How long is this tour?

This day tour runs as a full day, usually starting in the morning and ending late afternoon. Exact pickup and return times depend on your hotel location and Cairo traffic; we confirm the window at booking. Time on-site varies with queueing, your walking pace, and how much your party wants to discuss with our Egyptologist. We recommend an earlier start in summer to reduce midday heat and crowds.

Are entrance fees included?

Standard site entrance fees for the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Memphis, and the Grand Egyptian Museum are included. Exceptions commonly excluded are pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre), premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I), and gratuities – we will state any exclusions when you book. If you want special-access tickets or a timed-entry slot at GEM, we can purchase those on your behalf for an additional charge. Museum temporary exhibitions or private-collection viewings may carry separate fees.

Can I go inside the Great Pyramid (Khufu)?

Interior access to the Great Pyramid of Khufu is not included automatically and requires a separate, timed ticket. The passageways are narrow, low-ceilinged, and on steep ancient stone; we advise caution for children, anyone with claustrophobia, or mobility limits. Availability is limited and can sell out; we will request the ticket in advance if you ask. As a policy, we do not bundle interior tickets automatically because many clients later prefer more time on the plateau instead.

Do you include hotel pickup and private transport?

Yes – we include private hotel pickup in Cairo or Giza and a private vehicle with a driver for the day tour. Airport pickups are handled separately; please tell us if you need an airport transfer so we can quote transfer time and any extra fee. Unlike large coach group tours, we use a private car so you control the pace, and our Egyptologist will meet you at the sites to lead the visits. Long transfers from outside Cairo governorate may require an adjusted itinerary.

What should I wear and bring for the tour?

Wear sun-protective, modest clothing, flat walking shoes, and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Carry a light scarf for dust and a small daypack; the Grand Egyptian Museum and temple sites require shoulders and knees covered for modest dress. Expect limited shade at midday and walking on uneven, ancient stone at Saqqara and Giza. If you use camera gear or a tripod, check museum and site rules beforehand.

How much time will we spend at the Grand Egyptian Museum?

We typically schedule 60–90 minutes at the Grand Egyptian Museum, adjustable to your interests and museum queues. Our Egyptologist will plan a guided route focused on the Tutankhamun galleries and major display highlights; we can extend the visit if you prefer more detail. Museum opening hours and gallery access can change, so we confirm availability and any temporary closures before your tour. Extended private-view or special-exhibit access is available on request and may incur extra fees.

Day Tour Cairo

Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis & Grand Egyptian Museum Day Tour

At a glance

Departs: Daily

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.

Best time to go

The most comfortable months are October through April, when daytime temperatures in Cairo are generally milder and site visits are easier to manage. From May to September, heat can be intense, so early departures are preferable. During Ramadan and major public holidays, museum and site hours may be adjusted and traffic can be heavier.

02 Overview

A first look

This full-day itinerary covers the Giza Plateau (Khufu Pyramid and the Great Sphinx), Saqqara, and ancient Memphis, finishing at the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. We operate as a licensed Egyptian tour operator with a private Egyptologist and transfer; Pyramid interiors are not included by default.

Background

The facts

This private Cairo day excursion combines the main archaeological sites of the Memphis necropolis with the Giza Plateau and the Grand Egyptian Museum. The itinerary includes the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, with hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned vehicle. Standard site entrance fees are included, while access to pyramid interiors is not included unless requested separately.

At Giza, visitors typically see the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, along with the Great Sphinx. The Giza Pyramid Complex belongs to the Old Kingdom and is conventionally dated to the 4th Dynasty, around the 26th century BCE. Saqqara lies south of Cairo and is best known for the Step Pyramid of Djoser, generally dated to the 27th century BCE and often described as the earliest large-scale stone monument in Egypt.

Memphis, the ancient capital associated with the early dynastic period and the Old Kingdom, preserves open-air remains and the colossus of Ramses II. The Grand Egyptian Museum is located near the Giza Plateau and houses major collections of Egyptian antiquities, including material associated with Tutankhamun, subject to the museum’s opening and gallery access schedule. Because this is a private guided day, time at each stop can be adjusted based on interest and site conditions.

