At the end of March 2019, I embarked on a long-awaited journey to Egypt, staying in Giza for four days. Most only pass through Cairo, spending no more than a day or two visiting Giza and Cairo Museum. However, there’s a lot more to do, and hopefully, this unique 3-day Cairo itinerary will show you some less frequented areas.

When thinking of Egypt, the first thing that comes to the minds of many is, no doubt, the Pyramids at Giza. The Great Pyramid of Giza has been a fascination for centuries and a must-do. That said, don’t miss out on the other places for exploration in the area.

The necropolis site of Saqqara and the nearby site of Dahshur are where early pyramid building in Egypt first began. At these locations, the Step Pyramid, the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid are impressive reminders of the early architecture of the Egyptians. If you’re really interested in Egyptology, day trips to these areas are a must while in Cairo.

The aim of this 3-day Cairo itinerary is to provide a guide and template of things to do in Cairo and surrounding areas. Below, I give my tour suggestions, analysis, reviews and personal insights, which I hope will help others who plan to make such a trip.

Hotel

I stayed five nights at the Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa in Giza. It was an enjoyable stay, and the Egyptian hospitality fantastic.

It is away from the hustle and bustle of Cairo, and I had a beautiful pyramid view from my room and the pool area.

The breakfast was a banquet with plenty of choices. As a pescetarian, I was happy to find there were a lot of non-meat options.

I spent the first day chilling by the pool and making the most of the hotel’s spa facilities.

Weather and time of year

March/April is a great time of year to visit Egypt. It’s not too hot (approx. 21⁰C in Cairo) and ideal for exploring tombs, pyramids and temples. It is also not peak season, so there are fewer tourists. However, it can get chilly in the evening.

Visa

A visa is needed for Egypt, which you can get at the airport. The cost is USD$25.

Beware that some companies are offering to do this service before your arrival, online, with extra charges. If ordering your visa online, I would advise getting it directly from the Egyptian government.

Dress

Dress modestly when out and about, not only out of respect but also to get less attention. Swimwear, shorts etc is fine in your hotel. Long summer dresses, jumpsuits, linen trousers, tops and light cardigans/shawls are ideal.

Tours

I booked both of my private tours with Egypt Tailor Made Tours (https://www.egypttailormade.net). I can highly recommend this company for tailoring to your specific needs. They will also provide you with a female guide if you prefer.

Cairo Itinerary Day 1 – Day tour Memphis/Saqqara/Giza

My first tour, with Layla, took place on a Saturday but roads were still pretty quiet.

Memphis

Memphis is the ancient capital of the Old Kingdom, located roughly 15 miles south of Cairo. The main attraction here is the huge statue of Ramses II carved from limestone.

Saqqara

Saqqara served as the main burial place for the city of Memphis, the capital of Ancient Egypt. Its signature structure is the Step Pyramid (also known as the Pyramid of Djoser), one of the earliest pyramids built in ancient Egypt.

Although you cannot go inside the step pyramid, there are other tombs (both at ground level and underground) to explore with beautiful intricate carvings therein.

The energy in the tombs is palpable! I really enjoyed this part of the tour and would highly recommend a visit to Saqqara.

Giza

The third stop was the infamous pyramids of Giza. Walking around and looking at the Great Pyramid seemed somewhat surreal as this was always an image I had seen on TV or in books since childhood.

You have the option to go inside both the Great Pyramid (Khufu) and Khafre at an extra cost.

I rode a camel, it felt a bit weird at first, and I wobbled and rocked as he unfolded his legs to stand (make sure you lean forward!).

I still can’t quite believe I was riding a camel in the Sahara. I felt in the moment, picturing myself as an ancient Queen, back in time, travelling to my destination through the vast sea of sand.

We then drove around the complex and happened (very suddenly) upon the Sphinx – Wow! It really is grand and mesmerising!

Cairo Itinerary Day 2 – Cairo Museum

Another must-see is the Cairo Museum. Although there are many jewels of Egypt scattered around the world, the amount at the Cairo Museum is still second to none! The new museum, soon opening, will offer even more gems.

Cairo Itinerary Day 3 – Day tour Giza/Dashur/Felucca on the Nile

My second tour with Egypt Tailor Made was of Dashur and a felucca on the Nile. I also wanted to experience the Great Pyramid again. I had waited all this time to come here I wanted to make sure fully absorbed it. This time, I wanted to go inside. See Inside the Great Pyramid of Giza – is it worth it?.

On this tour, I had a different guide. Tourism went in decline after the 2011 revolution, and although it has improved, it is by no means booming. Tour companies, therefore like to spread the work as fairly as possible.

The company knew I was a single female traveller, so made sure I had a female tour guide each time.

You have to give approximately 48 hours’ notice to the tour operator, as they have to file a police report. This is standard procedure in Egypt. They make sure your safety is paramount, and I felt very safe during my whole time in the country, so much so that I was already planning my next visit before I had even left.

Dahshur

Dahshur was once home to eleven Ancient Egyptian pyramids, of which few have survived.

Located a short distance from Saqqara, here you will find the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. It is ideal for those wishing to view Egypt’s pyramids with a lot fewer tourists.

The Red Pyramid is definitely worth going inside. It is a more challenging climb than the Great Pyramid, but the engineering inside a lot more intricate.

Standing not far from the Red Pyramid is the Bent pyramid. This is one of the earlier pyramids built by the ancient Egyptians.

It is viewed as a practice run before being perfected later, as illustrated by the Pyramids at Giza. It was not possible to enter the pyramid at the time, but I walked around the structure with my guide.

I ended my day with a felucca ride on the Nile, which was very restful despite being in busy Cairo.

I felt very safe at all times during my trip to Egypt. I limited my trip to the Cairo area due to the scaremongering I received before travelling.

Once I went and saw how safe it is, I planned a return to travel through various cities.

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