Giza, Saqqara & Memphis Day Tour Review (2025 Guide)

So, you’re thinking about a big day trip in Egypt, one that really covers the heavy hitters of the Old Kingdom. Honestly, the day tour that packages the Giza Pyramids with Saqqara and Memphis is an extremely popular option for a reason. Basically, you get to see the whole story of pyramid-building, from its very beginning to its absolute peak, all in one go. We recently did this exact tour to see what it’s really like for a 2025 traveler. Anyway, it’s a day packed with mind-bending sights and quite a bit of driving, so it’s good to know what you’re getting into. Is that the right trip for you? Well, I mean, let’s walk through the day so you can decide for yourself, you know.

First Stop: Standing Before the Great Pyramids of Giza

Okay, the day usually kicks off at the Giza Plateau, and really, nothing prepares you for it. You’ve seen the pictures a million times, yet it’s still just a shock to the system. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is so, so massive that it almost doesn’t look real. It just stands there, completely dominating the skyline, you know. Then you have Khafre’s pyramid, the one that still has a little of its original smooth casing at the very top, and the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure just next to it. As a matter of fact, your guide will probably give you the option to go inside the Great Pyramid. It’s an extra ticket, and frankly, it’s a tight, steep climb up a narrow passage to an empty granite room. For some, like me, it’s an absolute must-do just to say you’ve been inside; for others, it’s a bit claustrophobic and you could be okay just seeing it from the outside.

Right, and then there’s the Sphinx. Seeing it for the first time is another one of those “wow” moments, seriously. It’s a lot smaller than you might think when compared to the pyramids behind it, yet it has this incredible presence. It’s like a guardian watching over the entire site, which is sort of its job, I guess. You’ll definitely spend time in the Valley Temple in front of the Sphinx, a place made from these huge, polished granite blocks that just feel ancient. The entire area is full of energy, with people from all over the world and local vendors offering camel rides. So it’s a bit of sensory overload, but in a very good way.

A Pro-Tip for Your Giza Experience

At the end of the day, having a good guide here is pretty much a game-changer. They will literally shoo away the more persistent vendors for you, which is a huge help. They also know exactly where to take you for that classic panoramic photo of all the pyramids lined up. Anyway, your driver will usually take you to a spot on a high plateau, which is an absolutely incredible view. As for the camel ride, well, it’s one of those things. It’s a very touristy activity, but honestly, seeing the pyramids from the back of a camel as it plods along the sand is a pretty iconic memory to have. Just be sure to agree on the price beforehand; that’s pretty much the golden rule for everything here.

Next Up: The Step Pyramid of Saqqara, Where It All Began

After the crowds of Giza, the drive to Saqqara, which takes about 30 to 45 minutes, feels like a really nice shift in gears. You actually leave the city behind and go through these lush, green farmlands along the Nile canals, you know. Saqqara is the ancient burial ground for the city of Memphis, and it is huge. The main attraction here, of course, is the Step Pyramid of Djoser. This structure is actually older than the Giza pyramids by a few hundred years, and you can totally tell. It’s almost like the blueprint, the very first attempt by the ancient Egyptians to build a monument completely out of stone. It’s got a very different, more ancient feeling to it.

Saqqara itself is a very different experience from Giza. It’s typically much quieter, with fewer people, which lets you absorb the atmosphere a bit more. The site isn’t just one pyramid; it’s a huge complex with courtyards, temples, and halls to explore. You can literally see the evolution of architecture right in front of your eyes. It is just such a peaceful place. You can almost hear the quiet of the desert here, which is a very powerful feeling after the constant buzz of Cairo and Giza. It is in a way, more of an archaeologist’s playground.

What You’ll Discover Inside Saqqara’s Tombs

Okay, so what makes Saqqara really special, in my opinion, are the tombs of the nobles, or “mastabas.” Your guide will probably take you into a couple of them, like the Pyramid of Teti, which has some of the first “Pyramid Texts” inscribed on its walls, or the Tomb of Mereruka. Getting inside these tombs is an absolutely fantastic experience. The walls are covered in these incredibly detailed and colorful carvings that have survived for thousands of years. They show everyday life back then: people farming, hunting, fishing, and making beer and bread. Unlike the pyramids which are all about the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife, these tombs are basically a window into how normal people lived. To be honest, this was my favorite part of the entire day.

Last Stop: Memphis, the Ancient Capital

The final stop is Memphis, and it’s a quick one, you know. Memphis was the first capital of a united Egypt, a powerful city for millennia. Now, obviously, not much of the actual city is left; it’s mostly buried under the modern town and surrounding farmlands. What you visit is an open-air museum that houses some amazing finds from the area. The absolute star of the show is a colossal limestone statue of Ramesses II. It’s lying on its back inside a special building, and the sheer scale and perfect detail are just breathtaking. You can walk all around it and just marvel at the craftsmanship. I mean, the muscles, the details of the royal clothing—it’s almost unbelievable that someone carved this from a single piece of stone.

Just outside, you’ll find the Alabaster Sphinx, which is a really beautiful and well-preserved piece. It is often called the second-most famous sphinx in Egypt. It is a lot smaller than the one at Giza, but it has this kind of serene and powerful quality. The stop at Memphis is short and sweet, but it provides a very tangible connection to the power and artistry of the New Kingdom, which is a really great contrast to the Old Kingdom monuments you’ve just seen. In that case, it works as a great final chapter for the day’s historical tour.

Is This All-in-One Day Tour Right for You?

So, here’s the bottom line. This tour is absolutely perfect if you’re in Cairo for a short time and want to see the “greatest hits” of the pyramid fields. In one long day, you basically check off three UNESCO World Heritage sites, and that’s incredibly efficient. It’s really great for families and first-time visitors who want a comprehensive overview of ancient Egyptian history. You get to see the beginning, middle, and peak of pharaonic power, more or less. Honestly, the convenience of having a private car and guide handle all the logistics, tickets, and travel between the sites cannot be overstated. It just removes a ton of stress.

On the other hand, it is a very long and pretty tiring day. You will be on your feet a lot, and the Egyptian sun can be pretty intense. As I was saying, there is a good amount of driving between the three locations, which adds to the time. If you are a massive history aficionado or an archaeology student who wants to spend hours poring over every single carving, you might find the pace a little rushed. In that case, you may want to split these sites across two separate, more relaxed days. Basically, you are trading depth for breadth, which for most people on vacation, is a pretty good deal.

Key Takeaways for Your Giza, Saqqara & Memphis Tour

To help you decide, here is a quick list of what to keep in mind for this jam-packed day, pretty much.

• It’s a marathon, not a sprint: You will see three massive, historically significant sites in about 8-9 hours, so be prepared for a long day.
• Giza is breathtaking but busy: You will get that iconic pyramid experience, but be ready for crowds and vendors.
• Saqqara is the hidden gem: It offers a quieter, more intimate look at older pyramids and incredibly detailed tombs showing daily life.
• Memphis is a quick, impressive stop: It’s really all about seeing the colossal statue of Ramesses II up close.
• A guide is invaluable: Seriously, a good guide adds context, handles logistics, and helps manage the vendors, making the day much smoother.
• Dress for comfort and sun: Wear light, breathable clothing, extremely comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunglasses. And of course, bring lots of water.
• Manage your expectations: This is a survey tour, so you will get a great taste of each site, but not an exhaustive exploration.

Read our full review: [Day Tour to the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara and Memphis Full Review and Details]

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