Giza Pyramids, Saqqara and Ancient Memphis
- Meet your guide, who will pick you up from your hotel in Sharm El-Sheikh and take you to board your flight to Cairo.
- Explore the Giza Plateau to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) - along with three small pyramids. Continue exploring the rest of the Giza Plateau, including the sight of Khafre's (Kaphren) Pyramid, Khufu's son and the second-largest pyramid on the Giza site, the remains of the funerary temple, the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mykerinus), and three small pyramids.
- Proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body, which dates from the time of Chephren.
- Visit the Valley Temple, which belongs to the pyramids of Chephren. This temple served two functions: first, it was used for the purification of the mummy of the king before burial; second, it was used for carrying out the mummification process of the king. After visiting the pyramids, continue across the plateau for a photo of the three pyramids rising from the sands, with the Cairo skyline in the background. Have lunch at a local restaurant.
- Move on to visit the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the world's oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty, around 2630 BC, for King Djoser. Also see the Museum of Imhotep, a high official's tomb, King Titi's Pyramid, King Unas's Pyramid, and the Pyramids of Dahshur from a distance.
- Transfer to Memphis, founded by King Menes. It was the capital of Old Egypt during the Old Kingdom and was considered a centre of rule and culture for over 3,000 years as the first capital of Egypt. The city reached a peak of prestige under the 6th Dynasty as a centre for the worship of Ptah, the god of creation and artworks. The Alabaster Sphinx that guards the Temple of Ptah memorialises the city's former power and prestige. The Memphis triad, consisting of the creator god Ptah, his consort Sekhmet, and their son Nefertem, formed the main focus of worship in the city. Memphis declined briefly after the 18th Dynasty with the rise of Thebes and the New Kingdom, and was revived under the Persians before falling firmly into second place following the foundation of Alexandria. Also see the Statue of Ramses II, which stands 16 metres high, and the Alabaster Sphinx.
- Head back to your hotel in Cairo for the night.
(Meals: Breakfast, lunch)