Before the Great Pyramids of Giza, many Egyptian kings created vast and memorable monuments for their burial in the desert outside present-day Cairo. Visit these sites in historic Saqqara and Memphis, ancient Egyptian sites located around 18 miles south of Cairo on a shared group or private tour. Saqqara is a large and ancient burial ground that features the world's oldest standing step pyramid. Designed by Imhotep for King Djoser, the step pyramid is the oldest complete stone-hewn building complex known in history. It is surrounded by other small pyramids dating back to the 5th and 6th dynasties. Although Giza and the Valley of the Kings in Thebes eventually eclipsed Saqqara as the burial ground of royalty, Saqqara remained an important complex for burials and cult ceremonies for more than 3,000 years. You’ll continue on to Memphis, the ancient capital of Lower Egypt and of the Old Kingdom of Egypt from its foundation until around 2,200 B.C. The modern towns of Dahshur and Saqqara lie within the administrative borders of historical Memphis. Throughout the tour, your local guide will offer local insight into the culture and customs of Cairo and the surrounding area.