Pyramids in Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are one of Egypt’s main attractions. Counted among the seven wonders of the world and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are visited by millions of tourists from around the world every year. What is worth knowing about them before going to the country of the pharaohs?

Where are the pyramids located?

Giza is a city on the west bank of the Nile, just 15 km from Egypt’s capital Cairo. The pyramids of Giza are the country’s most visited tourist attraction. The pyramid complex dates back to antiquity and was already considered one of the most impressive structures erected by man. Most of the pyramids were erected in the 25th century BC on the orders of the rulers of ancient Egypt. The largest of them is the pyramid of Cheops, with a base of 230 meters on a side, 147 meters high.

The Pyramid of Chephren is the second largest, measuring 137 meters at its highest point. The last of the three main pyramids is the pyramid of Mykerinos, with a height of 65 meters. There are several other smaller pyramids in the ancient temple complex, and by the lower tomb temple stands the Sphinx, a monumental sculpture with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh. The entire complex was listed as a UNESCO site in 1979. Tourists are allowed inside the pyramids, but are not allowed, under penalty of imprisonment, to climb the temple walls.

How were the pyramids built?

Ancient Egyptians built pyramids from different kinds of stone.The blocks were cut in quarries and then transported to the site of the pyramids. The average stone block weighs about 2.5 tons and measures 127x127x71 cm, but pyramid builders also used blocks weighing up to several hundred tons. The columns and pillars are of red granite, while the courtyards are lined with black basalt.The walls of the pyramids were covered with white limestone and alabaster.Long ramps led to the entrances of the tombs, facing the Nile.Built on the initiative of Chephren, the Great Sphinx probably depicts his image.

Inside the pyramids, numerous inscriptions carved in stone have been preserved. In the lower tomb temple archaeologists found a statue of Chephren made of dark diorite – the sculpture depicts the pharaoh sitting on a throne.Currently, the statue of the pharaoh stands in the Cairo Museum.

During what hours can I visit the Giza pyramids?

From April to September, the pyramids are open to tourists from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. From October to March, visiting the pyramids is possible from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How much does an entrance ticket to the pyramids cost?

Entrance to the pyramid complex costs 540 EGP, or about $11. To enter the interior of the pyramid of Cheops, you have to pay a surcharge of EGP 900 ($19). Tickets to the other two pyramids cost 220 Egyptian pounds ($5). Special tickets priced at $18 are provided for those who want to avoid standing in lines. Guided tours cost in the range of $30-50.

How many tourists visit the pyramids?

Annually, more than 14 million tourists from different countries around the world come to Giza to visit the pyramids.Due to the heavy traffic, regardless of the time of year, it is advisable to arrive at the pyramids as early as possible, even before the entrance opens to tourists.The highest traffic is usually on weekends and during the holiday season.

How many entrances are there to the Giza pyramids?

The pyramids have two entrances.The first is at the Great Pyramid of Cheops, and the second is at the Sphinx.

When is the best time to visit the pyramids?

The best time to go to Egypt is late autumn, early spring and winter. In summer, from June to the end of August, it is very hot in Egypt, making a desert tour too tiring for most tourists. Winter in Egypt is very mild, which is why visitors are most numerous during this time.

How much time is needed to see the pyramids?

It is a huge complex, so it is best to set aside a full day for a thorough tour.In addition to the pyramids themselves, it is still worth seeing the neighboring temples, villages of workers and necropolises. The time needed for the tour is 3-4 hours.

Can the pyramids of Giza be visited on camels?

A very popular form of tour to the pyramids is a safari. Tourists move around the site on camels or horses, together with guides.

Is it possible to visit the pyramids on your own?

You can visit the Pyramids of Giza either as a member of an organized tour or on your own. Before arriving, however, it is worth booking in advance, especially if the date of the tour falls during the peak season.A great convenience will be the mobile Internet in Egypt, through which it is possible to check the availability of tickets or order a ride.

How to book a ticket to the pyramids?

The most convenient way is to do it online.In the case of organized tours, the operator in charge of the trip to Giza takes care of booking the seats.

How long does a guided tour to the pyramids last?

A trip to the pyramids, combined with an entrance to the Egyptian Museum and an exit to the bazaar, takes 8 hours. It is worth spending about 4.5-5 hours for a thorough guided tour of the pyramids and the Sphinx.

What are the additional attractions at the pyramids of Giza?

The temple complex offers a number of entertainment activities for visitors. Tourists can go on a camel ride, try their hand at riding quad bikes in the desert, ride a board down a sand dune. And what to buy in Egypt as a souvenir? The most popular, of course, are miniatures in the shape of pyramids and small sphinxes.

How to get to the pyramids from Cairo?

The cheapest way will be by metro – you need to take line 1 at the Cairo stop, get to Giza station, and from there drive up to the pyramids themselves by minibus, which often run from under the final metro stop.Another option is the tour bus, which picks up tourists from under the hotels in Cairo and drives them up to the entrance to the pyramids.

Is it possible to get to the pyramids by car?

There are several large parking lots near the pyramids, so you should have no problem finding a place for your car.You can rent a car in Cairo at the airport or at rental companies operating in the city.

How long does it take to get to the pyramids from Cairo?

Travel to the pyramids of Giza takes about 30-35 minutes, but during rush hour, when traffic jams are at their heaviest, it can extend up to an hour.

Are the pyramids accessible to wheelchair users?

It is possible to enter the temple complex in a wheelchair, but the interior of the pyramids is not wheelchair accessible. There is an observation point for wheelchair users with a view of the pyramids, the Sphinx and the necropolis.

Is it possible to visit the pyramids with children?

The entire site, including the interior of the pyramids, is accessible to children as long as they have an adult guardian. However, it is not allowed to go inside the pyramids with baby strollers – children can be carried in arms or in a baby carrier.

Is it possible to enter the pyramid with food or drink?

Due to the uniqueness of the site, tourists are cautioned not to go inside the pyramids with drinks and snacks. For a meal, it is best to go to one of the restaurants near the pyramids.In case of stomach problems, it is advisable to reach for Antinal.

How to dress for a tour of the pyramids?

There is no specific dress code in the pyramids, but tourists are advised to wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders. What to take to Egypt because of the weather? The ideal choice will be light and airy clothes.

Will cash be needed to visit the pyramids?

You can pay for tickets and in restaurants by card, but cash will come in handy for tips and souvenir purchases. Prices in Egypt are not very exorbitant and $50-100 should be enough for a trip to the Giza temple complex.

Are there hotels near the pyramids?

You don’t have to stay overnight in Cairo, because there are also hotels of varying standards near the pyramid complex. The tourist tax in Egypt depends on just the standard of the hotel.

Where to go on vacation to see the pyramids of Giza?

An Egyptian visa allows you to travel throughout the country, so to visit the pyramids, you do not necessarily need to book a vacation in Cairo.There are optional tours to the Giza pyramids from practically every popular resort. Hotels for snorkeling in Egypt usually provide the whole package of services related to the trip: transportation, meals, resident care, insurance. Egypt is relatively safe, but it is still better to go on such a long trip with a guide.

Hurghada is about 460 kilometers from Giza, and the trip takes less than 5 hours by car or bus. The price of an optional tour averages $95. Sharm el Sheikh is located 511 km from Giza and a one-way trip taes almost 6 hours.For an organized bus trip from Sharm el Sheikh to Giza and back you pay about $109 per person.

From Marsa Alam to Giza is the farthest, as far as 740 km, so it takes 7-8 hours to get there one way. Optional excursions usually last 3 days, and you get to the place by plane. The cost of such a trip is about $500 per person. One-day trips by bus are cheaper and cost an average of $350.