If you're willing to go a bit further, there's so much more to see when in Cairo, then just 

the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum. Within the 100-km radius 

surrounding Cairo (or the area we call Around Cairo), are some of the most attractive 

and bewildering sites in Egypt. This region, truly has a lot to offer, namely the 

pyramids and tombs of Saqqara, which are the remains of the ancient Pharaonic city 

of Memphis. Also close by is the city of Fayoum, which is Egypt’s largest Oasis, and 

the most accessible. Wadi El-Natrun with its Coptic Monasteries is also worth a visit. 

All the attractions of Around Cairo are within no more than a two-hour ride from Cairo, 

and can be visited in one or two day-trips. Most five-star hotels and travel agents 

organize trips on air-conditioned buses to Saqqara, Wadi El-Natrun and Fayoum. 

Although it’s easy to get there, Fayoum doesn’t offer the fascinating atmosphere of 

the smaller, more remote Oases of Kharga, Dakhla etc. Saqqara and Wadi El-Natrun 

have a typical desert climate, in other words hot and humid by day, and cold by night, 

particularly cold on winter nights. The weather is generally good and always sunny, so 

there is nothing to worry about. Getting to Saqqara, Wadi El-Natrun or Fayoum from 

Cairo, can be by Bus, Microbus from down town, or by service taxi. The cheapest way 

to do these one-day trips is to get a group of seven or eight people and get a 

Peugeot taxi to spend the day with you for around 100LE. Make sure you agree on a 

price before you take the taxi anywhere.