Explore Memphis and Sakkara - Private 6-Hour Tour from Cairo

Name: Pyramids Land Tours
Rating: 4.9

A private experience shaped around your time and interests.

★ 4.9 · 2,678 reviews on TripAdvisor · Licensed since 2001 · Free Cancellation

8-Hour Private Tour of the Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum

Memphis Museum Egypt

Memphis is the old capital city of Egypt . The city of Memphis is today the place where about five cities and towns of the south of Cairo lie. It is the home of a lot of artifacts that are worth seeing. The remains of the ancient city were converted to an open-air museum, and the great temple of Ptah is one of the sites of the open-air museum. The temple was for the worship of the creator god Ptah. It was the most significant temple in Memphis. Our Egyptologist will give you step by step history of the various Pharaohs that built personal temples for Ptah. The account will accompany the sights of the remains of these temples. There is the Temple of Ptah of Rameses II, Temple of Ptah and Sekhmet of Rameses II, mad the Temple of Ptah of Merneptah.

The Colossus of Ramesses II in the open-air museum is also worth seeing. Ramesses the Great was a pharaoh of Egypt in the nineteenth dynasty. He is regarded as the greatest pharaoh in Egypt in the New Kingdom. The Colossus is made of Limestone and is around 10 meters in length. Exceptional beauty is beholding the pharaoh in the white crown of Upper Egypt.

The city of Memphis also contains the temple of Hathor. The temple was traced back to the reign of Ramesses II. The remains of the temple were discovered and unearthed in 1970.

Sakkara Pyramid

You will get to see the stepped pyramids of Djoser at Saqqara , the necropolis of Memphis. This Pyramid is different from the ones at Giza.

Pyramids Land Tours will take you through this tour with comfort and refreshment.

Our Guide Note

Memphis and Saqqara are where I take guests who want to understand Egypt rather than just photograph it. Saqqara's Step Pyramid predates Giza by sixty years — it's where the idea of the pyramid was invented, by one man, Imhotep, in a single reign. Standing inside the unfinished pyramid of Sekhemkhet, with its original sealed alabaster sarcophagus still in place and still empty, is one of the strangest experiences in all of Egyptian archaeology — a tomb prepared for a king who may never have been buried there. Memphis itself is quiet and often empty of tourists. The fallen statue of Ramesses II in the open-air museum — over ten meters of polished granite, lying on its back — is one of the most powerful objects I've ever shown a traveler. There's no crowd, no ticket queue. Just you and 3,000 years.

Please note

Pickup & Timing: Your guide contacts you the evening before your tour via WhatsApp to reconfirm the exact pickup time and your hotel details. Pickup is from the lobby of any hotel in Cairo or Giza (Luxor or Aswan for southern tours). If you're staying in an Airbnb or non-hotel accommodation, share your location pin when booking so your driver can find you easily.

What You'll Pay On-Site: All entry fees listed in the itinerary are included. If you choose optional upgrades during the tour — such as entering the Tutankhamun tomb, the Seti I tomb, or the Great Pyramid interior — these are paid on-site by credit or debit card. Your guide will advise whether each upgrade is worthwhile before you decide. Cash is no longer accepted at most major archaeological sites in Egypt.

Weather & Sun Egypt is hot and dry for most of the year. From October to March, daytime temperatures in Cairo are comfortable (18–25°C / 65–77°F), but mornings can be cool. From April to September, expect 35–45°C (95–113°F) at open-air sites. The Giza Plateau, Valley of the Kings, and Karnak have almost no shade. Your guide schedules site visits to avoid the worst midday heat, but sun protection is essential regardless of season.

Dress Code: Dress comfortably and modestly. At mosques (Al-Hussein, Al-Azhar, Alabaster Mosque), shoulders and knees must be covered — this applies to all genders. At archaeological sites, there is no dress code, but lightweight long sleeves protect against the sun better than sunscreen alone. Comfortable closed-toe shoes with grip are essential — sites involve walking on sand, uneven stone, and rough terrain.

Photography: Photography is permitted at most outdoor archaeological sites. Inside tombs (Valley of the Kings), photography is generally prohibited unless you purchase a separate photography ticket. Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum, photography rules vary by gallery — your guide advises on the day. Drone photography at all archaeological sites requires permits that are extremely difficult to obtain. Do not fly a drone without confirmed authorization.

Payments & Currency Egypt's currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). Most tourist-facing businesses accept credit/debit cards and USD. Your guide and driver accept tips in EGP, USD, or EUR. ATMs are widely available in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Recommended tipping: $5–10 per person for your guide on a half-day tour, $10–15 on a full day. $3–5 for your driver.

Health & Safety: Drink only bottled water (provided on your tour). Tap water in Egypt is not safe for tourists. Carry any personal medications you need — pharmacies are available but may not stock specific brands. Apply sunscreen before departure, not on-site — you'll be in the sun within minutes of arriving at most sites. Travel insurance is required for all tours and is not provided by Pyramids Land.

Cultural Notes: Egyptians are genuinely welcoming. "Shukran" (thank you) and "Salaam alaikum" (peace be upon you) go a long way. At tourist sites, you may be approached by local vendors or people offering unsolicited help (leading you to a viewpoint, taking your photo). A polite "la, shukran" (no, thank you) works. Your guide manages these interactions so you don't have to.

What to bring

Comfortable closed-toe shoes with grip (sand, uneven stone, rough terrain at all sites)
Hat with a brim — essential at Giza, Saqqara, Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and all open-air sites
Sunscreen (apply before departure — you'll be in the sun immediately on arrival)
Sunglasses
Camera or smartphone (charged — there are no charging points at sites)
A light scarf or shawl for mosque visits (shoulders and knees covered)
Small daypack for water, camera, and sun protection
Any personal medications you need during the day

We provide bottled water throughout the tour. You do not need to bring your own.

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