Private Pyramids and Saqqara Day Tour

The one day that covers the whole story of the pyramid: how it started, how it was perfected, and what it became. Saqqara first, then Giza, in a private vehicle with a guide. Saqqara and the Step Pyramid. Built for the pharaoh Djoser in the 27th century BC, this is the oldest large stone building in Egypt and the first pyramid anyone attempted, six stacked mastabas rising out of the desert. Seeing it before Giza makes the Great Pyramid legible: you can watch the idea being worked out. The tour includes going down inside the Pyramid of Unas, whose burial chamber carries the Pyramid Texts, among the oldest religious writings yet found. The Giza plateau. The three great pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, with the panoramic viewpoint where the pyramids on the plateau line up in a single frame. Horse or camel riding to the viewpoint is part of the day. Going inside the Great Pyramid is possible but ticketed separately and limited in number, so tell your guide early if you want it. The Sphinx and the Valley Temple. The Sphinx sits below the causeway alongside the Valley Temple of Khafre, whose granite core blocks are among the largest ever moved in Egypt. Practical notes. This runs privately, so the order and the pace are yours. Solo and private-group rates differ, and both are shown on this page. Meals are optional and can be added when you book. Entrance fees, tips and anything you buy on the plateau are not included. What to bring. There is almost no shade at either site, so a hat, sunscreen and more water than seems necessary are the difference between a good day and a miserable one. Wear closed shoes; the sand at Saqqara is deep and loose. Interior chambers are hot, narrow and low, and are not suitable if you are claustrophobic or have knee or back trouble.