Memphis, Sakkara, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx

Discover the Pyramids, the most extraordinary construction of the Pharaonic Era. Visit the Great Pyramids of Chefren&Makerinus and meet their Guardian the wondrous Sphinx. You will be able to take amazing photos from the Desert’s Panoramic Area for an unforgettable sightseeing souvenir.
Then, Drive from Giza Pyramids to Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom which was founded by the Pharaoh Mena around 3000 BC. It remained an important city throughout ancient Mediterranean history. View the statue of Ramses II, the alabaster Sphinx and the ruins of the temple of Ptah dated back to 3100 B.C. Then proceed to Saqqara to review the stepped Pyramid of Zoser and its funeral complex.

MEMPHIS AND SAKARA
The Memphis open air museum at Mit Rahina is a small diversion between Saqqara and Giza. It has a number of statues tagged as belonging to Ramses II, an alabaster sphinx, pieces of other statues and the colossi of Ramses II. Most of the displayed artifacts seem to be New Kingdom relics. The open air museum takes about 45 minutes to get around, and that is looking at and photographing each piece on display. During my visit here, a tourist policeman shouted at me while I was taking a photograph of one of the standing statues of Ramses II. He was holding an Ak47 at the time, so I turned and walked away. I feel he wanted baksheesh for letting me take a photograph of the statue with him next to it. The museum isn’t a reflection of ancient Memphis, as most Egyptologists state that the exact spot were Memphis lays is unknown. This museum is fine, it’s cheap entry but, I found it to be nothing more than a few statues plonked into someone’s farm paddock. Perhaps, Memphis is lying under farm land in the surrounding area and is waiting to be found, just as the Middle Kingdom’s capital, Itj-Tawy.

PYRAMIDES AND SHINX
On the Giza plateau, the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx date back over 3,000 years. While there are actually over 100 pyramids in Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza are by far the most famous and are the last of the original Seven Wonders of the World. Your qualified Egyptologist guide will provide a fascinating introduction to each of the three pyramids: Cheops, Khafre and Menakaure. You will have free time to enter one of the pyramids (additional cost), although your guide is not permitted to enter with you.
After visiting the pyramids, you’ll then continue across the plateau for a photo opportunity of the three pyramids rising from the sands, with the Cairo skyline in the background.
A short drive to the city side of the plateau finds you standing at the feet of the Sphinx, for thousands of years the enigmatic symbol of Egypt. The Sphinx has the body of a lion and the head of a king, and is surrounded in mystery, including the answered questions: who built it and why.
In addition you will have the chance to visit a Papyrus Institute to see how this famous artwork is made. If you do not want to include this visit, just inform your guide on the day.