The Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx

The Pyramids at Giza are amazing and a lifelong dream for many, including this traveller. No amount of writing I will ever do can possibly justify their grandeur so I’ll just lay down some interesting facts, some tips for visiting and let the photos speak for themselves.

The largest of the three pyramids is the Pyramid of Khofu:

It’s Old - Constructed approximately 4500 years ago between 2580 and 2560 BC
It’s Big – At 146.5 meters it was the tallest man made structure in the world for 3800 years. That’s nearly 40 stories high. The Lincoln Cathedral surpassed it in height in the year 1300 AD, darn English.
It’s a Wonder – The oldest and only intact Wonder of the Ancient World. We’ve seen some others and most of them look like unkempt backyards. This one is amazing.
It’s Explorable – You can go into the pyramid for an extra fee and you climb a little way up for your picture. Our guide recommended against going inside so we didn’t go in. In retrospect we probably should have while we were there.
It’s Mysterious – There are several theories about how the pyramids were constructed but nobody knows for sure. Looking at them up close you can see the size of the individual blocks and realize what an achievement it was to construct this massive monument to the afterlife.

Standing on the Great Pyramid of Khofu

Pamela and Mom at the base of Khofu

Many camels around the great pyramids.

Walk like an Egyptian

Jump like an Egyptian

Enjoying the view of the pyramids

The Great Sphinx

It’s Old – Construction was believed to take place between 2558 and 2532 BC making it nearly as old as the Pyramid of Khofu.
It’s Big – The largest monolith statue in the world, lying in at 73 meters long and 20 meters high.
It’s Mysterious – Nobody seems to be very certain when, who, why and how the Sphinx was created. Some say it was built to protect the sacred temples surrounding it.

Giving the Sphinx a smooch

Take a load off

There are two other great pyramids, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure both of which can be seen from the viewpoint overlooking all of the pyramids and temples at Giza. You definitely don’t want to miss going to the viewpoint, just follow the road away from the largest pyramid to the smallest. You’ll see plenty of camels, horses and traditionally clad Egyptians wanting you to take a photo or go for a ride.

We did get the chance to climb into Queen Hetepheres’ tomb and take some photos. Although there were signs not to take photos the workers/volunteers at the tombs almost insisted they take your picture, for a tip of course.

Inside Queen Hetepheres pyramid alongside Khofu, standing in the Osiris position
 where her mummified body once laid

Our entire visit lasted about three hours but to be honest it was a little rushed. We could have easily spent another hour or two at the site armed with just our guidebook for information. To do the place justice I would plan on a five hour visit which should give you ample time to explore everything you want to explore.

All our photos from the Pyramids and Sphinx can be found here: https://picasaweb.google.com/117257906652666550268/ThePyramidsAtGiza?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Cheers for Now –

Pamela and Dave