Dahshur, Memphis and Saqqara Private Day Tour – Ancient Egypt

This private full-day tour takes you south of Cairo to three of ancient Egypt’s most underrated sites — the pyramid fields of Dahshur, the world’s oldest stone monument at Saqqara, and the ancient capital of Memphis. Unlike the crowded Giza Plateau, these sites offer space, depth, and the chance to walk inside pyramids that most visitors never see. Your licensed Egyptologist provides context that transforms stone ruins into living history.

This is also one of the few Cairo day tours where you can enter a pyramid without a long queue — the Red Pyramid at Dahshur is included and relatively uncrowded even in peak season.

What You Will See

• Red Pyramid of Sneferu — Egypt’s first successful smooth-sided pyramid; you can enter it
• Bent Pyramid — the only pyramid in Egypt with its original polished casing largely intact
• Step Pyramid of Djoser — the world’s oldest monumental stone structure (UNESCO)
• Imhotep Museum — artefacts from the Saqqara excavations, explained in context
• Memphis Open-Air Museum — the Colossus of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx

Tour Itinerary

• 08:00 — Hotel pickup in private A/C vehicle (Cairo or Giza)
• 09:30 — Arrive Dahshur; Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid with full guided narrative
• 11:30 — Drive to Saqqara; Step Pyramid, Djoser complex, Imhotep Museum
• 13:00 — Lunch at a local restaurant (included)
• 14:45 — Memphis Open-Air Museum
• 16:30 — Return hotel drop-off

What Is Included

• Private licensed Egyptologist guide (English, Arabic, Italian)
• Private A/C vehicle and professional driver throughout
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Bottled water throughout the day
• All taxes and service charges

Not Included (Entrance Fees Paid Separately)

• Dahshur — approximately $10 per adult
• Saqqara — approximately $30 per adult
• Memphis Museum — approximately $5 per adult
• Tips for guide ($15) and driver ($8–10)

Why This Tour Is Worth Your Time

Most Cairo visitors see Giza and miss the fact that the pyramid-building tradition started here — at Saqqara and Dahshur, over a century before Khufu built his famous monument. Seeing the evolution from the Step Pyramid (2650 BC) to the Bent Pyramid to the perfected Red Pyramid gives you something Giza alone cannot: the story of how Egypt learned to build.

If you are combining both, consider pairing this with our Giza Pyramids Half Day Tour on the same trip for a complete view of Egypt’s pyramid age. Or explore Cairo’s living history on the Old Cairo Private Tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enter the pyramids at Dahshur? Yes — entering the Red Pyramid is included in your admission ticket and is one of the highlights of this tour. The descent is steep but accessible to most adults. Your guide provides full context before you enter.

How does this tour differ from the Giza Pyramids tour? Giza is more famous and visually dramatic. Dahshur and Saqqara are quieter, historically richer, and give you access to pyramid interiors that most tourists never see. Both tours complement each other perfectly.

Is this suitable for older travellers or children? Yes, with a note: entering the Red Pyramid requires descending a steep passage (roughly 55 metres). It is optional — your guide will advise on the day. Memphis and the Saqqara complex are accessible to all.

Is lunch included? Yes — a local Egyptian restaurant lunch is included. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

Ready to explore ancient Egypt beyond Giza? Contact Elias Tours Egypt to book your private Dahshur, Memphis and Saqqara tour.