3-Day Cairo: Giza, Egyptian Museum & Historic Cairo
See Khufu’s Pyramid, Djoser’s Step Pyramid and Mit Rahina with a private Egyptologist; accommodation is arranged separately.
At a glance
- Length
- 3 days · 2 nights
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
The 3-Day Cairo Land Package is a private guided tour covering Giza, Saqqara, Memphis and a Cairo museum visit, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- Cultural
- Couples·
- Solo traveller·
- Groups
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 days
- Travel style
- Private Guided Tour
- Accommodation
- N/A
- Operated by
- Discovery Tours Egypt
- Destinations
- Cairo · Cairo International Airport (CAI) · Giza Plateau · Saqqara · Memphis (Mit Rahina) · Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) · Egyptian Museum (Tahrir)
- Includes
- Private arrival transfer from CAI · Private departure transfer to CAI · Private vehicle for sightseeing · Egyptologist guide during sightseeing · Standard entrance fees for listed sites
- Best for
- Travellers already based in Cairo · Private tour travellers · Ancient Egypt enthusiasts
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
Best time to go
October to April is generally more comfortable for outdoor sightseeing, with Cairo daytime highs commonly around 20–28°C; summer highs often reach 35°C or more. Giza and Saqqara are busier during peak holiday periods, including Christmas and New Year, while Ramadan may bring changes to opening hours and visitor patterns, so confirm timings before travel.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- An Egyptologist guide is included during sightseeing.
- Private arrival and departure transfers between Cairo International Airport and the traveller’s Cairo hotel are included.
- Standard entrance fees for the listed site visits are included.
- Pyramid interior tickets and premium tomb tickets are explicitly excluded.
- Accommodation, flights, meals unless specified, visas and gratuities are not included.
02Overview
A first look
Three private days in Cairo cover the Giza Plateau, the Egyptian Museum and Coptic and Islamic Cairo. Standard entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors, premium tombs and gratuities are excluded.
Background
The facts
The 3-Day Cairo Land Package is a private guided sightseeing programme in the Cairo region. It combines visits to ancient sites around Giza and Saqqara with a museum visit in Cairo; accommodation is not part of the package.
The Giza Plateau lies about 15 km south-west of central Cairo. Saqqara is roughly 30 km south of central Cairo, while Mit Rahina, the site of ancient Memphis, is about 20 km south. Drive times vary with Cairo traffic. The listed programme includes the Grand Egyptian Museum, with the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir identified as a museum option.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Great Sphinx stand at Giza. Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara dates to the Third Dynasty, around the 27th century BCE, and is among Egypt’s earliest large stone monuments. Memphis served as an important capital of ancient Egypt; the Memphis and its Necropolis site is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Site opening hours and access arrangements can change, so check current details before travel. Standard entrance fees for listed visits are included; entry to pyramid interiors and premium tombs is excluded. The package is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Named in this entry
Cairo·Giza Plateau·Great Pyramid of Khufu·Great Sphinx·Saqqara·Step Pyramid of Djoser·Memphis·Mit Rahina·Grand Egyptian Museum·Egyptian Museum·Tahrir Square·Memphis and its Necropolis
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This suits adults and older children, roughly 8 and over, who want Cairo’s principal ancient sites with a private Egyptologist guide and prefer to choose their own accommodation. Couples, solo travellers and families who value a focused visit over a Nile cruise itinerary may find the three-day format a good fit.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a slower itinerary if you want time for several museums or a full day at each archaeological site. It is not ideal for travellers who need step-free access or find prolonged walking on uneven ground difficult.
What lingers
- 01Private arrival transfer and hotel meet-and-greet; your Egyptologist briefs the Cairo itinerary on Day 1.
- 02Giza plateau: Khufu Pyramid exterior, Khafre, Menkaure and the Great Sphinx; walking on uneven stone and limited shade.
- 03Day two includes the Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) and Islamic Cairo: Citadel of Saladin and Muhammad Ali Mosque visit.
- 04Evening stroll and shopping time in Khan el-Khalili bazaar with a local tea stop; narrow lanes and uneven paving.
- 05We operate private cars only; unlike group bus tours, you avoid timed coach arrivals and long waits at sites.
- 06Pyramid interiors and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) are excluded from the base price unless explicitly requested.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Covers Giza, Saqqara and Memphis alongside Cairo’s principal museums.
- Private sightseeing allows the pace to be discussed with your guide.
- Standard entrance fees for the listed visits are included.
- Accommodation is separate, so you can choose your own Cairo hotel.
- Includes both the Grand Egyptian Museum and Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.
Things to Consider
- Three days leave limited time for slower visits at each site.
- Uneven stone, sand and long walks can be tiring.
- Khufu and Khafre pyramid interior tickets cost extra.
- Accommodation and meals are not included in the package.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most operators sell Cairo sightseeing as a group coach itinerary. We arrange private sightseeing with an Egyptologist and a private vehicle. Unlike accommodation packages, this land-only programme does not include hotel bookings or nights.
Prices
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people travelling together. Accommodation is not included.
| Option | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|
| Land only | October – April: from £245 | May – September: from £245 |
Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Bundled in
- Airport transfer
- Private Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Private transfer from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to your Cairo hotel on arrival
- Private transfer from your Cairo hotel to Cairo International Airport (CAI) on departure
- Two days of private sightseeing at the Giza Plateau, including Khufu Pyramid and the Great Sphinx, Saqqara’s Step Pyramid of Djoser, Memphis (Mit Rahina) and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
- A licensed Egyptologist guide during sightseeing
- Standard entrance fees for the listed visits
Not included
- Hotel accommodation; this package covers sightseeing and transfers only
- International and domestic flights
- Egypt entry visa and travel insurance
- Tickets for the interiors of Khufu or Khafre pyramids, and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I’s
- Meals, unless included in a customised quote
- Gratuities for the guide and driver
- Optional activities, upgrades and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which museum is planned before confirming, as the product details list both the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir.
