Discovery Tours Egypt

Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur.

Saqqara is the necropolis of ancient Memphis, home of the Step Pyramid of Djoser. We run it as private day tours from Cairo, alone or combined with Giza, Memphis and Dahshur. We base Saqqara visits in Cairo.

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Step Pyramid of Djoser rising from the desert under a blue sky

Cairo & Giza · Served from our Cairo office

  • Visitors walking toward the Step Pyramid of Djoser at SaqqaraCairo & Giza
  • Face of the fallen limestone colossus of Ramesses II at Memphis, lit against a dark backgroundMemphis (Mit Rahina)
  • The Bent Pyramid at Dahshur rising from flat desert in hazy lightBent Pyramid, Dahshur

At a glance.

Region
Cairo & Giza, on the desert edge south of the city.
From central Cairo
About 45 minutes south by car, depending on traffic.
Dahshur
The Bent and Red Pyramids, about 20 minutes south of Saqqara.
Memphis
Open-air museum at Mit Rahina with the reclining colossus of Ramesses II; about 45 minutes to visit.
UNESCO
Within "Memphis and its Necropolis, the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur", inscribed 1979.
Time on site
Allow 2 to 3 hours at Saqqara; the Step Pyramid itself takes 1 to 2 hours. Dahshur about 1 hour.
Tickets
Tickets are sold separately for the Step Pyramid, each tomb group, the Serapeum and the Dahshur pyramids.
Climate
Open desert with little shade. October to April: 20 to 28 °C. May to September: above 35 °C, so go in the morning.

What we operate here.

We base Saqqara programmes in Cairo.

  1. Private day tours

    A half-day Saqqara and Memphis tour, a full day taking in Dahshur and the Unas Pyramid, and a Pyramids, Saqqara and Memphis day that can add the Grand Egyptian Museum. Private or small-group departures, with an Egyptologist.

  2. Classic tours

    Saqqara and Memphis appear on day 2 of our classic Cairo programme, next to the Pyramids and Sphinx.

  3. Shore excursions

    On our Pyramids shore excursion, Saqqara is offered as an alternative to the museum.

  4. Transfers

    Guided car only. There is no public transport worth using to reach the necropolis.

Programme building blocks.

  1. Half day: Step Pyramid and Memphis

    The Step Pyramid, the colonnade, a painted tomb and Memphis.

    About 4 hours from Cairo

  2. Full day: the pyramid story

    Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur, with the Unas Pyramid and its Pyramid Texts.

    Full day

  3. Add to a Giza day

    Giza, Saqqara and Memphis in one day from Cairo.

    Full day

  4. Private day from Alexandria

    A road day through Giza, Memphis and Saqqara for guests based in Alexandria.

    About 14 hours

Planning notes for trade.

  • Access to individual tombs and pyramid interiors can change, so treat any interior as subject to confirmation.
  • Opening hours and ticket prices change, so we confirm them for each programme.
  • Carry a torch for tombs and plan for open desert: sun in summer, little shade.
CairoGiza

Related reading from our operations desk.

  1. Cairo Day Tours — Trade Briefing

    Trade briefing: plan Cairo day tours combining Giza/GEM, Saqqara, Islamic and Coptic quarters with efficient transfers, timed access and addons for your clients.

  2. Cairo programme briefing for Egypt itineraries

    Briefing for tour operators and agents: logistics, seasonal timing, monument access, transfers and optional add‑ons to structure Cairo programmes in Egypt.

  3. A Complete Guide to Egypt's Archaeological Sites

    Pyramids, valleys, temples and tombs — the canonical list for itinerary planners.

  4. Egypt's Top Ancient Monuments You Can't Miss

    The non-negotiable sites that anchor any first-time Egypt itinerary.

Add the necropolis to your Cairo days.

Say how many days you have in Cairo and we will fit Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur around them.

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