Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis & Grand Egyptian Museum Day Tour
Private Egyptologist, hotel pickup in Cairo, guided visits to Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Memphis and the Grand Egyptian Museum, including lunch.
The short answer
Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis and Grand Egyptian Museum Day Tour is a 1-day private guided excursion covering Giza, Saqqara, Memphis and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt. Runs daily, with hotel pickup at 06:30 AM. It's a private tour. From $230 per person, based on 4 sharing. Send an enquiry to book.
02Overview
A first look
By 8 am the limestone of the Giza Plateau still feels cool underfoot and the air carries the faint dust-and-papyrus scent of the desert fringe; you first notice the scale of Khufu’s casing stones against the skyline. We arrange to arrive early so light falls across the monument faces while the site is less crowded, and the Sphinx sits in the low shadow nearby.
Our Egyptologists guide the pace and answer questions as they arise; we time the Grand Egyptian Museum visit to avoid the busiest hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and we staff every departure as a private guided excursion rather than a large coach tour.
Note: Due to the duration of this tour, this tour is on request only and subject to attraction opening times at the date of planned travel.
What lingers
- 01We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; our Egyptologist meets you at your Cairo hotel; private vehicle and standard site fees included.
- 02Visit Khufu Pyramid complex, Great Sphinx, and Djoser Step Pyramid at Saqqara with guided explanations.
- 03Pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre) are excluded; we can arrange interior tickets on request for an extra fee.
- 04Grand Egyptian Museum visit centers on Tutankhamun galleries and royal statuary; timed entry avoids peak crowds.
- 05We schedule Saqqara early to avoid midday heat; expect uneven stone, sand, and short uphill sections.
Background
The facts
This full-day Cairo excursion combines the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Memphis and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The Giza Plateau lies about 20 km southwest of central Cairo and includes the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, built during Egypt’s Fourth Dynasty around 2600–2500 BCE. The Great Sphinx stands beside the plateau and is usually visited with the pyramid complex as part of the same site circuit.
Saqqara is approximately 30 km south of central Cairo and served as the necropolis of ancient Memphis for much of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. Its best-known monument is Djoser’s Step Pyramid, completed around 27th century BCE and widely regarded as the earliest large-scale stone pyramid complex in Egypt. The site also includes Old Kingdom tombs with wall reliefs and offering scenes, which are commonly visited with a guide to explain burial practices and royal administration.
Memphis, about 20 km south of Giza, was the ancient capital of Egypt and is now an open-air archaeological area. Visitors typically see the large limestone colossus of Ramses II and scattered remains from the ancient city. The Grand Egyptian Museum, located near the Giza pyramids, displays major collections from different periods of Egyptian history, including selected Tutankhamun objects when galleries are open according to the museum schedule.
A private day excursion usually starts with hotel pickup in Cairo, continues by air-conditioned vehicle between the sites, includes lunch at a local restaurant, and ends with return transfer to the hotel. Standard site entrance fees are included, while premium extras such as the Khufu pyramid interior ticket and certain special tomb admissions are excluded unless requested.
Named in this entry
Giza Plateau·Great Sphinx·Pyramid of Khufu·Pyramid of Khafre·Pyramid of Menkaure·Saqqara·Step Pyramid of Djoser·Memphis·Ramses II·Grand Egyptian Museum·Tutankhamun collection·Old Kingdom·Fourth Dynasty
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
- Private
- Small group
- Archaeology & history
- Cultural
- Photography
- Couples·
- Solo traveller·
- Seniors·
- Families with kids
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- Pickup time:
- 06:30 AM
- Duration:
- Full Day (Approximately 8 hours)
- 1
Your morning begins with an early hotel pickup in Cairo, where your private Egyptologist and dedicated driver meet you in the lobby. Step into a climate-controlled vehicle stocked with chilled mineral water, and travel to the day's first sights while your Egyptologist outlines the itinerary.
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we do not run group bus tours, this pickup is arranged as a private or small-group experience tailored to your pace.
- 2
You arrive on the Giza Plateau precisely as the gates open, the soft morning light slanting across the desert. Your Egyptologist fast-tracks entry so you avoid peak crowds, then you explore the architectural achievements of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. A private panoramic viewpoint gives uncrowded photographs of the three pyramids.
The visit concludes with a descent to the Valley Temple to stand face-to-face with the Great Sphinx before the midday heat builds.
- 3
A brief 10-minute drive brings you to the Grand Egyptian Museum. With VIP skip-the-line access your Egyptologist leads you past the Hanging Obelisk into the Grand Hall to stand beneath the colossal statue of Ramses II.
