Pyramids of Giza

Overview

The Pyramids of Giza represent the pinnacle of ancient Egyptian civilisation, comprising the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure along with the mysterious Great Sphinx.

History

The Giza pyramids were built in the Old Kingdom, roughly 2580 to 2510 BC, by three pharaohs of the Fourth Dynasty: Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. The largest, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, stands 146.5 metres tall and was assembled from about 2.3 million blocks averaging 2.5 tonnes, a project lasting some 20 years. It was built by thousands of skilled workers rather than the slaves of popular myth, and encodes remarkably precise astronomical and geometric knowledge. It is the only surviving wonder of the ancient world and became a World Heritage Site in 1979.

Highlights

• •The humbling scale of the Great Pyramid of Khufu
• •The Great Sphinx, silent guardian for four millennia
• •The narrow passage and burial chamber inside the pyramid
• •Dreamlike light on the pyramids at sunrise and sunset
• •The astronomy and mathematics of ancient Egypt

Practical tips

• •Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat
• •Ride a camel for a taste of the desert

Practical information

Best time

October to April

Tickets

Pyramid area EGP 180 for adults; entry inside the Great Pyramid about EGP 400 extra

Opening hours

8:00 to 17:00, extended to 19:00 in summer

Local food

Grilled meat, hummus and sugarcane juice

Getting around

The Cairo metro reaches the Giza direction, and horse carriages or camels are available at the pyramids

Visa

A visa on arrival or an e-visa applied for in advance is available. Visa on arrival requires a passport valid for at least six months, with hotel and itinerary documents available for inspection.

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