For travelers using Cairo as a base, the excursion is designed as a single-day archaeological circuit rather than a multi-day itinerary. The route links the museum with the Giza and Saqqara areas efficiently, making it suitable for visitors who want a structured overview of Egypt’s Old Kingdom monuments and major museum collections in one day.

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

This tour suits first-time visitors to Cairo, history enthusiasts, and travelers who want a private, flexible schedule with an Egyptologist guide. It is appropriate for adults and older children who are comfortable with moderate walking, uneven ground at archaeological sites, and time spent outdoors.

What lingers

01 We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; our Egyptologist meets you at your Cairo hotel; private vehicle and standard site fees included.
02 Visit Khufu Pyramid complex, Great Sphinx, and Djoser Step Pyramid at Saqqara with guided explanations.
03 Pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre) are excluded; we can arrange interior tickets on request for an extra fee.
04 Grand Egyptian Museum visit centers on Tutankhamun galleries and royal statuary; timed entry avoids peak crowds.
05 We schedule Saqqara early to avoid midday heat; expect uneven stone, sand, and short uphill sections.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

Approximately 8 hours private guided excursion
Private Egyptologist guide
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

Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

01 How long is this tour?

This day tour runs as a full day, usually starting in the morning and ending late afternoon. Exact pickup and return times depend on your hotel location and Cairo traffic; we confirm the window at booking. Time on-site varies with queueing, your walking pace, and how much your party wants to discuss with our Egyptologist. We recommend an earlier start in summer to reduce midday heat and crowds.
02 Are entrance fees included?

Standard site entrance fees for the Giza Plateau, Saqqara, Memphis, and the Grand Egyptian Museum are included. Exceptions commonly excluded are pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre), premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I), and gratuities – we will state any exclusions when you book. If you want special-access tickets or a timed-entry slot at GEM, we can purchase those on your behalf for an additional charge. Museum temporary exhibitions or private-collection viewings may carry separate fees.
03 Can I go inside the Great Pyramid (Khufu)?

Interior access to the Great Pyramid of Khufu is not included automatically and requires a separate, timed ticket. The passageways are narrow, low-ceilinged, and on steep ancient stone; we advise caution for children, anyone with claustrophobia, or mobility limits. Availability is limited and can sell out; we will request the ticket in advance if you ask. As a policy, we do not bundle interior tickets automatically because many clients later prefer more time on the plateau instead.
04 Do you include hotel pickup and private transport?

Yes – we include private hotel pickup in Cairo or Giza and a private vehicle with a driver for the day tour. Airport pickups are handled separately; please tell us if you need an airport transfer so we can quote transfer time and any extra fee. Unlike large coach group tours, we use a private car so you control the pace, and our Egyptologist will meet you at the sites to lead the visits. Long transfers from outside Cairo governorate may require an adjusted itinerary.
05 What should I wear and bring for the tour?

Wear sun-protective, modest clothing, flat walking shoes, and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Carry a light scarf for dust and a small daypack; the Grand Egyptian Museum and temple sites require shoulders and knees covered for modest dress. Expect limited shade at midday and walking on uneven, ancient stone at Saqqara and Giza. If you use camera gear or a tripod, check museum and site rules beforehand.
06 How much time will we spend at the Grand Egyptian Museum?

We typically schedule 60–90 minutes at the Grand Egyptian Museum, adjustable to your interests and museum queues. Our Egyptologist will plan a guided route focused on the Tutankhamun galleries and major display highlights; we can extend the visit if you prefer more detail. Museum opening hours and gallery access can change, so we confirm availability and any temporary closures before your tour. Extended private-view or special-exhibit access is available on request and may incur extra fees.

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days: Full refund less a £50 admin fee
15–30 days: 50% refund
Within 14 days: No refund – date changes considered case by case

Last updated 18 May 2026 Product ID: EXC-CAI-763355

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