Saqqara & Memphis tour: Step Pyramid & Nile dinner

Nine hours to see where Egypt's oldest pyramid stands and where its first capital once ruled

A full-day tour from Alexandria Port to Saqqara and Memphis with private transportation and an Egyptiologist guide, ending with a 2-hour Nile dinner cruise in Cairo. The Step Pyramid of Djoser (built around 2630 BCE and the nation's oldest pyramid) anchors the morning, followed by Memphis, founded in 3200 BC as Egypt's capital during the Old Kingdom. The evening cruise includes an open buffet, live Egyptian music, belly dance and Tanoura performances, and return transfer to the port. Pickup from your hotel or the port is included. Admission to Saqqara and the dinner cruise are optional add-ons.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Saqqara, Memphis and Nile Cruise

• Pick up from Alexandria Port or hotel
• Travel to Saqqara
• Visit Step Pyramid of Djoser and necropolis
• Visit Memphis ancient capital site
• Enjoy evening Nile dinner cruise in Cairo
• Return to Alexandria Port

The Experience

Your guide and driver meet you at Alexandria Port or your hotel with a sign bearing your names, then drive you south toward Cairo in a private car. The route covers roughly 240 kilometers round-trip, so the morning is spent traveling and exploring two of Egypt's most significant archaeological sites. Saqqara, the vast necropolis of ancient Memphis, holds the Step Pyramid of Djoser: a structure that changed architecture forever. Built by Imhotep around 2630 BCE during the Third Dynasty, it was the first pyramid ever constructed and served as the centerpiece of Pharaoh Djoser's funerary complex, which also includes a hypostyle entry hall. Your guide walks you through what these structures meant and how they stood at the birth of monumental stone building.

From Saqqara, you continue south to Memphis, located 20 kilometers south of Cairo on the west bank of the Nile in the village of Meet Raheena. Founded in 3200 BC by King Narmer, Memphis was Egypt's capital during the Old Kingdom and one of the ancient world's greatest cities. The name itself, originally "Men-nefer", comes from a nearby pyramid built in the Sixth Dynasty. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it holds colossal statues, sphinxes and open-air museums that reveal the scale of royal life in Egypt's earliest dynasties. Your Egyptiologist guide contextualizes what you see, connecting the two sites into a single narrative of Egypt's formative centuries.

In the late afternoon, your driver transfers you to Cairo for the evening highlight: a 2-hour Nile dinner cruise aboard an elegant floating restaurant. You board after sunset and drift along the river as Cairo's landmarks light up on both banks. The open buffet includes local and international dishes. The entertainment program features live Egyptian music, a belly dance performance, and the Tanoura: a spinning folkloric dance in colored robes. When the cruise ends, your driver returns you to Alexandria Port in time for your ship's departure. The full day moves at a steady pace, with travel time built in. It suits travelers who want to see major sites without rushing through either one.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a comfortable car.
• pickup from Alexandria Port or your hotel with a nameplate.
• an Egyptiologist guide for the full day.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• optional admission to Saqqara.
• optional 2-hour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and live entertainment including belly dance and Tanoura performances.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jojo Tours

Is this one for you?Book the Car & Guide option if you want to explore Saqqara and Memphis at your own pace with expert context but without the evening commitment. Choose All Inclusive if the Nile dinner cruise and the return to port after sunset matter to your schedule and you want the full cultural evening built in.

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Top questions

What is the Step Pyramid of Djoser and why does it matter?

The Step Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2630 BCE at Saqqara, is Egypt's oldest pyramid and the world's first monumental stone structure. Designed by the architect Imhotep during the Third Dynasty, it was the central feature of Pharaoh Djoser's funerary complex and marked the beginning of pyramid construction. A form that would define Egyptian civilization for millennia.

How long is the drive from Alexandria to Saqqara and Memphis?

The drive from Alexandria Port to Saqqara takes roughly three to four hours depending on traffic, and Memphis is a further 20 kilometers south. The full day includes travel time, archaeological time at both sites, and the evening cruise, totaling nine to eleven hours from pickup to return.

What does the Nile dinner cruise include?

The cruise is a 2-hour evening journey on a floating restaurant with an open buffet of local and international dishes, live Egyptian music, a belly dance show, and the Tanoura: a traditional spinning dance performance. The cruise departs after sunset so you see Cairo's landmarks illuminated along the riverbanks.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour itself. You can add the Nile dinner cruise as an optional extra, which provides an evening meal and entertainment. For daytime meals at Saqqara or Memphis, you arrange separately or bring your own.

Do I need to buy admission to Saqqara separately?

Yes, admission to Saqqara is optional and purchased separately at checkout. Your guide will take you through the site and explain the pyramids and temples, but the entry ticket is an add-on to the base tour package.

What language does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. You choose your preferred language when booking.