- 02
Keep pyramid interior tickets separate from standard admission; Khufu and Khafre interiors are excluded from this package.
- 03
For Saqqara, wear shoes with firm soles, as paths around ancient structures can be uneven.
- 04
Cairo traffic can extend drives between sites; leave flexibility around any timed onward plans.
Tailor it
Make it yours
You can ask us to confirm whether the Grand Egyptian Museum or Egyptian Museum in Tahrir best fits your interests and opening times. Private sightseeing is already part of the programme; additional sites, meal arrangements or a longer Cairo visit can be requested for a customised quote.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
This Cairo programme can sit at the start or end of a wider Egypt holiday, before travelling south to Luxor or Aswan. Keep a separate hotel booking in Cairo, as accommodation is not part of this package.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Cairo programme involves sustained walking over uneven ancient stone, compacted sand and irregular paths at the Giza Plateau, Saqqara and Memphis. Some tomb entrances have steep steps or narrow passages, and the Grand Egyptian Museum has ramps and long indoor routes. Standard air-conditioned sedans and minibuses have steps for boarding and are not wheelchair-lift accessible. Airport transfers can be arranged for wheelchair users, but access across the archaeological sites is limited; some tombs cannot be reached by wheelchair, and Giza and Saqqara may require a strong attendant for manual wheelchair use. Please tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can discuss site access and possible assistance.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and entry visa, if required
- Tour voucher and flight details
- Walking shoes with a firm grip
- Sun hat, sunglasses and SPF 30 or higher sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Small daypack for water and personal items
- Any regular medication and a small first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
- Covered shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Comfortable walking shoes with closed toes
- A scarf or shawl for sun protection and modesty
- A light layer for air-conditioned vehicles
Children & families
There is no set minimum age, but we do not recommend this programme for children under four because of sustained walking, sun exposure and uneven ground. Strollers are difficult to use at Giza and Saqqara; a baby carrier is usually more practical. Child rates depend on age and booking details, so ask us for the applicable price. Car seats are not included by default, but we can check availability if you request one when booking.
On the ground
Your route
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Citadel of SaladinRight here
- Khan el-KhaliliRight here
- Egyptian Museum, TahrirRight here
- Coptic CairoRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Combine Giza, Saqqara and Memphis in one private programme
02
See the Grand Egyptian Museum and Egyptian Museum
03
Request pricing around your flights and museum preference
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Private transfers and sightseeing use air-conditioned sedans or Toyota Hiace minibuses, rather than oversized coaches for a small private party. We arrange services with Cairo-based drivers and local Egyptologists, keeping these bookings with people working in the places you visit. Site tickets and museum purchases are made locally. Guests can bring a reusable water bottle; ask us whether your driver can provide a refill from a reusable water container on your dates. The sightseeing spans several Cairo-area sites, so driving is part of the programme. We do not claim that this tour is carbon neutral, and lower-emission vehicle options are not confirmed. Ask before booking if you would like us to check what is available.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
·In summary
Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara dates to around the 27th century BCE, while Memphis and its Necropolis are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The programme links sites about 15 to 30 km from central Cairo, with travel times affected by traffic.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What does the three-day Cairo land package include?
The package includes private transfers, hotel, a licensed Egyptologist and selected site entrances; we confirm full inclusions at booking. Pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre), premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I) and gratuities are excluded unless requested. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and do not run coach-group tours; we arrange private cars and local guides.02Can I enter the Great Pyramid or Tutankhamun's tomb during the tour?
Pyramid interiors and premium tombs require separate tickets and are not included by default. The Khufu pyramid interior and the Tutankhamun tomb have limited daily quotas and must be booked well in advance. Interiors are narrow with low ceilings and steep steps; they can be cool but require stooping and are unsuitable for some mobility needs.03How much walking is there on the 3-Day Cairo Land Package?
Expect walking on uneven stone, cobbles, stairs and short sandy sections; some days involve up to two to three hours on foot. Sites such as the Giza Plateau and Saqqara have long stretches without shade, especially at midday. We can slow the pace, add short transfers between points, and advise appropriate footwear and sun protection.04Are entrance fees and museum tickets included?
Selected site entrance fees are included; exceptions include pyramid interiors, premium tombs and special exhibitions. Standard entry to the Egyptian Museum is usually covered on packaged itineraries but private-room access or temporary exhibits carry extra charges. We confirm exactly which tickets are included in your quotation before you book.05What should I pack for a three-day Cairo trip?
Bring a hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, a refillable water bottle and light layers for cool evenings. Also include modest clothing for mosques and some temples (shoulders and knees covered), a small day bag, hand sanitiser and any necessary medication. A photocopy of your passport and a power-adapter (Type C/Type F) are useful.06When is the best time of year to book the 3-Day Cairo Land Package?
The mildest weather in Cairo is October to April; summers (May–September) are very hot. Early-morning starts avoid peak heat and crowds, and Ramadan can change opening hours for some sites and markets. We typically schedule outdoor visits before 10:30 and reserve indoor museum time for mid-morning to early afternoon.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- 75% back, or 100% kept as credit towards a future holiday
- 15–30 days
- 50% back, or 75% kept as credit
- 7–14 days
- 25% back, or 50% kept as credit
- 2–6 days
- Nothing back; 25% kept as credit
- Under 48 hours, or if you don't turn up
- No refund and no credit
Notice is counted from the day you arrive in Egypt. A few vessels have their own terms; where that's so, we'll let you know before any payment is taken.Read our full cancellation and refund policy
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: TOU-CAI-542486
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