Dahshur, Saqqara & Memphis Pyramids Tour from Cairo

Memphis, the first capital of Egypt

Memphis was founded around 3100 BC, according to tradition by King Menes who united Upper and Lower Egypt, and it served as the capital for much of the Old Kingdom. Little remains of the city itself, because its stones were reused in later buildings, but the site of Mit Rahina now holds an open-air museum with a huge fallen colossus of Ramesses II and a large alabaster sphinx.

A Memphis and Saqqara tour from Cairo places these monuments in their setting, because Memphis was the city that the Saqqara necropolis served. Your guide explains its importance and why the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the pyramid fields of Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur.

Saqqara and the Step Pyramid of Djoser

Saqqara was the cemetery of Memphis, and its landmark is the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2670 BC by the architect Imhotep. It is the oldest large stone building in the world and the first pyramid, made by stacking six mastabas in decreasing size. The surrounding complex has colonnades, courtyards and a great enclosure wall.

Saqqara also has smaller pyramids and beautifully decorated tombs of Old Kingdom officials, with painted reliefs of daily life. If you are searching for how to visit Saqqara from Cairo, this tour includes the entry tickets and transport, and the site is far quieter than Giza. Allow around ninety minutes.

Dahshur: the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid

Dahshur, south of Saqqara, holds two pyramids built by King Sneferu around 2600 BC. The Bent Pyramid changed angle halfway up, and it still keeps much of its smooth outer casing. The Red Pyramid beside it is considered the first true smooth-sided pyramid, and its reddish limestone gave it its name.

Many visitors ask whether they can go inside a pyramid on a Dahshur tour. Where open, the Red Pyramid has an entrance passage you can walk down into its chambers, which is an unusual chance to see the interior of a real pyramid without crowds. Wear comfortable shoes and take water, because the passage is steep and hot.

The Giza option, and planning your day

Two of the other options include the Giza Pyramids. One combines Giza with Memphis and Saqqara, and another visits only the Giza plateau, where you see the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Sphinx. If Giza is your priority, choose one of those, but note that the default option does not include it.

The default option runs from a late-morning pickup and lasts around five hours of touring plus driving. Lunch and drinks are not included, so bring snacks or plan a meal on the way back. The best time for a pyramids tour from Cairo is the cooler months, and the sites can get hot from spring to autumn.