Private Full day Tour to Giza Pyramids Sakkara and Memphis

Three ancient sites, one long Cairo day. This private tour packs Egypt’s best-known monuments into about eight hours, moving from the Great Pyramids and Sphinx to Saqqara’s Step Pyramid and the old capital at Memphis. I like the private air-conditioned vehicle and the chance to shape the pace around your own group, while the Egyptologist guide adds useful context to what can otherwise feel like a blur of stone and sand.

I also like the price. At $40 per person, the tour includes transport, bottled water, a professional Egyptologist, taxes, and services, which is strong value for a private outing. The main drawback is that admission fees are extra, adding $27 per person for the listed Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis tickets, and lunch is not included.

The day is best for first-time visitors who want the major pyramid sites without arranging several taxis or negotiating transport. You should still expect a full schedule, Cairo traffic, heat, walking, and plenty of time outside.

Key details before you book

• The Great Pyramids get the longest visit: You have about four hours for Cheops, Chephren, Mykerinos, the Sphinx, and pyramid viewpoints.
• Saqqara shows how pyramid design developed: Its Step Pyramid of King Zoser is an important early stage in the story of Egyptian pyramids.
• Memphis adds a capital-city chapter: The final two-hour stop takes you to the remains of ancient Memphis, not Tennessee.
• Private means your group travels alone: This is not a large coach excursion, so your day can feel more personal and flexible.
• The advertised price is not the full cost: Plan on $27 per person for the listed entrance fees, plus tips and any lunch.
• Pickup and mobile tickets simplify the start: Pickup is offered, confirmation arrives at booking, and the ticket can be carried on your phone.

Why this private Cairo day works

Cairo’s pyramid sites are spread across the Giza Plateau and the wider area southwest of the city. Public transport is not a sensible way to connect all three stops in one day, especially if you want explanations rather than a quick photo. A private vehicle turns the day into a clear route instead of a transport puzzle.

I like the order. Giza comes first, when you are fresh and ready for the biggest sights. Saqqara then shifts the focus from the famous pyramid skyline to an earlier and more experimental monument. Memphis finishes the day with a different kind of ancient site, one built around a capital and its temples rather than a single pyramid.

The private format matters most if you are a family, a couple, or a small group with different energy levels. You can ask questions without competing with a busload of people, and the guide can give more attention to your interests. The company has also arranged customized Egypt and Jordan trips, so it may be worth asking in advance if you want to adjust the schedule.

The tour receives a 5 rating from 19 published ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, but the strongest themes are clear: good coordination, prompt pickups, friendly guides, comfortable vehicles, and sensible time management. Guides named in wider Cheers Egypt arrangements include Danny, Minah, Andrew, and Antony, though your assigned guide for this particular day may be different.

Four hours among the pyramids at Giza

Giza is the headline act, and rightly so. The plateau holds the Great Pyramid of Cheops, the Pyramid of Chephren, and the Pyramid of Mykerinos, along with the Sphinx and several viewpoints where the three pyramids can be seen together.

Allow about four hours here. That sounds generous, but Giza is not one compact monument. The pyramid area requires movement between viewpoints, entrances, and the Sphinx zone, and your vehicle is useful because the stops are not best handled as one long walk.

The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest of the three. From outside, you can study its enormous limestone blocks and the careful geometry of its sides. If you want to enter a pyramid, check the exact admission arrangement before setting out, since the listed $12 Giza fee may not cover every optional interior ticket.

Chephren is easy to recognize because part of its original smooth outer casing remains near the top. Mykerinos is smaller, but its scale gives the group a useful sense of how pyramid building changed over time. Your guide should help you compare the three rather than treating them as identical monuments.

The Sphinx is the emotional high point for many people. With a lion’s body and a human head traditionally linked to King Chephren, it feels less distant than the pyramids because you can get close to the monument and see the carved form at a lower level.

Give yourself time for the panoramic views. The tour specifically emphasizes seeing the three pyramids together, and those wide views help you understand the placement of the monuments better than a close-up photo does. They are also the right place to take family or group pictures.

Giza has a few practical drawbacks. The site is exposed, the ground can be uneven, and the combination of sun, stone, and walking can drain you quickly. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and bring sun protection even though bottled water is included.

The four-hour allocation also means you may not linger equally at every point. If your main goal is entering a pyramid, camel riding, or taking extensive photographs, ask how that will affect the rest of the day. A past private outing with guide Danny included a camel ride and several pyramid viewpoints, but this specific package does not list a camel ride as included.

Saqqara and the Step Pyramid’s early design

From Cairo, Saqqara is described as about 27 kilometers away. The drive gives you a useful change of scene, moving from the modern city and Giza’s famous monuments toward the wider archaeological area connected with Egypt’s early royal burials.

You have about two hours at Saqqara. The main draw is the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, also spelled Djoser. It is not simply a smaller version of the Great Pyramid. Its stacked levels show an earlier phase in the development of pyramid architecture, making it one of the most important stops for understanding how Egypt’s monumental tombs evolved.

I find Saqqara valuable because it adds a story that Giza alone cannot tell. Giza presents the finished pyramid form at its most famous. Saqqara lets you see an earlier idea taking shape, with the Step Pyramid rising in a series of levels rather than as a smooth-sided triangle.

The schedule also includes time to admire an impressive statue and take photographs beside it. The supplied details do not identify the statue, so ask your guide to explain exactly what you are seeing and why it matters. That small question can turn a quick photo stop into a useful lesson.

The $10 Saqqara admission fee is separate. Because entrance charges are not included in the $40 tour price, keep cash or a suitable payment method ready for the listed fees, and confirm the current amount at booking if prices have changed.

