Private Cairo Day Tour: Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis — Step Pyramid & Ancient Egypt
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✅ English-speaking drivers
Private Full-Day Cairo Tour: Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis
Go beyond Giza. Discover where Egypt's story actually began.
Most visitors to Cairo see the Great Pyramids of Giza and go home thinking they've seen ancient Egypt. This tour shows you something deeper. On this fully private full-day Cairo tour, you'll trace the entire evolution of pyramid building — from the world's oldest stone structure to the engineering breakthroughs that made Giza possible — across three of Egypt's most historically significant and least crowded sites.
At Saqqara, you'll stand before the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest pyramid in Egypt and the oldest stone structure on earth, built around 2670 BC. At Dahshur, you'll walk around and inside the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid of King Sneferu — remarkable monuments that represent the crucial turning point in ancient Egyptian architecture. And at Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt, you'll come face to face with the colossal statue of Ramses II and explore the open-air museum of one of the most powerful cities in the ancient world.
Every moment of this tour belongs exclusively to your group. There are no strangers, no shared buses, and no rigid group schedules. Your private, English-speaking Egyptologist guide tailors the entire day around your interests — and actively ensures you're never approached, pressured, or hassled at any point. This is ancient Egypt without the crowds, without the chaos, and without compromise.
Quick-Glance Tour Summary
| Duration | Approximately 7–9 hours (flexible) |
|---|---|
| Pickup | Your Cairo or Giza hotel (included) |
| Group Type | 100% Private — your group only |
| Guide | Expert English-speaking Egyptologist |
| Admission | Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis entry included |
| Languages | English (other languages available on request) |
| Starting Price | From $200 (1 guest) |
| Cancellation | Full refund if cancelled 24+ hours in advance |
What You'll See & Do
| Step Pyramid of Djoser — the oldest pyramid and oldest stone structure on earth | Bent Pyramid of Dahshur — the unique double-angled pyramid of King Sneferu |
|---|---|
| Red Pyramid of Dahshur — the first true smooth-sided pyramid ever completed | Memphis Open-Air Museum — ancient capital of Egypt and home of the colossal Ramses II |
| Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis — one of Egypt's most underrated ancient treasures | Imhotep Museum at Saqqara — remarkable artifacts from the world's oldest pyramid complex |
| Optional: Quad Bike in the Desert — pyramid views from the open desert | Optional: Camel Ride in the Desert — a classic desert experience with pyramid views |
| Optional: Private Nile Boat Ride — a peaceful 45-minute sail on the Nile | Optional: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — up to 2 hours at the world's largest ancient history museum |
Admission & Pricing
Base Tour — From $250 for 1 guest
Price scales with group size. Contact us for a precise quote based on your group.
All of the following are included in the base price: private air-conditioned vehicle and driver, expert Egyptologist guide, entry to Saqqara, Dahshur, and Memphis.
Optional Add-Ons
These can be selected for your entire group or just individual members — entirely your choice.
| Add-On | Price |
|---|---|
| Quad Bike in the Desert (45 min, pyramid views) | $35/person |
| Camel Ride in the Desert (30–45 min, pyramid views) | $35/person |
| Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) entry — up to 2 hours | $75/person |
| Private Nile Boat Ride (45 min) — 1 to 2 people | $75 |
| Private Nile Boat Ride (45 min) — 3 to 8 people | $100 |
| Private Nile Boat Ride (45 min) — 9 to 18 people | $175 |
Not Included
- Lunch (your guide will recommend local options)
- Tips for guide and driver ($10–$20 USD per person is customary)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Travel insurance
Departure & Timing
- Standard departure: 8:00 AM from your hotel lobby
- An early start is recommended to make the most of the cooler morning hours and to reach Saqqara before the midday heat
- Journey Connected will contact you before your tour to confirm departure time and preferences
- The order of stops and overall itinerary is flexible — your guide may adjust based on conditions, crowds, and your group's interests on the day
Languages
Tours are conducted in English as standard. Other languages may be available on request — please contact us when booking to discuss your needs.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund for cancellations made at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour departure. Cancellations within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Footwear: Closed-toe, comfortable shoes are essential — Saqqara and Dahshur involve walking on sand and uneven stone, and the Red Pyramid interior requires climbing steep internal passages
- Clothing: Light, breathable clothing is recommended. Modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is respectful, particularly at outdoor heritage sites
- Sun protection: Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are strongly advised — there is very little shade at any of these sites
- Cash: Bring Egyptian Pounds (EGP) for any personal purchases. USD is also widely accepted
- Photography: All three sites offer extraordinary and largely uncrowded photography opportunities — bring plenty of storage
- Fitness note: The Red Pyramid interior involves a steep descent and ascent through a narrow passage. It is manageable for most travelers but may not be suitable for those with claustrophobia or significant mobility limitations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the tour price? Your base tour includes private round-trip hotel transportation, a full-day expert Egyptologist guide, entry to the Saqqara complex (Step Pyramid of Djoser), the Dahshur complex (Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid), and the Memphis Open-Air Museum. Bottled water and all taxes are included. Optional add-ons are available at additional cost.
