You will be greeted by your accredited Egyptologist in the hotel lobby to kick off your Saqqara Necropolis day trip from Cairo and enjoy a remarkable day exploring the Saqqara Necropolis. Located around 30 km south of Cairo, Saqqara is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, one of the earliest monumental stone structures in ancient Egypt.
The striking pyramid still holds plenty of mysteries that archaeologists continue to uncover, and it gives you the chance to go inside one of the pyramids in Saqqara without paying an extra fee. This usually means either the Pyramid of King Teti or the Pyramid of Unas, the last king of the 5th Dynasty in the Old Kingdom — both are open to visitors. From there you can also explore some of the well-preserved Tombs of the Nobles in Saqqara, including the Tomb of Kagemni, who was the son-in-law of King Teti and a vizier of justice.
You will notice different scenes of everyday life in ancient Egypt, with activities such as collecting plants, fishing, trapping and animal husbandry carved and inscribed on the walls. These colorful scenes can be found inside the walls and funeral chambers of the rock-cut tombs, offering a fascinating look at life in ancient Egypt.
Then explore the Imhotep Museum, which contains rare artifacts discovered at the Saqqara archaeological site. The exhibition includes a model of the Djoser funerary complex, while one of the museum halls recreates a complete cemetery with a mummy, wooden coffin, pottery and other archaeological objects.
After all that enjoy your tasty lunch at a local restaurant. You can then ask your accredited tour guide to take you to government-authorized bazaars, where you can learn about traditional Egyptian handicrafts and pick up souvenirs to remember your Saqqara Step Pyramid and ancient tombs tour.
Why Choose This Itinerary?
This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to explore the main highlights of Saqqara in one day from the Step Pyramid of Djoser and ancient royal pyramids to beautifully decorated tombs and the Imhotep Museum. With an accredited Egyptologist and a focused itinerary, this private Saqqara sightseeing tour offers a convenient way to discover the history, architecture and daily life of ancient Egypt.