Three stops, one smooth day in Egypt. This all-inclusive guided tour strings Saqqara, Memphis, and the Giza Pyramids together with door-to-door pickup and a proper Egyptologist guide. You also get lunch and even a short camel ride, so you’re not spending your day hunting tickets and transport.

I especially like the way the day teaches you the story of pyramids first, with the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, then follows it with Memphis, and only then lands you at Giza for the big icons and those classic viewpoints. The 30-minute camel ride is also a fun change of pace, and it’s built into the schedule.

My only caution: the tour includes basic entry, but if you want to go inside any Giza pyramid, you’ll need extra tickets on top of this price.

What You Get for $85: Good Value Without the Stress

At $85 per person for roughly 7 to 9 hours, this is the kind of tour that’s built to reduce friction. You’re paying for the setup: private air-conditioned transport, an Egyptologist guide, and the essential sights covered with basic entry. On top of that, lunch and bottled water are included.

That matters in Egypt, where the day can easily get chopped up by time lost to finding the right entrance, bargaining over separate tickets, or waiting around for transport. Here, you’re rolling from site to site with a guide who explains what you’re seeing as you go.

If you’re traveling in a small group, it can also be a smart value because the listing mentions group discounts—though it’s still set up as a private experience for your group.

Door-to-Door Pickup That Keeps Your Day on Track

This is a true hotel-to-hotel style day. Pickup is flexible to fit different start times, and you meet at your hotel lobby or another chosen location. Then you get dropped back the same way when the final stop wraps up.

That convenience is not just comfort—it’s time. When you’re covering Saqqara + Memphis + Giza, shaving even one hour off the logistics can be the difference between a rushed sweep and a day where you can actually look up, ask questions, and take photos without constantly checking your watch.

You’ll be in modern private A/C vehicles. That’s a real quality-of-life upgrade, especially when you hit the Giza area later and the heat can feel heavier.

Saqqara’s Step Pyramid and Unas: The Pyramid Origin Story

Saqqara is where the pyramid idea takes its first serious step. Your first stop is the Step Pyramid Complex of King Djoser, about 4700 years old—often described as the first Egyptian pyramid. You’re not just “seeing a pyramid”; you’re understanding how this whole building craze started.

From there, you move to the 5th Dynasty Pyramid of King Unas, which is noted for its hieroglyphics inscribed from inside. Seeing inscriptions on a pyramid complex changes the experience from sightseeing to reading history in stone.

You’ll also have time for the oldest decorated tombs, with daily-life and funeral scenes. That combination is one of Saqqara’s biggest strengths: it’s not only about monuments. It’s also about what people thought mattered—work, belief, and what happened next.

Plan for about 3 hours here, with admission included. A good guide pace helps you avoid the trap of sprinting through the site just to check boxes.

Heads-up: this stop is where you’ll want to ask your questions. If pyramid history is why you’re here, Saqqara gives you the foundation that makes Giza feel more meaningful later.

Memphis Open-Air Museum: Petah, Ramses II, and the Sphinx Connection

After Saqqara, you drive about 10 minutes to Memphis and its open-air museum. The museum focuses on ruins connected to the temple of the god Petah. That’s important because it’s a reminder that Egyptian history isn’t just pyramids—it’s temples, cults, and everyday state power.

Two highlights are specifically worth aiming at:

• A colossal statue of King Ramses II
• A second-biggest Egyptian sphinx of the New Kingdom, associated with Queen Hatshepsut

That last point is a clever way for your brain to connect dots. You’re seeing a famous sphinx form, but you’re also learning how royal power was represented through monumental sculpture.

This section gives your day variety. Saqqara is big and stepped; Memphis is more about scattered reminders of major worship and rule. It’s the kind of stop that keeps you from feeling like you’re only seeing the same shape all day.

Lunch in the Middle of the Day (And Yes, Vegan Can Be Handled)

Before heading north toward Giza, you stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Lunch is included, and the tour can handle vegan and vegetarian diets.

That detail matters more than it sounds. When a day is packed with walking and sun, you don’t want a last-minute scramble to find food. You also don’t want to guess whether a “vegetarian option” is actually just fries.

You’ll also have 1 drink included, with a bottle of water. It’s not a full drinks package, but it helps you get started and stay hydrated.

If you’re sensitive to spice, I’d still treat lunch as “local food with local flavors,” since that’s what’s included. You can always order more mild options, but nothing extra is part of the base package.

Optional Papyrus Institute: A Hands-On Break for the Curious

After lunch, there’s an optional stop at a papyrus-related place. This is especially interesting if you like making the ancient world feel tangible.

The idea is simple and fun: you learn about ancient paper manufacturing and you may get the chance to write your name in the ancient Egyptian alphabet. This type of stop is also a nice mental reset after monuments.

It’s optional, so if you’d rather spend more time resting, take photos, or simply avoid extra walking, you can skip it.