How much does the tour cost? The base tour starts at $200 for one guest and scales with group size. Optional add-ons are priced separately: quad bike $35/person, camel ride $35/person, GEM entry $75/person, and the private Nile boat ride from $75 (1–2 people) to $100 (3–8 people) to $175 (9–18 people). Contact us for an exact quote for your group.
Is this a private tour or a group tour? This is 100% private. Your tour is exclusively for your group — no strangers, no shared vehicles, no combined itineraries. Your guide and vehicle are dedicated entirely to you for the full day.
Can we customize the tour? Absolutely. The itinerary outlined here is a guide, not a fixed schedule. The order of stops may change based on your guide's recommendation on the day. Want to spend more time at Saqqara and less at Memphis? No problem. Want to skip the shopping stops entirely? Just say so. Journey Connected contacts every group before their tour to understand your preferences, and your guide will continue adapting throughout the day.
How is this tour different from the Giza Pyramids tour? While the Giza tour centers on the most famous monuments in Egypt, this tour focuses on the sites that came before Giza — and that tell the story of how the Great Pyramid became possible. Saqqara, Dahshur, and Memphis are significantly less crowded than Giza, offering a more intimate and often more rewarding experience for travelers with a genuine interest in ancient Egyptian history and architecture.
What is the Step Pyramid of Saqqara and why is it important? The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, built around 2670 BC, is the oldest pyramid in Egypt and the oldest large-scale stone structure ever built. Designed by the legendary architect Imhotep, it marked a revolutionary moment in human history — the first time stone was used on a monumental scale for construction. Every pyramid that followed, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, was built on the foundation of what Imhotep achieved here.
What are the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid at Dahshur? Both pyramids at Dahshur were built by King Sneferu, the father of Khufu, during the 4th Dynasty around 2600 BC. The Bent Pyramid is named for its distinctive double-angled profile — the angle was adjusted midway through construction, likely due to structural concerns, creating a uniquely shaped monument that documents ancient engineering in real time. The Red Pyramid, built shortly after, is the first successfully completed smooth-sided pyramid in history and the direct architectural predecessor to the Great Pyramid of Giza. Entry into the Red Pyramid's interior passages is included in your tour.
Can we go inside any of the pyramids on this tour? Yes. Entry into the interior passages and burial chambers of the Red Pyramid at Dahshur is available as part of your tour experience. The Red Pyramid interior involves a steep descent through a narrow angled passage — it is manageable for most travelers but those with claustrophobia or mobility limitations should consider whether it is right for them. Your guide will prepare you fully before entering.
What is there to see at Memphis? Memphis was the first capital of unified ancient Egypt, founded around 3100 BC, and for much of Egypt's ancient history it was one of the most powerful cities in the world. The Memphis Open-Air Museum houses some of the most impressive surviving monuments of the ancient world, including the colossal limestone statue of Ramses II — displayed horizontally in its own dedicated hall — and the Alabaster Sphinx, a beautifully preserved monument that rivals the Great Sphinx of Giza in craftsmanship, if not in scale.
