Take Part in Egypt

Before Giza

Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur: The First Pyramids

The Step Pyramid, the first capital and the Bent and Red Pyramids: how pyramid-building began.

This Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur private tour tells the part of the pyramid story that Giza leaves out: how it began. It starts at Saqqara, about 25 km south of Cairo, at the Step Pyramid of Djoser, built around 2650 BC by the architect Imhotep. It marks the beginning of monumental building in stone.

Saqqara is more than one pyramid. Your Egyptologist takes you into the decorated tombs of officials such as Ptahhotep and Idut, whose walls show daily life in carved detail, to the Pyramid of Teti, and down into the Serapeum, the underground galleries where the sacred Apis bulls were buried in huge stone sarcophagi. The Imhotep Museum holds finds from the site.

At Memphis, the first capital of Egypt, you see the colossal statue of Ramses II. The day ends at Dahshur, where King Sneferu's builders learned their craft: the Bent Pyramid, whose angle changes halfway up, and the Red Pyramid, the first true smooth-sided pyramid. These sites are far quieter than Giza, which makes them a good day for questions.

Travel time
Saqqara is about 25 km south of Cairo; short drives between the three sites
Time at sites
Most of the 6 hours across three sites
Group
Private: your party only
Transport
Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
Departure
Morning pickup
Meeting point
Your hotel in Cairo or Giza
Guide languages
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Best time to go
Morning; Saqqara's open ground is hot by early afternoon
Intensity
Moderate

What the day includes

  • The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara
  • Decorated tombs of Saqqara's officials and the Serapeum
  • The colossus of Ramses II at Memphis
  • The Bent and Red Pyramids of Sneferu at Dahshur

Places you visit

  • Step Pyramid of Djoser
  • Saqqara
  • Serapeum of Saqqara
  • Imhotep Museum
  • Memphis
  • Bent Pyramid
  • Red Pyramid
  • Dahshur

Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza
  • Entrance fees to all sites listed
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Qualified Egyptologist guide
  • Taxes and service charges

Not included

  • Tips
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
Entrance tickets
Included: entrance to all sites listed
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
Tour format
Private

How the day runs

  1. Hotel pickup

    Collection from your hotel in Cairo or Giza.

  2. Saqqara

    The Step Pyramid of Djoser, the tombs of Ptahhotep and Idut, the Pyramid of Teti and the Serapeum.

  3. Imhotep Museum

    Finds from the Saqqara necropolis.

  4. Memphis

    The first capital and the colossal statue of Ramses II.

  5. Dahshur

    The Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid of Sneferu.

  6. Return

    Drive back to your hotel.

Questions about this tour

Why visit Saqqara and Dahshur as well as Giza?

They show how pyramid-building developed, from Djoser's stepped design to the bent and then true pyramids of Sneferu, Khufu's father, before the Great Pyramid was built at Giza.

Are these sites crowded?

Much less than Giza, especially Dahshur.

How much does it cost for my group?

Prices are per person and fall as the group grows: 1 person $120; 2–4 people $70 each; 5–7 people $60 each; 8–10 people $45 each. All prices are in US dollars.

What should I wear?

Light, modest clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Shoulders and knees covered is the safe choice at every site; bring a hat, sunscreen and water.