The Panorama Tour:

Saqqara

UNESCO World Heritage Site - Memphis

UNESCO World Heritage Site -  Giza Plateau

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 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 9 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. 

Optional Experiences at Saqqara include:

1. Entering the Djoser 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. 

5. Other Pyramids to see (these are not open for entry) include:  Teti, Unas, Menere.

6.  Museum of Imhotep.

These are available as options on the order form for an additional fee.  Not everybody is your group has to go, some may be uncomfortable entering the pyramids, it can be a tight fit.  There's something for everybody, pick and choose according to your needs.

**Keep in mind many sites are active archeological sites, others are in the process of being restored or undergoing maintenance and will not be open for the public. We do not have any control over this.**  

Average Time Spent: 2 to 3 hours.

Memphis and its Necropolis

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 Air Museum  Mit Rahina

Among the most important monuments in the open air 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. Average Time Spent: 1 hour.

Giza Plateau: Pyramids and the Sphinx -  One of the 7 Wonders of the World UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Giza Pyramids, built to endure an eternity, have done just that. Your tour includes a 30 minute camel or horse carriage ride around the plateau.

The Pyramids of Giza are a complex of three large pyramids and associated structures located on the Giza Plateau in Egypt, outside Cairo. They are famous for being one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and are a testament to the engineering and architectural prowess of ancient Egyptians.

Key facts about the Pyramids of Giza:

Royal tombs for pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (around 2600-2500 BC). Great Pyramid (Khufu):

The largest and oldest of the three, built for Pharaoh Khufu. It stood as the tallest man-made structure for over 3800 years.

Khafre's Pyramid: The second largest, built for Pharaoh Khafre. It is associated with the Great Sphinx.

Menkaure's Pyramid: The smallest of the three, built for Pharaoh Menkaure.

Construction: Built using millions of massive stone blocks, some weighing over 80 tons, with incredible precision. Each pyramid is part of a larger complex that includes smaller queens' pyramids, satellite pyramids, mastaba tombs, boat burials, and valley and funerary temples.

Historical Significance: They are the only remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Can I go inside the pyramids and tombs?

Yes! You can in fact enter the pyramids, specifically the Khufu (largest) and Menkaure (smallest) pyramid. Please be advised if you are uncomfortable in tight or closed spaces you may not want to participate in entering pyramids.  The tomb of Queen Meresankh III is one of the few tombs open to visitors. The tomb has two main chambers.

Optional Experiences for the Giza Pyramids:

Entering the pyramids, or the Tomb of Queen Meresankh are all optional experiences that are available on the order form for an additional fee. Optional means just that, not everybody in your party has to participate.

Average Time Spent: 2 to 3 hours.

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.