Are these sites as crowded as the Giza Pyramids? No — and this is one of the great advantages of this tour. Saqqara, Dahshur, and Memphis receive a fraction of the visitors that Giza attracts. At Dahshur in particular, it is common to have the pyramids almost entirely to yourself. For travelers who find the crowds at Giza overwhelming, or who simply want a more personal connection with ancient Egypt, this tour is an exceptional alternative or complement.
Is lunch included? Lunch is not included in the tour price, but your guide will recommend excellent local options and can assist with arranging a meal that suits your group. Your tour schedule includes time for lunch between sites.
Do I need to tip the guide and driver? Tipping is customary in Egypt and is a meaningful part of how guides and drivers are compensated. A tip of $10–$20 USD per person for a full day is standard and greatly appreciated — your guide will distribute appropriately between the team. Tipping is always at your discretion and never required.
What should I wear? Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are essential. Saqqara and Dahshur involve walking on sand and uneven terrain, and the Red Pyramid interior requires climbing steep passages in a low-ceilinged space. Light, breathable clothing and sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) are strongly recommended. Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is respectful at all outdoor heritage sites.
Is the tour suitable for families, children, and older travelers? Yes. Because this is a private tour, the pace is entirely set by your group. Families with children and older travelers are all accommodated — your guide adjusts accordingly. The one consideration worth noting is the Red Pyramid interior, which involves steep, narrow passages. Your guide will advise on the day and there is no obligation for everyone to enter.
Can I add the Grand Egyptian Museum to this tour? Yes, the GEM is available as an optional add-on at $75/person. Please note that the Grand Egyptian Museum sits outside the natural route of this tour, so additional travel time is required — this is reflected in the higher per-person cost compared to our Giza day tour. Given the length of the day, GEM time on this tour is approximately 2 hours, giving you a curated highlights experience with your Egyptologist guide. If a full GEM visit is a priority for your group, we recommend booking our dedicated Giza Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum day tour instead, where the GEM is a central part of the day.
Can I book this as part of a longer Egypt trip? Absolutely. Journey Connected specializes in custom multi-day Egypt itineraries. This tour pairs exceptionally well with the Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum day tour, and can be combined with Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, a Nile cruise, and more. Contact our team to build a complete Egypt experience tailored entirely to your travel style, timeline, and budget.
What languages are tours available in? Tours are conducted in English as standard. Other languages may be available on request — please contact Journey Connected when booking to discuss your requirements.
From: $250.00
Your Day at a Glance
Morning — Saqqara (approx. 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
We recommend an 8:00 AM departure to make the most of the cooler morning hours and to arrive at Saqqara before the day heats up. Journey Connected reaches out to every group before their tour to confirm preferences and fine-tune the schedule — but an early start is always our recommendation.
Your private, air-conditioned vehicle collects you directly from your Cairo or Giza hotel lobby. From the moment you meet your Egyptologist guide, the day is yours.
Step Pyramid of Djoser: This is where it all began. Built around 2670 BC by the architect Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser, the Step Pyramid is not only the oldest pyramid in Egypt — it is the oldest large-scale stone structure in the entire world. Standing here, your guide will walk you through the revolutionary leap this building represented: the moment ancient Egyptians moved from mudbrick mastabas to monumental stone construction and set the course for everything that followed. The surrounding complex — including the colonnaded entrance, courtyards, and surrounding tombs — is vast, and this is a site that rewards the time a private tour allows.
Imhotep Museum: Located within the Saqqara complex, this excellent museum houses artifacts discovered at the site — a fascinating companion to what you’ll see outside.
Midday — Memphis & Lunch (approx. 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
Memphis Open-Air Museum: Before Luxor, before Alexandria, there was Memphis — the first capital of unified ancient Egypt, founded around 3100 BC. At its height, Memphis was one of the largest and most powerful cities in the world. Today, its open-air museum preserves some of the most striking monuments of the ancient world.
Colossal Statue of Ramses II: One of the most impressive royal statues in Egypt — a massive limestone figure of one of ancient Egypt’s greatest pharaohs, displayed horizontally in its own dedicated museum hall. The scale is extraordinary.
Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis: Often overlooked in favor of the Great Sphinx at Giza, the Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis is a beautifully preserved and deeply impressive monument in its own right — and without the crowds.
