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Cairo layover tour

Private Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur Tour from Cairo Airport

From $80 per person
Duration
About 8 hours
Runs
Every Day
Type
Private, just your group
Booking
Confirmed within 24 hours
Places
Cairo, Giza

Overview

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Enjoy a private excursion from Cairo Airport to explore the ancient capital of Memphis, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, and the Bent and Red Pyramids of Dahshur, accompanied by a professional Egyptologist and including lunch.


Discover the fascinating history of ancient Egypt on a private full-day excursion from Cairo International Airport, exploring three of Egypt's most important archaeological sites: Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur. Accompanied by your professional Egyptologist guide, uncover the origins of pyramid construction, explore ancient royal burial grounds, and admire some of the oldest and most remarkable monuments in Egyptian history.

Pickup from Cairo International Airport

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, meet your private representative and professional Egyptologist guide at the arrival hall. Board your private air-conditioned vehicle and begin your journey toward the ancient archaeological treasures south of Cairo.

1. Memphis Open-Air Museum

Approximately 45–60 minutes

Begin your exploration in Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, founded during the early dynastic period and traditionally associated with King Menes.

Visit the Memphis Open-Air Museum, where you will discover remarkable archaeological remains from one of the most influential cities in ancient Egyptian history. The highlights include the colossal limestone statue of King Ramses II, the impressive alabaster Sphinx, and several statues and architectural fragments that reflect the city's former grandeur.

Learn about Memphis's political, religious, and cultural importance and its role as the administrative center of ancient Egypt.

2. Saqqara Necropolis

Approximately 1.5–2 hours

Continue to Saqqara, one of Egypt's largest and most significant ancient burial grounds, serving the capital of Memphis for thousands of years.

Explore the magnificent Step Pyramid of King Djoser, designed by the architect Imhotep during the Third Dynasty. This revolutionary monument represents a major milestone in architectural history and is considered the earliest large-scale stone pyramid complex in Egypt.

Discover the surrounding funerary complex and learn how ancient Egyptian architects developed new construction techniques that eventually led to the smooth-sided pyramids.

You may also visit selected decorated tombs featuring beautifully preserved reliefs depicting everyday life, religious ceremonies, and ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife, subject to ticket availability.

3. Dahshur Pyramids

Approximately 1–1.5 hours

Proceed to Dahshur, an extraordinary archaeological area famous for its remarkable pyramids built during the reign of King Sneferu, the founder of the Fourth Dynasty and father of King Khufu.

Discover the Bent Pyramid, an architectural masterpiece distinguished by its unusual change in angle, reflecting the ancient Egyptians' experimentation with pyramid construction.

Continue to the Red Pyramid, widely regarded as Egypt's first successful smooth-sided pyramid. Learn about the engineering developments that transformed pyramid architecture and paved the way for the construction of the Great Pyramids of Giza.

Enjoy the peaceful desert surroundings and capture memorable photographs of these magnificent monuments.

4. Lunch at a Local Egyptian Restaurant

After exploring the three archaeological sites, enjoy a relaxing lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant, where you can experience traditional Egyptian cuisine before returning to Cairo.

5. Return to Cairo International Airport

At the end of your excursion, relax in your private air-conditioned vehicle during the transfer back to Cairo International Airport. Your driver will drop you off at the airport according to your flight schedule, concluding your journey through the fascinating history of ancient Egypt.

  • Pickup at Cairo airport
  • Memphis Open-Air Museum
  • Saqqara Necropolis
  • Dahshur Pyramids
  • Return to airport in time for your flight

What's included

Included

  • Airport pickup and drop-off
  • private A/C vehicle
  • private Egyptologist guide
  • entrance fees for listed sites
  • bottled water
  • Lunch

Not included

  • drinks
  • tips
  • optional extras (camel ride, inside Great Pyramid, special tombs)
  • personal expenses

Photos

Your route

  1. Cairo & GizaDay 1Pyramids
  • Start point
  • Famous sight

Good to know

When is the best time to visit Egypt?

October to April is the most comfortable time, with warm days and cool evenings, so it is also the busiest and highest-priced season. May to September is hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan, but sights are quieter and prices are lower. We plan summer days around early starts and a long midday break. Christmas and New Year sell out early.

What is included in the price?

Each trip lists exactly what is included and what is not. In general our prices include private transport, a private Egyptologist guide, entrance fees for the listed sites, hotels or cruise as described, and the meals shown. International flights, visas, tips, drinks and optional extras are not included.

Are your trips private or in a group?

All our trips are private: just you and the people you travel with, your own guide and your own driver. You never share a vehicle or a guide with strangers. Nile cruise ships are shared with other guests, but your sightseeing on shore is private.

Is Egypt a good trip for children?

Yes. Children love the pyramids, felucca sails and the Red Sea. On our tours, children under 3 travel free when sharing their parents' room, children aged 3 to 11 pay 50% of the adult price, and from 12 they pay the adult rate. Hotels, cruises and some activities have their own child rules, which we follow and show in your quote. On domestic flights, babies under 2 pay the airline's infant fare, and children from 2 need their own seat at the airline's fare. Tell us their ages and we will plan shorter visits, pool time and family rooms.

Can you plan a slower pace or help with limited mobility?

Yes. Because every trip is private, we can plan shorter days, more rest and fewer stairs. Some ancient sites have uneven ground and steps, so please tell us about any mobility needs when you ask for a quote and we will be honest about what is practical.

How does tipping work in Egypt?

Tipping is part of daily life in Egypt and is not included in our prices. Small tips for drivers, guides, cruise crews and hotel staff are customary; your planner will send you a simple guide with typical amounts before you travel, so you are never left guessing.

Can I reach you on WhatsApp during my trip?

Yes. Once you book, you get a WhatsApp number for your planner and a local contact on the ground. Message us any time during your trip if something needs changing.

Hi, I'm Tarek. I'll plan your trip with you.We are available 24/7

From / person

$80

Before you go