Pyramids, Pharaonic Treasures and Whale Valley
Stay at the foot of the pyramids, explore the three great pyramid complexes and three museums, then head to the Fayoum to see fossilized whales.
An ancient Egyptian archaeology route based in the Giza pyramid area, which is closer to Sphinx International Airport for arrivals and departures. On day one, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. On day two, spend the full day on the Giza Plateau. On day three, head south to Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur to trace the evolution of pyramid building. On day four, visit the Fayoum to see 40-million-year-old fossilized whales. On the last day, head into the city to see the mummies at the Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The route does not include Islamic Cairo's historic old town, and suits families interested in ancient civilizations and fossils.
Temperatures in the Fayoum Desert soar in summer, so visit the sites in the morning.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo & Giza（Grand Egyptian Museum）
About 40 minutes by taxi from Sphinx International Airport to the pyramid area. After dropping your bags, take a roughly 10-minute taxi ride to the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Buy museum tickets online in advance and allow plenty of time for the Tutankhamun galleries.
Stay: Giza Pyramids Area
Day 2 · Full Day on the Giza Plateau
Cairo & Giza（Giza Pyramids & Great Sphinx）
Walk from your hotel or take the on-site shuttle. In the morning, visit the three pyramids and the viewpoint. In the afternoon, see the Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple.
Entry to the Great Pyramid of Khufu requires a separate, limited ticket, so buy early. Agree on the price and route before riding a camel.
Stay: Giza Pyramids Area
Day 3 · Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur
Cairo & Giza（Saqqara / Pyramid of Djoser、Memphis Open Air Museum、Dahshur）
Hire a car to drive about 40 minutes south from Giza to Saqqara, then continue to Memphis and Dahshur, returning to the pyramid area in the afternoon.
Some noble tombs at Saqqara require separate tickets. The Red Pyramid's passage is low, so it is not suitable for those with claustrophobia.
Stay: Giza Pyramids Area
Day 4 · Fayoum Whale Fossil Valley
Cairo & Giza（Wadi El Rayan Waterfalls & Magic Lake、Wadi Al-Hitan）
Hire a four-wheel-drive vehicle and take the desert highway from Giza for about 2.5 hours to Wadi El Rayan Protected Area to see the waterfalls and Whale Valley. Return to the pyramid area in the evening.
The sand in Whale Valley requires a four-wheel-drive. There is no shade, so bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Stay: Giza Pyramids Area
Day 5 · Egyptian Museum and Mummies
Cairo & Giza（Egyptian Museum、National Museum of Egyptian Civilization）
After checking out, hire a car to drive about 1 hour into the city to Tahrir Square, then about 20 minutes to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, and about 1 hour more to Cairo International Airport.
Traffic in the city is heavy in the morning, so set off early. Your luggage can be left in the car.