Egypt: Giza Pyramids (Travel)

The Magic & Lure of Egypt

Giza, Cairo Egypt

Egypt, with its colorful and mysterious history, has always held a great fascination for me, as with most people. The pyramids… King Tut’s tomb… The Nile River… The biblical accounts of the Israelites in Egypt… This fascination has touched me all my life. First as a student, and then as an instructor of Art History and Bible History.

The opportunity to travel to Egypt not only once, but twice, was a rare and valuable experience I will always treasure.

The first time, I lead a tour in 2007 that included my high school art history students and parents. Cairo, Egypt was a 3 day extension of a tour of Israel and Jordan. The opportunity of discovering these wonders, first-hand with my students, was the highlight of this adventure. It opened opportunities of learning for each of us; memories I will always treasure. It created a desire in me to return for further exploration and discovery! 17 years later that wish was fulfilled!

The second time, my husband and I traveled with Viking Tours in 2024 on a river boat cruise down the Nile River. It was 12 days dedicated solely to Egypt. This time, we were the students as new places and adventures unfolded for us. It included more time in Cairo plus the southern area of Luxor, Abu Simbel and Valley of the Kings.

Each experience offered something unique and different. Each added a new appreciation and a renewed love for Egypt, ancient and modern!

The Pyramids

The Great Pyramids in the Giza Plateau were the first items on my Egypt To Do List. When one visits Cairo, this is typically on the itinerary for Day One!

During Egypt’s Old Kingdom, Giza became the royal necropolis (burial grounds) for Memphis, the then-capital of Egypt. Ancient Egyptians, within a century, built these three pyramid complexes which served as magnificent tombs for their dead kings.

The Great Pyramid is the oldest and largest of the three Giza pyramids. It was built by Khufu, the king of the 4th Dynasty (2589-66 BC). It is impossible to comprehend its enormous size, even when standing next to it.

Visiting the Great Pyramid

Today, one can climb up onto – and then down into – the Great Pyramid. Entrance into a pyramid is an extra fee, above the entrance to the whole complex. If this is on one’s Bucket List, and one does not mind close, dark, narrow passages, I highly encourage doing so! Based on reports of visitors who had toured the inside, my sense of claustrophobia got the best of me and I chose not to. But don’t let that stop you!

Visitors today use a lower opening into the Great Pyramid made by the Caliph Maamun in AD 820. The original entrance is now blocked. In the photo below, one can get a bit of perspective on its massive size by comparison of the people waiting to enter.

Today it is forbidden to climb the pyramids other than to enter by the authorized entrance. Climbing the pyramid was an option available at one time, but the ravages of time and use (and abuse) make it dangerous for both the climber and the pyramid.

TRAVEL TIP: Reservations ahead of time are encouraged. Let your travel guide know your wishes ahead of time and they’ll make arrangements for you. You don’t want to get this far and then find out that tickets are Sold Out.

The blocks used to build the pyramids are huge, as seen in the next photo. Originally, they were smooth-sided – and one of my archaeology professors of Egyptology suggested that some even believe they may have been at least partly covered with gold, although there is no proof. Archaeologists, historians, and engineers alike still marvel – and are uncertain how these Wonders of the Ancient World were built!

The Great Sphinx

The Sphinx is the the Guardian of the Giza Plateau. Buried in sand, it was protected from the elements for centuries. Only recently has it been dug out from its tomb of sand for visitors to enjoy its magnificence. Perspective can be deceptive! While the sphinx and the pyramid appear next to one another, they are not. At about 1.5 km, it is almost 1 mile between the sites (as the crow flies, not via the roads).

The Great Sphinx is set against the backdrop of the Great Pyramid. In front of the Great Sphinx are the remains of the Sphinx Temple which serves as the entrance to get close to the Great Sphinx.

Dated by archaeologists to around 2500 BC, the Spinx is the earliest known monumental sculpture of ancient Egypt. Originally carved from an outcrop of natural rock, it is stands 66 feet high.

