Cairo Pyramids Tour – Giza Pyramids, Memphis and Sakkara
+2 photos Why you’ll love this day
Experience one of the best Cairo day trips with a private guide exploring the legendary Giza Plateau, home to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, before continuing to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser marks the beginning of pyramid construction in ancient Egypt.
You’ll also visit Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt, where colossal statues and archaeological ruins reveal the origins of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
This full-day experience is designed for travelers who want a complete, comfortable, and deeply informative tour of the pyramids from Cairo.
🧭 Quick Tour Highlights
✔ Private guided Cairo pyramids tour
✔ Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx
✔ Explore Saqqara Step Pyramid (world’s first pyramid)
✔ Discover the ancient Memphis open-air museum
✔ licensed local guide included
✔ Hotel pickup & drop-off in Cairo
✔ Flexible itinerary & private experience
Licensed local guide
Egypt-born, Ministry-licensed — not tour leaders passing through.
100% private
Your group only — your pace, your interests.
Hotel pickup included
A/C vehicle from your Cairo hotel to the sites and back.
Your day, hour by hour
One full day, tailored stops, zero logistics on your plate. Times are typical — your guide adjusts to beat the crowds.
Pickup & meet your guide
Your guide and driver meet you at your hotel lobby in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. On the way to Giza, your guide gives you a quick overview of the day — three sites spanning Egypt's earliest pyramid-building experiments through to their final, perfected form.
Pyramids of Giza
The plateau's three pyramids — built for Khufu, his son Khafre, and his grandson Menkaure — represent the high point of Old Kingdom pyramid construction, centuries after the earlier attempts you'll see later at Saqqara. Maro takes you to the panorama viewpoint for the classic wide shot, then in close to the Great Pyramid so you can appreciate the size of the individual blocks.
"By the time you see Saqqara later today, you'll understand why Giza looks the way it does — this was the result of a couple hundred years of trial and error," says Maro Saeed, your guide.
Sphinx
Carved from a single mass of leftover bedrock, the Sphinx has watched over the plateau for roughly 4,500 years, its lion's body and human face most often linked to Khafre. Maro covers what's known — and what's genuinely still debated — about its age, its restorations, and its damaged nose.
"I always separate fact from theory here. There's a lot people 'know' about the Sphinx that's actually just guesswork passed around online," Maro notes.
Valley Temple of Khafre
Built from colossal granite blocks fitted with near-invisible seams, this temple was the final stop in the royal funerary procession, where Khafre's body underwent ritual purification before burial in the pyramid above. Maro points out the sockets where statues once stood and explains the temple's deliberately austere design.
"No decoration, no color, nothing extra — that starkness was the whole point. This place was built for ritual, not for looking impressive," says Maro.
Step Pyramid of Djoser
Egypt's oldest pyramid and, in many ways, the birthplace of monumental stone architecture. Designed by the architect Imhotep around 4,700 years ago, the Step Pyramid began as a simple mastaba and grew in six stages into the tiered structure that inspired every pyramid built afterward, including the ones you saw earlier at Giza. Maro walks you through the surrounding funerary complex, one of the best-preserved of its kind.
"Everyone wants to see Giza, but Saqqara is where the idea actually started. Imhotep was figuring this out as he went — you can practically see him improving the design step by step," Maro explains.
Lunch
A relaxed lunch stop at a local restaurant near Saqqara, many with garden or countryside views away from the city bustle. A good chance to rest and refuel before the final stop of the day at Memphis.
"This area is quieter than Cairo, and lunch out here in the countryside is a nice change of pace after a busy morning," Maro notes.
Ancient Capital of Memphis
Once the capital of unified Egypt and among the largest cities in the ancient world, Memphis today survives mainly as an open-air museum. The highlight is a massive fallen colossus of Ramses II, so large it's displayed lying down in a purpose-built hall, alongside a well-preserved alabaster sphinx. Maro explains why so little of the ancient city remains above ground compared to what you'll have already seen at Giza and Saqqara.
"Memphis doesn't look like much at first glance, and that surprises people. But this was the political heart of Egypt for thousands of years — what's left is just a fraction of what once stood here," says Maro.
Drop-off & goodbye
Private transfer back to your hotel, door-to-door. Want to add a Nile felucca ride at sunset or the Sound & Light show at the pyramids? Just ask your guide.
What’s included
Everything below is arranged, paid and covered by your quote. What sits outside is what you'd normally handle yourself.
Always included
- All Transportation During the Tour
- Private guide Tour Guide
- Authentic Egyptian Lunch
- Entrance Fees to All Main Sites
- Complimentary Bottled Water
- All Taxes & Service Charges
Arranged separately
- Personal Expenses
- Tipping (Gratuities)
Traveler reviews
60+ verified reviews across Google & TripAdvisor for tours operated by Egypt Planners.
"A fabulous vacation, mostly thanks to Maro’s planning. Our 8-day private tour covered the Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and a Nile cruise. Our Cairo guide Maii was knowledgeable and friendly, and our cruise guide Abdo took great care of us throughout."
"Nothing short of exceptional. Every question was answered promptly and the whole custom trip was planned with impressive attention to detail. As a mom travelling with my two daughters, we felt completely safe, respected and well cared for at all times."
"From tailoring the itinerary to being dropped at the airport, everything went amazingly thanks to Maro and his team. Our Cairo guide Maii was fantastic, and Amir shared his knowledge beautifully from Luxor to Aswan. An unforgettable experience."