Your tour includes a relaxed stop at local shops where you can browse authentic Egyptian papyrus, perfumes, hand-woven carpets, and souvenirs. These stops are built into your day at no extra charge — but they are entirely optional. If you’d rather skip them, just say the word. No pressure, ever.
Lunch is not included in the tour price, but your guide will recommend excellent local options and can help arrange a meal that suits your group.
Afternoon — Dahshur Pyramids (approx. 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
Dahshur is where ancient Egyptian architects figured out how to build the Great Pyramid. Located about 40 kilometres south of Cairo, this royal necropolis is one of the least visited major archaeological sites in Egypt — which means you’ll often have these extraordinary monuments almost entirely to yourselves.
Bent Pyramid of King Sneferu: Built between 2613 and 2589 BC, the Bent Pyramid is one of the most fascinating structures in all of Egypt. Partway through construction, the angle of the pyramid’s sides was dramatically reduced — creating its distinctive double-angled profile. Scholars believe this was a deliberate correction after structural concerns arose. The result is a monument that tells the story of ancient Egyptian engineering in real time.
Red Pyramid of King Sneferu: Built immediately after the Bent Pyramid, the Red Pyramid is the first successfully completed true smooth-sided pyramid in history — the direct architectural predecessor to the Great Pyramid of Giza. Named for the reddish hue of its limestone, you can enter the interior passages and burial chambers, an experience that is far less crowded and in many ways more intimate than entering at Giza.
Optional add-ons at Dahshur:
- Quad Bike in the Desert — an exhilarating 45-minute desert ride with sweeping pyramid views (+$35/person)
- Camel Ride in the Desert — a classic 30–45 minute desert camel ride (+$35/person)
Add-ons are fully flexible — not every member of your group needs to participate. Mix and match based on who’s interested.
Hotel Drop-Off (approx. 4:30–5:00 PM): Return to your hotel comfortably, with a genuine sense of having seen ancient Egypt from a perspective most visitors never experience.
Optional: Private Nile Boat Ride
End your day on the water with a relaxing 45-minute private boat ride on the Nile — a peaceful and beautiful contrast to the day’s ancient wonders.
- 1–2 people: $75
- 3–8 people: $100
- 9–18 people: $175
Optional: Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
Want to extend your day? Add a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum — the world’s largest archaeological museum, home to the complete treasures of Tutankhamun and over 100,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt. Please note that the GEM sits outside the natural route of this tour, so additional travel time is required to reach it — this is reflected in the pricing. Given the length of the day, GEM visits on this tour are approximately 2 hours, giving you a curated highlights experience with your Egyptologist guide rather than a full exploration. For a deeper GEM visit, we recommend pairing it with our Giza Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum day tour instead. (+$75/person)
What’s Included
- Private round-trip hotel transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle (Cairo or Giza)
- Expert English-speaking Egyptologist guide for the full day
- Entry to the Saqqara complex including the Step Pyramid of Djoser
- Entry to the Dahshur complex including the Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid
- Entry to the Memphis Open-Air Museum
- Shopping stops at papyrus, perfume, carpet, and souvenir shops (optional to enter)
- Bottled water throughout the tour
- All taxes and service fees
What’s Not Included
- Lunch (available to arrange locally — your guide will assist)
- Gratuities for your guide and driver — tipping is customary in Egypt and greatly appreciated. A typical tip of $10–$20 USD per person for the day is standard; your guide will distribute between the team.
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Optional add-on activities (listed above with pricing)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended — we’re happy to advise)
Why Book Direct with Journey Connected?
When you book directly with us, you’re not going through a third-party platform. You’re working with the people who will actually be on the ground with you — a team that has hand-picked every guide, vetted every vehicle, and built every element of this experience to protect your time, your safety, and your enjoyment.
Our guides do one thing group tours simply cannot: they run interference. From the moment you step out of the vehicle at your first site, your Egyptologist is actively ensuring you’re not approached, pressured, or hassled — so you can focus entirely on some of the most extraordinary places on earth.
| Verified 5-Star Reviews | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before |
|---|---|
| Expert Egyptologist guides — not tourist reps | Private door-to-door hotel pickup included |
| Hassle-free — your guide handles everything | Trusted by travelers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia & beyond |