Giza Pyramids Tour: Khufu, Khafre, Panorama Views, and the Valley Temple

Once you arrive at Giza, the day turns into the classic picture-book version of Egypt—without ignoring the details.

You’ll visit:

• Great Pyramid of Khufu
• Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre Pyramid)

Then you return to the van and head to the Western Side Panorama, where you can see the three pyramids together. This is one of those viewpoints that helps you understand scale. Up close, each pyramid is impressive. From the right angle, you finally see the plan.

From the panorama area, the tour includes a camel ride (about 30 minutes). It’s short, which is good—long camel rides can get uncomfortable. Short ones are easier to enjoy, especially if you go in with realistic expectations.

After that, you drive to the Valley Temple, described as a striking structure made of limestone and red granite, near the Great Sphinx.

At Giza, plan for about 3 hours with admission included. That’s enough time to see the main structures, get the key views, and still have the guide keep things moving.

Going inside the pyramids

If you want to enter any pyramid at Giza, it requires extra tickets. It’s not included in the base package.

I recommend deciding this in advance. If you’re inside, you’ll trade time outside for time underground, and you’ll need to factor that into your day’s pacing. If your priority is views and photos, you can skip extra tickets and still have a full Giza experience.

Camel Ride Reality Check: Fun, Photos, and a Bit of Balance

The camel ride is one of the most memorable parts of this itinerary because it’s built in—not something you have to negotiate on the spot. Expect about 30 minutes.

Do go in ready for the balance challenge. Camels are not lazy. You’ll likely feel a gentle rocking motion, and keeping your posture steady is part of the experience. It’s usually more tiring than people expect—but in a good, laughing-at-yourself way.

For photos, the Western Side Panorama area sets you up well. Get your shots before you’re fully exhausted. And if you’re riding in the heat, keep your water close and your hat closer.

Your Guide: Why Mohammed Aly’s Explanations Make the Day Click

The biggest quality bump in this tour is the guiding style—especially with Mohammed Aly. The consistent theme is that he stays friendly while giving detailed explanations and answering questions. That turns the day from “moving between landmarks” into “understanding what you’re looking at.”

When a guide handles your questions with patience, you stop feeling like you’re interrupting. Instead, you start learning why specific things are positioned the way they are, and what power or belief was behind the monuments.

I also like tours where the guide doesn’t just recite facts. They make practical suggestions that help you feel in control—where to look, what’s worth your time, and how to keep the day comfortable.

If you’re the type who asks why the pyramids look the way they do, this is a good match.

What’s Included vs. What You’ll Pay Extra

The package includes:

• Door-to-door pickup and drop-off
• Modern private A/C vehicles
• Egyptologist tour guide
• Basic entry tickets
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• 1 drink (includes a bottle of water)
• 30 minutes camel ride
• All fees and taxes (as listed)

What’s not included:

• Tips
• Extra tickets
• Drinks beyond what’s specified
• Personal expenses

The biggest “extra ticket” item is pyramid interior entry at Giza. If that’s on your must-do list, budget for it.

And yes, you’ll also want to plan for tipping because it’s not baked into the tour price.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This all-in-one day works especially well if you want:

• A private guide and vehicle (just your group)
• Clear sequencing across Saqqara, Memphis, and Giza
• Lunch and a small drink included so you don’t lose time eating
• A camel ride without having to build it yourself

It’s also a solid choice if you don’t want to deal with separate ticket lines, multiple guides, or the chaos that can happen when everyone tries to do the same sites on their own.

If you already have the stamina for long sightseeing days and you’re comfortable doing a lot in one day, you’ll like the structure. If you prefer a slower pace with lots of free time, you might find the schedule full—though the guide pace can help.

Should You Book This Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis All-Inclusive Tour?

I’d book it if you want a smooth, guided day where the basics are handled: transport, entry, lunch, water, and even the camel ride. At $85, that’s a lot of included value compared to piecing the day together yourself.

I’d hesitate only if you’re very set on going inside the pyramids at Giza and you don’t want to think about extra tickets. You can still do it, but you’ll pay more than the headline price.

If you’re traveling with a group that wants comfort and education—without turning the day into a logistics project—this is a strong pick. Just decide ahead of time whether interior pyramid tickets are worth it for you, and come ready to walk and look up.

FAQ

How long is the trip from Saqqara to Memphis and Giza?

The tour runs about 7 to 9 hours total, depending on timing and your pickup window.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. You get door-to-door pickup and drop-off, with pickup typically meeting you at your hotel lobby or another chosen location.

What’s included with the guide and entry?

The tour includes an Egyptologist tour guide and basic entry tickets for the scheduled sites.

Is lunch and water included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included, and you also get 1 drink, listed as 1 bottle of water. Vegan and vegetarian diets can be handled.

Do you include a camel ride at Giza?

Yes. The tour includes a 30-minute camel ride.

Can I enter the pyramids during the tour?

You can visit the pyramids, but entering any pyramid at Giza requires extra tickets, not included in the base offer.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.