Saqqara, Dahshur & Memphis Pyramids Day Trip

Overview

Before the Great Pyramid of Giza there was a century of bold experiments, and you can follow every step of it in a single day. Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis tell the story of how Egyptian architects moved from simple tombs to the stepped pyramid, and then to the perfect, smooth-sided pyramid that became the symbol of Egypt.

At Saqqara you stand before the Step Pyramid of Djoser, one of the earliest monumental stone buildings in the world, and walk the colonnade that leads into the funerary complex. Inside decorated tombs, colorful reliefs show farmers, fishermen and feasts as if the artists had put down their brushes yesterday. At Dahshur the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, Egypt’s first true smooth-sided pyramid, rise almost alone in the desert, and at Memphis the fallen colossus of Ramesses II lies where the first capital once stood.

These sites are far quieter than Giza, which makes them perfect for travelers who want space to photograph, to think and to listen to their guide without the crowds. The day is private and unhurried, with a relaxed lunch near the plateau, and it is a wonderful second or third day for anyone who has already seen Giza and wants to understand how it all began.

If you love archaeology, photography or simply wide-open desert views, this Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis day trip from Cairo is one of the most rewarding days you can spend in Egypt. EgyptLens arranges the car, the Egyptologist, the tickets and lunch, so you can enjoy the pyramids before the pyramids.