Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis Full-Day Private Tour

Saqqara brings you face to face with Zoser’s Step Pyramid, while Dahshur adds the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid to the same day. I like that this private tour joins three ancient sites without making you organize separate transport, and that you can choose between basic and all-inclusive entry packages.

I also like the chance to explore the Serapeum and additional tombs with the premium ticket, rather than seeing only Saqqara’s core sights. One caution: shopping stops have been a sore point for at least one visitor, so set your expectations with the operator before you go.

Key points to know

• Saqqara has two ticket levels: the premium option adds entry to Zoser’s Pyramid, the Serapeum, and more tombs.
• Memphis and Dahshur are part of the route, but their admission fees are not included in the guide-and-car package.
• You get a private car and guide, with hotel pickup and return listed for Cairo and Giza.
• The guide can make or break the day: Mohamed Abdel Lateef, known as Mo, has been praised for his personal approach and strong English.
• Shopping stops need a clear conversation: one visitor reported feeling pressured to make several, while another had a relaxed stop at a papyrus shop.

Three ancient sites, one private day

1 / 8

This tour links Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur, a useful mix if you want to see more than the Giza pyramids. The route moves from Saqqara’s pyramid complex and tombs to Memphis’s statue and sphinx, then south to Dahshur’s two pyramids.

A private setup means you travel with your own guide and driver, rather than following a large group. That can make it easier to ask questions, adjust the pace, and get help at the site entrances. The listed tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private car, and a licensed Egyptology guide.

The schedule describes about six hours of guided visits, plus a one-hour lunch stop. Transfers and traffic affect the total day, and the operator notes that timing can change with weather and road conditions. The available return times are listed as 1, 2, or 3 p.m., depending on your departure and the length of the itinerary, so confirm the plan rather than assuming every day follows the same clock.

Saqqara: choose how much you want to see

Saqqara is the main event, and your ticket choice has a real effect on the day. The standard package is built around Zoser’s Step Pyramid and funerary complex, the Unas Pyramid, tombs, and the Imhotep Museum. The tour highlights Princess Idut’s Tomb and Minister Kagemni’s Tomb among the standard sights.

The premium ticket adds several places that can turn a quick look into a fuller visit. It includes entry inside Zoser’s Pyramid, the Serapeum, and the tombs of Mehu and Mereruka, along with other nobles’ and New Kingdom tombs. If you care about seeing the decorated interiors and want more than an exterior view of the pyramid complex, the upgrade is worth considering.

There is a small but important detail to check before paying: the inclusions are described differently in the package details and the ticket summary. The basic ticket summary names the Step Pyramid complex, the Mastaba of Ti, Unas Pyramid, Imhotep Museum, and Kagemni Tomb, while the tour highlights Idut’s Tomb. Ask the operator to confirm exactly which tombs your chosen ticket covers.

The premium ticket is also the option that lists the Serapeum, a site many people will not want to miss if they are especially interested in Saqqara. Since admission is otherwise excluded, do not assume that a private guide and car package gets you through every gate. The driver and guide are included in the base arrangement; site tickets are a separate cost unless you select a ticket package.

Memphis: a shorter stop with two clear sights

At Memphis, the tour calls out the Ramses II statue and the Alabaster Sphinx. It is a compact contrast to Saqqara: rather than a long series of pyramids and tombs, you have a focused stop around these major objects.

Admission to the Memphis Museum is listed as extra in the guide-and-car package. The basic and premium ticket options are described as covering different site entries, so check whether your selected package includes Memphis before you set out. This is a practical question to settle in advance, especially if you prefer to pay once rather than handle fees at each stop.

The value of Memphis here is partly logistical. It fits into a day that already takes you to Saqqara and Dahshur, giving you three distinct stops without arranging a second outing. The trade-off is that time is shared across several sites, so you may not have as long at each one as you would on a dedicated Memphis visit.

Dahshur: climb inside the Red Pyramid if it is open

Dahshur adds the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid to the itinerary. The Red Pyramid is listed with interior entry, a worthwhile feature for anyone who wants more than an exterior photo. The Bent Pyramid gives you a second, very different outline to compare, even if you are moving at a brisk pace.

Admission to both pyramids is excluded from the private guide-and-car option. The ticket packages are meant to cover the relevant entries, but confirm that your exact selection includes the Red and Bent Pyramids. The activity notes that some attractions may have to be skipped because of capacity or weather, so keep a little flexibility in your expectations.

The order and length of the stops can shift with traffic and conditions. If Dahshur is a priority for you, say so when confirming the schedule, and ask how the guide plans to divide the day. A private tour offers a better chance to discuss priorities than a fixed group outing, but it cannot override closures or capacity limits.

Your guide matters more than the car

The guide is the person who turns a string of sites into a coherent day. The stated role includes explaining the archaeology, answering questions, helping with tickets at the entrances, suggesting a nearby lunch place, and assisting with photos. The tour offers guides in Chinese, English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Italian, and other listed languages.