You then go directly to the Tutankhamun Galleries to view his golden hoard, finishing on the Grand Staircase where the museum’s glass architecture frames a view of the Giza pyramids.
- 4
After pickup at your Cairo hotel, our driver leads a quiet drive south along palm-fringed agricultural roads into the Old Kingdom heartland. Your Egyptologist explains settlement patterns, irrigation canals and nearby mastaba cemeteries as you make short walks and photo stops beside fields and village lanes.
We usually offer this as a private excursion so you avoid fixed coach timetables and can pause where you prefer.
- 5
You arrive at a handpicked garden restaurant near Saqqara, about 5 km from the Step Pyramid. Your Egyptologist accompanies you for arrival context, then you relax in shaded seating while a multi-course lunch is served: traditional grilled meats, freshly baked baladi bread, and vibrant Egyptian mezze.
The setting is intentionally quiet and private, unlike roadside cafés; we choose this restaurant for quality and shade. After lunch you return to your pickup point by air-conditioned vehicle.
- 6
You enter the Saqqara necropolis with your Egyptologist, walking the limestone causeways to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, designed by Imhotep around 4,700 years ago. You explore surrounding Old Kingdom mastaba tombs, step inside chambers with vibrant daily-life reliefs, and read the Pyramid Texts in the Pyramid of Teti.
Your guide explains construction innovations and funerary rites, and we avoid the rushed visits common on larger coach tours so you have time to study relief detail.
- 7
A short drive brings you to the open-air museum of Memphis, founded in 3100 BCE, where your Egyptologist explains the site's political role in pharaonic Egypt. You will walk beneath towering palms to view the fallen Colossus of Ramses II, a monumental limestone statue, and the Alabaster Sphinx set on its original base.
Unlike the busy Giza Plateau, Memphis allows an unhurried visit with time for photography and questions.
- 8
You recline the leather seats of your private vehicle while the late afternoon sun sets over the Nile Valley, the light shifting across river islands and sugarcane fields. Our driver provides chilled water and refreshing cold towels as you are chauffeured back to your hotel.
We arrange this as a private transfer; we do not run large coach sundown transfers, so the pace remains relaxed and uninterrupted.
Bundled in
- Hotel pickup
- Private transfer
- Private Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Approximately 8-hour private guided excursion.
- Private Egyptologist guide for the day.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Cairo.
- Air-conditioned vehicle for transfers and sightseeing.
- Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Bottled water during the tour.
- Standard site entrance fees.
Not included
- Optional Khufu pyramid interior ticket and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) unless requested.
- Gratuities for guide and driver.
- Personal expenses and additional beverages.
- Any museum or site temporary exhibition surcharges not part of standard fees.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can be adjusted as a private tour to spend more time at the pyramids, Saqqara, or the Grand Egyptian Museum depending on visitor interests. Optional add-ons may include the Khufu pyramid interior ticket or premium tomb entries if available and requested in advance. Lunch style, pacing, and pickup timing can also be tailored, and some travelers choose to shorten or expand museum time based on the day’s schedule.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This excursion suits first-time visitors to Cairo, history enthusiasts, and travelers who want to cover the major Old Kingdom and museum sites in one day with an Egyptologist. It is also suitable for couples, solo travelers, and families who prefer a private schedule rather than a fixed group timetable.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike standard group coach tours, this private excursion allows flexible time at each site and direct commentary from a dedicated Egyptologist. It also combines the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Memphis and the Grand Egyptian Museum in one itinerary, which reduces the need to book separate visits. Compared with a museum-only or pyramids-only tour, it provides a broader historical sequence from Old Kingdom tombs to major museum collections.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Hotel pickup — central Cairo hotels
On the ground
Where it is
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- Full Day (Approximately 8 hours)
- Travel style
- Private Guided Tour
- Operated by
- Discovery Tours Egypt
- Destinations
- Giza Plateau · Great Sphinx · Saqqara · Memphis · Grand Egyptian Museum
- Includes
- Private Egyptologist guide · Hotel pickup and drop-off within Cairo · Air-conditioned vehicle · Lunch at a local restaurant · Bottled water · Standard site entrance fees
- Best for
- First-time visitors to Cairo · History enthusiasts · Families with older children · Private travel seekers · Museum and archaeology travelers
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Best time to go
The most comfortable months are October through April, when daytime temperatures in Cairo are generally cooler and walking around the outdoor sites is easier. May to September is hotter, with midday temperatures often above 35°C, so an early departure helps. During Ramadan and major public holidays, opening hours and traffic patterns can change, so site timing should be confirmed in advance.
- Licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Private Egyptologist guide for the full day
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Cairo
- Air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers
- Standard site entrance fees included
- Flexible timing coordinated around site and museum schedules
- On-the-ground support for itinerary changes and local logistics
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport or ID for security checks
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and SPF30+ sunscreen
- Lightweight refill water bottle for refills later in the day
- Small daypack for personal items and camera
- Hand sanitiser and any personal medications
- A printed or digital copy of your booking confirmation
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing suitable for heat
- Covered shoulders and knee-length bottoms for temple and museum respect
- Comfortable closed or sturdy walking shoes
- A light layer for air-conditioned vehicle and museum galleries
- A sun hat or scarf for midday sun protection
Children & families
Strollers are practical inside the vehicle but are difficult to use on the Giza Plateau and at Saqqara because of sand and uneven surfaces. Local restaurants can usually provide a high chair on request; tell us ahead of time and we will arrange it where possible.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This excursion involves walking on uneven stone, compacted sand and short sections of loose gravel at the Giza Plateau and Saqqara. We do not run large coach group tours, this is a private guided excursion with an air-conditioned vehicle that has one or two steps to board. Many heritage sites have stairs and high curbs, and the Great Pyramid and some Old Kingdom tombs have narrow passages and steep steps that are not suitable for standard wheelchairs. The Grand Egyptian Museum has accessible ramps and lifts in the public galleries, but some displays have raised thresholds and busy circulation at peak times. If you require a wheelchair or close-to-site drop-off, please tell us at booking so we can assess access on the day and arrange a vehicle with a lower step or a local assistant where possible. Expect security screening and bag checks at each site, and allow extra time for transfers when using mobility aids.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We use air-conditioned minibuses and sedans (typically Toyota Hiace minibuses or comparable models) for transfers and sightseeing, chosen for fuel efficiency and lower passenger-per-vehicle emissions than multiple small cars. We contract local Egyptologists and restaurant partners based in Cairo and Giza, so payments and tips go to local staff and suppliers. Tickets and vouchers are issued electronically to reduce paper. Bottled water is supplied as part of the tour, and we advise guests to bring refill bottles for minimising plastic waste after they leave the site. Where possible we schedule visits to avoid heavy traffic hours, which reduces fuel use and idling. If you have specific sustainability preferences, tell us when you book and we will try to accommodate them with local partners.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
·In summary
This day tour includes hotel pickup in Cairo, private transport, an Egyptologist guide, lunch, bottled water, and standard entrance fees. The itinerary visits the Giza Plateau, the Great Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, subject to the museum schedule. Optional tickets such as the Khufu pyramid interior and premium tombs are not included unless requested.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis and Grand Egyptian Museum Day Tour?
This is a full-day private guided excursion, lasting approximately 8 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. The duration includes travel time between sites and a lunch break.02What is included in the tour price?
The tour includes a private Egyptologist guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo, an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water, and standard entrance fees to all sites visited.03What is not included in the tour price?
Excluded are optional tickets for entering the Khufu pyramid interior or premium tombs like Tutankhamun's, gratuities for your guide and driver, personal expenses, and any temporary exhibition surcharges.04What should I wear for this day tour?
We recommend comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and light, breathable clothing. Modest dress is advisable for all sites, meaning shoulders and knees should be covered.05Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, the tour is generally suitable for children. Our private format allows for flexibility, and your Egyptologist can adjust the pace to accommodate younger travelers. Please note there is a fair amount of walking.06What are the physical demands or accessibility considerations for this tour?
The tour involves walking on uneven ancient stone and sand at the pyramid sites, as well as navigating stairs at some locations. While most sites are accessible, some areas may present challenges for those with mobility limitations.07Can I enter the Great Pyramid of Khufu during the tour?
Entering the Khufu pyramid interior is an optional add-on and is not included in the standard tour price. Your guide can facilitate purchasing this ticket on site if you decide to enter.08What is the best time of year to take this tour?
The cooler months from October to April are ideal for sightseeing in Egypt, offering more comfortable temperatures. Summers can be very hot, so early starts are common during those months.09Will I have time to explore the Grand Egyptian Museum thoroughly?
The tour allocates significant time to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Your private Egyptologist will guide you through the highlights, ensuring you see key artefacts. The museum is vast, so a full exploration would require multiple visits.10What is the policy on photography at the sites?
Photography is generally permitted at most outdoor sites. Inside some tombs or museum areas, restrictions may apply, and flash photography is usually prohibited. Your guide will advise on specific rules at each location.
Continue reading
From the archives
Last updated Product ID: EXC-CAI-763355
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
- Includes
- Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, lunch, hotel pickup
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