Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur Day Tour
While the Giza Pyramids are the most famous, they were not the first. The Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur Day Tour takes you on a journey through time to witness the birth of architecture.
You will travel south of Cairo to the rural palm groves of Memphis and the desert plains of Dahshur and Saqqara. Here, you will explore the revolutionary Step Pyramid of Djoser, the peculiar Bent Pyramid, and the massive Red Pyramid. This is the perfect tour for travelers who want to go deeper into Egypt’s history and enjoy archaeological sites with fewer tourists.
Why Choose This Tour?
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Beat the Crowds: These sites are significantly quieter than Giza, allowing for a peaceful experience.
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Enter the Pyramids: Entry into the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid is often included in the area ticket (unlike Giza where it costs extra).
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Rural Egypt: Drive through the lush countryside and villages, offering a glimpse of local life outside the city.
Included/Excluded
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel.
- Private Air-Conditioned Vehicle.
- Expert English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
- Lunch at a rural restaurant (Saqqara area).
- Bottled water.
- Entrance Fees: (Approx. $XX USD equivalent in EGP). Must be paid by card.
- Beverages during lunch.
- Tipping (Gratuities).
- Any extra tickets for special tombs (e.g., the Serapeum of Saqqara, which requires a separate ticket).
Tour Plan
08:00 AM | Pickup & Drive South Your private Egyptologist and driver will pick you up from your hotel. We head south (approx. 1 hour drive), leaving the city bustle for the quiet desert.
09:00 AM | Dahshur: The Experiments We arrive at the Dahshur Necropolis, built by Pharaoh Sneferu (father of Khufu).
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The Bent Pyramid: Famous for its "bent" angle, caused by an engineering crisis during construction. It retains most of its original outer limestone casing.
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The Red Pyramid: The first successful smooth-sided pyramid in history.
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Adventure: You will have the chance to enter the Red Pyramid. Note: This involves descending a long, steep tunnel (approx. 60 meters).
11:00 AM | Memphis: The Ancient Capital A short drive takes us to the Memphis Open Air Museum. For over 3,000 years, Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt.
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Highlights: The massive lying Colossus of Ramses II (a masterpiece of detail) and the Alabaster Sphinx.
12:30 PM | Countryside Lunch Enjoy a traditional Egyptian lunch at a restaurant in the Saqqara area. The setting is often outdoors, surrounded by palm trees and carpets—a relaxing break.
02:00 PM | Saqqara: The Necropolis We explore the vast Saqqara Necropolis, the burial ground of Memphis.
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The Step Pyramid of Djoser: The oldest major stone structure in the world, designed by the architect Imhotep.
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Pyramid of Teti: Although a ruin on the outside, the interior contains the pristine "Pyramid Texts."
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High Official Tombs (Mastabas): We visit tombs like those of Kagemni or Mereruka (depending on open rotation), featuring incredibly preserved colors and scenes of daily life (fishing, farming, and dancing).
04:30 PM | Return to Cairo We begin the drive back to your hotel, usually arriving around 5:30 PM or 6:00 PM depending on traffic.
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