A guide named Mohamed Abdel Lateef, who goes by Mo, has been praised for strong English and a personal, enthusiastic style. His approach was described as attentive throughout the day, and he extended the outing to allow time for souvenir shopping. That is a promising example, but you cannot assume Mo will be assigned to your date. The operator says it arranges the available guide after booking.

There is also a less reassuring account of a guide who offered little explanation and left the party to look around on its own. That contrast matters. If interpretation is a key reason you are booking a private guide, tell the operator what you expect: clear explanations at each site, time for questions, and no unwanted shopping detours.

The driver has a separate role. The stated service is pickup at the agreed place, safe transport between stops, and return to your requested destination. Bottled water is listed for the hotel pickup arrangement in Cairo or Giza.

Lunch, shopping, and the parts to clarify

Lunch is planned as a one-hour stop, but the meal is not included in the price. The guide can suggest a nearby restaurant, and the menu may change according to the season and available ingredients. Bring money for your meal and drinks, and ask the guide about the stop before ordering if you have preferences.

Shopping is the main concern to discuss beforehand. One person described feeling pressured into three shopping stops, while another had a papyrus-shop visit that felt useful and relaxed. These accounts point to an uneven experience, not a guaranteed part of the itinerary. Tell the operator clearly if you want no shopping, or agree in advance on whether you are open to one stop.

Tips and gratuities are also excluded. One visitor felt the tip expectation was high even after giving 20 percent of the quoted price. There is no required tip amount in the tour details, so decide what you consider fair and do not let an unclear expectation sour the day.

Is the private price worth it?

The displayed starting price is from $86.29, but the package options list the guide-and-car arrangement from $93.75, standard tickets from $125, and premium tickets from $168.75. Prices can vary, so use the checkout total for your date and party rather than treating the lowest figure as the cost of a fully ticketed day.

The cheapest option is not all-in. It covers the private guide and car, while site admissions, food, drinks, personal expenses, and tips are extra. Standard tickets reduce the number of separate admissions you need to arrange; premium tickets are the most convenient choice if you want the Serapeum and the additional tombs and pyramid interior access.

For a couple or family, the private format can offer good value if you appreciate having your own transport and a guide focused on your group. The benefit is less about skipping every queue and more about getting between sites without arranging cars or negotiating a route. The operator says tickets can be purchased ahead of time when they are included, but check that this applies to your package and that the correct admissions are covered.

If you are traveling from Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh, confirm the pickup and transfer plan before booking. The tour lists those cities among its departure locations, while the detailed pickup instructions focus on hotels in Cairo and Giza. Private airport transfers from Cairo are subject to an additional charge.

Who should book this tour?

This works best for you if you want a private day outside Cairo’s central sights, value an Egyptology guide, and want to combine Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur without organizing separate transport. It is especially appealing if you choose the premium entries and want access to more tombs and interiors.

It is less suitable if you want a slow, single-site visit or need every admission and meal included in the headline price. The day covers a lot, and some stops may be shortened or skipped if conditions change. If you dislike shopping stops, make that preference explicit before you confirm.

I would book it for the route and the private guide, but I would select the ticket package only after checking each site inclusion in writing. Ask who is guiding your date, how much time is planned at each stop, and whether shopping is optional. Those three answers will tell you more about the likely value than the starting price alone.

FAQ

What sites are included in the tour route?

The route includes Saqqara, Memphis, and Dahshur. Named sights include Zoser’s Step Pyramid, the Unas Pyramid, tombs and the Imhotep Museum at Saqqara, the Ramses II statue and Alabaster Sphinx at Memphis, and the Red and Bent Pyramids at Dahshur.

Are admission tickets included?

Not in the private guide-and-car package. Standard and premium ticket packages are available, but check the exact inclusions for your selection before booking.

What does the premium ticket add at Saqqara?

It includes the standard Saqqara sights plus entry inside Zoser’s Pyramid, the Serapeum, and additional tombs, including Mehu and Mereruka.

Is entry inside the Red Pyramid included?

The Red Pyramid is described as including interior entry, but admission is excluded from the guide-and-car package. Confirm that your selected ticket package covers it.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. The itinerary allows a one-hour lunch stop, and the guide can suggest a nearby restaurant.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

The detailed pickup instructions specify a private pickup at your hotel in Cairo or Giza. The tour also lists Giza, Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh as departure locations, so confirm the arrangement if you are staying outside Cairo or Giza.

Which languages are available for the guide?

The listed languages include Chinese, English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Korean, French, and Italian, along with a multilingual-speaking guide option.

How long does the tour take?

The guided visits are listed as about six hours, with an additional one-hour lunch stop. Traffic and weather can change the schedule, so confirm your pickup and return times.

Are shopping stops part of the tour?

Shopping is listed as a free stop, but the details do not specify how many stops are made or whether they are required. Tell the operator before the tour if you do not want shopping stops.

Are tips included?

No. Tips and gratuities are not included, and the tour details do not set a required amount.