"We did a family private tour — Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and Hurghada — and strongly recommend Maro and his team. Communication was excellent at any time and the package very competitive. We kept to the itinerary with all inclusions and no extra charge."
"A French family with two young children. Maro designed a trip exactly as we had imagined — extremely available and responsive throughout. The guides took our young kids into account and showed us incredible places off the beaten track."
"A great trip to remember a lifetime! We travelled as a three-generation group of seven with many special requests, and they replanned several times until the itinerary met our ideas in detail. A very competent, friendly guide throughout."
Price per person
Private tour — the smaller the group, the more personal; the bigger the group, the lower the per-person price. Same full itinerary either way.
Prices are per person for a private day tour. Larger groups pay less per person.
Why book with Egypt Tours by Locals
Licensed local guides
Egypt-born, Ministry-licensed guides.
100% private
Your group only.
Hotel pickup included
Door-to-door in a private, air-conditioned vehicle from your hotel.
Entrance fees sorted
All the site tickets in your itinerary are arranged and covered.
Transparent pricing
One itemised quote, no hidden fees.
Flexible & tailor-made
Swap sites or adjust the pace — the day is built around you.
Booking & policy
Payment
- No prepayment — pay in full on the day
- Cash or card at pickup
- Any major currency
- Itemised price — no hidden fees
Cancellation
- Free cancellation — nothing paid upfront
- Reschedule anytime, subject to availability
- Just let us know in advance
Children
- 0–5 yrs: free
- 6–11 yrs: 50% of adult price
- 12+ yrs: full adult price
Good to know
Flexible Payment & Transparent Pricing
- Tour Prices: Quoted in USD per person. Payment accepted in any major currency.
- Inclusions: All packages include accommodations, domestic flights, guided tours, Nile cruise, entrance fees (as per itinerary), and local support.
- Validity: Prices apply from October to April and exclude Christmas & New Year peak periods.
- Price Adjustments: Subject to change due to airline tax increases, hotel rate changes, or local government fees.
- Not Included: International flights, travel insurance, and Egypt entry visa (~$25 on arrival).
💡 Tip: Ask us for price-lock options or to reserve your package at current rates.
🤝 Easy Booking Terms
- Only 30% Down to Confirm: Reserve your space with a small deposit covering hotels, Nile cruise cabins, and domestic flights.
- Flexible Balance Payment: Pay the rest up to 48 hours before arrival, or settle on arrival in cash with your tour manager.
✅ No hidden fees. No surprise charges.
Tipping in Egypt – What to Expect
Tipping is not included in your package — but it's an important part of Egyptian hospitality. While not mandatory, it is appreciated by drivers, guides, cruise staff, and service workers.
Suggested Guidelines:
- Guide: $10–15 per day per traveler
- Driver: $3–5 per day
- Cruise Crew (shared tip box): ~$5–10/day
We’ll provide a detailed tipping guide in your welcome packet to make it stress-free.
Optional Extras & Additional Costs
Not included but available on request:
- Entry to special sites: Inside the Great Pyramid, Tomb of Tutankhamun, Mummies Room at Egyptian Museum.
- Optional upgrades: Hot air balloon ride, Nubian village visit, sound & light shows, spa treatments.
- Alcoholic beverages, personal snacks, souvenirs.
- Extra accommodation due to unforeseen weather or flight delays (rare, but not covered).
💡 Ask your tour manager to help arrange optional experiences locally.
Dress Code & Comfort Tips
Egypt is generally relaxed, but comfort and respect are important:
✔ Light, breathable clothing is recommended
✔ Comfortable walking shoes are essential (uneven terrain at sites)
✔ Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen are highly advised
✔ Modest attire is appreciated but not strictly enforced
Best Time to Visit the Pyramids
For the best experience during your Cairo pyramids day tour, consider:
- 🌅 Morning departures → cooler weather, fewer crowds
- 🍂 October to April → ideal climate for sightseeing
- ☀️ Summer months → early start strongly recommended
Local Etiquette & Behavior
To ensure a comfortable experience:
✔ Stay hydrated throughout the day
✔ Carry small cash for optional purchases
✔ Follow your guide’s instructions at archaeological sites
✔ Be cautious in crowded tourist areas
Your private guide ensures a safe and well-managed experience at all sites.
Questions about this tour
How long does the Cairo Pyramids tour take?
The full tour typically lasts around 8 hours, depending on traffic and your pace.
You’ll visit:
- Giza Pyramids & Sphinx
- Saqqara Step Pyramid
- Memphis ancient capital
It is designed as a full-day private Cairo tour experience.
What sites are included in the Cairo pyramids tour?
This tour covers Egypt’s most important ancient landmarks:
- The Great Pyramids of Giza
- The Great Sphinx
- Saqqara Step Pyramid (the oldest pyramid in Egypt)
- Memphis open-air museum (ancient capital)
It is one of the most complete Giza pyramids day tours from Cairo.
Is a guide included in the pyramids tour?
Yes. A licensed licensed local guide is included in your tour.
Your guide will:
- Explain the history of each monument
- Share stories about ancient Egyptian civilization
- Answer all your questions during the trip
This ensures a deeper, educational experience beyond sightseeing.
Is hotel pickup included in the Cairo pyramids tour?
Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza are included.
You will travel in:
- A private air-conditioned vehicle
- With a professional driver
- At a flexible pickup time
What is the best time to visit the pyramids in Cairo?
The best time to visit is:
- 🌅 Early morning (less heat & fewer crowds)
- 🍂 October to April (best weather conditions)
Summer visits are still possible with early departures.
