Egypt’s Giza plateau is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. However, it transcends its own touristy vibe. Here, the Great Pyramid is the only remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Egyptian pyramids were built to last forever. So, plan on stepping into eternity here. In this guide, I share the Egypt Giza pyramids tour and top things to explore here in a day.
My Egypt Giza Pyramids Tour
While my experience wasn’t ideal, I would do it all over again. As an Acupuncturist on a cruise ship, I enjoyed a Giza pyramids day tour from the port city, Alexandria in July. Our bus drove 226 km (140 mi) in about 3 hours each way with traffic. The heat was soaring up to 105 degrees F with obviously less crowds. Our bus was a nice air- conditioned refuge between stops.
We spent about 3 hours at the Giza Plateau going to 3 main locations: Platform Point, 3 pyramids for the Pharoah Khufu, Khafre (Khufu’s son) and Menkaure (Khufu’s grandson), plus the Great Sphinx viewing platform.
Best Time to Go
Generally, weatherwise the best time to visit the Giza plateau is March to April and October to November. During these months, the temperatures are most comfortable, avoiding extreme heat in summer and cold in winter. Although, you will have more tourists during this time. I went in the dead heat of summer in July. While it was bloody hot at 105 degrees F, the crowds were minimal. I literally got a picture of myself in front of the Pyramid of Khafre and Sphinx with no other tourists.
About Cairo
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city with over 10 million people. Cairo is associated with ancient Egypt, including the Giza pyramid complex. Also, the ancient cities, Heliopolis and Memphis were in the area. Located near the Nile Delta, it first developed following the Muslim conquest of Egypt in 641. Cairo is known as “the city of a thousand minarets” for its prolific Islamic architecture. Its historic center is a World Heritage Site since 1979. The Giza Pyramid complex is about 13 km outside Cairo.
Interesting Facts about Giza Pyramid Complex
In the Giza pyramid complex or necropolis shines the star attractions: Great Pyramid for the Pharoah Khufu, Pyramid of Khafre (Khufu’s son) and Pyramid of Menkaure (Khufu’s grandson). The Great Sphinx’s head is thought to be of Khafre. Overall, the site includes 9 total pyramids, temples, cemeteries and the remains of a worker’s village. They all were built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom between c. 2600 – c. 2500 BC. As one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid is the only structure still in existence.
The complex is in the Western Desert in the city of Giza about 13 km outside Cairo. It lies in the northernmost part of the Pyramid Fields of Memphis and its Necropolis UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Great Pyramid and the Pyramid of Khafre are the largest pyramids in Egypt. The 3 sides of the Giza pyramids align with cardinal directions and represent the Orion constellation
Building of the Pyramids
The workers built the pyramids by quarrying large, ununiform stones. Mostly, they consist of limestone from the Giza Plateau. Mortar binds the outside layers. The Great Pyramid stood as the world’s tallest human-made structure for almost 4,000 years at 146.6 meters (481 feet). However, the limestone casing wore down, leaving it currently at 138.5 meters (454.4 ft) high.
Purpose of Pyramids
The pyramids of Giza stored the remains of the dead pharaohs who ruled Egypt. The people from Egypt’s Old Kingdom believed part of the pharaoh’s spirit called the “ka” remained in the corpse. They offered meticulous care for the remains, so the former pharaoh could do his new duties as “king of the dead.” Furthermore, the ancient Egyptians believed that death began a journey to another world. The body was embalmed within the pyramid allowing the transformation to the afterlife.
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Egypt Giza Pyramids Tour
Top Things to See & Do
Tips on Visiting Giza Complex
Many hagglers will approach you offering to sell you something or take your picture. Then, they request large amounts of money to get your phone/camera back. Hang on to your valuables and be ready to say firmly, “NO!”
Getting around the Giza Plateau
Two entrances welcome you to the Giza Plateau, north at the Great Pyramid and west at the Sphinx. From the Sphinx, it’s 3 km uphill to the Panoramic Point. You can do it all on foot or get a guide to shuttle you to main sites. In the hot season, an air-conditioned ride is much warranted.
Start at Panoramic Point
Going to Panoramic Point in the morning is the best thing to do first at Giza. It offers the best overview, showcasing 6 of the 9 pyramids. Because Panoramic Point is on the east side, the rising sun behind offers the best photographs of the pyramids in the morning.
Take a Camel Ride with Scenic Background of Pyramids
At panoramic point, there seems to be just as many camels as people. Although, I advise you to research about the treatment of these camels. According to some sources, the camels here are abused. Also, our guide advised to never pay more than $10 for the camel rides.
I chose to not ride the camels, because I didn’t research beforehand the handling of them. However, I did not observe any abuse and in fact saw more camels sitting than carrying tourists.
Touch the Pyramids for Luck!
Egypt Giza Pyramids Tour
Be sure to touch the Great Pyramid for some good luck and a healing! The legend goes that if you touch either of the 2 largest pyramids at Giza, your negativity will magically vanish. So, if you need to shake of any jet lag or travel anxiety, burn it off right here! Plus, you are there and need to touch the most iconic and ancient structures in the world.
Go Inside One of the Pyramids
For an additional fee, visitors can go inside one of the pyramids. I chose not to do this because I am a bit claustrophobic. It will be hot and crowded, especially in the Great Pyramid. But, when else will you have a chance to go inside one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? In the Great Pyramid, you go up a ramp through the Grand Gallery into the King’s Chamber. It takes about 30 minutes.
Visit the Sphinx Viewing Platform
Near the west entrance is the Sphinx viewing platform, where you can make that ultimate selfie of kissing the Sphinx. The Sphinx represents a mythological figure with the body of a lion and human head (Pharoah). The limestone statue is facing directly from west to east.
Valley Temple
Right next to the Sphinx is the Valley Temple. It was the site for the mummification process of King Khafre.
Watch the Sound and Light Show at Night
Every night a spectrum of colors illuminate the Sphinx and the pyramids. The Sphinx narrates the history of the Giza pyramids for one hour. I didn’t get a chance to see it. However, some sources say it is a bit outdated with no changes since it began in the 60’s.
Stay Tuned for the Opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Late 2024!!
Here’s my excuse to go back. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) opens in late 2024! This archeological museum stands just 2 km (1.2 mi) from the Giza pyramids. So, visitors can walk between the sites. It will host over 100,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt. This includes the complete Tutankhamun collection. It will be the world’s larges archeological museum. Overall, it’s part of a master plan known as “Giza 2030.”
Enjoy Giza Plateau!
There is nothing like visiting in real life the only remaining structure from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As I can attest, from going in July on a bus trip from Alexandria, go whenever you have the chance. It is totally worth any sweat and tears to get there. Truly, the Giza Plateau is magical and transcends any of its touristy vibe. It was built to last for eternity and a must see for any serious traveler.
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