Time has taken its toll on its exposed head. Originally, it had a stylized false beard, symbol of royalty. This has unfortunately fallen off over time, as has its nose. Legend has it that the nose was shot off by the Mamluks, the Ottomans or, the most favored theory, by Napoleon’s French army. In fact, it is believed that its nose was gone long before any of those enemies invaded its space. But they each make for great stories!

Cairo

The Giza complex is just a short distance (about 10 miles) from Cairo. In fact, the new GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum) capitalizes on this view of the pyramids through one of its fabulous vantage points at the top of the Grand Staircase! (More on the GEM in a separate blog)

During the 4th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (2686-2181), three successive generations built their monumental structures. Seen below, the Great Pyramid of Khufu is on the right (the largest, though diminished in size by perspective). The Pyramid of his son, Khafre, is in the center. It is nearly as grand as that of his father. The Pyramid of Menkaur, son of Khafre, is at the far left and much smaller. Speculation is that this could be due to the decline in power and commitment, or simply a change in priorities.

The Giza Plateau is HUGE! Perspective can be seen in the photo below. Those tiny black specks by the pyramids on the far left center of the photograph are actually people! Cairo can be seen in the distance beyond the pyramids.

Camels

Camel rides – or simply a photo op on top a camel – are a Must Do when one visits the Giza Plateau – at least once!

Camel rides with a group of fellow travelers is an exhilarating and bonding experience!

Camels are difficult and very uncomfortable to ride. Their gait includes moving both right legs together and then both left legs together, making for a rocky, rough, jerky, and extremely uncomfortable ride. (Consider horses which alternate legs when walking/galloping, making a much smoother ride!)

Getting on – and off – a camel is a major accomplishment! But once the process has begun, there is no turning back!

The next two photos are shared “just because” – just because they show these poor beasts of burden up close up and real – and just because I think they are humorous and fun!

Now… how could I NOT share this photo?!

Sources

• DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Egypt (ed. 2012), various pages.
• GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum) Personal Visit by Cher B and Skip B, May 2024
• University of Northwestern, St. Paul, MN. Old Testament Archaeology courses. 1999-2009.
• Viking Tour Guides while in Egypt and in preparation for the tour to Egypt, May 2024
• YEAH Educational Tour Guides while in Egypt and in preparation for the tour to Egypt, May 2007
• Art History Lessons on Egypt created and taught by Cher B for high school and college students, 1999-2020.

Travel Tips

TRAVEL TIP: Visiting the Great Sphinx and the Great Pyramids is done at the same visit although there are two separate entrance fees. (Packages are available) Question: does one walk between – or ride between – visits to the Great Sphinx and the Great Pyramid? It is a legitimate question if one has never been there before. Consider: (1) You are traveling over HOT desert sand in HOT temperatures. (It averaged 105-115 degrees Fahrenheit in May both times we visited). (2) You must climb, in the hot sand, up an incline from the sphinx to the pyramids. (3) There are separate ticket/entrance booths at each site which are not necessarily in the closest place. (4) Local camel operators and taxis will stop and pester you along the way to offer their services – for a nice fee, of course. Bottom line, it is your choice. However, in the desert heat and sun, it is not recommended to walk between these two sites. Consider rather to take an air-conditioned vehicle from one site to the other! If you are driving on your own, you have to park separately at each spot. If you hire a guide, or are with a group, they take care of this for you. I believe it is very worth it!

TRAVEL TIP: The right clothing is important when traveling in Egypt. Both times I’ve traveled to Egypt have been in May. Both times the weather was bright sun and hot – often 100-115 degrees Fahrenheit. Both times I wore lots of sun screen, sunglasses and a hat with sun visor. The first time I wore shorts and tee shirts, like I would wear in summer in Minnesota. The second time I got smart and covered up with white cotton clothes from head to toe! There is a reason the locals dress in white, flowing, loose clothing from head to toe! I recommend doing likewise!

Thanks for letting me share my adventure with you. If you enjoyed it, please let me know by clicking the “like” button below. It will keep me encourage to keep sharing! Thanks!

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