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Sakkara, Step Pyramid and Memphis — Rates, Photos & Booking Help

Half-day private tour to the Saqqara necropolis, the Step Pyramid of Djoser — the oldest pyramid in Egypt — and the ruins of ancient Memphis, its first capital, with an expert Egyptologist. 4 hours, from $140 per person.

4 Hours Private Tour Cultural & Historical 🏛️ Oldest Pyramid
Saqqara and Memphis sit on the open desert edge about 30 km south of Cairo, so this is a sunny, dusty, open-air tour much like Giza — closed, supportive shoes, sun protection and water make a real difference. The calmest light and coolest air are in the morning, and October to April is the most comfortable season. Entry to the interior of the Step Pyramid, when open, is a separate ticket bought on site. Because the two sites are close together and near Giza, many guests pair this tour with the Pyramids on the same day.
⭐27+ years of Egypt expertise since 1998
💬24/7 support in 7 languages
💰Best price guarantee or your money back
🛡No booking fees — pay only on confirmation
🇪🇬Egypt-based tour operator with local crews

Sakkara, Step Pyramid and Memphis — Overview

Long before the pyramids of Giza rose on the horizon, Egypt was ruled from Memphis — the first capital of a unified kingdom, founded around 3100 BC and sacred to Ptah, the creator god and patron of craftsmen. For much of the Old Kingdom it was the political and religious heart of the country. Today the ancient city survives as an open-air museum at Mit Rahina, where a colossal fallen statue of Ramesses II and a finely carved Alabaster Sphinx recall the scale and artistry of its greatest age.

A short drive away, on the desert plateau, lies Saqqara — the vast necropolis of Memphis and the largest archaeological site in Egypt. At its centre stands the Step Pyramid of Djoser, raised in the 27th century BC by the architect Imhotep. It was the first Egyptian pyramid and the earliest colossal stone building anywhere in the world: six great mastabas stacked one upon another, the design that set the stage for every pyramid that followed. Around it spread ceremonial courts, a hypostyle entrance hall, and mastaba tombs whose painted reliefs bring the daily life of ancient Egypt vividly back to life.

Together, Memphis and Saqqara tell the story of how ancient Egypt learned to build in stone — the essential first chapter to the wonders of Giza, and one of the richest half-days of history in the whole country.

Photos

The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara The stepped tiers of the Pyramid of Djoser The colossal statue of Ramesses II at Memphis The Alabaster Sphinx at Memphis

Rates

Solo Guest

1 guest

$190per person

2 to 6 Guests

per person

$140per person

7+ Guests

per person

$100per person

Children

👶
Free Infant

Infants up to 4 years old join free of charge.

🎓
50% Discount Per Child

Children from 4 to under 12 years old receive a 50% discount.

Best For

History and archaeology lovers, and anyone who has seen — or is about to see — the pyramids of Giza and wants the deeper Old Kingdom story behind them. The mix of the world's first pyramid, richly decorated tombs and the ruins of Egypt's first capital rewards curious travellers and photographers alike, and the private format lets your guide set the pace and go as deep into the history as you like.

What You’ll See

  • The Step Pyramid of Djoser — the oldest pyramid in Egypt
  • The funerary complex of Imhotep and its hypostyle entrance colonnade
  • Old Kingdom mastaba tombs with vivid painted reliefs of daily life
  • The Saqqara necropolis, the largest archaeological site in Egypt
  • The Memphis open-air museum and the colossal statue of Ramesses II
  • The finely carved Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis

Tour Includes

  • Pick-up service from your hotel
  • Egyptology guide
  • Entrance fees to sightseeing as per the program
  • All transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Bottled water during your trip
  • All taxes & service charge
  • Drop-off at your hotel

Tour Excludes

  • Tips
  • Meals and beverages
  • Any extras not mentioned in the itinerary

Tour FAQ

How long is the tour?
About 4 hours at the sites, plus hotel pickup and drop-off time depending on where you are staying in Cairo or Giza.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Cairo or Giza hotel are included in a private, air-conditioned vehicle.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes, entrance to Saqqara and Memphis is included. Going inside the Step Pyramid, when it is open, is an optional separate ticket bought on site.
When is the best time to go?
Mornings are coolest and least crowded, and October to April is the most comfortable season on the open desert plateau.
Is the tour private?
Yes. You have your own Egyptologist guide and a private vehicle, and the per-person rate falls as the group grows.
Can it be combined with the Pyramids?
Yes. Saqqara and Memphis are close to Giza, so they pair very well with the Pyramids as a full day.
Can children join?
Absolutely. Infants up to 4 are free, and children from 4 to under 12 receive a 50% discount.
Please Note: Prices are calculated based on entrance fees, fuel price and local taxes as at June 30, 2020. Any increase in entrance fees, fuel price or local taxes will be reflected on any unpaid tour immediately. However, any pre-paid tour will not be affected by the change of rates. We highly recommend booking your tours in advance to be protected from price fluctuation.

Early Booking Benefits

💰 Payment & Deposit
  1. Deposit: only 20% deposit at the time of booking.
  2. Installments: 0% interest, equal monthly installments. The last installment is required 30 days before the tour date.
🛌️ Tour Privileges — all tours booked 6 months in advance get
  1. A private guide free of charge, without supplements.
  2. Your choice of guiding language: English, French, Italian, German or Spanish.
📅 Flexibility (Changes)
  1. Date change: free of charge, with respect to seasonality price, up to 7 days before the tour date.
  2. Tour swap: free of charge, with respect to the price difference between both tours, up to 7 days before the tour date.
  3. Name change: free of charge up to 7 days before the tour date.
📉 Price Fluctuation Protection
  1. Price increase guarantee: your price is protected against any future increase in tour rate, fuel price, government taxes or entrance fees.
  2. Price drop guarantee: you receive a refund of the difference if the price drops (same booking conditions).
🌍 National / Global Shutdown Protection

Examples: pandemic, airspace closure, or force-majeure events affecting all tours.

  1. Postpone travel date free of charge: move your travel to a later date, keeping the exact same booked plan, benefits and conditions.
  2. Full refund: receive a 100% refund.