The Big Dig Tour:

 UNESCO World Heritage Site  - Dahshur

Saqqara - explore over 9 square kilometers of and active archeological site

UNCESCO World Heritage Site - Memphis the first capital of Egypt

All of our tours are private tours. This means you are not herded into industrialized tourism and large groups of people you do not know. We believe in personalized service.

Start your tour at the Dahshur Pyramids a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The pyramids at Dahshur are some of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved in Egypt. Dahshur is part of a larger complex that includes multiple pyramids, as well as tomb complexes for queens and nobles. This ancient Egyptian necropolis and pyramid complex is located on the Western Desert plateau, south of Saqqara and near Cairo. It's well known for two pyramids. 

The Bent Pyramid - a description you will fully understand when you see it - this is one of the earliest and largest pyramids to be built.  The other notable pyramid is the Red Pyramid, name for its inner burial chamber which was as made of rosette limestone.  Both were built by King Sneferu.

The necropolis was a southern extension of the Memphis cemetery.  Dahshur played a crucial role in the development of pyramid construction -  Sneferu's innovations paved the way for later pyramids like those at Giza.  Excavations have revealed the remains of seven pyramids and extensive tomb complexes.

You can enter into the Red Pyramid with no additional fees - keeping in mind there may be times when they are closed due to restoration.

Your tour continues to the Step Pyramid also known as the Djoser Pyramid in Saqqara (Sakkara)

Located about 20 miles south of Cairo the Step Pyramid of Djoser is the oldest important stone building in Egypt, approximately 4,7000 years old.  It was built for the pharaoh Djoser.  It is at the center of a large mortuary complex in the Saqqara necropolis. This complex, designed by Imhotep and represents a significant architectural and historical turning point, marking the shift from mastaba tombs to true pyramids. A mastaba is a flat-topped rectangular structure, the pyramid was expanded by adding five more mastabas on top of each other, creating a stepped effect.

While the Step Pyramid is remarkable in itself so is the surrounding complex of limestone buildings, courtyards, and chapels that make it a unique and fascinating site covering over square kilometers.

The interior of the pyramid holds fascinating rooms and artifacts. The interior structure has corridors, chambers, and galleries, many of which are underground. There are multiple burial chambers located inside the pyramid, each dedicated to different members of the royal family. These chambers feature intricate carvings and hieroglyphics that tell stories about ancient Egypt.

Artifacts found inside the pyramid include over 40,000 stone vessels. The vessels have Egyptian names (some royal and some not) inscribed in the stone. These vessels of various shapes, sizes, and stone types are scattered along the corridors that lead to Pharaoh Djoser's granite tomb. It also contains a number of statues and stone coffins (sarcophagi) for the Pharaoh's  possessions.

Saqqara is a huge, the truth is it  needs several days to fully appreciate its significance, it is one of the best kept secrets in Egypt.  It is an active archeological site and new discoveries are continuously made.  Unfortunately most people don't have that much time.  Our tour includes ALL open sites in Saqqara.  Keep in mind depending on what type of work/restoration is happening some areas may not be available to enter.

Some of the most popular things to see in Saqqara are:

1. Entering the Dojser Pyramid.

2. The Serapeum of Saqqara an ancient burial place for sacred bulls of the Apis cult at Memphis It was believed that the bulls were incarnation of the god Ptah.

3. The Tomb of Mereruka, this is the largest and most elaborate of all non-royal tombs in Saqqara, 33 rooms or chambers in total. (Keep in mind some may be closed for restoration) The question is who was Mereruka? He was one of the most powerful officials at the time, he held the titls of Vizier, which made him the most powerful person in Egypt after the King!  Another notable tomb is Mehu.

4. Saqqara is a vast necropolis, meaning it has numerous tombs from different periods of ancient Egyptian history.  You may visit any of the open tombs such as the northern tombs tombs of the royals and other high ranking officials.  There is also a section devoted to the workers.

5. Other Pyramids to see from the outside include:  Teti, Unas, Menere.

6.  Museum of Imhotep.

There is a special instructions section on the order form, please give us an idea of which sites in Saqqara hold your interests.  This helps us make sure you see what you want and you are not rushed.

Memphis and its Necropolis - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Your next stop is to one of UNESCO's world heritage sites - Memphis, and we aren't talking about the one in Tennessee with Grace Land and Elvis, we're talking about Memphis the first capital of Egypt established in the Old Kingdom. It has some extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids.  In ancient times, the site was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was the capital of Egypt in the era of the Old Kingdom.  It was the era when the god Ptah (god of craftsman and architects) was worshiped, it was considered to be a site sacred to the gods.
Founded in 3200 BC by King Narmer it was the capital of a politically unified Egypt. The strategic geographic location of Memphis at the entrance to the Delta and center to important trade routes, means that there was no possible alternative capital for any ruler with serious ambition to govern both Upper and Lower Egypt.

The Open Museum  Mit Rahina
Among the most important monuments in the open museum of Mit Rahina - ruins left from ancient Memphis - are the statue of Ramses II. There is also a statue of Alabaster in the image of the Sphinx and some other monuments. Ramesses II ruled from Thebes, near present-day Luxor, long after the height of Memphis' power had waned in the 13th century BC, but this huge statue shows that the city of Memphis remained important even 1500 years after the Giza Pyramids were completed.

This tour includes one hour of shopping.

We don't believe in pressure, we believe in service.  Most people will want to pick up souvenirs, you are under no obligation to buy anything, you can window shop with no pressure.  If you have something specific in mind, let us know, if we can be of help we are at your service.  If you wish to pre order cartouches, papyrus etc and have them delivered to you that can be done.  Visit From Cairo with Love to place your order.  Tell us in the special instructions box that you have a tour with Leader and you want it delivered to your location in Cairo the day of your tour. As an extra bonus we'll refund the shipping charges.

Booking/Procedure FAQ

Once you have booked and paid for your tour you will receive a detailed receipt from us.  If we have any questions we will contact you via email, please check your spam folder in case we end up in there.  We highly recommend you read our policies regarding cancellations or changes.  We also like to confirm/make contact the day before with a phone call or email, to avoid any confusion.

We will pick you up at your hotel or designated location and return you to the same point. Generally speaking, we will be in the hotel lobby with your group name on a sign. We prefer to contact you the day you arrive to confirm pick up points etc. We want to make this experience hassle free with no surprises - and then your adventure begins.

Cairo Weather & Helpful Hints

Always wear comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking.  Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.  Not wheelchair accessible.

During the hot months wear light colored cotton and linen clothing. Stay hydrated! Wide brim hats or visors help with the sun. Sunglasses and sunscreen are always in fashion. In the cooler months dress in layers. Evenings can get chilly.