Memphis and Dahshur Day Tour — 1

Saqqara Memphis and Dahshur Day Tour

Duration
Approx. 6–8 hours
Route
Saqqara . Memphis.Dahshur
Style
Private cultural tour
Schedule
Available daily

Overview

Trace the development of pyramid building on a private Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshur Day Tour from Cairo. Travel south of the city to explore three archaeological sites that reveal how ancient Egyptian architecture evolved before the construction of the Giza Pyramids.

Visit the Step Pyramid of King Djoser at Saqqara, the first pyramid built in ancient Egypt. Continue to Dahshur to see the Bent Pyramid and understand the transition towards smooth-sided pyramids. Complete the journey at Memphis, the ancient capital, where the open-air museum displays the colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II and other remains from the city.

Highlights

Visit Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara.
See Sneferu’s distinctive Bent Pyramid at Dahshur.
Explore the remains of ancient Memphis and its open-air museum.

Tour Itinerary

A Journey to the Origins
Your Nile Empire Egyptologist guide and private driver will pick you up from your hotel in Cairo or Giza to begin your journey through the early history of pyramid building. Start at Saqqara, the extensive necropolis of ancient Memphis. Visit the Step Pyramid Complex of King Djoser, designed during the Third Dynasty and regarded as the first pyramid built in ancient Egypt. Your guide will explain how its six stepped levels developed from the earlier rectangular mastaba form and represented a major turning point in stone architecture and royal burial design. Continue south to Dahshur, where King Sneferu experimented with the construction of smooth-sided pyramids. Visit the Bent Pyramid, whose unusual shape resulted from a change in its angle during construction. Much of its original limestone casing remains visible, providing a rare impression of how Egypt’s pyramids once appeared. Finish at Memphis, one of ancient Egypt’s earliest capitals. Explore the open-air museum at Mit Rahina and see its colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II, together with other statues and architectural remains discovered in the area. After completing the visits, your driver will return you to your hotel in Cairo or Giza. The order of the sites may change according to traffic and operating conditions.

Giza Plateau vs. Saqqara & Dahshur

FeatureSaqqara & Dahshur (This Tour)Giza Pyramids Plateau
CrowdsPeaceful & Serene (Less Crowded)Busy & Energetic
Pyramid TypeStep, Bent & Red Pyramids (Evolution)Perfect “True” Pyramids
AtmosphereOpen Desert / Archaeological FeelSuburban / Iconic Views

(Swipe table left/right to see details)

What’s Included

Included

  • All transfers by private A/C vehicle.
  • Pick up & return services.
  • Private Egyptologist guide.
  • Bottled water during trip.
  • All taxes & service charges.

Not Included

  • Optional Tours not mentioned.
  • Entrance fees to sites.
  • Tipping.
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Saqqara Memphis and Dahshur Day Tour?
The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Cairo or Giza, a private Egyptologist guide to explain the history, bottled water, and all service charges and taxes. It ensures a hassle-free experience exploring these ancient sites.
Why should I visit Dahshur and Saqqara instead of just Giza?
While Giza is famous, Saqqara and Dahshur tell the story of how the pyramids were built. Saqqara houses the very first pyramid (the Step Pyramid), and Dahshur features the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. These sites are generally quieter and less crowded, offering a more serene experience. You can even combine this history with an evening of entertainment by booking the Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show later that night.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, this tour is very family-friendly. It is an educational journey where children can see massive statues and explore the desert environment. The open-air nature of the Memphis museum and the vast spaces at Saqqara allow kids to move around comfortably while learning about ancient history.
Are entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are listed under exclusions. You will need to purchase tickets at the entrance of each site (Saqqara, Dahshur, and Memphis). Your guide will assist you in buying these tickets, and payment is often required by credit card at the ticket booths.
How much are the entrance fees to the sightseeing listed in the itinerary?
Entrance fees in Egypt generally range from EGP 200 to EGP 1500 (4 USD to 30 USD), depending on the site, and all major attractions accept credit card payments or online booking. You can learn more details by reading the following article: Egypt Attractions Entrance Fees Guide.
How long does the tour take?
The Saqqara Memphis and Dahshur Day Tour is typically a full-day excursion, lasting approximately 7 to 8 hours. This allows ample time to explore the three different sites without feeling rushed, including travel time from your hotel in Cairo.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

Confirm before you pay

We confirm availability and your final price first. A deposit is only due once you are happy to proceed.

What Our Travellers Say

★★★★★
We had a fully organized two-week Egypt itinerary with Nile Empire, and the experience was completely faultless from start to finish. Every part of the journey was carefully arranged, and we were guided and assisted throughout the entire trip. The Egyptologist guides were excellent, informative, and professional, and everything throughout the itinerary ran smoothly and on time. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
Sommerstar · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We recently completed an unforgettable Egypt trip organized by Nile Empire, and the entire experience was handled with professionalism and excellent attention to detail from start to finish. The itinerary between Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and the Nile cruise was perfectly coordinated, with quality hotels, punctual transfers, and continuous support throughout the journey. We especially appreciated how responsive and attentive the team remained during the entire stay. Our guides in Cairo and Upper Egypt were both knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egyptian history, making every visit more enjoyable and meaningful. We highly recommend Nile Empire for travelers looking for a well-organized and professionally managed Egypt experience.
Abdelaziz · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
From the moment we arrived in Egypt until the day we left, Nile Empire made every part of our journey feel special and unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely cared for throughout the trip. During our 7-day Egypt tour, everything was smoothly organized between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile cruise. A special thank you to Soliman and Rami for their exceptional attention to detail and for making my birthday celebration truly memorable throughout the journey. The experience felt personal, warm, and professionally managed from start to finish. We would absolutely recommend Nile Empire to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
CE · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We booked our Egypt trip with Nile Empire based on a recommendation, and now we are happy to recommend them ourselves. From the initial planning stage until our final day in Egypt, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. The itinerary was carefully customized around our requests, including experiences like a hot air balloon ride in Luxor and scuba diving in Hurghada. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and always supportive throughout the trip. Every part of the journey felt smooth, organized, and memorable thanks to Soliman and the Nile Empire team. A fantastic choice for travelers looking for a personalized Egypt experience.
Mangesh Satpute · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egypt trip with Nile Empire felt like much more than just a holiday — it was a fully personalized experience from start to finish. Everything was thoughtfully customized around our preferences, making the journey feel smooth, comfortable, and genuinely special. The accommodations, transportation, and daily planning were all very well organized, and it was clear that a lot of attention went into every detail. We especially appreciated the support throughout the trip and the flexibility of the private tours. A special thank you to our Cairo driver, our wonderful guide Mariam, and to Soliman and Rami for organizing such a memorable Egypt experience.
Priyanka Kannan · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our experience with Nile Empire was excellent from start to finish. Soliman helped us redesign our Egypt trip on very short notice and customized everything around our schedule, including internal flights, hotels, and a Nile cruise. We loved that all sightseeing tours were private, giving us flexibility throughout the trip. The guides, drivers, and overall organization were outstanding, and we never had to worry about anything during our stay in Egypt. The Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor was one of the highlights of our trip, and the additional tours to Abu Simbel, Dendera, and the Nubian Village made the experience even more special. We highly recommend Nile Empire for anyone looking for a reliable and professionally organized Egypt tour.
M & S Krebs · TripAdvisor
★★★★★Rated excellent on TripAdvisorRead reviews

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