The Pyramids

The great pyramids of Giza were constructed over 35 centuries ago and now loom high over Cairo’s western outskirts. They are one of the most instantly recognisable monuments in the world and never cease to amaze the visitor. A short camel ride will enable you to appreciate the pyramids from a desert setting. Kufu’s Great Pyramid was, until the 19th century, the tallest man-made structure ever built.

Nearby is the massive enigmatic Sphinx, a half-human, half-lion statue known in Arabic as Abu al-Hol (father of terror), thought to portray the image of the Pharaoh Kafre. While in Giza, visiting the Solar Boat Museum is highly recommended. Discovered intact in 1954 within a pit beside the Great Pyramid, the function of the Solar Boat is debated. One theory is that it may be the vessel intended to take the pharaoh’s soul to join his father in the heavens. On the edge of the desert, the Stepped Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara pre-dates the Giza pyramids and marks a milestone in the history of pyramid construction. Consisting of six enormous steps, the pyramid originally rose to over 62 metres and was clad in polished limestone.

Further west, a visit to the ‘Red’ and ‘Bent’ pyramids of Sneferu at Dashur will take you away from the crowds and complement the fascinating story of the evolution of pyramid construction. A full day should be allowed to see all three pyramid fields. South of Cairo, the Collapsed Pyramid of Huni at Meidum is another photogenic and crowd-free site to explore. A visit to Meidum could be combined as a day excursion to the scenic Fayoum Oasis and possibly the much-ruined pyramid of Amenemhet III at Hawara.