Cairo day Excursions
Saqqara (or Sakkara, is a vast, ancient burial ground in Egypt, serving as the necropolis for the Ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis. Saqqara features numerous pyramids, including the world famous Step pyramid of Djoser, sometimes referred to as the Step Tomb due to its rectangular base, as well as a number of mastabas. Located some 30 km (19 mi) south of modern-day Cairo, Saqqara covers an area of around 7 by 1.5 km (4.3 by 0.93 mi).
At Saqqara, the oldest complete stone building complex known in history was built: Djoser's step pyramid, built during the third dynasty. Another 16 Egyptian kings built pyramids at Saqqara, which are now in various states of preservation or dilapidation. High officials added private funeral monuments to this necropolis during the entire pharaonic period. It remained an important complex for non-royal burials and cult ceremonies for more than 3,000 years, well into Ptolemaic and Roman times.
North of the area known as Saqqara lies Abusir; south lies Dahshur. The area running from Giza to Dahshur has been used as necropolis by the inhabitants of Memphis at different times, and it has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
day tours in cairo
Contrary to popular belief, the name Saqqara is not derived from the ancient Egyptian funerary god Sokar, but from the Beni Saqqar who are a local Berber tribe. Their name means "Sons of Saqqar." Since they are not indigenous to the area it would not follow that they would fashion themselves as being born of an ancient Egyptian god whose identity was unknown until the age of archaeology.
See the classic sights of ancient Egypt on this private day tour to the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis and Sakkara with the luxury of your own qualified Egyptologist tour guide from Egypt Excursions Online.
Pick up from your hotel about 08:00 AM to enjoy an excursion to The Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus
Then proceed to visit the Great Sphinx with a lion's body, that dates back to the time of Chephren the tour also includes a visit to the Valley Temple, which belongs to the Pyramids of Chephren
This temple served definitely two purposes, First, it was used for the purification of the mummy of the king before its burial Second, it was used for the Mummification process of the king Move to visit the Step Pyramids of Zoser, the world's oldest major stone structure It was built in the 3rd Dynasty (around 2630 BC) for King Djoser
The Step Pyramid of Sakkara is considered an evolution in the concept of pyramids, from the simple mastaba to the pyramids in its final form in the region in Sakkara It was built as step pyramid, its height is 60 meters and consists of 6 steps on top of each other, each is smaller than the one below From the Step Pyramids transfer to Memphis which was founded by King Menes, and was the capital of Old Egypt during the Old Kingdom It was considered to be a center of rule and culture for over 3000 years The name of the city derives from the Pyramid of Mn-nfr.
Trip Details
Runs On: Every Day
Hotel Pickup: 08:00 AM
Hotel Return: 06:00 PM
Available languages (Tour guide):
English, German, Russian, Spanish
The Price Doesn't Include
Any extras not mentioned in the program
Drinks And personal expenses
What to bring
Passport valid for 6 months
Comfortable shoes
Sun block
Sunglasses
Photo/Video Camera
