Travel back through the sands of time as you venture south of the city, leaving the modern urban landscape behind to explore the less-touristed burial grounds and striking pyramids of Saqqara as well as the ancient city of Memphis.

Meet up with your guide in central Cairo and hop in a comfortable vehicle for the ride south to Saqqara, the desert necropolis for the Ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. Hear how this inconceivably old complex of tombs and pyramids were designed by Imhotep for King Djoser around 2650 BC, and admire the stepped Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest known complete stone building complex in the world.

Study other, smaller pyramids from the 5th and 6th dynasties, and listen as your guide describes the significance of this site, which continued to be used for burials and cult ceremonies even after being eclipsed by the pyramids at Giza and the Valley of the Kings in Thebes.

Next, journey to the ancient capital itself—Memphis. Learn about Lower Egypt and the Old Kingdom of Egypt, and hear about life in the city, which thrived as the Ancient Egyptian capital until about 2200 BC. Roam the open-air archaeological site to see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins, scoping out the remains of monuments like the Great Temple of Ptah before making your way back to Cairo.