Giza is where most visitors begin. These three sites show what came before it and how builders learned to make a true pyramid. They sit south of Cairo on the edge of the desert, and a single day covers all three.
Dahshur
The day starts here, because the sites are quietest in the morning. The Bent Pyramid is unusual: its sides change angle partway up, which is why it is called bent. Close by, the Red Pyramid is thought to be the first successful smooth-sided pyramid. Both were built for the pharaoh Sneferu.
You can walk around both and look closely at the stonework. Going inside is possible, but the passages are low and steep, and it is not for everyone.
Saqqara
Saqqara is the burial ground of the ancient capital. Its centerpiece is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest large stone building of its kind. Your guide walks you through the colonnade and the courtyard and explains how a simple tomb grew into a stack of steps.
There are also tombs in the area with painted walls. Some need an extra ticket, which is not part of the trip, so ask your guide which are worth adding.
Lunch and Memphis
Lunch is at a local restaurant around one o'clock. Memphis follows. It was the first capital of unified Egypt, and today it is a small open-air museum. The main sight is the huge fallen statue of Ramses II, shown lying down so you can see it up close.
What is included
- Private pick-up and drop-off at Cairo or Giza hotels
- Air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Entrance tickets for Dahshur, Saqqara and Memphis
- Lunch and bottled water
Who it suits
It suits travelers who like history and want a calmer day than Giza. There is a fair amount of walking on sand, and a few steps. If someone in your group finds that hard, tell us when you book and we will plan the stops around it.
The day pairs well with a visit to Giza on another day. Do not try to do both in one.
Timing helps. Because Dahshur comes first, you see the open sites before the day warms up, and Memphis, the shortest stop, comes at the end when energy is lower.
Photography is welcome at the outdoor sites. Your guide knows the angles that work and will happily take a group photo if you ask.
Gratuities for the guide and driver are not included, so keep some small notes in your pocket.
Plan with us
Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur: what to expect
A private day from Cairo to the Step Pyramid, the Bent and Red Pyramids and Memphis. What you see, the timing and what to bring.