers south of Cairo, where the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid show the transition from step pyramids to smooth-sided ones. If you want to include it, the guide can work it in, though that extends the day. The optional lunch at a local restaurant happens after the tour if you book the all-inclusive option, which also covers entry fees to Saqqara and Memphis. If you skip lunch and just want transport and the guide, that's available too. Either way, you're not negotiating with drivers or hunting for tickets. The guide handles the logistics, and you handle the looking.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Cairo or Giza, a private Egyptologist guide, and an air-conditioned vehicle for the entire journey. Entry to Saqqara and Memphis is included only in the all-inclusive option.
• if you choose the car-and-guide option, you pay entry fees separately. Bottled water is provided. Lunch at a local restaurant is optional and included only in the all-inclusive package. The guide can arrange separate tickets for entry into the Step Pyramid or southern tomb if you want to go inside.

Options for this experience

10 options

Car with driver to Saqqara and MemphisGuide in 12 languages · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Private car only, Saqqara and Memphis only. Pickup is included.

Car & driveSaqqarMemphisDahshurGuide in 12 languages · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Private car only: private car only for Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur. Pickup is included.

Car and guide to Saqqara and MemphisGuide in 12 languages · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Only included: car and guide to Saqqara and Memphis only. Pickup is included. Only the car and guide are included, so entrance fees are not covered.

See 7 more options

Car with driver, guide and lunchGuide in 12 languages · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Duration: 5 hours. Lunch, local car guide: the trip includes a car, guide and local lunch. Pickup is included.

Car guideSaqqar MemphisDahshurGuide in 12 languages · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Car and guide to Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur. Duration: 8 hours. Car and guide only. Pickup is included. Only the car and guide are included, so entrance fees are not covered.

All-inclusive Saqqar MemphisGuide in 12 languages · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Driver fees, Saqqara and Memphis only; lunch; local car guide: inclusive. Car guide fees and area lunch in Saqqara and Memphis only. (The service is excellent for the price.) Pickup is included.

Inclusive SaqqarMemphi DahshurGuide in 12 languages · 11 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00Entrance fees to the Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur Pyramids; local lunch; car guide. The trip includes the Dahshur guide and car, a popular lunch and tickets. (The service is excellent for the price.) Pickup is included.

InclusiveSaqqarMemphis&FeluccaGuide in 12 languages · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Fees: tickets for Saqqara, Memphis and Felucca; VIP car guide. Duration: 7 hours. Lunch. Felucca: one hour. Pickup is included.

InclusSaqqarMemphisNile crusieGuide in 12 languages · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Fees: Saqqara and Memphis area tickets and a VIP car guide, plus a Nile dinner cruise. Duration: 8 hours. Lunch and dinner: the tour includes an authentic Egyptian lunch at a 5-star restaurant, followed by an open-buffet dinner aboard the cruise. Pickup is included.

Saqqara and Memphis, inclusive, with ATVGuide in 12 languages · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30Fees: tickets for Saqqara, Memphis and ATV; one-hour VIP car guide. Duration: 8 hours. Lunch. Pickup is 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 day13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 60 years) · Senior (62 to 90 years) · Youth (9 to 11 years) · Child (6 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Egypt Gold

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Saqqara's Step Pyramid and Memphis in one morning without arranging transport, tickets, or timing yourself: the private guide and fixed pickup handle all three, leaving you free to focus on the sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 11 years); Child (6 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the tour?

Five hours total, including pickup and drop-off.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Cairo or Giza, and a private Egyptologist guide. Entry fees to Saqqara and Memphis, plus lunch, are included only in the all-inclusive option.

Can I visit the inside of the Step Pyramid?

Entering the pyramid or the southern tomb requires a separate ticket, which your guide can help arrange.

Is lunch included?

Lunch at a local restaurant is optional and included only if you book the all-inclusive package.

Can I add Dahshur to the tour?

Yes. Dahshur (the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid) can be added to the itinerary. Your guide will adjust the schedule accordingly.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All transportation, areas, and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Specialized infant seats are also available.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. However, it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.