Saqqara is less familiar to many first-time visitors, which can make it feel like the more rewarding educational stop. It is also another open-air site, so the same advice applies: comfortable shoes, water, and a hat will make the two hours much easier.

Ancient Memphis, the final two hours

The last stop is Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. The name creates an easy joke about Elvis, but this Memphis belongs to a much older world and offers a different experience from Giza and Saqqara.

Expect about two hours among the ruins and surviving monuments. The supplied details do not give a full list of individual buildings or artifacts, so your guide’s explanation is especially important here. Ask how Memphis connected to royal power, administration, religion, and the development of the surrounding pyramid fields.

Memphis works well at the end because it broadens the day. You have seen royal tombs at Giza and an early pyramid at Saqqara. Here, you can think about the city and institutions that supported those huge building projects.

The listed Memphis admission fee is $5 per person, also not included. It is the smallest of the three required charges, but together the entrance fees reach $27, so the real basic cost is closer to $67 per person before tips and lunch.

Two hours is enough for a focused visit, but not for every possible site in the Memphis area. If Memphis is your main interest, ask the operator how much time will be spent at the principal monuments and whether the stop matches your expectations.

What the $40 price really includes

The $40 per person price is attractive because this is a private tour rather than a shared coach outing. You get an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an in-person professional Egyptologist, taxes, and services. Pickup is offered, and group discounts may reduce the price for larger parties.

The admission costs need careful attention:

• Giza pyramids: $12 per person
• Saqqara: $10 per person
• Memphis: $5 per person
• Total listed entrance fees: $27 per person

That brings the advertised tour and listed tickets to $67 per person, before tips and lunch. The $40 figure remains good value if you want private transport and a guide, but it should not be mistaken for an all-inclusive price.

Lunch is optional and not included. You may want to ask before departure whether the guide can suggest a lunch arrangement and how much time it would take. Since the day already includes three major stops, an unplanned meal can make the final part feel rushed.

Tips are also excluded. The amount is your choice, and it should reflect the service you receive from the guide and driver. Having small Egyptian pounds or another convenient payment option can make the end of the day simpler.

Transport, timing, and comfort

An air-conditioned vehicle is more than a nice extra in Cairo. It gives you relief between outdoor sites and avoids the uncertainty of finding separate taxis for Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis. The driver also handles the route while you focus on the monuments.

The day lasts about eight hours, but pickup time and traffic can affect the rhythm. Good coordination matters here because three stops require a firm schedule. Cheers Egypt Tours has been praised for organized pickups, prompt drivers, and careful time management, which are exactly the practical details that make this type of day work.

You should expect walking and time in direct sun. Most people can take part, according to the supplied participation information, but the day is still physically active enough that you should pace yourself. If someone in your group is pregnant, older, or needs a slower rhythm, mention that when booking. A previous private outing with Danny was adjusted to suit a pregnant participant, which suggests that communicating needs early is worthwhile.

The private setup also helps with questions. Reports about the company’s wider tours repeatedly point to friendly, well-informed guides who explain Egyptian history clearly and answer questions. Still, guide quality can vary by individual, so tell the company whether you prefer archaeology, architecture, royal stories, photography, or a lighter overview.

What the strongest customer feedback tells you

The most praised parts of the company’s service are not flashy extras. They are the basics done well: friendly staff, comfortable transport, clear planning, and guides who make the monuments easier to understand.

One eight-day Egypt and Jordan arrangement was handled by Minah, who was described as patient and detailed in organizing a customized trip. Other experiences praise Andrew and Antony for personal service, while Danny is associated with fun, flexible pyramid outings. These names come from broader Cheers arrangements, so they are useful examples of the company’s approach, not a guarantee of who will lead your day.

The company also receives praise for competitive pricing without cutting back on the experience. That matters here because the package is simple: you are paying for transport, a guide, and coordination rather than a long list of extras. If you value a private vehicle and direct explanations, the price makes sense.

The less positive point is not a service complaint but a planning issue. The day covers a lot of ground, and the word private does not mean leisurely. You control your group’s experience, but you still have only about eight hours to cover Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis.

Who should choose this tour

I would choose this tour if you have one full day in Cairo and want the major ancient sites handled in one organized outing. It is especially suitable for:

• First-time visitors who want Giza plus two important nearby sites
• Families that prefer a private vehicle
• Couples and small groups who want to ask questions freely
• People who value pickup and a guide more than an elaborate lunch package
• Visitors who want both famous monuments and a wider view of pyramid development

I would think twice if you want a slow day at Giza alone. Four hours may feel short if you plan to enter a pyramid, take extensive photographs, add a camel ride, and study every monument in detail.

I would also check the plan carefully if your priority is a particular interior ticket, a specific museum, or a long meal. None of those are listed as included, and this route is focused on Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and a mobile ticket is offered. Pickup is available, but confirm the pickup point and start time directly so the morning begins without confusion.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, so make your plans firm before that cutoff.

Should you book the Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis day?

Book it if you want strong coverage and simple transport at a reasonable price. The route gives you the three famous pyramids and Sphinx, the Step Pyramid’s important early design, and the ancient capital of Memphis, all with a private vehicle and Egyptologist guide.

Before paying, budget for the extra $27 in listed entrance fees, tips, and lunch. If you accept the full-day pace and prefer organized sightseeing to arranging Cairo transport yourself, Cheers Egypt Tours offers a practical and good-value way to see this essential group of sites.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Does the tour include pickup?

Yes. Pickup is offered.

Which sites are included in the route?

The route visits the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, and the ruins of Memphis.

Are entrance fees included in the tour price?

No. The listed entrance fees are $12 for Giza, $10 for Saqqara, and $5 for Memphis.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and not included in the tour price.

What is included?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, an in-person professional Egyptologist, taxes, and services.

Can most people participate?

Yes. The provided participation information says most travelers can participate.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.