Cairo Saqqara and Memphis Discovery

Saqqara and Memphis have a lot going for them: less tourists, less traffic, and some pretty impressive credentials. Join this Cairo tour to see the oldest stone pyramid in the world and the ancient capital of Lower Egypt.

Highlights

• Explore the legendary pyramids of Saqqara, including the famous Step Pyramid
• Immerse yourself in ridiculously ancient history with a visit to Memphis, the ancient capital of Lower Egypt and the Old Kingdom of Egypt
• Engage with your local guide to get a unique insight into Egypt’s history and customs.

Time for a time warp and some sweet pyramids. Ready?!

We're off to Memphis or (Men-Nefer), which functioned as the ancient capital of Lower Egypt and of the Old Kingdom of Egypt from its foundation until around 2200 BC. It's the first stop on our day tour from Cairo, and certainly is an impressive way to start the day. The modern towns of Dahshur and Saqqara lie within the administrative borders of historical Memphis.

Here, we will visit the Mit Rahina Museum, an open-air museum, where we can admire pieces from ancient Memphis and its Great Temple of Ptah. Highlights include the Alabaster Sphinx, one of the largest and heaviest in this material, and stone blocks with hieroglyphic decoration, as well as remains of statues. But without a doubt, the great attraction is the colossal statue of Ramses II: because it is missing part of its legs and its enormous weight and size, it remained here in a lying position.

Next up, we travel to Saqqara. Located approximately 30 km south of modern-day Cairo, Saqqara is a vast, ancient burial ground in Egypt with the world's oldest standing step pyramid. Designed by Imhotep for King Djoser (c.2667-2648 BC), the Step Pyramid is the oldest complete stone-hewn building complex known in history, and is surrounded by other small pyramids dating back to the 5th and 6th Dynasties. Although Saqqara was eclipsed as the burial ground of royalty by Giza and the Valley of the Kings in Thebes (near Luxor), it remained an important complex for burials and cult ceremonies for more than 3,000 years.

Shake off the dust of the past, bid farewell to these decidedly less touristy pyramids, and conclude your Cairo pyramids tour by heading back to the big, modern city. It'll be a stark contrast to Saqqara and Memphis, but we're pretty sure you can handle it. 

• For Dress Code: Modest clothing is recommended when visiting cultural or archaeological sites. Comfortable walking shoes are advised due to uneven terrain at ancient sites. A hat and sun-protective clothing are recommended during warmer months.
• For Weather: Egypt can be very hot, especially from April to October. Please bring sun protection and plenty of water. Cooler temperatures occur in the early morning and evening; consider bringing a light layer during winter months.
• For Safety & Travel Advice: We recommend checking your government’s most recent travel advice for Egypt. Please ensure your travel insurance includes all destinations on this itinerary. For major travel alerts and important updates, visit: www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts